Scan barcode
eloracookauthor's review against another edition
Unfortunately, I'm calling this one a DNF just under 100 pages.
This was my first Nic Stone book and an ARC at that, which I was very excited to get into, but my biggest and almost sole issue is that there's no plot pushing the story forward. Others who like LGBTQ+ stories regardless of what the plot or conflict is will probably still enjoy this one and may even find a strong connection to the characters, but alas I wasn't one of them. I hope between now and publication, Stone speeds up the story and adds more conflict around the love triangle so readers can be gripping the book wondering how the dynamic will work out.
Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC to review
This was my first Nic Stone book and an ARC at that, which I was very excited to get into, but my biggest and almost sole issue is that there's no plot pushing the story forward. Others who like LGBTQ+ stories regardless of what the plot or conflict is will probably still enjoy this one and may even find a strong connection to the characters, but alas I wasn't one of them. I hope between now and publication, Stone speeds up the story and adds more conflict around the love triangle so readers can be gripping the book wondering how the dynamic will work out.
Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC to review
juliemarie26's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
The future is nonbinary. Wow! I loved this book. It’s been a bit since I finished a hearty YA novel in one day and stayed up late to do it. All 3 characters have such depth and unique perspective. The love triangle was expertly executed. The characters and their love are the story, but so are their sexual identities. And by that I mean their questions about their sexual identities. I can’t wait to put the rainbow flag sticker on the spine and for the right kid to come across it so that they feel ok to question and explore who they love.
veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
More a 3.5.
From the bestselling author of Dear Martin comes a new story of old friendships, new crushes and the path to self-discovery and it’s good.
It’s a realistic book, and the characters really do feel like they connect together throughout this book, Jupe’s and Coop’s relationship is a really well built one that works well in this book and the building plot between the two allows for the two characters to work well in this book.
Though I’m not a fan of the writing style within this book and certain things that are put in this book (the biphobia for example, I don’t feel is really called out in this book at all for example) the plot does feel like it could happen in this book in a high school even though I feel like this book could have explored so much more (looking at you polyamory).
It’s a great book with a strong YA story that has a pretty feel good ending.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for review).
From the bestselling author of Dear Martin comes a new story of old friendships, new crushes and the path to self-discovery and it’s good.
It’s a realistic book, and the characters really do feel like they connect together throughout this book, Jupe’s and Coop’s relationship is a really well built one that works well in this book and the building plot between the two allows for the two characters to work well in this book.
Though I’m not a fan of the writing style within this book and certain things that are put in this book (the biphobia for example, I don’t feel is really called out in this book at all for example) the plot does feel like it could happen in this book in a high school even though I feel like this book could have explored so much more (looking at you polyamory).
It’s a great book with a strong YA story that has a pretty feel good ending.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for review).
rachelbookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Strong start, strong ending, didn’t love Rae’s narrator for the audiobook in the middle section. I don’t do whiny, crying narrators at this point in my life.
This book, while I found the Carousel Carl subplot confusing, was tightly written for character journey, humorous when the characters called for it, and had a great message about sexuality and labels that I hope resonates with the YA audience. It was a enjoyable read on many levels with great characters, fun yet frustrating romance, and great emotional payoff. It’s a great contemporary novel that I’m glad I picked up. Nic Stone is amazing and I’ll keep picking up her books. Her voice and humor in her writing is so honest and smart, I am such a supporter of her stories. Dear Martin was my favorite contemporary read of all the books I read last year and she continues to deliver quality storytelling.
This book, while I found the Carousel Carl subplot confusing, was tightly written for character journey, humorous when the characters called for it, and had a great message about sexuality and labels that I hope resonates with the YA audience. It was a enjoyable read on many levels with great characters, fun yet frustrating romance, and great emotional payoff. It’s a great contemporary novel that I’m glad I picked up. Nic Stone is amazing and I’ll keep picking up her books. Her voice and humor in her writing is so honest and smart, I am such a supporter of her stories. Dear Martin was my favorite contemporary read of all the books I read last year and she continues to deliver quality storytelling.
motionsickgayboy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
djkirsikirs's review against another edition
2.0
If I didn't know better, I would think this book was written by someone who was not queer. There are a lot of harmful stereotypes including that bisexuals that sleep with men are bad and shouldn't be dated, that lesbians just need to "find the right guy", and than bisexuals dislike/aren't attracted to trans people. These are hurtful stereotypes that one would expect a queer writer to not only stay away from, but to actively fight against.
Not to mention that the whole book is supposed to be about young people learning to understand and accept their sexuality, and the second that Rae begins to explain her feelings for Jupiter she is told that she doesn't understand her sexuality and that by flirting with/wanting to be with Jupiter she is doing something wrong. How hypocritical! Jupiter can wax poetic about how she doesn't have to have it all figured out in front of the whole school, but Rae can't have feelings for her female best friend without being told she doesn't know herself and needs to stop?
There were parts of this book that I could really relate to and conversations between the characters that were funny and realistic, however the stereotypes and the character's toxic behaviors sort of ruined those parts for me.
