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A review by cuppa_curiositea
Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
lol, another reviewer said that there is a lot of smut in this book, and girl, you got my hopes up! This doesn't touch smut, and while I'm being facetious more than anything, there is also a conversation to be had about the harms of labeling basic sexual exploration as "smut." So no, this book is not smutty, but it does include a handful of scenes of consenting young adults who have been in a relationship for a while exploring and expressing normal sexual desires.
Anyway! This was fun, just like the other books. I don't care about Agatha's arc, just like the other books (though I warmed up to her very slightly by the end of the book). The plot is okay, just like the other books. And all of the characters (except Agatha) are so lovable and silly, just like the other books :)
The second book of this trilogy was definitely the weakest, but this one had me laughing crying with the characters throughout it all! I listened to this on audiobook, and the narrator is phenomenal. I've never been a "fan" of a narrator before, but I looked up more of his work just because I love the way he tells stories. I digress, Rowell's characters have always been stronger and more interesting than her plots, in my opinion, and I really felt for Simon's struggles with PTSD in this book. His emotional struggles were so raw and real, and I really appreciated seeing that side of "the hero/chosen one" trope. Of course Baz says some cute romantic things that make me swoon, and everything is tied up satisfyingly, in my opinion :)
Anyway! This was fun, just like the other books. I don't care about Agatha's arc, just like the other books (though I warmed up to her very slightly by the end of the book). The plot is okay, just like the other books. And all of the characters (except Agatha) are so lovable and silly, just like the other books :)
The second book of this trilogy was definitely the weakest, but this one had me laughing crying with the characters throughout it all! I listened to this on audiobook, and the narrator is phenomenal. I've never been a "fan" of a narrator before, but I looked up more of his work just because I love the way he tells stories. I digress, Rowell's characters have always been stronger and more interesting than her plots, in my opinion, and I really felt for Simon's struggles with PTSD in this book. His emotional struggles were so raw and real, and I really appreciated seeing that side of "the hero/chosen one" trope. Of course Baz says some cute romantic things that make me swoon, and everything is tied up satisfyingly, in my opinion :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent