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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This was one of the first books I added to the “want to read” section here on goodreads, and I’m so glad I finally read it. It was a cute coming of age story!
This book is ok.
I liked that it wasn't about just a romance but that it tried to have more depth. I think the friends, Caro and Drew were underdeveloped, especially Caro and they were just "there". Caro didn't even had a story and Drew's didn't concluded.
I couldn't believe the impact that Oliver's kidnapping had on the community and the group of friends; I just didn't buy it, I mean, I didn't buy that ten years after the fact a group of teenagers would be so invested in that disappearance even if they were good friends with the kid.
I also didn't get how over protective Emmy's parents were, at least I just don't think they would behave like that just because the kidnapping.
I liked the love story itself, because it wasn't cheese or "I can't live without you' kind of relationship. And neither of the protagonist were annoying or hurt each other or were mean just because of plot drama.
Overall, I like the book, it was nice, light, fast paced and cute.
I liked that it wasn't about just a romance but that it tried to have more depth. I think the friends, Caro and Drew were underdeveloped, especially Caro and they were just "there". Caro didn't even had a story and Drew's didn't concluded.
I couldn't believe the impact that Oliver's kidnapping had on the community and the group of friends; I just didn't buy it, I mean, I didn't buy that ten years after the fact a group of teenagers would be so invested in that disappearance even if they were good friends with the kid.
I also didn't get how over protective Emmy's parents were, at least I just don't think they would behave like that just because the kidnapping.
I liked the love story itself, because it wasn't cheese or "I can't live without you' kind of relationship. And neither of the protagonist were annoying or hurt each other or were mean just because of plot drama.
Overall, I like the book, it was nice, light, fast paced and cute.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved their friendship and relationship. I understand some people would want a dual perspective due to the subject matter but I enjoyed only reading fron Emmy side. Her conversations with Ollie gave you good insight into his feelings about what happened to him. This book I read in one day it was that interesting to me so I definitely would recommend to others.
My coworker gave me this rec when I asked for some happy YA books and, after listing what I had enjoyed in the past, joked about how I love "and" books. Like, Dash & Lily, Zac & Mia, Will & Whit, Eleanor & Park, etc. Emmy & Oliver was the next logical step. [For the record, she also gave me Dumplin' which was 100% what I needed.]
I loved the book. I liked the characters and even though I had asked for a very light read initially, the depth and complexity of Oliver's situation was possibly the part I liked best. There were a few issues with consistency and storytelling, but overall, I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars for the book.
The audio had an excess of mouth sounds. The narrator sounded like a teen and used the correct cadences for the most part, but the mouth sounds (and I think page turns sometimes?) were very distracting. 3 stars for the audio.
I loved the book. I liked the characters and even though I had asked for a very light read initially, the depth and complexity of Oliver's situation was possibly the part I liked best. There were a few issues with consistency and storytelling, but overall, I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars for the book.
The audio had an excess of mouth sounds. The narrator sounded like a teen and used the correct cadences for the most part, but the mouth sounds (and I think page turns sometimes?) were very distracting. 3 stars for the audio.
I have not been this bored by a book in a very long time; I nearly DNFed it so many times, but the kidnapping premise and my hope that it would lead to more forced me to continue. In the end, I think this story could have been much more effective if told from the perspective of Oliver instead of Emmy. After the ordeal he went through and was going through he had a lot of emotions, and it would have been better to explore his thoughts than Emmy’s problems with her overprotective parents.
As things stand, I could not connect to this book at all nor did it get me to feel anything in regards to the romance between Emmy and Oliver. This book is a perfect example of why I typically do not venture into the YA contemporary genre.
As things stand, I could not connect to this book at all nor did it get me to feel anything in regards to the romance between Emmy and Oliver. This book is a perfect example of why I typically do not venture into the YA contemporary genre.
I love the premise of this book! It totally adds a different feel to the whole 'best friends falling in love' trope without ever feeling too cheesy or over dramatic. I also really applaud Robin Benway for not making this a dual POV (as so many contemporary books are nowadays) because although the catalyst for the plot was Ollie, the real story was with Emmy and I really appreciated the focus staying on her and her troubles.
My only qualm is the ending: it wrapped up way too short and open-ended. I wanted more discussion, more actual dialogue about the changes that had happened, not just Emmy explaining everything that had happened in a two sentence paragraph.
