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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
So... it wasn't entirely pointless.
Collette and Sadie's friendship was weird and all over the place - and you'll forgive me for thinking for the entire 2/3 of the book that they were going to end up together? No? Oh well. One minute Collette is fretting over the fact that her relationship with Sadie is so shaky and difficult and it's definitely over this time for good and the next they'll be giggling like best friends. Whaaa.. Oh okay. The rest of the romances I really did not care for (I did end up skimming the last 20 or so pages thanks toCollette/Sam, and was I really supposed to root for Rose/Sadie? They were both so catty and immature and mean at times (don't gimme that suprise-i'm-actually-nice bs, Rose). ) The dialogue was - and maybe it's just me - confusing and it felt like it was done that way on purpose so that the story dragged on and nothing ever got resolved. The plot itself could have been resolved within, like, a chapter and wasn't worth the almost 400 pages it took to unravel. Honestly.
And Sadie. That girl. Ohmygod. I don't begrudge her the 3+ years before the book began that she spent avoiding Collette, because coming to terms with your sexuality is hard and not as simple as you might think. And she had a pretty damn good reason not to want to ever go to her house again, let's be honest. But oh man - the rest of the book. There was little to no reason for any of that. Collette took about 2.5 seconds to become cool with it and the rest was Sadie creating needless drama because I don't even know why. Sweetie, stop.
It was enjoyable and quick to get through but it wasn't spectacular and the plot was really lacking. Maybe it just wasn't for me.
Collette and Sadie's friendship was weird and all over the place - and you'll forgive me for thinking for the entire 2/3 of the book that they were going to end up together? No? Oh well. One minute Collette is fretting over the fact that her relationship with Sadie is so shaky and difficult and it's definitely over this time for good and the next they'll be giggling like best friends. Whaaa.. Oh okay. The rest of the romances I really did not care for (I did end up skimming the last 20 or so pages thanks to
And Sadie. That girl. Ohmygod. I don't begrudge her the 3+ years before the book began that she spent avoiding Collette, because coming to terms with your sexuality is hard and not as simple as you might think. And she had a pretty damn good reason not to want to ever go to her house again, let's be honest. But oh man - the rest of the book. There was little to no reason for any of that. Collette took about 2.5 seconds to become cool with it and the rest was Sadie creating needless drama because I don't even know why. Sweetie, stop.
It was enjoyable and quick to get through but it wasn't spectacular and the plot was really lacking. Maybe it just wasn't for me.
3.75 stars.
So surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It was refreshing reading a. This book dealt with heavier things than I expected---sexuality/physical space and religion and adoption and friendship. The one thing that disappointed me was . The personal character growth felt realistically teenagery to me without being annoying. Would recommend.
So surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It was refreshing reading a
Spoiler
coming out story from the point of view of a friend, even more refreshing coming from a friend whose family was very religiousSpoiler
that Coley fell for Sadie's brother. Really? Did there have to be a love story? Couldn't this story just been about friendship and family?
this book was a wild ride.
It was a lighthearted, fluffy read that I'd been saving for my beach trip because I figured what better to read on a beach than a fluffy ya book about a grecian vacation?
I won't say everything addressed in this book was fluffy, like it definitely delved into some more serious themes, like upbringing into a biased environment and pressure to a breaking point I guess.
With Coley's confusion and inability to understand and accept immediately it was written in a an understandable way. First of all, Sadie told Coley about being gay at a most inconvenient time, you know when they were in a volcano and she was also asking Coley to pretend to date her for the week to get back at her exgirlfriend showing that Sadie was indeed using Coley for the main reason she brought her on the trip.
And then it made me think more about what I had just been talking to a friend about. We'd been talking together about the poor attitude of disgust and anger when someone says something problematic. Like how you shouldn't jump the gun and start attaching someone because they accidentally said something or maybe it wasn't necessarily an accident; maybe they just truly didn't know any better. That doesn't make them an awful person. I know someone who just less than a year ago told me that using they/them pronouns is stupid and they just can't bring themselves to say them, and now this friend is making an effort to use the correct pronouns for other people we know. And there are plenty of people close to me who have said some insensitive stuff, in general and to/about me that I was upset about but I'm still friends with because it takes time to get there. Rome wasn't built in a day. You know, that whole spiel.
Anyway back to the book, enough personal information for now.
That's why Coley's reaction made sense, not just the initial knee-jerk one, but the one of taking a little bit and having to realize for herself that Sadie being gay is okay and shouldn't change things in their friendship. She had to fight her own instinct instilled through her religion and upbringing and that's hard.
And I'm not going to lie, at the beginning of the book I definitely thought Coley was going to be the gay one but I liked the plot twist with Sadie being gay. I was a little confused because I thought Rose and Sadie were related but that was a little cleared up I guess.
