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sihah's review against another edition
Just wasn't for me. The main character treats her mum pretty poorly after the death of her grandfather. It sort of just made me feel uncomfortable. I'm beyond the recommended age for this book, well into my 30s, so I've stopped identifying with the teenage struggle and I have a much better understanding of grief.
perpetualephemeral's review against another edition
4.0
This book took me on a journey. Never did I think that a book would resonate with me so clearly - a book that follows a wholly imperfect main character, crushing on people near and far, a main character that wraps herself in communities and speaks so eloquently about the world.
Before I discuss what I love about this book, I want to discuss the only reason I'm rating it a 4.5. The whole grandparent storyline. For me personally, I found it very weird. Although now I do realise that Theresa and Rebecca's story with letters was cleverly woven together with Joan and Elsie's happy ending, I found the entire wild goose chase for it a little bizarre, and it turned me away at points. I do understand that Elsie did it for her love for Ada, but it just didn't quite feel right in my head.
Now, what I loved about this book. A lot. I loved the character arcs we see in Po Po, Ritika, and Ada. I love the slow unravelling of the Elsie's family dynamic. I love the rekindling and realisation of Uncle Kevin being gay. I love ALL OF THE REP. Ace rep, enby rep, bi rep, just general queer rep. The exploration of cultural identities? So much of this book was incredible.
The messiness of the end with Joan and Ada and Elsie was fantastically written, and that scene at the end in Joan's flat. My god. The characters genuinely felt like they lept off the page. I felt genuinely crushed when Ada says she has a crush on Gracie. I felt nervous for Elsie in her understanding of how she felt about Joan. And I was so happy with how almost every relationship ended up, how we never see Elsie come out to her Po Po.
If You Still Recognise Me is a book I could talk about for a while. And I'm very happy that Tessie got me to read this one.
Before I discuss what I love about this book, I want to discuss the only reason I'm rating it a 4.5. The whole grandparent storyline. For me personally, I found it very weird. Although now I do realise that Theresa and Rebecca's story with letters was cleverly woven together with Joan and Elsie's happy ending, I found the entire wild goose chase for it a little bizarre, and it turned me away at points. I do understand that Elsie did it for her love for Ada, but it just didn't quite feel right in my head.
Now, what I loved about this book. A lot. I loved the character arcs we see in Po Po, Ritika, and Ada. I love the slow unravelling of the Elsie's family dynamic. I love the rekindling and realisation of Uncle Kevin being gay. I love ALL OF THE REP. Ace rep, enby rep, bi rep, just general queer rep. The exploration of cultural identities? So much of this book was incredible.
The messiness of the end with Joan and Ada and Elsie was fantastically written, and that scene at the end in Joan's flat. My god. The characters genuinely felt like they lept off the page. I felt genuinely crushed when Ada says she has a crush on Gracie. I felt nervous for Elsie in her understanding of how she felt about Joan. And I was so happy with how almost every relationship ended up, how we never see Elsie come out to her Po Po.
If You Still Recognise Me is a book I could talk about for a while. And I'm very happy that Tessie got me to read this one.
rjsreadingnook's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredible debut! I love YA books that focus on friendship and family as well as crushes and relationships because they feel more authentic. Friendship is at the heart of IF YOU STILL RECOGNIZE ME, and I love the idea of a second chance reunion with a long lost friend. It’s a cozy, warm read but it also has a lot to say about identity (race, culture, and sexual orientation), coming out, and intersectionality within in the queer community.
If you’re looking for sapphic YA that’s sweet, low-angst, and features an engaging cast of characters, I highly recommend this book.
LGBTQ details: bi MC rep, butch lesbian rep, side character ace rep, and queer/questioning rep.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
If you’re looking for sapphic YA that’s sweet, low-angst, and features an engaging cast of characters, I highly recommend this book.
LGBTQ details: bi MC rep, butch lesbian rep, side character ace rep, and queer/questioning rep.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
jajabla's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
booksofastoria's review against another edition
4.0
What stands out to me about this book even months later when I don't remember a ton about it is how much importance was put on fandom and online friendships as well as family. Ive met all my best friends online, people Ive known for as long as 7 years or just 3 and love with all my heart and am very much ride or die for. Because by chance we were playing the same game at the same time and clicked, or because we got added to the same discord server and the rest was history, because I read one of their favorite books, etc. It's a really wonderful thing that I loved seeing represented in this book and held and talked about as the important lifeline it is for some people. I truly don't know where I would be without my online friends and even some people i've met over the years and no longer talk to. And especially bookstagram, being there has been the greatest experience. This book truly nails that feeling beyond anything else and If any of that relates or hits home for you I think you'd love this book. Theres more to it than just this, but this is what really sat with me about it.
ellaphant11's review against another edition
The writing just makes me cringe so hard
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Oh. My. Gosh. This book was so delightful!!!
Where to begin....
The plot, with Elsie discovering who she is, uncovering family secrets, and trying to reconnect two elderly women who haven't contacted each other in decades, was packed! However, no one aspect dominated, creating a very fluid pace.
Elsie herself was such a lovable protagonist, extremely realistic.
Ada, who we didn't actually meet until later in the book, seemed possibly the most realistic, as did Ritika. Joan was such an amazing character, and I loved seeing her and Elsie regrow their friendship.
Elsie's family were a key part of her life, her grandmother, Po Po, was staying with her and her parents after her husband's death, although she hadn't seen them in eight years. Her parents, while not being openly homophobic, seemed disapproving of queer people. And her uncle Kevin... Elsie hadn't heard from him in ages. In all, the family were all top-tier characters.
The inclusion of Elsie's experiences as a non-white person in the UK was important, as were the many mentions of her culture. I've been trying to read more diversely culture-wise, and loved how much I learned from this book.
The romance was absolutely adorable! That's all I can really say about it without spoilers, sorry!
The only problem I have is that I could've read 10 more chapters, anything to get more time with the characters!!!
Where to begin....
The plot, with Elsie discovering who she is, uncovering family secrets, and trying to reconnect two elderly women who haven't contacted each other in decades, was packed! However, no one aspect dominated, creating a very fluid pace.
Elsie herself was such a lovable protagonist, extremely realistic.
Ada, who we didn't actually meet until later in the book, seemed possibly the most realistic, as did Ritika. Joan was such an amazing character, and I loved seeing her and Elsie regrow their friendship.
Elsie's family were a key part of her life, her grandmother, Po Po, was staying with her and her parents after her husband's death, although she hadn't seen them in eight years. Her parents, while not being openly homophobic, seemed disapproving of queer people. And her uncle Kevin... Elsie hadn't heard from him in ages. In all, the family were all top-tier characters.
The inclusion of Elsie's experiences as a non-white person in the UK was important, as were the many mentions of her culture. I've been trying to read more diversely culture-wise, and loved how much I learned from this book.
The romance was absolutely adorable! That's all I can really say about it without spoilers, sorry!
The only problem I have is that I could've read 10 more chapters, anything to get more time with the characters!!!
h0llyjvne's review against another edition
4.0
i loved this book sm!!! it reminds me so much of when i was 14 and obsessed with tumblr, trying to figure out my sexuality. i wish i had this book back then, to let me know that i wasn't alone in how i felt.
kittyskingdom's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
eloevera's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0