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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
How do I review this book? I simply do not have the words to explain how much I loved everything about it. So much so that I actually gave this book a 5-star rating on Goodreads and I never do that. Not unless I loooooove the book.
Actually no. . . . . . . That's not quite true. . . . . . .I didn't love everything about it. I didn't like the fact that 5 minutes before I was due to leave the house I was a snivelling, snot covered mess because I'd just read a section where Esben has explained to Allison something that happened when he was in high school. I didn't love the fact that I sat up in bed until 1am this morning finishing the book and that I was told off for waking my husband up with my sniffling and nose-blowing.
I did love the way that I immediately liked and felt as though I knew Allison and Esben, Simon and Kerry, Steffi and . . . you get the idea. Primary, secondary and even tertiary characters were real to me. Every single one of them brings something to 180 seconds
I have to admit, when I was about 20% into the book I was wondering when the triangle was going to begin or when either Allison or Esben going to mess up in some huge way and then spend the rest of the book trying to convince the other that it was all just a mis-understanding - you know, like just about every other book that has a relationship at the heart of the matter. Allison and Esben getting to know each other was just timed just right. I'm fed up of reading books where couples go from nothing to everything in a matter of pages. Yes, I am aware that this does happen, especially to teenagers who can be so damned obsessive about relationships but that wouldn't (in my opinion) have been right for Allison. For someone who keeps everyone, including her Father at arms length, rushing into a relationship just wouldn't happen. I loved how slowly things happened and how understanding Esben was. I felt as though I was literally watching Allison bloom before my eyes.
The awkward conversations that you have when you're at the beginning of a new relationship was spot on. The feelings of utter insecurity and being desperate not to make an arse of yourself. Trying not to say the wrong thing. Praying to God that you haven't got the wrong end of the stick and that he does actually like you. I may be old and farty but I still remember those days and I swear to God, Jessica Park has written every single feeling that I had during those awkward times.
This is the very, very first book by Jessica Park that I have ever read. In fact, I'm not even aware of ever having heard of her before but I can guarantee that it is not the last that I will read. In fact, I've already added all of her back catalogue to my Amazon wishlist.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actually no. . . . . . . That's not quite true. . . . . . .I didn't love everything about it. I didn't like the fact that 5 minutes before I was due to leave the house I was a snivelling, snot covered mess because I'd just read a section where Esben has explained to Allison something that happened when he was in high school. I didn't love the fact that I sat up in bed until 1am this morning finishing the book and that I was told off for waking my husband up with my sniffling and nose-blowing.
I did love the way that I immediately liked and felt as though I knew Allison and Esben, Simon and Kerry, Steffi and . . . you get the idea. Primary, secondary and even tertiary characters were real to me. Every single one of them brings something to 180 seconds
I have to admit, when I was about 20% into the book I was wondering when the triangle was going to begin or when either Allison or Esben going to mess up in some huge way and then spend the rest of the book trying to convince the other that it was all just a mis-understanding - you know, like just about every other book that has a relationship at the heart of the matter. Allison and Esben getting to know each other was just timed just right. I'm fed up of reading books where couples go from nothing to everything in a matter of pages. Yes, I am aware that this does happen, especially to teenagers who can be so damned obsessive about relationships but that wouldn't (in my opinion) have been right for Allison. For someone who keeps everyone, including her Father at arms length, rushing into a relationship just wouldn't happen. I loved how slowly things happened and how understanding Esben was. I felt as though I was literally watching Allison bloom before my eyes.
The awkward conversations that you have when you're at the beginning of a new relationship was spot on. The feelings of utter insecurity and being desperate not to make an arse of yourself. Trying not to say the wrong thing. Praying to God that you haven't got the wrong end of the stick and that he does actually like you. I may be old and farty but I still remember those days and I swear to God, Jessica Park has written every single feeling that I had during those awkward times.
This is the very, very first book by Jessica Park that I have ever read. In fact, I'm not even aware of ever having heard of her before but I can guarantee that it is not the last that I will read. In fact, I've already added all of her back catalogue to my Amazon wishlist.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
I stumbled upon this book randomly and the story caught my interest. When you first start reading you think 'a cute simple love story.' But this book takes your heart and makes it feel pain and heart ache in ways I have rarely experienced when reading.
