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rebecanunez's review
3.0
** Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
Lo primero que quiero decir es qué me sorprendió. En varios lugares, había visto el libro reseñado como de fácil lectura, pero tiene una profundidad, que me sorprendió. En un mundo donde estamos tan conectados a las redes sociales, y esta tan presente la problemática del bullying y el abuso, es importante que existan libros que traten estos temas, y sean de ficción, ya que puede ser una herramienta poderosa para transmitir el mensaje. Hay algunos puntos que tal vez podrían haber sido encarados de otra forma, y la resolución no fue del todo satisfactoria. De todas formas, hay realidad en que no sea una historia de ensueño feliz.
Lo primero que quiero decir es qué me sorprendió. En varios lugares, había visto el libro reseñado como de fácil lectura, pero tiene una profundidad, que me sorprendió. En un mundo donde estamos tan conectados a las redes sociales, y esta tan presente la problemática del bullying y el abuso, es importante que existan libros que traten estos temas, y sean de ficción, ya que puede ser una herramienta poderosa para transmitir el mensaje. Hay algunos puntos que tal vez podrían haber sido encarados de otra forma, y la resolución no fue del todo satisfactoria. De todas formas, hay realidad en que no sea una historia de ensueño feliz.
thebookishmel's review
2.0
2.5 rating
Okay I don’t know how to fully feel about this book. There are plenty of moments that I didn’t like especially when it came to the girl on girl hate. I didn’t like that I only realize she was 16 after it was mentioned around 80 to 90% of the book, I totally thought that she was like 17 or 18. There were so many typical high school tropes in this and it felt like a really bad rendition of Mean Girls.
I think the only sane character throughout all this was Isabel and that’s because she would literally sit there and call lemon out on her lack of desire to do anything productive and positive. I definitely think that Lemon was a self deprecating character, and she really didn’t realize the effect that her behavior had on the rest of the world. I do think though that played a great role in character development and having Isabel call her out like that and have her realize is a great way to sort out at the end of the novel.
I genuinely think only parts that I really liked of this book were the first 20% in the last 10% but the rest of the book just wasn’t that great. I got an arc from Net Galley and I don’t know if I would necessarily recommend this, but it was only sort of okay.
Okay I don’t know how to fully feel about this book. There are plenty of moments that I didn’t like especially when it came to the girl on girl hate. I didn’t like that I only realize she was 16 after it was mentioned around 80 to 90% of the book, I totally thought that she was like 17 or 18. There were so many typical high school tropes in this and it felt like a really bad rendition of Mean Girls.
I think the only sane character throughout all this was Isabel and that’s because she would literally sit there and call lemon out on her lack of desire to do anything productive and positive. I definitely think that Lemon was a self deprecating character, and she really didn’t realize the effect that her behavior had on the rest of the world. I do think though that played a great role in character development and having Isabel call her out like that and have her realize is a great way to sort out at the end of the novel.
I genuinely think only parts that I really liked of this book were the first 20% in the last 10% but the rest of the book just wasn’t that great. I got an arc from Net Galley and I don’t know if I would necessarily recommend this, but it was only sort of okay.
notwithoutmybook's review
2.0
This is a really difficult book to review, because I have such mixed feelings about it. It started out quite promising, I liked Lemon's character and it's clear that the author can write, there are just far too many things about this story that are really problematic. The romance was very 'insta-love' which isn't necessarily bad, but to me it fell flat. There was just no real chemistry between the two characters, none of the build up and intensity to back up them getting together. The main thing that really frustrated me though, a lot, actually, was that Lemon's home life with her dad was nothing short of abusive - this was never highlighted even slightly and the full-scale bullying she endured at school and online was not only brushed under the carpet by everybody, but twisted around to hold Lemon responsible for all of it. In reality, the police should have been involved, but the bullies weren't at all reprimanded and the amount of victim blaming and gaslighting going on just made me feel angry and sad.
oncemorewithreading's review
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lemon Lavender’s life isn’t going so well. Her perfect sister dropped out of college and ran away to Europe leaving their mother in a zombie like state and their father in a constant angry mood who will take every opportunity to lecture Lemon about responsibility.
In between taking care of her mother and avoiding her father’s wrath Lemon is trying to remain invisible at school. However, that’s extremely hard with a name like Lemon Lavender. When Graham Stuart starts at her school and starts to show an interest in her Lemon finally feels like things are looking up for her.
Lemon falls hard for Graham, but she isn’t the only one. Graham’s most ardent admirer makes it very clear that Lemon needs to back off or risk being the subject of a vicious gossip vlog. Lemon tries to lay low, keeping her newfound relationship with Graham a secret Lemon finds her world quickly falling apart. With vicious rumours now circulating the school Lemon finds herself in the spotlight that shreds her reputation. Her relationships are crumbling around her and Lemon has never felt more alone.
Lemon has to find her voice and fight back but only if she’s ready to step out of the shadows that have become her best friend.
