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A review by sasha_in_a_box
Roomies by Tara Altebrando, Sara Zarr
4.0
I went into this book thinking it was going to be all about squealing and girly things and an easy coming of age college romp. Nope! It was a lot deeper than that.
Elizabeth and Lauren both get into UC Berkley, and start e-mailing each other in June before their move-in date in August. They develop a tight friendship and go through a lot together in the couple of months before actually meeting. It touched on some interesting themes that I didn't expect to see - the accountability of adults, loyalty and selective truth-telling, and a very genuine look at the fleeting impermanence of that last summer before your life changes forever. Even a tiny thing about interracial relationship that felt fresh and realistic. Very touchy! I loved how that was handled, and everything else. The ending was exactly what I expected, and there was nothing wrong with it. Maybe it lost a little bit of its steam towards the end, but the book itself is very strong. Very recommended to everyone who is about to go off to college.
Elizabeth and Lauren both get into UC Berkley, and start e-mailing each other in June before their move-in date in August. They develop a tight friendship and go through a lot together in the couple of months before actually meeting. It touched on some interesting themes that I didn't expect to see - the accountability of adults, loyalty and selective truth-telling, and a very genuine look at the fleeting impermanence of that last summer before your life changes forever. Even a tiny thing about interracial relationship that felt fresh and realistic. Very touchy! I loved how that was handled, and everything else. The ending was exactly what I expected, and there was nothing wrong with it. Maybe it lost a little bit of its steam towards the end, but the book itself is very strong. Very recommended to everyone who is about to go off to college.