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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed all of the Boston details weaved throughout
I picked up this book because I like the author, Meredith Goldstein. I like her writing in The Boston Globe and I liked her prior novel, The Singles.
But I didn’t enjoy this book for the majority of it. I just couldn’t get into the characters or get too invested in Maya’s science experiment plan to win back her ex-boyfriend.
Goldstein gave this book so many details that are clearly from someone who knows Cambridge and Boston well. I responded to them as someone who lives in the area, but I wonder if they are as effective for people who don’t know the two cities.
In the end (like, actual end - the last few chapters), some of the conversations about the death of Maya’s mother redeemed this story. I appreciated that the characters were taking stock of their grief. I liked the idea from Maya’s Dad that the dead never leave us, and that while they are gone, their stories for the living aren’t quite ever over: “the dead follow us. Not literally, like a ghost or anything, but you keep thinking about the person you lost and learning new things.”
But I didn’t enjoy this book for the majority of it. I just couldn’t get into the characters or get too invested in Maya’s science experiment plan to win back her ex-boyfriend.
Goldstein gave this book so many details that are clearly from someone who knows Cambridge and Boston well. I responded to them as someone who lives in the area, but I wonder if they are as effective for people who don’t know the two cities.
In the end (like, actual end - the last few chapters), some of the conversations about the death of Maya’s mother redeemed this story. I appreciated that the characters were taking stock of their grief. I liked the idea from Maya’s Dad that the dead never leave us, and that while they are gone, their stories for the living aren’t quite ever over: “the dead follow us. Not literally, like a ghost or anything, but you keep thinking about the person you lost and learning new things.”
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I recieved this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. I picked this book solely based on the cover. I loved the colors. I also do not consider myself a "science" girl. That being said, I loved this book. It wasn't so science-y that I didn't understand, but enough to keep me interested. About halfway through I wasn't sure how I wanted it to end, afraid of Being disappointed, but I think the author did a good job. The characters seemed real to me, with flaws and imperfections that helped me relate to them. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think everyone else will also.
idk if this was bad, but it wasn’t for me. I started skimming after 8 chapters just to see what happened, but I wasn’t invested enough in the characters or plot to actually engage with the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I watched a video on YouTube a while back on someone reading books bought from Dollar Tree a while back and decided to try it for myself. This is the first of those books I've read.
There were a couple snippets that made me laugh. The premise itself definitely gave an instinctive "ick", and the main character, Maya, I found varying degrees of infuriating throughout the story. (But also, she was seventeen and in mourning -- neither of which are excuses, but definitely make her characterization seem reasonable-for-her-circumstances.)
Overall, a quick (and quirky) read.
There were a couple snippets that made me laugh. The premise itself definitely gave an instinctive "ick", and the main character, Maya, I found varying degrees of infuriating throughout the story. (But also, she was seventeen and in mourning -- neither of which are excuses, but definitely make her characterization seem reasonable-for-her-circumstances.)
Overall, a quick (and quirky) read.
This is a light, gentle romance for teenagers. I liked the concept, I thought it was very individual and unique. I was worried that the science would be very confusing to follow, since I basically scraped through all my science lessons (cough)many(cough) years ago, but it was all very well explained and easy to understand.
Cute moments, fluffy romance and characters who actually learn a lesson in the end; what more could you want from a book?
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This does not affect my review in any way. Thank you for the chance to read it.
Cute moments, fluffy romance and characters who actually learn a lesson in the end; what more could you want from a book?
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This does not affect my review in any way. Thank you for the chance to read it.
Funny and feel-good, Goldstein's YA debut is perfect for fans of [a:Morgan Matson|3351454|Morgan Matson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1281591801p2/3351454.jpg], [a:Kasie West|5027236|Kasie West|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1450586450p2/5027236.jpg], [a:Sarah Strohmeyer|26791|Sarah Strohmeyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1333203308p2/26791.jpg], and [a:Jessica Brody|1164465|Jessica Brody|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201278268p2/1164465.jpg].
Eighteen-year-old Maya is about to spend her summer before college working at her mom's old MIT research lab when she comes across an experiment she was doing but never completed. Along with her mom's former assistant, Maya is determined to finish it -- using 3 cute guys as the testers. What happens, of course, isn't always the best of results.
Hypothesis? Summer-y and a breezy read that takes place in Cambridge ("Not Boston!" "We used to go there on field trips as if it were hours away"). :-)
Eighteen-year-old Maya is about to spend her summer before college working at her mom's old MIT research lab when she comes across an experiment she was doing but never completed. Along with her mom's former assistant, Maya is determined to finish it -- using 3 cute guys as the testers. What happens, of course, isn't always the best of results.
Hypothesis? Summer-y and a breezy read that takes place in Cambridge ("Not Boston!" "We used to go there on field trips as if it were hours away"). :-)