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forestthing's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Sadly the storyline feels unfinished as most of the problems of the protagonist were not really addressed near the end and instead a bit random thing happened that felt like it derailed the story for the last few pages.
sienna727's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
mijsfranssen's review
4.0
Reviewed in 2021, so now I have read it three times.
So I've read this book two times.
The first time I've read this book was in January and the second time was in October. This book is one that I cherish because it is one of my favorites. This book made me laugh, cry and think. It handeld modern day teen issues well and I think this book tackeld issues that many writers would be afraid to tackle.
As always, I'll start with the positive thoughts about this book;
- The fact that this book has good representation of a bisexual girl without stereotyping her. I always love books that have good LGBTQ+ Rep and this was definitly one of them.
- I liked that Orlagh Collins wasn't shy in writing about difficult things, like (spoiler alert) [Pez's addiction, Vetty's sexuality, and Vetty's family and grief.]
- This book was an emotional rollercoaster which I always like, and I think that this book does a good job in bringing over that emotion and the struggle of the characters, because I definitly felt it.
I don't have any negative points on this book exept that it might, in some parts, move a little slow. but it didn't bother me.
So I've read this book two times.
The first time I've read this book was in January and the second time was in October. This book is one that I cherish because it is one of my favorites. This book made me laugh, cry and think. It handeld modern day teen issues well and I think this book tackeld issues that many writers would be afraid to tackle.
As always, I'll start with the positive thoughts about this book;
- The fact that this book has good representation of a bisexual girl without stereotyping her. I always love books that have good LGBTQ+ Rep and this was definitly one of them.
- I liked that Orlagh Collins wasn't shy in writing about difficult things, like (spoiler alert) [Pez's addiction, Vetty's sexuality, and Vetty's family and grief.]
- This book was an emotional rollercoaster which I always like, and I think that this book does a good job in bringing over that emotion and the struggle of the characters, because I definitly felt it.
I don't have any negative points on this book exept that it might, in some parts, move a little slow. but it didn't bother me.
definitely_human's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
alongreader's review
3.0
I wanted to like this. The premise sounded interesting, the early reviews are great. I was excited to start reading.
Four days later and still at 23%, I decided to DNF, my first DNF this year.
I liked the characters well enough, what I'd seen of them so far. But nothing seemed to be happening plotwise. Time jumped forward awkwardly between chapters, and dialogue was inconsistent. There's a scene near the start where the main character and her father have a conversation. His side goes, roughly, "You've had to take on too much responsibility lately, and you'll have to take on more after we move. I'll make sure you don't have too much on your plate."
This wasn't the book for me, but other people will probably adore it. I hope they do, because there's a good story under there. Thank you for letting me read it.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
Four days later and still at 23%, I decided to DNF, my first DNF this year.
I liked the characters well enough, what I'd seen of them so far. But nothing seemed to be happening plotwise. Time jumped forward awkwardly between chapters, and dialogue was inconsistent. There's a scene near the start where the main character and her father have a conversation. His side goes, roughly, "You've had to take on too much responsibility lately, and you'll have to take on more after we move. I'll make sure you don't have too much on your plate."
This wasn't the book for me, but other people will probably adore it. I hope they do, because there's a good story under there. Thank you for letting me read it.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
owls_rainbow's review
2.0
Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.
I honestly found this book disappointing. We follow Helvetica, known as Vetty, named for her late mother's obsession with fonts. We open with her hanging out with friends feeling awkward about something we only find out about at the very end of the book. We start to get to know this group (sort of) and then hey presto we're moving home, somehow to the exact same house/flat as before. Three years later. In London. I'm not a Londoner and even I know that wouldn't happen. Also sidenote but Somerset is way too vague, It's a massive county, I live in a Northern bit of it, it would be nice to have a point of reference: Taunton, Cheddar, Minehead, Bridgewater? Give me something!
I didn't really understand why Vetty cut Pez off, surely even a distant friend can help you grieve? The way his friends were introduced was a little hard to follow. Some scenes throughout the book were rushed and I'd have to re-read passages to work out who was saying what.
The themes and what the book wanted to say were also unclear for me. It talked candidly about porn, masturbation and hair removal but Vetty got weird about telling er sister about periods and refused to consider even the existence of the word "bisexual" until the end of the book despite it being obvious to me at the beginning. i'm sad that things with the girl (avoiding spoilers) didn't work out. Instead we get the implied beginning of a straight-passing relationship. Overall pacing and plot were messy and I found the book disappointing.
I honestly found this book disappointing. We follow Helvetica, known as Vetty, named for her late mother's obsession with fonts. We open with her hanging out with friends feeling awkward about something we only find out about at the very end of the book. We start to get to know this group (sort of) and then hey presto we're moving home, somehow to the exact same house/flat as before. Three years later. In London. I'm not a Londoner and even I know that wouldn't happen. Also sidenote but Somerset is way too vague, It's a massive county, I live in a Northern bit of it, it would be nice to have a point of reference: Taunton, Cheddar, Minehead, Bridgewater? Give me something!
I didn't really understand why Vetty cut Pez off, surely even a distant friend can help you grieve? The way his friends were introduced was a little hard to follow. Some scenes throughout the book were rushed and I'd have to re-read passages to work out who was saying what.
The themes and what the book wanted to say were also unclear for me. It talked candidly about porn, masturbation and hair removal but Vetty got weird about telling er sister about periods and refused to consider even the existence of the word "bisexual" until the end of the book despite it being obvious to me at the beginning. i'm sad that things with the girl (avoiding spoilers) didn't work out. Instead we get the implied beginning of a straight-passing relationship. Overall pacing and plot were messy and I found the book disappointing.
bookbrowsingblog's review
5.0
I'm not crying, I swear I'm not crying!! This book is absolutely beautiful and I'm a little obsessed!
bellethebookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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