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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This was such a cute, light novel! I think the author missed an opportunity to touch on some topics for teens but overall it was a cute novel with a lead character I could relate with.
Thanks, Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Thanks, Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Really more like 4.5 stars, but serious shoutout to Emma Mills for consistently making me nostalgic and hopeful.
Absolutely loved this! I didn't even read the synopsis before knowing I wanted to read this. Emma Mills writes fantastic contemporary YA books, and does an exceptional job with friendships, and this was no different. It has a great group of friends and I'd actually really love to see a book about each one because we learn so much about them and fall in love with all of them but there's still so much I don't know about them that I want to! Also, this book is more than just one thing. It's about friends but it's also a romance and coming-of-age story with some mystery and famous singers and secrets and drama and mostly love. Definitely put this one on your list. I really think you'll love it, too! But fair warning, you also might cry.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one got me good. Like it pulled multiple rugs out from underneath me, and I don't even remember what I thought was going to happen when I started reading it. It just like really reaffirms that Emma Mills is my favorite contemporary YA author.
And it's not that I thought the narrator Sophie was such an amazing character (in fact, there are several others I am more interested in, like Dash and Heather and Flora), but the way she directed the focus of the story was excellent. Trying to raise money for the marching band by reaching out the famous singer from town may have set up the story, but dealing with Sophie's friends and family was vastly more intriguing.
And it's not that I thought the narrator Sophie was such an amazing character (in fact, there are several others I am more interested in, like Dash and Heather and Flora), but the way she directed the focus of the story was excellent. Trying to raise money for the marching band by reaching out the famous singer from town may have set up the story, but dealing with Sophie's friends and family was vastly more intriguing.
emotional
funny
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:
No
4.5 stars. Funny with great heart! I loved the characters and the story. A couple great surprises in the story were an extra perk for me as a reader - I like when books aren't predictable. While the description makes this sounds like it's about getting the country star home for the fundraiser, it's really about so much more in the lives of these teens. I loved it!! (Language, underage drinking, innuendo, LGBTQ)
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
MY NEW FAVOURITE PEOPLE
Final verdict? I liked it. I actually liked it far more than I was expecting to based on my initial thoughts:
First 50-60% of the book? Maybe 1 and a 1/2 stars...
Last 40 - 50% of the book? Probably 4 stars. I was definitely surprised how it turned around for me.
Initial thoughts at 17% of the way through the book:
"I am not into this one. I feel like the author believes everything has to be funny and that teenagers only speak in sarcasm. Everything comes second to the witty one liners.
I didn’t even know Sophie was actually in the band she’s fundraising for until she told August what she played at a party, like six or seven chapters in. I remember now she mentioned when practice started in the summer, but it wasn't a detail that stuck."
At the end of the book:
The characters really did it for me. I came to actually love Sophie and Flora, and I already kind of liked Brit but I wound up loving her too. August was alright. But this was so much more about the friend group than it was a romance, even if the first chapters didn't promise that. This is actually a book that didn't live up to it's promise and I'm SO GLAD it didn't because the book the first few chapters promised was so full of tropes and felt hokey and contrived. I felt like the author had never been in band and probably hadn't talked to anyone in band and I was pretty stuck on that. That and NO ONE parties that much, not even in the summer, and especially not band kids.
I really liked the ending of the whole Megan Pleasant drama, not to give any of that away. Also, I was pretty blindsided by a couple of reveals, so that was nice. I'll definitely read more of this author's works.
First 50-60% of the book? Maybe 1 and a 1/2 stars...
Last 40 - 50% of the book? Probably 4 stars. I was definitely surprised how it turned around for me.
Initial thoughts at 17% of the way through the book:
"I am not into this one. I feel like the author believes everything has to be funny and that teenagers only speak in sarcasm. Everything comes second to the witty one liners.
I didn’t even know Sophie was actually in the band she’s fundraising for until she told August what she played at a party, like six or seven chapters in. I remember now she mentioned when practice started in the summer, but it wasn't a detail that stuck."
At the end of the book:
The characters really did it for me. I came to actually love Sophie and Flora, and I already kind of liked Brit but I wound up loving her too. August was alright. But this was so much more about the friend group than it was a romance, even if the first chapters didn't promise that. This is actually a book that didn't live up to it's promise and I'm SO GLAD it didn't because the book the first few chapters promised was so full of tropes and felt hokey and contrived. I felt like the author had never been in band and probably hadn't talked to anyone in band and I was pretty stuck on that. That and NO ONE parties that much, not even in the summer, and especially not band kids.
I really liked the ending of the whole Megan Pleasant drama, not to give any of that away. Also, I was pretty blindsided by a couple of reveals, so that was nice. I'll definitely read more of this author's works.