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joanna1905's review
3.0
This was cute, I liked the premise and I think it brings up some really interesting conversations about how sometimes queer kids are forced to grow up quickly when they’re forced to choose between saying close with their families and living authentically.
However, I just didn’t totally connect with the characters or the relationship. It just felt like for the alleged intensity of this relationship they were missing a bit of a spark - which might be due to the fact that we actually don’t see Nora and Stevie together very much.
I think the story also would’ve benefited much more by being duel pov so that we actually got to hear from Nora and feel that angst, the few letters from Nora’s pov were good but not really enough to give substance to the relationship.
However, I just didn’t totally connect with the characters or the relationship. It just felt like for the alleged intensity of this relationship they were missing a bit of a spark - which might be due to the fact that we actually don’t see Nora and Stevie together very much.
I think the story also would’ve benefited much more by being duel pov so that we actually got to hear from Nora and feel that angst, the few letters from Nora’s pov were good but not really enough to give substance to the relationship.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
A YA love story told in reverse.
🌸
Stevie and Nora have been in love for two years, but they know their ultra conservative parents wouldn’t approve so they’ve kept their romance a secret, counting the days until they can leave the rural Pennsylvania town for California. When Stevie gets a head injury she forgets the last two years of her life. Stevie’s life looks different at eighteen then it did at fifteen so she tried to piece the missing parts back together while Nora does everything she can to get her to remember.
💭
This book by @whoisalysonanyway has been brought up as a potential book ban so I read it to see why. Two girls in love is NOT a reason to challenge or censor a novel, yet in today’s climate that’s what we are seeing. This was a beautiful romance that I couldn’t stop reading. I loved it from beginning to end and HIGHLY recommend it.
CW: homophobia, hospitalization, coma, physical assault, domestic abuse, religious trauma, memory loss, toxic friendship, forced outing, disownment
🌸
Stevie and Nora have been in love for two years, but they know their ultra conservative parents wouldn’t approve so they’ve kept their romance a secret, counting the days until they can leave the rural Pennsylvania town for California. When Stevie gets a head injury she forgets the last two years of her life. Stevie’s life looks different at eighteen then it did at fifteen so she tried to piece the missing parts back together while Nora does everything she can to get her to remember.
💭
This book by @whoisalysonanyway has been brought up as a potential book ban so I read it to see why. Two girls in love is NOT a reason to challenge or censor a novel, yet in today’s climate that’s what we are seeing. This was a beautiful romance that I couldn’t stop reading. I loved it from beginning to end and HIGHLY recommend it.
CW: homophobia, hospitalization, coma, physical assault, domestic abuse, religious trauma, memory loss, toxic friendship, forced outing, disownment
youhavestars's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tokisuno's review
4.0
loved everything aside from the ending. maybe it's just me being cynical.
I honestly would have preferred the parents not showing up at the end, and Stevie not seeing them until a thanksgiving in a time skip. The whole pressure of them jumping ship and leaving, it felt like it all washed away from that moment. I found that the parents showing up trying to make things right but still letting them go, was really corny.
Spoiler
I honestly would have preferred the parents not showing up at the end, and Stevie not seeing them until a thanksgiving in a time skip. The whole pressure of them jumping ship and leaving, it felt like it all washed away from that moment. I found that the parents showing up trying to make things right but still letting them go, was really corny.
franuary's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thestarlesscasea's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
romanticalrj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
naturally_inam's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Well this had me sobbing (in a good way!) at the end. This contemporary YA novel takes what could be a goofy soap opera-esque plot device -- the protagonist wakes up after a serious head injury having forgotten the last two years of her high school life, which includes her figuring out she's queer and having a secret two year long relationship with another girl -- and thoughtfully explores issues of grief, familial homophobia, coming out, romantic soulmates, memory, and fate.
It's an immensely readable story, with wonderful characters easy to root for. I especially loved how Stevie formed a friendship with Ryan, the only other Asian kid in town, even though they have a bit of a rough start. Nora and Stevie's easy banter was so cute and their immediate connection was very convincingly rendered -- it's not hard to believe they really are meant to be together.
I really liked Derrick's rom com debut, She Gets the Girl, which was co-authored with her wife Rachael Lippincott; while this one is also very romantic, the tone is a lot more serious. I will definitely check out what she writes next!
The audiobook is beautifully performed by Natalie Naudus.
It's an immensely readable story, with wonderful characters easy to root for. I especially loved how Stevie formed a friendship with Ryan, the only other Asian kid in town, even though they have a bit of a rough start. Nora and Stevie's easy banter was so cute and their immediate connection was very convincingly rendered -- it's not hard to believe they really are meant to be together.
I really liked Derrick's rom com debut, She Gets the Girl, which was co-authored with her wife Rachael Lippincott; while this one is also very romantic, the tone is a lot more serious. I will definitely check out what she writes next!
The audiobook is beautifully performed by Natalie Naudus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Child abuse