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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
funny
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
2.5
Once I got it into my head that this came across as Taylor Swift fanfic as told from the perspective of a broke, anxious, funny, delusional, and really quirky male "love interest," I just could not shake that thought. Did I enjoy the characters? They were interesting and funny and very much Gen Z in their concerns and speech patterns. The MMC, Pablo Neruda Rind, had an interesting plot and character arc overall. But again, a large portion of this book is dedicated to Pablo's relationship with mega pop star/actress Leanna Smart. (And get this, her fanbase is called "Smarties," if that doesn't convince you IDK what will.) It's alternately trying to cultivate empathy for celebrities ("their lives are SO hard" / "You just don't understand what it's like" / "only *I* get to see this side of you") and condemning the behavior of fans, paparazzi, and the capitalist spectacle that surrounds it all. Pablo never really wanted a relationship with Leanna Smart though, he just wanted an escape from the drudgery of his overnight shift at a Brooklyn bodega and a means of avoidance for making decisions regarding his future and dodging reminders of his student loan and credit card debt.
I enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook. However I fear I would have shelved this as DNF had I attempted to read it with my eyeballs. Would recommend this book to all the Swifties out there who are looking for a read with a diverse and entertaining cast of charcters.
I enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook. However I fear I would have shelved this as DNF had I attempted to read it with my eyeballs. Would recommend this book to all the Swifties out there who are looking for a read with a diverse and entertaining cast of charcters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
anniefwrites's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
I've loved Mary H.K. Choi's writing since I read Emergency Contact and Yolk and was happy to read her second of the three YA novels. She created such a strong voice for Pablo, and he and his friends and family feel so real, you could touch them. I have to say that the central tension is caused by something that causes me personally a lot of distress, so the reading experience itself was maybe a bit too stressful for me. I really like how the story ends up, but I sort of wish it didn't wrap up quite so quickly and neatly. But in general, I'll always be ready to read another book by Mary H.K. Choi because her style is so distinctive and makes you feel like a smarter, wiser, more thoughtful person for reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Stalking
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