Reviewed on:5171 Miles Book Blog.
I have been in a book slump for half of June. I’ve been wanting to read something great, but constantly feeling bored with my current reads instead. In most cases, it’s no fault of the books I’ve been reading; I have simply been distracted. Part of it might be that I’ve read more than I ever have in the past year and a half and maybe I am now harder to impress. Whatever the case may be, I had an unused trial of Kindle Unlimited and decided 180 Seconds by Jessica Park would be the book to break the slump. I’ve seen the excellent reviews of this novel by readers I trust, and knew it would be exactly what I was looking for. Luckily, 180 seconds was everything I needed to read. It was emotional, touching, and had a plot that never failed to be interesting.
When Allison Dennis is roped into a video recorded social experiment, she never expects her life to change in three short minutes. She is told to sit across from a guy and stare into his eyes for 180 seconds – what comes next, no one could have imagined, especially not Allison. She lives a reclusive life, free from the scrutiny of anyone. Keeping people at arm’s length prevents them from hurting you, right? As a girl who knows the hardness of the world firsthand, through the foster care system, breaking down her walls proves to be a challenge endeavor.
In a lot of ways, I related to the main character, Allison. I find myself keeping people at a distance because I tend to distrust their motives. A person can only stand being hurt so many times. This made witnessing Allison’s transformation through one simple event exceptionally exciting. I was rooting for her character to break from the mental chains that bound her!
“You can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you.”
One of my favorite things about this book was something I normally hate when reading – dialogue. I couldn’t get enough of the interaction between Allison, Esben, Simon, and Steffi! Normally the conversations between characters bore me to tears, as they normally don’t offer much information, but it was the complete opposite with this book. Even the interactions with the secondary characters were insightful and full of beautiful wisdom! Another thing I have a love-hate relationship with is the world of social media. I didn’t know ahead of time this book would be centered around Esben’s internet fame and the things he used it for. It turned out to be something I really enjoyed reading about. It was unique, has never been done in a book I’ve read before, and offered so many great teaching moments for our modern times.
I think a lot of us, especially in this social media age, tend to see the world as mostly bad. There is a lot of negativity floating around (talking to you, Internet Trolls) and it often seeps into our minds and souls. We start to see the world through dirty shades. Esben’s journey in 180 seconds is all about showing the goodness of the world, amidst the negative. His social experiments show the power of one simple act of kindness and the ripples it creates in the big pond of life. I was impressed with Jessica Park’s ability to make this story seem so convincing, modern, and heartfelt. As we all learn to navigate this new age we live in, it would be great for us to take a note from this book. Simply, we should all try harder to be the good in the world.
180 seconds brought me to tears numerous times. In fact, I was sniffling so much at one point, my husband heard and asked, “What is that noise I keep hearing? Are the kids messing around in the hallway?” Any book that brings out that much emotion in me automatically gets the full five stars. I’d love for you to read this well done story, too! Let’s spread the goodness around!
I have been in a book slump for half of June. I’ve been wanting to read something great, but constantly feeling bored with my current reads instead. In most cases, it’s no fault of the books I’ve been reading; I have simply been distracted. Part of it might be that I’ve read more than I ever have in the past year and a half and maybe I am now harder to impress. Whatever the case may be, I had an unused trial of Kindle Unlimited and decided 180 Seconds by Jessica Park would be the book to break the slump. I’ve seen the excellent reviews of this novel by readers I trust, and knew it would be exactly what I was looking for. Luckily, 180 seconds was everything I needed to read. It was emotional, touching, and had a plot that never failed to be interesting.
When Allison Dennis is roped into a video recorded social experiment, she never expects her life to change in three short minutes. She is told to sit across from a guy and stare into his eyes for 180 seconds – what comes next, no one could have imagined, especially not Allison. She lives a reclusive life, free from the scrutiny of anyone. Keeping people at arm’s length prevents them from hurting you, right? As a girl who knows the hardness of the world firsthand, through the foster care system, breaking down her walls proves to be a challenge endeavor.
