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thewordwitch's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced listener copy of this book from Netgalley. In exchange, I am giving an honest review.
This book is a light YA read that is perfect for summer. I enjoyed listening to it as it complimented the warm rush of weather we've recently had. Sunny is generally a likable heroine, with relatable feelings. Riding along with her for this story was fun. I also loved the older people from the assisted living home. They were adorable.
I think the targeted audience would enjoy this book, but I don't think it has the sticking power to be a favorite that they return to. There are some moments in the book that dragged and felt much slower-paced than I am used to in a YA novel. A majority of the characters are 2D, lacking a feeling of being completely fleshed out. Theo - hunky farm boy, Mya - bubbly supportive best friend, Galena - potential friend who we barely hear about for the second half of the novel, and Wendy - villain with a side-braid.
Wendy harbors a hatred of Sunny from the get go for no discernable reason. It felt very much like the author felt she needed a villain, so just shoe-horned one in to add extra drama. This was an opportunity missed to make the conflict Sunny vs self, and have her grow more as a person. (This isn't to say she didn't, but I think there could have been a more substantial maturation throughout the novel.)
The ending, albeit sweet, felt very abrupt.
Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a light summer read, but I wouldn't use it for a space that can have more serious discussion, such as a book club or a classroom.
This book is a light YA read that is perfect for summer. I enjoyed listening to it as it complimented the warm rush of weather we've recently had. Sunny is generally a likable heroine, with relatable feelings. Riding along with her for this story was fun. I also loved the older people from the assisted living home. They were adorable.
I think the targeted audience would enjoy this book, but I don't think it has the sticking power to be a favorite that they return to. There are some moments in the book that dragged and felt much slower-paced than I am used to in a YA novel. A majority of the characters are 2D, lacking a feeling of being completely fleshed out. Theo - hunky farm boy, Mya - bubbly supportive best friend, Galena - potential friend who we barely hear about for the second half of the novel, and Wendy - villain with a side-braid.
Wendy harbors a hatred of Sunny from the get go for no discernable reason. It felt very much like the author felt she needed a villain, so just shoe-horned one in to add extra drama. This was an opportunity missed to make the conflict Sunny vs self, and have her grow more as a person. (This isn't to say she didn't, but I think there could have been a more substantial maturation throughout the novel.)
The ending, albeit sweet, felt very abrupt.
Spoiler
Throughout the book, there's barely any mention of her conflict with her parents or of her attempting to strengthen her relationship with her parents. Instead, her parents just do a lot of work on their own and magically solve that problem for her. It seemed pretty unrealistic.Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a light summer read, but I wouldn't use it for a space that can have more serious discussion, such as a book club or a classroom.
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how it really looked into how much kids and teens are using social media and how obsessed they become with likes. As someone who didn't grow up with social media, but as someone who uses it a lot now, it really does seem wild that these younger kids are using it so much that "digital detox" camps are even a thing. Like, I'm using Goodreads right now! I will post about this picture on Instagram and honestly, I will hope to get a lot of likes. But I do not enjoy spending all day everyday in front of a screen, or the tv constantly obsessed with my likes and comments and it kind of makes me sad that this does happen especially with kids that could really benefit from face to face conversations and friendships and playing outside. That being said, I really enjoyed what Sunny got out of this digital detox camp.
Sunny was a great character, I really liked how even though she did use social media a lot, she was very responsible about it. If she had sponsor posts to post, she would schedule them ahead of time to be posted during school hours and not actually post them at school (although she did get in trouble for this). It really meant a lot to her to fulfill her obligations. I also appreciated the fact that she didn't go to this camp and immediately everyone was her friend. She had a hard time making friends and ultimately came away with only a few friends. It felt much more real.
This was definitely a very light enjoyable read, perfect for the summer!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how it really looked into how much kids and teens are using social media and how obsessed they become with likes. As someone who didn't grow up with social media, but as someone who uses it a lot now, it really does seem wild that these younger kids are using it so much that "digital detox" camps are even a thing. Like, I'm using Goodreads right now! I will post about this picture on Instagram and honestly, I will hope to get a lot of likes. But I do not enjoy spending all day everyday in front of a screen, or the tv constantly obsessed with my likes and comments and it kind of makes me sad that this does happen especially with kids that could really benefit from face to face conversations and friendships and playing outside. That being said, I really enjoyed what Sunny got out of this digital detox camp.
Sunny was a great character, I really liked how even though she did use social media a lot, she was very responsible about it. If she had sponsor posts to post, she would schedule them ahead of time to be posted during school hours and not actually post them at school (although she did get in trouble for this). It really meant a lot to her to fulfill her obligations. I also appreciated the fact that she didn't go to this camp and immediately everyone was her friend. She had a hard time making friends and ultimately came away with only a few friends. It felt much more real.
