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couldabeen05's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lolalu's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
joanasimao's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Pains me to write this as I've loved all the Jenny Coogan books I've read before but this one was just extremely basic not to mention extremely problematic. See TW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Eating disorder, Bullying, and Classism
bookishnan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chertudi's review
1.0
My least favorite Jenny Colgan ever, so much fat-phobia and fat shaming! I can’t get over how awfully she described and treated Simone’s character.
I usually love her books but WTF?
I usually love her books but WTF?
abriggs07's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was okay, but I’ll probably read the next one!
bian's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming
nea's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
danadoesbooks's review
Thank you to BiblioLifestyle and Avon for the gifted copy of Welcome to the School by the Sea! All opinions in this review are my own.
Unfortunately, I DNFed Welcome to the School by the Sea at 94 pages. I love Jenny Colgan's books, but this one wasn't working for me. Most of her books that I love are set in bookshops, bakeries, or small towns. The school setting was not as enjoyable because I am a teacher. I hated reading about how awful the girls were to each other, even though it was pretty realistic, and decided it was best to quit rather than put myself through the rest of it.
Unfortunately, I DNFed Welcome to the School by the Sea at 94 pages. I love Jenny Colgan's books, but this one wasn't working for me. Most of her books that I love are set in bookshops, bakeries, or small towns. The school setting was not as enjoyable because I am a teacher. I hated reading about how awful the girls were to each other, even though it was pretty realistic, and decided it was best to quit rather than put myself through the rest of it.
faerietxn's review against another edition
2.0
Well. I read a more currently released book by this author and thought I’d try this one out too.
It’s a mess. There’s too many stories being told. Too many perspectives. Even on the same page, it could be one or two different perspectives. Sometimes I couldn’t remember who was speaking or thinking at the time. Told from Maggie, several students, Maggie’s boss…
Then there was fat shaming. SO MUCH fat shaming. Between the kids, adults & kids and adults & adults. Disgusting and rude. Completely unnecessary for the story.
I also could not understand why Maggie would want to teach at that school. Just to say she was good enough? To get away from her life for a bit? I just don’t know any teachers who would plan on moving in a few years after taking a job like that. Seems like her original students needed her more. They really put down those kids too. Made them sound so horrible.
The ending was a complete cluster cuss. Insane ending. I suppose the author knew she’d write a second book as she finished the first? I don’t know that I’ll be able to read it but I am slightly curious to see if the author improved from book one to two.
It’s a mess. There’s too many stories being told. Too many perspectives. Even on the same page, it could be one or two different perspectives. Sometimes I couldn’t remember who was speaking or thinking at the time. Told from Maggie, several students, Maggie’s boss…
Then there was fat shaming. SO MUCH fat shaming. Between the kids, adults & kids and adults & adults. Disgusting and rude. Completely unnecessary for the story.
I also could not understand why Maggie would want to teach at that school. Just to say she was good enough? To get away from her life for a bit? I just don’t know any teachers who would plan on moving in a few years after taking a job like that. Seems like her original students needed her more. They really put down those kids too. Made them sound so horrible.
The ending was a complete cluster cuss. Insane ending. I suppose the author knew she’d write a second book as she finished the first? I don’t know that I’ll be able to read it but I am slightly curious to see if the author improved from book one to two.