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abbeyroad1410's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have such conflicting feelings regarding this book because I truly enjoyed it, but there was cheating involved which always makes me feel a bit icky.
To start, I really loved the book's message that sometimes you need time apart from your best friends to truly grow into the person you need to be. The focus on independent growth is a very important plot for a book directed at teens who tend to travel in packs and I really like that element to it.
Additionally, there were a lot of really great things to keep my attention. The playlists were a very cool addition (and had really great music on the). I liked that the lists were put in a font that could have been handwriting. My favorite part was the flashbacks. I feel like I put this in a lot of reviews, but I think flashbacks are such a good way to show how a character's actions are influenced by the past without them just monologuing their backstory at you for several pages. I think the flashbacks are very effectively used here.
Another thing, I loved the characters of Emily, Frank, Dawn, and Collins. Not only could you see the differences in their personality, but you could also see how their personalities worked together to bring them out of their shells or help them open up about their insecurities with each other. The friendship and the characters felt very honest and real.
Now for the things I didn't like so much. I hate cheating as a plot device to get characters together. This novel does get a slight reprieve from the scathing review that I gave One Day in December, however, because you could feel how guilty the characters felt about it, so it didn't fully impact the way I viewed their character as a whole. I honestly think my biggest gripe with this was how avoidable the cheating was. The novel literally could have had Lissa break up with Frank on his birthday and this whole thing could have been avoided. Additionally, I like that the novel immediately has Dawn call Emily out for her actions because it feels less like the character's actions are acceptable.
My one other issue was with the plot elements the novel leaves hanging such as: Do Emily and Dawn ever make up? Additionally, as someone from South Carolina, the fact that River Port is not an actual town bothers me. I think it especially bothers me because Charleston is mentioned. There is a Riverport community in Hardeesville, so I kind of just ignored that while reading the novel.
Overall, I think this is a really well-written book. I think that I would have really enjoyed it as a teenager, and I enjoyed it now.
To start, I really loved the book's message that sometimes you need time apart from your best friends to truly grow into the person you need to be. The focus on independent growth is a very important plot for a book directed at teens who tend to travel in packs and I really like that element to it.
Additionally, there were a lot of really great things to keep my attention. The playlists were a very cool addition (and had really great music on the). I liked that the lists were put in a font that could have been handwriting. My favorite part was the flashbacks. I feel like I put this in a lot of reviews, but I think flashbacks are such a good way to show how a character's actions are influenced by the past without them just monologuing their backstory at you for several pages. I think the flashbacks are very effectively used here.
Another thing, I loved the characters of Emily, Frank, Dawn, and Collins. Not only could you see the differences in their personality, but you could also see how their personalities worked together to bring them out of their shells or help them open up about their insecurities with each other. The friendship and the characters felt very honest and real.
Now for the things I didn't like so much. I hate cheating as a plot device to get characters together. This novel does get a slight reprieve from the scathing review that I gave One Day in December, however, because you could feel how guilty the characters felt about it, so it didn't fully impact the way I viewed their character as a whole.
My one other issue was with the plot elements the novel leaves hanging such as: Do Emily and Dawn ever make up? Additionally, as someone from South Carolina, the fact that River Port is not an actual town bothers me. I think it especially bothers me because Charleston is mentioned. There is a Riverport community in Hardeesville, so I kind of just ignored that while reading the novel.
Overall, I think this is a really well-written book. I think that I would have really enjoyed it as a teenager, and I enjoyed it now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
beyourbestshelf's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Infidelity
thebookpaiges's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Stalking
Minor: Cursing
menomica's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
[…] I had the list. But I was no longer, it was becoming very clear, on my own in trying to finish it. My friends were helping me.
Morgan Matson you’re a witch doctor for making me ship not one but two (2!!) cishet teen pairings. But here we are!
This book was so nice and gentle. I fell in love with Emily and her journey of self-discovery as she learns to build her confidence outside of her friendship with Sloane. I loved the characters in this book and it was really sweet to see how Emily built her own friendships with other people.
The writing was also nice. It was a bit rough at times but mostly decent and fun :).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
kalin_grace's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
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