In a lot of ways, I related to the main character, Allison. I find myself keeping people at a distance because I tend to distrust their motives. A person can only stand being hurt so many times. This made witnessing Allison’s transformation through one simple event exceptionally exciting. I was rooting for her character to break from the mental chains that bound her!
“You can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you.”
One of my favorite things about this book was something I normally hate when reading – dialogue. I couldn’t get enough of the interaction between Allison, Esben, Simon, and Steffi! Normally the conversations between characters bore me to tears, as they normally don’t offer much information, but it was the complete opposite with this book. Even the interactions with the secondary characters were insightful and full of beautiful wisdom! Another thing I have a love-hate relationship with is the world of social media. I didn’t know ahead of time this book would be centered around Esben’s internet fame and the things he used it for. It turned out to be something I really enjoyed reading about. It was unique, has never been done in a book I’ve read before, and offered so many great teaching moments for our modern times.
I think a lot of us, especially in this social media age, tend to see the world as mostly bad. There is a lot of negativity floating around (talking to you, Internet Trolls) and it often seeps into our minds and souls. We start to see the world through dirty shades. Esben’s journey in 180 seconds is all about showing the goodness of the world, amidst the negative. His social experiments show the power of one simple act of kindness and the ripples it creates in the big pond of life. I was impressed with Jessica Park’s ability to make this story seem so convincing, modern, and heartfelt. As we all learn to navigate this new age we live in, it would be great for us to take a note from this book. Simply, we should all try harder to be the good in the world.
180 seconds brought me to tears numerous times. In fact, I was sniffling so much at one point, my husband heard and asked, “What is that noise I keep hearing? Are the kids messing around in the hallway?” Any book that brings out that much emotion in me automatically gets the full five stars. I’d love for you to read this well done story, too! Let’s spread the goodness around!
This is one of my favorite books. I love watching Allison come out of her shell and realize she deserves all the love this world has available to her.
In 180 Seconds, we experience Allison's life through her first-person perspective. She has a wonderful adoptive father, Simon, and a best friend Steffi, but apart from these two, Allison travels through life alone. After her years as a foster child, she's built sturdy walls around herself, and feels safest when those walls are intact. Even with Simon, Allison keeps a distance. He's warm and loving and supportive, but after all she's been through, Allison has a hard time trusting that it won't just all go away suddenly. Better to never let someone close than to risk it and then get hurt.
Steffi, though, is Allison's soul-sister. They met in a foster home, and over the years, even though separated by circumstances outside their control, they've never lost their bond. Steffi, never adopted, attends college on the West Coast while Allison is in Maine, but they keep in constant contact. Steffi is outgoing, bubbly, and mama-bear fierce when it comes to protecting Allison from anyone and everything that might hurt her.
When Allison meets Esben in that fateful 180-second experiment, she's shattered by the experience. During those three minutes, her walls come crashing down and she and Esben connect in a way that's immediately shocking and intimate. Of course, being the age of technology, those 180 seconds make her internet-famous, and Allison finds that her private bubble has been blown apart and the world wants in. And then too, she has to figure out Esben -- did he feel it too? Is this connection real?
As Allison and Esben finally meet for real and begin to talk, Allison finds herself opening up for the first time in her life. As she comes out of her shell, she and Esben begin a gentle development of a relationship that's unlike anything she's ever experienced, and the positive energy she feels lets her take risks, shut off the white noise in her earbuds, and actually reach out and let the world in.
What I liked:
The characters are really wonderful. Allison is fragile and introverted to the point of unhealthiness -- but it's understandable based on what we learn about her childhood and the amount of rejection she experienced growing up. It's hard to see her keep Simon at a distance. He's an amazing person who just knew Allison was meant to be his daughter, and he provides her with a safe and nurturing home and so much unconditional love, asking nothing in return. I loved seeing their relationship deepen as Allison's ability to trust and accept love expands over the course of the novel.
Steffi is a strong, kick-ass young woman, but even she has vulnerabilities that she tries to hide. Steffi's secrets because central to the plot in the latter part of the book, and I won't say anything to divulge them here, but just be warned that boxloads of Kleenex are imperative for this book.
Allison's blossoming is believable and well-written. You can practically feel the glow spreading within her as bit by bit, her relationship with Esben allows her to open up to life and its possibilities and to start believing in herself.
