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bellablu's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a hilarious, laugh out loud book combined with some realistic themes (losing a big competition and what that does to someone, the pressure of a training camp, weight problems, feeling alone, and some other thins) which really balance the book. You laugh at some parts, you cheer, and also worry, at other parts.
Our MC is a terrific girl, and I just loved her from the first page. I felt sorry for her that she wasn't fast enough, though I do wonder why she got last? From what we read in the book later on she did consistently win every competition. And sure, I can imagine that there are better people, but come on, this just seemed weird that she would end up dead last.
The book focuses on what happens next to our MC. How she tries to go through her day now she doesn't have a strict swimming schedule, how she tries to fit in at school, how she tries to make her schoolwork (since that is now the most important thing, though she does find out that she should have paid attention back when she was still a swimmer), she tries to make new friends.
I really loved when she found Gabe, Roman, and Pete. They were such delightful characters, and I loved what they planned, and also loved the dedication that our MC puts in it. She could also just easily said no, but instead she finds something new, and totally dedicates herself to it. Of course, finding out that not everyone is a swimming genius. :D
Gabe and our MC? I just knew what would happen, and I was just cheering so much during the book, hoping that they would get together, because they sure had some chemistry. I won't say anything about if they did get together or not, read the book and find that one out yourself. :P
Then we also have the MC's best friend. She is at the training camp, and to see her change? It was quite sad. She started off so sweet, so happy, and then later it is totally different. I do wonder why the training camp never noticed, I am sure they wouldn't want their athletes to look like freaking skeletons, or would they? And also what is up with the parents of the girl? Why did they act like it was nothing, that it was just drama. The girl is lucky she has such a great best friend, with great parents who do care.
Of course we also have some mean girls (duh), though I have to say that I didn't expect that swimming coach to be such a bitch. Cammie, sure. But a trainer being so bitchy? So someone lost? Does that mean you just drop them completely? That you act like you are so superior and better? That you totally disregard her when she comes to you to talk. What the hell.
What more? Ah yes, I loved the competition that the guys and our MC entered. I really would have loved to see it live, it sounds like an amazing show.
All in all, this is a book that will make you laugh, it will make you cheer, you will want to shake your fist at characters, you will swoon, and much more! Highly recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
Our MC is a terrific girl, and I just loved her from the first page. I felt sorry for her that she wasn't fast enough, though I do wonder why she got last? From what we read in the book later on she did consistently win every competition. And sure, I can imagine that there are better people, but come on, this just seemed weird that she would end up dead last.
The book focuses on what happens next to our MC. How she tries to go through her day now she doesn't have a strict swimming schedule, how she tries to fit in at school, how she tries to make her schoolwork (since that is now the most important thing, though she does find out that she should have paid attention back when she was still a swimmer), she tries to make new friends.
I really loved when she found Gabe, Roman, and Pete. They were such delightful characters, and I loved what they planned, and also loved the dedication that our MC puts in it. She could also just easily said no, but instead she finds something new, and totally dedicates herself to it. Of course, finding out that not everyone is a swimming genius. :D
Gabe and our MC? I just knew what would happen, and I was just cheering so much during the book, hoping that they would get together, because they sure had some chemistry. I won't say anything about if they did get together or not, read the book and find that one out yourself. :P
Then we also have the MC's best friend. She is at the training camp, and to see her change? It was quite sad. She started off so sweet, so happy, and then later it is totally different. I do wonder why the training camp never noticed, I am sure they wouldn't want their athletes to look like freaking skeletons, or would they? And also what is up with the parents of the girl? Why did they act like it was nothing, that it was just drama. The girl is lucky she has such a great best friend, with great parents who do care.
Of course we also have some mean girls (duh), though I have to say that I didn't expect that swimming coach to be such a bitch. Cammie, sure. But a trainer being so bitchy? So someone lost? Does that mean you just drop them completely? That you act like you are so superior and better? That you totally disregard her when she comes to you to talk. What the hell.
