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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This book. Seriously, I have some major lovin’ for.
This story is about Annabel – she has lost her old friends, her old life and especially, herself. Her whole world is falling apart. Because of one specific thing that happened she isn’t able to function because she has kept quiet about it and it’s tearing her and her life apart. She lies to herself and everyone around her in order to avoid the truth and not face it. And it’s destroying her.
Then we meet Owen, a boy she avoided or ignored before her life “ended.” He challenges her in every aspect because he doesn’t believe in lies or avoiding the truth and through his love of music that he is able to help Annabel is ways nobody else could reach her. I absolutely love him as a character. He treats her like she needed to be treated in order to wake her up and get her to face herself and be honest with people and herself. He shows her there is value in her opinion and it pushes her to think.
I love the chemistry between Owen and Annabel. I couldn’t put this book down! It totally gripped my attention. I love how all the characters progressed and we see changes happen. I loved the hard truth and life situations that were happening in this story. I felt Dessen was brilliant with it.
Overall: A good honest book about real life situations. I think many girls will benefit from it and some will be able to relate which is sad. Romantic and good
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: moderate:
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
Violence: moderate
This story is about Annabel – she has lost her old friends, her old life and especially, herself. Her whole world is falling apart. Because of one specific thing that happened she isn’t able to function because she has kept quiet about it and it’s tearing her and her life apart. She lies to herself and everyone around her in order to avoid the truth and not face it. And it’s destroying her.
Then we meet Owen, a boy she avoided or ignored before her life “ended.” He challenges her in every aspect because he doesn’t believe in lies or avoiding the truth and through his love of music that he is able to help Annabel is ways nobody else could reach her. I absolutely love him as a character. He treats her like she needed to be treated in order to wake her up and get her to face herself and be honest with people and herself. He shows her there is value in her opinion and it pushes her to think.
I love the chemistry between Owen and Annabel. I couldn’t put this book down! It totally gripped my attention. I love how all the characters progressed and we see changes happen. I loved the hard truth and life situations that were happening in this story. I felt Dessen was brilliant with it.
Overall: A good honest book about real life situations. I think many girls will benefit from it and some will be able to relate which is sad. Romantic and good
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: moderate:
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
Violence: moderate
Not that much as what I've expected from Sarah Dessen.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A call for radical honesty, this novel is a testament to the importance of communication and compassion for one’s self.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Rape, Violence, Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Grief
Be aware that this text deals with internalized misogyny, family dealing with a family member’s mental illness, anorexia, loneliness, self inflicted isolation, friend break-ups, depression, repressed rage, anger management, and repairing friendships and familial relationships through communication.
challenging
dark
emotional
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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was perfect for me, because I am obsessed with music. The book is just the perfect love story of opposites attract with a few twists. It just is an amazing book.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even though this is a YA book, I really enjoyed the story. I like the author's writing style.
This review can be seen on Cristina's Book Reviews.
I’ve tried writing a review for this book 5 times already. And yet, I can’t. The words don’t come.
Basically what you need to know about the book is this:
-I read this book while suffering the biggest book slump I’ve ever encountered.
-I thought I was in for a fluffy, unimportant book, but it was much more than that. This book beautifully covered different topics such as eating disorders, family drama, friendship, romance and self-discovery.
-Annabel’s situation really touched me because she was such a simple character to relate to. I really liked seeing her confronting her demons and really rooted for her.
-Owen’s role in the book is much more than a love interest. He was first and foremost Annabel’s friend and the one who made Annabel want to speak up and confront her problems.
-Annabel’s family is wonderfully portrayed and could very easily be my family, or yours. They had a great dynamic between them and I loved seeing them supporting each other.
-The romance is so sweet because it starts off as nothing more than two outcasts who start talking to each other and becomes much more.
-The whole book was sweet, charming, poignant and powerful.
I recommend this book if you think you haven’t found the right contemporary. I recommend this book if you want a read to get you out of a book slump. Just listen to my recommendation and read this book if you get the chance.
P.S. I apologize in advance for my non-review because honestly I can’t form coherent words in regards to this book.
Rating : 4.5 stars
I’ve tried writing a review for this book 5 times already. And yet, I can’t. The words don’t come.
Basically what you need to know about the book is this:
-I read this book while suffering the biggest book slump I’ve ever encountered.
-I thought I was in for a fluffy, unimportant book, but it was much more than that. This book beautifully covered different topics such as eating disorders, family drama, friendship, romance and self-discovery.
-Annabel’s situation really touched me because she was such a simple character to relate to. I really liked seeing her confronting her demons and really rooted for her.
-Owen’s role in the book is much more than a love interest. He was first and foremost Annabel’s friend and the one who made Annabel want to speak up and confront her problems.
-Annabel’s family is wonderfully portrayed and could very easily be my family, or yours. They had a great dynamic between them and I loved seeing them supporting each other.
-The romance is so sweet because it starts off as nothing more than two outcasts who start talking to each other and becomes much more.
-The whole book was sweet, charming, poignant and powerful.
I recommend this book if you think you haven’t found the right contemporary. I recommend this book if you want a read to get you out of a book slump. Just listen to my recommendation and read this book if you get the chance.
P.S. I apologize in advance for my non-review because honestly I can’t form coherent words in regards to this book.
“There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you'd better learn the sound of it. Otherwise you'll never understand what it's saying.”
Rating : 4.5 stars