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kaycee_k's review
4.0
We follow Mia who has a scar across her face but hardly remembers the night. When her dad sends her to her grandmothers who live in New York City, we see her bloom and grow.
The start of this book is a bit slow but I think that it's needed for this story to build up the characters growths. At first, I wasn't crazy about this book but once it gets to Mia, Fig and their group of friends I fell for this book. I love this group of friends, (Crazy but honest) for me, they are the main part of this story. In that group of friends, we meet Cooper. Mia and Cooper do kinda have an insta-love, but I think that's because they relate to each other, because of there painful pasts. Even though I like the relationship between Cooper and her. My two favorite relationship is Mia and her grandmother and Mia and Fig. However, at the end of the book, we see how a painful past doesn't define you, and how being honest with yourself and others will help. There's a relationship I can't talk about because of spoilers but I just wanted to say that I'm glad about how it changed by the end of this story.
If I could meet one character who isn't Fig it would be Waffles. I'm a cat person but this dog stole my heat.
This book does cover topics such as sibling loss, trauma, problematic parents and the power that art can have in one's life. There is a bit of religion, (Mia's grandmother.) The writing was well done, this is a character based book.
With that, this was a moving story filled with heart and joy!
I was given a NetGalley copy to review, this is my 100% honest review.
The start of this book is a bit slow but I think that it's needed for this story to build up the characters growths. At first, I wasn't crazy about this book but once it gets to Mia, Fig and their group of friends I fell for this book. I love this group of friends, (Crazy but honest) for me, they are the main part of this story. In that group of friends, we meet Cooper. Mia and Cooper do kinda have an insta-love, but I think that's because they relate to each other, because of there painful pasts. Even though I like the relationship between Cooper and her. My two favorite relationship is Mia and her grandmother and Mia and Fig. However, at the end of the book, we see how a painful past doesn't define you, and how being honest with yourself and others will help. There's a relationship I can't talk about because of spoilers but I just wanted to say that I'm glad about how it changed by the end of this story.
If I could meet one character who isn't Fig it would be Waffles. I'm a cat person but this dog stole my heat.
This book does cover topics such as sibling loss, trauma, problematic parents and the power that art can have in one's life. There is a bit of religion, (Mia's grandmother.) The writing was well done, this is a character based book.
With that, this was a moving story filled with heart and joy!
I was given a NetGalley copy to review, this is my 100% honest review.
lisaluvsliterature's review
4.0
This book was a little different than some contemporaries, but definitely had all the angst as well as humor that makes a teen story work. I liked all the characters, loved Fig's Italian family especially. It was also great to see that even as Mia struggled with her own demons of losing her sister, she still made the same mistake of assuming others hadn't been through things anywhere near what she had. Cooper was adorable, loved the idea of the mural he was making with the tiles. It was also fun to be experiencing New York City from a teen's perspective, made me want to take a trip out there again myself. A lot of food that sounded delicious at the restaurant, and then I loved one part where the character even pointed out something that has bothered me for a while now, the fact that fortune cookies rarely actually contain a fortune anymore. I say they are now just kind of proverb type of sayings, or as this character said, pithy sayings. A great book for a good spring read.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
wildflowerz76's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this title from Edelweiss for an honest review.
Mia has just arrived in New York to spend the summer with the grandmother she's never met. Her mother has abandoned her family and her father is doing some unnecessary training for his job, while Mia is still having a hard time recovering mentally from the accident the previous summer that left her with a disfiguring scar on her face and her sister dead. Mia has retreated into herself and prefers to spend time alone with her guilt and insecurities, but soon her job at the local bakery brings a new friend named Fig who will NOT let her do that.
This was a lovely story about how we all have things we're struggling with and perhaps if we learn to open up and rely on others a bit more, things can be a lot more bearable.
Mia has just arrived in New York to spend the summer with the grandmother she's never met. Her mother has abandoned her family and her father is doing some unnecessary training for his job, while Mia is still having a hard time recovering mentally from the accident the previous summer that left her with a disfiguring scar on her face and her sister dead. Mia has retreated into herself and prefers to spend time alone with her guilt and insecurities, but soon her job at the local bakery brings a new friend named Fig who will NOT let her do that.
This was a lovely story about how we all have things we're struggling with and perhaps if we learn to open up and rely on others a bit more, things can be a lot more bearable.
biancareadsbook's review
4.0
definitely a more character based book rather than plot. I loved the New York setting and the friendships that developed through the book. a very easy and quick read but still has important lessons <3
jooke's review
4.0
Not what I expected, but I really "enjoyed" listening to the audiobook. It felt authentic and real. From the way Mia started remembering what happened that tragic night, to how she reconnected with her family or found new friends who saw her and not only her appearance...
itratali's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
booksanddachshunds's review
4.0
**Disclamer: I did received this book via NetGalley. This had in no way, shape or form affected my opinion on it.**
See the full review on the blog
The friendship between Mia & Fig’s friends, aswell as the Relationship between the Brunelli family is really well made! Every one within the circle of friends are all broken in their own way, while always supporting each other! Wether it’s through a bad news, or just sharing their love of art. As for the Brunelli’s, they strongly believe that family is family no matter what happens, and are truly a sign of unconditional love; going as far as adopting Mia as one of theirs.
Though the novel in itself isn’t about the abuse or trauma in itself, it is about how each person may grieve differently; Not only Mia, but all of Fig’s friends have something to grieve of… And how it’s okay to keep on living, aswell as open up to others and turning towards the future.
See the full review on the blog
The friendship between Mia & Fig’s friends, aswell as the Relationship between the Brunelli family is really well made! Every one within the circle of friends are all broken in their own way, while always supporting each other! Wether it’s through a bad news, or just sharing their love of art. As for the Brunelli’s, they strongly believe that family is family no matter what happens, and are truly a sign of unconditional love; going as far as adopting Mia as one of theirs.
Though the novel in itself isn’t about the abuse or trauma in itself, it is about how each person may grieve differently; Not only Mia, but all of Fig’s friends have something to grieve of… And how it’s okay to keep on living, aswell as open up to others and turning towards the future.
felicityandrews's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
samrp01's review
5.0
This was such a sweet and heartwarming book. This book made me feel lots of Things™ longing, heartbreak, sadness, happiness, creative, belonging, and a lot more.
I will be reviewing We Were Beautiful for the Fantastic Flying Book Club blog tour on April 29th, so be sure to check out my full review!
https://somebooksandramblings.home.blog/
I will be reviewing We Were Beautiful for the Fantastic Flying Book Club blog tour on April 29th, so be sure to check out my full review!
https://somebooksandramblings.home.blog/