Minor quibbles:
There's nothing I actually didn't like about 180 Seconds, but I do have just a couple of minor issues with the book.
My major issue is that Esben is really too perfect. He's a lovely person, but there are times when it's just too much. He's always sensitive, always respectful, always exactly what Allison needs -- plus he's super hot and sexy and has a heart of gold. This is a guy who uses social media for good, so when he finds out that a little girl's birthday party is going to be a bust, he takes to social media to make sure she has a birthday princess extravaganza. He's just SO GOOD all the time, and it makes him seem not quite human at times.
My other complaint is that for the first half or so of the book, it feels pretty episodic, without much dramatic tension or building plot. In each chapter, Allison has some new situation to confront or an event to participate in with Esben, and they deal with it, and she learns something, and it's all good. None of it is boring or pointless, but it starts feeling like just one nice interlude after another.
Wrapping it all up:
I started 180 Seconds as an audiobook, but when I got within about 2 hours of the end, I had to switch to print so I could move faster and get through the rest of the story. Plus, I'll be honest -- this is another one of those audiobooks that probably should not be listened to in public. I got to a certain part and was taken completely by surprise and began seriously ugly crying... while I was driving my car. Not good!
I'm really not going to go further into the plot or explain my ugly crying jag or anything that happens in the last third. It's heartbreaking and yet also quite heartwarming... in other words, it gives your heart a work-out!
180 Seconds is a lovely book filled with sympathetic, enjoyable characters and complex relationships. Highly recommended.
Steffi, though, is Allison's soul-sister. They met in a foster home, and over the years, even though separated by circumstances outside their control, they've never lost their bond. Steffi, never adopted, attends college on the West Coast while Allison is in Maine, but they keep in constant contact. Steffi is outgoing, bubbly, and mama-bear fierce when it comes to protecting Allison from anyone and everything that might hurt her.
When Allison meets Esben in that fateful 180-second experiment, she's shattered by the experience. During those three minutes, her walls come crashing down and she and Esben connect in a way that's immediately shocking and intimate. Of course, being the age of technology, those 180 seconds make her internet-famous, and Allison finds that her private bubble has been blown apart and the world wants in. And then too, she has to figure out Esben -- did he feel it too? Is this connection real?
As Allison and Esben finally meet for real and begin to talk, Allison finds herself opening up for the first time in her life. As she comes out of her shell, she and Esben begin a gentle development of a relationship that's unlike anything she's ever experienced, and the positive energy she feels lets her take risks, shut off the white noise in her earbuds, and actually reach out and let the world in.
What I liked:
The characters are really wonderful. Allison is fragile and introverted to the point of unhealthiness -- but it's understandable based on what we learn about her childhood and the amount of rejection she experienced growing up. It's hard to see her keep Simon at a distance. He's an amazing person who just knew Allison was meant to be his daughter, and he provides her with a safe and nurturing home and so much unconditional love, asking nothing in return. I loved seeing their relationship deepen as Allison's ability to trust and accept love expands over the course of the novel.
Steffi is a strong, kick-ass young woman, but even she has vulnerabilities that she tries to hide. Steffi's secrets because central to the plot in the latter part of the book, and I won't say anything to divulge them here, but just be warned that boxloads of Kleenex are imperative for this book.
Allison's blossoming is believable and well-written. You can practically feel the glow spreading within her as bit by bit, her relationship with Esben allows her to open up to life and its possibilities and to start believing in herself.
Minor quibbles:
There's nothing I actually didn't like about 180 Seconds, but I do have just a couple of minor issues with the book.
My major issue is that Esben is really too perfect. He's a lovely person, but there are times when it's just too much. He's always sensitive, always respectful, always exactly what Allison needs -- plus he's super hot and sexy and has a heart of gold. This is a guy who uses social media for good, so when he finds out that a little girl's birthday party is going to be a bust, he takes to social media to make sure she has a birthday princess extravaganza. He's just SO GOOD all the time, and it makes him seem not quite human at times.
My other complaint is that for the first half or so of the book, it feels pretty episodic, without much dramatic tension or building plot. In each chapter, Allison has some new situation to confront or an event to participate in with Esben, and they deal with it, and she learns something, and it's all good. None of it is boring or pointless, but it starts feeling like just one nice interlude after another.
