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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This was a cute YA book about dealing with the grief of losing someone who was supposed to be your whole world and your future. The story follows Jess, a high school senior who is a promising artist and who struggles with her temper, as she is reeling from the unexpected loss of her girlfriend, Vivi. The book is told in two storylines (before Vivi’s death and after), and we get to see who Vivi helped Jess to be and how she has to find herself after losing that anchor.
I didn’t appreciate how many people in Jess’s life were dismissive about her grief or acted like she should just “be over it” in the weeks after the death, but I know that in real life that can happen. I was mad FOR Jess, and happy to be with her on her journey to self discovery in a world without her Vivi.
I didn’t appreciate how many people in Jess’s life were dismissive about her grief or acted like she should just “be over it” in the weeks after the death, but I know that in real life that can happen. I was mad FOR Jess, and happy to be with her on her journey to self discovery in a world without her Vivi.
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book on the table in the bookstore, with a big sign that says SALE and it was literally sold for half the price of a regular paperback, so it was shocking that a good book with a great cover and in hardback was so cheap—anyway, enough of how I bought it.
This book is about Jess and is split into two timelines; one in her freshman year just after losing her dad and the next in her senior year just after losing her girlfriend. The grief that she experienced with her dad was a really sad one, we really didn't get much into how her dad died, but we watched how the grief affected her. She developed these anger issues and is learning how to control herself and cope with her grief in a healthier way by visiting a therapist. The therapist tells her that drawing and doodling would be a really great way, and this is how she finds her passion for art. Then the artsy, enigmatic, girl named Vivi with a beautiful fashion sense walks into her life and helps her feel better about life a little more. Now for the second timeline which is after Vivi's death, we go back to these negative emotions that hit her a lot harder because along with this she's pushing people away, she seems to be bringing the not-so-great people into her life and is struggling with college applications and what is after. Because after for her, is entwined with Vivi, and now that she's gone so unexpectedly, what's next?
This story was so heartbreaking but at the same time just so sweet. I read a lot of YA books about grief and mental health - because those seem like the only good YA books I enjoy these days - and this one is honestly no different. However, I still very much enjoyed it. In this book, it seems like birds and art are very much a theme because it was such an important part of Vivi and their relationship together and I thought that was really beautiful. This was also the first real sapphic book I read from start to finish and that I own, so it's quite special to me. Jess' character development throughout the book was great and I feel so happy for her. The pacing was also quite nice because we only see her for five weeks after Vivi's death, it doesn't seem like such a short time. And honestly, I'm glad that she doesn't find a new girlfriend by the end of the book (I loved Levi though, he's so sweet, a little shy, but genuine) because YA books do that too much.
This book is about Jess and is split into two timelines; one in her freshman year just after losing her dad and the next in her senior year just after losing her girlfriend. The grief that she experienced with her dad was a really sad one, we really didn't get much into how her dad died, but we watched how the grief affected her. She developed these anger issues and is learning how to control herself and cope with her grief in a healthier way by visiting a therapist. The therapist tells her that drawing and doodling would be a really great way, and this is how she finds her passion for art. Then the artsy, enigmatic, girl named Vivi with a beautiful fashion sense walks into her life and helps her feel better about life a little more. Now for the second timeline which is after Vivi's death, we go back to these negative emotions that hit her a lot harder because along with this she's pushing people away, she seems to be bringing the not-so-great people into her life and is struggling with college applications and what is after. Because after for her, is entwined with Vivi, and now that she's gone so unexpectedly, what's next?
This story was so heartbreaking but at the same time just so sweet. I read a lot of YA books about grief and mental health - because those seem like the only good YA books I enjoy these days - and this one is honestly no different. However, I still very much enjoyed it. In this book, it seems like birds and art are very much a theme because it was such an important part of Vivi and their relationship together and I thought that was really beautiful. This was also the first real sapphic book I read from start to finish and that I own, so it's quite special to me. Jess' character development throughout the book was great and I feel so happy for her. The pacing was also quite nice because we only see her for five weeks after Vivi's death, it doesn't seem like such a short time. And honestly, I'm glad that she doesn't find a new girlfriend by the end of the book (I loved Levi though, he's so sweet, a little shy, but genuine) because YA books do that too much.
The book has been on my shelf for more than a year and finally picked it up. It's a light read with a heavy topic that lingers all over the pages. It's sad, heartbreaking, as annoying as raw emotion could get, it's just nice.
It took me nearly a year to finally update this and it also came to my attention that I never updated the rating to what it boiled down to in the process of writing the review despite posting said review on my blog back in June. Nevertheless, here we are so here you go, my bad!
✨ Read my full review here ! ✨
✨ Read my full review here ! ✨
While there was some language that wasn’t inclusive (e.g. I didn’t love the use of gold star), this was a pretty good read. Writing from Jess’a POV was important, as it allowed the reader to understand her pain and her rage, and I loved that Brown didn’t hold back. Grief isn’t always pretty and doesn’t go away after some live-changing experience, and I think it’s important to show teens that sadness and anger can be tied together. I also appreciated that Jess’ education and career path was unique. I felt more connected to the beginning half than the end, and kind of wish I had read it all at once.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
god tier cover art
never realized how weird it was to read a book where the mc has the same name as you
never realized how weird it was to read a book where the mc has the same name as you