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ellenpederson's review
4.0
My "I'm not into romance but this author has a good thing going" streak continues! I'm not sure if this technically counts as a romance (it was shelved in my collection in the Overcoming Obstacles -- AKA realistic fiction -- genre) but crushes and dating definitely play a big role.
The minus one star in my rating basically boils down to cheesiness. Especially near the end, things started feeling just too perfect (again, I get it, this is how romance is and I'm just a Grinch.)
This book has two great things going for it: a multifaceted celebration of Haitian American culture, and a crew of energetic, sheltered, slightly-nerdy young women who just want to get the most out of their teen years.
Recommended for "good kids" who want to be "cool," contemporary YA romance fans, and high school students who would literally die for some quality prom content.
The minus one star in my rating basically boils down to cheesiness. Especially near the end, things started feeling just too perfect (again, I get it, this is how romance is and I'm just a Grinch.)
This book has two great things going for it: a multifaceted celebration of Haitian American culture, and a crew of energetic, sheltered, slightly-nerdy young women who just want to get the most out of their teen years.
Recommended for "good kids" who want to be "cool," contemporary YA romance fans, and high school students who would literally die for some quality prom content.
briaraq's review
3.0
I randomly found this on Libby, and I'm so glad I did! I love everything about this book. I relate to Simone so much, and I wish I could've read this book when I was a teenager.
brandypainter's review
3.0
The sentence level writing needs improving. However, the characters were thoroughly enjoyable, and I loved the resolutions to all the drama.
cocopurplebooks's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book but I didn’t feel any strong connection to any of the characters besides Simone a bit. Mainly because Simone is Haitian and I’m half Haitian myself. This book is really predictable so I already know Simone was going to fall for Ben but their relationship felt rushed. I like Ben but since not much time is spent on him in the book, he feels a bit bland. Simone suddenly liking Ben also felt weird since she spent half of the book being rude to him.
I like Simone’s friendship with the HomeGirls and her cousin Gabby but if I’m being honest, they weren’t that memorable. I just wish the romance was better developed and that the characters were more in depth and not so forgettable. I did love the fact that Simone is Haitian-American and proud. I think that’s one of the few things that I really love about this book. Other than that, I’m a bit disappointed by how this novel turned out.
I like Simone’s friendship with the HomeGirls and her cousin Gabby but if I’m being honest, they weren’t that memorable. I just wish the romance was better developed and that the characters were more in depth and not so forgettable. I did love the fact that Simone is Haitian-American and proud. I think that’s one of the few things that I really love about this book. Other than that, I’m a bit disappointed by how this novel turned out.
thindbooks's review
5.0
*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
This was a great read. It’s about Simone who has strict parents that chose her prom date but she creates a plan to get her own prom date. I really enjoyed this diverse read which was powerful and something I could relate too. The story was funny and a coming of age journey that most people without a strict life don’t know about. I enjoyed the story and the plot structure of the book. You can tell that bits of the author’s life went into the book which I thought was very amazing as you got to know more about her. I also enjoyed the conflicts in the books and seeing the characters go through them. I thought the pacing was well done for this book and also I enjoyed the New Jersey setting with the background of knowing foreign cultures.
I like the main character Simone. I felt really connected to her in some ways and I enjoyed her character development. Though I do have to say that at sometimes I felt she was annoying and her best friends cared more about her then she did for them. There was some obvious sign whenever her friends would do something really amazing but all she does is make it into her own problems. I did like her growth from her problems but as a senior in high school, I expected more caring and understanding. The side characters were well done and I liked how the author added many diverse characters with adding in their own cultures. There is also some romance which is a love triangle and kind of a forced relationship trope.
For the ending, I do have to say it was a little weak but it was a good ending. This book really had great themes of coming of age and family bonds. I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow in the story and getting out of their strict rules. I did have some minor problems with this book but overall it was a great story. I recommend reading this book if you love contemporary romance novels written by a POC author.
This was a great read. It’s about Simone who has strict parents that chose her prom date but she creates a plan to get her own prom date. I really enjoyed this diverse read which was powerful and something I could relate too. The story was funny and a coming of age journey that most people without a strict life don’t know about. I enjoyed the story and the plot structure of the book. You can tell that bits of the author’s life went into the book which I thought was very amazing as you got to know more about her. I also enjoyed the conflicts in the books and seeing the characters go through them. I thought the pacing was well done for this book and also I enjoyed the New Jersey setting with the background of knowing foreign cultures.
I like the main character Simone. I felt really connected to her in some ways and I enjoyed her character development. Though I do have to say that at sometimes I felt she was annoying and her best friends cared more about her then she did for them. There was some obvious sign whenever her friends would do something really amazing but all she does is make it into her own problems. I did like her growth from her problems but as a senior in high school, I expected more caring and understanding. The side characters were well done and I liked how the author added many diverse characters with adding in their own cultures. There is also some romance which is a love triangle and kind of a forced relationship trope.
For the ending, I do have to say it was a little weak but it was a good ending. This book really had great themes of coming of age and family bonds. I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow in the story and getting out of their strict rules. I did have some minor problems with this book but overall it was a great story. I recommend reading this book if you love contemporary romance novels written by a POC author.