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shelfawareness's review against another edition
5.0
RATING: 4.5/5 STARS
Willa and Taylor's best friend, Finley, has passed away from leukemia, leaving the two girls with a list of clues and a request to complete the sailing adventure the three of them had planned to go on after graduation from high school. Since Finley was the glue that held Willa and Taylor together, their trip has a rocky start, but along the way they bond over fond memories of Finley and discover more about themselves, too.
START HERE is a bittersweet novel. It manages to deftly tackle the heaviness of grief, but balances it with lighthearted moments. The story is told in chapters alternating between Willa and Taylor's point-of-views, allowing the reader to experience each of their thoughts, personalities, and aspirations. Willa and Taylor don't always get along, but reading both their perspectives had me sympathizing with the difficulties they dealt with. They are teenagers who make mistakes, but what I admired about them was that they were resilient and managed to see the positive side of terrible situations. Their deepening friendship, with its ups-and-downs, was refreshing and honest.
The setting of this book was really unique. There is a lot of nautical terminology in the narration, but it was integrated nicely into the story and I was able to follow along even though I'm not very familiar with sailing. I enjoyed reading about how the girls navigated the boat and the people they met during their travels. Their destinations were vividly described and some were places that I recognized or had been to, which was fun to read about through a fictional lens. The imagery in Trish Doller's writing is simple, yet evocative. I liked the descriptions of Taylor's polaroid photographs and Willa's thrift shop finds.
This book is a perfect summery read full of substance and heart. If you'd like to read a charming and sincere story about recovery from loss and female friendships, I'd highly recommend giving START HERE a try. The plot is slow-building and character-driven so the reader can truly empathize with and get to know Willa, Taylor, and Finley. But it's also well-paced and had enough action to keep my interest throughout.
A sincere thanks to Simon Pulse for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Social: @_shelf.awareness on Instagram
Willa and Taylor's best friend, Finley, has passed away from leukemia, leaving the two girls with a list of clues and a request to complete the sailing adventure the three of them had planned to go on after graduation from high school. Since Finley was the glue that held Willa and Taylor together, their trip has a rocky start, but along the way they bond over fond memories of Finley and discover more about themselves, too.
START HERE is a bittersweet novel. It manages to deftly tackle the heaviness of grief, but balances it with lighthearted moments. The story is told in chapters alternating between Willa and Taylor's point-of-views, allowing the reader to experience each of their thoughts, personalities, and aspirations. Willa and Taylor don't always get along, but reading both their perspectives had me sympathizing with the difficulties they dealt with. They are teenagers who make mistakes, but what I admired about them was that they were resilient and managed to see the positive side of terrible situations. Their deepening friendship, with its ups-and-downs, was refreshing and honest.
The setting of this book was really unique. There is a lot of nautical terminology in the narration, but it was integrated nicely into the story and I was able to follow along even though I'm not very familiar with sailing. I enjoyed reading about how the girls navigated the boat and the people they met during their travels. Their destinations were vividly described and some were places that I recognized or had been to, which was fun to read about through a fictional lens. The imagery in Trish Doller's writing is simple, yet evocative. I liked the descriptions of Taylor's polaroid photographs and Willa's thrift shop finds.
This book is a perfect summery read full of substance and heart. If you'd like to read a charming and sincere story about recovery from loss and female friendships, I'd highly recommend giving START HERE a try. The plot is slow-building and character-driven so the reader can truly empathize with and get to know Willa, Taylor, and Finley. But it's also well-paced and had enough action to keep my interest throughout.
A sincere thanks to Simon Pulse for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Social: @_shelf.awareness on Instagram
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Rosemary
Cover Story: Scrapbook
BFF Charm: Eventually x2
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: She Said, She Said
Bonus Factors: Sailing, Scavenger Hunts
Relationship Status: Summer Summer Summertime
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Scrapbook
BFF Charm: Eventually x2
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: She Said, She Said
Bonus Factors: Sailing, Scavenger Hunts
Relationship Status: Summer Summer Summertime
Read the full book report here.
librarianmel's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay, but not nearly one of my favorites from this year. I appreciated that the characters had realistic reactions to trauma (the death of a close friend), and old hurts still stung and flared up as the two girls were in close quarters for an entire summer.
One of the reasons I didn't rate this higher was the super short chapters (2-3 pages each with switching POV), another peeve I had while reading this was the constant...and then she remembered this time in fifth grade when, and then she remembered how cute random boy looked last year, and then she remembered dead friend telling her that poor friend was poor because she ate rice all the time and rice is cheap. Ugh.
One of the reasons I didn't rate this higher was the super short chapters (2-3 pages each with switching POV), another peeve I had while reading this was the constant...and then she remembered this time in fifth grade when, and then she remembered how cute random boy looked last year, and then she remembered dead friend telling her that poor friend was poor because she ate rice all the time and rice is cheap. Ugh.
andiabcs's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.It’s safe to say I’m a Trish Doller fan girl. I don’t think she could write anything that I won’t love. My love started with Something Like Normal, her debut, and has only grown. So when I heard about Start Here I was so excited. There is something I love about a good friendship book and mixing one of my favorite authors with a favorite kind of story? YES PLEASE! And I am happy to say Trish hit it out of the park with this one.
