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ajreads22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
postmodernblues's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Every character in this book is a miserable asshole
leafblade's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK. THIS FUCKING BOOK.
I bought this and They both die at the end at the Buenos Aires book fair before Adam Silvera got into the book piracy mess. I don't agree with nearly anything that he said then, and I won't be buying any other book from him from now on, but I got these two before that, and they were hella expensive, so.
This book was so visceral and raw and sad, and I felt it all from start to finish. I related to things I shouldn't be able to really relate to. I was immediately pulled into this world and story and characters, and I hate that I have to say goodbye to them. That I can never read this book for the first time again. That I know everything that happened to Theo and I can't take it out of my mind.
Also the fact that it has the dates of everything that happens, and that they are so close to present day, makes it even worse. When Theo died, I was graduating high school. When Jackson and Griff went to California together, I had sprained my knee and was jumping around one legged. Theo's birthday is my cousin's birthday, which on 2017 (the first time Theo doesn't get a year older) we celebrated, but kinda more met to talk about being scared of starting uni. It felt more personal to have the dates on page.
God, this fucking book.
I bought this and They both die at the end at the Buenos Aires book fair before Adam Silvera got into the book piracy mess. I don't agree with nearly anything that he said then, and I won't be buying any other book from him from now on, but I got these two before that, and they were hella expensive, so.
This book was so visceral and raw and sad, and I felt it all from start to finish. I related to things I shouldn't be able to really relate to. I was immediately pulled into this world and story and characters, and I hate that I have to say goodbye to them. That I can never read this book for the first time again. That I know everything that happened to Theo and I can't take it out of my mind.
Also the fact that it has the dates of everything that happens, and that they are so close to present day, makes it even worse. When Theo died, I was graduating high school. When Jackson and Griff went to California together, I had sprained my knee and was jumping around one legged. Theo's birthday is my cousin's birthday, which on 2017 (the first time Theo doesn't get a year older) we celebrated, but kinda more met to talk about being scared of starting uni. It felt more personal to have the dates on page.
God, this fucking book.
dilchh's review against another edition
4.0
This has been a roller coaster ride for me. I really thought this was going to be sad book, and it indeed started off incredibly sad and dark. It opens up when the narrator to the story, Griffin, had to go to his ex-boyfriend’s funeral, Theo. The story goes back and forth between what happened in the present following the funeral and how Griffin is trying to cope with the loss of his ex-boyfriend, and to the past too, from when they first started dating, their eventual break up, and when Theo finally moves on to his current boyfriend. I really felt this was going to be an incredibly sad story, because I thought this was going to be a story about someone who lost their first love, and not just lose it because they broke up but because the first love actually passed away.
But then the story sort of evolves into so many branches and then I realised this is not a sad story; this is a very problematic and tragic story. I didn’t really expect the ending at all, and the most amazing part is for me, apart from the how the story evolves, was the characters’ development. When I first start the book, I felt Griffin’s lost and how heartbroken he was, from the break up with Theo and eventually Theo’s death, It as if like the whole entire world was conspiring against Griffin to be happy. He lost his first love, and then to cope with the immense sadness, he felt like the only person that can understand his pain and that can help him was Theo’s current boyfriend. Man, that’s just messed up. I can never imagine having to do that. But then as the story progresses, I was seeing a different side of Griffin; how he was not as innocent as he was, as I was led to believe when I read the first half of the book. How Griffin was not only this love-struck boy who is enamoured with Theo.
And then there’s Theo, who seems to be the perfect embodiment of your first love and that it sucks and it hurts that Theo and Griffin didn’t work out. I was rooting for them. But, that’s first love to you. It’s always beautiful but it doesn’t always end well. But then, just like with Griffin, I also get to see the other side of Theo as the story progresses. He was problematic af, you know? And it’s normal, because he was young, (I think when he broke up with Griffin, he was about 15 or 16?), and we all are problematic and selfish at that age. That humanises Theo’s fault, you know? And I like the author for that, because I just don’t buy a 16 yo kid who is so darn perfect like how Theo were during the first half of the book.
