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fayereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I really loved this book. The Paper & Hearts Society is quickly becoming one of my favourite book series and can't wait to read Ed's instalment.
Lucy Powrie's books are always so well written. My favourite chapter was chapter 11, set in the library where the Read with Pride group comes together with additional members joining for the first time.
I love books like this, where a group of teenagers campaign to try and make a difference when something is wrong (another example would be What's A Girl Gotta Do by Holly Bourne, one of my favourite books for this very reason). It was so good to see young people being so passionate trying to make a difference in the world.
The cast of characters was so diverse and inclusive. Representation included in this book: Filipino demisexual main character, WLW relationship, non-binary, gay, lesbian, transgender, asexual, bisexual and more that I have probably forgotten to include (my apologies!)
This book was just great and I can't wait to see more of the Paper and Hearts Society (and hopefully the Read with Pride group) in book three :)
Lucy Powrie's books are always so well written. My favourite chapter was chapter 11, set in the library where the Read with Pride group comes together with additional members joining for the first time.
I love books like this, where a group of teenagers campaign to try and make a difference when something is wrong (another example would be What's A Girl Gotta Do by Holly Bourne, one of my favourite books for this very reason). It was so good to see young people being so passionate trying to make a difference in the world.
The cast of characters was so diverse and inclusive. Representation included in this book: Filipino demisexual main character, WLW relationship, non-binary, gay, lesbian, transgender, asexual, bisexual and more that I have probably forgotten to include (my apologies!)
This book was just great and I can't wait to see more of the Paper and Hearts Society (and hopefully the Read with Pride group) in book three :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Bullying, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
fluffy1st's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
5.0
Loved being back with The Paper and Hearts Society. I absolutely loved everything about this book.
_booktails_'s review against another edition
5.0
Honestly this book and the paper and hearts society is just amazing! For one what could be better than a book about books? Two Lucy just has this way of making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I wish I could be a character in her book and be a part of something as fun as the paper and hearts society. It was the perfect book to kick off pride month for sure. It really makes me want to read all the LGBTQ+ books that I haven’t read yet!
marthaives's review
4.0
After a complaint from a parent, the school library enforces a rule where you can only take out books that feature LGBTQ+ characters after getting written permission from the student's parents. Olivia, rightly outraged, launches a #ReadWithPride campaign so everyone is allowed access to these books, while also raising awareness of the importance of books that feature LGBTQ+ characters. This was a really sweet plotline, which further highlighted the importance of literature.
The book has a change of protagonist from the first in the series. Olivia is very different to Tabby, but I enjoyed her narration. She's bubbly, extroverted and passionate, which made for a fun read. The Paper & Hearts Society members take a back seat in this book, which was a shame because I missed them, but I did enjoy the new characters that were introduced. They were wonderfully diverse, adding fresh new perspectives to the story. Matching the strength of the first book, the interactions between characters were heartwarming and uplifting.
Burnout is a main theme of the story and it was portrayed well. Olivia takes on so much, determined she can do everything herself, and ends up suffering. When you're a teenager there's so much to worry about: exams, workload, extracurricular activities, friendships, relationships etc, so I think the author bringing this into conversation could help a lot of young readers.
Overall, I did prefer the first book. The pacing was not as strong in this one and Olivia's actions were sometimes confusing. For example, I didn't understand why she didn't want her two friendship groups to come together - maybe this could have been better explored. Yet it was still a sweet read and I would recommend it to younger readers in particular. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
The book has a change of protagonist from the first in the series. Olivia is very different to Tabby, but I enjoyed her narration. She's bubbly, extroverted and passionate, which made for a fun read. The Paper & Hearts Society members take a back seat in this book, which was a shame because I missed them, but I did enjoy the new characters that were introduced. They were wonderfully diverse, adding fresh new perspectives to the story. Matching the strength of the first book, the interactions between characters were heartwarming and uplifting.
Burnout is a main theme of the story and it was portrayed well. Olivia takes on so much, determined she can do everything herself, and ends up suffering. When you're a teenager there's so much to worry about: exams, workload, extracurricular activities, friendships, relationships etc, so I think the author bringing this into conversation could help a lot of young readers.
