Reviews

Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation by Aashna Avachat

thepetitepunk's review

Thank you to Fierce Reads and the authors for a copy of the book to participate in the #StudyBreak tour!

This was a super quick but satisfying anthology that did exactly what the authors were intending: to create a place for YA fiction set in college. I loved how diverse the stories were; as a very recent college grad, this immediately threw me back to the past four years. I really hope to see more YA-style writing set in college. New adult is definitely a thing, but this still was more YA than new adult—which is something we need! You’re still a teen at 18 and 19 years old, and this was a refreshing reminder of that :)

grace_muriithi's review

4.0

This was a cute anthology! I thought some of the stories were written better than others, but that's just due to my personal taste in writing I think. Also, nearly every story ended with a romance or had the heavy indication of one taking place in the future...which at least from my experience in college so far doesn't seem to be the case. I'd give this a solid 4/5 stars, though! It's been a while since I've read an anthology, and I appreciated it :)

zozo_'s review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

mgreen3's review against another edition

So

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol

scarlett24's review

emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.25

checkmate's review

3.0

the spring semester stories saved this anthology!!!

ericrobien's review

4.0

My favorite stories were Sophomore Slump by Racquel Marie (loved the anxiety rep!!), Rani's Resolutions by Arushi Avachat (this was the most feel-good story to me), and Begin Again by Christina Li (adorable sapphic romance). I also really liked the poems by Oyin. I didn't like the stories that romanticized college so much, but overall I enjoyed this anthology.

hthereader's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As someone who finished uni this year, having it, frankly, ruined by COVID, this book was bittersweet. I'd honestly recommend it to anyone in uni or about the start though; it talks about struggling with your future, learning about yourself, family relationships and friendships. There was more romance than I though necessary, though. Also all the stories felt a bit 'happily ever after'; don't get me wrong, they did always try to reinforce the 'this is not the end and we don't know what the future will hold', but yeah. It's also quite American; Americans tend to be more chatty and friendly than us in Europe, idk. I think I would've liked to see a story about someone struggling to fit in because they don't drink, which is what I encountered, but again, this is American where the drinking age is 21.
All in all I really liked it. It felt real and I related to it a lot. I also enjoyed the few poems scattered throughout! I agree with the opening statement; more literature should explore going to uni!

nora_mcgowan's review

emotional informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5