Start Here is the story of Willa and Taylor, two girls left behind after their best friend Finley dies. The plan was always for the three of them to sail from Ohio to Key West, but when Finley dies before graduation the two remaining girls reluctantly decide to go using the 25 clues that Finley left for them. With time and a lot of distance to go, Willa and Taylor try to figure out if they have a friendship without Finley or was she the glue that held them all together.
What I personally loved about Start Here was the journey. Not the literal journey of the 2000 miles from Ohio to Key West, but the journey of Willa and Taylor. Both of these girls are just lost without the one person that made them feel like they were special like they had someone to belong to. With her death, they were both gutted and not sure how they fit in the world or with each other. Over their trip and with the help of Finley’s clues, they learn who they are, what they are made of, and how they work as a duo instead of a trio. That was what I loved the most. Watching these 2 girls figure things out and have meltdowns and fights and breakdowns was what made this book a 5 star read. It captured the essence of loss and moving forward and uncertain friendships to perfection.
Start Here is a book that you definitely need to add to your TBR. It is romance light, but friendship heavy and something everyone should read. I highly recommend going on this journey with these complicated characters.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.It’s safe to say I’m a Trish Doller fan girl. I don’t think she could write anything that I won’t love. My love started with Something Like Normal, her debut, and has only grown. So when I heard about Start Here I was so excited. There is something I love about a good friendship book and mixing one of my favorite authors with a favorite kind of story? YES PLEASE! And I am happy to say Trish hit it out of the park with this one.
Start Here is the story of Willa and Taylor, two girls left behind after their best friend Finley dies. The plan was always for the three of them to sail from Ohio to Key West, but when Finley dies before graduation the two remaining girls reluctantly decide to go using the 25 clues that Finley left for them. With time and a lot of distance to go, Willa and Taylor try to figure out if they have a friendship without Finley or was she the glue that held them all together.
What I personally loved about Start Here was the journey. Not the literal journey of the 2000 miles from Ohio to Key West, but the journey of Willa and Taylor. Both of these girls are just lost without the one person that made them feel like they were special like they had someone to belong to. With her death, they were both gutted and not sure how they fit in the world or with each other. Over their trip and with the help of Finley’s clues, they learn who they are, what they are made of, and how they work as a duo instead of a trio. That was what I loved the most. Watching these 2 girls figure things out and have meltdowns and fights and breakdowns was what made this book a 5 star read. It captured the essence of loss and moving forward and uncertain friendships to perfection.
Start Here is a book that you definitely need to add to your TBR. It is romance light, but friendship heavy and something everyone should read. I highly recommend going on this journey with these complicated characters.
kristindowner's review against another edition
5.0
ORIGINAL POST: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-review-start-here-by-trish-doller/
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Start Here by Trish Doller was everything I would want in a great teen fiction novel and more. She guided me, the reader, through the emotional ups and downs of two teenage girls dealing with the loss of a best friend, rekindling a relationship, past grievances, and new summer love. I cannot praise it enough.
Taylor and Willa are the two main characters in this book, but we get to know their best friend Finley pretty well even though she has passed away when this book starts. The girls made a promise to sail from Ohio to Key West together, but Finley dies of Leukemia. So Willa and Taylor have to go but they aren’t really all that good of friends without Finley. I love the dynamic here. We have two individuals who know each other fairly well, but don’t really like each other even though they shared a best friend and spent a lot of time together.
This book digs deeper into how people handle grief differently. I love seeing how Willa and Taylor are different in this aspect, but yet so much alike in other ways. The author also did a fantastic job of showing their remorse and their personal growth along the journey. I felt I could see them maturing with every flip of the page. The characters were so well developed and we got little instances of flashbacks from the past to show us why they might be the way they are now.
Start Here is a true coming of age story about friendship and I love that it included hard hitting topics like death, lgbtq aspects, love, heartbreak, and so much more. I wish I had went on a trip like this when I was there age. What an amazing thing to do and it was such a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone, young and old alike. Made me feel young again just reading it. I’ll be checking out more from Trish Doller soon!
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Start Here by Trish Doller was everything I would want in a great teen fiction novel and more. She guided me, the reader, through the emotional ups and downs of two teenage girls dealing with the loss of a best friend, rekindling a relationship, past grievances, and new summer love. I cannot praise it enough.
Taylor and Willa are the two main characters in this book, but we get to know their best friend Finley pretty well even though she has passed away when this book starts. The girls made a promise to sail from Ohio to Key West together, but Finley dies of Leukemia. So Willa and Taylor have to go but they aren’t really all that good of friends without Finley. I love the dynamic here. We have two individuals who know each other fairly well, but don’t really like each other even though they shared a best friend and spent a lot of time together.
