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jennregalado's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot. I read it in less than a dayđ so Genevieve falls asleep at the wheel and accidentally kills her famous boyfriend Dallas. She ends up moving to Utah with her dad and she meets this boy named Elliot and she recovers her memory and struggles with coming out and telling the world the truth because she knows the backlash is going yo horrible and alike the treatment of Brad Freeman, the driver who crashed into their car who was blamed for Dallasâ death.
makenna's review against another edition
4.0
I think I need to start this off with talking about what I liked most about this book, which was how much it kept making me feel over and over. I am always weary when books have flashbacks to events because I always seen to feel disconnected from them and from the character, but that wasn't how it was with this book. I cannot believe how much the flashbacks made me care for Dallas, and the fact that I was actually almost crying multiple times because I couldn't accept the fact that he wasn't just in a coma and could possibly come back. Not only were those flashbacks making me emotion, but so were the moments when Gen was afraid. during those moments when she was worried about the backlash of the truth coming out, I kept getting teary eye. Any book that can keep making me emotional over and over again like TIHIH deserves a clap and a half (and for the 99.9% of you who don't get that reference, it's from Game Theory on Youtube, sorry for my gaming nerd side slipping through, I just couldn't resist...)
Now for what I didn't like so much... the writing. I just was not a huge fan. During the beginning I noticed a lot of "telling but not showing" which is one of my biggest pet peeves when reading a book although I did not notice it as much after the first third, so it wasn't too bad). Not only did that bug me, but there were a lot of parts where I felt like it didn't flow as well as I would have liked. I am finding it difficult to describe the specifics of why it did not flow well, but it just didn't work well for me.
Here's me, being bad once again at ending a review. Honestly, I thought this was a really good book, and while I had my problems with the writing, I am definitely interested in reading Girl Against the Universe to see if that is a problem I will have with all of Paula's books or if maybe it's just this specific one.
Now for what I didn't like so much... the writing. I just was not a huge fan. During the beginning I noticed a lot of "telling but not showing" which is one of my biggest pet peeves when reading a book although I did not notice it as much after the first third, so it wasn't too bad). Not only did that bug me, but there were a lot of parts where I felt like it didn't flow as well as I would have liked. I am finding it difficult to describe the specifics of why it did not flow well, but it just didn't work well for me.
Here's me, being bad once again at ending a review. Honestly, I thought this was a really good book, and while I had my problems with the writing, I am definitely interested in reading Girl Against the Universe to see if that is a problem I will have with all of Paula's books or if maybe it's just this specific one.
kiaramedina's review
5.0
*I read this in July 2017 and reviewed it then. I read this as an arc. As always, this is my honest opinion. This review and others can be found at www.theterriblebookblogger.wordpress.com
This is my favorite Paula Stokes book.
That might seem a little dramatic since I finished it about 5 minutes ago and Iâve always shared my love for The Art of Lainey, but This is How it Happened is that good.
This book is so poignant and absolutely perfect. It made me think and analyze my thoughts and actions. Paula Stokes does a masterful job at painting the devastaing reality of car accidents and the powerful impact of social media.
There was not a single thing I disliked about this book. Everything about it is spot on. The characters, the family, the situations. Everything. This could be based on real life and I wouldnât be surprised.
Genevieve is painfully real. Her struggles, her grief, and her actions were so well done, that she becomes a real person in your mind. Survivorâs guilt is a thing, and boy does this book portray it well.
The topic of social media and the hashtag culture is also extremely important. Who hasnât seen Twitter fights and media call outs? Itâs the new reality, and this book deals with the implications of that, and it does it so well. Thereâs incredible insight to be had while reading this book.
Right from the beginning, I knew I would enjoy this book. I always enjoy Paula Stokesâ books, but I never thought it would impact me the way it did. This story was already resonating with me, but it only got more and more powerful as it went on. And then I was crying when I finished.
This is How it Happened is well written, well developed, and overall, a brilliantly perfect and deep book. It has a twinge of romance (which I always like), but itâs much more than that. It has power and it has impact.
This is my favorite Paula Stokes book.
That might seem a little dramatic since I finished it about 5 minutes ago and Iâve always shared my love for The Art of Lainey, but This is How it Happened is that good.
