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kimmybartle's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, Elise Bryant + NG, for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
And happy release date day.
And happy release date day.
avery7andey's review against another edition
4.0
i bought this book with the intentions of reading a black love story without the emotional tool of racism and this was that! though i do wish it was longer i wanna see alex and leorne hanging out of the ship! but all in all the book was enjoyable and i would without a doubt recommend to a friend!
addisalazar's review against another edition
2.0
i should know by now that i hate insta love with a burning passion, it is NOT for me at ALL. it’s not believable, it has no life or romance, i never for one second believed that what’s her name could share everything with what’s his name, after hating each other for like ONE SECOND. how come you’ve never told this to your closest friends and after like 5 days you’re pouring your heart out to a guy and being amazed by the BARE MINIMUM like girl get up pls!!!
the only reason this is 2 stars is that it dealt very well with the topic of parenting choices, of putting too much pressure on your children’s future and what it must look like. specifically for black people, who always have to be better than their white counterparts to be seen as equally competent
the only reason this is 2 stars is that it dealt very well with the topic of parenting choices, of putting too much pressure on your children’s future and what it must look like. specifically for black people, who always have to be better than their white counterparts to be seen as equally competent
hannahwilliams90's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
xlpver's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this summer vacation romance between two total opposites as they meet on a cruise with their families before each heads off to college. The author does such a good job writing real, relatable characters. Her books aren't just happy YA romances but discuss real issues about race and the extra parental and societal pressures faced by teens of color, especially those struggling to figure out what they want to do with their lives.
Lenore is the complete opposite of her rom-com loving bestie from Happily Ever afters (which I loved). Where Tessa is a bit love obsessed, Lenore is more jaded, having been burned by love from a series of terrible past relationships. When she meets Alex, a type A guy who seems to have his whole future mapped out the sparks definitely fly but it takes her a while to warm up and see there's more to the seemingly perfect Alex than meets the eye. Definitely a fun read, perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, Renee Watson or Kristina Forest. Great on audio narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt.
Lenore is the complete opposite of her rom-com loving bestie from Happily Ever afters (which I loved). Where Tessa is a bit love obsessed, Lenore is more jaded, having been burned by love from a series of terrible past relationships. When she meets Alex, a type A guy who seems to have his whole future mapped out the sparks definitely fly but it takes her a while to warm up and see there's more to the seemingly perfect Alex than meets the eye. Definitely a fun read, perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, Renee Watson or Kristina Forest. Great on audio narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt.
thatrealbuffreader's review against another edition
5.0
This should be the blueprint for every YA romance because this was one of the best ones I have ever read. If I had this book when I was even 19, it would have been such a comfort book for me.
One True Loves reads more mature than most YA romances with the theme of finding yourself, transitioning into adulthood, and finding love. Lenore has been through the ringer with men, either falling for fuckboys or being cheated on. She goes onto a cruise with her family, then runs into Alex, although when they meet it is far from a meet cute.
This book does have a cute romance, but the themes of family and perfectionism are what make this book stand out from other YA novels for me. I loved the characters, and the families in this book are both so freaking cute but also have their own flaws. I saw my parents in Lenore's, and I saw myself in Wally and Lenore. (More on that later)
A particular scene that stood out for me was when Alex and Lenore's families first met. Lenore's dad makes the assumption that because Alex and his mother are black, so will his dad be. He awkwardly says the seat is saved for her husband, but he is her husband. Alex is a biracial korean-black American. The way that Lenore's dad responded when he realized what he said was short, but genuine and I think it properly models how to respond when you know you messed up and made an assumption about someone. It was just a nice little snippet that was well done!
For a cruise romance, I wouldn't expect myself to be as invested with the relationship because of how short of a timespan it was. It was believable though, which is shocking to me because who would think I would love a book where the characters fall in love in 10 days? Not me! The contrast between Lenore being overly cautious with love and Alex jumping right in was lovely, and it made sense with Lenore's past. I have went through the fuckboys like Lenore did, so seeing her navigate future relationships based on those experiences were relatable because of how she made mistakes yet still had good intentions. I don't want a YA character who is perfect. I want one who is real, and Lenore was.
(SPOILERS)
The most impactful scene for me wasn't a kiss or an emotional scene with the couple. It was Wally having a panic attack. I have never seen panic disorder representation in a book, and seeing how it made him more irritable, closed off, and on edge was spot on. I was diagnosed with panic disorder and had almost the same situation as Wally my freshman year of college. I had panic attacks weekly and even had one triggered while lifting weights and almost threw up in my gym parking lot because it was so bad. The way he talked about panic disorder was so similar to my experiences and the pressure that I put on myself to be perfect made me cry while reading because I felt so seen. I am eternally grateful for Elise Bryant because of that.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, quick romance with lovable characters and a unique plot, this is for you!
