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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Actual rating: 2.5
I feel pretty conflicted about this book, and I'm so sad about that. I loved Let's Talk About Love, as it was one of the first books where I saw asexuality represented, so I had really high hopes for this one. And I really loved the first part of the book, which was very promising, but then it all sort of went downhill for me.
The good:
- The main character, Winnie. She's truly amazing: a well-rounded, flawed and very interesting character. I really loved the rep, especially because of her confidence about any and all of her identities.
- The representation is absolutely fantastic. It's unlike any I've seen before, and I truly loved it. I thought it was especially wonderful that the main character was already in an established QPR at the start of the book.
- The focus on friendship and family, and the message that no type of relationship is superior to others. This book just really centers the message that romantic love is not inherently better than platonic love, and that the only thing that matters is your decision to commit to someone. I especially loved Winnie's relationship with her brother.
- The setting of the book. This book is set in a small town, where Winnie always spends her summers in her grandmother's diner. It gave me real Gilmore Girls vibes, and it just had so much potential for a wonderful summer read.
- The writing. I loved how focused the book was on Winnie herself, and how introspective it was.
The less good:
- The pacing of this book was often choppy. We'd start a new chapter, and it would be completely unclear what the context was. There was no natural flow or logical transition a lot of the time.
- The plot was... confusing. I think this is partly due to the pacing, but it was also just really messy. Of course the plot is very much secondary to the characters here, this being a character driven novel, but still, something needs to actually happen. And actually, quite a lot of things did, but they never really led to much. They weren't described in depth, and ultimately, the book felt like one long introduction to an unfinished story.
- Aside from Winnie, none of the characters were really fleshed out, and I would have really liked to get to know them better, because that would have made Winnie's motivations more clear as well. We know she loves Kara, but we never truly see why. We also know that she likes Dallas, but we never really learn much about him, either. Even Winnie's family has pretty vague characteristics, mostly limited to a few interests, and I thought this was a real shame.
So in the end, there was a lot in this book that really spoke to me. But I'm really sad to say I didn't love it overall, because it was just too messy of a book for me to be able to truly enjoy it. It feels a bit like I've read a draft of a book rather than a finished novel, and I think it could have done with more editing, if I'm very honest.
Rep: Black fat polyamorous queer MC in an open QPR, aroace side character (not confirmed on page), several Black side characters
CWs: racism, fatphobia, emotionally abusive grandparent
I feel pretty conflicted about this book, and I'm so sad about that. I loved Let's Talk About Love, as it was one of the first books where I saw asexuality represented, so I had really high hopes for this one. And I really loved the first part of the book, which was very promising, but then it all sort of went downhill for me.
The good:
- The main character, Winnie. She's truly amazing: a well-rounded, flawed and very interesting character. I really loved the rep, especially because of her confidence about any and all of her identities.
- The representation is absolutely fantastic. It's unlike any I've seen before, and I truly loved it. I thought it was especially wonderful that the main character was already in an established QPR at the start of the book.
- The focus on friendship and family, and the message that no type of relationship is superior to others. This book just really centers the message that romantic love is not inherently better than platonic love, and that the only thing that matters is your decision to commit to someone. I especially loved Winnie's relationship with her brother.
- The setting of the book. This book is set in a small town, where Winnie always spends her summers in her grandmother's diner. It gave me real Gilmore Girls vibes, and it just had so much potential for a wonderful summer read.
- The writing. I loved how focused the book was on Winnie herself, and how introspective it was.
The less good:
- The pacing of this book was often choppy. We'd start a new chapter, and it would be completely unclear what the context was. There was no natural flow or logical transition a lot of the time.
- The plot was... confusing. I think this is partly due to the pacing, but it was also just really messy. Of course the plot is very much secondary to the characters here, this being a character driven novel, but still, something needs to actually happen. And actually, quite a lot of things did, but they never really led to much. They weren't described in depth, and ultimately, the book felt like one long introduction to an unfinished story.
- Aside from Winnie, none of the characters were really fleshed out, and I would have really liked to get to know them better, because that would have made Winnie's motivations more clear as well. We know she loves Kara, but we never truly see why. We also know that she likes Dallas, but we never really learn much about him, either. Even Winnie's family has pretty vague characteristics, mostly limited to a few interests, and I thought this was a real shame.
So in the end, there was a lot in this book that really spoke to me. But I'm really sad to say I didn't love it overall, because it was just too messy of a book for me to be able to truly enjoy it. It feels a bit like I've read a draft of a book rather than a finished novel, and I think it could have done with more editing, if I'm very honest.
