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lenina's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
Finally after a long time on my tbr, I decided to take this book and started to read it. I feel like this book is so sweet and the story is so heartwarming. I smile everytime I read such cute moments in this book. I love Elsie, Joan and Ritika a lot. And oh! Ada too!
This book is so perfect. Perfect to finish reading it on my birthday with a smile plastered on my face. I need more heartwarming stories like this.
Thank you so much, Cynthia for writing this heartwarming story of Elsie (and Joan; of course!). I must say, I love the ending. Nothing more to say about their dynamic. You are brilliant!
This book is so perfect. Perfect to finish reading it on my birthday with a smile plastered on my face. I need more heartwarming stories like this.
Thank you so much, Cynthia for writing this heartwarming story of Elsie (and Joan; of course!). I must say, I love the ending. Nothing more to say about their dynamic. You are brilliant!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
anncarve's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Oh misty eyes
hollowhallow13's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elizafaerie's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
charliebee03's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_justjess's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn’t sure if I’d like the book since I’m not the target demographic anymore (I’m 24) but it was so adorable, heartwarming, and charmingly awkward. I wish I could’ve read this as a teen.
Watching this made me feel the same way I did when I first watched heartstopper but even better because the main storyline was sapphic.
Watching this made me feel the same way I did when I first watched heartstopper but even better because the main storyline was sapphic.
wineandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a queer, biracial person who also calls their grandparents po po and gung gung, I felt so seen by this novel! Can't describe how much that means
elementarymydear's review against another edition
5.0
What a truly wonderful book!
This was one of those books that I was taking every possible opportunity to listen to. It’s set during that one, epic summer holiday that happens between your A levels and freshers week, and we follow Elsie across these summer months. She has big plans, but of course plans can change!
This book had so much in it – family secrets, long-lost loves, long distance crushes, queer friendships, and more. I felt so emotionally invested every step of the way, and I really felt the ups and downs that Elsie went on.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
I loved the relationships between the different queer characters in this book. I thought it was a really good depiction of not just romantic relationships but also the friendships and kinships between queer people, and I really felt that sense of belonging that Elsie found.
I also really liked the way the book explored how queerness is seen in different cultures. Many of the characters in this book, Elsie included, have a range of cultural influences in their lives, and I loved how the author included these themes. It was also fascinating to see how these different influences affected the characters, and how it helped them shape a sense of their own identity.
The inclusion of queer people from different generations was also a great touch. I remember very vividly how it felt when I first started interacting with the queer community outside of my own peer group, and it’s such a fulfilling moment that was vividly captured.
There was also excellent narration from Siu-see Hung, who didn’t just perform the text in an immersive and engaging way, but also nailed an astounding range of accents!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
This was one of those books that I was taking every possible opportunity to listen to. It’s set during that one, epic summer holiday that happens between your A levels and freshers week, and we follow Elsie across these summer months. She has big plans, but of course plans can change!
This book had so much in it – family secrets, long-lost loves, long distance crushes, queer friendships, and more. I felt so emotionally invested every step of the way, and I really felt the ups and downs that Elsie went on.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
I loved the relationships between the different queer characters in this book. I thought it was a really good depiction of not just romantic relationships but also the friendships and kinships between queer people, and I really felt that sense of belonging that Elsie found.
I also really liked the way the book explored how queerness is seen in different cultures. Many of the characters in this book, Elsie included, have a range of cultural influences in their lives, and I loved how the author included these themes. It was also fascinating to see how these different influences affected the characters, and how it helped them shape a sense of their own identity.
The inclusion of queer people from different generations was also a great touch. I remember very vividly how it felt when I first started interacting with the queer community outside of my own peer group, and it’s such a fulfilling moment that was vividly captured.
There was also excellent narration from Siu-see Hung, who didn’t just perform the text in an immersive and engaging way, but also nailed an astounding range of accents!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
mxiir18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5