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jessy_reads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
If it was only based on enjoyment, this book would have gotten 4.5 stars. This book was great. When I started reading, I had no idea what I was getting into, but this is exactly the type of story that I love reading. I'm so glad I picked it up. After only a few pages, I fell in love with the group of friends, their unique personalities, and the way they shine just that bit brighter when they are together. Add to that Gilbert's beautiful writing, simple yet mesmerizing, and this story seems to be made just for me.
Unfortunately, I wish I could have gotten to read more about Jason's recovery and Jason's father's motives. This is what led to the lower rating than the premise of the story and the writing deserved. The ending was not entirely satisfying to me, but I know that it is very difficult for me to find a book focused on mental health that has a satisfying ending. Wrap it up neatly, and it seems unrealistic. Give a realistic ending by letting the character continue to suffer, and it won't feel like an ending.
Still, I loved this story. I loved the characters and just wanted to get to know them intimately. I loved their discussions, which I could recognize myself in. I loved how concerned they were for Jason, how considerate, while feeling so powerless too, and it is something that each of us can relate to. Finally, I thought Gilbert was able to achieve a nice balance between darkness and the "romantic" scenes. It is hard to do, build a romance while also showing the darkest side of the characters, but their friendship had built a solid foundation for the next step romantically. I loved getting to know Beth and Jason.
So, didn't know what i was getting into, but I'm so glad I picked this up! This is exactly my jam.
Unfortunately, I wish I could have gotten to read more about Jason's recovery and Jason's father's motives. This is what led to the lower rating than the premise of the story and the writing deserved. The ending was not entirely satisfying to me, but I know that it is very difficult for me to find a book focused on mental health that has a satisfying ending. Wrap it up neatly, and it seems unrealistic. Give a realistic ending by letting the character continue to suffer, and it won't feel like an ending.
Still, I loved this story. I loved the characters and just wanted to get to know them intimately. I loved their discussions, which I could recognize myself in. I loved how concerned they were for Jason, how considerate, while feeling so powerless too, and it is something that each of us can relate to. Finally, I thought Gilbert was able to achieve a nice balance between darkness and the "romantic" scenes. It is hard to do, build a romance while also showing the darkest side of the characters, but their friendship had built a solid foundation for the next step romantically. I loved getting to know Beth and Jason.
So, didn't know what i was getting into, but I'm so glad I picked this up! This is exactly my jam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence
kindredbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received an e-galley of When We Were Infinite from Simon and Schuster via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
From award-winning author Kelly Loy Gilbert comes a powerful, achingly romantic drama about the secrets we keep, from each other and from ourselves, perfect for fans of Permanent Record and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.
All Beth wants is for her tight-knit circle of friends--Grace Nakamura, Brandon Lin, Sunny Chen, and Jason Tsou--to stay together. With her family splintered and her future a question mark, these friends are all she has--even if she sometimes wonders if she truly fits in with them. Besides, she's certain she'll never be able to tell Jason how she really feels about him, so friendship will have to be enough.
Then Beth witnesses a private act of violence in Jason's home, and the whole group is shaken. Beth and her friends make a pact to do whatever it takes to protect Jason, no matter the sacrifice. But when even their fierce loyalty isn't enough to stop Jason from making a life-altering choice, Beth must decide how far she's willing to go for him--and how much of herself she's willing to give up.
Review:
This is not an easy read. At all. To begin, there are a lot of topics that the novel touches upon that are not the easiest to discuss - domestic abuse, violence, suicide, anxiety, panic attacks, and abandonment. And then reading the story from Beth’s point of view - I don’t think that I have ever felt more anxiety reading a novel. She has so much self-doubt in her and I could not help but take all her emotional anxiety as my own as I was reading through the story. Even as I write this - as I’m thinking back on my reading experience - I feel anxious and a sense of unease. Which is all to say that that may be the mastery of the writing. To make you feel so attuned to a character’s anxiety that you can not help but become one with it. So while I do commend the writing, I have reservations for how much I truly enjoyed the story. Like I mentioned at the start, this is not an easy read and it is important to know that going into the story.
Synopsis:
From award-winning author Kelly Loy Gilbert comes a powerful, achingly romantic drama about the secrets we keep, from each other and from ourselves, perfect for fans of Permanent Record and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.
All Beth wants is for her tight-knit circle of friends--Grace Nakamura, Brandon Lin, Sunny Chen, and Jason Tsou--to stay together. With her family splintered and her future a question mark, these friends are all she has--even if she sometimes wonders if she truly fits in with them. Besides, she's certain she'll never be able to tell Jason how she really feels about him, so friendship will have to be enough.
Then Beth witnesses a private act of violence in Jason's home, and the whole group is shaken. Beth and her friends make a pact to do whatever it takes to protect Jason, no matter the sacrifice. But when even their fierce loyalty isn't enough to stop Jason from making a life-altering choice, Beth must decide how far she's willing to go for him--and how much of herself she's willing to give up.
Review:
This is not an easy read. At all. To begin, there are a lot of topics that the novel touches upon that are not the easiest to discuss - domestic abuse, violence, suicide, anxiety, panic attacks, and abandonment. And then reading the story from Beth’s point of view - I don’t think that I have ever felt more anxiety reading a novel. She has so much self-doubt in her and I could not help but take all her emotional anxiety as my own as I was reading through the story. Even as I write this - as I’m thinking back on my reading experience - I feel anxious and a sense of unease. Which is all to say that that may be the mastery of the writing. To make you feel so attuned to a character’s anxiety that you can not help but become one with it. So while I do commend the writing, I have reservations for how much I truly enjoyed the story. Like I mentioned at the start, this is not an easy read and it is important to know that going into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicide attempt
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