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chidimmadesiree's review
2.0
2/5 Stars (maybe 2.5 stars)
“Accidental” by Alex Richards is a young adult contemporary that tells the story of Johanna who’s dealing with the death of her mother, her father abandoning her, and living with her grandparents. Johanna believes that the death of her mother was due to a car accident, but that all changes when her father comes back in her life with the truth. Johanna life changes forever as she realizes that all her life she’s been living a lie. Her mother was not killed in a car accident but instead by Johanna at the age of the two, who shot and killed her mother accidentally.
I thought going into this book that the plot was about a school shooting (because I’m an idiot who doesn’t read full synopses), so I was very surprised when 100 pages in I realized the actual plot. I thought the concept was very new and exciting. I felt it was a fresh idea in discussing the importance of gun regulation in this country without centering around a school shooting. I felt that the author could’ve gone deeper with this issue unfortunately. I feel as if the author knew the point she wanted to get across to her readers, but did not execute it well.
The main character was very insufferable at times. She was going through a lot with finding out that she was the one who caused the death of her mom, but even though I did sympathize with her I never was rooting for her. She didn’t have qualities that I liked or even related to. She was a very “I’m not like other girls” girl. Throughout the book the author was so obvious in the way in which she tried to make her main character so different than other girls. Look I wear very dark eyeliner, look I listen to classic rock music, look my clothes are so edgy, it was just very played out and made me not like the character even more.
For some reason there was a very insta love, underdeveloped romance thrown into the mix. I felt as if the relationship between Johanna and Milo held no purpose within the book. The relationship felt very rushed and very unnecessary to the story. After one day of them knowing each other, Johanna is telling this man her whole life story and sobbing her eyes and it just felt so unnatural. I didn’t understand why the two felt so close to one other and so attached at the hip day two of their relationship. I never felt as if the author fleshed out the romance, it was just there and I just had to deal with it. I felt as if Johanna and Milo were each other’s emotional crutches and I thought the author would delve into that topic, but I guess their relationship was suppose to seem normal to us as readers.
The story in itself was the only redeeming quality of this book. I felt that the concept was very interesting with how much guilt the main character felt about killing her mom even though she shouldn’t be to blame because she was a literal child. I enjoyed reading about the conflicting nature of the main character and her regret even though she can’t even remember exactly what happened because she was so young. This book could spark so much conversation with a issue in this country that needs to be talked about. This book could’ve been so much better if it had a character that readers found likable and a romance that felt natural.
-This book was sent to me for review through netgalley-
“Accidental” by Alex Richards is a young adult contemporary that tells the story of Johanna who’s dealing with the death of her mother, her father abandoning her, and living with her grandparents. Johanna believes that the death of her mother was due to a car accident, but that all changes when her father comes back in her life with the truth. Johanna life changes forever as she realizes that all her life she’s been living a lie. Her mother was not killed in a car accident but instead by Johanna at the age of the two, who shot and killed her mother accidentally.
I thought going into this book that the plot was about a school shooting (because I’m an idiot who doesn’t read full synopses), so I was very surprised when 100 pages in I realized the actual plot. I thought the concept was very new and exciting. I felt it was a fresh idea in discussing the importance of gun regulation in this country without centering around a school shooting. I felt that the author could’ve gone deeper with this issue unfortunately. I feel as if the author knew the point she wanted to get across to her readers, but did not execute it well.
The main character was very insufferable at times. She was going through a lot with finding out that she was the one who caused the death of her mom, but even though I did sympathize with her I never was rooting for her. She didn’t have qualities that I liked or even related to. She was a very “I’m not like other girls” girl. Throughout the book the author was so obvious in the way in which she tried to make her main character so different than other girls. Look I wear very dark eyeliner, look I listen to classic rock music, look my clothes are so edgy, it was just very played out and made me not like the character even more.
For some reason there was a very insta love, underdeveloped romance thrown into the mix. I felt as if the relationship between Johanna and Milo held no purpose within the book. The relationship felt very rushed and very unnecessary to the story. After one day of them knowing each other, Johanna is telling this man her whole life story and sobbing her eyes and it just felt so unnatural. I didn’t understand why the two felt so close to one other and so attached at the hip day two of their relationship. I never felt as if the author fleshed out the romance, it was just there and I just had to deal with it. I felt as if Johanna and Milo were each other’s emotional crutches and I thought the author would delve into that topic, but I guess their relationship was suppose to seem normal to us as readers.