Apart from Griffin and Theo, we also have Jackson, the current boyfriend of Theo. He looked like this lost puppy during the first half of the book; completely clueless about everything and was head over heels for Theo to the point that I thought it was pathetic (but hey, no judging, I’d probably be like Jackson too if I were in his shoes). But, again, the characters development in this book is just so amazing. As Griffin and Theo went on to heal both of their pain, I get to see the other side of Jackson, about how he is so insecure about Griffin. Even though he was two years older than Griffin, he always felt that he will always live in the Griffin’s shadow because Griffin was Theo’s first love also. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating to see how Jackson was so whipped and insecure about his own feelings.
Now, to end this rambling, may I present to you the coolest character in the whole entire problematic love story of Griffin-Theo-Jackson, Wade. If I’m being technical, it’s actually the problematic love story of Griffin-Theo-Jackson-Wade. It is so problematic that my 30 year old brain could not keep up. Wade was portrayed as the comic relief in the first half of the book, always on the side lines. But, in all honesty I genuinely think Wade was the most grown up from them all, and he is such a great friend, you know?
This book is amazing, because I was genuinely prepared to be swept away in immense sadness, but apparently this book was so much more than just being sad. This was a book about growing up, about being responsible with all your choices; good or bad, big or small. And the greatest part? It doesn’t feel like the book was preaching to you. So, guess what? Not only did I not cry and bawl my eyes out, but I came out finishing this book feeling great.
But then the story sort of evolves into so many branches and then I realised this is not a sad story; this is a very problematic and tragic story. I didn’t really expect the ending at all, and the most amazing part is for me, apart from the how the story evolves, was the characters’ development. When I first start the book, I felt Griffin’s lost and how heartbroken he was, from the break up with Theo and eventually Theo’s death, It as if like the whole entire world was conspiring against Griffin to be happy. He lost his first love, and then to cope with the immense sadness, he felt like the only person that can understand his pain and that can help him was Theo’s current boyfriend. Man, that’s just messed up. I can never imagine having to do that. But then as the story progresses, I was seeing a different side of Griffin; how he was not as innocent as he was, as I was led to believe when I read the first half of the book. How Griffin was not only this love-struck boy who is enamoured with Theo.
And then there’s Theo, who seems to be the perfect embodiment of your first love and that it sucks and it hurts that Theo and Griffin didn’t work out. I was rooting for them. But, that’s first love to you. It’s always beautiful but it doesn’t always end well. But then, just like with Griffin, I also get to see the other side of Theo as the story progresses. He was problematic af, you know? And it’s normal, because he was young, (I think when he broke up with Griffin, he was about 15 or 16?), and we all are problematic and selfish at that age. That humanises Theo’s fault, you know? And I like the author for that, because I just don’t buy a 16 yo kid who is so darn perfect like how Theo were during the first half of the book.
Apart from Griffin and Theo, we also have Jackson, the current boyfriend of Theo. He looked like this lost puppy during the first half of the book; completely clueless about everything and was head over heels for Theo to the point that I thought it was pathetic (but hey, no judging, I’d probably be like Jackson too if I were in his shoes). But, again, the characters development in this book is just so amazing. As Griffin and Theo went on to heal both of their pain, I get to see the other side of Jackson, about how he is so insecure about Griffin. Even though he was two years older than Griffin, he always felt that he will always live in the Griffin’s shadow because Griffin was Theo’s first love also. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating to see how Jackson was so whipped and insecure about his own feelings.
Now, to end this rambling, may I present to you the coolest character in the whole entire problematic love story of Griffin-Theo-Jackson, Wade. If I’m being technical, it’s actually the problematic love story of Griffin-Theo-Jackson-Wade. It is so problematic that my 30 year old brain could not keep up. Wade was portrayed as the comic relief in the first half of the book, always on the side lines. But, in all honesty I genuinely think Wade was the most grown up from them all, and he is such a great friend, you know?