Tropes-
Friends to Lovers
Traveling
One True Loves reads more mature than most YA romances with the theme of finding yourself, transitioning into adulthood, and finding love. Lenore has been through the ringer with men, either falling for fuckboys or being cheated on. She goes onto a cruise with her family, then runs into Alex, although when they meet it is far from a meet cute.
This book does have a cute romance, but the themes of family and perfectionism are what make this book stand out from other YA novels for me. I loved the characters, and the families in this book are both so freaking cute but also have their own flaws. I saw my parents in Lenore's, and I saw myself in Wally and Lenore. (More on that later)
A particular scene that stood out for me was when Alex and Lenore's families first met. Lenore's dad makes the assumption that because Alex and his mother are black, so will his dad be. He awkwardly says the seat is saved for her husband, but he is her husband. Alex is a biracial korean-black American. The way that Lenore's dad responded when he realized what he said was short, but genuine and I think it properly models how to respond when you know you messed up and made an assumption about someone. It was just a nice little snippet that was well done!
For a cruise romance, I wouldn't expect myself to be as invested with the relationship because of how short of a timespan it was. It was believable though, which is shocking to me because who would think I would love a book where the characters fall in love in 10 days? Not me! The contrast between Lenore being overly cautious with love and Alex jumping right in was lovely, and it made sense with Lenore's past. I have went through the fuckboys like Lenore did, so seeing her navigate future relationships based on those experiences were relatable because of how she made mistakes yet still had good intentions. I don't want a YA character who is perfect. I want one who is real, and Lenore was.
(SPOILERS)
The most impactful scene for me wasn't a kiss or an emotional scene with the couple. It was Wally having a panic attack. I have never seen panic disorder representation in a book, and seeing how it made him more irritable, closed off, and on edge was spot on. I was diagnosed with panic disorder and had almost the same situation as Wally my freshman year of college. I had panic attacks weekly and even had one triggered while lifting weights and almost threw up in my gym parking lot because it was so bad. The way he talked about panic disorder was so similar to my experiences and the pressure that I put on myself to be perfect made me cry while reading because I felt so seen. I am eternally grateful for Elise Bryant because of that.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, quick romance with lovable characters and a unique plot, this is for you!
Tropes-
Friends to Lovers
Traveling
dennasus's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one alright, though Lenore's parent annoyed me to some end in her strictness. The romance was cute enough and all in all a good distraction for these troubled times
jesseonyoutube's review against another edition
5.0
Companion novel to Happily Ever Afters, a touching YA contemporary romance that claimed my heart earlier this year. In this book, we are following an artist named Lenore who hails from a family of geniuses. Unlike her family, she has no answers for what she wants from the future, but a European cruise and a handsome boy changes all of that.
Loved:
Anxiety rep/how it can manifest in Black boys and what it may look like for Black masculine folk
The conversations about the crushing expectations of Black excellence
Conversations of being Black and dating non Black folks and always being fetishized or sidelined\kept a secret until someone lighter comes along.
The expectations for Black folk to be funny, entertaining, and not emotional or “difficult”
Bryant is a talented, beautiful author with stories that touch to the very core of me. I will always be grateful for her books.
Thank you to the publisher for sending this copy in exchange for honest review. It truly lived up to my high expectations after Happily Ever Afters STOLE my heart in January.
Loved:
Anxiety rep/how it can manifest in Black boys and what it may look like for Black masculine folk
The conversations about the crushing expectations of Black excellence
Conversations of being Black and dating non Black folks and always being fetishized or sidelined\kept a secret until someone lighter comes along.
The expectations for Black folk to be funny, entertaining, and not emotional or “difficult”
Bryant is a talented, beautiful author with stories that touch to the very core of me. I will always be grateful for her books.
Thank you to the publisher for sending this copy in exchange for honest review. It truly lived up to my high expectations after Happily Ever Afters STOLE my heart in January.
jayjellies's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is my second read by Bryant. Though the first book I read was more recent, I found myself liking and connecting with this book more.
My one qualm would be the near end break-up trope. It’s so close the end that it holds no real weight to me bc obviously the characters will be back together by the end. I am aware, however, that’s not the purpose. The conflict is more so to push the protagonist and make room for more character growth and development.
Still, I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of Elise Bryant’s works!
Still, I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of Elise Bryant’s works!