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bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
I listened to the audiobook on Libby and loved it - I highly recommend this format. :)
I deeply related to Rowan, because I have a tendency to hyperfixate on things, like reading, writing reviews, or making bookish content, that I essentially have tunnel vision, and lose sight of everything else. Graduating senior, Salutatorian Rowan Roth has this issue during her senior year, in being so laser-focused on competing with her longtime academic rival Neil McNair, that she doesn't make time to meaningfully interact with her best friends and inevitably feels left behind and isolated. She is navigating wistful feelings about the costs to the opportunities that she sought out, and agrees to work alongside Neil for Howl, a senior game which takes place after the last day of school! Forced proximity with a splash of "it's-always-been-you" will have you swooning by the very end!
I love how RLS weaves in such fantastic Jewish representation in her books, and this one is no different. Rowan discusses the microaggressions and overt antisemitism she has experienced, and it's again an example of people claiming they are allies but still missing the mark and fumbling. I loved the magic in Rowan realizing she found a new friend who could relate to her experiences, because there's truly no better feeling than being validated and affirmed that the comments and behaviors others have displayed were egregious.
I also enjoyed the commentary on the internalized misogyny that young women have too! Rowan is so scared of telling her best friends that romance is her favorite genre, and that she wants to go meet her favorite author. This is so wholesome, because I can only imagine being 17 or 18 and loving romance. When I was 17 and 18, I was absolutely & embarrassingly inoculated with "pick me"/"cool girl" syndrome, so I didn't think her friends were villains either -it's a product of being raised in a patriarchy that belittles everything femmes love. Rowan also is weary of telling love interests about this, because she hates dealing with the aftermath of either having to justify/explain herself, and/or realizing this is just another boy who is not worth it. It's disheartening, and I think all romance readers can relate!
One last thing that I appreciated was Rowan highlighting how romance novels helped her to be sex positive, and to be able to communicate about sex and birth control with her parents and her friends. Romance is so powerful yall.
Anyway, the entire premise of the Howl game being the force that allows Rowan and Neil to let their guards down and actually get to know the other was pure genius. I ate it up!!! It sounded like so much fun, and I'd love to join a scavenger hunt like this! RLS has another hit with this one, and I will continue to read anything she writes!
cw: antisemitism, car accident, drug use, mention of incarcerated parent, mention of physical violence, sexual content (fade-to-black/closed door)
I listened to the audiobook on Libby and loved it - I highly recommend this format. :)
I deeply related to Rowan, because I have a tendency to hyperfixate on things, like reading, writing reviews, or making bookish content, that I essentially have tunnel vision, and lose sight of everything else. Graduating senior, Salutatorian Rowan Roth has this issue during her senior year, in being so laser-focused on competing with her longtime academic rival Neil McNair, that she doesn't make time to meaningfully interact with her best friends and inevitably feels left behind and isolated. She is navigating wistful feelings about the costs to the opportunities that she sought out, and agrees to work alongside Neil for Howl, a senior game which takes place after the last day of school! Forced proximity with a splash of "it's-always-been-you" will have you swooning by the very end!
I love how RLS weaves in such fantastic Jewish representation in her books, and this one is no different. Rowan discusses the microaggressions and overt antisemitism she has experienced, and it's again an example of people claiming they are allies but still missing the mark and fumbling. I loved the magic in Rowan realizing she found a new friend who could relate to her experiences, because there's truly no better feeling than being validated and affirmed that the comments and behaviors others have displayed were egregious.
I also enjoyed the commentary on the internalized misogyny that young women have too! Rowan is so scared of telling her best friends that romance is her favorite genre, and that she wants to go meet her favorite author. This is so wholesome, because I can only imagine being 17 or 18 and loving romance. When I was 17 and 18, I was absolutely & embarrassingly inoculated with "pick me"/"cool girl" syndrome, so I didn't think her friends were villains either -it's a product of being raised in a patriarchy that belittles everything femmes love. Rowan also is weary of telling love interests about this, because she hates dealing with the aftermath of either having to justify/explain herself, and/or realizing this is just another boy who is not worth it. It's disheartening, and I think all romance readers can relate!
One last thing that I appreciated was Rowan highlighting how romance novels helped her to be sex positive, and to be able to communicate about sex and birth control with her parents and her friends. Romance is so powerful yall.
Anyway, the entire premise of the Howl game being the force that allows Rowan and Neil to let their guards down and actually get to know the other was pure genius. I ate it up!!! It sounded like so much fun, and I'd love to join a scavenger hunt like this! RLS has another hit with this one, and I will continue to read anything she writes!
cw: antisemitism, car accident, drug use, mention of incarcerated parent, mention of physical violence, sexual content (fade-to-black/closed door)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Antisemitism, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
s3vn's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
It took me a while to not only think of Devi and Ben in Never Have I Ever, even though the pairings don’t have anything in common except for their academic rivalry. Once I got into the book I was surprisingly hooked. It’s sort of lovely and bittersweet.
I commend the author for the important discussions about feminism, female sexuality, antisemitism and consent. Sometimes the writing was a bit, hm.. on the nose and repetitive. And though the plot was predictable, the characters were lovable and the game of Howl was captivating enough that it didn’t matter.
