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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
This was a delightful read. Leah Johnson is an automatic buy for me. As cute as this story was, I think I like “You Should See Me in a Crown” better. It was a little repetitive at times but all the characters were just so lovable and endearing. I wish we got to see more of Olivia dealing with the fallout from what happened to her. Even her family’s reactions to it were interesting. She could definitely benefit from some therapy. I also love how she wears her heart on her sleeve but finally realizes she doesn’t need the attention or affection of others to feel validated.
I’d love to see Leah Johnson’s books adapted to screen.
I’d love to see Leah Johnson’s books adapted to screen.
Ok I probably would’ve given this two stars except for the fact that I really did love the setting and the atmosphere. I didn’t like the fact that at the beginning Olivia’s friend was like “promise no hookups or crushes this weekend!!” And that’s literally what the whole book was about.
Also the fact that her friend declared her love and then we just ignored that??? Idk to me Olivia was just pretty unlikeable and if she was my friend I’d be in Imani’s shoes and be super pissed
Also the fact that her friend declared her love and then we just ignored that??? Idk to me Olivia was just pretty unlikeable and if she was my friend I’d be in Imani’s shoes and be super pissed
I really loved Leah Johnson's novel "You Should See Me In A Crown" last year, but I've got a bit more mixed feelings about this one. I still enjoyed it though!
First of all, I was very happy about the content warnings that were given before the first chapter. Just like it should be done in every book!
We've got two different perspectives: Toni and Olivia who meet at a music festival. They're messy characters, they have to deal with their own individual struggles while getting to know each other: grief and heartbreak and their futures after graduating high school are part of those.
I liked that the chapters were short, it was fast paced just like how I would expect and want a short contemporary read to be!
There's bisexual representation and a few discussions about the biphobia and stereotypes bi people have to face, that was amazing.
I didn't particularly fancy the insta love part of this book though. I'm always a bit hesitant about rushed romances like that. Sometimes it's just a bit too much if characters have such DEEP feelings for each other after two days of knowing each other..
Even though there's a content warning for gun violence, I wasn't prepared for how big of a role it was going to play. That is MY fault. For me it was really difficult to read because I am very scared of shootings during concerts/festivals and this definitely hit the spot for me, so I just wanted to share that with you, in case that's a trigger for you as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a sapphic contemporary romance story that doesn't shy away from heavy topics, but still highlights the joy of music, romance and friendship!
content warnings: parental loss, panic attacks, gun violence, shooting, nonconsensual image sharing, asthma attacks, bullying
First of all, I was very happy about the content warnings that were given before the first chapter. Just like it should be done in every book!
We've got two different perspectives: Toni and Olivia who meet at a music festival. They're messy characters, they have to deal with their own individual struggles while getting to know each other: grief and heartbreak and their futures after graduating high school are part of those.
I liked that the chapters were short, it was fast paced just like how I would expect and want a short contemporary read to be!
There's bisexual representation and a few discussions about the biphobia and stereotypes bi people have to face, that was amazing.
I didn't particularly fancy the insta love part of this book though. I'm always a bit hesitant about rushed romances like that. Sometimes it's just a bit too much if characters have such DEEP feelings for each other after two days of knowing each other..
Even though there's a content warning for gun violence, I wasn't prepared for how big of a role it was going to play. That is MY fault. For me it was really difficult to read because I am very scared of shootings during concerts/festivals and this definitely hit the spot for me, so I just wanted to share that with you, in case that's a trigger for you as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a sapphic contemporary romance story that doesn't shy away from heavy topics, but still highlights the joy of music, romance and friendship!
content warnings: parental loss, panic attacks, gun violence, shooting, nonconsensual image sharing, asthma attacks, bullying
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5
CW: (provided by the author) loss of a parent, panic attacks, gun violence, and nonconsensual image sharing. As well as talk of mass shootings, anxiety depiction, asthma attacks, online bullying and harassment, ptsd depiction, many feelings of abandonment.
