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applesauceee's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
2.75
sapphic_king's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
renee_c's review against another edition
1.0
Not even close to Red, White, Royal Blue.
Why do many high school relationships revolve around the main character treating their friends like trash in favor of a god-like love interest?
Shara Wheeler was the worst caricature of a person. Chloe and Shara were both incredibly unlikeable, and both exhibited majorly psychotic behavior. The side characters, Rory and Smith, were slightly more sweet but their queerness (as well as the queerness of everyone in the book other than Chloe) felt forced. How many times can an author pull a "Surprise! They're gay!" before it gets old?
I definitely have a lot of issues with this book. Chloe lives for nothing but Shara, dropping her friends just to hunt for this mythical unicorn that is Shara Wheeler. It was very difficult to read half a book dedicated to nothing but extravagant praise for Shara Wheeler. And then once we find her, we discover that Shara is absolutely unhinged, possibly just as must so as Chloe. And then there is still HALF the book left! At which point, McQuiston tries to make this political. I could not read any more of Shara and Chloe's painfully cringey interactions or preachy teen emotions. These scenes tried to be reminiscent of Alex+Henry's Texas lake scenes, but because McQuiston never showcased any in-person interactions between Shara and Chloe, the attraction and chemistry is not there-- it's just plain awkward.
Would not recommend. I'd rather reread RWRB for the fiftieth time.
Why do many high school relationships revolve around the main character treating their friends like trash in favor of a god-like love interest?
Shara Wheeler was the worst caricature of a person. Chloe and Shara were both incredibly unlikeable, and both exhibited majorly psychotic behavior. The side characters, Rory and Smith, were slightly more sweet but their queerness (as well as the queerness of everyone in the book other than Chloe) felt forced. How many times can an author pull a "Surprise! They're gay!" before it gets old?
I definitely have a lot of issues with this book. Chloe lives for nothing but Shara, dropping her friends just to hunt for this mythical unicorn that is Shara Wheeler. It was very difficult to read half a book dedicated to nothing but extravagant praise for Shara Wheeler. And then once we find her, we discover that Shara is absolutely unhinged, possibly just as must so as Chloe. And then there is still HALF the book left! At which point, McQuiston tries to make this political. I could not read any more of Shara and Chloe's painfully cringey interactions or preachy teen emotions. These scenes tried to be reminiscent of Alex+Henry's Texas lake scenes, but because McQuiston never showcased any in-person interactions between Shara and Chloe, the attraction and chemistry is not there-- it's just plain awkward.
Would not recommend. I'd rather reread RWRB for the fiftieth time.
ur_mother_779's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
vikkom's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
faeliah's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
honestly, i hate to say it but i was extremely disappointed with this book. that is not to say everyone will have the same opinions as me, and i think this book has a specific audience.
i actually really liked the mystery aspect and also the side relationships that formed. those parts kept me more interested in the book. however, when it came to Chloe and Shara, it just felt toxic. i honestly felt like the tension they felt was not a fair enough amount of build up to them having feelings for each other, especially since they were quite nasty to each other when we first see them interact in person. Shara, after their first interaction, actually felt redeemable and i felt for her, but Chloe’s reaction was so infuriating that i was just not having a good time. Chloe very much was an unreliable protagonist.
i understood this book, got what it was trying to do, but realistically this relationship would not last very long with how it started (maybe if it wasn’t rushed after everything, and got to understand the real parts of each other) and it just makes me sad.
i actually really liked the mystery aspect and also the side relationships that formed. those parts kept me more interested in the book. however, when it came to Chloe and Shara, it just felt toxic. i honestly felt like the tension they felt was not a fair enough amount of build up to them having feelings for each other, especially since they were quite nasty to each other when we first see them interact in person. Shara, after their first interaction, actually felt redeemable and i felt for her, but Chloe’s reaction was so infuriating that i was just not having a good time. Chloe very much was an unreliable protagonist.
i understood this book, got what it was trying to do, but realistically this relationship would not last very long with how it started (maybe if it wasn’t rushed after everything, and got to understand the real parts of each other) and it just makes me sad.
gardensnail's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I liked it.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
This is one of the first books I have read by this author. I loved the characters and the plot. It was surprising to me that it was more of a mystery in a way then a romance. Thought the romance that was in there wasn’t unwanted.
This is one of the first books I have read by this author. I loved the characters and the plot. It was surprising to me that it was more of a mystery in a way then a romance. Thought the romance that was in there wasn’t unwanted.