Scan barcode
ipomoea's review against another edition
3.0
I have ISSUES with this book. It was fun- a quick one-day read and a nice intro to the idea of "new adult" fiction- but while I loved the quick and effortless characterization of Em and Tash (both felt pretty real), the author's end-of-story THIS IZ FEMINISM soapboxing was pretty shallow. If you want to bring up feminism, it's not just "I dress sexy because I feel desire", it's a million other reasons surrounding WHY "dressing sexy" is the only acceptable way to do that, why "hookup culture" is happening, and how do Em and Tash's decisions overall reflect feminist thinking and behavior? Listen, all feminists aren't bra-burning hardasses like Tash's professor, and we also aren't all flippy-skirted table-dancing sorority girls. We contain multitudes. (It's worth noting that the cast of this novel is definitely NOT intersectional or diverse, there's one off-hand mention of a guy named Ali.)
saidtheraina's review against another edition
1.0
I had been meaning to read this for so long, I think I built up expectations for it too much in my head. Plus, I didn't read the summary close enough to realize that "Sophomore" refers to the sophomore year of college, and not high school. So there was no way this would work for my middle school booktalks, which was the impetus for me to finally pick it up. I only read a few chapters, and almost immediately knew it wasn't suitable for my current needs.
However, on top of that, I just felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen and it felt extremely contrived. I('m pretty sure I) agree with the lesson McDonald's teaching, but it still felt over the top. Subtlety, people, subtlety. Yay feminism, but give me Graceling, not this.
However, on top of that, I just felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen and it felt extremely contrived. I('m pretty sure I) agree with the lesson McDonald's teaching, but it still felt over the top. Subtlety, people, subtlety. Yay feminism, but give me Graceling, not this.
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
But you know I freaking love Oxford, so I'm giving it the extra half-star.
But you know I freaking love Oxford, so I'm giving it the extra half-star.
dukefn99's review against another edition
3.0
See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/164101072
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
really fun read- chick lit with a little something extra. switches perspectives between emily, a very structured & scheduled future lawyer studying at oxford university and natasha, a california girl studying film at UCSB. they have the opportunity to switch places for the semester- living spaces, classes, everything- and both have reasons for wanting to leave their respective countries. emily's boyfriend has dumped her for being frigid, while natasha is being ostracized after hooking up with a celebrity in a hot tub, not realizing she was being filmed.
both girls have difficulty adjusting to their new lives and struggle with issues from their past coming back to haunt them. i love how mcdonald deals with things like female desire, sexuality and feminism in the framework of such a fun story. emily realizes that she's not frigid with the right guy; natasha realizes what she did wasn't the best decision, but she did it for the right reasons. in the end, not all of the evil characters redeem themselves the way you might expect them to and not everything is perfect. recommended for older teens because of the sex & partying.
*one thing i forgot to complain about: natasha calling dowdy old women in cardigans "librarian types." c'mon abby mcdonald, that is so overused. and obviously you've never seen THIS librarian.
both girls have difficulty adjusting to their new lives and struggle with issues from their past coming back to haunt them. i love how mcdonald deals with things like female desire, sexuality and feminism in the framework of such a fun story. emily realizes that she's not frigid with the right guy; natasha realizes what she did wasn't the best decision, but she did it for the right reasons. in the end, not all of the evil characters redeem themselves the way you might expect them to
Spoiler
if tasha had gotten back together with will, i would have been furious*one thing i forgot to complain about: natasha calling dowdy old women in cardigans "librarian types." c'mon abby mcdonald, that is so overused. and obviously you've never seen THIS librarian.
resslesa's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Abby book! Love the Oxford stuff and learning to be happy.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
2.0
What I liked about this book: the writing style was easy to get into, and both Emily and Tasha had distinctly different voices. It was easy to get to know them along the way, and it was easy to slide into the different voices when the chapter breaks came along. It was a super fast read, and I would definitely read another one of the author's book. In fact, I think I have her newest book on hold at the library for when it finally arrived.
You can feel the uncomfortable awkwardness from the girls when you know they don't fit in. The loneliness isn't far off.
But that's where I stop liking things.
What I didn't like about this book: There is apparently only one option: loosen up and have fun, or you're just an uptight feminist who makes other women feel bad about their choices. I was rooting for Tasha's involvement with the feminists, because -- finally! A mainstream portrayal of strong, feminist women! It's good, it's good, it's... oh. They're the "bad guys" now. Okay.
That is where this book lost my support.
You can feel the uncomfortable awkwardness from the girls when you know they don't fit in. The loneliness isn't far off.
But that's where I stop liking things.
What I didn't like about this book: There is apparently only one option: loosen up and have fun, or you're just an uptight feminist who makes other women feel bad about their choices. I was rooting for Tasha's involvement with the feminists, because -- finally! A mainstream portrayal of strong, feminist women! It's good, it's good, it's... oh. They're the "bad guys" now. Okay.
That is where this book lost my support.
rebeccadanielle's review against another edition
2.0
A quick read, established characters and a basic plot. It was alright but nothing special.