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cdiviakauthor's review
1.0
1/5
I hoped the first book I read from this author and series would be a fluke and the others might be more my speed, but this book confirmed that I probably shouldn't pick up another.
First, the writing style and I don't jive. Reading and staying engaged with the source material took several days because I was dragged through the story instead of wholly invested. I find that the angst wasn't executed well and thus didn't have the impact intended.
Second, the main characters are awful. Eli and Remi could've solved all their teen angst with a single conversation and some much-needed honesty, but then the author wouldn't have been able to milk the source material. Eli had a girlfriend for about 80% of the book but knew he kissed his best friend at the party, and Remi knew she kissed him at the party. A better setup would've had the reader find out the identity of the kisser with the characters at a later time, setting up for better pacing.
Third, the conflict at the end with Savannah had a piss poor resolution. I'm sorry, but I would legitimately be in prison for my reaction to a girl derailing my graduation/getting me accused of cheating, regardless of how sad she seemed. There is no universe where someone would ask her to go shopping and be besties afterward. Ugh.
I probably won't pick up this author's books anymore, but that's just me. I'm sure there's a reader who'll like these things.
I hoped the first book I read from this author and series would be a fluke and the others might be more my speed, but this book confirmed that I probably shouldn't pick up another.
First, the writing style and I don't jive. Reading and staying engaged with the source material took several days because I was dragged through the story instead of wholly invested. I find that the angst wasn't executed well and thus didn't have the impact intended.
Second, the main characters are awful. Eli and Remi could've solved all their teen angst with a single conversation and some much-needed honesty, but then the author wouldn't have been able to milk the source material. Eli had a girlfriend for about 80% of the book but knew he kissed his best friend at the party, and Remi knew she kissed him at the party. A better setup would've had the reader find out the identity of the kisser with the characters at a later time, setting up for better pacing.
Third, the conflict at the end with Savannah had a piss poor resolution. I'm sorry, but I would legitimately be in prison for my reaction to a girl derailing my graduation/getting me accused of cheating, regardless of how sad she seemed. There is no universe where someone would ask her to go shopping and be besties afterward. Ugh.
I probably won't pick up this author's books anymore, but that's just me. I'm sure there's a reader who'll like these things.
sfkubichek's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lovefromaia's review
4.0
This book was so messy but in the best way possible.
overall (4.5 stars) : i just couldn't stop reading this book. there were a lot of stories going on and minor plots happening that were all thoroughly explained and the story was quite easy to follow, in my opinion. sometimes when the writer adds too much information, it's too hard to handle but i found this book quite easy to understand. normally, i'd rather read a book with dual povs, but i think that the point of view of just Remi was a lot better because i spent a lot of time trying to work out what Eli was thinking and the way Sarah Sutton described the way he looked at Remi, we could sus out some of that attraction between the two main characters.
plot (4.5 stars) :
characters (4 stars) : Both Remi and Elijah has some character flaws that but by the end of the book we can see their character development. None of the characters were so annoying that it was hard for me to finish the book but some did have some major faults. Remi learnt that eventhough she might not be able to have the relationship with Eli that she desperately wanted, she would have to watch from a safe distance and do all that she could do to let him be happy. Elijah was able to come to terms with what happened with his brother and open up to Remi instead of storing everything inside. Savannah realised that the way she judged Remi was unjust and did her best to fix the situation as best as she could and Jeremy, well, he's just Jeremy.
overall (4.5 stars) : i just couldn't stop reading this book. there were a lot of stories going on and minor plots happening that were all thoroughly explained and the story was quite easy to follow, in my opinion. sometimes when the writer adds too much information, it's too hard to handle but i found this book quite easy to understand. normally, i'd rather read a book with dual povs, but i think that the point of view of just Remi was a lot better because i spent a lot of time trying to work out what Eli was thinking and the way Sarah Sutton described the way he looked at Remi, we could sus out some of that attraction between the two main characters.
plot (4.5 stars) :
Spoiler
Remi has a crush on Jeremy and decides to play a game called 'Lip Locker' (which basically is where they are blindfolded, in the dark and make out in a closet) with him. Except, Eli, her childhood best friend, enters the room instead of Jeremy, and starts making out with Remi who he thinks is his girlfriend Savannah. By the end, Remi hits her head and only then notices that the person she has been making out with was not Jeremy but Eli. She quickly exits the room, under the pretense of a bleeding head while Eli still thinks that Remi was Savannah. Throughout the book, Remi has to battle her new found feeling for Eli. I really enjoyed this plot, because there were so many other characters involved that just made it that much more interesting. Another slightly less important plot line was Eli's elder brother being in jail. Because so many things were happening, It made the book so confusingly good.characters (4 stars) : Both Remi and Elijah has some character flaws that but by the end of the book we can see their character development. None of the characters were so annoying that it was hard for me to finish the book but some did have some major faults. Remi learnt that eventhough she might not be able to have the relationship with Eli that she desperately wanted, she would have to watch from a safe distance and do all that she could do to let him be happy. Elijah was able to come to terms with what happened with his brother and open up to Remi instead of storing everything inside. Savannah realised that the way she judged Remi was unjust and did her best to fix the situation as best as she could and Jeremy, well, he's just Jeremy.
