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daydaybookbay's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I rated this book an 8.5 out of 10. This is a YA novel for Taylor Swift fans; you have to appreciate it for what it is. I enjoyed the plot a lot more than I thought I would. This was a fun story that I will probably revisit.
Okay, the pop culture references.. This book is marketed as a book for Taylor Swift fans. There is even a shout-out in the author's note at the end, so let's not pretend to be surprised about how many references were included. Most of them flowed with the story very well; a few seemed forced. The best executed one was page 277 or 355, where three separate lyrics were incorporated in a page.
The teen drama was a bit much at times. This is definitely a YA book (the characters are high schoolers), so I expected it to an extent. Some of the I-can't-beleive-this moments were ridiculous, but I guess teen appropriate. As an adult, a few eye rolls were involuntarily made.
So, the synopsis is basically the book. Every significant detail of the story is given in the synopsis. I am disappointed. This is one of those cases where less is more.
I found the Jester prank to be super fun The kids banding together to hide the yearbooks is such a funny story to me; to find out the author's dad had a part in the real story is hilarious. This is kids being kids, and I love it.
These are the Taylor Swift references I found. Most are direct quotes or song/album titles, but there are a few that are straight vibes.
Taylor Swift (Debut) - 6
Fearless- 9
Speak Now- 11
Red-13
1989-15
Reputation- 20
Lover- 5
Folklore- 9
Evermore- 14
Midnights-8
Other- 15
Okay, the pop culture references.. This book is marketed as a book for Taylor Swift fans. There is even a shout-out in the author's note at the end, so let's not pretend to be surprised about how many references were included. Most of them flowed with the story very well; a few seemed forced. The best executed one was page 277 or 355, where three separate lyrics were incorporated in a page.
The teen drama was a bit much at times. This is definitely a YA book (the characters are high schoolers), so I expected it to an extent. Some of the I-can't-beleive-this moments were ridiculous, but I guess teen appropriate. As an adult, a few eye rolls were involuntarily made.
So, the synopsis is basically the book. Every significant detail of the story is given in the synopsis. I am disappointed. This is one of those cases where less is more.
I found the Jester prank to be super fun The kids banding together to hide the yearbooks is such a funny story to me; to find out the author's dad had a part in the real story is hilarious. This is kids being kids, and I love it.
These are the Taylor Swift references I found. Most are direct quotes or song/album titles, but there are a few that are straight vibes.
Taylor Swift (Debut) - 6
Fearless- 9
Speak Now- 11
Red-13
1989-15
Reputation- 20
Lover- 5
Folklore- 9
Evermore- 14
Midnights-8
Other- 15
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Bullying, Cursing, and Vomit
emilywemily6's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
3.0
The setting (a boarding school) and the main plot of the jester playing a senior prank were both fun details, but I was cringing for most of this book because of miscommunication and dumb decisions. This was a second chance romance, but the reason they broke up in the first place was because of insecurities and HUGELY immature miscommunication. And it felt weird how much they talked about sex between other students. And then it took forever for the air to get cleared between the main characters about the past and about the present situationship. They had an almost accurate depiction of a diabetic using an insulin pump, but the timeline of the night and hypo/hyperglycemia episodes didn’t really make sense based on when sugar/insulin was given. I can’t believe Lily, first of all, expected Tag to realize he was getting lots of attention and that it made Lily uncomfortable- guys are oblivious. And then when he didn’t know what was wrong, it was his fault for not noticing. Ugh. Also, instead of dividing and conquering (or delivering the clues during the many days before the second part of the prank 🙄) they traipsed all over campus over and over again. So illogical and not a good use of their time. No wonder they got caught. I also feel like the school enabled spicy stuff which even at my public school was not ok. The cast as a whole was enjoyable and the shenanigans were funny, but lots of this book felt frustrating and immature, like they were 13 year olds instead of high school seniors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Medical content and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Medical content
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