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passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
4.0
This is a second chance romance. I enjoyed this story. Reyna had a problem. Everyone she loves leaves. She loves taking care of her deceased mother's resort and now her father is trying to change it. Her ex boyfriend who left to live in America has returned for an epic birthday celebration with his celebrity friends and since it's at her resort she has to witness his success.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this! I liked the inspiration from Persuasion. It definitely has its differences, so don't expect a retelling. I liked the characters - I admit I liked the side characters a bit more, and I want more of a story on Fish who somehow became my favourite character?! Some of the decisions were frustrating and reasons, but I get them at the same time. And the ending was wrapped up nicely and cute! It felt like a good summer read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, Alcohol, and Grief
marioosa517's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
steffiraquel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexism
ambi_reads's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Where the Rhythm Takes you is a #ReadCaribbean novel releasing on May 21st, 2021. Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, we follow eighteen year old Reyna who is overseeing her family's hotel in Tobago and Aiden, her first love who is back on a vacation with his friends and bandmates one of who may be his current lover.
I honestly felt coming to the middle of the book that if was like any other typical YA Romance story but after sitting on it, I realized I loved it more than I though initially. What do I love about this one:
1. The Caribbean vibes and appreciation. You truly feel like you are in Tobago experiencing the great scenery, food, people, places and music it has to offer. While this story is a romance one, I do think the road trips to some awesome sights in Tobago made it extra special. Trust me, you'll want to visit after reading this book.
2. The love of music. I like how music really speaks to the writer's soul. When they are stuck, their music also suffers, when they are well, their music thrives. While this themes was not portrayed a lot in the book, it played a VERY important role which I loved. Also, Sarah Dass has a soca playlist for the book which is revealed after you finish the novel. I am not a huge listener of this (yes my Trinidadian self saying this) but I did know most of them and after listening to it, you definitely felt a closer connection to the characters and the novel.
3. I really liked seeing how Reyna overcame the loss of her loved one and regained her love for art. This psychological aspect was not heavily done which I appreciated but would have like to see more insight into Reyna's relationship with her dearly departed one. Otherwise, this book was a good balance of summery vibes, romance and hardships.
To see how much the characters you loved grow both individually as as a group, it really was remarkable to be a part of it. Please do check out this awesome read!
I honestly felt coming to the middle of the book that if was like any other typical YA Romance story but after sitting on it, I realized I loved it more than I though initially. What do I love about this one:
1. The Caribbean vibes and appreciation. You truly feel like you are in Tobago experiencing the great scenery, food, people, places and music it has to offer. While this story is a romance one, I do think the road trips to some awesome sights in Tobago made it extra special. Trust me, you'll want to visit after reading this book.
2. The love of music. I like how music really speaks to the writer's soul. When they are stuck, their music also suffers, when they are well, their music thrives. While this themes was not portrayed a lot in the book, it played a VERY important role which I loved. Also, Sarah Dass has a soca playlist for the book which is revealed after you finish the novel. I am not a huge listener of this (yes my Trinidadian self saying this) but I did know most of them and after listening to it, you definitely felt a closer connection to the characters and the novel.
3. I really liked seeing how Reyna overcame the loss of her loved one and regained her love for art. This psychological aspect was not heavily done which I appreciated but would have like to see more insight into Reyna's relationship with her dearly departed one. Otherwise, this book was a good balance of summery vibes, romance and hardships.
To see how much the characters you loved grow both individually as as a group, it really was remarkable to be a part of it. Please do check out this awesome read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
kikireads's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sarah Dass' confidence sense of place creates an immediately transportive experience to a faltering hotel in Tobago where 17-year-old Reyna, taking over the reins from her mother who died from cancer, clings to her mother's vision and cuts herself off from her own dreams in a bid for some kind of stability and security.
If you've read Austen's <I>Persuasion</i> you know what to expect: the jilted ex appears as Aiden, a newly minted Grammy winner who his friends and band members whisk back home in an effort to push him out of a musical block. Their reappearance in each other's lives forces both to reckon with shared complicated pasts, suddenly reconnected present, and uncertain futures.
Dass' debut is slow burn second chance romance in a vibrant, detailed, Tobago setting that appeals to every sense and blooms in the imagination; convincing because Dass stints on nothing, from the language, the music and the food to the landscape and community dynamics. But right along with the catch breath moments of electric stares, dances under the stars, and social media drama is a poignant tale in which Dass shows the difficulties of how one goes about reconciling, if ever, with grief over a parent's death and a matrilineal legacy that can become a stifling bind rather than a reassuring anchor.
Fans of Persuasion will glean additionally rich readings from Where the Rhythm Takes You implicit parallels and critiques of the original.
If you've read Austen's <I>Persuasion</i> you know what to expect: the jilted ex appears as Aiden, a newly minted Grammy winner who his friends and band members whisk back home in an effort to push him out of a musical block. Their reappearance in each other's lives forces both to reckon with shared complicated pasts, suddenly reconnected present, and uncertain futures.
Dass' debut is slow burn second chance romance in a vibrant, detailed, Tobago setting that appeals to every sense and blooms in the imagination; convincing because Dass stints on nothing, from the language, the music and the food to the landscape and community dynamics. But right along with the catch breath moments of electric stares, dances under the stars, and social media drama is a poignant tale in which Dass shows the difficulties of how one goes about reconciling, if ever, with grief over a parent's death and a matrilineal legacy that can become a stifling bind rather than a reassuring anchor.
Fans of Persuasion will glean additionally rich readings from Where the Rhythm Takes You implicit parallels and critiques of the original.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Terminal illness
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