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quillify_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
Thoughts I had while reading Believe Me (minor spoilers ahead):
1. Ooff omg Warner is definitely an introvert, an anxious one at that. Someone get him therapy
2. It's actually very relatable how Mafi wrote about his sensory overload when he's surrounded by lights and people and too much noise. Idk what it says about me relating to a guy who picks up a gun at the slightest hint of danger, but his quiet thrumming anxiety always in the background was comforting to see. Him snapping at people was in no way justified but it made sense because I do it in times of sky-rocketing anxiety too. I appreciate it.
3. Kenji, broooooooo, I missed you so much!!!! I love you loads. You're the star! You're the saving grace! You're an amazing friend and boyfriend and leader and I wish every person meets a guy like you
1. Ooff omg Warner is definitely an introvert, an anxious one at that. Someone get him therapy
2. It's actually very relatable how Mafi wrote about his sensory overload when he's surrounded by lights and people and too much noise. Idk what it says about me relating to a guy who picks up a gun at the slightest hint of danger, but his quiet thrumming anxiety always in the background was comforting to see. Him snapping at people was in no way justified but it made sense because I do it in times of sky-rocketing anxiety too. I appreciate it.
3. Kenji, broooooooo, I missed you so much!!!! I love you loads. You're the star! You're the saving grace! You're an amazing friend and boyfriend and leader and I wish every person meets a guy like you
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Cursing
hildaahlstrand's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really like the Shatter Me series, and I was so excited for this novella. Although Tahereh Mafi kept teasers vague to avoid spoiling anyone who wasn’t up to date, those of us that had read all the books knew what this was supposed to be: a wedding novella.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get what we were promised. This was 180 pages of Warner worrying that Juliette didn’t love him, moping when things didn’t go his way, and being a complete asshole to everyone around him, interrupted only a few times by sweet moments with Juliette whenever they could get some privacy. I will say, I still really like Juliette and Warner’s relationship. I love how much they love each other, and was quite surprised (though not in a bad way) that one chapter got sexier than I thought Tahereh would make it. In that regard, I thank her for her service. 👀👏🏻
Other things I liked included Kenji, Nazeera, and Kenji and Nazeera. I was amused by both their banter, and the banter that ensued when they were with Juliette and Warner. They have a fun ensemble dynamic no matter what I think of Warner himself, which in this case meant I was pretty sick of him and wondering why he has so many fangirls in the book community. Sorry not sorry.
The novella ended with the wedding ceremony, which sounds fine, right? And it would be, except we didn’t even get to freaking see said ceremony. The last paragraph was Warner being awed (and horny) when he saw Juliette walking down the aisle in her wedding dress. I turned the page, eager for more… and saw it was an excerpt from Mafi’s 2022 release, followed by another excerpt, this one from her latest contemporary novel, and then some promotional material for the rest of the series. That’s what the last 40 pages were. Not the heartwarming wedding we’ve been waiting literal years for, or any spicy activity after the fact. Promo for the author’s other books. *sigh*
((Me realizing just how much I’ve rambled in a review for a tiny novella: 🤡))
So yeah, I think that covers everything. I hoped for a cute throwback to one of my OG favorite series, where everything not wrapped up at the end of Imagine Me and was finally wrapped up and I got one more fun time with some of my OG favorite characters. Sadly, that’s not what I got. What I got… well, it wasn’t bad, per se, but if I’m being honest, it was a letdown.
Representation
Unfortunately, we didn’t get what we were promised. This was 180 pages of Warner worrying that Juliette didn’t love him, moping when things didn’t go his way, and being a complete asshole to everyone around him, interrupted only a few times by sweet moments with Juliette whenever they could get some privacy. I will say, I still really like Juliette and Warner’s relationship. I love how much they love each other, and was quite surprised (though not in a bad way) that one chapter got sexier than I thought Tahereh would make it. In that regard, I thank her for her service. 👀👏🏻
Other things I liked included Kenji, Nazeera, and Kenji and Nazeera. I was amused by both their banter, and the banter that ensued when they were with Juliette and Warner. They have a fun ensemble dynamic no matter what I think of Warner himself, which in this case meant I was pretty sick of him and wondering why he has so many fangirls in the book community. Sorry not sorry.
((Me realizing just how much I’ve rambled in a review for a tiny novella: 🤡))
So yeah, I think that covers everything. I hoped for a cute throwback to one of my OG favorite series, where everything not wrapped up at the end of Imagine Me and was finally wrapped up and I got one more fun time with some of my OG favorite characters. Sadly, that’s not what I got. What I got… well, it wasn’t bad, per se, but if I’m being honest, it was a letdown.
Representation
- hijabi side character
- side characters of color (includes Black and Japanese rep)
- queer side characters (includes a sapphic couple and an achillean couple)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Mental illness - anxiety. All things tagged moderate are referencing events prior to the story that are discussed a few times on-page.stormywolf's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
We've finally, FINALLY come to this. The definitely-gonna-be-the-last-one FINAL book in the Shatter Me series (after 2 fake-outs already). And it's a novella (though, is 200+ pages still considered a novella?) in Warner's POV. Will we finally get the answers we crave? Will we get a satisfying ending? Or will we just get all the kissing we could ever hope for?
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this was a great ending that had me smiling and crying at equal intervals. There is a very steamy scene in the middle, which I was not expecting, but it's not explicit in anatomical descriptions, so I'd still say it's good for older YA. I can't say for sure that this completely redeems the last book for me, but it definitely had me feeling good, and thankful, and hopeful, and teary-eyed. And for anyone who was on the fence about another novella, this is definitely a must-read for everyone who already loves the series. Now, does anyone else wish for Mafi's next book's release date to come sooner? Cause believe me, I do!
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this was a great ending that had me smiling and crying at equal intervals. There is a very steamy scene in the middle, which I was not expecting, but it's not explicit in anatomical descriptions, so I'd still say it's good for older YA. I can't say for sure that this completely redeems the last book for me, but it definitely had me feeling good, and thankful, and hopeful, and teary-eyed. And for anyone who was on the fence about another novella, this is definitely a must-read for everyone who already loves the series. Now, does anyone else wish for Mafi's next book's release date to come sooner? Cause believe me, I do!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death, Violence, War, and Child abuse
The book does contain a sex scene, but there are no anatomical details, mainly relying on emotions and vague movements.lucyfer98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
dlrosebyh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
this book probably won’t get published if it wasn’t for book twitter so applaud to them.
shatter me will always be one of my top tier comfort series. to be honest, i kind of disliked the ending in imagine me, but this book gave the series a perfect ending.
i probably cried too much reading this, it’s unhealthy— but, they’re tears of joy for the most part. it was a quick read as well, but that was already expected given the fact that it is a novella.
overall, i wouldn’t ask for the series to end in another way, and i’m very glad that i read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
wednesdayonacafe's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE AFTER THIS?!?!?!
between warnette and the kenji/warner friendship I sobbed like a baby for the whole book
between warnette and the kenji/warner friendship I sobbed like a baby for the whole book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
aneta's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I'm in "don't touch me I'm soft" phase after finishing this.
This book was perfect in its imperfection. It fed me with what I needed, not necessarily what I wanted.
I can't believe they are now actually gone. No more Warnette and Kenji for me. But I will forever cherish what I've been given. I hope to experience a story like that again in the future.
This book was perfect in its imperfection. It fed me with what I needed, not necessarily what I wanted.
I can't believe they are now actually gone. No more Warnette and Kenji for me. But I will forever cherish what I've been given. I hope to experience a story like that again in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
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