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fantasynovel's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars is kind of generous for this book. It's really more of a two star book. It has numerous issues: super hot guy who is just so hot omg hot hot hot who OFC falls in love in-freaking-mediately with our MC, Bex. And get this . . . he's Buddhist! Bc that's a trope that has never been used before. "Punk dude searches for mindfulness." THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW HE HAS A HEART. OH, and GET THIS. He GRAFFITIS. What a Punk Buddhist Dude TM is he, amirite? Andhehasatorturedpast. Again, trademarked by YA authors everywhere.
...buuuuut I liked this book. I liked it for a few reasons. I liked Bex's unusual aspirations (I love morbid stuff. Like, love love love it.) And I just . . . I've been so stressed out lately, guys. 11th grade is super hard. I'm tired all the time, stress is literally making me sick, and this book gave me a brief moment of distraction. Bc sometimes all I want to do is read about an unrealistically hot guy who falls in love with a Mary Sue. The book read like high-quality fanfiction. And you know what? Sometimes high-quality self-insert fanfiction is the best way to unwind. You mean I get to ensnare the Punk Buddhist Dude on the train and then we get to make out for the rest of the book? Count me in.
(Also, I found the book was improved if I pictured a young Dean Winchester as Jackson.)
...buuuuut I liked this book. I liked it for a few reasons. I liked Bex's unusual aspirations (I love morbid stuff. Like, love love love it.) And I just . . . I've been so stressed out lately, guys. 11th grade is super hard. I'm tired all the time, stress is literally making me sick, and this book gave me a brief moment of distraction. Bc sometimes all I want to do is read about an unrealistically hot guy who falls in love with a Mary Sue. The book read like high-quality fanfiction. And you know what? Sometimes high-quality self-insert fanfiction is the best way to unwind. You mean I get to ensnare the Punk Buddhist Dude on the train and then we get to make out for the rest of the book? Count me in.
(Also, I found the book was improved if I pictured a young Dean Winchester as Jackson.)
erinbritt's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book from the way it talks about art and mental health. Sure the romance parts of it might seem cliche to some but it made me really happy. Art and mental health are two very important things to me and to read a book that touched on both was great for me.
mabelyn's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
leafblade's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so sorry for all the people liking my updates, probably assuming I was enjoying this book lmao
It would've been a 3/5 BUT
As a psychology student I can't condone media that uses psychoses as irresponsibly as this book. There's a whole monologue about how the schizophrenic girl won't be able to marry or have kids or go to college or have a life. And it is kinda turned on its back in the end, but I'm treating this case the same I would treat a gay character being revealed gay in the last five pages. Your message has been delivered already, you could've taken that back with character development but that wasn't the case.
Also the Spanish translation fucking SUCKS the sheer amount of bullshit I had to read through to get to the end of this book will forever haunt me
I'm kinda over the contemporary main characters having quirky interests to make the book less boring, tbh. This one felt really over the top but it probably did because every single contemporary out there does the same thing and I'm SO tired of it.
Love interest was an angel, I just hope he was in a book that deserved him
It would've been a 3/5 BUT
As a psychology student I can't condone media that uses psychoses as irresponsibly as this book. There's a whole monologue about how the schizophrenic girl won't be able to marry or have kids or go to college or have a life. And it is kinda turned on its back in the end, but I'm treating this case the same I would treat a gay character being revealed gay in the last five pages. Your message has been delivered already, you could've taken that back with character development but that wasn't the case.
Also the Spanish translation fucking SUCKS the sheer amount of bullshit I had to read through to get to the end of this book will forever haunt me
I'm kinda over the contemporary main characters having quirky interests to make the book less boring, tbh. This one felt really over the top but it probably did because every single contemporary out there does the same thing and I'm SO tired of it.
Love interest was an angel, I just hope he was in a book that deserved him
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
An above-average teenage romance/family drama, with two unusual but wonderful leads.
Bex (Beatrix) is trying to persuade her way into a hospital morgue (for the purposes of drawing dead bodies) when she meets Jack. Instant attraction develops between the pair of artists - she hopes to become a medical illustrator, he is possibly a wanted but talented graffiti artist. From their first meeting on the Owl (the San Francisco night bus), their paths cross again, and they start to let each other in.
Jack's story is different, I really liked the freshness of his family and history, and could see just why Bex falls in love with him. Bex is also wonderful - centred, determined and smart, she and Jack make a wonderful, refreshing pair. Even their families stray from the usual disapproving/dysfunctional stereotypes, with Bex's brother a standout in secondary characters.
I read a lot of YA, and this stands out as unique. There are some sex scenes, more descriptive than I was imagining, but also very warm, loving and realistic. Nicely done.
The topics involved are excellent, there is a lot for discussion, and it has a lot more depth than many of the genre. It stands out from the crowd.
This is going to be popular with 13-17 year olds, and deserves to be known.
Bex (Beatrix) is trying to persuade her way into a hospital morgue (for the purposes of drawing dead bodies) when she meets Jack. Instant attraction develops between the pair of artists - she hopes to become a medical illustrator, he is possibly a wanted but talented graffiti artist. From their first meeting on the Owl (the San Francisco night bus), their paths cross again, and they start to let each other in.
Jack's story is different, I really liked the freshness of his family and history, and could see just why Bex falls in love with him. Bex is also wonderful - centred, determined and smart, she and Jack make a wonderful, refreshing pair. Even their families stray from the usual disapproving/dysfunctional stereotypes, with Bex's brother a standout in secondary characters.
I read a lot of YA, and this stands out as unique. There are some sex scenes, more descriptive than I was imagining, but also very warm, loving and realistic. Nicely done.
The topics involved are excellent, there is a lot for discussion, and it has a lot more depth than many of the genre. It stands out from the crowd.
This is going to be popular with 13-17 year olds, and deserves to be known.
gcbxandie's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic! After many months of unfortunately not having enough time on my hands to read, this was a wonderful "welcome home" treat. I loved the art theme because that's something I heavily relate to. 5 stars for finishing this shamefully fast and enjoying every second!!
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favourite by Jenn Bennett but certainly enjoyable.
melissaverasreads's review against another edition
4.0
Me gustó bastante como se desarrolló la relación de Beatrix y Jack.
halesnbooks's review against another edition
5.0
i really liked it! the characters were super dynamic and i liked the setting. its weirdly an insta love slow burn. very interesting and fun to experience!! and i wasnt bored at all (: (i’ve been getting bored of books recently)
so yeah. solid read (:
so yeah. solid read (:
emily_rose123's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.5