Listened to this while painting a Bluey mural for summer reading at work - the vibes were immaculate.
I mean - gender swapped beauty & the beast retelListened to this while painting a Bluey mural for summer reading at work - the vibes were immaculate.
I mean - gender swapped beauty & the beast retelling with swan princess undertones ??? and actual interesting as FUCK magic ??? The whole concept went so hard.
But there was something about how the writing (or perhaps the narration though his accent was lovely & he also narrated the dude from the atlas six but anyway) gave way to feeling a little standoffish, like a good friend divulging in a secret but somehow still holding you an arms length away.
So while the concept and the fancy narration made for a swell afternoon of painting, I wasn’t particularly invested in the MCs but it didn’t bother me too much.
I would’ve sworn at least half of this book was a fever dream and I’m genuinely impressed with how much I remembered once I started reading. Middle scI would’ve sworn at least half of this book was a fever dream and I’m genuinely impressed with how much I remembered once I started reading. Middle school me was onto something here, Uglies is a fresh take (even now) in the dreary landscape of y2k YA dystopian.
Even tho Tally’s main quality is self preservation and she’s a prime time example of chaotic neutral, her pov is so entertaining. Also it’s hysterical how much I hyped up the romance because there is literally NO CHEMISTRY between her & David. I projected a lot of an old crush’s characteristics onto him back in the day and it was just SO FUNNY reimagining him like that.
5⭐️ real recognizes real
~~
hardcore guesstimate on when I read this in middle school but I rmr being capital-O Obsessed and now with the potential for a buddy read w my fav buddy reader raddawn??? i’m STOKED....more
In Going Bicoastal we get two stories for the price of one, but honestly I wish each storyline got its own novel. The sliding door format & alternatinIn Going Bicoastal we get two stories for the price of one, but honestly I wish each storyline got its own novel. The sliding door format & alternating parallel timelines was certainly a unique artistic choice, but it didn’t totally work for me.
While I eventually became super invested in both plot lines, it took a while to settle in & connect with the characters. Cerebrally I loved the what-if factor, and how one decision has the potential to alter the future. But logistically, it just felt like the stories were competing with each other.
Mostly, I loved the exploration of music & the arts (NYC plot line) and the depictions of different cuisine (LA plot line). Natalya reconstructing a relationship with her estranged mom in both plot lines was really lovely too. The family & friendship vibes were unmatched, both stories felt full of genuine care & support.
Overall, I really enjoyed Natalya’s pov and her character development in both plot lines. Loved the bi girl rep & the “what am I doing with my life” freak out. I loved how in both stories she stays true to herself and slowly uncovers her dreams & desires & works up the courage to pursue her passions. Also a super cool discussion of intersectional identities (specifically being queer & Jewish).
**spoiler alert** When all was set & done, I felt like there was a lack of closure, or too much closure? Idk. I almost wish the novel ended on Natalya opening the door & the reader not knowing who it was on the other side. Instead we got the conclusion for both storylines and I was left feeling like everything I read (listened to) was vaguely pointless.
I’m sorry but I simply could not suspend my belief enough to accept that a 19 year old pop star and a 19 year old spy were somehow the best options (oI’m sorry but I simply could not suspend my belief enough to accept that a 19 year old pop star and a 19 year old spy were somehow the best options (over the CIA!) to take down a crime lord. And the writing just added insult to injury. I remember reading Warcross for advanced battle back in the day and I thought Marie Lu’s writing was so crisp & clean, but this was intensely, insultingly juvenile (and I say this as an avid YA reader, so it’s not like I wasn’t the intended audience).
Raw & honest, a hard hitting portrayal of grief and trauma and learning to love and let yourself be loved through it all. Certainly not the fluffy wilRaw & honest, a hard hitting portrayal of grief and trauma and learning to love and let yourself be loved through it all. Certainly not the fluffy will-they-won’t-they I was expecting, but something deeper & real.
4⭐️
CW: loss of a parent (on page flashback), substance abuse, mention of SA, sick parent(s), child neglect ...more
I’m feeling all the warm and mushy feelings, Becky really tucks you in tight, snug as a bug in a rug, and plants a sweet kiss on your forehead before I’m feeling all the warm and mushy feelings, Becky really tucks you in tight, snug as a bug in a rug, and plants a sweet kiss on your forehead before wishing you sweet dreams and turning on your rainbow nightlight & white noise machine.
Imogen was a fresh voice, equal parts quirky and cringe and relatable and I loved reading along through her tentative exploration of attraction and feelings. There was something so distinctly YA about this novel, with it’s goofy & chaotic premise and deeply relatable introspection.
While you can expect to have an absolute blast, there are also profound discussions and insights artfully woven throughout the story. The conversations surrounding queerbaiting and biphobia are so important and are handled and explored with such tenderness and care. Becky’s author’s note had me choking back sobs, demonstrating just how significant these conversations are, and many moments during Imogen’s journey tugged painfully at my heartstrings.
A truly, beautifully raw and validating narrative of self discovery & queerness.
