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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 to 4 Stars. I enjoyed it, it's a really quick and easy read. I adore Mary HK Choi's writing style. The characters were nice but I'm not in love with them. The storyline was pretty unique and the chemistry between Sam & Penny was really sweet, but I expected a little more at the end. It was a slow-burn romance, and the build-up was so nice but the ending was a bit of a letdown, in my opinion. Still a great read overall.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
After recently re-reading Yolk and loving it a lot more the second time around, I figured that I would give some of Mary H.K. Choi's other work a shot... I am definitely left with some mixed feelings; more "meh" than anything, to be honest.
The premise of Emergency Contact is "falling in love over text". I loved the concept. Our two main POVs, Sam and Penny, talk almost exclusively over text. I totally relate to getting a message from someone you like and spending way too much time texting them. I thought that Sam and Penny's relationship was cute and was well developed by the end of the book.
The main complaint I've seen with this book is that the characters are annoying and pretentious and whatever else. Honestly, I didn't really find myself annoyed with either of them while reading this. I think they're both really flawed and can be a bit moody, or overdramatic at times, and I can see why some people might not like them, but I generally liked both of them. Sam is honestly a cute character, I can see why Penny likes him lol. They're both young, and young people are annoying a lot of the time. I think the bigger problem is that they didn't develop and overcome some of their flaws by the end of the book. There are also some very complex subjects in this book, and some of them were not resolved very well.
The writing was good, and the plot was also engaging, it just wasn't giving me everything I want in a book. I think, overall, this is a cute romance, but lacking in a few places that would've made me love this book.
After recently re-reading Yolk and loving it a lot more the second time around, I figured that I would give some of Mary H.K. Choi's other work a shot... I am definitely left with some mixed feelings; more "meh" than anything, to be honest.
The premise of Emergency Contact is "falling in love over text". I loved the concept. Our two main POVs, Sam and Penny, talk almost exclusively over text. I totally relate to getting a message from someone you like and spending way too much time texting them. I thought that Sam and Penny's relationship was cute and was well developed by the end of the book.
The main complaint I've seen with this book is that the characters are annoying and pretentious and whatever else. Honestly, I didn't really find myself annoyed with either of them while reading this. I think they're both really flawed and can be a bit moody, or overdramatic at times, and I can see why some people might not like them, but I generally liked both of them. Sam is honestly a cute character, I can see why Penny likes him lol. They're both young, and young people are annoying a lot of the time. I think the bigger problem is that they didn't develop and overcome some of their flaws by the end of the book. There are also some very complex subjects in this book, and some of them were not resolved very well.
The writing was good, and the plot was also engaging, it just wasn't giving me everything I want in a book. I think, overall, this is a cute romance, but lacking in a few places that would've made me love this book.
If you aren't into alternating POV college-aged romance, I would skip; but I flew through this one because it was a lot of fun to read.
Loved the Austin setting and the two main characters. Will look forward to future Mary H.K. Choi work.
Loved the Austin setting and the two main characters. Will look forward to future Mary H.K. Choi work.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved how real the characters were and how even a small piece of dialog could be enough to invest deeper into their story and even the story Penny was writing was interesting enough to make me want to read a full version. My only real complaint would come from the abrupt ending which isn’t completely bad just very sudden
Alright. If you want a book that gives you the vibe of reading TFIOS, MEATDG, or just any teenage styled romance book, this is the one for you. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. It is definitely a nice comfort book, but I wouldn’t die on a hill for it. The relationship between parent and kid reminded me of my own childhood/teenage years. It was also nice to see the parents stand up for themselves. You get the average love story about the “I’m not like other girls” and the “I’m emo and have a complicated life” boy, but not in the Im 12 reading a romance novel. You know?
They way Pennys mind works reminds me of my every day to day life which made me love the book at first. But once I came back to it I realized it isn’t all that I thought it was. A lovely book to read if you need some slow burn romance, no spicy scenes, and just some average young adult issues that we can all relate too.
They way Pennys mind works reminds me of my every day to day life which made me love the book at first. But once I came back to it I realized it isn’t all that I thought it was. A lovely book to read if you need some slow burn romance, no spicy scenes, and just some average young adult issues that we can all relate too.
4.5 stars
A really enjoyable read. It's a YA romance, but it's also a lot more than that. Writing, creativity, trust, communication, acceptance, and healthy relationships were all all major themes. Refreshing and satisfying in this way.
Very character-driven. In fact, there isn't much of a plot. I think a stronger plot could have strengthened character development even more. Sam and Penny are very supportive of each other and have a lovely relationship, but neither of them change THAT much over the course of the book. In a way that's beautiful because they accept each other for who they are, scars and all. But I like seeing more character development in the novels I read.
A really enjoyable read. It's a YA romance, but it's also a lot more than that. Writing, creativity, trust, communication, acceptance, and healthy relationships were all all major themes. Refreshing and satisfying in this way.
Very character-driven. In fact, there isn't much of a plot. I think a stronger plot could have strengthened character development even more. Sam and Penny are very supportive of each other and have a lovely relationship, but neither of them change THAT much over the course of the book. In a way that's beautiful because they accept each other for who they are, scars and all. But I like seeing more character development in the novels I read.