What more? Ah yes, I loved the competition that the guys and our MC entered. I really would have loved to see it live, it sounds like an amazing show.
All in all, this is a book that will make you laugh, it will make you cheer, you will want to shake your fist at characters, you will swoon, and much more! Highly recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
pomochi's review
3.0
DISCLAIMER: I received a free eARC via NetGalley. This doesn't affect my opinions in any way.
3 stars.
I'm not too sure how I feel about this book or how to organize this review, so I'm just going to talk about what I liked and disliked about the characters and the plot.
CHARACTERS: Lou was hard for me to connect to, and I feel like we saw a lot of her personality which I enjoyed. However, I really disliked how she sort of just ignored Hannah at certain points in the book because she was jealous when Hannah was so obviously in distress. Other than Lou, we never really got to know any of the characters, and in a way, I feel like I only knew Lou at face level. Most of the characters were described with one or two characteristics, so they all felt very 2D. They felt like real people, but like people that you may hear about from the friends of your friends at school. It was a little distant, especially considering how present most of the side characters (especially the boys) were. I feel like all the characters besides Lou were just used as plot devices to further the story and provide minor conflicts for the main character. However, Lou's dad was definitely my favorite character, I thought he brought a lot of humor and personality to the story.
PLOT: I really liked the premise of this book, it was very bizarre and refreshing to read a book about synchronized swimming. I thought the pacing was pretty consistent up until maybe 85% of the way through because suddenly the plot just ended and all the characters lived happily ever after. I think that this book could've been extended a bit more to have a solid resolution. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters that began dating at the end, and their relationship just felt very sudden and random. I honestly don't think the romance was necessary because it was never really a part of the book.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read, but there wasn't much substance and fell flat for me.
3 stars.
I'm not too sure how I feel about this book or how to organize this review, so I'm just going to talk about what I liked and disliked about the characters and the plot.
CHARACTERS: Lou was hard for me to connect to, and I feel like we saw a lot of her personality which I enjoyed. However, I really disliked how she sort of just ignored Hannah at certain points in the book because she was jealous when Hannah was so obviously in distress. Other than Lou, we never really got to know any of the characters, and in a way, I feel like I only knew Lou at face level. Most of the characters were described with one or two characteristics, so they all felt very 2D. They felt like real people, but like people that you may hear about from the friends of your friends at school. It was a little distant, especially considering how present most of the side characters (especially the boys) were. I feel like all the characters besides Lou were just used as plot devices to further the story and provide minor conflicts for the main character. However, Lou's dad was definitely my favorite character, I thought he brought a lot of humor and personality to the story.
PLOT: I really liked the premise of this book, it was very bizarre and refreshing to read a book about synchronized swimming. I thought the pacing was pretty consistent up until maybe 85% of the way through because suddenly the plot just ended and all the characters lived happily ever after. I think that this book could've been extended a bit more to have a solid resolution. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters that began dating at the end, and their relationship just felt very sudden and random. I honestly don't think the romance was necessary because it was never really a part of the book.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read, but there wasn't much substance and fell flat for me.
michalice's review against another edition
5.0
Girl Out of Water has been on my hit list since I first heard the author read an excerpt from it at a blogger event last year so you can imagine my excitement when this book finally arrived in the post. I dropped everything to read it, and this review has been sitting for weeks waiting to be published. I could not even think about putting off the reading to a later date.
Lou and her friend try out for a High Performance Training Camp, which is the stepping stones to getting into Team GB. However, Lou doesn't quite make the cut, and she finds herself at a loss, no best friend in school, and large amounts of free time in her hands. All her hours spent training wasted.
At a loss and missing the water, Lou finds herself spending time at the pool, and bumps into an unlikely trio, Pete, Gabriel, and Roman. who want to try out for Britain's Hidden Talent, after they were rejected on thier first attempt, they want Lou to coach them in a different form of dance.