I did enjoy this book and found it difficult to put down. I wanted to know how Lemon’s story played out. Whilst I was disappointed in how everything panned out I did feel incredibly emotionally connected to Lemon. Her life is in shambles and she’s just trying to be a normal teenage girl. She wants to go out, she wants to fall in love and most of all she just wants to be herself even if she isn’t quite sure of who that is yet.
Instead, Lemon is thrust into a lifestyle which no teenager should have to experience. She’s become the mother of the house and instead of having fun and focusing on her future she’s cleaning, cooking and looking after her mother. My heart honestly broke for Lemon so many times in this book and I found myself constantly rooting for her.
My biggest problem with this book is that I feel like this book is very much focusing on victim blaming. Lemon is constantly being made to think that everything that has happened is her fault.
The Lavender’s are falling apart, and Lemon is doing everything she can to keep the family together but instead of being praised for how hard she’s works she is criticised and berated for not being the perfect daughter. She’s the victim of bullying and yet the school is quick to ignore that and instead criticise her for lashing out. There were no repercussions for the actions of the bullies and instead it was all just brushed under the rug.
There is no support for Lemon in this book and her best friend is even quick to turn her back on her, telling her to man up and ignore it all. Her family couldn’t care less and even after they are made aware of the vandalism that Lemon suffered it’s completely ignored. I don’t know if that’s because of her the Lavender family react in situations they can’t control but it’s not the best message to put across to young adults who themselves may be the victims of cyber bullying.
Overall it was a good read and whilst it shows the impact cyber bullying has in the real world, I really do think it could have been handled differently.
Lemon Lavender’s life isn’t going so well. Her perfect sister dropped out of college and ran away to Europe leaving their mother in a zombie like state and their father in a constant angry mood who will take every opportunity to lecture Lemon about responsibility.
In between taking care of her mother and avoiding her father’s wrath Lemon is trying to remain invisible at school. However, that’s extremely hard with a name like Lemon Lavender. When Graham Stuart starts at her school and starts to show an interest in her Lemon finally feels like things are looking up for her.
Lemon falls hard for Graham, but she isn’t the only one. Graham’s most ardent admirer makes it very clear that Lemon needs to back off or risk being the subject of a vicious gossip vlog. Lemon tries to lay low, keeping her newfound relationship with Graham a secret Lemon finds her world quickly falling apart. With vicious rumours now circulating the school Lemon finds herself in the spotlight that shreds her reputation. Her relationships are crumbling around her and Lemon has never felt more alone.
Lemon has to find her voice and fight back but only if she’s ready to step out of the shadows that have become her best friend.
I did enjoy this book and found it difficult to put down. I wanted to know how Lemon’s story played out. Whilst I was disappointed in how everything panned out I did feel incredibly emotionally connected to Lemon. Her life is in shambles and she’s just trying to be a normal teenage girl. She wants to go out, she wants to fall in love and most of all she just wants to be herself even if she isn’t quite sure of who that is yet.
Instead, Lemon is thrust into a lifestyle which no teenager should have to experience. She’s become the mother of the house and instead of having fun and focusing on her future she’s cleaning, cooking and looking after her mother. My heart honestly broke for Lemon so many times in this book and I found myself constantly rooting for her.
My biggest problem with this book is that I feel like this book is very much focusing on victim blaming. Lemon is constantly being made to think that everything that has happened is her fault.
The Lavender’s are falling apart, and Lemon is doing everything she can to keep the family together but instead of being praised for how hard she’s works she is criticised and berated for not being the perfect daughter. She’s the victim of bullying and yet the school is quick to ignore that and instead criticise her for lashing out. There were no repercussions for the actions of the bullies and instead it was all just brushed under the rug.
There is no support for Lemon in this book and her best friend is even quick to turn her back on her, telling her to man up and ignore it all. Her family couldn’t care less and even after they are made aware of the vandalism that Lemon suffered it’s completely ignored. I don’t know if that’s because of her the Lavender family react in situations they can’t control but it’s not the best message to put across to young adults who themselves may be the victims of cyber bullying.
Overall it was a good read and whilst it shows the impact cyber bullying has in the real world, I really do think it could have been handled differently.
aliasvalia's review
4.0
Characters 9
Atmosphere 10
Writing style 9
Plot 8
Intrigue 4
Logic 6
Enjoyment 7
I felt for Lemon. Every little thing that happened was like a knife to the heart. This book made me remember what was like to being bullied, how everything felt like the end of the world and important. But I don't enjoy remembering it. I don't like to feel and remember how it was and the frustration it gave me was endless.
I think I'm in the part of my life where I would have loved to see adults step in. I'm so done with "kids being kids" and all those empty words. I would love to see a story where adults really step in to save a kid who is suffering and not say they have to find their strength to survive.
Atmosphere 10
Writing style 9
Plot 8
Intrigue 4
Logic 6
Enjoyment 7
I felt for Lemon. Every little thing that happened was like a knife to the heart. This book made me remember what was like to being bullied, how everything felt like the end of the world and important. But I don't enjoy remembering it. I don't like to feel and remember how it was and the frustration it gave me was endless.
