Reviews

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

auronautic's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

3.5

cdolan__23's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was better than I expected. Although, I do wish I read it as a teenager.

bunny18's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5

You are wanted. 

gg88's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

caruano's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

jenntucci2's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 Stars. After rereading All The Bright Places and loving that book, i thought this one would be good too. The writing was very different from ATBP and the romance was very quick, unlike ATBP where it builds up. I was kinda disappointed by this book, it seemed like it was trying too hard to be a “be yourself! you’re amazing!” kind of book. I really just wanted this book to end while i was reading it.

edz4life's review against another edition

3.0

i had very high expectations based on all the bright places. there was something unique and special about her debut YA, but this one wasn't that great.

chlleitch's review against another edition

emotional 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

angevba's review against another edition

4.0

What I like the most about this book is that it takes two topics that are not talked about a lot (or at all, really) and does a very good job explaining both of them, and also giving a great message at the same time.
I agree with a lot of people when I say that the romance plot was not all that necessary. I felt like it was kind of rushed too, but I don't hate it.
Overall this book was easy to read, entertaining and full of great messages, so I recommend it.

aritrigupta's review

2.0

I truly have mixed feelings about this book.
I loved [b:All the Bright Places|18460392|All the Bright Places|Jennifer Niven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404331702l/18460392._SY75_.jpg|26113532], and in a similar manner, this book deals with relevant teenage issues and the consequent mental, societal stress that is borne out of them.
I understand how so much of thoughts in Libby's heads were about never feeling good enough to have a boy love her. She is a teenage after all. To some extent, I can say I had empathy for Jack.
But their angsty romance was simply nonsensical. There was no chemistry, no dialog, no nothing between them to justify this earth shattering, world changing love that they experienced. I don't even want to chalk it up to teenagers being overtly dramatic about it. There was just this forced component that was repeatedly being drummed into our heads about two unlikely people falling for each other.
Much of it was laughably cliched.
It was a quick read, and despite a lot of the content being relevant and true, the story failed in its delivery.