Rep: Black fat polyamorous queer MC in an open QPR, aroace side character (not confirmed on page), several Black side characters
CWs: racism, fatphobia, emotionally abusive grandparent
I enjoyed Kann's previous book, and loved the cover for this one, so I thought I would give it a try. I struggled with this one a bit more, and I think it's because I was trying to figure out what queerplatonic meant. It wasn't a term I had heard before, and I looked it up, and I'm still not sure I have a handle on it. I did like how insistent Winnie was on communication and being direct, which I think was a good demonstration for any relationship. She could have used some more of that outside of Kara and Dallas, but I understand it can be harder with family than partners. I also think this book does a good job of illustrating fatphobia and how insidious it is.
Fun summer read about Winnie spending her summer with Granny, running the diner, and with her brother Winston and her cousin Sam. And of course, with her partner and ungirlfriend, Kara, who is amazing. Actually, what's most interesting in this book is the depiction of a different kind of relationship, besides straight, monogamous or even queer and monogamous. Winnie's relationship model is completely different and she has rules, but it still confuses her and Kara sometimes. There is some new love in this book, and some fun small town, and some funny parents. It's got a lot of great summer fun...plus a little extra representation we sorely need.
Messy, but cute! And a really interesting exploration of a (I guess?) queerplatonic relationship.
More like a 4.5.
I have wanted to read this since reading Calire's first book and liking it, but boy I was not expecting to comment to this like I did. Winnie really captured my heart with the way she knew herself enough to be comfortable in many situations that are usually pitfalls of fat characters in books. She advocated for herself really well, but at the same time she had her vulnerability that made her even more relatable. As a white person I can never understand her Balckness, but as a queer, fat woman I saw a lot of myself in her and how she handled things and especially with her desire to put her loved ones front and center in her life. I also especially loved the discussions around relationships and how these characters communicated about their thoughts, feelings, and needs. It was so refreshing to not have a constant conflict of miss communication or small lies. I'd argue the pacing could have been better, but I just enjoyed the characters so much it is easy to get past. In the end I just really, really, enjoyed this book and can see it being in my top books of the year for sure.
I have wanted to read this since reading Calire's first book and liking it, but boy I was not expecting to comment to this like I did. Winnie really captured my heart with the way she knew herself enough to be comfortable in many situations that are usually pitfalls of fat characters in books. She advocated for herself really well, but at the same time she had her vulnerability that made her even more relatable. As a white person I can never understand her Balckness, but as a queer, fat woman I saw a lot of myself in her and how she handled things and especially with her desire to put her loved ones front and center in her life. I also especially loved the discussions around relationships and how these characters communicated about their thoughts, feelings, and needs. It was so refreshing to not have a constant conflict of miss communication or small lies. I'd argue the pacing could have been better, but I just enjoyed the characters so much it is easy to get past. In the end I just really, really, enjoyed this book and can see it being in my top books of the year for sure.
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
If you weren't convinced that Kann has a knack for characters, then If It Makes You Happy will certainly convince you. Winnie has a big heart, does things for the right reasons (if they aren't the best course of action), and is one of those characters you instantly like. Whether Winnie's dedication to her family, her own personal growth to stick to what she believes in, or her entanglements with love, If It Makes You Happy will stick with you.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog-tour-if-it-makes-you-happy-by-claire-kann/
If you weren't convinced that Kann has a knack for characters, then If It Makes You Happy will certainly convince you. Winnie has a big heart, does things for the right reasons (if they aren't the best course of action), and is one of those characters you instantly like. Whether Winnie's dedication to her family, her own personal growth to stick to what she believes in, or her entanglements with love, If It Makes You Happy will stick with you.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog-tour-if-it-makes-you-happy-by-claire-kann/
Tender and relatable on so many levels.
I love the subtleties of this book. Just ace peeps being ace and living their lives without turning this book into an educational primer on the ace spectrum. I appreciated the storyline with the grandmother. Family dynamics are hard, and it's so important to learn to draw your boundaries and be your own person, and that's okay. I'm so glad teens get an opportunity to see that with this book.
I love the subtleties of this book. Just ace peeps being ace and living their lives without turning this book into an educational primer on the ace spectrum. I appreciated the storyline with the grandmother. Family dynamics are hard, and it's so important to learn to draw your boundaries and be your own person, and that's okay. I'm so glad teens get an opportunity to see that with this book.
I'm so sad...
I hoped to love this but it was sadly just OK for me. :(
I hoped to love this but it was sadly just OK for me. :(