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starkov's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I am frankly a little too old for this (no shade at anyone enjoying this, I just personally outgrew the YA genre), but it was a really cute read!! A nice holiday read for those who like YA :)
yeehaw_agenda's review against another edition
4.0
This was a well-written, fun book. Read the whole thing on a train ride and it made the time fly by! Looking forward to more books by Arlow.
kitkatsbookden's review against another edition
4.25
Jake Maia Arlow is a super talented writer. Almost Flying was the middle grade novel I so longed for as a child and How to Excavate a Heart was everything college freshman aged me would’ve loved (not to say adult me didn’t love it).
Just a tad predictable but really tackled some important issues and was a delight to read.
4.25/5
Just a tad predictable but really tackled some important issues and was a delight to read.
4.25/5
indiekay's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this, but unfortunely not a new favourite. I didn't route for the romance as much as I would have wanted, and at times found Shani a little frustrating.
But, I did REALLY like that coelacanths are a big plot point - I'm a huge coelacanth nerd so I loved that. And I loved the scenes in which they went to museums, this book actually makes me want to visit Washington DC even though I never actually want to step foot into the USA.
I also really liked Shani's mom, Beatrice was the life of the party, and the corgi was very cute. The whole coffee shop subplot was also funny.
CW: past sexual assault, hospital visit for a side character
But, I did REALLY like that coelacanths are a big plot point - I'm a huge coelacanth nerd so I loved that. And I loved the scenes in which they went to museums, this book actually makes me want to visit Washington DC even though I never actually want to step foot into the USA.
I also really liked Shani's mom, Beatrice was the life of the party, and the corgi was very cute. The whole coffee shop subplot was also funny.
CW: past sexual assault, hospital visit for a side character
annineamundsen's review against another edition
4.0
Cute holiday/winter story. I liked that the characters were nerdy and passionate about their interests
Jewish lesbian mc + li
CW: sexual assault
Jewish lesbian mc + li
CW: sexual assault
kittynovaaaa's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
meant to finish this last night but the prospect of sleep was more interesting. great queer and jewish rep which is something i woefully have not read much of (that’s on me) but you could not pay me to reread this, i’d just be bored. raphael was the highlight!
meant to finish this last night but the prospect of sleep was more interesting. great queer and jewish rep which is something i woefully have not read much of (that’s on me) but you could not pay me to reread this, i’d just be bored. raphael was the highlight!
indecisivewisp's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
emyruggiero's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐️
Representation: Jewish lesbian MC, Jewish lesbian LI, older queer mentor, POC side characters
Cozy sapphic rom-com vibes. Perfect for the holiday season. I absolutely adored this book.
Representation: Jewish lesbian MC, Jewish lesbian LI, older queer mentor, POC side characters
Cozy sapphic rom-com vibes. Perfect for the holiday season. I absolutely adored this book.
firashai's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0