Overall, I did prefer the first book. The pacing was not as strong in this one and Olivia's actions were sometimes confusing. For example, I didn't understand why she didn't want her two friendship groups to come together - maybe this could have been better explored. Yet it was still a sweet read and I would recommend it to younger readers in particular. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
dreximgirl's review
4.0
This was a really enjoyable sequel. I really liked how we got to expand the cast with this book and meet new and interesting characters while still holding onto the core group from the first book. I loved the positivity of the book, and how it handles a number of different issues.
Overall a fun read.
Overall a fun read.
filliefanatic's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anniekslibrary's review
3.0
These books are super cute, and definitely good 3 stars. I've had a lot of fun reading this one, but I just thought the writing style left something to be desired and the dialogues were pretty cringy at times. I did love how inclusive this was though, and how the book managed to deal with serious topics but still manage to stay uplifting.
goldenbooksgirl's review against another edition
5.0
In the sequel to the wonderful Paper and Hearts Society, we follow Olivia, who is the most organised member of the teen book club, as her school library bans students from taking out LBGTQ books without parental permission and she sets up an underground book group to try and help students who aren’t in a position to ask their parents for this. It was really interesting to see things from her perspective as the last book was from her friend Tabby’s perspective, and it was so great to be reunited with the rest of the Paper and Hearts Society too- Ed in particular is one of my favourite characters in any book ever really and I couldn’t be more excited that the next book is from his perspective! Their relationship dynamics are also really interesting, and I loved the new additions to the cast in the form of the Read with Pride gang too. It was great seeing more of Olivia’s relationship with Cassie too, and I love that this book features demisexuality rep so prominently because it’s not something I see very often at all. The other thing I adore in this series is just how bookish it is, it’s very much a book FOR booklovers and the mentions of other books I love makes it feel even more cosy and lovely. That said, despite the book being incredibly feel good it does deal with some more serious topics- I found the pressure Olivia puts on herself about schoolwork incredibly relatable and I loved that it tackled censorship, although the attitudes of some of the parents and the school made me livid.
xsophiehoughton's review against another edition
4.0
I was late to the party for The Paper & Hearts Society, but fell in love with the cast of characters as soon as I read it, so knew that I needed Olivia's story when it was released. In Read With Pride, we follow Olivia Santos as she navigates year 11 and all the difficulties that entails. After being supported by her friends when she told them she was demisexual, and finding Cassie returned her feelings, she didn't think anything could bring her down, but her school has brought in a new, archaic policy, basically restricting pupils from reading LGBTQ+ books after one parent complained. Olivia knows how important it is for everyone to see themselves represented in books, and soon she plans to change the school policy. While doing so, she starts a new book club, Read with Pride, and meets so many others in school who are against the policy, and want to be open about their sexualities without feeling ashamed. Juggling both her book clubs, her revision and exams, and her fledgling relationship, Olivia soon finds herself spiralling out of control.
The only real negative I have about this book is the lack of time we see The Paper & Hearts Society together. They definitely take a back foot in this book, though Cassie is still important. I love how Cassie and Olivia are together, but there were a few moments that were so full of angst that could've just been solved by a quick conversation, and the unnecessary drama would've gone. That being said, I can kind of see why that was there, because it highlighted Olivia's burnout even further. The new cast of characters were wonderfully diverse, and seemed so real and true to modern teens. All of them come together to fight for a noble cause, but honestly become the best of friends, and we couldn't ask for any more. This book was perfect, especially for LGBTQ+ teens, and I'm even more excited for book 3!
The only real negative I have about this book is the lack of time we see The Paper & Hearts Society together. They definitely take a back foot in this book, though Cassie is still important. I love how Cassie and Olivia are together, but there were a few moments that were so full of angst that could've just been solved by a quick conversation, and the unnecessary drama would've gone. That being said, I can kind of see why that was there, because it highlighted Olivia's burnout even further. The new cast of characters were wonderfully diverse, and seemed so real and true to modern teens. All of them come together to fight for a noble cause, but honestly become the best of friends, and we couldn't ask for any more. This book was perfect, especially for LGBTQ+ teens, and I'm even more excited for book 3!