This book is so poignant and absolutely perfect. It made me think and analyze my thoughts and actions. Paula Stokes does a masterful job at painting the devastaing reality of car accidents and the powerful impact of social media.
There was not a single thing I disliked about this book. Everything about it is spot on. The characters, the family, the situations. Everything. This could be based on real life and I wouldnât be surprised.
Genevieve is painfully real. Her struggles, her grief, and her actions were so well done, that she becomes a real person in your mind. Survivorâs guilt is a thing, and boy does this book portray it well.
The topic of social media and the hashtag culture is also extremely important. Who hasnât seen Twitter fights and media call outs? Itâs the new reality, and this book deals with the implications of that, and it does it so well. Thereâs incredible insight to be had while reading this book.
Right from the beginning, I knew I would enjoy this book. I always enjoy Paula Stokesâ books, but I never thought it would impact me the way it did. This story was already resonating with me, but it only got more and more powerful as it went on. And then I was crying when I finished.
This is How it Happened is well written, well developed, and overall, a brilliantly perfect and deep book. It has a twinge of romance (which I always like), but itâs much more than that. It has power and it has impact.
restyourbones's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Y'all, I absolutely ADORED Elliott. *adds him to my book boyfriend list*
Y'all, I absolutely ADORED Elliott. *adds him to my book boyfriend list*
samantha_randolph's review
4.0
Paula Stokes's latest contemporary examines what it means to be highly connected to social media, what happens when your worst mistake is heard by millions, and facing your past. I love the complex layers to this story, particularly the inclusion of Zion National Park. Stokes masterfully shows how people, especially teens, are connected to nature and the internet (and the pros and cons of both). Genevieve is an excellent protagonist, relatable and realistically flawed. You'll find yourself captured by her story and eager to discover how (and if) Genevieve realizes and owns her mistakes.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so great, it dealt with issues such as online bullying and harassment, and of guilt and self-shaming. Really great read!
natarina's review against another edition
5.0
finished this book in one day! a super great book & has a powerful message. also, i cried so bad when i read the second half of the book i dont even know why
howlinglibraries's review
4.0
âWhere does seeking justice end and seeking vengeance begin?â
I really enjoy books that offer a unique social commentary, especially when itâs relevant to modern times, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. It touches on cyber-bullying, the social media jury phenomenon, and more, as well as some ever-relevant morals, such as honesty and trust.
PLOT âłâł
When Genevieve wakes up in a hospital, sheâs told sheâs been in a coma for a week â a coma caused by the car crash that killed her youtube sensation boyfriend, Dallas. A car crash that she was driving in. The journalists and reporters are all saying that the head-on collision is to blame on the other driver: Brad Freeman, a man whoâs already got at least one drunk driving charge under his belt. This prior blame, coupled with Dallasâ rise to stardom briefly before his demise, leads the internet into a frenzy. Social media sites everywhere are full of comment threads of users wishing death upon Brad and his family, with the majority fully convinced that he must have been another reckless drunk driver, taking the life of poor, innocent Dallas.
The problem is, Gen is the only one who can testify for or against Brad⌠and she doesnât remember the night of the accident, but something in her gut tells her that things arenât what they seem.
WHAT I LIKED âłâł
This was my first Paula Stokes book, and I really enjoyed her writing voice! Her style makes for a quick and easy read without being mediocre, and there was constantly this underlying theme that she was proving more than one important point to her readers, which I liked. Obviously, not every story needs a moral, but this book has them, and portrays them well.
I also found Gen to be a really solid, likeable MC. Sheâs made mistakes, and while some of them have been traumatic, itâs always clear that sheâs not a âbad personâ; the mistakes sheâs made were things that anyone could do if theyâre not being cautious or thinking carefully, which drives the point home that much further.
I also really loved the fact that weâre shown this perspective of her relationship with Dallas that easily explains how she can be interested in a new guy not long after his death; despite her own concerns that people will judge her for moving on too fast, I never felt like the progression was rushed or unnatural. Plus, the love interest in this book is a real catch, and his gay dads are so adorable you canât help but love the entire little family.
