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stacyroth's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book as a FirstRead.
Swimming has always been Lou Brown's thing, the one thing she knows she excels in. When she comes in last during her Olympic time trial, Lou feels like she doesn't know herself anymore. While Lou's best friend Hannah is off at the swimming High Performance Training Camp, Lou is stuck at home, an outcast at school and her life meaningless without swimming. When three popular boys ask her to train them as synchronized swimmers for Britain's Hidden Talent, she surprises herself by agreeing. Lou finds herself becoming friends with these boys as they work through the kinks of putting together their act for tryouts on BHT.
The blurb promised this was a laugh-out-loud book, and it delivered! I adored Lou, Gabe, and everyone else in this book, and I am so happy to see that it's the first in a series! I liked the way that the characters weren't made into clichés the way so many comedy books do. I could easily see this book being made into a movie. If you are looking for a light, entertaining book, I recommend checking out Goldfish!
Swimming has always been Lou Brown's thing, the one thing she knows she excels in. When she comes in last during her Olympic time trial, Lou feels like she doesn't know herself anymore. While Lou's best friend Hannah is off at the swimming High Performance Training Camp, Lou is stuck at home, an outcast at school and her life meaningless without swimming. When three popular boys ask her to train them as synchronized swimmers for Britain's Hidden Talent, she surprises herself by agreeing. Lou finds herself becoming friends with these boys as they work through the kinks of putting together their act for tryouts on BHT.
The blurb promised this was a laugh-out-loud book, and it delivered! I adored Lou, Gabe, and everyone else in this book, and I am so happy to see that it's the first in a series! I liked the way that the characters weren't made into clichés the way so many comedy books do. I could easily see this book being made into a movie. If you are looking for a light, entertaining book, I recommend checking out Goldfish!
mburton43952's review against another edition
4.0
This book is hilarious! I laughed out loud so many times!
ells123's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
oliviapengle's review against another edition
4.0
DISCLAIMER: I received an advanced copy from the publisher in a Goodreads giveaway.
My full review: https://pintsnpages.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/goldfish-by-nat-luurtsema/
There is a lot to love about Goldfish. For me the best part is that Lou is immensely clever. Her character does witty play-by-play of her life that is basically unheard of in most American YA books. Rather than superficial narration using lots of oh my gods or likes, you have passages like: "I have a sudden horrible thought - how do we say hello to each other? Kiss on both cheeks? That feels dangerously French. I picture a nightmare scenario where I grab Gabe firmly by his little shoulders and kiss him on both cheeks and he tells Pete and Roman that I'm a sex pervert. (I know that's not the right phrase.)" It is very tongue and cheek, very British. I caught myself laughing to myself on many occasions. Everything I loved about Goldfish is everything I hated about Museum of Heartbreak, which I gave up on in 10 pages.
My full review: https://pintsnpages.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/goldfish-by-nat-luurtsema/
There is a lot to love about Goldfish. For me the best part is that Lou is immensely clever. Her character does witty play-by-play of her life that is basically unheard of in most American YA books. Rather than superficial narration using lots of oh my gods or likes, you have passages like: "I have a sudden horrible thought - how do we say hello to each other? Kiss on both cheeks? That feels dangerously French. I picture a nightmare scenario where I grab Gabe firmly by his little shoulders and kiss him on both cheeks and he tells Pete and Roman that I'm a sex pervert. (I know that's not the right phrase.)" It is very tongue and cheek, very British. I caught myself laughing to myself on many occasions. Everything I loved about Goldfish is everything I hated about Museum of Heartbreak, which I gave up on in 10 pages.
charlottedrummond's review against another edition
3.0
a sweet, quirky little story that was very enjoyable to read! I didn't know it was a series?? i really loved the main character i would love to hear more from her
heyfirefly's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this book.
Things I thought while reading this book:
1. "wow people suck"
2. "oh man i remember high school"
3. *laughter*
Top three reactions:
1.
2.
3.
Summary:
Like the book jacket but BETTER.
The Characters:
I love them all. I love how everyone except Cammie is multi dimensional and not how they first appear. I'll forgive her for Cammie. Mean girls do exist and sometimes they just stay mean.
But I love Lou. Oh so much. I didn't find her whiny at all, especially given she had to give up her big dream, the thing she's been training for basically her entire life. She's got the right to be upset imo.
And the boys are not what you think at first. I want to hug all of them. Lav, too, is not who she first seems.
I could continue to gush but I think you get the point.
The Writing:
HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud multiple times. Which probably made my parents wonder, but whev. Also, A+ to the author for making teenagers sound like teenagers. I was a teenager until a few months ago, and it's so obvious when an author doesn't spend time around teenagers. I'm not sure how old this author is but she nailed the teenager voice. I'm so glad.
The slang is a fun mix of English and American which is a little weird. That's due to editing, I'm sure. Why do they think we Americans won't understand pants vs pants in context??
Wait. Did they mean chips:
or chips:
???
The Plot:
^ my reaction to a chronically ill secondary character.
With a realistically portrayed chronic illness.
I don't have ME (chronic fatigue) but I have secondary fatigue to another chronic illness. So I can't speak to exactly how accurate it is. But I love positive representation!!!
There are a few mildly unbelievable sequences. And Lou has the best parents. I don't know if I believe in parents that amazing. but that's probably just me.
