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richincolor's review against another edition
5.0
Review copy: ARC via author
Over the past few weeks, books that make me smile are the ones I’m reaching for and All the Things We Never Knew definitely had me smiling. Of course, it’s not all perfect hearts and rainbows straight through, but there are plenty of giggle worthy moments starting with the unusual meet-cute on the basketball court. What makes Carly and Rex so smile-inducing is that they both have soft and smooshy sides to them and they’re able to share that with each other.
Tamani chose to use a dual perspective which helps readers clearly see what leads up to the misunderstandings and miscommunications. I appreciated being able to see the thought processes of both Carly and Rex as they worked through their own personal pain and scars.
Beyond the romantic relationship, family relationships are a huge part of this story. Carly’s family is dealing with some major life changes and some rather large secrets. Rex and his father don’t communicate, but Rex has to decide if he is finished trying or if he wants to make an effort to connect.
This story revolves around secrets: why people keep them, who we can trust with them, and what happens when they are revealed. These secrets lead to a lot of pain even though avoiding pain is typically why the secrets were kept in the first place.
Recommendation: Get it soon if you’re looking for an engaging contemporary romance that will provide some humor along with a few struggles. It’s more upbeat than not and while a little predictable in some aspects, it’s a solid story that deals with those compelling questions of “Who am I now?”, “Who do I want to be?, and “How will I get there?”
Over the past few weeks, books that make me smile are the ones I’m reaching for and All the Things We Never Knew definitely had me smiling. Of course, it’s not all perfect hearts and rainbows straight through, but there are plenty of giggle worthy moments starting with the unusual meet-cute on the basketball court. What makes Carly and Rex so smile-inducing is that they both have soft and smooshy sides to them and they’re able to share that with each other.
Tamani chose to use a dual perspective which helps readers clearly see what leads up to the misunderstandings and miscommunications. I appreciated being able to see the thought processes of both Carly and Rex as they worked through their own personal pain and scars.
Beyond the romantic relationship, family relationships are a huge part of this story. Carly’s family is dealing with some major life changes and some rather large secrets. Rex and his father don’t communicate, but Rex has to decide if he is finished trying or if he wants to make an effort to connect.
This story revolves around secrets: why people keep them, who we can trust with them, and what happens when they are revealed. These secrets lead to a lot of pain even though avoiding pain is typically why the secrets were kept in the first place.
Recommendation: Get it soon if you’re looking for an engaging contemporary romance that will provide some humor along with a few struggles. It’s more upbeat than not and while a little predictable in some aspects, it’s a solid story that deals with those compelling questions of “Who am I now?”, “Who do I want to be?, and “How will I get there?”
jillybeanstalk's review against another edition
3.0
Very easy read. Two teenage basketball players fall in love. Not going to lie, I picked it up because it was described as a book version of LOVE AND BASKETBALL, the class romantic drama film. It has a hint to that to it, but to be honest, I didn’t love the love story between Carli and Rex. They are both a bit toxic towards one another (especially Rex... kind of stalkerish in the beginning and only cares about his feelings throughout).
What I liked about it were the parts of the story where they weren’t together and figuring and handling their own family dramas and how life continues despite setbacks.
What I liked about it were the parts of the story where they weren’t together and figuring and handling their own family dramas and how life continues despite setbacks.
reggiefairfield's review against another edition
2.5
2.5/2.75 (maaaybe)
I am a BIIIIIG basketball fan, so this one has been on my TBR for a while.
But if you're looking for sports, keep it moving, babes. One of the mains spends the entire book hating the sport. 😂
So! I finished it in one day. And most people would be thinking: "WOW! You really enjoyed it". But no... When I love a novel, I like to savor it. But this one, I flew through. I just needed it to be over.
Carli deserved better from EVERYONE.
Also, I feel like at 16,she should have been able to choose which parent she wanted to be with and that should have been that.
Rex, I didn't care for him at all. I feel like he was supposed to be white which is why he gave me such odd vibes the first time I started it. And definitely deserved better from his father.He shows up at the hospital and at her house without permission.
And, family nonsense aside, the way the author wrote them each without friends that talked to often was scary. No wonder they didn't know who they were. I mean, Carli had Jordan, but she wasn't really there until the basketball bits came up.
Last point: The book is probably a 2.75, but I think the part that really brought it down to a 2.5 was mentioning Jason Kidd. LOL (I'm laughing, but I'm furious) Rex (toxic AF) took a routine from a known abuser and that's not okay.
I am a BIIIIIG basketball fan, so this one has been on my TBR for a while.
But if you're looking for sports, keep it moving, babes. One of the mains spends the entire book hating the sport. 😂
So! I finished it in one day. And most people would be thinking: "WOW! You really enjoyed it". But no... When I love a novel, I like to savor it. But this one, I flew through. I just needed it to be over.
Carli deserved better from EVERYONE.
Also, I feel like at 16,
Rex, I didn't care for him at all. I feel like he was supposed to be white which is why he gave me such odd vibes the first time I started it. And definitely deserved better from his father.
And, family nonsense aside, the way the author wrote them each without friends that talked to often was scary. No wonder they didn't know who they were. I mean, Carli had Jordan, but she wasn't really there until the basketball bits came up.
Last point: The book is probably a 2.75, but I think the part that really brought it down to a 2.5 was mentioning Jason Kidd. LOL (I'm laughing, but I'm furious) Rex (toxic AF) took a routine from a known abuser and that's not okay.
the_loudlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Collins or the advance Kindle copy of this book - it is out next Tuesday (6.9.20)! All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this basketball-centric love story. High school juniors Rex and Carli attend different schools, where they are both basketball stars. Rex is a future NBA prospect; Carli can have her pick of college scholarships. When Red blows Carli a kiss before he shots a free throw, the pair’s paths converge on an emotional rollercoaster of a relationship. Best for grades 9+.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this basketball-centric love story. High school juniors Rex and Carli attend different schools, where they are both basketball stars. Rex is a future NBA prospect; Carli can have her pick of college scholarships. When Red blows Carli a kiss before he shots a free throw, the pair’s paths converge on an emotional rollercoaster of a relationship. Best for grades 9+.
angelricecake's review against another edition
4.0
A hard-hitting YA contemporary romance about two basketball-playing teens who meet by chance and fall in love. They experience first love, heartbreak, and strong family ties. Part realistic, part predictable but young readers will really resonate with the characters.
kadaziasparkles's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good and honest story that didn't tie up all the loose ends and I appreciated it.
dogncatluver21's review against another edition
3.0
The romance in this gave me WAY too much whiplash; Carli deserved way better than she got in this book.
hexed's review against another edition
4.0
I do believe in love at first sight, or at least, in strong like like at first sight lol
kgareis's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't expect this to address super heavy topics like divorce, death of parents, broken families - but I suppose those issues are both prevalent and pertinent especially in YA lit. What I expected was a cute high school love story about two passionate teens whose lives revolve around basketball, that goes to show what a less than accurate back cover blurb and cartoon front cover can make you believe. Despite the instalove, there was depth to our two MCs, real feelings, confusion, anger, sadness and an all too real storyline of parental expectations even when the parents are less than perfect. When kids are pushed to do things they don't love - or do things they love yet those whom they love pay not one bit of attention .... it took until the middle for me to finally see the beauty in this story. The back and forth perspectives were helpful in understanding what was really going on and how frustrating it can be when people don't speak the truth or wait for the real truth to be heard or even ask what the problem is. Empathy is a gift.