The story in itself was the only redeeming quality of this book. I felt that the concept was very interesting with how much guilt the main character felt about killing her mom even though she shouldn’t be to blame because she was a literal child. I enjoyed reading about the conflicting nature of the main character and her regret even though she can’t even remember exactly what happened because she was so young. This book could spark so much conversation with a issue in this country that needs to be talked about. This book could’ve been so much better if it had a character that readers found likable and a romance that felt natural.
-This book was sent to me for review through netgalley-
popthebutterfly's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Accidental
Author: Alex Richards
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: gun violence, contemporary, part trauma
Publication Date: July 7, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (gun violence TW, blame, death, gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 368
Synopsis: Johanna has had more than enough trauma in her life. She lost her mom in a car accident, and her father went AWOL when Johanna was just a baby. At sixteen, life is steady, boring . . . maybe even stifling, since she's being raised by her grandparents who never talk about their daughter, her mother Mandy.
Then he comes back: Robert Newsome, Johanna's father, bringing memories and pictures of Mandy. But that's not all he shares. A tragic car accident didn't kill Mandy--it was Johanna, who at two years old, accidentally shot her own mother with an unsecured gun.
Now Johanna has to sort through it all--the return of her absentee father, her grandparents' lies, her part in her mother's death. But no one, neither her loyal best friends nor her sweet new boyfriend, can help her forgive them. Most of all, can she ever find a way to forgive herself?
Review: Overall, the book was amazing! The book had some great writing and the characters were compelling. The world building was also done well and I think the author, for the most part, handled the issue of gun violence very well in her book.
However, I felt really weird about the second half of the book. It felt like the author was taking a political stance and using this book to vent about the issue than to let the story develop naturally. It book was great and I loved the message about gun safety, but it just felt like a political debate at the end of the book. Of course, there are no easy answers when it comes to gun violence, but for the sake of the book and putting aside my own beliefs it didn’t feel natural.
Verdict: It’s a great read!
Book: Accidental
Author: Alex Richards
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: gun violence, contemporary, part trauma
Publication Date: July 7, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (gun violence TW, blame, death, gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 368
Synopsis: Johanna has had more than enough trauma in her life. She lost her mom in a car accident, and her father went AWOL when Johanna was just a baby. At sixteen, life is steady, boring . . . maybe even stifling, since she's being raised by her grandparents who never talk about their daughter, her mother Mandy.
Then he comes back: Robert Newsome, Johanna's father, bringing memories and pictures of Mandy. But that's not all he shares. A tragic car accident didn't kill Mandy--it was Johanna, who at two years old, accidentally shot her own mother with an unsecured gun.
Now Johanna has to sort through it all--the return of her absentee father, her grandparents' lies, her part in her mother's death. But no one, neither her loyal best friends nor her sweet new boyfriend, can help her forgive them. Most of all, can she ever find a way to forgive herself?
Review: Overall, the book was amazing! The book had some great writing and the characters were compelling. The world building was also done well and I think the author, for the most part, handled the issue of gun violence very well in her book.
However, I felt really weird about the second half of the book. It felt like the author was taking a political stance and using this book to vent about the issue than to let the story develop naturally. It book was great and I loved the message about gun safety, but it just felt like a political debate at the end of the book. Of course, there are no easy answers when it comes to gun violence, but for the sake of the book and putting aside my own beliefs it didn’t feel natural.
Verdict: It’s a great read!
danielagreads's review against another edition
4.0
Accidental follows a teenage girl named Johanna who is raised by her grandparents after her mother dies in a car accident and her father leaves the picture. However, her whole world is turned upside down when her father comes back with a devastating truth: Johanna had accidentally shot and killed her mother when she was only two years old.
This book covers a very heavy topic that isn't often talked about in the realm of gun violence. The author delves into all of the conflicting emotions experienced by Johanna, her guilt, sadness, and frustration. Johanna's relationships between the people around her are also fundamental to how she deals with her grief. Her grandparents' well-meaning lie causes a rift between them, the tension growing with the suppression of what really happened in Johanna's early life. Johanna also relies on her friends and new boyfriend to learn to ccet her past and what she can do to one day come to terms with what she had done. I feel like this book was excellently written, not afraid to go through all of the tangled emotions for a teen who has gone through terrible circumstances.
