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celiacdisease's review
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
elysiay's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
jazin95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
4.5
This was a beautiful book about teen love. It showed very real stupid mistakes but centred that with compassion. It really was a great book.
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
This was so much fun! Charming, cute, meaningful, touching, and unique. I read it in less than 48 hours because I could not put it down. I loved the concept, the story, the strong characters, the writing style, and the balance between all the plotlines.
The book juggled so much. So many different conflicts. Obviously, the main plot point of Noah keeping his online identity a secret from Eli. But we also got other layers to his life that highlighted why he felt so lonely. The constant torment from his ex-friends at school. The mystery of what happened between him and Tan. His feuding with Prisha (who was a total BITCH, and unrightfully so). His relationship with his mother and *spoiler, redacted* – which I was not expecting. And his mental battles.
I truly loved Noah. I think the book provided great commentary in the way of adolescent mental health – anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia & loneliness – and the effects they have. You couldn’t help but to root for him and feel for the guy.
Noah’s loneliness was heartbreaking. And while he made so many questionable choices, we understood that he did so because of how isolated he was from others and how desperate he was for companionship. I appreciated the focus on his body image issues, because it’s a topic that is so important to discuss but is often not. The way he was essentially ignored by his parents was so crushing. All these internal struggles made him complex a character, and I loved seeing him overcome those mental roadblocks.
Eli? Perfect. An incredible character who was so loveable that you were constantly frustrated by what Noah was doing / not doing because he deserved the truth. Scenes with him in them were often highlights of the book.
For the duration of the book, we’re left wondering what took place that cost Noah his friendships. Also for the duration of the book, I had the feeling that it was really something that wasn’t something malicious or deceitful. When all was revealed, a whole lot of his decisions made sense. And it made me feel even worse for Noah, because the guilt he put himself through was unfair.
I also enjoyed Noah’s friendship with Alex, his relationship with his sister, the scenes at the roller rink & in Eli’s secret space, and the fact that the musical was Chicago -- one of my favorites.
This book was everything a YA book should be. It was witty, adorable, romantic, funny, emotional, AND it tackled some very important issues.
And while I wanted a bit more detail to the ending and its aftermath ( I’m all for more open-ended endings, but my curious ass also loves blatant closure !! ), I have a good feeling that Noah and Eli eventually get back to where they were.
Tobias is a talented writer. I haven’t yet read his debut novel, but I am most certainly going to after how much I loved this one!
“Can this be a real thing, can it? Are we falling like snow at the beach? ... weird, but fucking beautiful. / Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful. You wanting me tonight feels impossible … but it’s coming down, no sound, it’s all around – like snow on the beach.
- Snow on the Beach // Taylor Swift
The book juggled so much. So many different conflicts. Obviously, the main plot point of Noah keeping his online identity a secret from Eli. But we also got other layers to his life that highlighted why he felt so lonely. The constant torment from his ex-friends at school. The mystery of what happened between him and Tan. His feuding with Prisha (who was a total BITCH, and unrightfully so). His relationship with his mother and *spoiler, redacted* – which I was not expecting. And his mental battles.
I truly loved Noah. I think the book provided great commentary in the way of adolescent mental health – anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia & loneliness – and the effects they have. You couldn’t help but to root for him and feel for the guy.
Noah’s loneliness was heartbreaking. And while he made so many questionable choices, we understood that he did so because of how isolated he was from others and how desperate he was for companionship. I appreciated the focus on his body image issues, because it’s a topic that is so important to discuss but is often not. The way he was essentially ignored by his parents was so crushing. All these internal struggles made him complex a character, and I loved seeing him overcome those mental roadblocks.
Eli? Perfect. An incredible character who was so loveable that you were constantly frustrated by what Noah was doing / not doing because he deserved the truth. Scenes with him in them were often highlights of the book.
For the duration of the book, we’re left wondering what took place that cost Noah his friendships. Also for the duration of the book, I had the feeling that it was really something that wasn’t something malicious or deceitful. When all was revealed, a whole lot of his decisions made sense. And it made me feel even worse for Noah, because the guilt he put himself through was unfair.
I also enjoyed Noah’s friendship with Alex, his relationship with his sister, the scenes at the roller rink & in Eli’s secret space, and the fact that the musical was Chicago -- one of my favorites.
This book was everything a YA book should be. It was witty, adorable, romantic, funny, emotional, AND it tackled some very important issues.
And while I wanted a bit more detail to the ending and its aftermath ( I’m all for more open-ended endings, but my curious ass also loves blatant closure !! ), I have a good feeling that Noah and Eli eventually get back to where they were.
Tobias is a talented writer. I haven’t yet read his debut novel, but I am most certainly going to after how much I loved this one!
“Can this be a real thing, can it? Are we falling like snow at the beach? ... weird, but fucking beautiful. / Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful. You wanting me tonight feels impossible … but it’s coming down, no sound, it’s all around – like snow on the beach.
- Snow on the Beach // Taylor Swift
miloblue's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
This is barely a flat three. Noah is kind of a wanker throughout, the resolutions are lackluster at best, and also it’s not the worst QYA that i’ve read. YMMV
sheadawson's review
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.25