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take_me_awayyy's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely not my favorite book by Hand. Butt it was ok for what it was. Real rating 2.5.
kaliishacole's review against another edition
5.0
Cynthia Hand can do no wrong! I’ve loved every book I’ve picked up with her name on it. Her writing is so expressive and addicting!
emmaruth223's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
ylmpastmidnight's review against another edition
3.0
Likes:
That whole drama of losing your virginity can be so different for everyone, for some it’s easy peasy and they can shrug it off, and then there are those who make it into a very big deal – because in my opinion, it is. This story explores all of that awkwardness, the questions, the insecurities that comes with losing your virginity.
Ada almost had sex with her ex-boyfriend who was cheating on her. She talks to her older sister about it, but she’s had her own imperfect situations to do with sex as well. They go on a family vacation to Hawaii because their mom has a work conference there and it’s when Ada decides, this is where she will finally lose her virginity. Things don’t work out perfectly though.
Outside of the whole losing virginity plan that Ada has, she is dealing with some major family issues. Ada thinks her mom is cheating, her mom is very non-existent in their lives since she is a busy surgeon. Ada is also is fighting with her older sister and facing her own insecurities. It’s a very coming of age book that I could relate to – it reminded me of my teenage years minus the Hawaii vacation (I live in Hawaii!). I think all the questions, insecurities, feelings and awkwardness was spot on. Losing one’s virginity is not so easily done sometimes but the questions and self-reflections are good. And yay for these guys knowing condoms should be used – definitely applauded that!
Random Notes:
Triggers: cheating
I didn’t really connect to Ada, but that’s okay. I liked that she loved her family and you can tell she is close with her sisters, even though when she is fighting with the eldest one. She does get enough courage to say what she wants to her mom. I wish she wasn’t so obsessed with having sex and making a plan to just get rid of her virginity but I can see why she thought it was a burden to be a virgin.
Ada’s older sister gets involved with someone older than her – she’s 18 and hooking up with a 22 year old but it is sketchy on the guy’s part, especially if they shared a kiss when she was 17. But then again her sister was dealing with her own boy issues.
Final Thoughts:
I liked how this story had realistic sex scenes between teens – not that the deed happens, but all the things that lead up to it. It’s a sex positive book showing all the issues that can crop up when deciding to lose one’s virginity and rushing into it. The family problems are somewhat resolved in the end so in that sense we get treated to a story about a family that isn’t perfect but love is present anyway, as it should be.
That whole drama of losing your virginity can be so different for everyone, for some it’s easy peasy and they can shrug it off, and then there are those who make it into a very big deal – because in my opinion, it is. This story explores all of that awkwardness, the questions, the insecurities that comes with losing your virginity.
Ada almost had sex with her ex-boyfriend who was cheating on her. She talks to her older sister about it, but she’s had her own imperfect situations to do with sex as well. They go on a family vacation to Hawaii because their mom has a work conference there and it’s when Ada decides, this is where she will finally lose her virginity. Things don’t work out perfectly though.
Outside of the whole losing virginity plan that Ada has, she is dealing with some major family issues. Ada thinks her mom is cheating, her mom is very non-existent in their lives since she is a busy surgeon. Ada is also is fighting with her older sister and facing her own insecurities. It’s a very coming of age book that I could relate to – it reminded me of my teenage years minus the Hawaii vacation (I live in Hawaii!). I think all the questions, insecurities, feelings and awkwardness was spot on. Losing one’s virginity is not so easily done sometimes but the questions and self-reflections are good. And yay for these guys knowing condoms should be used – definitely applauded that!
Random Notes:
Triggers: cheating
I didn’t really connect to Ada, but that’s okay. I liked that she loved her family and you can tell she is close with her sisters, even though when she is fighting with the eldest one. She does get enough courage to say what she wants to her mom. I wish she wasn’t so obsessed with having sex and making a plan to just get rid of her virginity but I can see why she thought it was a burden to be a virgin.
Ada’s older sister gets involved with someone older than her – she’s 18 and hooking up with a 22 year old but it is sketchy on the guy’s part, especially if they shared a kiss when she was 17. But then again her sister was dealing with her own boy issues.
Final Thoughts:
I liked how this story had realistic sex scenes between teens – not that the deed happens, but all the things that lead up to it. It’s a sex positive book showing all the issues that can crop up when deciding to lose one’s virginity and rushing into it. The family problems are somewhat resolved in the end so in that sense we get treated to a story about a family that isn’t perfect but love is present anyway, as it should be.
andiabcs's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
While this one was enjoyable and I loved the message and the stories, it wasn't my favorite by Hand. I did love Ada and her relationship with her sisters. That was the really strong part for me.
While this one was enjoyable and I loved the message and the stories, it wasn't my favorite by Hand. I did love Ada and her relationship with her sisters. That was the really strong part for me.
haleyalana's review against another edition
3.0
very sweet summer romance situation. all the classics- tropical location, dramatic breakup, acquaintances to lovers. v cute.
moniquemct's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars at a stretch.
Drama, drama, drama. Even though this combines your classic YA contemporary tropes, the whole story felt very young and naive. I wasn't entirely interested in the main characters and really only had time for Pops. The obsession with sex was OTT and both Ada and Afton felt like they were caricatures of teens rather than just being real and relatable. I don't know, it just wasn't for me.
Looking at other reviews, I'm clearly in the minority so if you like the sound of this book, I would still recommend giving it a go.
Drama, drama, drama. Even though this combines your classic YA contemporary tropes, the whole story felt very young and naive. I wasn't entirely interested in the main characters and really only had time for Pops. The obsession with sex was OTT and both Ada and Afton felt like they were caricatures of teens rather than just being real and relatable. I don't know, it just wasn't for me.
Looking at other reviews, I'm clearly in the minority so if you like the sound of this book, I would still recommend giving it a go.