Reviews

Rosie Loves Jack by Mel Darbon

justovereherereading's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Rose and Jack and their love for each other.
Rose is an amazing character and I was rooting for her the whole way. I love that it’s told from her unique perspective where she stands up for herself when she can, in a world that is confusing & at times very unkind.
I found the story believable and that made it sad too.

Fav quote: “Why is it different? It is cos I have Down’s syndrome? Down’s syndrome isn’t me. I am Rose.” 🌹 

thebookmouse's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

3.5

tamara_danielle's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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? No

5.0

sienna727's review

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emotional inspiring sad 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

alongreader's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful read. I don't know how accurate it is, but it feels realistic and well thought out. Rosie is a fantastic character, never giving up no matter what London throws in her way. She's much stronger than she gives herself credit for.

One of those books that everyone should read. I'd love to see this in classrooms and school libraries.



Receiving an aRC did not affect my review in any way.

bookwormkelly10's review against another edition

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4.0

Rosie loves Jack. She knows this, he knows this, everybody around them knows this. Jack loves Rosie. The two will get married, that they know. But no one else seems to agree. Just because Jack's brain was hurt as a baby and Rosie has Down Syndrome, no one thinks they know what's best. When Jack is sent away, Rosie knows one thing: she must find him. Brave Rose only exists with Jack.
What ensues is a heart-stopping adventure and a story full of determination and love. Rose will do whatever it takes to get her Jack back. However, she's also out to prove one more thing: she can be in-de-pen-dent. Will she be able to prove the world wrong and show her love for Jack?
This book shattered me. It was so heartwarming, yet scary. There were a few moments where my heart was pounding out of my chest and I felt the fear Rose must have also felt. I wanted to run out and help her. I wanted to help so many of the characters. I fell in love with more than Rose and Jack, I fell in love with the story. It has been over 24 hours since I finished, but I needed time to think. I needed to digest the story. It was wonderful!
I have never read a book from the point of view of someone with Down Syndrome. I can't speak for the community, but I hope it would agree in saying that Darbon did a wonderful job! I felt as though I understood so much more about Down Syndrome and also how to change my own approach so as not to be offensive or aggravating. After reading this book, I feel like my life has been enhanced and I know this story will stay with me for a long time.
The character development is spectacularly done by Darbon, as well! Even the most minor characters stuck with me throughout the story. Normally, I would forget the names of those minor characters, but I don't even think that's possible with this story. Darbon's writing and voice is so expertly done, it's hard to believe this is her debut novel. I do, however, have one complaint about the characters and that's that there's no follow up. After feeling invested and connected to them, I needed to know more. While I understand the story was for Rose and Jack, I needed to know more about the other characters. In order to prevent spoilers, I will leave it there.
Finally, this story was so, so inspiring! There's no other way to describe it. I personally struggle to do new things as they make me anxious, and reading the strength and resilience of Rose truly made me feel empowered. She was so spectacular and brave throughout the story. I was in awe during some moments. I know it sounds as thought I believe this is non-fiction (I know it's not, haha), but that's just how well Darbon's character development was. I will be recommending this book for years to come because it was that powerful. It was that beautiful. It'll be a tough one to leave behind. Seriously, the only reason it's not 5 stars is because I'm bitter about not knowing the story of the other characters (which isn't owed at all... it is Rose's story, after all).

zoebasson's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was so beautiful. I couldn’t stop reading out the cutest sentences to all the people around me, making them want to read the book too! It was definitely sad but also hopeful and romantic.

adamskiboy528491's review against another edition

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4.0



Two tickets to romance, please. [b:Rosie Loves Jack|55852903|Rosie Loves Jack|Mel Darbon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604667860l/55852903._SY75_.jpg|60915096] by [a:Mel Darbon|17834148|Mel Darbon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1524905744p2/17834148.jpg] is an emotional tale & beautifully told. The story itself is a natural edge of your seat page-turner. It tackles some very dark issues, skilfully skips over a lot of sensitive matter & takes you on a tear-jerking, laugh out loud funny journey to the very last page. Written from the point-of-view of a Down Syndrome girl in her teens, as the title suggests, this is a love story. & Jack loves Rosie. But if only it were so simple. Rosie's dad doesn't like Jack. & Jack has some behavioural problems, too, which means he gets sent away.

One day Rosie leaves home & runs away to find Jack; she makes it as far as London before things become overwhelming. This book is brutally honest & spares no details describing Rosie's challenges & how she is taken advantage of by strangers. But it so touchingly shows the love & help of strangers as they try to help Rosie find Jack before her parents find her. Will they ever be together again?

The book discusses & shines a bright light on bullying, discrimination, representation & gives the most important lesson to see the world through Rosie's eyes. The dialogues & surroundings are authentic to the characters & adequately grounded the story. The author has a charming style of telling the story that immediately gives you the feeling of being in England. Moreover, there is never a dull moment in the tale, as Rose experiences the world & how harsh it can be. There are some challenging moments that she faces, & you wonder how she will survive them.

This book is a unique & exciting debut novel that holds well independently. I wish it got a lot of recognition.

loubraryoftheforest's review against another edition

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4.0

What a powerful book this is. Beautiful, heart wrenching, rose and jacks story will stay with me. Challenging the way we view those with learning disabilities what shines through was Rose’s strength, determination, and beauty. She is treated with love, cruelty, and prejudice, but she rises above it all to fight for the man she loves, even when she finds herself lost and in danger. Brilliant book.

rosie_wp's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad 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