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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't your fluffy romance it's real read about race, even though I thought Isa and Alex romance was cute just pacing was so slow you can feel it.
celina_666'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
4.75
I loved this SO much. Them meeting on the train is so cute!!!
adri_donan's review against another edition
Just could not get into it, very slow paced
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
Ok first off I love the cover for this book! It is so cute! Secondly, I kind of enjoyed this book, lately I’ve been so worn out by work that I put myself in some sort of tired book slump.
Ok first off I love the cover for this book! It is so cute! Secondly, I kind of enjoyed this book, lately I’ve been so worn out by work that I put myself in some sort of tired book slump.
alannar2422's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book sm , I loved the hispanic representation of culture and customs. The dynamic between Isa and Alex was a dream and the author brought them together in the best way. Every detail about this book was just gold. Both Alex and Isa's parents had huge expectations of their children and you see their growth as they struggle to live up to them and realize that they can live the life they want without restrictions. The romance was absolutely swoon worthy and I loved it so much. All of the characters were a delight and I loved reading their interactions.
Fav Quote: "I miss having someone ask how I am and caring for the answer."
(Couldn't find the exact quote but this is what I remember)
Fav Quote: "I miss having someone ask how I am and caring for the answer."
(Couldn't find the exact quote but this is what I remember)
emmareads444's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-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
chivalricmaiden's review against another edition
3.0
I stalled reading this book for the longest time because I was lazy, but I read the remaining 5/6ths of the book in one go during my business competition downtime. This isn't a light read like I thought there would be and there's lots of instances where it tells more than it shows. But I appreciate the story it was weaving minus that Kiara situation. I just can't bring myself to care for those kinds of things.
gmdacunha's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
aalexander8's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If you were going into this book thinking it would be light-hearted and fun, it isn’t. It does have its moments though.
The author uses common themes found in romance novels about two characters from different sides of the tracks: racism and/or racial injustice (particularly from police and other authority figures), classism, family expectations, and friendship woes, etc. But, she also attempts to tackle heavier topics related to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, internalized racism (chiefly Isa’s bigoted mother who is Cuban born, yet does not want her daughter to marry a Spanish-speaking person), and the psychological effects of systemic racism and code switching. My guy, Alex deals with this real bad.
That’s alot for a YA “meet cute-esque” romance. And consent issues aside with that whole kissing a random stranger bit, I still wanted to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t well executed and I found myself put off by the characterization of Alex and Isa.
At times it seemed that the author wanted the reader to view the main character Isa, a beautiful ballet dancer, as the ideal with her lighter features, blond hair, and sweet nature. While Alex, the good-natured brown-skinned Dominican American baseball player with a domineering father, is only legitimatized by his love of poetry and his desire to defer to the dominant culture. And why wouldn’t he, his neighborhood has gangs, and drug abusing fathers, and overly jealous and attitudinal girls who can be used as rebounds and slighted continuously but still expected to be in your corner during times of racial injustice (Justice for Kiara(sp?)!!
So…definitely not my favorite book I’ve listened to this year. It was mildly entertaining and I did manage to maintain my usual 1.5x speed.
The author uses common themes found in romance novels about two characters from different sides of the tracks: racism and/or racial injustice (particularly from police and other authority figures), classism, family expectations, and friendship woes, etc. But, she also attempts to tackle heavier topics related to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, internalized racism (chiefly Isa’s bigoted mother who is Cuban born, yet does not want her daughter to marry a Spanish-speaking person), and the psychological effects of systemic racism and code switching. My guy, Alex deals with this real bad.
That’s alot for a YA “meet cute-esque” romance. And consent issues aside with that whole kissing a random stranger bit, I still wanted to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t well executed and I found myself put off by the characterization of Alex and Isa.
At times it seemed that the author wanted the reader to view the main character Isa, a beautiful ballet dancer, as the ideal with her lighter features, blond hair, and sweet nature. While Alex, the good-natured brown-skinned Dominican American baseball player with a domineering father, is only legitimatized by his love of poetry and his desire to defer to the dominant culture. And why wouldn’t he, his neighborhood has gangs, and drug abusing fathers, and overly jealous and attitudinal girls who can be used as rebounds and slighted continuously but still expected to be in your corner during times of racial injustice (Justice for Kiara(sp?)!!
So…definitely not my favorite book I’ve listened to this year. It was mildly entertaining and I did manage to maintain my usual 1.5x speed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Police brutality
Moderate: Classism and Racism