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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I was so intrigued by the premise — four best friends who pick new year’s resolutions for each other and what happens over the course of a year afterward. Happy to say it lived up to my high hopes! This one is a story about relationships — with your family, friends and yourself. About how to face heartbreak and fear and pressure. About finding your way. About growing up and growing together. I thought it was pretty great!
I wanted to like this more than I did. It had its moments, but those weren't really enough.
I tried to get through this book, unfortunately...it just wasn't for me. I was thrown off by the 2nd language spoken, which we have to decipher ourselves and figure out what the words mean because they are not explained. This was a major reason why I DNF'd the book. I have to know what every word is and get the full picture while reading.
I loved the premise but could not even get through chapter one. Although it wasn't for me, there were many others that loved it and be sure to check out their reviews as well:)
I loved the premise but could not even get through chapter one. Although it wasn't for me, there were many others that loved it and be sure to check out their reviews as well:)
I don't even know where to begin with this book, because I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!
I was looking for a story of friendship, and this book gave me that ten-fold, PLUS a look at some really beautiful and meaningful personal journeys.
Jess, Ryan, Nora, and Lee had been friends for different lengths of time, but there was no doubt that each one held a solid place in their group. They had gathered once again for the annual New Year's Eve celebration, and instead of making their own resolutions, this year, they would be made by the other three friends.
I loved the idea of someone else selecting the goals, because the resolutions they made were done quite thoughtfully and with the intention of nudging that person outside of their comfort zone or in the direction of something they needed to face. Some were pretty straight forward, some were more vague, and others were really difficult, but in the end, each person grew so much, and learned a tremendous amount about themselves and those they loved in the process.
Ryan was nursing a broken heart, and his resolutions were meant to help him mend and rediscover himself. Nora was busy living someone else's dream, and her friends hoped that the resolutions they chose for her, would push her to assert her own wants, needs, and dreams. Jess' resolution didn't quite play out the way her friends had hoped, but it did end up being pretty life changing for her.
But Lee's resolutions sort of broke me. I cried a river for Lee. I cried, because of the reality she had to face. I cried for what she had lost, and what she thought she couldn't have. And then I cried, because Garcia did her some really wonderful things for her, and I saw her moving into a hopeful place. Her story really hit me the hardest, and I loved the way Garcia let it unfold. It was messy, but full of so many special moments.
Clearly, I loved the characters, and the secondary characters were just as great as the main characters, however, the families really stood out among the supporting cast. Each one of the protagonists had an awesome family. They came in all shapes and sizes, but they were great sources of support and endless love for the Ryan, Jess, Nora, and Lee. I, of course, had a special place in my heart for Ryan's grandmother, because she was too fabulous, and Lee's dad, because he, like Lee, was dealing with a lot. Her dad made such an effort to be honest and to connect with Lee, and I found their relationship quite lovely.
This book explores friendship, family, identity, love, loss, heartbreak, aspirations, desires, dreams, commitments, and many other challenges teens face, and I thought Garcia did so in an authentic, emotional, and meaningful way.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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I was looking for a story of friendship, and this book gave me that ten-fold, PLUS a look at some really beautiful and meaningful personal journeys.
Jess, Ryan, Nora, and Lee had been friends for different lengths of time, but there was no doubt that each one held a solid place in their group. They had gathered once again for the annual New Year's Eve celebration, and instead of making their own resolutions, this year, they would be made by the other three friends.
I loved the idea of someone else selecting the goals, because the resolutions they made were done quite thoughtfully and with the intention of nudging that person outside of their comfort zone or in the direction of something they needed to face. Some were pretty straight forward, some were more vague, and others were really difficult, but in the end, each person grew so much, and learned a tremendous amount about themselves and those they loved in the process.
Ryan was nursing a broken heart, and his resolutions were meant to help him mend and rediscover himself. Nora was busy living someone else's dream, and her friends hoped that the resolutions they chose for her, would push her to assert her own wants, needs, and dreams. Jess' resolution didn't quite play out the way her friends had hoped, but it did end up being pretty life changing for her.
But Lee's resolutions sort of broke me. I cried a river for Lee. I cried, because of the reality she had to face. I cried for what she had lost, and what she thought she couldn't have. And then I cried, because Garcia did her some really wonderful things for her, and I saw her moving into a hopeful place. Her story really hit me the hardest, and I loved the way Garcia let it unfold. It was messy, but full of so many special moments.
Clearly, I loved the characters, and the secondary characters were just as great as the main characters, however, the families really stood out among the supporting cast. Each one of the protagonists had an awesome family. They came in all shapes and sizes, but they were great sources of support and endless love for the Ryan, Jess, Nora, and Lee. I, of course, had a special place in my heart for Ryan's grandmother, because she was too fabulous, and Lee's dad, because he, like Lee, was dealing with a lot. Her dad made such an effort to be honest and to connect with Lee, and I found their relationship quite lovely.
This book explores friendship, family, identity, love, loss, heartbreak, aspirations, desires, dreams, commitments, and many other challenges teens face, and I thought Garcia did so in an authentic, emotional, and meaningful way.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
I really liked this. I like the focus on friendships and family... I really felt like I got to know and understand who the characters were, and was firmly in their world. Very good stuff.
But I needed a hug afterward.
But I needed a hug afterward.
THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC AND TRULY ONE OF THE BEST YA CONTEMPORARY BOOKS I'VE EVER READ. I WANNA CRY BIG FAT TEARS OF JOY.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
I enjoyed the book, but it did not wow me. Having four different plot lines meant that sometimes it felt as if not enough weight were being given to one strand, or too much to another. There were a handful of things that didn't seem likely (that Lee and David could date for so long without anyone having an inkling, even if they were all consumed with their own problems.) I'm not sure I fully believed the friendship links. They all kept saying they were friends, and they were there for each other in big moments, but except for perhaps the beginning and end, I didn't see a lot of the little moments that would make the relationships feel real. It was still a decent read though, and since realistic fiction is rarely my favorite that might be influencing my feelings.