Wrapping it all up:
I started 180 Seconds as an audiobook, but when I got within about 2 hours of the end, I had to switch to print so I could move faster and get through the rest of the story. Plus, I'll be honest -- this is another one of those audiobooks that probably should not be listened to in public. I got to a certain part and was taken completely by surprise and began seriously ugly crying... while I was driving my car. Not good!
I'm really not going to go further into the plot or explain my ugly crying jag or anything that happens in the last third. It's heartbreaking and yet also quite heartwarming... in other words, it gives your heart a work-out!
180 Seconds is a lovely book filled with sympathetic, enjoyable characters and complex relationships. Highly recommended.
Oh My Gosh. This has to be one of the cutest books I have ever read. The character development and the plot twist felt so right. And not to mention Esben’s character is irresistible.
llison’s walls are amazing. She has built them over a lifetime of being shuffled from foster home to foster home. When she starts her junior year in college, she knows exactly how to live her life so that she will feel safe. It mostly involves being alone and not investing in people. Because people always leave. Allison’s only true friend is at school in California and her adoptive father, Simon, is trying. He really is. But she knows the truth about “parents."
Then one momentary lapse of judgement, one bizarre circumstance and Allison is introduced to Ebsen. And instead of walls, Ebsen is like a beautiful open gateway, a believer in human good, a major player of social media amazingness. And as opposite as they are, Allison can’t help but be aware of him and the freedom he seems to have. A freedom she thought she’d never find.
I was in a serious funk. I asked my sister to recommend something that was fluffy, romantic, and that I could read quick. This was her recommendation and even with my crazy life ,I read it in a day. I cared about Allison by the end. Her anxiety and trauma felt very real. The romance is fun and lovely but also poignant as Allison figures her stuff out. I liked how this book dealt with mental illness and attachment problems, straight on and with compassion. Several of the characters are too good to be true and there is a bit of a cheesiness factor but it turns out that was exactly what I needed right now. It’s a feel-good story, very contemporary with the social-media piece, but I certainly had a lot of feelings at the end. Maybe a couple tears when things were particularly tragic. This book was just what my reading funk needed.
note: for sensitive readers, there is some sexualtiy of a more adult nature - not graphic but not recommended for younger teens
Then one momentary lapse of judgement, one bizarre circumstance and Allison is introduced to Ebsen. And instead of walls, Ebsen is like a beautiful open gateway, a believer in human good, a major player of social media amazingness. And as opposite as they are, Allison can’t help but be aware of him and the freedom he seems to have. A freedom she thought she’d never find.
I was in a serious funk. I asked my sister to recommend something that was fluffy, romantic, and that I could read quick. This was her recommendation and even with my crazy life ,I read it in a day. I cared about Allison by the end. Her anxiety and trauma felt very real. The romance is fun and lovely but also poignant as Allison figures her stuff out. I liked how this book dealt with mental illness and attachment problems, straight on and with compassion. Several of the characters are too good to be true and there is a bit of a cheesiness factor but it turns out that was exactly what I needed right now. It’s a feel-good story, very contemporary with the social-media piece, but I certainly had a lot of feelings at the end. Maybe a couple tears when things were particularly tragic. This book was just what my reading funk needed.
note: for sensitive readers, there is some sexualtiy of a more adult nature - not graphic but not recommended for younger teens
*E-Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion*
I didn't like the story. I just couldn't find anything I liked about the characters or the story.
Visit my book blog The Bookish Island for detailed review.
http://bookishisland.blogspot.com/2017/05/180-seconds-by-jessica-park-book-review.html
I didn't like the story. I just couldn't find anything I liked about the characters or the story.
Visit my book blog The Bookish Island for detailed review.
http://bookishisland.blogspot.com/2017/05/180-seconds-by-jessica-park-book-review.html
The end of this book saved it. I'm not a fan of the dramatic young adult angsty conversation, and found the majority of the spoken words completely cheesy. But there is a sweetness to the characters and a very determined hope theme that will make you smile many times throughout the story. Man oh man, does your heart break and mend right along with Allison's though, the story made me feel, and that's a worth while reason to read any book!