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onthesamepage's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was fine. It even had some cute moments. But there were minor details within the story that kind of bugged me, and I don't really connect with the writing style.
It's written in first person POV, which is a pretty regular occurrence for YA and not a problem in and of itself, but it's the kind of first person POV that directly targets the reader sometimes, for example by saying, "Martin I've already described". I don't mind it when books deliberately try to break the 4th wall, but that's not what's happening here because the character isn't consistently talking to the reader. And even though this is something minor, it did instantly drag me out of the story/suspension of disbelief.
With regards to the plot, there are plenty of plot conveniences to be found here, like a total amateur being the perfect pick to represent a struggling dance studio during a competition that could drum up a lot of interest. Then there's Evie, and her sudden ability to see everyone's romantic future. The magic/visions Evie experiences in this book and what they teach her could've been replaced by therapy sessions, and Evie probably would've gotten more out of those. There are also moments where she sees something that definitely made me instantly suspicious about where this was going, but she never even stops a second to think about it, just so the author can maximize the gasp/shock factor after another 30 pages.
The other issue I had has to do with the depiction of Fifi, and how other characters react to her.
It's written in first person POV, which is a pretty regular occurrence for YA and not a problem in and of itself, but it's the kind of first person POV that directly targets the reader sometimes, for example by saying, "Martin I've already described". I don't mind it when books deliberately try to break the 4th wall, but that's not what's happening here because the character isn't consistently talking to the reader. And even though this is something minor, it did instantly drag me out of the story/suspension of disbelief.
With regards to the plot, there are plenty of plot conveniences to be found here, like a total amateur being the perfect pick to represent a struggling dance studio during a competition that could drum up a lot of interest. Then there's Evie, and her sudden ability to see everyone's romantic future. The magic/visions Evie experiences in this book and what they teach her could've been replaced by therapy sessions, and Evie probably would've gotten more out of those. There are also moments where she sees something that definitely made me instantly suspicious about where this was going, but she never even stops a second to think about it, just so the author can maximize the gasp/shock factor after another 30 pages.
The other issue I had has to do with the depiction of Fifi, and how other characters react to her.
"Argentine tango is my favorite dance in all the world. It is seductive. It is sorrowful. It is sensual." Zeductive. Zorrowful. Zensual.
X looks at me, laughter dancing in his eyes. I slap my hand over my mouth so I don't have a giggling fit.
The mockery of the way Fifi speaks English is a pretty constant theme throughout the book, with the author frequently repeating words she said in italics with a Z instead of an S, so we can be reminded she has a "hilarious" accent. Except I honestly don't find anything funny about mocking the way someone from a different background speaks. For a book with such a diverse cast of characters, this actually feels a bit racist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Car accident, Child death, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Car accident, Police brutality, and Racism
noooor_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
4.5
Please don’t read if you’re having a hard time believing you’re loved by friends, family or others.
The premise was really interesting but not explored enough for me. Yet the writing and character development completely made up for that. The way Evie learned her own definition of love and how things can change in life without it being bad or „unlucky“ was really great. It felt organic and not forced. The dancing part fell into the background the more we got into the story.
All in all a very emotional Ride towards the end, that I did not anticipate and didn’t need 😂.
The premise was really interesting but not explored enough for me. Yet the writing and character development completely made up for that. The way Evie learned her own definition of love and how things can change in life without it being bad or „unlucky“ was really great. It felt organic and not forced. The dancing part fell into the background the more we got into the story.
All in all a very emotional Ride towards the end, that I did not anticipate and didn’t need 😂.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism
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