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_basicbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Quinn is a teenage Jewish harpist who doesn’t believe in love and isn’t sure she wants to join her family’s wedding planning business after college. Tarek is a Muslim hopeless romantic, a big fan of grand gestures, and while he helps with his parents’ catering company, he really dreams of baking cakes. Quinn and Tarek have known and worked together forever, but after Quinn professed her love for Tarek in an email and he didn’t respond, this summer is going to be awkward. But when they see each other again, the feelings are still there, but what is really stopping Quinn is her fear of falling in love.
Anything Rachel Lynn Solomon writes is magic. First, I need to say, the conversations about mental health were incredible and something we need more of. The main characters had diagnoses of OCD and depression and the real and honest way they communicated about what those mental health diagnoses meant for them, how they presented themselves, and how as a couple, they could work together to better understand each other. And they openly discussed medication and therapy!
Also, Quinn’s journey was beautiful. That time between high school and college is such a confusing time for many teenagers, especially in cases like this where family expectations don’t necessarily meet the teen’s passions. This experience was described and handled beautifully in this book and I loved seeing Quinn really come into herself and seeing her family accept her choices was incredible.
There are so many other incredible things about this book as well: sex positivity, amazing Jewish representation, and I loved Quinn’s family. Reading about the different weddings while being in the midst of planning my own wedding was also so fun! This is a must read!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Edelweiss+ for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Anything Rachel Lynn Solomon writes is magic. First, I need to say, the conversations about mental health were incredible and something we need more of. The main characters had diagnoses of OCD and depression and the real and honest way they communicated about what those mental health diagnoses meant for them, how they presented themselves, and how as a couple, they could work together to better understand each other. And they openly discussed medication and therapy!
Also, Quinn’s journey was beautiful. That time between high school and college is such a confusing time for many teenagers, especially in cases like this where family expectations don’t necessarily meet the teen’s passions. This experience was described and handled beautifully in this book and I loved seeing Quinn really come into herself and seeing her family accept her choices was incredible.
There are so many other incredible things about this book as well: sex positivity, amazing Jewish representation, and I loved Quinn’s family. Reading about the different weddings while being in the midst of planning my own wedding was also so fun! This is a must read!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Edelweiss+ for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
jennsbookstack's review against another edition
3.0
Another Rachel Lynn Solomon book (I loved her novel, “The Ex Talk”) though this one is one of her YA novels. I didn’t love this one so much, but it wasn’t bad at all. I do like that of the YA books I have tried out, representation and diversity (cultures, languages, religions, sexuality, varying family dynamics, neurodiversity, mental health) are at the forefront. I think having books that reflect the real world are essential and important for young people especially. I am glad there are authors out there offering that to young adult/teen readers. I know some parents might have no idea that YA books can include content that many would deem “adult” so I think it’s important for parents to be aware, especially with strong readers who may be younger & keep working their way up to more adult books. But I’m really glad these types of books exist. I think it offers perspective and opportunities to recognize biases between the pages of books instead of with real people who can be hurt or harmed, to learn acceptance for others who may be ostracized and perhaps for some, a reflection of themselves that wouldn’t otherwise exist. ❣️
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
In this book, Quinn is a harp player for her parents’ wedding planning business, though she finds romance questionable. Tarek works with his family’s catering business and loves the grand gesture to show his feelings. As the two work together often, buried feelings begin to resurface and an earlier unanswered email from Quinn to Tarek is explained, allowing the two to bond over their respective mental health issues. (OCD, anxiety, depression) Quinn’s family is Jewish while Tarek’s is Egyptian. Though Quinn thinks to herself that she has never dated someone not Jewish, their cultural identities don’t effect their relationship. Their differing views on romance do! I really appreciated the various types of people represented in this book. The mental health topics were especially relevant and important too.
booksbyblaine's review against another edition
3.0
just okay but the “will they, won’t they” of it all really grabbed me. this doesn’t hold a candle to the ex talk and I think my expectations may have been a bit too high. eczema rep was an interesting choice but go off I guess!
kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
One of my most favorite books. I love weddings, I loved the Jewish rep and the OCD rep. I loved this so much.
meant_to_be_studying's review against another edition
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
3.5
It was a good book but didn't really stand out. I feel like the book was trying to deal with so many things, like her family drama, the stuff about the harp, her ocd and anxiety, and his depression and both of their feelings on their own family business and with the chaotic setting of being at a wedding or in the planning process of one, it felt like a lot for a book of its' size. However, i did love the casual representation, and how it was just a part of the character, rather than the only defining factor of the character. Overall, it was a decent book and a solid start to a new year of reading.
fantasyifyanasty's review against another edition
3.0
This was sweet and I really appreciated the representation of two neurodivergent MC’s, one with OCD and GAD, and one with depression. Well developed and interesting characters, and a fun backdrop of the wedding planning business.