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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was excited to read this book since I loved the Flat-Out books. This book, however, was disappointing. There were times when I really enjoyed it, but the dialogue often felt unrealistic or clunky for two college 20/21 year olds. I get that Allison was probably more mature than other people her age, but the language sometimes felt too old for the her and Esben. Overall, I really liked the storyline. I just felt like it was missing some depth and tension.
Gutted
There are no words to accurately describe the way this book made me feel. I am absolutely blown away by how much I loved this book. It made me feel things I haven't felt in years. I lost my best friend to cancer so this book probably hit me harder at the end than it would do to most people. The writing is incredible and the story is even better! Read this book! You will not be disappointed!!
There are no words to accurately describe the way this book made me feel. I am absolutely blown away by how much I loved this book. It made me feel things I haven't felt in years. I lost my best friend to cancer so this book probably hit me harder at the end than it would do to most people. The writing is incredible and the story is even better! Read this book! You will not be disappointed!!
Ugh. Inexplicable connection between the 2 main characters just because. Male protagonist who has no flaws (wtf, is he even human?) and the most shameless manipulation of emotional heartstrings that I've come across in years.
I considered giving this 2 stars but I did find it compelling enough to read to the end, so I'm being generous.
I considered giving this 2 stars but I did find it compelling enough to read to the end, so I'm being generous.
absolutely adored: top teen couple ever!!
I loved this entire story. It was wholly sweet and heart wrenching at times, but I genuinely have regained more faith in humanity simply because of this. In fact, it inspired me to connect with new people in the meantime, and I do not regret overcoming shyness and wanting to keep doing so for the rest of my life. I would fully recommend this sweet (vanilla) story to virtually anyone in the need for a sweet love story, and it will feel especially relatable and inspiring if you’re currently at university/ college/ education.
I loved this entire story. It was wholly sweet and heart wrenching at times, but I genuinely have regained more faith in humanity simply because of this. In fact, it inspired me to connect with new people in the meantime, and I do not regret overcoming shyness and wanting to keep doing so for the rest of my life. I would fully recommend this sweet (vanilla) story to virtually anyone in the need for a sweet love story, and it will feel especially relatable and inspiring if you’re currently at university/ college/ education.
Oh my goodness! Bravo Jessica you've done it again! What an amazing story of friendship, love, loss and healing. I can't say enough good things about this read. I just don't have the words. This is one that will definitely stay with me forever.
Oh the tears
What a beautiful story. Tears still trying on my cheeks. Still too emotionally wrung out to fully form my thought.
What a beautiful story. Tears still trying on my cheeks. Still too emotionally wrung out to fully form my thought.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I will revel in the opportunity to find rebirth and rejuvenation. To find myself completely ...
Wow.
That was how I felt at the end of this book. A book, mind you, that I almost failed to finish--even though I was better than 70% done.
My desire to quit had zero to do with the writing or the story. Both were absolutely stunning and, when I tell you I was emotionally spent by the end, It's not an exaggeration.
No, my issue was the presence of cancer.
It was introduced early on and I wasn't sure I would be emotionally capable of seeing where the story would lead after it was clear it wasn't going away. It was a personal thing, but I managed to continue, and I was glad I did.
The story itself is about growth, acceptance, and love.
Allison (the main character) isn't sure how to let down the walls she's so carefully built. She wants to, but she's not sure if she is ready to open her heart to a world that--to that point--has been such a disappointment.
She spent 16-years in foster care before she was adopted. The experience, understandably, left her broken.
While she has taken subtle steps towards building a life, it's clear she's not trying as hard as she can to be pro-active about her happiness.
Enter Steffi.
When I say Steffi may be the most amazing best friend ever. It's not hyperbole. Everyone needs a friend like Steffi. Every. One.
Steffi gives Allison the strength to finally take chances, and she does so unselfishly. The two girls bonded while in foster care and Allison considers Steffi to be her lifeline.
After Allison meets Esben--by happenstance--she tries to pull back into her shell. Steffi shows up to implore her to step away from her fears.
...tell me from now on, you will be brave. Take more risks. And mean it. It's time. You can't live in this room forever and never go out. You're going to miss too much. So tell me.
...I'll be brave, Steffi. From now on, I'll be brave.
That one declaration is the start of something beautiful for Allison.
Esben Baylor.
Sweet mercy, when I tell you that boy was perfection ...*fans self*.
Esben is what most dream about when they say they want a "Prince Charming". He is all that and then some, and I expected him to be nothing short of awesome.
The way the two meet--during a 180 second experiment in which they sit and stare into each other's souls--was as unusual as it gets. However, the experience causes an immediate connection.
Reading how these two fall into each other was gorgeous to devour. I don't care how storybook (and cliche) it was, it was needed in a story where there is so much pain running under the surface--in both Esben and Allison's case.
Every character in this book was purposeful and well placed in Allison's life. Simon, her father, was perfection.
He doesn't appear often but, every time he does, he does so with just the right amount of love and support for his daughter.
Kerry and Carmen offer a friendship that happens organically, but comes at just the right time.
And the stories that appear--due to Esben's humanity experiments--are subtle nods to how we can be better people: more tolerant, less judgmental, more accepting, more forgiving, and less hateful people.
Even better, NONE of the above happens in a preachy way.
In the end, it was a bittersweet story, but it was a good story.
It touched me and offered a few needed lessons about truly living life unscripted.
It's an interesting world, with interesting people. You just have to keep your eyes open.
And you should keep your eyes (and mind) open for this one.
You really have to read it for yourself to understand how heart-warming it truly was to experience.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Loved the emotional parts with her dad and her anxieties but it felt like a lot of other things were pushed aside for the sake of focusing on the love story. Even though the book felt longer than its actual page count. Pushed aside was the gay kid who got kicked out was never resolved at all, Esben's feelings of negativity in regards to internet trolls, and also, Allison's friendship with Carmen seemed very shallow from what we saw but was apparently important enough that she mentioned her to Steffi in the few phone calls she got. I really didn't like the way we handled the rape. Esben fully made the rape about himself, and it felt like the actual victim didn't matter because Esben's reaction mattered more.