This book is amazing, because I was genuinely prepared to be swept away in immense sadness, but apparently this book was so much more than just being sad. This was a book about growing up, about being responsible with all your choices; good or bad, big or small. And the greatest part? It doesn’t feel like the book was preaching to you. So, guess what? Not only did I not cry and bawl my eyes out, but I came out finishing this book feeling great.
eduardtatomir's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much. No longer being with my first love and seeing the similarities in our relationship to the one Theo and Grif had really got to me. I was crying throughout most of the second half. I’d love to say thank you to my ex who gave me this book. It was a good one.
dembury's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.25
(No book summary, just my personal thoughts. Spoilers marked in second half of review.)
To be perfectly honest, I think my rating is a bit biased because I read this DIRECTLY after finishing Silvera's other novel, "More Happy Than Not", and I think I was in the mindset of 'which is better?'. And that is a very difficult question because both books are two very different stories. Although they have similar threads and characteristics, the focuses of each are in separate spots.
HIAYLM is a story about grief, losing people close to you, relationships, and healing. It isn't a cheery story, but it's not all doom and gloom, either. Rather, Silvera's newest book has an emphasis on how grief can change people, and their relationships, in unforeseen ways (at least, that's what I got out of it). There is also a heavy theme of OCD and mental health, something that I have seen in multiple YA novels, but I think Silvera did a fairly solid job of incorporating it into his work in a nonproblematic way. (more on this in the spoiler section)
The characters themselves are multilayered and very interesting, and I was intrigued to see how their seemingly conflicting personalities and agendas were actually more similar than originally perceived. The emotions in this book were complicated, and sometimes felt a tad angsty, but obviously some angst is expected in a book where the characters are grieving.
I went to a book event where Silvera talked about the writing of this book, and he said that originally he has written the book in a very linear structure. There was none of the "History" flashback chapters, but he added them in later to balance the story. I think this was a marvelous choice, and it thoroughly aided in my understanding of the characters!
Also, as an aside, I loved that family was an significant presence in HIAYLM. I find some YA novels shove the family aspect to the side, and it's never realistic. Kudos, Silvera!
I plan on rereading this again! It was compelling and full, and a very memorable story. I would recommend to anyone who liked Silvera's other book.
SPOILERS BELOW!
*Okay, in regards to Griff's OCD, the one thing that irked me a little was that near the end of the book, Wade begins helping Griff try to overcome his OCD. He does things like walk on Griff's left side, and he doesn't replay songs an even number of times. Griff starts to get better, and I thought it seemed just a bit forced. I mean, just FORCING someone to not be able to deal with their compulsions isn't a fix all. It just felt a little sudden to me? This isn't a HUGE thing, but it stood out to me.
*I just always find it uncomfortable when two characters who have been in a relationship with a mutual person end up getting it on together. I totally see how Griff and Jackson were led to that, but it was a little cringy for me. This didn't affect my rating, I just personally find it awkward!
*Wade knowing things about Griff (like the keychain, wanting to make a photo collage of the two of them, etc) made me so sappy and tearful :')
*Okay, this is random, but I would LOVE to see a novel set maybe 10 years later when Denise (Theo's little sister) is more grown up. I don't know why this struck me, but I feel like that would be an interesting story all on it's own!
*Honestly, the part where Jackson and Griff are in California dragged a bit for me. It just seems a little stilted in comparison to the beginning and end of the book. I can't pinpoint it exactly, but it seemed like enough didn't happen there.
(No book summary, just my personal thoughts. Spoilers marked in second half of review.)
To be perfectly honest, I think my rating is a bit biased because I read this DIRECTLY after finishing Silvera's other novel, "More Happy Than Not", and I think I was in the mindset of 'which is better?'. And that is a very difficult question because both books are two very different stories. Although they have similar threads and characteristics, the focuses of each are in separate spots.
