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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
(I find it funny that after mere weeks of saying I was going to avoid YA for a while, I picked up and proceeded to finish this book in 3 days)
This was a very nice book! The reason I think I liked it a lot more than other YA novels was all the intersectionality. It was very interesting to see how Japanese women in different generations behaved in this book, and how that affects how they interact with people from other cultures.
I also relate to Sana in a sort of way because I went from India and Texas which had a lot of Indian people to Michigan where there were ...fewer. Assimilation to the masses is something that definitely tends to happen when in the latter situation and it was great reading it in a book.
Other things I liked: Sana making statements about Christina and JJ that she knew were wrong, and couldn't take it back, and proceeding to learn why it was bad. This was a very well done book! Kudos, author!
This was a very nice book! The reason I think I liked it a lot more than other YA novels was all the intersectionality. It was very interesting to see how Japanese women in different generations behaved in this book, and how that affects how they interact with people from other cultures.
I also relate to Sana in a sort of way because I went from India and Texas which had a lot of Indian people to Michigan where there were ...fewer. Assimilation to the masses is something that definitely tends to happen when in the latter situation and it was great reading it in a book.
Other things I liked: Sana making statements about Christina and JJ that she knew were wrong, and couldn't take it back, and proceeding to learn why it was bad. This was a very well done book! Kudos, author!
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
I am not as forgiving
I actually really enjoyed this. There’s a lot of messy racism and stereotypes, but I think the uncomfortableness was the goal. Stereotypes exist. It’s our job to climb our way past them and see people as people. We’re all messy, complicated, and doing our best with the hand we were dealt.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing
Minor: Alcohol
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unbearable mc, almost dnf for her alone
this was a great book and an even better audiobook. I enjoyed all the japanese references immensely and I feel like the ideas and the spirit of some of the hard learned lessons that are passed down to japanese children is something many of us could also use in our lives.
for 3/4 of this book I was convinced it would be a 5 star for sure, but then there was that fiasco with miscommunication drama and cheating, and I’m not here for that.
still, it was a great book and there’s many things that I know I’ll remember for years. 4.5 stars
for 3/4 of this book I was convinced it would be a 5 star for sure, but then there was that fiasco with miscommunication drama and cheating, and I’m not here for that.
still, it was a great book and there’s many things that I know I’ll remember for years. 4.5 stars
Editing my review:
Lowered my rating to three stars. I feel like this book wasn't very realistic at all. The whole plot about her dad was weird and unrealistic and I think that what he did was kind of unforgivable. The romance was cute, but then there was the subplot about how maybe Jamie is cheating on Sana and likes that other girl, and I feel like it was wrapped up really quickly. It did address a lot of issues like racism and homophobia, and it was a cut love story about two girls, but the ending really just wasn't satisfying and it was unrealistic.
Very cute love story, quick read, addressed some pretty heavy racism. The only thing that annoyed me was Sana’s Mom and how judgmental she was. The thing with the Dad cheating wrapped up rather quickly, and I felt like it wasn’t very realistic. Overall, not my favorite book in the world, but it did really enjoy it!
Lowered my rating to three stars. I feel like this book wasn't very realistic at all. The whole plot about her dad was weird and unrealistic and I think that what he did was kind of unforgivable. The romance was cute, but then there was the subplot about how maybe Jamie is cheating on Sana and likes that other girl, and I feel like it was wrapped up really quickly. It did address a lot of issues like racism and homophobia, and it was a cut love story about two girls, but the ending really just wasn't satisfying and it was unrealistic.
Very cute love story, quick read, addressed some pretty heavy racism. The only thing that annoyed me was Sana’s Mom and how judgmental she was. The thing with the Dad cheating wrapped up rather quickly, and I felt like it wasn’t very realistic. Overall, not my favorite book in the world, but it did really enjoy it!
TW: racial slurs and microaggressions, coming out, adultery
This book has so many wonderful things going for it, that I DID WANT to like this book.
Sixteen-year-old Sana Kiyohara has just moved to California with her family. It is here that Sana meets Jamie Ramirez. What follows is a story about falling for a girl, coming out, and dealing with racism and prejudice.
Now, you can already tell this book deals with a LOT of hard-hitting issues. Throw in a storyline that also tackles adultery and you have a book with a massive tick in the diversity column. But just because a book is diverse doesn't make it great.
All in all, I felt this book very teenage-romance insta-love rah rah rah. The audio narration DID NOT help with this. By the time I was halfway through the book I was completely over and done with girly giggles and teen-boppy squeals. I was a teenager once. I did not know anyone who acted like this?
At times, I really appreciated the discussion surrounding racial discrimination and prejudice. At times. There were also many, many times in which I became incredibly infuriated with the way similar issues were handled. I felt some characters were very unessecarily stereotypical in the way they were written. Also the entire debacle of
I respect anyone who is jumping on board with exploring such diverse issues in their writing. I do. But for me, this book just wasn't enjoyable.
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This book has so many wonderful things going for it, that I DID WANT to like this book.
Sixteen-year-old Sana Kiyohara has just moved to California with her family. It is here that Sana meets Jamie Ramirez. What follows is a story about falling for a girl, coming out, and dealing with racism and prejudice.
Now, you can already tell this book deals with a LOT of hard-hitting issues. Throw in a storyline that also tackles adultery and you have a book with a massive tick in the diversity column. But just because a book is diverse doesn't make it great.
All in all, I felt this book very teenage-romance insta-love rah rah rah. The audio narration DID NOT help with this. By the time I was halfway through the book I was completely over and done with girly giggles and teen-boppy squeals. I was a teenager once. I did not know anyone who acted like this?
At times, I really appreciated the discussion surrounding racial discrimination and prejudice. At times. There were also many, many times in which I became incredibly infuriated with the way similar issues were handled. I felt some characters were very unessecarily stereotypical in the way they were written. Also the entire debacle of
Spoiler
Sana's friends pressuring her into dating a guy now that her girlfriend wasn't working out? Because we KNOW you're gay and we understand and respect that BUT MAYBE YOU LIKE BOYS?! Maybe you are wrong in your sexuality and we are right even though we talk about being 100% cis and straight and therefore you should reconsider. I'm sorry but WTAF?I respect anyone who is jumping on board with exploring such diverse issues in their writing. I do. But for me, this book just wasn't enjoyable.
More reviews | Twitter | Pinterest | I cannot live without books (T. Jefferson)