This book and the nostalgia/“end of an era”-feeling left me unexpectedly sad haha.
I commend the author for the important discussions about feminism, female sexuality, antisemitism and consent. Sometimes the writing was a bit, hm.. on the nose and repetitive. And though the plot was predictable, the characters were lovable and the game of Howl was captivating enough that it didn’t matter.
This book and the nostalgia/“end of an era”-feeling left me unexpectedly sad haha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Antisemitism
Minor: Child abuse and Misogyny
thatbookishwriter23's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"Theoretically, I want to share my work. I want to fully own this thing I want to spend my life doing. I want to not care when people call it a guilty pleasure, or have the courage to convince them why they’re wrong. Or even better, the confidence not to care what they think." -Rowan, pg 120
Rivals Rowan and Neil Mcnair have always been at each other throats trying to best one another. Yet with graduation around the corner, that battle nearly over. Rowan and Neil have only one more chance to beat each other in the annual competition, Howl.
Pros
+Jewish rep. You a lot times especially in movies, the only Jewish representation I come across was a cheater mentioning their Jewish and don't celebrate Christmas. That it. Like an afterthought. But I appreciate TdTnTm for actually showing the audience Judaism and how it impacts the characters live. It isn't just an afterthought in this book, it's actually representation.
+it was really nice seeing a slow burn romance. Their romantic feelings grew at the perfect speed. I felt like their chemistry was realistic.
+Conversations about romance novel and female empowerment. There are more than several of conversations about the importance of romance novels and how they're not trashy and can actually add to the feminist movement. I LOVED reading about Rowan's love for romance novels and her relatable feelings about admitting she wants to be a writer.
+Parents and Rowan. I loved Rowan and with her parents and that they were parents were so trusting and there. Usually, YA novels try to write the parents out, so it's a nice change for once.
+I love reading the note, texts and emails in between chapters. It was cute and creative.
+The idea of Howl and the safety zones are awesome and so creative especially the clues.
+I loved how soft and sweet Neil was. Even when Rowan lashes out at him, he didn't go for a low blow, he went for the truth.
+I also like the conversations and Rowan struggle with graduating and what the future holds. It was very realistic and made me think back on my high school years.
Cons
-I felt like the conflict with her friends was solved pretty quickly. They never really talked about it. One moment they were mad at each other, the next they were cool. I don't know I just felt like something was missing. I would have liked to see more of them.
Besides the one above, I genuinely can't find any more things I didn't like about the book. The Jewish rep and conversations romance novels really blew me away and I really appreciate. I would definitely like to read more YA books with Jewish rep in them. Other that I definitely recommend this book, especially for graduating high school students and anybody who is Jewish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
martapsalvado's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
The middle of the book was almost a 5 star read, the beggining and ending was probably a 3.75/4.
Books that take place in a single day, for me, are a double edged sword, because they are usually very fast paced and keep me interested, but at the same time they don't leave much room for character development and the plot can seem rushed and a little hard to believe.
Nevertheless, I loved the main characters in this book, their chemistry and the discussions about romance (and children's!!) books being real and important like any other genres. The book snobs are shaking.
Books that take place in a single day, for me, are a double edged sword, because they are usually very fast paced and keep me interested, but at the same time they don't leave much room for character development and the plot can seem rushed and a little hard to believe.
Nevertheless, I loved the main characters in this book, their chemistry and the discussions about romance (and children's!!) books being real and important like any other genres. The book snobs are shaking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Misogyny and Violence
d0505's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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: Antisemitism
Moderate: Car accident and Drug use
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
lujisa's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, and Sexual content
kaylaaards's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Antisemitism, Bullying, and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident
c45p1n's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I tried reading this book over the summer and had absolutely no drive or motivation to read it so I stopped reading it after like 50 pages. Today, Jan. 10th, 2022, I tried to read this book again and actually managed to get through it. Suffice to say I love this book. Its familiar setting (downtown Seattle), amazing characters, and totally awesome plot made it a quick love.
Not only was the plot amazing beyond belief; the writing was fantastic. It was lighthearted and sweet, a tad cliche, but totally and utterly amazing. It touched on some heavier topics but reacted and portrayed them in a respectful way without losing it's lighthearted atmosphere.
Rowan (or Artoo), was a fucking fantastic main character. She stood up for herself and fought against some gender-norms, even if it was in a small way. As well as she argued against bias' and double standards. She had these moments where I could relate to her and I think that really tied me to this book. It was nice and honestly relieving to hear (read) her stand up against some of these things.
Not only was the plot amazing beyond belief; the writing was fantastic. It was lighthearted and sweet, a tad cliche, but totally and utterly amazing. It touched on some heavier topics but reacted and portrayed them in a respectful way without losing it's lighthearted atmosphere.
Rowan (or Artoo), was a fucking fantastic main character. She stood up for herself and fought against some gender-norms, even if it was in a small way. As well as she argued against bias' and double standards. She had these moments where I could relate to her and I think that really tied me to this book. It was nice and honestly relieving to hear (read) her stand up against some of these things.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Hate crime
Minor: Antisemitism and Misogyny
the_paperbackprincess's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Bullying
Moderate: Misogyny
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