This was definitely a very light enjoyable read, perfect for the summer!
lydiahephzibah's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 I really enjoyed the start of this with Sunny's social media antics and I know this was about the detox camp but I still kind of wish there had been a bit more of her videos as that was a really strong aspect! I wasn't convinced by the romance (to be honest I literally just finished the audio ARC and can't remember who she ended up with) but I enjoyed the senior citizen home and the idea of the camp. The book didn't keep its strength but this is the first Suzanne Park book I haven't hated so that's a big plus!
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Sunny Song is working really hard to build her online brand and become an influencer. After a few unintentional missteps, her elite private school threatens to expel her if she doesn't attend a "digital detox" camp the summer between her junior and senior year. The culture shock between Los Angeles and a farm in Iowa would be hard enough without the loss of her beloved phone. As Sunny makes her way through the four week program, she learns a lot about herself, her priorities, and the best way to use her online presence. I really appreciated that the message in this book was not that social media is bad, but rather that it is a tool that can be used for good or bad and one needs to make good choices. It also included a super sweet romance. Highly recommended for grades 8 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
4.0
Sunny is ready to have a fantastic summer. It's the summer before her senior year and she has tons of plans. But when she forgets to turn off her webcam after a live cooking video and the world sees her in her bra, she's sent to a digital detox camp for the summer. Can she make it a while month without her phone? This fast-paced and fun story will have you playing through the pages to see what happens next. It's a perfect summer story.
I enjoyed Sunny Song, but I didn't get what the big deal was with the #brownieporn thing. I mean, she was just in her bra and there was nothing sexual about it in the least. Also, it had zero to do with her school, so why would they be able to dictate anything to her? Sure, I bet she was embarrassed and would get some teasing, but really it wasn't that big of a deal. Still, I'd definitely recommend this one.
I enjoyed Sunny Song, but I didn't get what the big deal was with the #brownieporn thing. I mean, she was just in her bra and there was nothing sexual about it in the least. Also, it had zero to do with her school, so why would they be able to dictate anything to her? Sure, I bet she was embarrassed and would get some teasing, but really it wasn't that big of a deal. Still, I'd definitely recommend this one.
emmreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Suzanne Park has the incredible ability to write unputdownable after unputdownable book. I loved the focus on social media and detoxing from tech, especially in a camp setting. It was punctuated with her signature humor and a homey camp atmosphere. As an avid summer camper from the Midwest, it rang true to my experience (though luckily there wasn't any Side Braid at mine!). Plus now I'll never look at brownies the same way...
*Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
bookswithnopictures's review against another edition
4.0
Is there a social media detox camp for adults? That bookstagrammer life has turned me into an (occasional) Instagram spouse, and I might relate more to Sunny than I would have otherwise.
More and more, we rely on electronics to take care of all of our wants and needs. I appreciated how Suzanne addressed this culture change but didn't turn it into the "evil" in Sunny's life but, rather, that there's more to enjoy outside of them. Sunny's coming of age story is fun and relatable.
I've read another book by Suzanne and wasn't a huge fan (even though it was laugh out loud funny at times), but I've heard such good things about other books she's written. I wanted to try her books again. I'm glad I did! I enjoyed her humor and voice for Sunny.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
More and more, we rely on electronics to take care of all of our wants and needs. I appreciated how Suzanne addressed this culture change but didn't turn it into the "evil" in Sunny's life but, rather, that there's more to enjoy outside of them. Sunny's coming of age story is fun and relatable.
I've read another book by Suzanne and wasn't a huge fan (even though it was laugh out loud funny at times), but I've heard such good things about other books she's written. I wanted to try her books again. I'm glad I did! I enjoyed her humor and voice for Sunny.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
dinipandareads's review against another edition
4.0
I won a copy of this book from the author when I was entered into a giveaway earlier this year and I buddy read it with my fellow winner, Julie! This was a comedic and realistic coming-of-age story about growing up in the age of social media as a mid-level influencer and I thought it was an entertaining and relatable read!
First off, this was my first book by Suzanne Park and I absolutely enjoyed her writing style! It flowed so well that before I knew it, I was halfway through the book in one sitting and I didn’t want to put it down! I liked how the characters were developed and her descriptions of places, pop culture references, and Asian American experiences made for an easily relatable read. The story touches on the relevant topic of the impact of social media in our lives and I’m sure that many readers will have an “oh yeah, I totally get that” moment, much the same as I did while reading! Park also seamlessly weaves in the Asian American experience of micro-aggressions and racism, and identity struggles pertaining to culture and language that many diaspora or international kids will probably be able to identify with. One thing that I related to so much was Sunny’s fear of and hesitancy to speak Korean. I felt that to my core because I was much the same having grown up outside of my birth country only to come back 25 years later to live there for the first time as an adult, while my comprehension and speaking levels of the language were elementary at best.
