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npshafer's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
I love Stone's work so much. I loved the way she handled the romance, as well as how it ended. Following Rico's train of thought for all of the different things (money, romance, friends, etc.) Was super interesting and fun. I also loved the short POV chapters from the inanimate objects. It's such a cool and unique addition to the story telling.
stphar's review against another edition
5.0
Nic Stone writes the BEST and most lovable characters. I mean, even when you hate them, you still love them. I have yet to be disappointed by a Stone book. They just warm every part your heart. Definitely a must-read
halesnbooks's review against another edition
dnf, literally went and returned the book lol.
thomasr417's review against another edition
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
4.5
distant_ships's review against another edition
4.0
Nic Stone, yes! Such complex, amazing characters!
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
This YA book put a fresh spin on the winning lottery ticket premise. I loved the main characters and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this. I am, however, still deciding how I feel about the ending.
lanica's review against another edition
4.0
I hate it when I read a really good book, but I can't put it into my library because there is a single-sex scene or unnecessarily vulgar language. In this case, I am super disappointed because neither of them was really needed. I get that this was a high school senior, but truly, she seemed like an 8th, 9th or 10th grader to me. I would have loved to put this book into the hands of some of my 5th grades. The story was awesome. But, I can't because there's off-screen sex (which is a talking point between characters) and the word orgasmic (which I know my kids would go online to lookup).
Damn!
This is a book perfect for discussion about economic inequalities. So much discussion. If only I could go back in time and ask Mrs. Stone to reconsider those two moments...
This school librarian is SO DISAPPOINTED!
Damn!
This is a book perfect for discussion about economic inequalities. So much discussion. If only I could go back in time and ask Mrs. Stone to reconsider those two moments...
This school librarian is SO DISAPPOINTED!
steph01924's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed Stone's conversational writing style; it made Rico's voice very real and lived in and it was a breeze to read. The swoon was also quite good! Overall, I liked it quite a bit.
I did struggle with a few things that made me roll my eyes or confused me; things that kept this book from being a complete winner for me--spoilers ahead:
- Rico's complete lack of awareness that Zan was head-over-heels for her got to be a but much as we got closer to the end. Girl, you cannot seriously still think he's secretly disgusted with you and will screw you over at any chance you get.
- Also, Rico's constant anxiety and stress about not having enough money was, sadly, very realistic but a super bummer to have to live in throughout the novel. (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with showing that at all, just not what I was wanting to have to "deal" with in my fun reading time right this moment). And then to tie it all up with her inability to let ANYone help her drove me insane. I know it was supposed to, but I really wanted to shake her, like, hard. It got to a point where I almost didn't want her to get a happy ending because she was really being too effing ridiculous and I...can be vindictive.
- Zan's many, many nicknames that included things like Zanny-Zan, said to him by characters with straight faces. The name Zan in general. I disliked it all.
- I really wanted Rico's mom to get her just desserts for being such a shitty mom. There are so many different levels of crap parents, and she's by far not the WORST one you've ever seen, but even after Rico's little brother had to go to the hospital, she STILL wasn't open to the idea of public assistance? Not even to help her daughter work less so she could actually get the schooling you put her in poverty for? Screw off, lady.
- And then the fact that Rico hands over a good chunk of her monthly lottery stipend directly to her mom at the end and makes it sound like she'll continue to do so really pisses me off. You know this woman is bad with money!!! I get that you want to take care of your family, but it sounds like YOU were the only responsible one in the family taking care of the money, Rico! Give your mom some pocket money and handle the finances yourself.
- I didn't quite get Zan's angle in keeping the lottery ticket a secret for so long. Like...what did you seriously expect to happen? His reasoning and choices didn't make much sense to me.
I did struggle with a few things that made me roll my eyes or confused me; things that kept this book from being a complete winner for me--spoilers ahead:
Spoiler
- Rico's complete lack of awareness that Zan was head-over-heels for her got to be a but much as we got closer to the end. Girl, you cannot seriously still think he's secretly disgusted with you and will screw you over at any chance you get.
- Also, Rico's constant anxiety and stress about not having enough money was, sadly, very realistic but a super bummer to have to live in throughout the novel. (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with showing that at all, just not what I was wanting to have to "deal" with in my fun reading time right this moment). And then to tie it all up with her inability to let ANYone help her drove me insane. I know it was supposed to, but I really wanted to shake her, like, hard. It got to a point where I almost didn't want her to get a happy ending because she was really being too effing ridiculous and I...can be vindictive.
- Zan's many, many nicknames that included things like Zanny-Zan, said to him by characters with straight faces. The name Zan in general. I disliked it all.
- I really wanted Rico's mom to get her just desserts for being such a shitty mom. There are so many different levels of crap parents, and she's by far not the WORST one you've ever seen, but even after Rico's little brother had to go to the hospital, she STILL wasn't open to the idea of public assistance? Not even to help her daughter work less so she could actually get the schooling you put her in poverty for? Screw off, lady.
- And then the fact that Rico hands over a good chunk of her monthly lottery stipend directly to her mom at the end and makes it sound like she'll continue to do so really pisses me off. You know this woman is bad with money!!! I get that you want to take care of your family, but it sounds like YOU were the only responsible one in the family taking care of the money, Rico! Give your mom some pocket money and handle the finances yourself.
- I didn't quite get Zan's angle in keeping the lottery ticket a secret for so long. Like...what did you seriously expect to happen? His reasoning and choices didn't make much sense to me.