bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It’s rare that a sequel can measure up to the original, but this one does. The continuation of Ari and Dante’s story flows so beautifully from where the first book ended. You really feel for these characters as they navigate the transition between child and adult. I especially liked how they showcased the difficulty of confronting injustice and how joy and love and acceptance have to be fought for. a fantastic story that needed to be told and was told so well. 

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pulcotinette's review

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emotional funny 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? No

4.0

As much as I adored the first book, I had a hard time getting into this one. I felt that the tone was off, too mechanical, an adult trying to speak like a child. And in between, I found some poetic moments so beautiful that I thought "This I'll remember for a long time" (the camping, the painting). 
However uneven in style, I loved the fact that we get to know about Ari and Dante's everyday life in school. It brings some new characters (or brings them to the front: Gina, Susie) and a touch of fresh air. 

I was THOROUGHLY not prepared for this book to be this sad.
I wanted to pick a lighthearted and cozy book because I was burnt out, and I had to put it down for three weeks when I got to the point where Ari's father dies. I spoiled myself by turning the page, and it was the end of my reading session, so I didn't want to believe it, and sat on it for a bit. When I went back to it, I read 5 pages and put it down immediately because I felt betrayed by the story. It doesn't make any sense in the story to kill him/have him die, and I hate that this series, which made me want to mend my relationship with my parents, features the loss of a parent. Not happening, babe.


Terrible name-picking from the Quintana as always, but we kind of love them for it. I feel like the ending was pointless, but I am often disappointed by endings these days, so don't mind me. It's just unnecessary drama, really. 


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and_the_ocean_burned's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-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

5.0


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adam_ski's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

A book so filled with love, hate, loss, desire, and hope. The journey of childhood to adulthood, love, losing someone, friendship, and learning how to share the love held deep within you with others. Learning to swim in the waters of life

This book takes the reader on an adverture unparalleled by none other, packed with content to the brim.

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birthisacurse's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75


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meleac07's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense slow-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

5.0

One of the absolute books I’ve ever read. This book makes me so full of peace and it comforted me in every moment I read it. This is one of those books that makes me think differently. One of those books that has a lasting impact on me. Everything from the characters to the setting to the plot was so gorgeously done. Absolutely magnificent in every way.

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cranewife's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.0


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ridesthesun's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful reflective 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

4.75

God what a beautiful story. Love in all it's many beautiful, messy forms. I want to give Ari the biggest hug on earth; it's what that boy deserves 🥺🥺🥺🥺

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lunep's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

4.5


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skudiklier's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

Oh I loved this book. I think it might have been even better than the first one--it certainly made me more emotional, and touched me in deeper places. I looked at the content warnings partway through the book because I wanted to be prepared for if a certain thing would happen, and those made me realize a different thing would happen. Even knowing that, it really got me and I was so wrecked by it. Overall though this book is beautiful and hopeful and real.

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