This book digs deeper into how people handle grief differently. I love seeing how Willa and Taylor are different in this aspect, but yet so much alike in other ways. The author also did a fantastic job of showing their remorse and their personal growth along the journey. I felt I could see them maturing with every flip of the page. The characters were so well developed and we got little instances of flashbacks from the past to show us why they might be the way they are now.
Start Here is a true coming of age story about friendship and I love that it included hard hitting topics like death, lgbtq aspects, love, heartbreak, and so much more. I wish I had went on a trip like this when I was there age. What an amazing thing to do and it was such a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone, young and old alike. Made me feel young again just reading it. I’ll be checking out more from Trish Doller soon!
ggrace778's review against another edition
4.0
I found a new favorite author! I loved this book! Why can’t there be another?
grayamw's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
dawn_kelly's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute story that allowed me to reminisce somewhat on my senior year of high school and graduation, some umpteen years ago. It was nostalgic, in that it allowed me to selfishly travel back into time reminiscing on the after- high school goals my friends and I dreamt up, but never came true. I guess we were too ambitious *wink* Taylor and Willa are two great characters, but there is definitely some bad blood between them (I'm sure you can all remember that one girl from high school whom just couldn't get along with for one reason or another). The glue that attaced Willa and Taylor was Finley, their dear friend who unfortunately succumbs to cancer at the beginning of the story. Finley, Willa and Taylor all made a goal to sail from Ohio to the Florida Keys. After Finley passes, Willa and Taylor make the decision to keep their promise to Finley, so they bark on the sailing adventure together. Many things happen to them on this sailing trip and they begin to discover things about themselves, things that help them grow, as they do a lot of introspection. I just wish this book was written in a more intriguing way, although it was an interesting book, I felt it was hard to pick it back up after putting it down. But it is, without a doubt, well worth a read.
jmshirtz's review against another edition
5.0
I could hear the wind and waves sailing with Willa and Taylor while they struggled to salvage their friendship. Sometimes you just need to read about women supporting each other and finding their own ways in the world. 🦀 🏴☠️ ⛵️ 🌮 🚲 ❤️ ☀️ ⛈
reinventedreader's review against another edition
5.0
This book hits you in the feels from the first page, and takes you on a roller coaster of emotion throughout. I became very invested in all of the characters and their relationships with each other.
I loved almost everything about this book. The characters were real, with real flaws. The plot line took place on the water, on a boat, which speaks to me on a deep level. The emotions were honest. And there was a lot of fun worked in with the misunderstandings and heartbreak.
Generally, I will relate to one character more than another, but I related to both Willa and Taylor. I understood and believed their feelings and motivations. I knew what made them tick and felt like I would respond similarly in the same situation. As the story is narrated in alternating POV between them, the reader has a richer understanding of the dynamics of their friendship with Finley and their relationship with each other.
The support characters were all well written and likable as well. Yes, all of them. Finley is the core of the story, and while she is not there in person, her memory is the driving force for Willa and Taylor and everything they endure. Campbell is another link between them, as are their parents. Wyatt, Vanessa and Norm round out the cast of characters, each helping to provide additional insight into the girls.
While the story predominantly centers around the relationship with Willa and Taylor, we also explore Willa's relationship with her mom. And to a lesser extent, both girl's relationships with Campbell and Finley. And each of their relationships with themselves.
If there were anything that I would change about this book, it would be to add an epilogue. The ending is perfect, but I would love to check in with the girls 10 years down the road to see where they are. But that's just my inability to let go of characters that I came to know so well. I will just have to use my imagination to see where Willa and Taylor end up in life... but I'm pretty sure it's together as friends.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley and the publishers {Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Simon Pulse} in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved almost everything about this book. The characters were real, with real flaws. The plot line took place on the water, on a boat, which speaks to me on a deep level. The emotions were honest. And there was a lot of fun worked in with the misunderstandings and heartbreak.
Generally, I will relate to one character more than another, but I related to both Willa and Taylor. I understood and believed their feelings and motivations. I knew what made them tick and felt like I would respond similarly in the same situation. As the story is narrated in alternating POV between them, the reader has a richer understanding of the dynamics of their friendship with Finley and their relationship with each other.
The support characters were all well written and likable as well. Yes, all of them. Finley is the core of the story, and while she is not there in person, her memory is the driving force for Willa and Taylor and everything they endure. Campbell is another link between them, as are their parents. Wyatt, Vanessa and Norm round out the cast of characters, each helping to provide additional insight into the girls.
While the story predominantly centers around the relationship with Willa and Taylor, we also explore Willa's relationship with her mom. And to a lesser extent, both girl's relationships with Campbell and Finley. And each of their relationships with themselves.
If there were anything that I would change about this book, it would be to add an epilogue. The ending is perfect, but I would love to check in with the girls 10 years down the road to see where they are. But that's just my inability to let go of characters that I came to know so well. I will just have to use my imagination to see where Willa and Taylor end up in life... but I'm pretty sure it's together as friends.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley and the publishers {Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Simon Pulse} in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.