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courteney621's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kvreadsandrecs's review
4.0
Sigh. I wanted them to be together so dang badly. But this is Katie Cotugno after all 😭
mollywetta's review
3.0
This isn't my favorite of Katie Cotugno's book, but I was really interested in the structure and the way that the story jumped around to different scenes. I also really liked the way that Gabby's bisexuality and anxiety were developed. The banter was believable for teenagers.
lunaballz's review
4.0
This didn't seem like something I'd be interested in; honestly I only picked it up for a reading challenge prompt it fulfilled, but it turned out to be a really enjoyable read.
The characters are very believable. I usually despise miscommunication as a plot device but it actually works in this book because you get to see both character's viewpoints and you can understand what they're thinking.
Gabby's anxiety was also really well written. You get to see how sometimes even she doesn't know why she's anxious, and how her anxiety can blow things out of proportion. I think it's really great for others with anxiety to see it in media, and also for those who don't have anxiety to help better understand it.
Ryan's concussions are also an important topic that is done really well in Top Ten. His father keeps telling him "it's fine, man up, it's expected" and it's clearly shown how that's not a good thing to do, and Ryan should acknowledge his limits and the pain his injuries cause him.
And my biggest reason for not much wanting to read it: the romance. The romance was really believable though, and even though they were teenagers the author didn't capitalize on "cringey" awkwardness as part of it.
Do I recommend? If you like sweet romances or a quick contemporary, this is definitely for you
The characters are very believable. I usually despise miscommunication as a plot device but it actually works in this book because you get to see both character's viewpoints and you can understand what they're thinking.
Gabby's anxiety was also really well written. You get to see how sometimes even she doesn't know why she's anxious, and how her anxiety can blow things out of proportion. I think it's really great for others with anxiety to see it in media, and also for those who don't have anxiety to help better understand it.
Ryan's concussions are also an important topic that is done really well in Top Ten. His father keeps telling him "it's fine, man up, it's expected" and it's clearly shown how that's not a good thing to do, and Ryan should acknowledge his limits and the pain his injuries cause him.
And my biggest reason for not much wanting to read it: the romance. The romance was really believable though, and even though they were teenagers the author didn't capitalize on "cringey" awkwardness as part of it.
Do I recommend? If you like sweet romances or a quick contemporary, this is definitely for you
aliena_jackson's review
4.0
While I definitely thought that some parts of this book were a bit cliche, overall, it was a good read. Yes, it was perdictable, but what teenage rom-com isn't at this point?
Things I loved about this book:
- Gabby was a really, really good example of bi representation!
- The way Katie Cotugno protrayed anxiety.
- Ryan doesn't take advantage of Gabby in New York (I know, so much to ask for from a teenage male0.
- The way both of the characters had flaws, but they weren't glaringly obvious and being pointed out with a flashing neon light like they normally are in these teenage rom-com type of books.
- The writing was pretty good.
- There was NO cringey teenage slang in this book!
- It was a good, fun, read, and it didn't take a lot of time to read.
This book definitely wasn't a five star book for me, but I still liked it, and I would probably read it again. If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted teen romance, this one is definitely for you!
Things I loved about this book:
- Gabby was a really, really good example of bi representation!
- The way Katie Cotugno protrayed anxiety.
- Ryan doesn't take advantage of Gabby in New York (I know, so much to ask for from a teenage male0.
- The way both of the characters had flaws, but they weren't glaringly obvious and being pointed out with a flashing neon light like they normally are in these teenage rom-com type of books.
- The writing was pretty good.
- There was NO cringey teenage slang in this book!
- It was a good, fun, read, and it didn't take a lot of time to read.
This book definitely wasn't a five star book for me, but I still liked it, and I would probably read it again. If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted teen romance, this one is definitely for you!
papertraildiary's review
2.0
My first KC read, and I thought it was just alright. Yes, I found it a quick read and also real good with the sexual tension, but pulling back from it, not much else was left with me. I will write more on this soon!
