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caseytogo's reviews
24 reviews
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Every Summer After was a fun story with a very rushed ending and a relationship that possibly didn't need to happen . The time jumps were well paced, the supporting characters were fun and likeable but I am definitely on Team They Should Have Gone Their Separate Ways .
Sam should have been allowed to explore studying and dating in university without guilt or without it being some drunken reaction to him and Percy's situationship. Likewise, Percy should have tried dating other people properly (not hang onto city bf while wanting Sam) or just not dating at all until she could resolve those feelings.
Also, a DORM PHONE?
Sam should have been allowed to explore studying and dating in university without guilt or without it being some drunken reaction to him and Percy's situationship. Likewise, Percy should have tried dating other people properly (not hang onto city bf while wanting Sam) or just not dating at all until she could resolve those feelings.
Also, a DORM PHONE?
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Cancer
Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Reminiscent of some of my previous reads such as Waiting for Tom Hanks (waiting for the right one trope) and To All The Boys I've Loved Before (love letters / emails trope), the main character is a young adult who has never had his first kiss, let alone a boyfriend in. a long-term relationship. With every almost came an unsent email of declared feelings, only one night, he intoxicatedly sent them; and one of the recipients will be working side by side with him all summer long at the local drive-in.
A medium-paced, first crush-focused LGBTQIA story, Never Been Kissed also touches on sexual identity beyond just being gay or straight, as well as pace of life as our MC navigates a different take on relationships and approaches of one's firsts while trying to convey it's okay to not go down the same road or drive at the same speed as everyone else, even if it feels like you're behind.
Personally, I had to switch to the audiobook to avoid the temptation to skim in the beginning, but it was a cute story once it picked up the pace towards the end.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Timothy Janovsky for the read in exchange for my honest review.
A medium-paced, first crush-focused LGBTQIA story, Never Been Kissed also touches on sexual identity beyond just being gay or straight, as well as pace of life as our MC navigates a different take on relationships and approaches of one's firsts while trying to convey it's okay to not go down the same road or drive at the same speed as everyone else, even if it feels like you're behind.
Personally, I had to switch to the audiobook to avoid the temptation to skim in the beginning, but it was a cute story once it picked up the pace towards the end.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Timothy Janovsky for the read in exchange for my honest review.
When You Get the Chance by Robin Stevenson, Tom Ryan
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Toxic relationship
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
5.0
Alberta: "They just... Nicolette says stuff sometimes. That's prejudiced. Or maybe..."
Edie: "Racist? She says it so plainly, it startles me. Sometimes that seems like a bad word. Like people are more afraid of being associated with it than actually not being it"
Living in a small beach town, Alberta had been the only black person in her grade, her social circle, and was more than aware of her family's minority status in town. Her best friend Laramie "got it," but also kind of didn't. Some around her, mainly her class nemesis and nearby neighbour Nicolette, display microaggression on the subject, while others display frustrating indifference to the intolerance. Then, a new family moves into the B&B on the block and suddenly Alberta isn't so alone anymore, thanks to same-age new friend Edie from Brooklyn.
While this brief description conveys a serious tone, The Only Black Girls in Town is a very fun, thought-provoking and addictive read. The character development of the main and side characters will have you imagining them vividly, even in your own circle or town, or who in the book would match who in your existing circle.
The subjects are in middle school, but this story is completely appropriate and approachable for both young adult and adult-aged readers.
Mix chapters on growing up, community race relations, surfing, friendships, having two dads, stories in a box of mysterious journals found in an attic, mean girl drama and ice cream and you have this wonderful read by Brandy Colbert. I can't wait to see what she writes next and will be looking into her back catalogue.
Edie: "Racist? She says it so plainly, it startles me. Sometimes that seems like a bad word. Like people are more afraid of being associated with it than actually not being it"
Living in a small beach town, Alberta had been the only black person in her grade, her social circle, and was more than aware of her family's minority status in town. Her best friend Laramie "got it," but also kind of didn't. Some around her, mainly her class nemesis and nearby neighbour Nicolette, display microaggression on the subject, while others display frustrating indifference to the intolerance. Then, a new family moves into the B&B on the block and suddenly Alberta isn't so alone anymore, thanks to same-age new friend Edie from Brooklyn.
While this brief description conveys a serious tone, The Only Black Girls in Town is a very fun, thought-provoking and addictive read. The character development of the main and side characters will have you imagining them vividly, even in your own circle or town, or who in the book would match who in your existing circle.
The subjects are in middle school, but this story is completely appropriate and approachable for both young adult and adult-aged readers.
Mix chapters on growing up, community race relations, surfing, friendships, having two dads, stories in a box of mysterious journals found in an attic, mean girl drama and ice cream and you have this wonderful read by Brandy Colbert. I can't wait to see what she writes next and will be looking into her back catalogue.
When Life Gives You Lemons by Fiona Gibson
4.0
From the very first chapter of When Life Gives You Lemons, I was hooked.
From main character Viv's one-liners on friends and life that had me cackling to observations on her own husband that already made me want to yell at him, this story felt so raw and real, and somewhat relatable, I could have mistaken it for non-fiction.
And, despite the age difference between myself and Viv (she's going through menopause and I'm barely out of my twenties), I had no difficulty connecting to her ways of thinking or the reactions that'd come out of her mind or mouth,.