Girl Out of Water was an hilarious read, and I devoured every single page. I loved seeing Lou change through the book, from a swimmer, to a girl, and all the troubles that come with it, including boys. Her crazy family and sister try thier best but mostly just annoy her. I have honestly not laughed so much as I did reading this book, and I did not want it to end. The antics that Lou and the boys get up to are unbelievable, and do lead to disastrous events, but you really can't help but laugh.
I don't want to say too much about Girl Out of Water as I'm trying not to spoil it for you, and I want you to see how it all ends. I want you to take this journey with Lou, and follow the ups, downs, and everything in between with her. I want you to love Lou just as much as I did, and then demand more.
Final Verdict
Girl Out of Water is a laugh out loud read, it's like my favourite books were thrown into a blender, and Girl Out of Water is the baby. It's perfect for fans of Geek Girl and The It Girl.
Lou and her friend try out for a High Performance Training Camp, which is the stepping stones to getting into Team GB. However, Lou doesn't quite make the cut, and she finds herself at a loss, no best friend in school, and large amounts of free time in her hands. All her hours spent training wasted.
I sometimes used to wonder what I was missing as I pounded out the lengths in the pool. Now I know: NOTHING.
At a loss and missing the water, Lou finds herself spending time at the pool, and bumps into an unlikely trio, Pete, Gabriel, and Roman. who want to try out for Britain's Hidden Talent, after they were rejected on thier first attempt, they want Lou to coach them in a different form of dance.
Girl Out of Water was an hilarious read, and I devoured every single page. I loved seeing Lou change through the book, from a swimmer, to a girl, and all the troubles that come with it, including boys. Her crazy family and sister try thier best but mostly just annoy her. I have honestly not laughed so much as I did reading this book, and I did not want it to end. The antics that Lou and the boys get up to are unbelievable, and do lead to disastrous events, but you really can't help but laugh.
I don't want to say too much about Girl Out of Water as I'm trying not to spoil it for you, and I want you to see how it all ends. I want you to take this journey with Lou, and follow the ups, downs, and everything in between with her. I want you to love Lou just as much as I did, and then demand more.
Final Verdict
Girl Out of Water is a laugh out loud read, it's like my favourite books were thrown into a blender, and Girl Out of Water is the baby. It's perfect for fans of Geek Girl and The It Girl.
marvelouspyt's review
4.0
This was a fun read! The protagonist was funny and socially awkward...like so many of us! She was very relatable and the story was quirky!
kllm07's review
4.0
This so such great clean teen YA. The synopsis brought me in. It's unique and different than any other contemporaries I've seen. A girl loses her chance at the Olympics but then coaches three cute boys in underground dancing. But what really sets this book apart from all the rest is the laugh out loud inner dialogue of the main character Lou. I was giggling out loud through out the book. She has the perfect voice and I loved her!
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay so this was actually amazing?? I picked it up from a little free library thinking it would be a fun story about a swimming girl, but it's actually so sweet and funny. Laugh out loud funny. And it's got that weird surreal thing that kids' books often have where everything is completely insane but in the world of the book it makes total sense. I completely devoured it in two sittings. The characters are so excellent and also kind of surreal but in a wonderful way. And even though her life looks nothing like mine did at 15, Lou's internal monologue was uncannily relatable to my own secondary school self. I'm very impressed at a writer who can completely inhabit the voice of a child and Nat Luurtsema absolutely can.
I expected to hand this back to the little free library at the end but I'm selfishly going to keep it because I know I'll want to read it again some day.
I expected to hand this back to the little free library at the end but I'm selfishly going to keep it because I know I'll want to read it again some day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Chronic illness, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia, Child abuse, Medical content, and Body shaming
amj1054's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
yourlocalducknamer's review
4.0
actually decent.
uses "srsly" instead of "seriously" once, so i had to dock some points.
uses "srsly" instead of "seriously" once, so i had to dock some points.