5⭐️
**big big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Publishing for this eARC**...more
This was so understatedly sweet & endearing and gave me all the feels. Eliza’s quiet loneliness and longing spoke to me so deeply, and her tentative oThis was so understatedly sweet & endearing and gave me all the feels. Eliza’s quiet loneliness and longing spoke to me so deeply, and her tentative opening and vulnerability was so rewarding and authentic. And let’s take a minute to talk about sweet baby Caz & the way they worked right into each other’s lives. This was everything I could ever want from a YA fake dating contemporary romance - their dynamic was just SO NICE. There were a few moments where I physically cringed from secondhand embarrassment but it’s just not a good YA if you don’t cringe I’m sorry.
I also really loved the discussion of home & feeling untethered. Eliza, my girl, my default setting is also loneliness - so cheers to shedding some layers & finding people to trust with our true selves.
Sweet, heartwarming, and quirky cute, I loved my time with Dylan. He was such a sweetie pie lead, and his awkward bashful self who just wanted to do sSweet, heartwarming, and quirky cute, I loved my time with Dylan. He was such a sweetie pie lead, and his awkward bashful self who just wanted to do some good and help his family and maybe hold hands with his fake boyfriend warmed my little heart.
This was a mildly chaotic read with its 10k cuff links and fancy Ferraris and red eye round trips to Singapore. But I guess that’s what rich people do with all their money? Idk. I’m not sure how serious I was supposed to be while reading this but I was completely unserious the entire time. There were so many points where I chortled out of the sheer absurdity. Threatening to sue over green onions??? PLS!! THATS SO FUNNY!!
But in all seriousness I loved the familial love, the ode to tradition, and the shenanigans of first love. And the food????? I need it all in my belly, now.
3.5⭐️ rounding up even tho the insta love was a little too insta and the rich were just too rich, we had a good time
**thank you NetGalley for this eARC even though its been published already & I waited until pride month to read it...more
Truly so nice and with a really great voice & a really important message. I loved Shani’s journey to becoming her truest, queerest self, of taking conTruly so nice and with a really great voice & a really important message. I loved Shani’s journey to becoming her truest, queerest self, of taking control of her narrative, of rectifying her wrongs and embracing her flaws and stepping a brave foot forward. This was such a tender story of whirlwind feelings and tentative hope and fumbling trust. Also I loved the subtle holiday vibes.
YA gets me, it just does - even if this one edged a little angsty and I wanted to shake Shani by the shoulders 90% of the time and tell her to get a freaking GRIP.
What a disappointment. The writing was jolted and choppy, the characters were one dimensional, and the setting and plot was chock full of wasted potenWhat a disappointment. The writing was jolted and choppy, the characters were one dimensional, and the setting and plot was chock full of wasted potential.
To say I love this book would be like saying that I sometimes tolerate dessert, which anyone who knows me will call that bluff from a mile away and duTo say I love this book would be like saying that I sometimes tolerate dessert, which anyone who knows me will call that bluff from a mile away and dutifully insist that Cecilia + anything sweet = pure elation. So, what I’m getting at is, saying I love this book is basically the understatement of the new millennia and I immediately need to Google synonyms for love that properly convey my intense feelings about this book.
Similarly, Celine + Brad = pure gold. I don’t know how she does it, but Talia Hibbert somehow manages to physically electrify the pages with their chemistry and wit. Their character development is so endearing and uniquely their own, and their navigation of feelings and self and present and future feels so authentic.
A few years after an intense falling out, our MCs are thrown together in an outdoor expedition scholarship competition and find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. Highly suspicious flirting and unfairly cute denial ensues. *cue the giddy swoon*
Celine and Brad’s dynamic of once besties turned academic rivals/self proclaimed arch nemesis turned coerced forced proximity acquaintances turned cautious friends turned friends that make out sometimes turned tortured friends that can’t admit they love each other turned actual best friends actually in love is just. Incredible. Completely heartwarming.
Hibbert’s witty and honest writing elevates Celine and Brad’s POVs to new heights. Folks, I audibly cackled and scared my cat (more than once). The plot moves along at a nice clip and serves our characters well. And the cast of supporting characters supplements our MCs on their journey quite nicely.
I was skeptical when I first saw this book release, as YA can be a tough genre to break into. It’s a delicate balance of capturing the coming-of-age-ness without coming across as completely insufferable. I’m happy to report that I did not suffer one bit, no ma’am. YA looks good on you, Talia Hibbert, I’m positively buzzing.
My singular wish is to edit out the Kanye reference, which was literally one piece of dialogue. That’s it. That’s the only suggestion I’ve got.
5⭐️
**a big big BIG thank you to Talia Hibbert, NetGalley and the Joy Revolution imprint of Random House Children’s Books for making all my dreams come true and blessing me with this eARC, I wish you every happiness**...more
What a treat - the disability rep, the queer rep, the sweetie pie badass grandmas, the band of woodland spirits and overall spooky vibes - an absoluteWhat a treat - the disability rep, the queer rep, the sweetie pie badass grandmas, the band of woodland spirits and overall spooky vibes - an absolute treat.
Enchanting from start to finish, I am charmed and endeared and feeling all the good things. I loved the soft, effortless magic and the endearing cominEnchanting from start to finish, I am charmed and endeared and feeling all the good things. I loved the soft, effortless magic and the endearing coming of age growth and the rekindling of best friendship and love.
5⭐️ of perfect magical YA to brighten up my spooky-ish reading season...more
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