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kkoerth613's review
2.0
I can't finish this book. I don't know why I decided to try and finish this book in the middle of a book slump, but it's just not doing it for me. I love Fitzpatrick for My Life Next Door, but I am disappointed with this book of hers. It hardly feels like there's any plot or character development. I don't know what I should've expected from a YA contemporary, but it was more than this.
millacamilla's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
bookdevouringmisfit's review
5.0
Oh man. This book just... clicked with me. It didn't even bore me to death with all its tediousness other readers are complaining about. It's just chemistry I guess. Man, oh, man.
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
DNF'd at page 68.....
I honestly just could not get into this book, I loved My Life Next Door but for some reason I just couldn't connect to the main character and the writing felt forced. And If I am being honest then I doubt I've missed very much since it doesn't have the best reviews ever. But thanks the Electric Monkey for sending me it to review.
I honestly just could not get into this book, I loved My Life Next Door but for some reason I just couldn't connect to the main character and the writing felt forced. And If I am being honest then I doubt I've missed very much since it doesn't have the best reviews ever. But thanks the Electric Monkey for sending me it to review.
renuked's review
3.0
There was a lot that stood out about What I Thought Was True. For one, the entire novel takes place on a small island where everybody knows everything. It also gets swarmed by tourists every summer. There's a distinct class separation between the islanders and the rich visitors who employ them. The island dynamics were pretty interesting, but at times it felt very remote. I had no idea where this island even was.The US? Australia? Did it even say? Perhaps it doesn't matter, but it would've been nice to have a better picture.
Moving past that, another stand out point was that out main character Gwen is no pure maiden. She is experienced, which is rare since authors tend to save that for the "big moment" (which is all a social construct anyway), but it's interesting to see how Gwen is forced to deal with her reputation. I really liked that about Gwen, she knew she made mistakes and she had regrets, but she held her head up high and tried to move past them. I really liked Gwen a lot, even if she made a lot of bad decisions. Life is all about bad decisions and somehow she manages to bounce back.
And while this may seem to be a lighthearted summer romance, it's more about redemption. Gwen has already been with Cassidy Somers. They've fallen before. This time, they have to take it slower and hope that it survives. It's a very different kind of love story. A little less traditional. Not fresh and new and cute. More like painfully unsure. But Huntley Fitzpatrick ensures that she still keeps a summery feel and adds a touch of humor. It's lovely. Her writing is very clean and gives a direct sense characters.
There are also numerous side stories, which might have been one of my favorite parts. Fitzpatrick excels at weaving together stories. Gwen's cousin Nic, her best friend Viviene, her little brother Emory, and old Mrs. Ellington are all integral parts of Gwen's story. I love how they all balance Gwen in a different way, and that their lives help Gwen figure out herself in a way. I loved little Emory. They all lean on each other, and support one another. Make each other stronger. Separately, the characters would've bored me. But together, they form a very compelling team.
Yet, there were some issues too. For one, the rising action is not very interesting. I expected a little bit more, it just didn't feel like enough. Most of the book was far too slow, only about the last 10% had much of anything happening and it wasn't enough to grab me. The way Gwen's back story was reveled through flashbacks was a little vague. I never got much of an understanding about what happened to her, and I didn't like the approach. I personally didn't connect with her at some points. She's not the typical main character, which again can be good but less relatable. Also, everything just ends too nicely in the epilogue. It's all too shiny and inevitable. You know how it'll end before it does.
Overall, the book was well-balanced and neat. It was a little deeper than a light contemporary (definitely more involved than My Life Next Door), but a little harder to connect to. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something completely captivating.
Moving past that, another stand out point was that out main character Gwen is no pure maiden. She is experienced, which is rare since authors tend to save that for the "big moment" (which is all a social construct anyway), but it's interesting to see how Gwen is forced to deal with her reputation. I really liked that about Gwen, she knew she made mistakes and she had regrets, but she held her head up high and tried to move past them. I really liked Gwen a lot, even if she made a lot of bad decisions. Life is all about bad decisions and somehow she manages to bounce back.
And while this may seem to be a lighthearted summer romance, it's more about redemption. Gwen has already been with Cassidy Somers. They've fallen before. This time, they have to take it slower and hope that it survives. It's a very different kind of love story. A little less traditional. Not fresh and new and cute. More like painfully unsure. But Huntley Fitzpatrick ensures that she still keeps a summery feel and adds a touch of humor. It's lovely. Her writing is very clean and gives a direct sense characters.
There are also numerous side stories, which might have been one of my favorite parts. Fitzpatrick excels at weaving together stories. Gwen's cousin Nic, her best friend Viviene, her little brother Emory, and old Mrs. Ellington are all integral parts of Gwen's story. I love how they all balance Gwen in a different way, and that their lives help Gwen figure out herself in a way. I loved little Emory. They all lean on each other, and support one another. Make each other stronger. Separately, the characters would've bored me. But together, they form a very compelling team.
Yet, there were some issues too. For one, the rising action is not very interesting. I expected a little bit more, it just didn't feel like enough. Most of the book was far too slow, only about the last 10% had much of anything happening and it wasn't enough to grab me. The way Gwen's back story was reveled through flashbacks was a little vague. I never got much of an understanding about what happened to her, and I didn't like the approach. I personally didn't connect with her at some points. She's not the typical main character, which again can be good but less relatable. Also, everything just ends too nicely in the epilogue. It's all too shiny and inevitable. You know how it'll end before it does.
Overall, the book was well-balanced and neat. It was a little deeper than a light contemporary (definitely more involved than My Life Next Door), but a little harder to connect to. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something completely captivating.
kvreadsandrecs's review
2.0
Two and a half stars, really. The book was funny in parts, slow in a lot of others, and a bit predictable. The Rose thing didn't really feel all that resolved and there were too many characters that weren't properly introduced. It wasn't dreadful, rather enjoyable on a night to stay in and read, but I wouldn't count it among my favorites in the YA genre.
stephwiesman's review
I can't get into this one, even though I loved the first one.
ameliabiblio's review
3.0
This book tells a wonderful story, but at times it felt as if nothing was happening in the present. It felt a little too caught up in the past in that the only really interesting things had already happened. Of course, that didn't last the entire book. When it started picking up pace and became more interesting, it was a very enjoyable read.