HIAYLM is a story about grief, losing people close to you, relationships, and healing. It isn't a cheery story, but it's not all doom and gloom, either. Rather, Silvera's newest book has an emphasis on how grief can change people, and their relationships, in unforeseen ways (at least, that's what I got out of it). There is also a heavy theme of OCD and mental health, something that I have seen in multiple YA novels, but I think Silvera did a fairly solid job of incorporating it into his work in a nonproblematic way. (more on this in the spoiler section)
The characters themselves are multilayered and very interesting, and I was intrigued to see how their seemingly conflicting personalities and agendas were actually more similar than originally perceived. The emotions in this book were complicated, and sometimes felt a tad angsty, but obviously some angst is expected in a book where the characters are grieving.
I went to a book event where Silvera talked about the writing of this book, and he said that originally he has written the book in a very linear structure. There was none of the "History" flashback chapters, but he added them in later to balance the story. I think this was a marvelous choice, and it thoroughly aided in my understanding of the characters!
Also, as an aside, I loved that family was an significant presence in HIAYLM. I find some YA novels shove the family aspect to the side, and it's never realistic. Kudos, Silvera!
I plan on rereading this again! It was compelling and full, and a very memorable story. I would recommend to anyone who liked Silvera's other book.
SPOILERS BELOW!
*Okay, in regards to Griff's OCD, the one thing that irked me a little was that near the end of the book, Wade begins helping Griff try to overcome his OCD. He does things like walk on Griff's left side, and he doesn't replay songs an even number of times. Griff starts to get better, and I thought it seemed just a bit forced. I mean, just FORCING someone to not be able to deal with their compulsions isn't a fix all. It just felt a little sudden to me? This isn't a HUGE thing, but it stood out to me.
*I just always find it uncomfortable when two characters who have been in a relationship with a mutual person end up getting it on together. I totally see how Griff and Jackson were led to that, but it was a little cringy for me. This didn't affect my rating, I just personally find it awkward!
*Wade knowing things about Griff (like the keychain, wanting to make a photo collage of the two of them, etc) made me so sappy and tearful :')
*Okay, this is random, but I would LOVE to see a novel set maybe 10 years later when Denise (Theo's little sister) is more grown up. I don't know why this struck me, but I feel like that would be an interesting story all on it's own!
*Honestly, the part where Jackson and Griff are in California dragged a bit for me. It just seems a little stilted in comparison to the beginning and end of the book. I can't pinpoint it exactly, but it seemed like enough didn't happen there.
inook_u's review against another edition
3.0
After over a year from read bf this book. I actually don’t like it!!! Reason it not memorable and I remember just hating the writing style. Sorry I just had to come back to write this after reading my old review. So I’m changing this from four to 3 stars but really it’s a 2.5 stars to me. Sorry. - 29/05/2018
This book took me a little longer than usual. I think I was absorbing it and taking it all in. I loved the last line in this book, it was nice. However I had a few problems with the book in regards of the writing style, the flow and the long winded thought processes. However it kept me reading because of the plot twists and how interesting this book really is. I also loved how Adam approached the death of a teenager and then had the main character face all these challenges including OCD. He really painted a picture of what's it like to have OCD. I'm not too sure if it's correct but it helped me to understand people with it, a lot more. So after some long thoughts on rating this book, I'm going to give it a 4 stars. It loses a point mainly because of the flow of the book being dragged on too much and also Adams writing needs to improve just like how I need to improve writing these reviews
This book took me a little longer than usual. I think I was absorbing it and taking it all in. I loved the last line in this book, it was nice. However I had a few problems with the book in regards of the writing style, the flow and the long winded thought processes. However it kept me reading because of the plot twists and how interesting this book really is. I also loved how Adam approached the death of a teenager and then had the main character face all these challenges including OCD. He really painted a picture of what's it like to have OCD. I'm not too sure if it's correct but it helped me to understand people with it, a lot more. So after some long thoughts on rating this book, I'm going to give it a 4 stars. It loses a point mainly because of the flow of the book being dragged on too much and also Adams writing needs to improve just like how I need to improve writing these reviews
tsukibunny68's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
hannah_boni's review against another edition
3.5
Heartfelt story. Characters became slightly un likeable in the end. Didn’t hit me in the feels as hard as I expected