WHAT I DISLIKED âłâł
I actually donât think there was much of anything I outright disliked about this book; itâs more than it wasnât anything mind-blowing, so I couldnât quite justify 5 stars. I donât think that this book is the kind of story that will stick with me for long, because I didnât just love it. I actually found it just a little bit difficult to relate to Gen and Dallas, with the whole brilliant-girl-genius and overnight-youtube-music-sensation vibe. Plus, both of Genâs parents are surgeons and her step-mom is a boss at this fancy government park, so everything felt very⌠upper class and a little bit unapproachable, if that makes sense.
FINAL VERDICT âłâł
All in all, is this the kind of book that will stay with me for a long time to come? Probably not. Is this the kind of book that I might reread in the future? Debatable. Would I pick up other titles from Paula later on, though? Absolutely! I think sheâs got a whole well full of potential and I canât wait to see where she takes it.
Thank you so much to Paula Stokes and the lovely folks at HarperTeen for this ARC! All opinions expressed here are my own.
You can also find this review on my blog!
I really enjoy books that offer a unique social commentary, especially when itâs relevant to modern times, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. It touches on cyber-bullying, the social media jury phenomenon, and more, as well as some ever-relevant morals, such as honesty and trust.
PLOT âłâł
When Genevieve wakes up in a hospital, sheâs told sheâs been in a coma for a week â a coma caused by the car crash that killed her youtube sensation boyfriend, Dallas. A car crash that she was driving in. The journalists and reporters are all saying that the head-on collision is to blame on the other driver: Brad Freeman, a man whoâs already got at least one drunk driving charge under his belt. This prior blame, coupled with Dallasâ rise to stardom briefly before his demise, leads the internet into a frenzy. Social media sites everywhere are full of comment threads of users wishing death upon Brad and his family, with the majority fully convinced that he must have been another reckless drunk driver, taking the life of poor, innocent Dallas.
The problem is, Gen is the only one who can testify for or against Brad⌠and she doesnât remember the night of the accident, but something in her gut tells her that things arenât what they seem.
WHAT I LIKED âłâł
This was my first Paula Stokes book, and I really enjoyed her writing voice! Her style makes for a quick and easy read without being mediocre, and there was constantly this underlying theme that she was proving more than one important point to her readers, which I liked. Obviously, not every story needs a moral, but this book has them, and portrays them well.
I also found Gen to be a really solid, likeable MC. Sheâs made mistakes, and while some of them have been traumatic, itâs always clear that sheâs not a âbad personâ; the mistakes sheâs made were things that anyone could do if theyâre not being cautious or thinking carefully, which drives the point home that much further.
I also really loved the fact that weâre shown this perspective of her relationship with Dallas that easily explains how she can be interested in a new guy not long after his death; despite her own concerns that people will judge her for moving on too fast, I never felt like the progression was rushed or unnatural. Plus, the love interest in this book is a real catch, and his gay dads are so adorable you canât help but love the entire little family.
WHAT I DISLIKED âłâł
I actually donât think there was much of anything I outright disliked about this book; itâs more than it wasnât anything mind-blowing, so I couldnât quite justify 5 stars. I donât think that this book is the kind of story that will stick with me for long, because I didnât just love it. I actually found it just a little bit difficult to relate to Gen and Dallas, with the whole brilliant-girl-genius and overnight-youtube-music-sensation vibe. Plus, both of Genâs parents are surgeons and her step-mom is a boss at this fancy government park, so everything felt very⌠upper class and a little bit unapproachable, if that makes sense.
FINAL VERDICT âłâł
All in all, is this the kind of book that will stay with me for a long time to come? Probably not. Is this the kind of book that I might reread in the future? Debatable. Would I pick up other titles from Paula later on, though? Absolutely! I think sheâs got a whole well full of potential and I canât wait to see where she takes it.
Thank you so much to Paula Stokes and the lovely folks at HarperTeen for this ARC! All opinions expressed here are my own.
You can also find this review on my blog!
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
3.0
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
This Is How It Happened is just isnât what I had thought it would be. I donât know if Iâm the only one who got this impression from the blurb, but I had expected an emotional story that constantly has me at the edge of my seat because holy crap dead YouTuber star/boyfriend, girlfriend who may or may not be the cause of his death, and another driver who the public assumes is guilty sounds like the perfect cocktail for an anxiety-inducing and a fast-paced book. Instead, the actual story is mostly slow-paced, and itâs narrated by a girl whoâs grief and guilt doesnât sound sincere.