Add in the comic relief of the best friend, the innocence and optimism of 7-year-old daughter Izzy and the mental ups and downs we've all been through before, during and after a breakup and this book is truly wonderful, delicious lemonade
From main character Viv's one-liners on friends and life that had me cackling to observations on her own husband that already made me want to yell at him, this story felt so raw and real, and somewhat relatable, I could have mistaken it for non-fiction.
And, despite the age difference between myself and Viv (she's going through menopause and I'm barely out of my twenties), I had no difficulty connecting to her ways of thinking or the reactions that'd come out of her mind or mouth,.
Add in the comic relief of the best friend, the innocence and optimism of 7-year-old daughter Izzy and the mental ups and downs we've all been through before, during and after a breakup and this book is truly wonderful, delicious lemonade
You Have a Match by Emma Lord
4.0
In 2020, Tweet Cute by Emma Lord reignited my love and habit of reading while being stuck in what would become the longest lockdown in North America.
I was so excited to learn 2021's continuance of said lockdown would include new writing from her in the form of You Have a Match.
Not going to lie, I struggled with it at first. The amount of conflicts in the first 40% of the book left feelings of "can't we get one of these over with?" I almost temporarily DNF'd it because I didn't have a desired outcome, and I felt that was a problem. I wanted to pick a side.
Once I got into the second half of the book, it got MUCH better. The camp aspects were fun, and the character development improved to the point I wanted more.
The only thing that put a damper on it was the odd, unrealistic parental cameos and dialogues, and a sudden switcheroo of attitudes that came with them.
Looking back at the camp tales, there's also a cheek kiss I didn't understand but I'll leave it at "something to be cute."
In terms of love and summer romance, #JusticeForFinn.
Looking forward nonetheless to more Lord!
My Stats for You Have a Match:
- 4.8 hours of reading
- 22 avg. minutes per session
- 1.9 avg. pages per minute
I was so excited to learn 2021's continuance of said lockdown would include new writing from her in the form of You Have a Match.
Not going to lie, I struggled with it at first. The amount of conflicts in the first 40% of the book left feelings of "can't we get one of these over with?" I almost temporarily DNF'd it because I didn't have a desired outcome, and I felt that was a problem. I wanted to pick a side.
Once I got into the second half of the book, it got MUCH better. The camp aspects were fun, and the character development improved to the point I wanted more.
The only thing that put a damper on it was the odd, unrealistic parental cameos and dialogues, and a sudden switcheroo of attitudes that came with them.
Looking back at the camp tales, there's also a cheek kiss I didn't understand but I'll leave it at "something to be cute."
In terms of love and summer romance, #JusticeForFinn.
Looking forward nonetheless to more Lord!
My Stats for You Have a Match:
- 4.8 hours of reading
- 22 avg. minutes per session
- 1.9 avg. pages per minute
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
4.0
A slow-burn read told from two perspectives, readers are given narrations of the lives of musician Toni Bennet and band manager Seb Quick. Seb also happened to be Toni's teenaged crush back in the small town in which they'd been raised, until he ran away, leaving her behind.
Now, years later, Toni & Seb find themselves reunited in Philadelphia, first with a chance encounter at a recording studio and again when she's auditioned for a band, the band Seb happens to be working with not realizing she'd been called to try out until she's already impressed the rest of the group.
After losing the historic musical fiction show Vinyl on HBO to cancellation years ago, I was excited to read a rock story with a similar feel. It just felt a little like work getting through it. Much of the story felt like it could have been edited down, and it was hard to connect with some of the characters, whose instances, feelings and dialogue were always covered in great, great detail.
I ended up swapping reading the ebook for listening to the ebook on walks, just to get through it in a timely fashion; although the male voice chosen for the Seb chapters is far too Hollywood / cinema listings hotline for my liking, but the voice for Toni's chapters was perfect.
I almost wish Toni's story had been one book, and Seb's story had been a 2nd perspective release. I adored Toni most and just wanted to hear more of her experience when getting through the Seb moments.
It definitely gets better overall after the halfway mark though, so keep at it. A good book, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for future releases by Xio Axelrod, especially follow-ups about the Lillies.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
Now, years later, Toni & Seb find themselves reunited in Philadelphia, first with a chance encounter at a recording studio and again when she's auditioned for a band, the band Seb happens to be working with not realizing she'd been called to try out until she's already impressed the rest of the group.
After losing the historic musical fiction show Vinyl on HBO to cancellation years ago, I was excited to read a rock story with a similar feel. It just felt a little like work getting through it. Much of the story felt like it could have been edited down, and it was hard to connect with some of the characters, whose instances, feelings and dialogue were always covered in great, great detail.
I ended up swapping reading the ebook for listening to the ebook on walks, just to get through it in a timely fashion; although the male voice chosen for the Seb chapters is far too Hollywood / cinema listings hotline for my liking, but the voice for Toni's chapters was perfect.
I almost wish Toni's story had been one book, and Seb's story had been a 2nd perspective release. I adored Toni most and just wanted to hear more of her experience when getting through the Seb moments.
It definitely gets better overall after the halfway mark though, so keep at it. A good book, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for future releases by Xio Axelrod, especially follow-ups about the Lillies.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.