This book covers a very heavy topic that isn't often talked about in the realm of gun violence. The author delves into all of the conflicting emotions experienced by Johanna, her guilt, sadness, and frustration. Johanna's relationships between the people around her are also fundamental to how she deals with her grief. Her grandparents' well-meaning lie causes a rift between them, the tension growing with the suppression of what really happened in Johanna's early life. Johanna also relies on her friends and new boyfriend to learn to ccet her past and what she can do to one day come to terms with what she had done. I feel like this book was excellently written, not afraid to go through all of the tangled emotions for a teen who has gone through terrible circumstances.
mj2148's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
5 Stars
I was planning on another lazy review, but then I finished this beauty.
Accidental follows seventeen-year-old Johanna, who lives a half-normal life. Her mother passed away in a tragic car accident just a couple years after Jo was born, and her father has been out of the picture since. Jo is a typical teen, who loves music, art, and hanging with her best friends, Gabby and Leah. She lives with her loving grandparents, who have taken her under their arms since the accident. Overall, life is good. That is, until, Jo's Dad gets in contact with her again and she soon finds out something that will change her life forever: Her Mom didn't die in a tragic car accident - Jo shot her. Jo was just two years old and found a handgun hidden under her parent's bed. Soon after, Jo accidentally shot and killed her mother in her sleep. Her grandparents did everything they could for Jo to live a normal life - that included lying to her about her mother's death for almost eighteen years.
This was a true hidden gem. I don't even remember how I found this, possibly from a small recommendations list online. But, judging off the number of ratings, it is hidden from the world of YA readers - very hidden. I checked this out a long time ago from Libby, in fact, I think it was September. I renewed this book almost ten times until I finally opened it up.
And I am so glad I gave this book a chance. It covers a controversial topic I have never read about, or even heard about, in the YA world: Gun Laws.
I have my own opinions of gun safety, and I'm sure all of you may too, but I will tell you something: this book may have been centered around a controversial topic, but the author wrote about it in a way that didn't seem pushy, forceful, or in your face in ANY way. I'm sure people with opposite views on gun safety could read this and enjoy it.
But let's face it! Gun safety, no matter your opinion, is a current issue that needs to be discussed in today's society! And this book did it in a special way.
We may not even realize it, but every week in the USA, multiple people are killed by guns. And I'm not even talking about murders. I'm talking about accidents. Accidental deaths. And what I never even thought about before I read this book... Some of these deaths of parents, teachers, siblings... they're caused by innocent children all thanks to improper gun safety.
Imagine growing up without your mother, and finding out you killed her before you could even talk.
It would change your life.
And it changed Johanna's life.
This book is just as important on any current issue - rape, racism, homophobia, transphobia, I could go on and on. Because what makes them similar, is that people get hurt because of them. And a lot of those issues can be traced back to invalid, or a lack of, education on those topics.
So if you'd like to change the future - your future - in a way, even a way you think is small - I would suggest educating yourself, and this book is a great way to start!
---
If you'd like me to get more into the book itself, well, where do I start?
The characters were flawless. I loved Jo's personality, from her bravery to wit to inner-beauty. Her family may have had their flaws, but every member was loving, especially towards Jo. Gabby and Leah, her best friends, may have been opposite people, but they were both amazing people, always there for Jo, even if in different ways. And then we have... Milo...
Milo was just as perfect, if not, more perfect, than Johanna, which is saying a lot. He was just so hilarious and kind and one of the best boyfriends you could ask for. And then their relationship was even more adorable. They were always there for each other and every time they kissed, I was on the verge of tears. *smiles like proud Grandma* One of my favorite YA couples, ever.
And the plot? I don't even know how to explain how raw and breathtaking it was. (view spoiler)And the author is so skilled and I truly praise her for doing so much research on such a fervent topic and writing it in such a powerful and realistic way.
That isn't all I have to say about this wonderful read, but I think that's all I can type without my fingers falling off! Overall, Accidental is a unique and breathtaking book that everyone should read.
I was planning on another lazy review, but then I finished this beauty.
