You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This completely destroyed me and popped the pink bubblegum bubble I've been building for months to keep me and my feelings safe. This was like my own personal hell. I mean that in the best way possible--this book was gorgeous and SO GOOD--but I am so not okay right now.
Hard to get into. Seemed that the whole premise was about losing a best friend, which is fair, but that would make the entire book plot just leading up to the Event that caused the falling-out. Wasn’t in the mood
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book hit so hard now that i can relate to the story, altho Cleo and i didn't have the same reaction, we both learnt how to let go. it was good. give a shot if u have time.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read for Librarian Book Group
My senior year of high school, my oldest friend ghosted me, though we didn't have a term for it then. It hurt. A lot.
Friendship breakups are inevitable, but I don't see a lot of them in fiction. But this book has the friendship breakup front and center.
Cleo is dealing with the loss of her best and only friend. As we bounce back and forth between now and then, we see bad acting on both sides, a lot of hurt, and forging a new path. There's also new friends and a dreamy guy.
In the author's note Woodfolk says this was a hard book to write. Partially because it was her second published book (which are known to be difficult beasts) and partially because she had to relive all those dead friendships. I'm glad she struggled through, because this was a great read.
My senior year of high school, my oldest friend ghosted me, though we didn't have a term for it then. It hurt. A lot.
Friendship breakups are inevitable, but I don't see a lot of them in fiction. But this book has the friendship breakup front and center.
Cleo is dealing with the loss of her best and only friend. As we bounce back and forth between now and then, we see bad acting on both sides, a lot of hurt, and forging a new path. There's also new friends and a dreamy guy.
In the author's note Woodfolk says this was a hard book to write. Partially because it was her second published book (which are known to be difficult beasts) and partially because she had to relive all those dead friendships. I'm glad she struggled through, because this was a great read.
this is different from all the books i've ever read. i feel like i know cleo in a way that no one else does? i'm finally able to accept my lost friendships and move on. reading this book felt like a goodbye i never got and i finally feel so relieved.
i'm so glad we have books.
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to read this book because it was recommended by Hailey in Bookland Booktuber! I lost a friendship this year and was suddenly just ghosted!! An almost 4 year friendship and it hurts!! This book was a much needed read to remind me people grow and change and sometimes you don’t get the answers your looking for!
A lesson worth learning. This book talks about loss - not necessarily death but the loss of a friendship - and how to deal with it. I think everyone needs to read this at least once and learn from it. Don’t victimize yourself and learn to adapt. No one is perfect but learn from your toxic mistakes.
But also it’s important to acknowledge that no matter how much you adapt, you can grow out of a person. Sometimes people no longer fit into your life and that’s okay. Cleo losing Layla was hard, but they grew out of each other.
I really admire the character development of Cleo as well as the relationship development between her, Sydney, and Willa (and Dom too, but that’s different). It was more real - Cleo became more herself.
The only criticism I have is that these kids were far too eloquent/elegant in how they dealt with specific situations. They’re in high school. I certainly wasn’t mature enough to handle a situation like that and take away the same lesson. I’m now learning this in college. So the age/setting seems a bit unrealistic but aside from that it’s a book I needed to read and understand.
Additional note: This book is so so diverse without actually making it a plot point and I love it. We need to normalize people of color in books. The most significant thing about the color of their skin had to do more with their hair and how it isn’t on par with European beauty standards and how that is internalized racism. But that was mainly it. Their existence didn’t serve to “prove” anything, they’re normal kids trying to navigate high school and we need more of that. We need more representation of black and brown kids just living their lives. Because they exist for themselves, whatever their path may be.
But also it’s important to acknowledge that no matter how much you adapt, you can grow out of a person. Sometimes people no longer fit into your life and that’s okay. Cleo losing Layla was hard, but they grew out of each other.
I really admire the character development of Cleo as well as the relationship development between her, Sydney, and Willa (and Dom too, but that’s different). It was more real - Cleo became more herself.
The only criticism I have is that these kids were far too eloquent/elegant in how they dealt with specific situations. They’re in high school. I certainly wasn’t mature enough to handle a situation like that and take away the same lesson. I’m now learning this in college. So the age/setting seems a bit unrealistic but aside from that it’s a book I needed to read and understand.
Additional note: This book is so so diverse without actually making it a plot point and I love it. We need to normalize people of color in books. The most significant thing about the color of their skin had to do more with their hair and how it isn’t on par with European beauty standards and how that is internalized racism. But that was mainly it. Their existence didn’t serve to “prove” anything, they’re normal kids trying to navigate high school and we need more of that. We need more representation of black and brown kids just living their lives. Because they exist for themselves, whatever their path may be.