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e33215's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hannahh12345678910's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, and Medical content
Minor: Cursing
tarareads517's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This book was a really hard slog. The representation both of cerebral palsy and panic attacks felt inauthentic, and the character and story development just wasn't there. The central conflict in the story itself felt wildly unbelievable.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
4.5/5
UGH I loved this book so much. When I first checked this book out, I said to myself that this year I should read more romances and it looks like things are looking up. This is, I believe, the second romance book I've read, and both have been either almost or is a five-star rating. I loved the disability representation in this book as well as the romance. The settle was great, but I found it to be somewhat forgetful. The cafe was a cute stop and I enjoyed how the author made it seem like people were writing comments or posting things online.
UGH I loved this book so much. When I first checked this book out, I said to myself that this year I should read more romances and it looks like things are looking up. This is, I believe, the second romance book I've read, and both have been either almost or is a five-star rating. I loved the disability representation in this book as well as the romance. The settle was great, but I found it to be somewhat forgetful. The cafe was a cute stop and I enjoyed how the author made it seem like people were writing comments or posting things online.
zgreyz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
cute story, cute romance, a bit anticlimactic at the end and not completely problem resolving but i appreciate how Daisy advocated for herself and that Noah came around to being a better advocate for her as well. gave it some cozy feels despite the ableism she deals with.
jace_lee_koe's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
I really, really wanted to love this book. It's so rare to see disabled people presented as desirable, strong, and capable. Now forgive me if I've forgotten things - I read in bed right before I fall asleep so some bits and pieces may have been sleep-blurred as I was nodding off.
This book was fun and cute, but it felt shallow to me. The writing wasn't strong enough to pull me in to really feel for the characters. Anxiety attacks were written as if they took 5 seconds to happen and then they were over. Daisy's righteous anger at the ableism she experienced was understandable to me, a fellow disabled person, but to an able-bodied person, there wouldn't be enough explanation for them to really get it. It's an IYKYK thing and if you don't K, you're just gonna think she's being dramatic or a brat.
I also felt like there wasn't enough focus on her disability. Sure, it's not a plot point or a curse afflicting her, but it was a bit too far in the opposite direction. Her hand clenches and her arm spasms sometimes. That's basically all we get. It doesn't seem to paint a full picture of her as a disabled person, with the disability being part of who she is. It kind of undermines the purpose of having a desirable disabled love interest if their disability doesn't affect them on page other than their hand spasming, or tripping once.
Okay and don't get me wrong here, I absolutely love seeing diversity in books! It just felt a bit forced to me here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a lot of different races in a story! It's great! It just felt a bit more like "look at these things I know about these races, I'm being a good diverse writer" rather than "this is who these characters are at their core and it is very meaningful and purposeful." I can't put my finger exactly on what the difference is, but it's there. Like, Amal being hijabi is great and definitely bore mentioning, but I felt like her attire was described and given weight and importance every time we saw her, but no one else's was except on very special occasions.
I don't know. I wanted more from this book. It was just a little too cute and fluffy and didn't dwell on things it should have swelled on to really drive the story home.
This book was fun and cute, but it felt shallow to me. The writing wasn't strong enough to pull me in to really feel for the characters. Anxiety attacks were written as if they took 5 seconds to happen and then they were over. Daisy's righteous anger at the ableism she experienced was understandable to me, a fellow disabled person, but to an able-bodied person, there wouldn't be enough explanation for them to really get it. It's an IYKYK thing and if you don't K, you're just gonna think she's being dramatic or a brat.
I also felt like there wasn't enough focus on her disability. Sure, it's not a plot point or a curse afflicting her, but it was a bit too far in the opposite direction. Her hand clenches and her arm spasms sometimes. That's basically all we get. It doesn't seem to paint a full picture of her as a disabled person, with the disability being part of who she is. It kind of undermines the purpose of having a desirable disabled love interest if their disability doesn't affect them on page other than their hand spasming, or tripping once.
Okay and don't get me wrong here, I absolutely love seeing diversity in books! It just felt a bit forced to me here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a lot of different races in a story! It's great! It just felt a bit more like "look at these things I know about these races, I'm being a good diverse writer" rather than "this is who these characters are at their core and it is very meaningful and purposeful." I can't put my finger exactly on what the difference is, but it's there. Like, Amal being hijabi is great and definitely bore mentioning, but I felt like her attire was described and given weight and importance every time we saw her, but no one else's was except on very special occasions.
I don't know. I wanted more from this book. It was just a little too cute and fluffy and didn't dwell on things it should have swelled on to really drive the story home.
mpatrick5538's review
4.0
I currently work for a non-profit that works with children with disabilities and we were asking for a donation for an in-office fundraiser. I went into a local bookstore to ask for a book bundle, and she so generously provided me with some books. She went about giving us books making sure that the main characters had a disability and even checked to make sure that they were accurately and appropriately represented. After bringing these books to my work one of my co-workers read the description and realized that the main character Daisy had the same exact disability as her. She is in her thirties and said that it was the first time she has ever found a piece of media that had her disability represented. It was really touching and shows just how important representation is important.