Also, I don't understand that last chapter after the epilogue. I'm sure there's some deeper meaning to it, but I'm sitting here trying to figure it out like:
This was a solid, good story! Interesting idea with what happens after the kidnapped child returns home, several years later. Also, the topic of over-protective parents was interesting and one not often seen in YA lit.
There are many words one could use to describe this book and the word I choose is authentic. The characters’ emotions and struggles are so authentic and genuine that it was easy to fall in love with this story.
I didn’t want this story to end! Oliver and Emmy have a super sweet romance and bond that nothing could ever break. I loved how the author kept things authentic with Oliver’s struggles and emotions while trying to assimilate into his former life.
I definitely wish there was a sequel I could read just to continue learning more about these characters.
I didn’t want this story to end! Oliver and Emmy have a super sweet romance and bond that nothing could ever break. I loved how the author kept things authentic with Oliver’s struggles and emotions while trying to assimilate into his former life.
I definitely wish there was a sequel I could read just to continue learning more about these characters.
4.5 Stars
I have so many feels right now!
Emmy & Oliver...what the hell can I say about this book that is not going to make me burst into tears of sadness/happiness!?! I loved this book so much, the only problem I had with it was Emmy's mom I want to kick her teeth in sometimes through out the book, but that than that small complaint I loved it. A true teen romance...I don't read very many teen romance novels, but when I do read them I get obsessive about them and that is what Emmy & Oliver has done to me as of five minutes ago! I wish there was a second one! <3
I have so many feels right now!
Emmy & Oliver...what the hell can I say about this book that is not going to make me burst into tears of sadness/happiness!?! I loved this book so much, the only problem I had with it was Emmy's mom I want to kick her teeth in sometimes through out the book, but that than that small complaint I loved it. A true teen romance...I don't read very many teen romance novels, but when I do read them I get obsessive about them and that is what Emmy & Oliver has done to me as of five minutes ago! I wish there was a second one! <3
Emmy & Oliver have been next door neighbors and best friends since birth sharing so much in common, including their birthdays. Then one day, when Oliver is seven, his dad kidnaps him. A community now panic-stricken and frantic searches for Oliver and his father for years, but to no avail.
UNTIL...
One day Oliver surfaces in New York and is taken home to reunite with his mom in California. But what is home? Ten years have passed and so much has changed. Oliver's mom remarried and had twins and Oliver grew up. However, although they have to learn how to be friends again, one thing that has managed to stand the test of time is Emmy & Oliver's friendship.
Emmy & Oliver is a light read. I mention this because I find its lightness remarkable, given the heavy subject matter. Maybe this is because Oliver wasn't taken by a stranger with some shady backstory. He was taken by his own father and apparently, treated very well. This aspect, most likely intentional, makes it harder to find a "bad guy" in the story. Author Robin Benway could have made Oliver some tortured, brooding soul, but she chose not to. Oliver is just a normal kid, whose version of normal just happened to be occurring on the other side of the country.
The issues Emmy & Oliver are dealing with also happen to be typical teenage fare. Overprotective parents, falling in love, and leaving home for the first time are all topics that are touched upon. And while it sounds morbid to say, I think that's why this story was just okay for me. I think I kept wanting there to be more to the story of Oliver's return and more to the story of Emmy & Oliver's reunion.
All in all, I felt this was just a decent read about an extraordinary event that happened to otherwise ordinary people.
UNTIL...
One day Oliver surfaces in New York and is taken home to reunite with his mom in California. But what is home? Ten years have passed and so much has changed. Oliver's mom remarried and had twins and Oliver grew up. However, although they have to learn how to be friends again, one thing that has managed to stand the test of time is Emmy & Oliver's friendship.
Emmy & Oliver is a light read. I mention this because I find its lightness remarkable, given the heavy subject matter. Maybe this is because Oliver wasn't taken by a stranger with some shady backstory. He was taken by his own father and apparently, treated very well. This aspect, most likely intentional, makes it harder to find a "bad guy" in the story. Author Robin Benway could have made Oliver some tortured, brooding soul, but she chose not to. Oliver is just a normal kid, whose version of normal just happened to be occurring on the other side of the country.
The issues Emmy & Oliver are dealing with also happen to be typical teenage fare. Overprotective parents, falling in love, and leaving home for the first time are all topics that are touched upon. And while it sounds morbid to say, I think that's why this story was just okay for me. I think I kept wanting there to be more to the story of Oliver's return and more to the story of Emmy & Oliver's reunion.
All in all, I felt this was just a decent read about an extraordinary event that happened to otherwise ordinary people.