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lindoforbes's review against another edition
Published April 7, 2020
YA, 320 pages
Standalone
POV
Bechdel Test: Pass
Do they bang? No
Representation: Korean-American main character , BIPOC side characters
YA, 320 pages
Standalone
POV
Bechdel Test: Pass
Do they bang? No
Representation: Korean-American main character , BIPOC side characters
amycoles's review against another edition
5.0
This is exactly the type of book I needed to read right now (and I'm sure it would make a great pandemic stress reliever for loads of people!)
A YA romcom of a zombie escape room host and a zombie escape room actor enter into a zombie survival competition to win some money that's much needed by them both for much different reasons.
This was such an easy read (listen), it was cute, funny, and had a great touch of action and survival. I'd highly recommend if you need something easy and fun!
A YA romcom of a zombie escape room host and a zombie escape room actor enter into a zombie survival competition to win some money that's much needed by them both for much different reasons.
This was such an easy read (listen), it was cute, funny, and had a great touch of action and survival. I'd highly recommend if you need something easy and fun!
cassiewbee's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I think this book and I started off on the wrong foot. If there’s one trope that I dislike more than any other it’s instalove and, unfortunately, this was the main driver of the romance in this story. That being said, I tried to look past it and not let it colour my opinion of the entire narrative - but it was difficult because, oh boy, do I hate that trope.
I think the stronger points of this story were the friendships. I just wish they had been a larger focal point of the narrative. I liked the idea behind the fractured father-daughter relationship too, but it became comic movie villian-esq by the end and I just couldn’t take it seriously. The father was a caricature, rather than a layered and interesting character.
I enjoyed the setting of a zombie survival competition. Although I think that also made it slightly confusing at times because it changed the tone and made it feel more like a horror/thriller. This could have been played on to make it feel more deliberate, but as it was, it just felt odd.
I think there is definite potential from this author. The writing and pacing were solid. But, overall, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this title to review!
I think this book and I started off on the wrong foot. If there’s one trope that I dislike more than any other it’s instalove and, unfortunately, this was the main driver of the romance in this story. That being said, I tried to look past it and not let it colour my opinion of the entire narrative - but it was difficult because, oh boy, do I hate that trope.
I think the stronger points of this story were the friendships. I just wish they had been a larger focal point of the narrative. I liked the idea behind the fractured father-daughter relationship too, but it became comic movie villian-esq by the end and I just couldn’t take it seriously. The father was a caricature, rather than a layered and interesting character.
I enjoyed the setting of a zombie survival competition. Although I think that also made it slightly confusing at times because it changed the tone and made it feel more like a horror/thriller. This could have been played on to make it feel more deliberate, but as it was, it just felt odd.
I think there is definite potential from this author. The writing and pacing were solid. But, overall, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this title to review!
bibliophilebindings's review against another edition
4.0
- I got my hands on an ARC of this book from a giveaway -
- cute story and cute ending
- would've liked to see more of the competition in the book
- I liked the lessons that were learned
- I would have liked to see more on how Nate feels about Kate's dad
- the plot is vague and it feels like the transition from to
- not a lot of romance, to be honest
- cute story and cute ending
- would've liked to see more of the competition in the book
- I liked the lessons that were learned
Spoiler
(money not being important and what can make someone happy. Money isn't everything)- I would have liked to see more on how Nate feels about Kate's dad
- the plot is vague and it feels like the transition from
Spoiler
escape roomSpoiler
signing up for the competitionSpoiler
clashed, rather than transitioning smoothly- not a lot of romance, to be honest
hmneighbors's review against another edition
5.0
Someone, please cue Taylor Swift's "Enchanted"
I didn't expect to relate to so many aspects in this book. They live in Washington State, so do I. Nate's poor, same. Kate's dad is all over the damn place emotionally, and so is Mine.
I love the characters' meet cute moment, and then a few chapters later, it feels like your hearts getting ripped out of your chest.
"Please Don't Be In Love With Someone Else"
Same, because it felt like the moment Nate and Kate had a moment, it was soiled. I loved the ending, but I wish it ended differently. Overall, I loved this book!
I didn't expect to relate to so many aspects in this book. They live in Washington State, so do I. Nate's poor, same. Kate's dad is all over the damn place emotionally, and so is Mine.