Updated review, also posted on papertraildiary.com:
As I've mentioned before, this was my first Katie Cotugno read and I felt pretty meh about it. I know people who are hardcore fans of hers, though none of her stories have ever appealed to me. I liked the concept of this one - a guy and a girl go through ten big moments of their high school years together, and the big question of can they just be friends or will they fall into something more? And I gotta say I was disappointed with how it played out. The memories are all out of order in the book, so it got kind of confusing, and felt pretty unnecessary to the story. There were times that I'd have to go back and re-read parts to make sure I was remembering things right. I also found the characters pretty annoying, mostly the girl (Gabby) - she was kiiind of a jerk. I am all for real characters in fiction, but she got on my nerves. I was here for the portrayal of her bisexuality, but I was put off by the portrayal of her anxiety, though there's not much I can say to that as I have my own anxiety and the author has hers, everyone is different. But Gabby was that person who uses her anxiety to make excuses. And Ryan is just stubborn and lost. Honestly, it's been a few weeks since I've read this one and I don't remember much besides these points, but hey, I tried! I feel like if you're already a KC fan, you'll probably like this one, but it doesn't fit into my preferences.
Updated review, also posted on papertraildiary.com:
As I've mentioned before, this was my first Katie Cotugno read and I felt pretty meh about it. I know people who are hardcore fans of hers, though none of her stories have ever appealed to me. I liked the concept of this one - a guy and a girl go through ten big moments of their high school years together, and the big question of can they just be friends or will they fall into something more? And I gotta say I was disappointed with how it played out. The memories are all out of order in the book, so it got kind of confusing, and felt pretty unnecessary to the story. There were times that I'd have to go back and re-read parts to make sure I was remembering things right. I also found the characters pretty annoying, mostly the girl (Gabby) - she was kiiind of a jerk. I am all for real characters in fiction, but she got on my nerves. I was here for the portrayal of her bisexuality, but I was put off by the portrayal of her anxiety, though there's not much I can say to that as I have my own anxiety and the author has hers, everyone is different. But Gabby was that person who uses her anxiety to make excuses. And Ryan is just stubborn and lost. Honestly, it's been a few weeks since I've read this one and I don't remember much besides these points, but hey, I tried! I feel like if you're already a KC fan, you'll probably like this one, but it doesn't fit into my preferences.
alliecat961's review
3.0
So this book. Cute, definitely a light read and considering that’s what I was looking for in a book to read in-between reading Killer Across The Table, this worked out pretty well! There were some great cheesy moments and some not so cheesy (which was also great at times!). The only trouble I had with it was the format of this book. It was something I had to learn to get used to and at times it made me frustrated. When I first picked this book up, I was so hooked from the first chapter but was frustrated when I realized I wasn’t going to learn what happens next until very far later on. There were also moments when I could not get on board with some of the characters (I wish Michelle was more of a thing). Not all of them were relatable or realistic to me.
Glad I read it and can check it off my list, but it wasn’t my all time fav. I did enjoy the refreshing ending but I’d be lying if I said it was my ideal ending.
Glad I read it and can check it off my list, but it wasn’t my all time fav. I did enjoy the refreshing ending but I’d be lying if I said it was my ideal ending.
rachcannoli's review
5.0
Oof this book has left me super emotional, but in the best way. I immediately adored these characters so much and truly loved the non-linear anecdotal storytelling. It was a great way of showing me all of their relationship without getting me frustrated since it’d start with the end of a conflict but then show me what happened later, but I knew it’d be all right which is a really interesting take on this friendship/love story.
Though I’m much more partial to Ryan, he’s basically an angel from heaven above n I was so nervous for most of this book that something terrible would happen to him because he’s too perfect, I really did love both of them. They grow so much in this book but the open ended way of ending it shows how much more they still need to grow as people and together.
This would be another book that could totally do with a sequel, but it doesn’t end in the unsatisfying way that a lot Cotungo’s books unfortunately do, it’s open ended but with a very hopeful vibe which is satisfying. Plus though I’d love more of these characters, I’m not sure I want a definitive conclusion to their stories since this way I can imagine and believe what I want to.
This story is another gem. It’s overarching story is predictable, but the way it’s told and the individual quirks and stories makes it still feel fresh and super engaging. I want to wrap these characters up in a hug and tell them it’ll be ok, that friendships can survive going to different colleges and moving away isn’t the end and if they’re meant to be they’ll find a way back to each other. I’m just full of emotions and love and so pleased my friend reminded me of this so I pushed it up my list. Definitely recommend for a heartwarming YA friendship/love story.
Though I’m much more partial to Ryan, he’s basically an angel from heaven above n I was so nervous for most of this book that something terrible would happen to him because he’s too perfect, I really did love both of them. They grow so much in this book but the open ended way of ending it shows how much more they still need to grow as people and together.
