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canopy_'s review against another edition
3.0
This is really a 3.5. I liked the story but some of the transitions felt jarring and I wanted to know the characters more intimately than I was able to in the short page length, especially because so many played such a big part in the story.
ruby_02's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Homophobia
luci_08's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
sarahrichardsn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
drakoulis's review against another edition
4.0
Nate Plus One is a cute YA romance, featuring a background of a teen band and South African heritage.
The romance itself is the highlight of the book, it's feel-good, sweet and swoony and will make you smile. The book is rather short, thus there isn't too much depth or too much drama, which has its pros and cons.
I liked the flair of South Africa by the means of Nate's grandma, on the other side I feel that the plotline with the uncle was left underutilized, I'd like a more firm resolution there, and a bit more depth in the band-related plotline.
The final song the boys wrote ("Run To You") looks quite good in rhyme, it is something band-related books usually struggle with, so kudos to Kevin van Whye.
The book is an easy, pleasant read !
The romance itself is the highlight of the book, it's feel-good, sweet and swoony and will make you smile. The book is rather short, thus there isn't too much depth or too much drama, which has its pros and cons.
I liked the flair of South Africa by the means of Nate's grandma, on the other side I feel that the plotline with the uncle was left underutilized, I'd like a more firm resolution there, and a bit more depth in the band-related plotline.
The final song the boys wrote ("Run To You") looks quite good in rhyme, it is something band-related books usually struggle with, so kudos to Kevin van Whye.
The book is an easy, pleasant read !
epatrickmaddox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
jrv45's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
beesneysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay, I need to be so clear that this book was genuinely written well, and up until about 75% in, i was sure it would be a solid 4 star read. The reason it’s not is nothing to do with the writing itself, but the tropes being used. The more I thought about it, the more I got frustrated.
Before I explain why, I’m going to talk about how much I liked it! I went through a phase where I was really interested in South African culture, so it was nice to revisit that. The family aspect, the band aspect, the cultural aspect… they all were so well put together.
But, I do want to mention the points I didn’t like. For one, there was SO many clashing plots going on and that was a bit frustrating to follow. I feel like so many of the storylines were limited because there were so many. I also got frustrated with the “kissed his ex in front of his new boyfriend” trope. I’m so not a fan of cheating tropes, and I feel like there were SO many things that could’ve been a source of conflict that didn’t involve this trope. It’s so overdone. Add in the miscommunication and you having a cliche trope. And THEN, just when I get over how annoyed I was, there was an OPEN ENDING. the author spent the whole book talking about this battle of the bands competition, making me HATE the other band and the old lead singer for ditching them JUST TO NOT TELL ME IF THEY WON? I read to escape thinking, so a book making me think was not what I wanted.
Overall, I did like the characters, the setting, and the relationship. I just wish the last 25% was different.
Before I explain why, I’m going to talk about how much I liked it! I went through a phase where I was really interested in South African culture, so it was nice to revisit that. The family aspect, the band aspect, the cultural aspect… they all were so well put together.
But, I do want to mention the points I didn’t like. For one, there was SO many clashing plots going on and that was a bit frustrating to follow. I feel like so many of the storylines were limited because there were so many. I also got frustrated with the “kissed his ex in front of his new boyfriend” trope. I’m so not a fan of cheating tropes, and I feel like there were SO many things that could’ve been a source of conflict that didn’t involve this trope. It’s so overdone. Add in the miscommunication and you having a cliche trope. And THEN, just when I get over how annoyed I was, there was an OPEN ENDING. the author spent the whole book talking about this battle of the bands competition, making me HATE the other band and the old lead singer for ditching them JUST TO NOT TELL ME IF THEY WON? I read to escape thinking, so a book making me think was not what I wanted.
Overall, I did like the characters, the setting, and the relationship. I just wish the last 25% was different.
zozo_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5