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libscote's review
3.0
Lori's grandmother, who had been a stable influence in her life the past three years, dies suddenly. Her will requests that her remains be scattered near "things that grow" with a list of ideal gardens. Lori sets off with her Uncle Seth and best friend/crush Chris to distribute the remains. Lori also explores her relationship with her mother, who seems to bounce from location to location and boyfriend to boyfriend.
I liked this story. I thought it had some interesting things to say about grief and families, especially the idea of "second-chance parenting."
I liked this story. I thought it had some interesting things to say about grief and families, especially the idea of "second-chance parenting."
emilyllebron's review
3.0
This was a cute and quick read that I really did enjoy! It’s a solid 3 stars for me because it had a quick pace and a good plot (especially for a YA audience), but some of the characters did fall flat for me and it’s something I probably wouldn’t pick up again.
I might be corny but I definitely chuckled at some of the jokes in here, and I also like that this is such a recent publication with a lot of current trend references.
Definitely a read I’d recommend to a teen. So a book about gardens, authors, death, and family? All the good stuff.
I might be corny but I definitely chuckled at some of the jokes in here, and I also like that this is such a recent publication with a lot of current trend references.
Definitely a read I’d recommend to a teen. So a book about gardens, authors, death, and family? All the good stuff.
cburns658's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
thesassybookworm's review
4.0
This was such a cute book. Which I will admit is a little weird considering the topic (the death of a loved one). However, it was written in such a way that I found myself smiling and laughing out loud SO many times. I mean, craisins anyone?
keoc333's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
analyticali's review
5.0
This book is pure delight (and tears, good tears).
Meredith Goldstein carefully balances the line between creating lovable and endearing characters that are almost too perfect to be believable but just flawed enough to feel true. This is the such a good YA novel all on its own, but I felt incredibly biased because one of the characters is loosely based on a real woman who we both know and admire, and because I’ve spent the year hearing all sorts of wonderful things about Natick (the book’s setting) and finally did really like it when I visited, and because I have been *very* obsessed with things that grow and where they grow beautifully around Boston thanks to a writing assignment to research gardens this spring (https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/best-gardens-near-boston/).
The book will leave you wanting more honest relationships, obsessed with Dorothy Parker (and probably Edith Wharton), and generally delighted.
Meredith Goldstein carefully balances the line between creating lovable and endearing characters that are almost too perfect to be believable but just flawed enough to feel true. This is the such a good YA novel all on its own, but I felt incredibly biased because one of the characters is loosely based on a real woman who we both know and admire, and because I’ve spent the year hearing all sorts of wonderful things about Natick (the book’s setting) and finally did really like it when I visited, and because I have been *very* obsessed with things that grow and where they grow beautifully around Boston thanks to a writing assignment to research gardens this spring (https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/best-gardens-near-boston/).
The book will leave you wanting more honest relationships, obsessed with Dorothy Parker (and probably Edith Wharton), and generally delighted.
vi__'s review
2.0
After 3 years of living with her Grandma Sheryl, Lori is suddenly left with nothing when her grandmother passed away. Reunited with her unreliable mother (who left her behind to move in with one of her boyfriends), and her unstable uncle, Lori has to endure it all in order to scatter Sheryl's ashes. Things that grow is a story about grief and learning to move on. And about a girl being screwed over by everyone she loves. This book has relatable young characters, with awkward but affectionate relations to each other. If you like family drama this book if for you. But if you go into this book looking for a road trip or any type of romance, you will be disappointed. Overall it well written and engaging, just not what it was advertised to be.
chloestansifer's review
5.0
[4.5]
Without much thought, I swiftly clicked and shuffled this book onto my all-time-favs shelf, but I'm unsure if it will remain there. It's my perfect type of story: a contemporary slice of life story that still constructs a whole journey of self-discovering and has sprinkles of woe, hope, and longing. The cast of characters is delightful and the subthemes or topics or whatnot of English teachers, gardening, books, and well-loved authors, etc. all make me warm and fuzzy.
Without much thought, I swiftly clicked and shuffled this book onto my all-time-favs shelf, but I'm unsure if it will remain there. It's my perfect type of story: a contemporary slice of life story that still constructs a whole journey of self-discovering and has sprinkles of woe, hope, and longing. The cast of characters is delightful and the subthemes or topics or whatnot of English teachers, gardening, books, and well-loved authors, etc. all make me warm and fuzzy.