And other than the characters seeming overall a tad unrealistic, the only big plot point with seemingly unrealistic parts was Sam. That didn't make sense and I guess it worked out but their relationship was weird. Dating your best friend's brother definitely breaks the bro code, smh.
Also! Why was everyone in this book so obsessively against one price swimsuits? Like the townpeople, Coley herself, Sadie, and apparently Grecians? I don't know man, but apparently only Rose likes one piece swimsuits.
Also, if Coley couldn't wear one because of her religion, then why could everyone else in her Deeply Religious town? I don't know man, weird.
Like if you want a wild ride I'd recommend it, it wasn't the best book but it was pretty good.
It was a lighthearted, fluffy read that I'd been saving for my beach trip because I figured what better to read on a beach than a fluffy ya book about a grecian vacation?
I won't say everything addressed in this book was fluffy, like it definitely delved into some more serious themes, like upbringing into a biased environment and pressure to a breaking point I guess.
With Coley's confusion and inability to understand and accept immediately it was written in a an understandable way. First of all, Sadie told Coley about being gay at a most inconvenient time, you know when they were in a volcano and she was also asking Coley to pretend to date her for the week to get back at her exgirlfriend showing that Sadie was indeed using Coley for the main reason she brought her on the trip.
And then it made me think more about what I had just been talking to a friend about. We'd been talking together about the poor attitude of disgust and anger when someone says something problematic. Like how you shouldn't jump the gun and start attaching someone because they accidentally said something or maybe it wasn't necessarily an accident; maybe they just truly didn't know any better. That doesn't make them an awful person. I know someone who just less than a year ago told me that using they/them pronouns is stupid and they just can't bring themselves to say them, and now this friend is making an effort to use the correct pronouns for other people we know. And there are plenty of people close to me who have said some insensitive stuff, in general and to/about me that I was upset about but I'm still friends with because it takes time to get there. Rome wasn't built in a day. You know, that whole spiel.
Anyway back to the book, enough personal information for now.
That's why Coley's reaction made sense, not just the initial knee-jerk one, but the one of taking a little bit and having to realize for herself that Sadie being gay is okay and shouldn't change things in their friendship. She had to fight her own instinct instilled through her religion and upbringing and that's hard.
And I'm not going to lie, at the beginning of the book I definitely thought Coley was going to be the gay one but I liked the plot twist with Sadie being gay. I was a little confused because I thought Rose and Sadie were related but that was a little cleared up I guess.
And other than the characters seeming overall a tad unrealistic, the only big plot point with seemingly unrealistic parts was Sam. That didn't make sense and I guess it worked out but their relationship was weird. Dating your best friend's brother definitely breaks the bro code, smh.
Also! Why was everyone in this book so obsessively against one price swimsuits? Like the townpeople, Coley herself, Sadie, and apparently Grecians? I don't know man, but apparently only Rose likes one piece swimsuits.
Also, if Coley couldn't wear one because of her religion, then why could everyone else in her Deeply Religious town? I don't know man, weird.
Like if you want a wild ride I'd recommend it, it wasn't the best book but it was pretty good.
the perfect beach read. light and quick, romantic, friends mending relationships. set during a trip to Greece!!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book focuses on two girls, Colette and Sadie. They were childhood best friends until they eventually drift apart. The two haven't talked to each other for about three years and all of a sudden, Sadie's like "Ay yo, I need you to come on this vacation to Greece with me." And even though Sadie's supposed to go to Costa Rica with her boyfriend that summer, she's like "Ayyyyyyyy let's go." Colette's mom tells her she can't go with Sadie, but then Dad comes to the rescue and sneaks her out at night to the airport. They go to Greece, and Sadie's acting pretty weird around her. Wow, I wonder if she has some kind of big secret or something that she'll eventually reveal to Colette.
Okay, so first off, this book is too long. It was an extremely slow read for me, and to be honest, reading it felt more like a chore than anything. The first half explains how Sadie and Colette used to be best friends and then all of a sudden, Colette started "being mean" to her. The second half of the book is about their adventure in Greece. Sadie's being a jerk and they fight, and then they make up. And wow Sadie's older brother is super hot. Then we're back to another fight between Colette and Sadie. Wow.
Secondly, the characters. I found most of the characters to be flat and I couldn't relate to any of them. Really, the only character I ended up liking was Colette's dad because he's the kind of dad that tells lame dad jokes. I dig it. The main character, Colette, over-thought everything too much. It was infuriating to read. One minute she'd be like "Oh man I have a boyfriend, Mark. I can't think this other guy is cute or anything," and then the next she'd be like "lolololol forget that boring idiot at home. I like this guy now." I honestly think that she thought about her boyfriend, Mark, more times than he actually showed up in the book.
Then there's Sadie. It turns out that throughout the entire book, No, seriously why is Rose at the wedding?
