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jeslyncat's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere in this book "Mackler" gets lost in the awkwardess of her main character. The story devolves because of a lack of progression and a lack of reason behing the plot.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+
Favorite Quote: "That along with love comes other four-letter words. Like hate, obviously. And loss. And gain. And most importantly, grow."
Sammie Davis, not the entertainer, used to have a good life. She considers herself an average girl, but she lived in a middle-class home with her mother, father, and her dog Moxie. Then, her life hit a rough patch. Her parents decide to go through a trial separation. Sammie soon finds herself whisked away to New York City in a cramped Manhattan apartment while her father is enjoying freedom in California. Not only has her whole life been shaken and she has started getting anxiety from the whole ordeal, she doesn't like how she physically looks, she's never had a boyfriend, and her gorgeous best friend uses her as a therapist. As Sammie's summer drags on, she struggles to deal with the separation and dealing with her mother who is, for lack of a better word, irresponsible. This is the story about how Sammie learns to deal with this rocky patch in her life and how she comes to understand that along with love come other four-letter words: hate, loss, gain... and grow.
When I first stumbled across this book I was about 15. I found it at a local used bookstore and I bought it because I thought the title was pretty cool. Since I have the strangest system for choosing books, this book sat on my shelf for... well until yesterday. I was sure I was going to DNF this book before I even started it because I looked at it and thought the book was too young for me now. I pushed myself to start it though and I'm so glad I did. This book is a little like Judy Blume's controversial book "Forever". It's a coming of age book that is honest about sex and growing up. While the main character does not have sex, it is discussed in passing between her and her friend Kitty, who is not a virgin anymore. The book also offers a very realistic take on how a teenage girl deals with the events like Sammie has to go through. A lot of times the response is to bottle up the emotions and explode later on. The author crafted beautiful characters and a beautiful story. You come to care for every character in the story, even the characters you will hate.
My only complaint about the book is that it was a fast read and the story leaves many unanswered questions... but the story is about life and in life we will always have unanswered questions. The book also may not be suitable for many younger audiences based on the content and based on parent's differing opinions about what should be and shouldn't be available to teenagers. I find the book to be a must-read for any teen and any adult (as the lessons taught in this book are ones we need to be reminded of time and time again throughout our life). However, if you're a minor, then have your parents review this book before getting in trouble please. My recommended age was based off of my own personal experience of being gifted Forever at 16 years old.
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+
Favorite Quote: "That along with love comes other four-letter words. Like hate, obviously. And loss. And gain. And most importantly, grow."
Sammie Davis, not the entertainer, used to have a good life. She considers herself an average girl, but she lived in a middle-class home with her mother, father, and her dog Moxie. Then, her life hit a rough patch. Her parents decide to go through a trial separation. Sammie soon finds herself whisked away to New York City in a cramped Manhattan apartment while her father is enjoying freedom in California. Not only has her whole life been shaken and she has started getting anxiety from the whole ordeal, she doesn't like how she physically looks, she's never had a boyfriend, and her gorgeous best friend uses her as a therapist. As Sammie's summer drags on, she struggles to deal with the separation and dealing with her mother who is, for lack of a better word, irresponsible. This is the story about how Sammie learns to deal with this rocky patch in her life and how she comes to understand that along with love come other four-letter words: hate, loss, gain... and grow.
When I first stumbled across this book I was about 15. I found it at a local used bookstore and I bought it because I thought the title was pretty cool. Since I have the strangest system for choosing books, this book sat on my shelf for... well until yesterday. I was sure I was going to DNF this book before I even started it because I looked at it and thought the book was too young for me now. I pushed myself to start it though and I'm so glad I did. This book is a little like Judy Blume's controversial book "Forever". It's a coming of age book that is honest about sex and growing up. While the main character does not have sex, it is discussed in passing between her and her friend Kitty, who is not a virgin anymore. The book also offers a very realistic take on how a teenage girl deals with the events like Sammie has to go through. A lot of times the response is to bottle up the emotions and explode later on. The author crafted beautiful characters and a beautiful story. You come to care for every character in the story, even the characters you will hate.
My only complaint about the book is that it was a fast read and the story leaves many unanswered questions... but the story is about life and in life we will always have unanswered questions. The book also may not be suitable for many younger audiences based on the content and based on parent's differing opinions about what should be and shouldn't be available to teenagers. I find the book to be a must-read for any teen and any adult (as the lessons taught in this book are ones we need to be reminded of time and time again throughout our life). However, if you're a minor, then have your parents review this book before getting in trouble please. My recommended age was based off of my own personal experience of being gifted Forever at 16 years old.
jesseeca's review against another edition
3.0
I've already read this book but decided to reread it. Definitely for younger teens but still a good, quick read. Shows the stages that most people go through in their teenage lives- a great picture of growth that happens throughout one's life.
shinychick's review against another edition
2.0
It's almost obviously Mackler's first novel. It feels unfinished, in all parts. Though, I will say it makes a good case for the moment when you realize the girl you've been best friends with for a long time just isn't quite who you thought she was, and you're really kind of better off without her. Though, props for the dogs storyline. That was spiffy.
toniii2605's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
sinanadolny's review against another edition
5.0
This book was literally so cheesy but because it was so intensely relatable, I really liked it. It was so easy to get through and it made me cry at the end not because of sadness, but because the emotions she was feeling all came to a head and it was such an ending.
williamsdebbied's review against another edition
4.0
16-year-old Samantha Davis is forced to move to a tiny apartment in Manhattan when her parents separate. She has to take care of her mother, who is too depressed to get out of bed and worries that she'll never get a boyfriend.
She eventually finds a friend in Phoebe and meets cute Eli, who just might turn out to be her Mr. Right.
Funny and heartwarming.
She eventually finds a friend in Phoebe and meets cute Eli, who just might turn out to be her Mr. Right.
Funny and heartwarming.
delprenr's review against another edition
3.0
This was one of my favorite books in high school and I'm glad I got the chance to re-read it. It is almost TWENTY years old and it holds up pretty well. I also loved and had forgotten that Ithaca, NY plays a fairly significant setting in this novel (go upstate New York!). I love that the novel equally focuses on Sammie's friendships, family issues and budding romance than just solely being about her interest in a guy.
nday's review
4.0
Well, this one didn’t stick in my mind, because I had to google what the plot was to write my notes… and I only finished it a few days ago.
Despite the lack of impact in my notably shoddy memory I actually did enjoy this book. It dealt with a rather major change in a teenager’s life and everything that came along with those changes. A new place, with new people and a new perspective on some of the old things that weren’t working in her life.
I don’t think this book will ever stand out in the pile for me, but it was enjoyable and readable and there were times when I could really identify with the main character. A good decent read.
Despite the lack of impact in my notably shoddy memory I actually did enjoy this book. It dealt with a rather major change in a teenager’s life and everything that came along with those changes. A new place, with new people and a new perspective on some of the old things that weren’t working in her life.
I don’t think this book will ever stand out in the pile for me, but it was enjoyable and readable and there were times when I could really identify with the main character. A good decent read.