While the story touches on deeper subjects, it doesn’t cover them with a heavy or overbearing tone, and Park keeps things light while still allowing Sunny to experience personal growth. When we first meet her, I was admittedly a little worried that I wouldn’t like Sunny! She’s spoiled by the privileged LA bubble she lives in and her attitude is very me-centric—she doesn’t do or pay attention to much that doesn’t benefit her and she spares little thought for the impact of her actions on others. Thankfully, that attitude slowly changes once she gets to camp. With the new personal interactions and relationships that she develops with Delina (the new friend), Theo (the sweet new love interest), and Coach (the supportive and mindful group session facilitator), she begins an introspective journey where she confronts her biases and weighs the impact of being a young influencer. She also realises that while the continuous chasing of the social media high is unhealthy, there are ways to use her knowledge and influence on these channels and with the following she has amassed to effect positive change. The ending does wrap up easily and idealistically and while these types of neatly packaged and somewhat unrealistic endings usually tend to bother me, I found that I didn't mind so much in this instance. I think it fits with the contentment that Sunny found within herself and it was a nice hopeful end of summer note to end on!
I also wish we got to see a bit more of the camp shenanigans and other aspects of camp life but I think the more ‘solitary’ journey was fitting for Sunny’s character and growth. I was pleasantly surprised how Sunny really gave her all in the camp activities because I honestly expected a bit more headstrong rebellion
First off, this was my first book by Suzanne Park and I absolutely enjoyed her writing style! It flowed so well that before I knew it, I was halfway through the book in one sitting and I didn’t want to put it down! I liked how the characters were developed and her descriptions of places, pop culture references, and Asian American experiences made for an easily relatable read. The story touches on the relevant topic of the impact of social media in our lives and I’m sure that many readers will have an “oh yeah, I totally get that” moment, much the same as I did while reading! Park also seamlessly weaves in the Asian American experience of micro-aggressions and racism, and identity struggles pertaining to culture and language that many diaspora or international kids will probably be able to identify with. One thing that I related to so much was Sunny’s fear of and hesitancy to speak Korean. I felt that to my core because I was much the same having grown up outside of my birth country only to come back 25 years later to live there for the first time as an adult, while my comprehension and speaking levels of the language were elementary at best.
While the story touches on deeper subjects, it doesn’t cover them with a heavy or overbearing tone, and Park keeps things light while still allowing Sunny to experience personal growth. When we first meet her, I was admittedly a little worried that I wouldn’t like Sunny! She’s spoiled by the privileged LA bubble she lives in and her attitude is very me-centric—she doesn’t do or pay attention to much that doesn’t benefit her and she spares little thought for the impact of her actions on others. Thankfully, that attitude slowly changes once she gets to camp. With the new personal interactions and relationships that she develops with Delina (the new friend), Theo (the sweet new love interest), and Coach (the supportive and mindful group session facilitator), she begins an introspective journey where she confronts her biases and weighs the impact of being a young influencer. She also realises that while the continuous chasing of the social media high is unhealthy, there are ways to use her knowledge and influence on these channels and with the following she has amassed to effect positive change. The ending does wrap up easily and idealistically and while these types of neatly packaged and somewhat unrealistic endings usually tend to bother me, I found that I didn't mind so much in this instance. I think it fits with the contentment that Sunny found within herself and it was a nice hopeful end of summer note to end on!
I also wish we got to see a bit more of the camp shenanigans and other aspects of camp life but I think the more ‘solitary’ journey was fitting for Sunny’s character and growth. I was pleasantly surprised how Sunny really gave her all in the camp activities because I honestly expected a bit more headstrong rebellion
librarypatronus's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Audio for the audiobook ARC of this in exchange for my honest review
This was so much fun! While I have some vloggers that I enjoy watching, I definitely don’t know a lot about what goes into it (beyond knowing it’s a lot!) Sunny was so fun to follow, and I felt that while she sometimes made bad choices, she learned from them and had consequences that made sense. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was ok (I was so annoyed every time she said GIF as “jif”
This was so much fun! While I have some vloggers that I enjoy watching, I definitely don’t know a lot about what goes into it (beyond knowing it’s a lot!) Sunny was so fun to follow, and I felt that while she sometimes made bad choices, she learned from them and had consequences that made sense. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was ok (I was so annoyed every time she said GIF as “jif”
miss_alaina's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking for a quick and breezy summer read, and that is exactly what I got. This was a cute story about a social media-obsessed teen who is sent to a digital detox summer camp on a farm in Iowa. I can't relate to Sunny's obsession, but I do think a farm camp sounds adorable and I would sign up in a heartbeat.