Accidental follows seventeen-year-old Johanna, who lives a half-normal life. Her mother passed away in a tragic car accident just a couple years after Jo was born, and her father has been out of the picture since. Jo is a typical teen, who loves music, art, and hanging with her best friends, Gabby and Leah. She lives with her loving grandparents, who have taken her under their arms since the accident. Overall, life is good. That is, until, Jo's Dad gets in contact with her again and she soon finds out something that will change her life forever: Her Mom didn't die in a tragic car accident - Jo shot her. Jo was just two years old and found a handgun hidden under her parent's bed. Soon after, Jo accidentally shot and killed her mother in her sleep. Her grandparents did everything they could for Jo to live a normal life - that included lying to her about her mother's death for almost eighteen years.
This was a true hidden gem. I don't even remember how I found this, possibly from a small recommendations list online. But, judging off the number of ratings, it is hidden from the world of YA readers - very hidden. I checked this out a long time ago from Libby, in fact, I think it was September. I renewed this book almost ten times until I finally opened it up.
And I am so glad I gave this book a chance. It covers a controversial topic I have never read about, or even heard about, in the YA world: Gun Laws.
I have my own opinions of gun safety, and I'm sure all of you may too, but I will tell you something: this book may have been centered around a controversial topic, but the author wrote about it in a way that didn't seem pushy, forceful, or in your face in ANY way. I'm sure people with opposite views on gun safety could read this and enjoy it.
But let's face it! Gun safety, no matter your opinion, is a current issue that needs to be discussed in today's society! And this book did it in a special way.
We may not even realize it, but every week in the USA, multiple people are killed by guns. And I'm not even talking about murders. I'm talking about accidents. Accidental deaths. And what I never even thought about before I read this book... Some of these deaths of parents, teachers, siblings... they're caused by innocent children all thanks to improper gun safety.
Imagine growing up without your mother, and finding out you killed her before you could even talk.
It would change your life.
And it changed Johanna's life.
This book is just as important on any current issue - rape, racism, homophobia, transphobia, I could go on and on. Because what makes them similar, is that people get hurt because of them. And a lot of those issues can be traced back to invalid, or a lack of, education on those topics.
So if you'd like to change the future - your future - in a way, even a way you think is small - I would suggest educating yourself, and this book is a great way to start!
---
If you'd like me to get more into the book itself, well, where do I start?
The characters were flawless. I loved Jo's personality, from her bravery to wit to inner-beauty. Her family may have had their flaws, but every member was loving, especially towards Jo. Gabby and Leah, her best friends, may have been opposite people, but they were both amazing people, always there for Jo, even if in different ways. And then we have... Milo...
Milo was just as perfect, if not, more perfect, than Johanna, which is saying a lot. He was just so hilarious and kind and one of the best boyfriends you could ask for. And then their relationship was even more adorable. They were always there for each other and every time they kissed, I was on the verge of tears. *smiles like proud Grandma* One of my favorite YA couples, ever.
And the plot? I don't even know how to explain how raw and breathtaking it was. (view spoiler)And the author is so skilled and I truly praise her for doing so much research on such a fervent topic and writing it in such a powerful and realistic way.
That isn't all I have to say about this wonderful read, but I think that's all I can type without my fingers falling off! Overall, Accidental is a unique and breathtaking book that everyone should read.
linwearcamenel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
cakt1991's review
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The blurb for Accidental drew my attention, due to the timely discussion around gun violence and the way it shattered a family’s lives, with teenage Joanna trying to sort through all these emotions of just now finding out, especially the part about her being the one who pulled the trigger as a young child.
I love how it dealt with Joanna’s burden in light of finding this out, as well as how it impacted her relationships with her grandparents and estranged father. Her journey towards coming to terms with these issues is conveyed beautifully, and it’s truly uplifting.
I didn’t care much for the romance with Milo…it felt a little awkward, especially in terms of some of the descriptions of sexual intimacy. However, there is still a sense of realism to that too that complements the rest of the story. He’s not a knight in shining armor, perfect romance novel hero; they’re teenagers and this is her first real relationship.
This is an important book I hope a lot of kids and their families read, prompting discussion about the issues in it and how it relates to what’s going on in the world today.