Then there's Rose. There's not too much to say about Rose. The only thing we learn about her is that she's
I'll let the book have this - it had a good message. Basically, Colette learning that she needed to be the person that she wanted herself to be, and that she shouldn't change for anyone. I'll admit, I did like that.
This book just wasn't able to capture my interest well. To be fair, I don't like or typically read books with a lot of teen girl drama junk.
This book focuses on two girls, Colette and Sadie. They were childhood best friends until they eventually drift apart. The two haven't talked to each other for about three years and all of a sudden, Sadie's like "Ay yo, I need you to come on this vacation to Greece with me." And even though Sadie's supposed to go to Costa Rica with her boyfriend that summer, she's like "Ayyyyyyyy let's go." Colette's mom tells her she can't go with Sadie, but then Dad comes to the rescue and sneaks her out at night to the airport. They go to Greece, and Sadie's acting pretty weird around her. Wow, I wonder if she has some kind of big secret or something that she'll eventually reveal to Colette.
Okay, so first off, this book is too long. It was an extremely slow read for me, and to be honest, reading it felt more like a chore than anything. The first half explains how Sadie and Colette used to be best friends and then all of a sudden, Colette started "being mean" to her. The second half of the book is about their adventure in Greece. Sadie's being a jerk and they fight, and then they make up. And wow Sadie's older brother is super hot. Then we're back to another fight between Colette and Sadie. Wow.
Secondly, the characters. I found most of the characters to be flat and I couldn't relate to any of them. Really, the only character I ended up liking was Colette's dad because he's the kind of dad that tells lame dad jokes. I dig it. The main character, Colette, over-thought everything too much. It was infuriating to read. One minute she'd be like "Oh man I have a boyfriend, Mark. I can't think this other guy is cute or anything," and then the next she'd be like "lolololol forget that boring idiot at home. I like this guy now." I honestly think that she thought about her boyfriend, Mark, more times than he actually showed up in the book.
Then there's Sadie. It turns out that throughout the entire book,
Spoiler
Sadie is just using Colette to get revenge against her ex-girlfriend, that is for some reason invited to the wedding?Spoiler
THEN COLETTE STILL SOMEHOW ENDS UP FORGIVING HER. No, okay. If I was invited to go to Greece with someone I hadn't talked to in about 3 years - well first off, I would've said no - but if I had gone, I would've been all kinds of angry about what Sadie did. I don't care if she apologized. That doesn't make her any less of a terrible human being.Then there's Rose. There's not too much to say about Rose. The only thing we learn about her is that she's
Spoiler
Sadie's ex-girlfriend (Which is why she's being a dick to Colette, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NO EXCUSE TO BE A DICK TO COLETTE.), apparently good at Photoshop (Which btw makes me hate her even more because she literally pretended to cheat on her then girlfriend by photoshopping another girl in a picture with her. Oh my god, that was ridiculous.), and is not usually "as mean as she's been being." Yeah, okay. You sound like a psycho.I'll let the book have this - it had a good message. Basically, Colette learning that she needed to be the person that she wanted herself to be, and that she shouldn't change for anyone. I'll admit, I did like that.
This book just wasn't able to capture my interest well. To be fair, I don't like or typically read books with a lot of teen girl drama junk.
I really enjoyed this one. There a little point at the end where it got a little rocky, but overall it was good. I do have to say this book really made me want to go to Greece now.
I tried. Gave it 17%. I just can't do anymore. Colette was so undeniably young for 17 and her relationship with her boyfriend was ridiculous. I wanted to like it and read more but I just couldn't do it. Not the book fir me.
this review will go live on the blog 06/03
Newcomers to Carter's work take note: this is not an author who's afraid to tackle heavy subjects. Last year's Me, Him, Them, & It focused on pregnancy and now her latest, My Best Friend, Maybe sheds light on sexuality and what happens to a friendship when it's called into question.
Until three years ago Colette and Sadie were best friends and virtually inseparable. Then everything changed just before high school. Suddenly Sadie went out of her way to avoid Colette and, while the two could have talked non-stop for hours just a few years before, any chance encounters in the school halls are now met with awkward and forced hellos. For Colette this sudden change in Sadie is met with confusion and hurt - what did Colette do? Was there something Colette didn't do that made Sadie all but abandon their friendship? What - if anything - can be done to fix things?
The hole left by Sadie has been hastily patched over with a church youth group and a new boyfriend, Mark - a boy Colette's parents heartily approve of; Sadie's free-spirited mother and laid back attitude toward rules never failed to raise an eyebrow. Colette's relationship with Mark is practically perfect: he always treats her like a princess, showers her with gifts, and never goes further than the chastest of kisses. With a youth group trip quickly approaching, Sadie presents an invitation that changes everything. Colette must choose between spending the summer with Mark on a retreat or visiting the Greek Islands with her ex-best friend - and possibly find some answers.
