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heabooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU OUT LOUD, but there wasn't anything that really stood out for me. I've found that as I get older it's becoming harder to read young adult books. That being said, I thought Karole Cozzo was an excellent writer and her story was well paced and developed.
I really liked Alex as a hero and he's pretty much perfect. Granted, he's a bit mature compared to most teenage boys but I had no problems with that. Alex is so compassionate and dedicated and I loved his playground project. He's also an amazing friend to Jordyn, especially considering that he originally wanted Jordan as a girlfriend. Talk about your friend zone! Jordyn was a little hard to sympathize with but the story is focused on her growth emotionally so it's to be expected. I can't imagine what it's like to grow up with someone who is so severely autistic and to feel like you've been left behind on the priority list. I don't know that I'd make the choices Jordyn did, but I'm not in her place, so it's hard to know. Though I struggled with Jordyn, I compliment Cozzo on creating such a well developed character that brought out a strong emotion.
I really liked Alex as a hero and he's pretty much perfect. Granted, he's a bit mature compared to most teenage boys but I had no problems with that. Alex is so compassionate and dedicated and I loved his playground project. He's also an amazing friend to Jordyn, especially considering that he originally wanted Jordan as a girlfriend. Talk about your friend zone! Jordyn was a little hard to sympathize with but the story is focused on her growth emotionally so it's to be expected. I can't imagine what it's like to grow up with someone who is so severely autistic and to feel like you've been left behind on the priority list. I don't know that I'd make the choices Jordyn did, but I'm not in her place, so it's hard to know. Though I struggled with Jordyn, I compliment Cozzo on creating such a well developed character that brought out a strong emotion.
stephwiesman's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book from a Swoon Reads/NanoWrimo contest. I loved it! I thought the character development was amazing. The love story was cute as well :)
leahka89's review against another edition
1.0
My full review-- http://southernbredsouthernread.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-to-say-i-love-you-out-loud-by.html
I received this ARC from Swoon Reads when I attended a panel that they hosted at BookCon in NYC earlier this year. I have loved all of the books published by Swoon Reads so far, so I was ecstatic to be lucky enough to get my hands on this ARC!
I want to be very up front and honest and say that I did not like this book. I did not like it at all. I realized that I didn't like it about 50 pages it and pretty much just hate-read through until the end because I was hoping there would be an amazing ending that would be the much needed redemption this book needed. Unfortunately, this book had one of the most predictable HEAs I have ever read.
I knew going into this that the book would have a strong theme involving disabilities because of the synopsis and also the Author's Note at the beginning stating how she has worked with disabled people and has the utmost respect for them and their bravery, yadda yadda. Here's the thing. This book has probably one of the most disgusting heroines I have ever read about. The book follows Jordyn and her path on learning to overcome and deal with her brother's autism. Yep, you read that right. She spends the entire book complaining about how inconvenient, embarrassing, and UNFAIR it is to her life for her brother to have been born with autism. There is one scene in particular where Phillip, Jordyn's brother, is pretty much having a break down at school because there is a fire drill happening. The poor boy is laying on the floor in the hallway with a group of people gathered around him (to watch and mock) crying and wailing. In the midst of the group is his sister Jordyn. She knows that it is the sound of the fire alarm that is upsetting him and that is needs these noise cancelling headphones that he carries around (he is verbal, but his speech is limited). She knows that he keeps the head phones in his backpack. She knows all of this, but instead of helping her brother, she stands there in the crowd embarrassed and ashamed (even though no one knows that he is her brother) and does nothing. Finally when the principal comes and makes the group of kids leave, she sticks around and when the coast is clear, she pulls out the headphones for him. I was so disgusted and upset after this scene that I very seriously considered putting the book down and never picking it back up. I was so angry, but I decided to keep going because Jordyn has to get better, right? She has to have some sort of self realization about how sad of a person she is. NOPE. This is just one big event that happens out of so many that makes this book completely unforgiveable. Obviously, because this book does have a HEA, she does have the great realization how big of a d.ck she is and how awful she has been to basically everyone in her life. And because she has overcome her d.ckness she is now enlightened in how much she sucks in all the other aspects of life. She makes things right with everyone and rides off into the sunset with her Prince Charming. It is all so eye roll worthy that I cannot even begin describe how done I was with this book when I finally finished.
