Scan barcode
martapsalvado's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
I can't give this book less than 5 stars.
Although the Aristotle and Dante books are some of my favorite books of all time, I put off reading more from Sáenz for a long time and my expectations weren't very high. I'm not sure why, maybe because of the title of the book. It seemed very "juvenile", if that makes sense. Or maybe I just didn't think it could live up to Aristotle and Dante
But oh I loved it SO much. I love the characters. I love the writing. Do I think most teenagers talk like Sal and Sam and Fito? No. Do I think that most fathers talk to their sons like Sal's father does? No. But I like to think that some of them do. That relationships like that exist.
It's emotional, it's funny and it's beautiful.
Although the Aristotle and Dante books are some of my favorite books of all time, I put off reading more from Sáenz for a long time and my expectations weren't very high. I'm not sure why, maybe because of the title of the book. It seemed very "juvenile", if that makes sense. Or maybe I just didn't think it could live up to Aristotle and Dante
But oh I loved it SO much. I love the characters. I love the writing. Do I think most teenagers talk like Sal and Sam and Fito? No. Do I think that most fathers talk to their sons like Sal's father does? No. But I like to think that some of them do. That relationships like that exist.
It's emotional, it's funny and it's beautiful.
ec_pope's review against another edition
5.0
If Benjamin Alire Sáenz wrote it, I’m going to read it and I have NEVER regretted it.
linreadsagain's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
cheyannets's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
kajsagranbom's review against another edition
challenging
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? N/A
4.5
thatbookishwriter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
lydiastorytime's review against another edition
5.0
This book shows the beauty of love stories that so often go untold. The love story of friends and chosen family. This book filled my heart with joy. I loved getting to see these characters love and care for eachother through the hard parts of their life. I loved seeing Fito be welcomed into their loving family. I wish the world had more loving families willing to bring others in. This book captures the thoughts and feelings of many young people and questions we struggle to awnser. I loved the line that said we grow up to be the people we chose, or somthing like that. I liked seeing the main character relize his agency over the person he will be.
moi_stephanie's review against another edition
4.0
Now I usually try to stay away from YA books, since usually the problems the characters have make me roll my eyes. It was the case with this book for most of the reading (which is very fast and also annoyed me a little bit to have chapters that were so short), but the last 20 pages or so gave it some additional stars, as it is very clear how the protagonist actually grows.
morgan_erica's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
erikleest's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0