The romance. So!! Cute!!!
Conclusion:
(^ amazing gif)
Mostly fluff. Serious issues aren't dealt with with as much severity as they probably should be. But I went in looking for fluff (for the last few books I've read, check my read 2017 shelf. I tend to read some really dark stuff) and I got AMAZING fluff.
I just really liked this book. It's cute and sweet and funny. Totally a great choice.
5 out of 5 stars.
Things I thought while reading this book:
1. "wow people suck"
2. "oh man i remember high school"
3. *laughter*
Top three reactions:
1.
2.
3.
Summary:
Like the book jacket but BETTER.
The Characters:
I love them all. I love how everyone except Cammie is multi dimensional and not how they first appear. I'll forgive her for Cammie. Mean girls do exist and sometimes they just stay mean.
But I love Lou. Oh so much. I didn't find her whiny at all, especially given she had to give up her big dream, the thing she's been training for basically her entire life. She's got the right to be upset imo.
And the boys are not what you think at first. I want to hug all of them. Lav, too, is not who she first seems.
I could continue to gush but I think you get the point.
The Writing:
HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud multiple times. Which probably made my parents wonder, but whev. Also, A+ to the author for making teenagers sound like teenagers. I was a teenager until a few months ago, and it's so obvious when an author doesn't spend time around teenagers. I'm not sure how old this author is but she nailed the teenager voice. I'm so glad.
The slang is a fun mix of English and American which is a little weird. That's due to editing, I'm sure. Why do they think we Americans won't understand pants vs pants in context??
Wait. Did they mean chips:
or chips:
???
The Plot:
^ my reaction to a chronically ill secondary character.
With a realistically portrayed chronic illness.
I don't have ME (chronic fatigue) but I have secondary fatigue to another chronic illness. So I can't speak to exactly how accurate it is. But I love positive representation!!!
There are a few mildly unbelievable sequences. And Lou has the best parents. I don't know if I believe in parents that amazing. but that's probably just me.
The romance. So!! Cute!!!
Conclusion:
(^ amazing gif)
Mostly fluff. Serious issues aren't dealt with with as much severity as they probably should be. But I went in looking for fluff (for the last few books I've read, check my read 2017 shelf. I tend to read some really dark stuff) and I got AMAZING fluff.
I just really liked this book. It's cute and sweet and funny. Totally a great choice.
5 out of 5 stars.
sheepishlysarah's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really fun read! Lou is a hilarious narrator and had so many great lines. The book is fairly short so we didn't get to see a ton of development from characters other than Lou but she gets the gold in this one. I did enjoy every single character in this book, even the classic "mean girls". Everyone felt authentic, which is something I always want out of a contemporary read. I don't want some super quirky character, I love seeing people that existed in my own high school. I loved the small growth we did see from the boys too. Pete's "sweet as a snake" killed me.
missusb21's review against another edition
4.0
Snort-inducing fun from a narrator who is witty, yet troubled. Her antics with her secret coaching duties are explored alongside a number of other teenager concerns.
A terrific bunch of secondary characters, with decent (ie non stereotypical) adults. A relief.
Such a pleasure to read.
A terrific bunch of secondary characters, with decent (ie non stereotypical) adults. A relief.
Such a pleasure to read.
noelle_tofigh's review against another edition
3.0
I had a little difficulty getting into it at first. Was this because I made it required reading? Was this because I didn't realize until page 45 that it was written by a British author? Who can say?
I read a lot of British fiction and find the sentence cadence to be a bit different, causing me to reread certain phrases. But if I'm aware of it, it doesn't usually bother me. In this case, I kept feeling like something was odd and then when I learned the author was British, I got into the rhythm, and it was so worth it.
Goldfish tells the story of Lou Brown, a talented swimmer who is trying out for a high performance training camp in order to get her to the Olympics. Something goes wrong and Lou is forced into an identity crisis of sorts. Who am I apart from swimming?
This self-rediscovery could come off as whiny, but Luurtsema's blend of humor and snark makes the reader identify with Lou. One of my favorite quotes from the book is "You swim no one's race but your own." The message of being uniquely you and making peace with your flaws is communicated through Lou's journey without being didactic or too precious.
A group of cool boys finds out she's good at swimming and asks for her help with their routine for a popular British talent show. Hijinx ensue and the reader begins laughing out loud and turning the pages quickly.
For my full review check my blog at www.tweenbook.reviews
I read a lot of British fiction and find the sentence cadence to be a bit different, causing me to reread certain phrases. But if I'm aware of it, it doesn't usually bother me. In this case, I kept feeling like something was odd and then when I learned the author was British, I got into the rhythm, and it was so worth it.
Goldfish tells the story of Lou Brown, a talented swimmer who is trying out for a high performance training camp in order to get her to the Olympics. Something goes wrong and Lou is forced into an identity crisis of sorts. Who am I apart from swimming?
This self-rediscovery could come off as whiny, but Luurtsema's blend of humor and snark makes the reader identify with Lou. One of my favorite quotes from the book is "You swim no one's race but your own." The message of being uniquely you and making peace with your flaws is communicated through Lou's journey without being didactic or too precious.
A group of cool boys finds out she's good at swimming and asks for her help with their routine for a popular British talent show. Hijinx ensue and the reader begins laughing out loud and turning the pages quickly.
For my full review check my blog at www.tweenbook.reviews