The blurb for Accidental drew my attention, due to the timely discussion around gun violence and the way it shattered a family’s lives, with teenage Joanna trying to sort through all these emotions of just now finding out, especially the part about her being the one who pulled the trigger as a young child.
I love how it dealt with Joanna’s burden in light of finding this out, as well as how it impacted her relationships with her grandparents and estranged father. Her journey towards coming to terms with these issues is conveyed beautifully, and it’s truly uplifting.
I didn’t care much for the romance with Milo…it felt a little awkward, especially in terms of some of the descriptions of sexual intimacy. However, there is still a sense of realism to that too that complements the rest of the story. He’s not a knight in shining armor, perfect romance novel hero; they’re teenagers and this is her first real relationship.
This is an important book I hope a lot of kids and their families read, prompting discussion about the issues in it and how it relates to what’s going on in the world today.
king_graham's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mysterious_bookshack's review
5.0
*** This review might have some spoilers ***
As always, I want to thank the author, Alex Richards, for sending an ARC of Accidental. I'm glad you did because this book was spectacular! I loved the message that was being sent through the pages of this novel. Alex Richards carefully raised awareness of a controversial topic such as gun violence and incorporated both sides of the argument in order to let the reader choose their side while reading how gun violence can change someone's life drastically.
This book has left me speechless like WOW! I was instantly drawn into Johanna's life from the moment that I started reading. Johanna is such an intriguing person not because of what she goes through when she finds out that she accidentally shot her mother when she was 2 but the way she acts around other people. I find her to be such a strong character because once the entire school finds out about what actually happened to Johanna's mother, Johanna is the target of intense bullying and people being afraid of her. I mean COME ON! She was only 2 years old when she found the gun, the kids were acting like she actually plotted how to kill her mom and if the in-person bullying and the trauma that Jo is facing, a person takes a loving photo of Jo and her mom and turns it into a horrible representation of Jo holding a gun and pointing it towards her mom and posts it online. Like how can someone be so rude? She's going through so much and bam, here is another thing to make Jo fall apart. What the hell?
I'm really glad that Jo had her best friends by her side throughout the entire backlash while most of them and the fact that JO was able to confide with her boyfriend and feel comfortable telling him everything she was feeling. That's what a true relationship is!
But can we talk about the huge reveals in that last 100 pages? My heart was wrenched out of my chest when I learned about Robert's true motives. The way that Gram and Jo made up and the fact that Jo was finally able to do something to raise awareness of gun violence and go to her mother's grave. The last 100 pages wrapped up this beautiful story up nicely. I can't wait to read novels by Alex Richards!
As always, I want to thank the author, Alex Richards, for sending an ARC of Accidental. I'm glad you did because this book was spectacular! I loved the message that was being sent through the pages of this novel. Alex Richards carefully raised awareness of a controversial topic such as gun violence and incorporated both sides of the argument in order to let the reader choose their side while reading how gun violence can change someone's life drastically.
This book has left me speechless like WOW! I was instantly drawn into Johanna's life from the moment that I started reading. Johanna is such an intriguing person not because of what she goes through when she finds out that she accidentally shot her mother when she was 2 but the way she acts around other people. I find her to be such a strong character because once the entire school finds out about what actually happened to Johanna's mother, Johanna is the target of intense bullying and people being afraid of her. I mean COME ON! She was only 2 years old when she found the gun, the kids were acting like she actually plotted how to kill her mom and if the in-person bullying and the trauma that Jo is facing, a person takes a loving photo of Jo and her mom and turns it into a horrible representation of Jo holding a gun and pointing it towards her mom and posts it online. Like how can someone be so rude? She's going through so much and bam, here is another thing to make Jo fall apart. What the hell?
I'm really glad that Jo had her best friends by her side throughout the entire backlash while most of them and the fact that JO was able to confide with her boyfriend and feel comfortable telling him everything she was feeling. That's what a true relationship is!
But can we talk about the huge reveals in that last 100 pages? My heart was wrenched out of my chest when I learned about Robert's true motives. The way that Gram and Jo made up and the fact that Jo was finally able to do something to raise awareness of gun violence and go to her mother's grave. The last 100 pages wrapped up this beautiful story up nicely. I can't wait to read novels by Alex Richards!
the_argumentative_bong's review
3.0
3.25⭐ (rounded off)
I didn't really feel too attached to either the protagonist or the story. It took me more than 4 months to read this one.