I think I'm in the part of my life where I would have loved to see adults step in. I'm so done with "kids being kids" and all those empty words. I would love to see a story where adults really step in to save a kid who is suffering and not say they have to find their strength to survive.
thewoollygeek's review
2.0
I didn’t really enjoy this, felt a lit young even for YA it felt way too young, bypasses issues and sweeps everything under the rug. I found it hard to read as I felt it ignored major issues too much
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
cocoafiend's review
3.0
Lemon Lavender tries to keep her head down at school, but she has an unforgettable name--and a secret. Her perfect sister has run away to Europe, her mother won't get out of bed, and her father expects her to pick up the slack. But when the gorgeous--and popular--new guy starts falling for her, and she starts falling in return, all eyes are on her.
What follows is a BRUTAL account of abuse (her father) and bullying (the girls at school who decide she doesn't deserve to be with the new guy). I wasn't prepared for how heartbreaking this would be, since multiple other reviewers referred to this as an "easy read." Okay, the prose isn't thick, but Lemon's father was completely unsympathetic and the way he treated Lemon was horrifying. Most of the adults in her life were completely unhelpful, if not downright harmful. LEMON LAVENDER was a quick read, and I couldn't put it down, but in the end I wished there was some kind of emotional catharsis. While it may be realistic that there is little to no comeuppance for the (many) people that wronged Lemon, it was a less than satisfying ending. In the end, I'm on the fence about purchasing this, and will wait for more professional reviews before I make my decision.
What follows is a BRUTAL account of abuse (her father) and bullying (the girls at school who decide she doesn't deserve to be with the new guy). I wasn't prepared for how heartbreaking this would be, since multiple other reviewers referred to this as an "easy read." Okay, the prose isn't thick, but Lemon's father was completely unsympathetic and the way he treated Lemon was horrifying. Most of the adults in her life were completely unhelpful, if not downright harmful. LEMON LAVENDER was a quick read, and I couldn't put it down, but in the end I wished there was some kind of emotional catharsis. While it may be realistic that there is little to no comeuppance for the (many) people that wronged Lemon, it was a less than satisfying ending. In the end, I'm on the fence about purchasing this, and will wait for more professional reviews before I make my decision.
lovefromhannah's review
2.0
This is a very emotional and deeply moving story of a girl who refuses to admit that she is far from fine.
I enjoyed this book, and I am so proud of Lemon from overcoming everything that was stacked against her.
However, some of the issues were merely just whisked away under the carpet -- I suppose this may reflect how the entire Lavender family tried to run/hide from their problems. But still, it never really fully goes into detail why Lemon's mother was the way she was and the entire situation with Meg.
Overall, it was an okay read.
I enjoyed this book, and I am so proud of Lemon from overcoming everything that was stacked against her.
However, some of the issues were merely just whisked away under the carpet -- I suppose this may reflect how the entire Lavender family tried to run/hide from their problems. But still, it never really fully goes into detail why Lemon's mother was the way she was and the entire situation with Meg.
Overall, it was an okay read.
rashelreads's review
4.0
*** Received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This book pleasantly surprised me. I went in with no expectations and thought that overall the book was extremely pure, cute, and relatable. The book read quickly and I found myself attached to the characters, wondering what would happen next. At times, Lemon's decisions were frustrating but overall I thought they were reflective of a 16 year old. Additionally, the book discuss several topics of relevance to young adults including bullying, cyberbullying, living up to other peoples expectations, emotionally abusive parents, friendship, first relationships, etc.
As a 23 year old, I related to Lemon in more ways than not so I can only imagine the impact this will make on the target demographic!
This book pleasantly surprised me. I went in with no expectations and thought that overall the book was extremely pure, cute, and relatable. The book read quickly and I found myself attached to the characters, wondering what would happen next. At times, Lemon's decisions were frustrating but overall I thought they were reflective of a 16 year old. Additionally, the book discuss several topics of relevance to young adults including bullying, cyberbullying, living up to other peoples expectations, emotionally abusive parents, friendship, first relationships, etc.
As a 23 year old, I related to Lemon in more ways than not so I can only imagine the impact this will make on the target demographic!
letstalkaboutbooksbaybee's review
2.0
In an attempt to boost my netgalley percentage, I’m going back and reading everything I requested during a frenzy my first year on there. Past me made some bad life choices. So disclaimer, I did get this book for free but that does not influence my review.
And honestly, this book was STRUGGLE to get through, and it’s not even that long of a book!
-really immature writing and also immature characters
-romance plot was bland, bland, bland
-the dad in this is straight up abusive and awful and terrible
-the mom clearly needs some professional mental help, more than what her teenaged daughter can give her
-I just cannot get over the name Lemon Lavender. I know it’s supposed to be quirky but the constant name jokes and everything was just way too much.
And honestly, this book was STRUGGLE to get through, and it’s not even that long of a book!
-really immature writing and also immature characters
-romance plot was bland, bland, bland
-the dad in this is straight up abusive and awful and terrible
-the mom clearly needs some professional mental help, more than what her teenaged daughter can give her
-I just cannot get over the name Lemon Lavender. I know it’s supposed to be quirky but the constant name jokes and everything was just way too much.