I get the point the author is trying to make. I get it, I really do. This is SUPPOSED to be about how this girl has struggled with her brother's disability her whole life and has resented him and their parents because of all the extra attention he has received. This is SUPPOSED to be about how she finally sees all the good in her brother and learns to accept him for who is his, autism and all. This is SUPPOSED to be about how a selfish 16 year old learns that the world doesn't revolve around her. Unfortunately, the message gets so lost in the awful situations that the main character creates for herself. I just can't even properly articulate how awful this main girl is and how angry she made me. I. JUST. CAN'T.
I'll just go and ahead and say that Swoon Reads really missed the mark with this one. If I were to pick up this book and know nothing about SR, I probably wouldn't read another book published by them. Like I said before, I have loved everything else published by them in the past. I know that the books that are published are voted on by the readers, so it absolutely amazes me that enough people liked this book enough to want to be put in print. Skip this book and check out one of the other amazing Swoon Reads authors like Sandy Hall or Temple West.
I received this ARC from Swoon Reads when I attended a panel that they hosted at BookCon in NYC earlier this year. I have loved all of the books published by Swoon Reads so far, so I was ecstatic to be lucky enough to get my hands on this ARC!
I want to be very up front and honest and say that I did not like this book. I did not like it at all. I realized that I didn't like it about 50 pages it and pretty much just hate-read through until the end because I was hoping there would be an amazing ending that would be the much needed redemption this book needed. Unfortunately, this book had one of the most predictable HEAs I have ever read.
I knew going into this that the book would have a strong theme involving disabilities because of the synopsis and also the Author's Note at the beginning stating how she has worked with disabled people and has the utmost respect for them and their bravery, yadda yadda. Here's the thing. This book has probably one of the most disgusting heroines I have ever read about. The book follows Jordyn and her path on learning to overcome and deal with her brother's autism. Yep, you read that right. She spends the entire book complaining about how inconvenient, embarrassing, and UNFAIR it is to her life for her brother to have been born with autism. There is one scene in particular where Phillip, Jordyn's brother, is pretty much having a break down at school because there is a fire drill happening. The poor boy is laying on the floor in the hallway with a group of people gathered around him (to watch and mock) crying and wailing. In the midst of the group is his sister Jordyn. She knows that it is the sound of the fire alarm that is upsetting him and that is needs these noise cancelling headphones that he carries around (he is verbal, but his speech is limited). She knows that he keeps the head phones in his backpack. She knows all of this, but instead of helping her brother, she stands there in the crowd embarrassed and ashamed (even though no one knows that he is her brother) and does nothing. Finally when the principal comes and makes the group of kids leave, she sticks around and when the coast is clear, she pulls out the headphones for him. I was so disgusted and upset after this scene that I very seriously considered putting the book down and never picking it back up. I was so angry, but I decided to keep going because Jordyn has to get better, right? She has to have some sort of self realization about how sad of a person she is. NOPE. This is just one big event that happens out of so many that makes this book completely unforgiveable. Obviously, because this book does have a HEA, she does have the great realization how big of a d.ck she is and how awful she has been to basically everyone in her life. And because she has overcome her d.ckness she is now enlightened in how much she sucks in all the other aspects of life. She makes things right with everyone and rides off into the sunset with her Prince Charming. It is all so eye roll worthy that I cannot even begin describe how done I was with this book when I finally finished.
I get the point the author is trying to make. I get it, I really do. This is SUPPOSED to be about how this girl has struggled with her brother's disability her whole life and has resented him and their parents because of all the extra attention he has received. This is SUPPOSED to be about how she finally sees all the good in her brother and learns to accept him for who is his, autism and all. This is SUPPOSED to be about how a selfish 16 year old learns that the world doesn't revolve around her. Unfortunately, the message gets so lost in the awful situations that the main character creates for herself. I just can't even properly articulate how awful this main girl is and how angry she made me. I. JUST. CAN'T.
