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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I tried but I just couldn’t continue it.
There’s way too many characters and I can’t stand the main characters.
There’s way too many characters and I can’t stand the main characters.
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to LibroFM for an educator’s copy of the audiobook of My Mechanical Romance.
I was excited to pick up a young adult romance to see if it was another book I could add to my classroom library. The story follows Bel, who just recently transferred to a private high school. While she has enjoyed tinkering with her father and helping her brother fix cars, Bel has never really considered STEM a future. That is until one of her teachers sees a project she threw together at the last minute but was still the best in the class and recommends her for advanced science classes and leads her towards the robotics club and its leader Mateo Luna.
This story is very clear on its message that females can do STEM jobs and that STEM spaces have a ways to go before being welcoming and encouraging spaces for women and drives it home very explicitly at the end. The audiobook has two narrators, which I always like. The female audio narrator’s voices for male side characters always threw me off (especially Dash’s), but the male narrator’s characters were excellent all around.
Overall this would be a fine addition to a high school library.
I was excited to pick up a young adult romance to see if it was another book I could add to my classroom library. The story follows Bel, who just recently transferred to a private high school. While she has enjoyed tinkering with her father and helping her brother fix cars, Bel has never really considered STEM a future. That is until one of her teachers sees a project she threw together at the last minute but was still the best in the class and recommends her for advanced science classes and leads her towards the robotics club and its leader Mateo Luna.
This story is very clear on its message that females can do STEM jobs and that STEM spaces have a ways to go before being welcoming and encouraging spaces for women and drives it home very explicitly at the end. The audiobook has two narrators, which I always like. The female audio narrator’s voices for male side characters always threw me off (especially Dash’s), but the male narrator’s characters were excellent all around.
Overall this would be a fine addition to a high school library.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
read this in one sitting — started after dinner, finished it at 4am lmao
I got through this book so quick and loved it so much! The characters felt realistic and the romance was cute. Satisfying ending and everything I want in a YA romance. Definitely related to some aspects as a woman also in STEM.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Its just ehhh, if you like it form the back of the book its good
the plot was average, no surprises, but it was still good. I honestly kind of expected a different trope. more like academic rivals to lovers (yeah, it wasn't that really). what I have to praise though is the writing style. the phrases in the brackets for example, hehe funny. it was a very good decision from the author.
all in all, I still really liked the book... it was maybe a bit unrealistic in some parts, but it was kind of inspiring!!
all in all, I still really liked the book... it was maybe a bit unrealistic in some parts, but it was kind of inspiring!!
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (YA)
Recommended for: middle schoolers and older who are interested in STEM
Emotional Investment: none.
Book Hangover: none.
How did I learn about this book?: Currently on the hunt for Filipino authors and found this gem! (With that being said, this is by no means a coming-of-age story with a heavy emphasis on Filipino culture, the extent of Filipino culture was a mom that was a nurse, lumpia, and a handful of Tagalog words)
Audiobook Comment: The female narrator was SPECTACULAR! She truly sounded like a high school girl of Filipino descent. The male narrator... sounded like a middle-aged man, which I think prevented me from falling in love with the MMC.
FMC Isabel "Bel" Maier (Filipino-white) is a new student at a prestigious private school, transferring in as a senior following her parents' separation. She doesn't know what she wants to do in life and would prefer to not have the spotlight on her. MMC Mateo "Teo" Luna (Jewish-Mexican) is Mr. Hot, Athletic Nerd, the son of a tech mogul and has his privileged life completely planned out. People believing in Bel's potential push her into AP Physics and Robotics Club with Teo, where she falls in love with STEM and Teo, while navigating sexism, privilege, and purpose. My Mechanical Romance starts off slow and slightly annoying due to Bel's indecisive, but also vocal attitude, but it grows into an inspiring work about learning to take space in this world.
RaNdOm CoMmEnTaRy:
I found myself relating more with Teo. My favorite scene had to be Bel's oldest brother Luke interrupting them in the car in front of Bel's dad's house. I liked this more wholesome take on the senior year experience and the perspective of the smart/ambitious students squad.
Memorable Quotes:
Spice: 0/5 (YA)
Recommended for: middle schoolers and older who are interested in STEM
Emotional Investment: none.
Book Hangover: none.
How did I learn about this book?: Currently on the hunt for Filipino authors and found this gem! (With that being said, this is by no means a coming-of-age story with a heavy emphasis on Filipino culture, the extent of Filipino culture was a mom that was a nurse, lumpia, and a handful of Tagalog words)
Audiobook Comment: The female narrator was SPECTACULAR! She truly sounded like a high school girl of Filipino descent. The male narrator... sounded like a middle-aged man, which I think prevented me from falling in love with the MMC.
FMC Isabel "Bel" Maier (Filipino-white) is a new student at a prestigious private school, transferring in as a senior following her parents' separation. She doesn't know what she wants to do in life and would prefer to not have the spotlight on her. MMC Mateo "Teo" Luna (Jewish-Mexican) is Mr. Hot, Athletic Nerd, the son of a tech mogul and has his privileged life completely planned out. People believing in Bel's potential push her into AP Physics and Robotics Club with Teo, where she falls in love with STEM and Teo, while navigating sexism, privilege, and purpose. My Mechanical Romance starts off slow and slightly annoying due to Bel's indecisive, but also vocal attitude, but it grows into an inspiring work about learning to take space in this world.
RaNdOm CoMmEnTaRy:
I found myself relating more with Teo. My favorite scene had to be Bel's oldest brother Luke interrupting them in the car in front of Bel's dad's house. I liked this more wholesome take on the senior year experience and the perspective of the smart/ambitious students squad.
Memorable Quotes:
You don't have to make the world perfect just so people will love you / I promise I'll still like you, even if I ever have a problem you can't fix (Ch. 12: Bombs)
[There's] things you do because you like hanging out with your best friend (Ch. 13: Rejects)
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated