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jsncnrd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
starfire1323's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
eden_in_verse's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!
Woah… tears! I’m tearing up!
Firstly, this book had me reeled in right quick cause I read it in one go. There’s some sorta something woven into this story that just gets you hooked.
Side note I loved Mavis’s family. Even though there’s so many characters to enjoy from this book, they just brought me so much joy.
I swear I was questioning every thing from the beginning! Then I get to the end and I’m like huh.. so we just know what happened now… how can a wrapped up ending make me wish for a less reliable narrator. I don’t know maybe I still don’t know what happened…. But I had a good time lol
Woah… tears! I’m tearing up!
Firstly, this book had me reeled in right quick cause I read it in one go. There’s some sorta something woven into this story that just gets you hooked.
Side note I loved Mavis’s family. Even though there’s so many characters to enjoy from this book, they just brought me so much joy.
I swear I was questioning every thing from the beginning! Then I get to the end and I’m like huh.. so we just know what happened now… how can a wrapped up ending make me wish for a less reliable narrator. I don’t know maybe I still don’t know what happened…. But I had a good time lol
joksas's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.25
this book is devastating and gripping and so well-written. the characters are complicated and the heavy topics are handled with sensitivity. you know early on something is amiss with the trials, but it’s not at all obvious how things will shake out (even in the final pages, i was on the edge of my seat). in other words, this book perfectly achieves what it set out to do. i don’t think i’ve ever read anything quite like it. anyway, bye, i have to go now so i can stare at the ceiling introspectively while being utterly heartbroken
slodder's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
This is one of the cutest and most lovable books I’ve read in awhile. River and the whole ensemble are thrown into a crazy situation that brings out what makes teenage friendships so special. And the fact we get Dylan’s POV was the cherry on top. Perfect for a fun, emotionally layered read.
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Ever since his best friend Dylan died in a car accident, River has had to drive past the billboard that reminds people not to text and drive. River wants people to remember Dylan has more than just a lesson. So, when he's caught vandalizing the billboard, he's blackmailed into participating in the Affinity Trials--a study for teens struggling socially. But who is also there? His ex-best friend, Mavis.
During the trials, River finds company in Nash, a football player from the neighboring camp. As he gets closer to Nash, feelings from River's past start to come to the surface. But things also start to get wierd with the Trials, too. When they learn the real motivation, River has to decide what he would do for a chance at first love.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Another First Chance by Robbie Couch to review! Love that Couch is branching out into more speculative fiction, and this was so well done. It's definitely a deep dive into the grieving process, learning how to move forward after tragedy.
Couch is always great at writing strong characters, and we get that in both Dylan and River. There are two perspectives throughout, allowing us to see what Dylan was up to before his tragic car accident. I thoroughly enjoyed this format for the story, as it added layers to the story and honestly made River's story more interesting. Dylan was so interesting, and I would definitely read another book about him!
You know from the beginning that something is up from the Trials, but the way it unfolds is so well done. I didn't want to put this book down for the second half of the book. The way it's revealed what's actually happening is done so smoothly, and you'll definitely be hooked by that twist at the end.
While The Sky Blues has a special place in my heart, I think this might be Couch's best writing yet. He does such a good job of showing the complexity of emotions that come with grief, leaving with a bit of hope at the end. I can't wait to have a physical copy.
During the trials, River finds company in Nash, a football player from the neighboring camp. As he gets closer to Nash, feelings from River's past start to come to the surface. But things also start to get wierd with the Trials, too. When they learn the real motivation, River has to decide what he would do for a chance at first love.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Another First Chance by Robbie Couch to review! Love that Couch is branching out into more speculative fiction, and this was so well done. It's definitely a deep dive into the grieving process, learning how to move forward after tragedy.
Couch is always great at writing strong characters, and we get that in both Dylan and River. There are two perspectives throughout, allowing us to see what Dylan was up to before his tragic car accident. I thoroughly enjoyed this format for the story, as it added layers to the story and honestly made River's story more interesting. Dylan was so interesting, and I would definitely read another book about him!
You know from the beginning that something is up from the Trials, but the way it unfolds is so well done. I didn't want to put this book down for the second half of the book. The way it's revealed what's actually happening is done so smoothly, and you'll definitely be hooked by that twist at the end.
While The Sky Blues has a special place in my heart, I think this might be Couch's best writing yet. He does such a good job of showing the complexity of emotions that come with grief, leaving with a bit of hope at the end. I can't wait to have a physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Medical content
justjoshinreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Why are there only five stars? There should be a million stars for this book. I adore Robbie Couch and have loved all his books, but this one is hands-down my favorite. Complex, relatable, believable characters struggling with grief and anger, confusion, and sorrow, paired with a weird social experiment? Perfection. I just wanted to hug River and Dylan, and my heart broke for both of them. This isn't the first book I've read where I've become ferociously attached to a main character who is already dead. Apparently, I don't learn from the emotional devastation that comes with that. All the characters in this book are so well written, and the story is wild and keeps you guessing. I truly laughed and cried and stayed up too late reading this book like some sort of reader cliche, but it was so worth it. I will add this to my favorite shelf and will absolutely read it again.
booksbybrady's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.75
gmercado1990's review
emotional
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? No
5.0
bethany6788's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I did not expect this book to have me crying so hard at the end, but here we are. This book follows River, who lost his best friend Dylan in a car accident at the start of summer. It’s a dual POV book, but told in Dylan’s POV from the past and River’s from the present. He signs up to participate in a study at school for kids who have trouble socially. There are spoilers below so tread carefully!
Things I loved about this book:
The dual POV was truly *chef’s kiss* perfection.
River was so so believable as a teen whose best friend died. I felt like I was on the journey with him as he came to terms with his grief and terrible loss. Not only that but *spoiler* when he still wants to see Dylan again even when he knows it’s not real?? I sobbed. SOBBED.
Dylan. He was just such a relatable character and I’m so sad he died. Him discovering his feelings. That perfect, perfect kiss. Him calling River. His final scene (real or not) and that letter!? I’m a mess.
I liked Nora.. at first…
The kids becoming friends during the experiment even as their perfect friends were created in their minds was so lovely.
Mavis coming to terms with her grief. I cried again.
When everyone tries to save River.
Waking up in the hospital to friends.
That final letter and that Mavis and River take the road trip!?
Seriously, loved this book so much. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Things I loved about this book:
The dual POV was truly *chef’s kiss* perfection.
River was so so believable as a teen whose best friend died. I felt like I was on the journey with him as he came to terms with his grief and terrible loss. Not only that but *spoiler* when he still wants to see Dylan again even when he knows it’s not real?? I sobbed. SOBBED.
Dylan. He was just such a relatable character and I’m so sad he died. Him discovering his feelings. That perfect, perfect kiss. Him calling River. His final scene (real or not) and that letter!? I’m a mess.
I liked Nora.. at first…
The kids becoming friends during the experiment even as their perfect friends were created in their minds was so lovely.
Mavis coming to terms with her grief. I cried again.
When everyone tries to save River.
Waking up in the hospital to friends.
That final letter and that Mavis and River take the road trip!?
Seriously, loved this book so much. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.