You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty underwhelming and the writing is a little dodgy, but it had it's enjoyable aspects
(Arc)
'Rhubarb Lemonade' was an interesting one for me. The way the book was laid out was something I enjoyed and I loved the concept of this whole story and the way Kroon wrote it. However, this book just didn't spark a big love inside me which was disappointing. Is that the authors fault? Of course not but it was a bit gutting.
'Rhubarb Lemonade' was an interesting one for me. The way the book was laid out was something I enjoyed and I loved the concept of this whole story and the way Kroon wrote it. However, this book just didn't spark a big love inside me which was disappointing. Is that the authors fault? Of course not but it was a bit gutting.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was expecting a cute summer romance. Instead, I am sad. I really do wish the best for these characters but there’s just so much work to do and a lot of themes left unpacked. It was too honestly too short and had the potential to explore so much: identity, sexuality, grief, childhood, adolescence, navigating relationships, family. A lot of loose ends and thrown in themes that lacked development and depth. This book definitely needed to be longer!
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rhubarb Lemonade is a joyful and subtle LGBTIA+ children’s book.
First published in Sweden as ‘Waiting for Wind’ it is obvious as to why it won the August Prize for best Swedish children’s book in 2019, and amazing that we now have an English translation.
I could not put this book down and fell in love with all the characters. The storytelling around Vinga and Ruth; Grandad and Ylva; Mum and Dad makes you feel a part of the story.
A beautiful novel of a girl who just loves the sea, boats and her grandad and meets another girl who is the complete opposite. If you want to laugh at a seagull and cry at all the special moments you need to read this book.
5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to Net Galley, Oskar Kroon and Hot Key Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Rhubarb Lemonade (published June 2023)
First published in Sweden as ‘Waiting for Wind’ it is obvious as to why it won the August Prize for best Swedish children’s book in 2019, and amazing that we now have an English translation.
I could not put this book down and fell in love with all the characters. The storytelling around Vinga and Ruth; Grandad and Ylva; Mum and Dad makes you feel a part of the story.
A beautiful novel of a girl who just loves the sea, boats and her grandad and meets another girl who is the complete opposite. If you want to laugh at a seagull and cry at all the special moments you need to read this book.
5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to Net Galley, Oskar Kroon and Hot Key Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Rhubarb Lemonade (published June 2023)
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
No
Family troubles, anxiety, gay yearning. It was like reading about my childhood. But with more boats.
The first thing to say is: this cover is misleading! Or, specifically, the English-language cover. Yes, there is a romance, but that is a small part of this story about family, friendship, grief, and more. It’s written in more of a literary-fiction style, and I enjoyed this book much more once I readjusted my expectations!
We follow Vinga, a teenage girl who has a complicated relationship with her parents, but who idolises her grandfather. She escapes to the island where he lives for the summer, and as the summer unfolds we get more insights into her life and her character.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
While the book was very readable and absorbing, the plot itself didn’t stand out for me. I think contemporary novels – particularly YA – are at their best when the big plot runs parallel to what the book is actually about. There wasn’t as much emotional depth or subtlety as I’d have liked, but it was an enjoyable story about one girl’s summer. It was atmospheric enough to keep me engaged, but I was left wanting more.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We follow Vinga, a teenage girl who has a complicated relationship with her parents, but who idolises her grandfather. She escapes to the island where he lives for the summer, and as the summer unfolds we get more insights into her life and her character.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
While the book was very readable and absorbing, the plot itself didn’t stand out for me. I think contemporary novels – particularly YA – are at their best when the big plot runs parallel to what the book is actually about. There wasn’t as much emotional depth or subtlety as I’d have liked, but it was an enjoyable story about one girl’s summer. It was atmospheric enough to keep me engaged, but I was left wanting more.
I received a free copy for an honest review.