This would be another book that could totally do with a sequel, but it doesn’t end in the unsatisfying way that a lot Cotungo’s books unfortunately do, it’s open ended but with a very hopeful vibe which is satisfying. Plus though I’d love more of these characters, I’m not sure I want a definitive conclusion to their stories since this way I can imagine and believe what I want to.
This story is another gem. It’s overarching story is predictable, but the way it’s told and the individual quirks and stories makes it still feel fresh and super engaging. I want to wrap these characters up in a hug and tell them it’ll be ok, that friendships can survive going to different colleges and moving away isn’t the end and if they’re meant to be they’ll find a way back to each other. I’m just full of emotions and love and so pleased my friend reminded me of this so I pushed it up my list. Definitely recommend for a heartwarming YA friendship/love story.
ana_reading_the_days_away's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Okay many thoughts. First of all I listed to this as an audiobook and while I really liked the narrator (honestly I started this book bc of the narrator), this book isn’t super conducive to audiobook format. The premise of the book is that it’s the top 10 moments in their friendship and each chapter is a different moment. But- the moments aren’t in chronological order. They’re ranked in order of like how special they are to them or something (it’s never explicitly stated in the book but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is but to me the moments did not feel like they were ranked correctly if the ranking was indeed special-ness but that’s just me).
Maybe the book not being chronological order would’ve been fine for most people. But with brain fog that is at *baseline* so bad I can barely read, and even tv/movies/audiobooks I constantly need to pause and process what they say, (as in sometimes it’s much worse than this and I forget the contents of a conversation as soon as it’s ended) there were 2 problems:
1. It took me forever to get through this book which like even a healthy person with a normally functioning brain I feel like would then get a little confused and want to go back and forth to see what happened when, which is soo difficult with an audiobook
2. I WAS WILDLY CONFUSED AS TO WHAT MOMENTS IN THEIR FRIENDSHIP HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND WHEN THEY HAD HAPPENED IT WAS TERRIBLE.
This was not a bad book honestly. But I could not enjoy it because I was constantly confused. I think a different format would’ve helped, preferably a hard copy but even an ebook would’ve worked better than audio. So that’s on me and I tried to not let it affect my rating too much but it also definitely did. Maybe knocked it down 1 star? I’m not sure, it’s something I can’t really be impartial about.
Another thing, and this is definitely a little spoiler-y, but I thought this was a romance?? And maybe that’s on me for not really reading reviews, but the Goodreads synopsis literally says that they’re in love with each other so I feel like I’m justified. And the entire book feels like it’s building up to them getting together and then they *do* get together but then 3rd act breakup but then it seems like they’re about to get back together again, as is customary with romance novels, but then THEY JUST DONT?? Like they become friends again which like yay go them but WHERE IS THE RELATIONSHIP I WAS PROMISED?! I spent hoursss of my life on this book expecting these 2 teenagers to get together and then they just didn’t and I feel more than a little bit scammed because what?? I’m not taking any stars or anything off for this though because again I feel like maybe it’s my fault for not reading reviews? Also I had pretty much made up my mind on my rating by the time they became friends again anyway (which again seemed like they were gonna get back together in a relationship sense but apparently not) and it feels unfair to rate it below 3 stars because it wasn’t a bad book so we’re just gonna go with the rating I had decided upon before the disappointment.
Also, and this is a minor thing but still kinda bugged me. The top 10 thing comes out of nowhere I feel like? Like apparently it’s a thing they do in their friendship ALL the time, but I feel like it only happens in the book like twice? I mean maybe I’m remembering wrong because my memory is actually shot to hell and back but it didn’t seem like something they do very regularly, which is what the description would have you believe… but that’s fine. It’s super minor so it didn’t affect my rating. It’s just really weird to me.
I thought the anxiety representation was pretty good— if a little exaggerated at times. Like as someone with anxiety, I have had panic attacks like gabby’s *but* once my anxiety got to the point that gabby’s was at the ENTIRE book I started going to therapy and I decided to start taking meds too (also I resent the implication that Prozac makes you a zombie. It’s not the most effective medication, I prefer cymbalta, but it still saved me in more ways than one so I wish that comment hadn’t been included). Also I find it hard to believe that Gabby’s parents were just fine with their daughter having massive panic attacks all the time. Like they didn’t say anything until she was about to leave for college which I think is strange for a family that is as close as they are and for parents as supportive as hers. But overall, yay for representation.