I didn't really feel too attached to either the protagonist or the story. It took me more than 4 months to read this one.
emmesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I have such complicated feelings about this book. I was so excited and honored to be approved for an arc of this book, so I immediately jumped in. The premise really intrigued me because of the conversations I knew this book would have about gun control, especially the tragic circumstances where children find guns and accidentally shoot them. However, I just didn’t feel this book did what I was expecting to do.
Things I liked:
- I loved the writing of this book, and the authenticity of Johanna’s character throughout most of the book! She felt like such a real teenager in the way she acts and talks. She’s sarcastic, a bit pessimistic, and has a super edgy sense of humor. She also had killer music taste, and I love how passionate she was about fashion and clothing. All her hopes, dreams, feelings, felt so real and tangible, and I was sucked in from the beginning.
- I also admire what this book tries to do! Gun control is such a controversial and topical issue in this day and age, and I don’t see many YA books that tackle this subject, and even more specifically unintentional shootings involving children. Accidental discusses the dangerous of lax gun laws, and where the blame should be placed in unintentional, child shootings.
- I liked the support system that Johanna had. Her friends, and grandparents were a rock for her as she comes to terms with her involvement in her mother’s death. While there were some bumpy points in all of their relationships, especially with her grandparents.
Things I didn’t like:
- While I admire what the author tried to do with her discussion of gun control, by the half way point it felt so preachy. It took on such an overly political tone, and I feel like Johanna’s character did a complete one-eighty that felt extremely jarring.
- I also didn’t enjoy the relationship that Johanna develops with Miles romantically. Don’t get me wrong, it was a super sweet romance, but I feel like Miles was so underdeveloped that I was not at all invested. I felt so disconnected when they had deep heart to heart sessions, and I couldn’t really understand why they were romantically involved instead forming a really meaningful friendship.
- I also feel like the high school environment was poorly portrayed. All the kids at Johanna’s high school were very stereotypical mean kids, and their only purpose was to antagonize Johanna. They felt super unaware and uneducated, and very cartoonish, which is not the case at all with most teenagers. It felt like the author was dumbing down, and putting down all of the other kids outside of the main characters circle, to uplift them and make them seem “woke.”
Overall, I was pretty disappointed with Accidental, but I did love some aspects of it.
Things I liked:
- I loved the writing of this book, and the authenticity of Johanna’s character throughout most of the book! She felt like such a real teenager in the way she acts and talks. She’s sarcastic, a bit pessimistic, and has a super edgy sense of humor. She also had killer music taste, and I love how passionate she was about fashion and clothing. All her hopes, dreams, feelings, felt so real and tangible, and I was sucked in from the beginning.
- I also admire what this book tries to do! Gun control is such a controversial and topical issue in this day and age, and I don’t see many YA books that tackle this subject, and even more specifically unintentional shootings involving children. Accidental discusses the dangerous of lax gun laws, and where the blame should be placed in unintentional, child shootings.
- I liked the support system that Johanna had. Her friends, and grandparents were a rock for her as she comes to terms with her involvement in her mother’s death. While there were some bumpy points in all of their relationships, especially with her grandparents.
Things I didn’t like:
- While I admire what the author tried to do with her discussion of gun control, by the half way point it felt so preachy. It took on such an overly political tone, and I feel like Johanna’s character did a complete one-eighty that felt extremely jarring.
- I also didn’t enjoy the relationship that Johanna develops with Miles romantically. Don’t get me wrong, it was a super sweet romance, but I feel like Miles was so underdeveloped that I was not at all invested. I felt so disconnected when they had deep heart to heart sessions, and I couldn’t really understand why they were romantically involved instead forming a really meaningful friendship.
- I also feel like the high school environment was poorly portrayed. All the kids at Johanna’s high school were very stereotypical mean kids, and their only purpose was to antagonize Johanna. They felt super unaware and uneducated, and very cartoonish, which is not the case at all with most teenagers. It felt like the author was dumbing down, and putting down all of the other kids outside of the main characters circle, to uplift them and make them seem “woke.”
Overall, I was pretty disappointed with Accidental, but I did love some aspects of it.