Slowly but surely GLBT themes are emerging in Young Adult literature and I welcome it with open arms. Sadly, all too often a character's sexuality is glossed over or revealed for little more than shock value and adds absolutely nothing to the story. Even worse is the sitcom-style ending: everything is wrapped up nicely in a pretty bow and any bullying/harsh remarks/bigotry is forgiven and forgotten. While My Best Friend, Maybe left me wanting more, the portrayal of the characters was wonderful and heartbreaking.
My Best Friend, Maybe is told through Colette's perspective and until the ending we only know her side of the story as to what happened the night her friendship with Sadie fell apart. What Carter did extremely well was keep me guessing. The back cover of my ARC states: "A beautiful and multi-layered story of friendship, romance, and sexuality..." and, naturally, I expected these would all come into play between two characters. Carter caught me off guard though and I really enjoyed that. Yes, there's friendship, romance, and sexuality, but the storylines aren't one and the same.
Over time the reader discovers more of Sadie's side of the story as well as her reasoning for inviting Colette along. While I was rooting for Sadie the entire time, her motives gave me pause. Colette's Bible-thumping mother also plays a large role and her actions were appalling and gut-wrenching. Although I finished the book in a single sitting (something I rarely do) I had to walk away more than once because of Colette's mother. It certainly says something about Carter's abilities as a writer that she was able to stir up such emotion in me.
Even though I felt the ending was a bit too sweet and sitcom-y, I devoured it in a handful of hours. The day I received My Best Friend, Maybe in the mail I immediately sat down to read it and didn't stop until I was finished. Caela Carter made a name for herself with her debut and her sophomore effort proves she's not a one-hit wonder. My Best Friend, Maybe is an absolute joy of a novel and definitely one to pick up!
Newcomers to Carter's work take note: this is not an author who's afraid to tackle heavy subjects. Last year's Me, Him, Them, & It focused on pregnancy and now her latest, My Best Friend, Maybe sheds light on sexuality and what happens to a friendship when it's called into question.
Until three years ago Colette and Sadie were best friends and virtually inseparable. Then everything changed just before high school. Suddenly Sadie went out of her way to avoid Colette and, while the two could have talked non-stop for hours just a few years before, any chance encounters in the school halls are now met with awkward and forced hellos. For Colette this sudden change in Sadie is met with confusion and hurt - what did Colette do? Was there something Colette didn't do that made Sadie all but abandon their friendship? What - if anything - can be done to fix things?
The hole left by Sadie has been hastily patched over with a church youth group and a new boyfriend, Mark - a boy Colette's parents heartily approve of; Sadie's free-spirited mother and laid back attitude toward rules never failed to raise an eyebrow. Colette's relationship with Mark is practically perfect: he always treats her like a princess, showers her with gifts, and never goes further than the chastest of kisses. With a youth group trip quickly approaching, Sadie presents an invitation that changes everything. Colette must choose between spending the summer with Mark on a retreat or visiting the Greek Islands with her ex-best friend - and possibly find some answers.
Slowly but surely GLBT themes are emerging in Young Adult literature and I welcome it with open arms. Sadly, all too often a character's sexuality is glossed over or revealed for little more than shock value and adds absolutely nothing to the story. Even worse is the sitcom-style ending: everything is wrapped up nicely in a pretty bow and any bullying/harsh remarks/bigotry is forgiven and forgotten. While My Best Friend, Maybe left me wanting more, the portrayal of the characters was wonderful and heartbreaking.
My Best Friend, Maybe is told through Colette's perspective and until the ending we only know her side of the story as to what happened the night her friendship with Sadie fell apart. What Carter did extremely well was keep me guessing. The back cover of my ARC states: "A beautiful and multi-layered story of friendship, romance, and sexuality..." and, naturally, I expected these would all come into play between two characters. Carter caught me off guard though and I really enjoyed that. Yes, there's friendship, romance, and sexuality, but the storylines aren't one and the same.
Over time the reader discovers more of Sadie's side of the story as well as her reasoning for inviting Colette along. While I was rooting for Sadie the entire time, her motives gave me pause. Colette's Bible-thumping mother also plays a large role and her actions were appalling and gut-wrenching. Although I finished the book in a single sitting (something I rarely do) I had to walk away more than once because of Colette's mother. It certainly says something about Carter's abilities as a writer that she was able to stir up such emotion in me.
Even though I felt the ending was a bit too sweet and sitcom-y, I devoured it in a handful of hours. The day I received My Best Friend, Maybe in the mail I immediately sat down to read it and didn't stop until I was finished. Caela Carter made a name for herself with her debut and her sophomore effort proves she's not a one-hit wonder. My Best Friend, Maybe is an absolute joy of a novel and definitely one to pick up!
Started off okay, but then it got all holier-than-thou/judgy, even homophobic at the reveal; it dealt with controversial topics quite poorly.