This was so. dang. good. While I loved it, I think [b:You Should See Me in a Crown|50160619|You Should See Me in a Crown|Leah Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568912283l/50160619._SX50_SY75_.jpg|69288604] is still my absolute favorite book by Leah. That being said, I think this will still have a very special place in my heart as it reminds me so much of my best friend with her love of music, especially live music and concerts like Toni and Olivia, to Olivia's feeling of being too much for everyone and being only good at ruining relationships. My copy of the book is going straight into her hands the moment I see her again.
As a whole, I don't really enjoy live music, from the crush of the crowds to the noise of people screaming during the performance. It's too loud, too much, and I have too much anxiety and sensitivity to noise. But, this book really has me romanticizing the energy a music festival has. I love all these characters and the adventure of the plot. Now, where is the movie adaptation? The Hulu series?? I have a mighty need to see this on the screen.
This book just cemented auto-buy status for me.
CW: (provided by the author) loss of a parent, panic attacks, gun violence, and nonconsensual image sharing. As well as talk of mass shootings, anxiety depiction, asthma attacks, online bullying and harassment, ptsd depiction, many feelings of abandonment.
This was so. dang. good. While I loved it, I think [b:You Should See Me in a Crown|50160619|You Should See Me in a Crown|Leah Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568912283l/50160619._SX50_SY75_.jpg|69288604] is still my absolute favorite book by Leah. That being said, I think this will still have a very special place in my heart as it reminds me so much of my best friend with her love of music, especially live music and concerts like Toni and Olivia, to Olivia's feeling of being too much for everyone and being only good at ruining relationships. My copy of the book is going straight into her hands the moment I see her again.
As a whole, I don't really enjoy live music, from the crush of the crowds to the noise of people screaming during the performance. It's too loud, too much, and I have too much anxiety and sensitivity to noise. But, this book really has me romanticizing the energy a music festival has. I love all these characters and the adventure of the plot. Now, where is the movie adaptation? The Hulu series?? I have a mighty need to see this on the screen.
This book just cemented auto-buy status for me.
Although this book is a love letter to a lot of things, queer youth, black youth, women, etc. It is also a love letter to live music. As somebody who wrote a term paper for a religion course in college about live concerts being a religious experience, Rise to the Sun’s concept had me hooked.
After 18 months of no large gatherings, no music festivals, no live shows in crowded bars this book served as a beautifully written reminder of why those spaces are so special.
On top of a setting I can tell was written by somebody with the same passion for it as me, the story is beautiful. One filled with friendship, love, loss, and just general teenage antics. What isn’t to love? This book has reignited my longing to go out and make more friends with strangers at concerts again. 4.25/5.
After 18 months of no large gatherings, no music festivals, no live shows in crowded bars this book served as a beautifully written reminder of why those spaces are so special.
On top of a setting I can tell was written by somebody with the same passion for it as me, the story is beautiful. One filled with friendship, love, loss, and just general teenage antics. What isn’t to love? This book has reignited my longing to go out and make more friends with strangers at concerts again. 4.25/5.
I was gifted Rise to the Sun by Scholastic for my spot on the blog tour with Pride Book Tours
“Love is messy and awkward and ugly, but at least it’s honest.”❤️
I couldn’t put this book down. I read most of it in one day (minus the first 8 pages the first day before I fell asleep on the sofa
“Love is messy and awkward and ugly, but at least it’s honest.”❤️
I couldn’t put this book down. I read most of it in one day (minus the first 8 pages the first day before I fell asleep on the sofa
Leah has done it again! This story wraps every emotion you want to feel into an enthralling story coated in laughter. It’s a love story, not just romantic but about friendship, family, yourself, but most importantly the community of live music. This book made my heart feel as whole and warm as it does when I’m standing in sweaty crowds singing along to my favorite song. I hope all the people who know the beauty, anxiety, and multitudes of that feeling get to read this book and feel at home.