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gachi's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
mrdemon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
meggler's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
just_chillin736's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
izzyb18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
aliciac05's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
mj_almquist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I really wanted to love this book. I think I went in with high expectations and it wasn't hitting in the way I wanted it to. I still loved the characters and loved the story and loved the message. I suppose I was expecting more politics in it and it wasn't giving enough for me.
pmcharette's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lunachallis24's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
The problem with writing a book like this and basing it in reality is that you're going to craft a romantic and elementary view of perhaps the most complicated thing in the world - politics. It’d perhaps work better if this featured fictional parties in a fictional world where these things are black and white. But the main character of this novel is the son of a Democratic president, also known as the "at least we're not Republican" party. It isn't a perfectly progressive party if we've learned anything from the past four years, and the presidents it's produced could be better people. There's a line in this novel that's something like "Obama was cool", and I think that's telling of how it portrays the Democrats. There’s another point others have brought up that Henry rejects his royal upbringing despite benefiting heavily from it, but I don’t entirely agree with that.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if it didn't take up so much of the novel, but it does. McQuiston, in the acknowledgments, states that they sought to write an "escapist novel". Except this isn't escapist, and it can't be, because it’s so full of politics. Bride is arguably filled with politics but it's a fantasy novel, and its characters don't occupy actual positions that exist. Real people are mentioned in this novel, which opens a whole new can of Netanyahus. You have to suspend any disbelief if you want to properly enjoy this - which is what most people must have done, given the 4.09 rating on Goodreads.
This is a good novel when it isn't weirdly liberal (liberal, not leftist. There's a difference, Republicans). The central romance is compelling, if not quite as strong as One Last Stop's. It's funny, it's cute, it's pretty sexy. The sex never made me gag or laugh unless it was trying to be funny. Alex isn't as interesting or unique as August or Chloe but I grew to love him. Like I mentioned, I liked how Prince Henry rejects being a royal and only uses inheritance money from his father for donations. Nora, June, and the rest of the gang are wonderful. Ellen is a good mother, even though her characterization as the president is purposely safe and uncontroversial. Henry and Alex have real chemistry, too.
McQuiston can really write - the third-person present tense works well here. The figurative language is beautiful, and the dialogue is natural and not cringeworthy. You can tell this was their debut novel at times, but it’s consistent. However, I have a big problem with its pacing. One Last Stop’s chapters were long, but it was compelling enough that I hardly cared. Plus, the chapters were never longer than 40 pages. However, almost every chapter in this book is at least 30 pages - there’s one which is almost 60 pages. Most days I could only read half a chapter - the length of one chapter in most books. Alongside a ton of studying and fewer chances to read than usual, it’s taken me ages to get through this. It felt a bit more like an obligation - and I really don’t want that.
There are other problems I have with this but people have already talked about them. I loved the diversity, all the locations, and more - I wish I loved it as much as everyone else, though.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if it didn't take up so much of the novel, but it does. McQuiston, in the acknowledgments, states that they sought to write an "escapist novel". Except this isn't escapist, and it can't be, because it’s so full of politics. Bride is arguably filled with politics but it's a fantasy novel, and its characters don't occupy actual positions that exist. Real people are mentioned in this novel, which opens a whole new can of Netanyahus. You have to suspend any disbelief if you want to properly enjoy this - which is what most people must have done, given the 4.09 rating on Goodreads.
This is a good novel when it isn't weirdly liberal (liberal, not leftist. There's a difference, Republicans). The central romance is compelling, if not quite as strong as One Last Stop's. It's funny, it's cute, it's pretty sexy. The sex never made me gag or laugh unless it was trying to be funny. Alex isn't as interesting or unique as August or Chloe but I grew to love him. Like I mentioned, I liked how Prince Henry rejects being a royal and only uses inheritance money from his father for donations. Nora, June, and the rest of the gang are wonderful. Ellen is a good mother, even though her characterization as the president is purposely safe and uncontroversial. Henry and Alex have real chemistry, too.
McQuiston can really write - the third-person present tense works well here. The figurative language is beautiful, and the dialogue is natural and not cringeworthy. You can tell this was their debut novel at times, but it’s consistent. However, I have a big problem with its pacing. One Last Stop’s chapters were long, but it was compelling enough that I hardly cared. Plus, the chapters were never longer than 40 pages. However, almost every chapter in this book is at least 30 pages - there’s one which is almost 60 pages. Most days I could only read half a chapter - the length of one chapter in most books. Alongside a ton of studying and fewer chances to read than usual, it’s taken me ages to get through this. It felt a bit more like an obligation - and I really don’t want that.
There are other problems I have with this but people have already talked about them. I loved the diversity, all the locations, and more - I wish I loved it as much as everyone else, though.