I love the characters' meet cute moment, and then a few chapters later, it feels like your hearts getting ripped out of your chest.
"Please Don't Be In Love With Someone Else"
Same, because it felt like the moment Nate and Kate had a moment, it was soiled. I loved the ending, but I wish it ended differently. Overall, I loved this book!
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun book. I’m a sucker for fun zombie stories and this was all that and more. We’re following Nate and Kate as they are both dealing with their senior years of high school and the struggles that come with that. On top of this, Nate goes to a private school on scholarship and another student is trying to bribe him into getting bad grades. While Kate’s dad is incredibly wealthy, but Kate’s home life is anything but good. I really liked the contrast between these two characters. I thought it was really interesting to show how money does not equal happiness. I liked the different family dynamics. Nate has two parents that really love one another and a younger sister that’s constantly in his stuff. Kate’s mom died years ago and her dad hasn’t been a dad to her since then. He’s always away on business but also manages to still know all of her business. I thought it was interesting that though their situations were different they both felt a bit suffocated in their lives.
I also totally loved the survivalist competition. I loved Nate and Kate as a team. I really liked how they complimented on another. They were also both realistic characters. Kate always worrying about her sweaty hands and Nate was an awkward teenage boy with a crush on a girl.
Overall, I had fun with this one. This would be a good book for spooky season because of the realistic zombies. I liked the characters. I was happy with the ending. I’d definitely recommend this one.
I also totally loved the survivalist competition. I loved Nate and Kate as a team. I really liked how they complimented on another. They were also both realistic characters. Kate always worrying about her sweaty hands and Nate was an awkward teenage boy with a crush on a girl.
Overall, I had fun with this one. This would be a good book for spooky season because of the realistic zombies. I liked the characters. I was happy with the ending. I’d definitely recommend this one.
missthomsenreads's review against another edition
3.0
“Nate Kim. And Kate. Kate Kim. Nate and Kate Kim. I liked the sound of that.”
Nate Jae-Woo Kim wants to be rich. Kate Anderson wants a new beginning away from her domineering father. Nate and Kate happen to meet at the zombie-themed escape room they both work at and sparks fly immediately. With a shared secret interest in making money, they decide to team up to try to win a weekend-long survivalist competition with a large cash prize. With feelings and frights, who knows if they’ll make it through the weekend.
Nate and Kate are such lovable characters that you will fly right through reading this book. They are quirky and determined… and a little awkward lol. This story is sweet and funny, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters.
I wish there were a few more scenes in the zombie-themed escape room because it was a fun part of the book, but also I understand it’s not supposed to be the main focus. However, the main focus felt unclear… is it the competition? Is it the romance? The idea of a survivalist competition is so fun, but there wasn’t enough of the actual competition and it felt rushed. I wish a few previous chapters were omitted in order for a better focus on the survivalist competition as well as Nate and Kate’s bonding during that weekend.
Overall, a lovely YA romance with fun characters and settings. I would definitely recommend this to those in their teens or anyone who just loves reading about young love (and zombies)!
The Perfect Escape by: Suzanne Park //
Nate Jae-Woo Kim wants to be rich. Kate Anderson wants a new beginning away from her domineering father. Nate and Kate happen to meet at the zombie-themed escape room they both work at and sparks fly immediately. With a shared secret interest in making money, they decide to team up to try to win a weekend-long survivalist competition with a large cash prize. With feelings and frights, who knows if they’ll make it through the weekend.
Nate and Kate are such lovable characters that you will fly right through reading this book. They are quirky and determined… and a little awkward lol. This story is sweet and funny, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters.
I wish there were a few more scenes in the zombie-themed escape room because it was a fun part of the book, but also I understand it’s not supposed to be the main focus. However, the main focus felt unclear… is it the competition? Is it the romance? The idea of a survivalist competition is so fun, but there wasn’t enough of the actual competition and it felt rushed. I wish a few previous chapters were omitted in order for a better focus on the survivalist competition as well as Nate and Kate’s bonding during that weekend.
Overall, a lovely YA romance with fun characters and settings. I would definitely recommend this to those in their teens or anyone who just loves reading about young love (and zombies)!
The Perfect Escape by: Suzanne Park //