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kaylamoran's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
3.0
I'm seeing a lot of reviews that said they liked Xavier... and I'm wondering if we read the same book? He did some awful stuff in this book. Same with Sophie, and it's all just glossed over instead of properly addressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Sexual harassment
carebearnecessities's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Don’t let the 65% fool you, I really did enjoy this book and what it represented—the story the author wanted to tell. However, I just think with all the topics covered throughout the book (facets of Asian American identity, connecting to culture, mental health and general YA/coming of age), sometimes the more serious conversations feel a bit condensed. At one point towards the middle of the book, Ever is like- I feel like I’m learning so much about my heritage! And I’m like, ??? By this time you’ve skipped like all your classes after week 1– and we didn’t even get a lot of scenes with the Mandarin and calligraphy and Chinese medicine classes because more time was spent detailing the nights out and love triangle! In the first third of the book I liked the way it was setting up Ever to exposure and immersion in Chinese/Taiwanese culture and bond with other Asian Americans, but then most of the second and final thirds of the book seemed to focus more on dance, teenage shenanigans, and the love triangle. And then maybe in the final 100 pages we got back into the discussions of “heritage” and Asian (American) identity again.
Also, I feel like with the serious topics such as n*de leaking and severe depression, there should of been a little more care in its depiction? By this, I mean that for me—and maybe it’s subjective—but we forgave Sophie too soon. At one point Ever was saying, “we both hurt each other.” But I feel like kissing a guy that your friend likes and distributing p*rnography are two completely different levels of betrayal??? Plus, that “moment” with Xavier returning the last picture… was him admitting it to it supposed to be this sad, forlorn thing? Like him keeping the picture is not “romantic” or simp-y or teenage, love triangle angsty in any appropriate way, regardless of her already having slept with him. Lastly, with the portrayal of Jenna, maybe it’s just me but I really had this negative itch towards her continually being described as “frail” after her situation (with Rick) is finally revealed. And maybe there’s not much that could’ve been done since she wasn’t part of the camp, but her story seemed to be used to elevate Rick’s character development and tie that to the pressures in his life. Again, since she wasn’t a central character, maybe this could’ve been harder to incorporate through her lens, but still…. Anyways, I do appreciate that the book tried to cover these sensitive topics that should be discussed through literature. I think it’s just the fact of “”adult”” topics (granted, struggles with mental health, p*rnography, domestic abuse, and identity issues are things ’much younger people deal with also but I mean) told through a more “YA” lens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse
princessm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Chronic illness, and Classism
bookswithabbey1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
maple_dove's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I really enjoyed the romance, plot twists/unexpected events, discussion of racism, and things a lot of Asian-Americans (youth) experience. I could NOT stop making up an AU of Ever being an anti-hero/villain. 😈
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racial slurs
Profanitycrypticbookslut's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I listened to the book in audiobook form, I enjoyed it so much that I’m buying the physical copy. A few characters got on my nerves, but overall I really enjoyed it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Violence
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