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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
A good story
I loved seeing Darcy find her way in her story. The friendship between her and Marisol is what makes the story, they are the best. The hoarding storyline hits hard, you can really see the mental illness aspect of it all. But I loved seeing Darcy fall in love and start interacting with the world.
I loved seeing Darcy find her way in her story. The friendship between her and Marisol is what makes the story, they are the best. The hoarding storyline hits hard, you can really see the mental illness aspect of it all. But I loved seeing Darcy fall in love and start interacting with the world.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my goodness! This story was so sweet.
I loved the growth for Darcy in this story! She really was able to come out of her shell and blossom into a strong character. Of course, with her friends supporting her, helping her overcome her battles.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They are just who Darcy needed. Though sometimes the plot was impractical, I think that's what made the novel so fun. Plus, the integration of quotes from the used book she found at Yellow Feather added to the story.
I loved the growth for Darcy in this story! She really was able to come out of her shell and blossom into a strong character. Of course, with her friends supporting her, helping her overcome her battles.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They are just who Darcy needed. Though sometimes the plot was impractical, I think that's what made the novel so fun. Plus, the integration of quotes from the used book she found at Yellow Feather added to the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Grief, Car accident
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Darcy has an almost photographic memory of books. She knows words, stories, and dialogue like they are a part of her, and can recite specific sections of stories by simply thinking back to the book. In short, she is a story and word collector.
Her mom collects things, too, but in a very different way. Darcy's mom is a hoarder. This is a secret Darcy has kept closely guarded her entire life, not every allowing anyone besides two specific close friends past the threshold of her home.
As Darcy nears her 18th birthday, however, her closely guarded secret becomes dangerously close to being revealed. A new apartment manager is determined to complete renovations that would result in him seeing the inside of Darcy's apartment. Meanwhile, her grandparents, who have supported her financially up until this point, have issued her an ultimatum - either leave her mom to her hoarding and come live with them, or support herself financially from this point forward.
As her 18th birthday and the fear of being discovered close in on her, Darcy learns to come to terms with her mother, her past, and her own desire to escape into stories rather than deal with her life as it is.
Her mom collects things, too, but in a very different way. Darcy's mom is a hoarder. This is a secret Darcy has kept closely guarded her entire life, not every allowing anyone besides two specific close friends past the threshold of her home.
As Darcy nears her 18th birthday, however, her closely guarded secret becomes dangerously close to being revealed. A new apartment manager is determined to complete renovations that would result in him seeing the inside of Darcy's apartment. Meanwhile, her grandparents, who have supported her financially up until this point, have issued her an ultimatum - either leave her mom to her hoarding and come live with them, or support herself financially from this point forward.
As her 18th birthday and the fear of being discovered close in on her, Darcy learns to come to terms with her mother, her past, and her own desire to escape into stories rather than deal with her life as it is.
I love a book a book about books! This book also was about mental illness, loss and loneliness. This book really spoke to me and I definitely identified with parts of it. I have been feeling the conviction lately to stop isolating myself so much and reading and it was weird timing.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest.
It has been a long time since I pulled an all-nighter with a book I literally could not put down. This book pulled at my heartstrings, reminded me of myself as a young adult, reminded me of dating my spouse, provided insight into mental illness, and shared the complications of family baggage. I loved the characters, and found myself excited to stay with them for one more page, afraid to turn them as I knew the end was coming, but being compelled to anyway. Thank you, Laura Taylor Namey for this masterpiece of wordplay that captured in a character the way I feel about reading.
I’m such a sucker for books involving books! This book was fun, and also refreshing because it was able to cover serious topics without feeling too hokey or forced. It had everything I’d want in a YA romance - a cute relationship that isn’t too gushy and doesn’t involve instalove, interesting characters that keep you invested, and of course, all the bookstore shenanigans. I doubt I’ll remember much of this one in a few months, BUT it was still a charming read that made me happy for the characters in the end. The plot does progress fairly slowly, and there isn’t really much going on plot wise, so I’d give it an even 3.5 stars. A fluffy read through and through. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys books like the Lara Jean series by Jenny Han. Read for Book Riot’s Read Harder 2022 challenge - a book set in a bookstore. Thank you to NetGalley & Inkyard Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Some of the writing was a little overwrought with teen angst, but overall a well-balanced story about a girl who lives with her hoarder mother and falls in love with a boy.
I liked the way the author treated mental illness and post-concussion issues, although some of the details seemed a little too contrived (the boy is a pilot, but is grounded after a bad car accident; the girl remembers every book she reads, and steps in to play Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing after the original actress has an accident).
While there were some moments that had me scratching my head, in the end the book was very satisfying.
The whole romantic climax of the story is her first kiss, so not a lot of spice, but plenty of emotion.
I liked the way the author treated mental illness and post-concussion issues, although some of the details seemed a little too contrived (the boy is a pilot, but is grounded after a bad car accident; the girl remembers every book she reads, and steps in to play Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing after the original actress has an accident).
While there were some moments that had me scratching my head, in the end the book was very satisfying.
The whole romantic climax of the story is her first kiss, so not a lot of spice, but plenty of emotion.
This book has it all: teen romance, family drama, flawed characters, and a beautiful bookstore. Darcy Wells’ mother is a hoarder who compulsively buys and catalogs her things ever since her fiancé and Darcy’s father abandoned her prior to Darcy’s birth. She fools the world because she can put herself together and work as a cosmetics consultant, but in private it’s a different story. Their apartment is full, and the only way Darcy can survive is with help from her grandmother since the father she’s never known doesn’t pay child support. She is parenting her mother and won’t abandon her to go live with her grandmother, but if she chooses to remain with her mother, all financial support from her grandmother will end on her 18th birthday a little over a month away. Books have been her escape from her sad reality for years, and the only boyfriends she’s ever had are from their pages. That is, until Asher Fleet starts hanging out at the shop while on breaks from his construction job across the street. He was a year ahead of her at school, but after a tragic car accident, his injuries forced him to abandon his dreams of becoming a pilot, so he is dealing with his own demons. Despite their separate burdens, the story isn’t all doom and gloom. Darcy’s best friend, Marisol is a devoted friend, the sparring between her boss Mr.Winston and his long-divorced ex-wife Tess who runs the adjacent wig shop serves as a comedic element, and the healing that comes through the books themselves all combine to make this teen romance a treat for the senses. Highly recommended for teen collections.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Inkyard Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Inkyard Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.