That being said I really enjoyed this book. I like reading YA fiction, and this felt so perfect YA. I didn't feel like this mispresented or was unrealistic. The main characters in this story feel like real teenagers experiencing real pressures of being teenagers including school bullies, parental expectations, comparing yourself to others, pressure to push yourself, future careers/colleges, impressing friends, friendships, and dating.
I did find it so hard to read some of Daisy struggles with her disability with others. When there are scenes with how people use hateful language, ignorant opinions, and doubting her it's so upsetting. But I had to remind myself though it feels so unimageable it is really real. I think this book can be really eye opening for people without a disability/closely connected to people with disabilities to realities of the truly awful things that can happen and do happen. it makes you second guess those biases and ablism that is sometimes accepted in society. It also is really great for someone with a disability to read to see that they aren't alone.
I really enjoyed the way that they discussed the people that love and are close to Daisy how they underestimate her in ways and also put expectations. There were many moments when people stood up for her and though they were trying to support her they were disrespecting her. I liked that showing just because a person has a disability, yes that is a part of them, but it isn't the only thing to them.
I really enjoyed Noah character and how they displayed his anxiety. I think this is something that we are beginning to come into more mainstream acceptance but when I was in middle school and high school it was not something talked about. Anxiety is something I suffered with for many years with no real support until I was graduated from college. This representation would have explained a lot of things for me and would have been nice to have. I think the expectations on teenagers to get ahead, be the best at whatever they are good at, and just this overall "grind" culture often happens. Though the encouragement is great it can push children to anxiety and panic attacks.
I found the use of social media really interesting in the book. When I was in middle school and high school, I had social media but the idea of things going viral didn't really happen until later in my education. The teenagers that are in this book and the book is targeted to are more familiar with social media/the internet, so I think it is really well inputted into the plot. It's crazy to think how vulnerable you can be to the internet at such a young age to complete strangers.
In the end I love the representation of this book and think it was a great read. It had me smiling so wind and beaming at pride for the main characters. I loved the teenage romance that unfolds in this book it was so pure, real, vulnerable, and like the perfect teenage romance. I would highly suggest this. I hope to see this in more school libraries and bookstores in my area.
That being said I really enjoyed this book. I like reading YA fiction, and this felt so perfect YA. I didn't feel like this mispresented or was unrealistic. The main characters in this story feel like real teenagers experiencing real pressures of being teenagers including school bullies, parental expectations, comparing yourself to others, pressure to push yourself, future careers/colleges, impressing friends, friendships, and dating.
I did find it so hard to read some of Daisy struggles with her disability with others. When there are scenes with how people use hateful language, ignorant opinions, and doubting her it's so upsetting. But I had to remind myself though it feels so unimageable it is really real. I think this book can be really eye opening for people without a disability/closely connected to people with disabilities to realities of the truly awful things that can happen and do happen. it makes you second guess those biases and ablism that is sometimes accepted in society. It also is really great for someone with a disability to read to see that they aren't alone.
I really enjoyed the way that they discussed the people that love and are close to Daisy how they underestimate her in ways and also put expectations. There were many moments when people stood up for her and though they were trying to support her they were disrespecting her. I liked that showing just because a person has a disability, yes that is a part of them, but it isn't the only thing to them.
I really enjoyed Noah character and how they displayed his anxiety. I think this is something that we are beginning to come into more mainstream acceptance but when I was in middle school and high school it was not something talked about. Anxiety is something I suffered with for many years with no real support until I was graduated from college. This representation would have explained a lot of things for me and would have been nice to have. I think the expectations on teenagers to get ahead, be the best at whatever they are good at, and just this overall "grind" culture often happens. Though the encouragement is great it can push children to anxiety and panic attacks.
I found the use of social media really interesting in the book. When I was in middle school and high school, I had social media but the idea of things going viral didn't really happen until later in my education. The teenagers that are in this book and the book is targeted to are more familiar with social media/the internet, so I think it is really well inputted into the plot. It's crazy to think how vulnerable you can be to the internet at such a young age to complete strangers.
In the end I love the representation of this book and think it was a great read. It had me smiling so wind and beaming at pride for the main characters. I loved the teenage romance that unfolds in this book it was so pure, real, vulnerable, and like the perfect teenage romance. I would highly suggest this. I hope to see this in more school libraries and bookstores in my area.
amiably's review
4.25
LOVED the representation, but i felt like the love story was unrealistic and a tad bit rushed
molly_24's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
autumn_panda's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book was comically bad the storyline should’ve been so good the disability rep was okay, but it was clear the author had never touched an instrument in her life nor done any research. The female love interest was so annoying and insufferable and literally couldn’t be pleased. Even though everyone else was being annoying to her, she was never satisfied with anything. Also the word choice sucked. It seemed like the author was searching for synonyms for every single word, and not correcting the grammar after. Like who was the editor that’s what I want to know