I'll just go and ahead and say that Swoon Reads really missed the mark with this one. If I were to pick up this book and know nothing about SR, I probably wouldn't read another book published by them. Like I said before, I have loved everything else published by them in the past. I know that the books that are published are voted on by the readers, so it absolutely amazes me that enough people liked this book enough to want to be put in print. Skip this book and check out one of the other amazing Swoon Reads authors like Sandy Hall or Temple West.
maddieg's review against another edition
5.0
After reading some mixed reviews about this book, I was excited to get my hands on it, but also nervous at the same time because I wasn't sure how I would feel about the book. But I actually really enjoyed the book and everything Jordyn went through. Yes her behavior and actions were not the greatest towards her brother and could've been handled so much better, but it fit her character and made her grow over the course of the story. I also liked how Alex's project with the playground brought out a lot of Jordyn's growth because you could tell that Alex's support and friendship meant a lot to her and she wanted to be better for him, which then led to her wanting to be better for herself. This was a great story of family and of love and would recommend!
Favorite Quote: "My life might never be perfect, but I'm really glad it's mine."
Favorite Quote: "My life might never be perfect, but I'm really glad it's mine."
aylea's review against another edition
3.0
Jordyn is terrified that her autistic brother will ruin her friendships and social life in high school. Even if it means pulling away from her friends and the boy that she likes, she will do whatever it takes to avoid associations with her brother, Phillip. While she navigates school and her feelings for Alex, a boy she kissed a while ago and then told she wasn’t interested, her life changes when the school Phillip goes to has to send him to her high school temporarily. Over time, she realizes that her brother has taught her a lot and might even be able to teach her how to say “I love you” to the people she cares the most about.
This book focuses primarily on relationships. It uses the trope of being in love with a best friend until he gets into a relationship, but in doing that it manages to capture the complexities of teen relationships when there is that competition. The main focus of the book, however, is less on romance and more on the family difficulties and dynamics that Jordyn is facing with her parents and her brother. Although a lot of people might be bothered by how selfish and uncompassionate Jordyn can be to her brother, it also shows how difficult it can be for a teenager to have a family member who is demanding and potentially embarrassing. Her emotions and behavior can be unpleasant, but it always feels like real emotions that someone might have in a similar situation. It tackles a difficult subject in challenging ways, but the emotion in the book is there and makes it worth reading.
This book focuses primarily on relationships. It uses the trope of being in love with a best friend until he gets into a relationship, but in doing that it manages to capture the complexities of teen relationships when there is that competition. The main focus of the book, however, is less on romance and more on the family difficulties and dynamics that Jordyn is facing with her parents and her brother. Although a lot of people might be bothered by how selfish and uncompassionate Jordyn can be to her brother, it also shows how difficult it can be for a teenager to have a family member who is demanding and potentially embarrassing. Her emotions and behavior can be unpleasant, but it always feels like real emotions that someone might have in a similar situation. It tackles a difficult subject in challenging ways, but the emotion in the book is there and makes it worth reading.
kcmmp13's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This book hit me right in the feels. Jordyn was such a complex character and while I don't have a special needs sibling like her, I could relate to her feelings on many other subjects. I loved how Jordyn grew throughout the story and how she found her voice. The character of Alex was also very special and a nice change to see. He wasn't the star QB or school's head honcho. Alex was a 2nd string football player, a boy scout, and an all around amazing guy. The story of Jordyn and Alex begins a year prior to the start of this book. Their journey together is up and down, but I loved how everything came together in the end. I also enjoyed how people with autism and their families were handled.
I highly recommend this swoony yet heart wrenching book.
I highly recommend this swoony yet heart wrenching book.
eiliux's review against another edition
2.0
Jordyn es la típica chica alegre de preparatoria. Sin ser la reina de la popularidad, tiene buenos amigos y nadie se mete con ella. Pero tiene un secreto, que está por salir a la luz y que va a cambiarlo todo. Su secreto es que Phillip, su hermano menor de 15 años, está en el espectro autista y ella siente que ha vivido a su sombra desde que nació: toda la atención es para él.
