Scan barcode
gggina13's review
5.0
4.5 stars! This book really came out swinging to only be about 250 pages long!
Novah has a huge family - her parents and 6 siblings. She loves them all, a ton, but she also feels burdened by her role as one of the oldest children, responsible for not only parenting the younger kids but also picking up lots of shifts at her parents' dog grooming business.
When tragedy strikes and the kids' parents die, Ariana, the oldest, is the sole guardian of the whole brood. Part of the issue is that she, as young as she is, was only granted temporary custody until they can have a hearing to determine whether she's fit to take care of all the kids.
This book follows the kids over a few months and basically is just about the trials and tribulations of being a sibling, adding in the grief of losing parents, the stress of keeping a business running, and the looming threat of being put into foster care. There's tender moments, funny moments, even romantic moments as Novah gets to know a girl she's interested in. There is a really evident power struggle between Novah and Ariana. Novah both resents Ariana for trying to be in charge while also respecting her for giving up her life to keep the family together. Ariana resents Novah for still getting to have a life, somewhat, and respects her for everything she does do for the family.
There's the lesbian representation, and there's also autism representation - the youngest sister in the family has autism and is virtually mute, by choice, and communicates with sign language and a dry erase board. It seemed well handled enough, but I'm not the authority on this rep by any means, so let me know.
It's just a sweet book about a family and family struggles and the high points of being a family. Definitely worth reading!
Novah has a huge family - her parents and 6 siblings. She loves them all, a ton, but she also feels burdened by her role as one of the oldest children, responsible for not only parenting the younger kids but also picking up lots of shifts at her parents' dog grooming business.
When tragedy strikes and the kids' parents die, Ariana, the oldest, is the sole guardian of the whole brood. Part of the issue is that she, as young as she is, was only granted temporary custody until they can have a hearing to determine whether she's fit to take care of all the kids.
This book follows the kids over a few months and basically is just about the trials and tribulations of being a sibling, adding in the grief of losing parents, the stress of keeping a business running, and the looming threat of being put into foster care. There's tender moments, funny moments, even romantic moments as Novah gets to know a girl she's interested in. There is a really evident power struggle between Novah and Ariana. Novah both resents Ariana for trying to be in charge while also respecting her for giving up her life to keep the family together. Ariana resents Novah for still getting to have a life, somewhat, and respects her for everything she does do for the family.
There's the lesbian representation, and there's also autism representation - the youngest sister in the family has autism and is virtually mute, by choice, and communicates with sign language and a dry erase board. It seemed well handled enough, but I'm not the authority on this rep by any means, so let me know.
It's just a sweet book about a family and family struggles and the high points of being a family. Definitely worth reading!
catsloaf's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
4.25
erinsbookshelves's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
luminareads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
So this is more middle grade ish for me when I read it but I think anyone from the younger grades to older can pick this up and digest fairly quick. I think that some of the plot lines felt a little too drop and go. I think younger readers may not be as quick to notice but I’m not sure how a 18/19 year is expected to pay her family’s mortgage / rent and run the shop without any adult assistance ? Plus the family is large and if money was tight as was claimed, it took me out when I noticed the Ubers that were being taken and the lack of actual money coming in (minus the shop & Zion’s incomes.) Minus those minor instances, a sad book but hopeful with lesbian rep with our MC Novah. I liked that there was no coming out storyline, it was just accepted without a bat of an eye.
shyrose's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
foleyzac's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
stuckintheb00ks's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
dani_devitoe's review
5.0
A really good book! Definitely recommend, even though it doesn’t say it, it is lgbtqia+! It will make you cry though so be warned.
kshertz's review
challenging
emotional
sad
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? No
4.0
It’s such a sweet book about family. The seven children have to each work hard to stay together and be their best versions of themselves. Our main protagonist has no time to be a kid. They’re older and just take care of the littles and work at the parents grooming business. It’s heart wrenching at times, but also real. A good reminder to appreciate what you have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Abandonment, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying and Grief