Not to mention that the whole book is supposed to be about young people learning to understand and accept their sexuality, and the second that Rae begins to explain her feelings for Jupiter she is told that she doesn't understand her sexuality and that by flirting with/wanting to be with Jupiter she is doing something wrong. How hypocritical! Jupiter can wax poetic about how she doesn't have to have it all figured out in front of the whole school, but Rae can't have feelings for her female best friend without being told she doesn't know herself and needs to stop?
There were parts of this book that I could really relate to and conversations between the characters that were funny and realistic, however the stereotypes and the character's toxic behaviors sort of ruined those parts for me.
emmanovella's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
This was enjoyable but I definitely found it a little “ugh” at times. Idk. Jupiter comes across as a very confident person who is sure of herself then out of a moment of jealousy she realises she’s not gay but probably bi or similar? Idk. I appreciated the conversations and discussions this brought up but it didn’t work for me
I also found it really off putting that Coop got a boner every time her was near Jupiter and it was just a joke about how much he fancied her etc? Like?? It was always rubbing against her and she didn’t care and it was just weird af to me
This was enjoyable but I definitely found it a little “ugh” at times. Idk. Jupiter comes across as a very confident person who is sure of herself then out of a moment of jealousy she realises she’s not gay but probably bi or similar? Idk. I appreciated the conversations and discussions this brought up but it didn’t work for me
I also found it really off putting that Coop got a boner every time her was near Jupiter and it was just a joke about how much he fancied her etc? Like?? It was always rubbing against her and she didn’t care and it was just weird af to me
bookmarvel's review against another edition
4.0
10/19
I almost didn’t read this book, but then I didn’t want to stop. It’s about 3 teenagers and a whole lot of emotions and romantic questioning, and it’s super good and I love it. I love all of the main characters and I super love the relationship between the three of them (as of around halfway through)
10/22
Pg 146-148 really resonate a ton.
Pretty much Rae’s whole relationship with Courtney Cooper and Jupiter feels like my relationship with Sam and Natalie. Except remove all romantic and sexual attraction. But because Rae feels them towards both of them and I feel them towards none of them, they’re actually really similar. Also both Rae and I want to be emotionally and platonically close to our friends, and also cuddling is very good. But the main thing that I relate to here is how Rae feels like Courtney and Jupiter are closer to each other than either of them will ever be to her, and she feels like she’s almost constantly a third wheel and has separate lives when she’s with one of them or the other or both.
Also I’ve been noticing things about the language that the author uses, mostly when the POV changes from one person to another, but also in the beginning of Jupiter’s section when she’s really mad, it’s written as “you feel,” “you’re crying,” “it hits you,” then after she’s calmed down a bit it switches back to “I.” I’ve been noticing this kind of thing more, and noticing that I’m noticing. Actually this is the sort of thing that I would make a comment about in the margins if this wasn’t a library book. Goddamn English teachers teaching me how to read better :)
10/27
I was kinda worried about how it was gonna end, but it tied it up enough and then left it open so that I don’t know what’ll happen in the future for the characters but I do know that it’ll work out okay. Such a well written, interesting, fun book.
Also all the bits with sex/dick mentions did make me a bit uncomfortable, I don’t know if that was the writing or just me being uncomfortable with the subject, but they were kinda weird.
I almost didn’t read this book, but then I didn’t want to stop. It’s about 3 teenagers and a whole lot of emotions and romantic questioning, and it’s super good and I love it. I love all of the main characters and I super love the relationship between the three of them (as of around halfway through)
10/22
Pg 146-148 really resonate a ton.
Pretty much Rae’s whole relationship with Courtney Cooper and Jupiter feels like my relationship with Sam and Natalie. Except remove all romantic and sexual attraction. But because Rae feels them towards both of them and I feel them towards none of them, they’re actually really similar. Also both Rae and I want to be emotionally and platonically close to our friends, and also cuddling is very good. But the main thing that I relate to here is how Rae feels like Courtney and Jupiter are closer to each other than either of them will ever be to her, and she feels like she’s almost constantly a third wheel and has separate lives when she’s with one of them or the other or both.
Also I’ve been noticing things about the language that the author uses, mostly when the POV changes from one person to another, but also in the beginning of Jupiter’s section when she’s really mad, it’s written as “you feel,” “you’re crying,” “it hits you,” then after she’s calmed down a bit it switches back to “I.” I’ve been noticing this kind of thing more, and noticing that I’m noticing. Actually this is the sort of thing that I would make a comment about in the margins if this wasn’t a library book. Goddamn English teachers teaching me how to read better :)
10/27
I was kinda worried about how it was gonna end, but it tied it up enough and then left it open so that I don’t know what’ll happen in the future for the characters but I do know that it’ll work out okay. Such a well written, interesting, fun book.
Also all the bits with sex/dick mentions did make me a bit uncomfortable, I don’t know if that was the writing or just me being uncomfortable with the subject, but they were kinda weird.