Cuando Phillip comienza a ir a la misma escuela que ella, su pantalla de "vida perfecta" se ve amenazada y sus decisiones no la ayudan.
Me gustó el libro, aunque se queda muuuuy en lo superficial. Me hubiera gustado que fuera más sobre el autismo y cómo afecta a toda la familia (que sí es, pero sólo una pequeñísima parte del libro) y menos el típico libro de high school.
Cuando Phillip comienza a ir a la misma escuela que ella, su pantalla de "vida perfecta" se ve amenazada y sus decisiones no la ayudan.
Me gustó el libro, aunque se queda muuuuy en lo superficial. Me hubiera gustado que fuera más sobre el autismo y cómo afecta a toda la familia (que sí es, pero sólo una pequeñísima parte del libro) y menos el típico libro de high school.
mliztucker's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. There was some awkwardness and pacing issues, but for the most part it was easy to get lost in the story and the characters. At some points it was difficult to read about Jordyn's actions towards her family, but I thought her journey was beautiful and thoughtful and honest. And the ship - I'm totally for it. Super adorbs.
haia_929's review against another edition
1.0
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
I received a copy of this book from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jordyn Michaelson is ashamed of her autistic brother. She hides him from the world and lies to everyone she knows so that they can't find about about him. She's also in love with Alex, her friend who she turned down because she didn't want to be rejected by him because of her brother. Can Jordyn get over her own prejudice towards her brother's autism and allow people into her life?
Something about this book just sort of bothered me. I couldn't get into the story at all, it often felt nonsensical because Jordyn's reactions to other people didn't make any sense within the context of her life or the specific situations. On top of that Jordyn is such a wholly unlikeable character I just wanted the experience of reading this book to end as quickly as possible.
There are two main plot points to this book: Jordyn must learn to accept her brother and be proud of him instead of feeling ashamed, and she has to let Alex into her life after rejecting him the year before. They're connected because she rejected Alex out of fear of being rejected because of her brother's behavior. Alex also has a girlfriend now who publicly mocks Jordyn because of her brother - this is basically the only instance of Jordyn being made fun of for her brother's behavior. Any other time its treated like something to be ashamed of is by Jordyn herself.
I also found Jordyn so unlikeable I couldn't give a damn about anything she did. She was rude and angry and horrible to everyone in the book. She was ashamed of her brother and even when she "corrected" this behavior it felt insincere and too little too late. I didn't feel for her at all.
I don't recommend this book. I am increasingly disappointed with Swoon Reads releases after they had such a stellar start last year.
I received a copy of this book from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jordyn Michaelson is ashamed of her autistic brother. She hides him from the world and lies to everyone she knows so that they can't find about about him. She's also in love with Alex, her friend who she turned down because she didn't want to be rejected by him because of her brother. Can Jordyn get over her own prejudice towards her brother's autism and allow people into her life?
Something about this book just sort of bothered me. I couldn't get into the story at all, it often felt nonsensical because Jordyn's reactions to other people didn't make any sense within the context of her life or the specific situations. On top of that Jordyn is such a wholly unlikeable character I just wanted the experience of reading this book to end as quickly as possible.
There are two main plot points to this book: Jordyn must learn to accept her brother and be proud of him instead of feeling ashamed, and she has to let Alex into her life after rejecting him the year before. They're connected because she rejected Alex out of fear of being rejected because of her brother's behavior. Alex also has a girlfriend now who publicly mocks Jordyn because of her brother - this is basically the only instance of Jordyn being made fun of for her brother's behavior. Any other time its treated like something to be ashamed of is by Jordyn herself.
I also found Jordyn so unlikeable I couldn't give a damn about anything she did. She was rude and angry and horrible to everyone in the book. She was ashamed of her brother and even when she "corrected" this behavior it felt insincere and too little too late. I didn't feel for her at all.
I don't recommend this book. I am increasingly disappointed with Swoon Reads releases after they had such a stellar start last year.