You see, by âa story that constantly has me at the edge of my seatâ, I mean that I had expected a book that gradually reveals what happened on The Night Genevieveâs life changedâa book that neatly switches from present to past to present again like what the first three chapters do because itâs supposed to be about how it happened. However, the reality is that the reader gets the entire story of what happened on The Night from Genevieve in a handful of chapters while the bulk of the story is rather unnecessary romance that makes her grief and guilt feel disingenuous. Yeah, Dallas wasnât a great boyfriend before The Night, and Iâm all for Genevieve moving on and living her life. But, Genevieve is also a girl who was reluctant to break up with Dallas despite being unable to forget his mistake even though she has forgiven him. To read about her moving on to another guy so quickly justâŚcheapens makes her grief in a wayâmakes it shallow and insincere.
Moreover, due to my aforementioned expectations for the books, the romance also feels like a huge filler. It doesnât add anything substantial to the story (in the sense that this whole book sounds like itâll focus on The Night and how things got settled, not on Genevieve moving on), it drags the pacing down and it overshadows the important lessons embedded in the book. I do like Elliot and all, but I dislike it when things are being dragged out even more. Also, Genevieveâs conscience-hashtag-talk is something I never want to go through ever again. It looks cool on paper and once or twice is fine, but there are an increase in the hashtags in one of the chapters and just #ThinkingAboutHow #ItâsMentallySaid #IsIncrediblyAwkward.
All in all, This Is How It Happened is more or less âmehâ for me. I thought that I finally found another character who I can relate to but as mentioned earlier, Genevieveâs grief and guilt feels too insincere. Nevertheless, I really love the idea for it, the issues it touches, and the diversity Stokes includes. Itâs just that I donât think they were executed effectively, particularly when it comes to the middle of the book. The beginning and ending were great, though!
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
This Is How It Happened is just isnât what I had thought it would be. I donât know if Iâm the only one who got this impression from the blurb, but I had expected an emotional story that constantly has me at the edge of my seat because holy crap dead YouTuber star/boyfriend, girlfriend who may or may not be the cause of his death, and another driver who the public assumes is guilty sounds like the perfect cocktail for an anxiety-inducing and a fast-paced book. Instead, the actual story is mostly slow-paced, and itâs narrated by a girl whoâs grief and guilt doesnât sound sincere.
You see, by âa story that constantly has me at the edge of my seatâ, I mean that I had expected a book that gradually reveals what happened on The Night Genevieveâs life changedâa book that neatly switches from present to past to present again like what the first three chapters do because itâs supposed to be about how it happened. However, the reality is that the reader gets the entire story of what happened on The Night from Genevieve in a handful of chapters while the bulk of the story is rather unnecessary romance that makes her grief and guilt feel disingenuous. Yeah, Dallas wasnât a great boyfriend before The Night, and Iâm all for Genevieve moving on and living her life. But, Genevieve is also a girl who was reluctant to break up with Dallas despite being unable to forget his mistake even though she has forgiven him. To read about her moving on to another guy so quickly justâŚcheapens makes her grief in a wayâmakes it shallow and insincere.
Moreover, due to my aforementioned expectations for the books, the romance also feels like a huge filler. It doesnât add anything substantial to the story (in the sense that this whole book sounds like itâll focus on The Night and how things got settled, not on Genevieve moving on), it drags the pacing down and it overshadows the important lessons embedded in the book. I do like Elliot and all, but I dislike it when things are being dragged out even more. Also, Genevieveâs conscience-hashtag-talk is something I never want to go through ever again. It looks cool on paper and once or twice is fine, but there are an increase in the hashtags in one of the chapters and just #ThinkingAboutHow #ItâsMentallySaid #IsIncrediblyAwkward.
All in all, This Is How It Happened is more or less âmehâ for me. I thought that I finally found another character who I can relate to but as mentioned earlier, Genevieveâs grief and guilt feels too insincere. Nevertheless, I really love the idea for it, the issues it touches, and the diversity Stokes includes. Itâs just that I donât think they were executed effectively, particularly when it comes to the middle of the book. The beginning and ending were great, though!