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justinekorson's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
3.25
Thank you to Netgally for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a really cute story but a little short for my tastes. I think the actual final version is longer though. I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Ivy and June were really fun to get to know. one of my favorite parts was June making a joke about how they both have dead family members AND they're LGBTQIA+. I also enjoyed how Ivy didn't want to go to college and was actively fighting against it (though I'm a little mad that she actually agreed to go to community college in the end). Mia and Javonte were also really great characters and complemented the girls well.
Part of why the rating is a three though is because I'm not really a fan of insta-love which is kind of how this book felt. I'm not sure if that's just because the ARC was shorter than normal YA's or if it really was just insta-love. It felt like to me that it didn't take a lot for them to start dating. I really thought there'd be more conflict and more back and forth of will-they-won't-they? Instead, they seemed to agree pretty quickly that "yes we should date and hide it from everyone". WHICH IS TOTALLY FINE!!! I just thought that they'd have this whole conversation of "it's a terrible idea to date. let's be friends" and then over the course of the novel they're like "oh shit we're actually dating not just hanging out." I also couldn't get over the fact that Ivy ACTUALLY didn't do the showcase. I swore that at the last minute she'd be able to step-in but she didn't so that was disappointing. The fact that the "bad guy" was named Aiden didn't feel right either because my favorite author is Aiden Thomas and I love him (but this is just a me thing lol).
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a really cute story but a little short for my tastes. I think the actual final version is longer though. I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Ivy and June were really fun to get to know. one of my favorite parts was June making a joke about how they both have dead family members AND they're LGBTQIA+. I also enjoyed how Ivy didn't want to go to college and was actively fighting against it (though I'm a little mad that she actually agreed to go to community college in the end). Mia and Javonte were also really great characters and complemented the girls well.
Part of why the rating is a three though is because I'm not really a fan of insta-love which is kind of how this book felt. I'm not sure if that's just because the ARC was shorter than normal YA's or if it really was just insta-love. It felt like to me that it didn't take a lot for them to start dating. I really thought there'd be more conflict and more back and forth of will-they-won't-they? Instead, they seemed to agree pretty quickly that "yes we should date and hide it from everyone". WHICH IS TOTALLY FINE!!! I just thought that they'd have this whole conversation of "it's a terrible idea to date. let's be friends" and then over the course of the novel they're like "oh shit we're actually dating not just hanging out." I also couldn't get over the fact that Ivy ACTUALLY didn't do the showcase. I swore that at the last minute she'd be able to step-in but she didn't so that was disappointing. The fact that the "bad guy" was named Aiden didn't feel right either because my favorite author is Aiden Thomas and I love him (but this is just a me thing lol).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Grief, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Cancer, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Medical trauma
jennireadsmaybe's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Add Playing for Keeps to the list of books that made me cry. It was such a beautiful and heart wrenching portrayal of grief and how grief affects our relationships with everyone around us. I was particularly drawn to June, our star baseball player, because of just how pressured she felt by everyone around her to be the best.
June and Ivy’s romance was so sweet and heartfelt. I genuinely felt their connection and how much they cared for each other. I felt like I was back in high school crushing on jocks and stressing over the future. It was truly the most adorable YA romance I’ve read in a very long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Medical content, Death of parent, Drug use, Death, and Alcohol
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