Scan barcode
rebicon's review against another edition
4.0
God damn this book made me cry more than once…
I really enjoyed reading this book. Sammy is lost searching for stable ground surrounding all things life, which is entirely relatable. I loved that fact that everything that she needs to work on was up front and center. Willa and Brook are the best friends/ family you need to help guide and advise you while still staying in your corner. Knowing that there is always someone is there. Paloma, Sammy’s grandma, is probably my favorite. She has that distinct personality of loving but also don’t mess with me and I’ll do what I want. Max is also pretty lost and is trying to figure things out in his life too. This book does follow trauma on both sides and unhealthy coping mechanisms that both need to face and work on.
I love how everything was described in this book so I could picture everything going on and create the scene in my head.
My only qualm about the book is that the actions towards the end from from both Sammy and Max were slightly off-putting. I felt like it didn’t match where they both were at and didn’t come together the right way in the end.
Overall, I think this is a great book with great characters that depicts someone who is trying to better themselves.
I was sent an eARC by Penguin Random House through NetGalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Sammy is lost searching for stable ground surrounding all things life, which is entirely relatable. I loved that fact that everything that she needs to work on was up front and center. Willa and Brook are the best friends/ family you need to help guide and advise you while still staying in your corner. Knowing that there is always someone is there. Paloma, Sammy’s grandma, is probably my favorite. She has that distinct personality of loving but also don’t mess with me and I’ll do what I want. Max is also pretty lost and is trying to figure things out in his life too. This book does follow trauma on both sides and unhealthy coping mechanisms that both need to face and work on.
I love how everything was described in this book so I could picture everything going on and create the scene in my head.
My only qualm about the book is that the actions towards the end from from both Sammy and Max were slightly off-putting. I felt like it didn’t match where they both were at and didn’t come together the right way in the end.
Overall, I think this is a great book with great characters that depicts someone who is trying to better themselves.
I was sent an eARC by Penguin Random House through NetGalley for an honest review.
_karinaiello_'s review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a lovely little romance that checked all the boxes. Beware that although the author has written YA previously and the cover kinda looks YA, this an adult novel and it is a bit spicy, definitely too much for some people's kids. And by that, I mean some adults I know. ;)
Things I loved: queer rep, anxiety rep, found family, PNW setting, Mexican heritage, the food 🤌🏻😘
Things I didn't love: oh look more miscommunication trope, 3rd act breakup with bf, BFF, and Gma tooooo much! my emotions! can't handle the pain!, another shitty mom, a 30 year old who doesn't know how to cook anything besides Mac and cheese.
Anywho, it was overall really good and I wish I could remember who recommended it so I could thank them but anyway. Read this if you listened to Panic! At the Disco back in the day and if you listen to Noah Kahan now.
Things I loved: queer rep, anxiety rep, found family, PNW setting, Mexican heritage, the food 🤌🏻😘
Things I didn't love: oh look more miscommunication trope, 3rd act breakup with bf, BFF, and Gma tooooo much! my emotions! can't handle the pain!, another shitty mom, a 30 year old who doesn't know how to cook anything besides Mac and cheese.
Anywho, it was overall really good and I wish I could remember who recommended it so I could thank them but anyway. Read this if you listened to Panic! At the Disco back in the day and if you listen to Noah Kahan now.
ljoy3's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
sezillee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death of parent
loudbookstore's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
First time I've been let down by reviews on this platform.
Take "Max" out of this book and this would be a pretty good book. Having the last few pages finally have the male take a little accountability for his terrible actions isn't good enough. And if it leads anyone reading this to believe that Sammy (and therefore any person in her position) is the bad guy?
... this book will do more harm than good.
And side note-- The sex was boring and very het for a queer character.
Take "Max" out of this book and this would be a pretty good book. Having the last few pages finally have the male take a little accountability for his terrible actions isn't good enough. And if it leads anyone reading this to believe that Sammy (and therefore any person in her position) is the bad guy?
... this book will do more harm than good.
And side note-- The sex was boring and very het for a queer character.
dotsiestevens's review
emotional
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
4.0
echarp's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
3.0
youshouldreadthisif's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
christinareadsontheroad's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Sammy & Max met one fateful night when they were 18 with all the promises of a future together, but when Max leaves the next day and doesn’t reach out, Sammy realizes he’s left her like how people always do – like her mom who rarely prioritized her daughter while chasing the next best thing or guy, or her girlfriend who just got tired of their relationship. Sammy returns to her hometown after learning Max is there considering reviving his rock career and intends to write a review. Overall this was a quick read and had moments of really strong emotions, even though both characters were complicated and borderline unlikeable. This story is overflowing with miscommunication and toxic relationships, but the best part of the story is Sammy’s reunion with her late father’s mother and learning more about her paternal family history.
Thank you Random House/Dell and Netgalley for the ARC.