I also really liked the resolution to Ryan’s conflict. I appreciated the acknowledgement that hockey is a super brutal and sometimes dangerous sport, especially amid all the romanticization of the sport happening right now on booktok.
Overall, good book, cute story, unsatisfying ending, and I think I would’ve liked it more if I had read a physical copy rather than listened to the audiobook just because of the format of the book (even though I love this narrator). But then again, I found the ending super unsatisfying so maybe I would’ve rated it 3 stars anyway. Who’s to say 🤷🏽♀️
Also my first review for this book got deleted but I feel like it was more eloquent than this one rip.
Maybe the book not being chronological order would’ve been fine for most people. But with brain fog that is at *baseline* so bad I can barely read, and even tv/movies/audiobooks I constantly need to pause and process what they say, (as in sometimes it’s much worse than this and I forget the contents of a conversation as soon as it’s ended) there were 2 problems:
1. It took me forever to get through this book which like even a healthy person with a normally functioning brain I feel like would then get a little confused and want to go back and forth to see what happened when, which is soo difficult with an audiobook
2. I WAS WILDLY CONFUSED AS TO WHAT MOMENTS IN THEIR FRIENDSHIP HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND WHEN THEY HAD HAPPENED IT WAS TERRIBLE.
This was not a bad book honestly. But I could not enjoy it because I was constantly confused. I think a different format would’ve helped, preferably a hard copy but even an ebook would’ve worked better than audio. So that’s on me and I tried to not let it affect my rating too much but it also definitely did. Maybe knocked it down 1 star? I’m not sure, it’s something I can’t really be impartial about.
Another thing, and this is definitely a little spoiler-y, but I thought this was a romance?? And maybe that’s on me for not really reading reviews, but the Goodreads synopsis literally says that they’re in love with each other so I feel like I’m justified. And the entire book feels like it’s building up to them getting together and then they *do* get together but then 3rd act breakup but then it seems like they’re about to get back together again, as is customary with romance novels, but then THEY JUST DONT?? Like they become friends again which like yay go them but WHERE IS THE RELATIONSHIP I WAS PROMISED?! I spent hoursss of my life on this book expecting these 2 teenagers to get together and then they just didn’t and I feel more than a little bit scammed because what?? I’m not taking any stars or anything off for this though because again I feel like maybe it’s my fault for not reading reviews? Also I had pretty much made up my mind on my rating by the time they became friends again anyway (which again seemed like they were gonna get back together in a relationship sense but apparently not) and it feels unfair to rate it below 3 stars because it wasn’t a bad book so we’re just gonna go with the rating I had decided upon before the disappointment.
Also, and this is a minor thing but still kinda bugged me. The top 10 thing comes out of nowhere I feel like? Like apparently it’s a thing they do in their friendship ALL the time, but I feel like it only happens in the book like twice? I mean maybe I’m remembering wrong because my memory is actually shot to hell and back but it didn’t seem like something they do very regularly, which is what the description would have you believe… but that’s fine. It’s super minor so it didn’t affect my rating. It’s just really weird to me.
I thought the anxiety representation was pretty good— if a little exaggerated at times. Like as someone with anxiety, I have had panic attacks like gabby’s *but* once my anxiety got to the point that gabby’s was at the ENTIRE book I started going to therapy and I decided to start taking meds too (also I resent the implication that Prozac makes you a zombie. It’s not the most effective medication, I prefer cymbalta, but it still saved me in more ways than one so I wish that comment hadn’t been included). Also I find it hard to believe that Gabby’s parents were just fine with their daughter having massive panic attacks all the time. Like they didn’t say anything until she was about to leave for college which I think is strange for a family that is as close as they are and for parents as supportive as hers. But overall, yay for representation.
I also really liked the resolution to Ryan’s conflict. I appreciated the acknowledgement that hockey is a super brutal and sometimes dangerous sport, especially amid all the romanticization of the sport happening right now on booktok.
Overall, good book, cute story, unsatisfying ending, and I think I would’ve liked it more if I had read a physical copy rather than listened to the audiobook just because of the format of the book (even though I love this narrator). But then again, I found the ending super unsatisfying so maybe I would’ve rated it 3 stars anyway. Who’s to say 🤷🏽♀️
Also my first review for this book got deleted but I feel like it was more eloquent than this one rip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
heathersnerdyworld's review
3.0
Top Ten is an enjoyable read. Something you pick up on a hot summer day. Fluffy with just enough seriousness to keep it from feeling silly.
3/5 stars
3/5 stars