_camk_'s review
2.0
2.75 stars
+Easy read.
+Nothing OVERLY dramatic happens.
-Remi. Remi doesn't learn from everything that happens. She was manipulative and selfish. I think the book needed a little self-reflection.
-Easy writing with the other LI immediately being unsuitable.
+Easy read.
+Nothing OVERLY dramatic happens.
-Remi. Remi doesn't learn from everything that happens. She was manipulative and selfish. I think the book needed a little self-reflection.
-Easy writing with the other LI immediately being unsuitable.
taniasborges's review against another edition
4.0
If you're looking for a predictable, lighthearted love story, this is it. The only downsides to it, for me, were the lack of representation (skin color, body types, sexual orientation, identities, etc) and the whole love triangle (square?) going on that lead to unintentional cheating the first time and intentional cheating later on - which was totally unnecessary and one of the things I can't stand in a book, to be completely honest. It was fun and easy to read, far from perfect, but romantic and fluffy all the same. It would've been amazing with just a little more variety and representation, but oh well.
abi_grace_5002's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This book was recommended by my cousin and I have to say it was a delight to read!
This book had everything I look for in a contemporary romance! It was a light, easy ready. I binge read the book in just a couple of hours because I just couldn’t the put it down! The writing style flower so beautifully
I just wish it had been longer! I would’ve liked their relationship to develop a little slower/for Remi’s feelings to not have appeared so suddenly. Regardless the book was amazing and I will definitely have to check out the next book(s)!!
This book was recommended by my cousin and I have to say it was a delight to read!
This book had everything I look for in a contemporary romance! It was a light, easy ready. I binge read the book in just a couple of hours because I just couldn’t the put it down! The writing style flower so beautifully
I just wish it had been longer! I would’ve liked their relationship to develop a little slower/for Remi’s feelings to not have appeared so suddenly. Regardless the book was amazing and I will definitely have to check out the next book(s)!!
kj_curry's review against another edition
5.0
Sarah Sutton has done it again! I am in love with Remi and Elijah! This book is so sweet but shows the struggles of balancing friendships, family, school, and love. I loved the winter theme, especially while reading in the 100 degree Texas heat! This story is so cute and if you are looking for a sweet friendship-lovers story this is for you!
oceanofsunflowers's review against another edition
4.0
Remi Beaufort and Elijah Greybeck's story.
Such a cute story and pulled me out of a reading slump since it was very easy to read. And I'm planning to read the other books in the series cause I am pretty much sold!
Such a cute story and pulled me out of a reading slump since it was very easy to read. And I'm planning to read the other books in the series cause I am pretty much sold!
lyndajdickson's review against another edition
5.0
Remi and Elijah have been best friends since third grade. But an accidental kiss in the dark changes everything. As Remi says, “This should’ve been funny. Accidentally kissing my best friend? That was hilarious. Except that it was singlehandedly the best kiss I’d ever had.” She isn’t even that excited when her crush Jeremy finally asks her out on a date. While Remi struggles with her feelings, Eli seems oblivious, but his girlfriend Savannah is acting jealous. When the truth comes out, will it be the end of Remi and Elijah’s friendship or the beginning of something even better?
This is a sweet friends-to-lovers story. Misunderstandings usually annoy me, but this scenario is well-played. Remi and Elijah are both likable characters, as is Remi’s best (girl) friend Eloise. It’s also nice to see the parents play such a large part in a young adult novel.
Some minor criticisms: the names Elijah and Eloise are too similar; the epilogue is unnecessary.
Warnings: underage drinking.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2020/01/what-are-friends-for-by-sarah-sutton.html
This is a sweet friends-to-lovers story. Misunderstandings usually annoy me, but this scenario is well-played. Remi and Elijah are both likable characters, as is Remi’s best (girl) friend Eloise. It’s also nice to see the parents play such a large part in a young adult novel.
Some minor criticisms: the names Elijah and Eloise are too similar; the epilogue is unnecessary.
Warnings: underage drinking.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2020/01/what-are-friends-for-by-sarah-sutton.html