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jstillings13's review
emotional
tense
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
sean67's review
3.0
Tale about friendship and what it means to be a friend and how quickly we weave trouble for ourselves and our relationships by the things we do and say and the things we believe than are not necessarily true. A reasonable tale, although the conclusion was somewhat contrived.
the_creepy_geek's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cathbennett's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nverjudgeabook's review
3.0
My first review of 2018...
Author of Truth or Dare, Remix and my absolute favourite Trouble, Non Pratt delivers another brilliant and honestly refreshing novella on friendship, rivalry, jealousy and politics. It's a story that everyone will relate too.
What happens when your boyfriend your going out with, utterly hot and the popular guy of the school say's: I'm only going out with you because [insert your best friend] didn't."? What happens when the person you just dumped wanted your best friend all along, what if you become second best and all you do is compare yourself to that person? Well that is what Jade does, she goes into a state of denial, and after her ex-boyfriend's last passing comment she can't help but feel that Becky, her best friend is better than her.
What I loved about this book was how honest and relatable, the whole scene and characters were. The school scene, social scene and the relationship we have with other people. Jade had a hard lesson to learn but also the realisation that we, us, you, the world will look upon another person and think 'she's better than me', it's human nature - but you are the better person to realise and admit this to yourself that you're hurting that other person and becoming someone else in the process.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟.5
Author of Truth or Dare, Remix and my absolute favourite Trouble, Non Pratt delivers another brilliant and honestly refreshing novella on friendship, rivalry, jealousy and politics. It's a story that everyone will relate too.
What happens when your boyfriend your going out with, utterly hot and the popular guy of the school say's: I'm only going out with you because [insert your best friend] didn't."? What happens when the person you just dumped wanted your best friend all along, what if you become second best and all you do is compare yourself to that person? Well that is what Jade does, she goes into a state of denial, and after her ex-boyfriend's last passing comment she can't help but feel that Becky, her best friend is better than her.
What I loved about this book was how honest and relatable, the whole scene and characters were. The school scene, social scene and the relationship we have with other people. Jade had a hard lesson to learn but also the realisation that we, us, you, the world will look upon another person and think 'she's better than me', it's human nature - but you are the better person to realise and admit this to yourself that you're hurting that other person and becoming someone else in the process.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟.5
natalia19's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trusselltales's review
4.0
One of those books where, when you’re reading, you just stop, put your head in your hands and shout “No! Please don’t!”... I was totally immersed in the character of Jade, I felt like I was in her skin. Sympathetic and penetrating emotional dissection of the perils of living in a competitive world.
alice_c's review
2.0
I was really confused by the formatting of this book. I found it in the YA section of the library but the font is huge, it’s only 137 pages and the plot seemed like it was aimed at a middle grade audience. When I started reading I realised the characters are in year 11 and swears are not treated lightly. SO CONFUSING. On plot and writing alone, I did not enjoy this book, I picked it up because the title spoke to me, it caught my attention. But it ended up going in a different direction to what I was expecting. And it moved soooo fast, I could barely keep up.
THEN I saw the note at the back of the book telling readers that this book is aimed at people who don’t like reading, or have difficulty reading. It is formatted in a way that is dyslexia friendly for example. As a speech pathology student I thought this was pretty cool. For that aspect, I would recommend this book to teens with language/reading difficulties as it is catered to their needs. Now that I know this book wasn’t aimed at people like me, I can understand why I didn’t enjoy it very much. But I hope the people this book is aimed at get a chance to read it 😊
THEN I saw the note at the back of the book telling readers that this book is aimed at people who don’t like reading, or have difficulty reading. It is formatted in a way that is dyslexia friendly for example. As a speech pathology student I thought this was pretty cool. For that aspect, I would recommend this book to teens with language/reading difficulties as it is catered to their needs. Now that I know this book wasn’t aimed at people like me, I can understand why I didn’t enjoy it very much. But I hope the people this book is aimed at get a chance to read it 😊
kayleigh_kbooks's review
3.0
Second Best Friend was one of the 2018 releases that I absolutely couldn't wait for. I have been a huge Non Pratt fan ever since reading her debut, Trouble, and since then I seriously cannot get enough of her books. I have read and loved all of them and Second Best Friend was no exception. Non once again writes about an incredible important and relevant issue in teens and I feel like this is the more raw and real story so far.
Jade and Becky have been best friends forever. But Jade is finding herself repeatedly jealous of Becky and as she starts comparing herself to her best friend she finds herself falling onto a path and she can't get off. She needs to prove herself better than Becky on at least one thing... but the farther Jade goes the more likely it is looking that she will lose her best friend forever.
Once again Non is tackling a very important issue that you see far too often in teenagers. Them comparing themselves to each other, especially on social media which results in them developing mental health issues and issues with their self-esteem and view of themselves. Non has done a fantastic job of showing just how dangerous this behaviour can be and she has done it in a totally unputdownable story.
I loved reading about Jade and Becky and even as Jade began spiralling farther and farther down this awful path I just couldn't put it down. Second Best Friend is a fantastic short novella and I loved every second of it. You don't need a full-length novel to associate and love Non's story and characters. I was so invested in this story and couldn't put it down.
The one thing that fell down for me was I really wanted to read more. I felt like the ending was a littel abrupt. Non has spun this incredible tale and when it was over I just wanted to know what happened next to these characters. What happened to Jade? Did she and Nick end up working things out? I just feel like the ending left much to be desires and I have so many questions. I really wish it was longer, or that Non would write a follow-up.
Second Best Friend is an amazing realistic short story that anyone will enjoy. If you're looking for an amazing, addictive read that won't take you too long to read then I highly recommend you pick up Second Best Friend.
Jade and Becky have been best friends forever. But Jade is finding herself repeatedly jealous of Becky and as she starts comparing herself to her best friend she finds herself falling onto a path and she can't get off. She needs to prove herself better than Becky on at least one thing... but the farther Jade goes the more likely it is looking that she will lose her best friend forever.
Once again Non is tackling a very important issue that you see far too often in teenagers. Them comparing themselves to each other, especially on social media which results in them developing mental health issues and issues with their self-esteem and view of themselves. Non has done a fantastic job of showing just how dangerous this behaviour can be and she has done it in a totally unputdownable story.
I loved reading about Jade and Becky and even as Jade began spiralling farther and farther down this awful path I just couldn't put it down. Second Best Friend is a fantastic short novella and I loved every second of it. You don't need a full-length novel to associate and love Non's story and characters. I was so invested in this story and couldn't put it down.
The one thing that fell down for me was I really wanted to read more. I felt like the ending was a littel abrupt. Non has spun this incredible tale and when it was over I just wanted to know what happened next to these characters. What happened to Jade? Did she and Nick end up working things out? I just feel like the ending left much to be desires and I have so many questions. I really wish it was longer, or that Non would write a follow-up.
Second Best Friend is an amazing realistic short story that anyone will enjoy. If you're looking for an amazing, addictive read that won't take you too long to read then I highly recommend you pick up Second Best Friend.