Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye

9 reviews

dont_tell_mom69's review against another edition

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4.0

Nate is living a perfectly okay life. He has his two best friends, a raging case of stage fright, and plans to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousins wedding. Naturally things start to get complicated. His friendships are great, if you don’t count the small detail that he has a massive crush on his best friend Jai. This massive crush prompts him to come to Jai’s rescue and offer to be the lead singer of their band for an upcoming festival, stage fright be damned. In return Jai offers to come to South Africa as Nate’s plus one, that way he doesn’t have to face seeing his ex alone. Jai might have some anterior motives if his own. 
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kiki_15's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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unwise_samwise's review against another edition

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

4.5

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

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kalynaobyrne's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

Nate Plus One was a fun quick YA! I really enjoyed this book. I liked both main characters a lot and loved learning more about South Africa. I do wish we could have gotten Jai POV because I think it would have fleshed out his character more. I felt like it ended a little abruptly and wished we could have gotten a little more at the end. This was such a fast read for me and I read it one day which I don’t do very often. Overall, this was a 4.5 for me! 
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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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

3.0

So the blurb for this book is a bit misleading because it seems like it might be a battle of the bands kind of book. While that is an aspect of the story, it's definitely way more focused on Nate and Jai in South Africa for a wedding. Which is fine! I just think the summary could have been worded a bit better!

That being said, this is absolutely a fun rom-com kind of book, even if it has one of my least favorite romance tropes. Miscommunication (AKA noncommunication). This is definitely a trope employed in a lot of romance books, but it just drives me crazy. Stop assuming things and just talk! I was literally yelling that at the book as I was listening to it.

Nate was a pretty full developed character, I just wish some of the side characters had gotten the same treatment. Jai especially. We only really get to see one side of him, and I wish he could have been fleshed out a little more.

All in all, if you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is entertaining! Just be warned it might not be what you were expecting.
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pey333's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

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tinytrashqueen's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

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thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for a copy of this book.

Nate Hargraves' looking forward to his cousin's wedding in South Africa until he learns that his ex-boyfriend Tommy will be there, and his mother can't travel with him. Luckily his friend (and crush) Jai Patel steps up and says he'll go as his plus one.

Meanwhile the lead-singer in Jai's band quits and betrays them just before a competition finale. Nate volunteers to take his place.

This is fun, easy to read, mainly lighthearted book, but it does deal with difficult topics at times. I loved seeing the relationship between Nate and his Ouma (grandmother). It's great to see a non-Western setting for a YA contemporary, I don't think this is something we see enough of.

My main critique of this book is that it's too short; I would really like to have seen more of a resolution of Tommy's story. The book felt like it ended too abruptly and could have used an epilogue.
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