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moriahmoser's review
4.0
I liked the story but I found most of the characters kinda meh. I liked cole and josh and Cody but that was it. I liked the storyline but I found the characters to be irritating and kinda selfish. Being a theatre kid I did like how they did a musical just not the way they presented drama kids. Overall it was alright characters just needed something else. Also it had a great meaning about death and how death is hard whether you get the chance to say goodbye or whether you watch your loved one die a little everyday. Good themes :)
huddletree's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readerpants's review
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Honestly, I went in with low expectations and ended up loving this? Read for work and didn't expect much beyond a sensationalized hook. But it made me legitimately cry -- cw for parental death and grief, including hospice/dementia.
The characters felt like authentic teens, it didn't feel dated, and while a lot of reviewers apparently didn't like the pacing, that wasn't a problem for me at all. Loved the theatre teacher and setting. I'm not surprised to learn that the author was a high school English teacher.
Except for one unsurprising exception*, I think what this book did best was that it had no villains. I love that. It was a group of flawed characters in horrible situations doing their best and managing to find empathy even in the fog of their own hurt. I felt for all of them, and that focus on character development makes this one that I think I'll end up recommending frequently to students.
Rounding down slightly for the complete lack of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ characters (even among the theatre kids? In this year of our Lord 2024? Bizarre.)
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Other notes:
*I was convinced pretty early on that Ben had assaulted Emery, maybe while alcohol was in the picture. I was glad that it didn't end up being that.
The characters felt like authentic teens, it didn't feel dated, and while a lot of reviewers apparently didn't like the pacing, that wasn't a problem for me at all. Loved the theatre teacher and setting. I'm not surprised to learn that the author was a high school English teacher.
Except for one unsurprising exception*, I think what this book did best was that it had no villains. I love that. It was a group of flawed characters in horrible situations doing their best and managing to find empathy even in the fog of their own hurt. I felt for all of them, and that focus on character development makes this one that I think I'll end up recommending frequently to students.
Rounding down slightly for the complete lack of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ characters (even among the theatre kids? In this year of our Lord 2024? Bizarre.)
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Other notes:
*I was convinced pretty early on that Ben had assaulted Emery, maybe while alcohol was in the picture. I was glad that it didn't end up being that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
shirleytupperfreeman's review
I found this one in my mail box - thank you Phoebe from Bloomsbury -- and what a fun, drama-filled, page turner it was. Main character Michaela, 16, is confident, caring, resilient and still learning. Michaela's life is upended when her beloved mom is killed in an accident and Michaela has to go live with her Dad. She's always known her dad but hasn't spent much time with him. He lives an hour away and surprise, surprise, it turns out he's married with three teenage kids. Unknown to her until now, Michaela is the product of an affair 16 years ago - which her Dad's wife knew about and ultimately forgave. While grieving the loss of her mom, Michaela has to leave her old life behind and adjust to a new family, school, friends and activities. Her half-siblings have teen drama of their own, her step-mom is living through the loss of her own mother (Grammie), her new friends deal with drama both literal and metaphorical (they are all working on the school musical, Into the Woods) and all are figuring out where Michaela, the 'love child', belongs in the world. Great YA read!
nadjsim's review
4.0
I'll be honest, the only reason I added No One is Alone to my to-read shelf is because of its cover - I mean, look at it! However, this book turned out to be an unexpected gem.
It also reminded me of Foolish Hearts, maybe because it's also centered around a school play, but definitely because it delves into various relationships beyond the main romantic one. Not a lot of YA books do that.I would sacrifice all of Ben's scenes to get more content with Gabe and Cody.
It also reminded me of Foolish Hearts, maybe because it's also centered around a school play, but definitely because it delves into various relationships beyond the main romantic one. Not a lot of YA books do that.
charlottexx1234123's review
2.0
Was supposed to be realistic fiction, but the book had more fantasy elements— for example, the theater department didn't have a single LGBTQ+ person.
(although, accuracy point for the kid wore wolf ears and vaped constantly).
(although, accuracy point for the kid wore wolf ears and vaped constantly).
alongreader's review
4.0
As it's not mentioned in the blurb, I'll add it here; there is a lot in here about high school theater, specifically Into the Woods. If you love or hate theater, take that under advisement.
Everything that's not taken up with theater is filled with some of the messiest family politics I've seen in a while. Mick thinks her father is a bachelor, until the Terrible Thing happens and she discovers she is actually an affair baby. Give her father credit, he immediately steps up and takes her in. So does his wife. Their three children have varying reactions.
I was never less than enthralled by the story and the gradual shift in everyone's opinions. My only problem (spoiler): having Mick be the one who talked all the other kids into visiting sick Grandma felt a little weird. Like White Savior Syndrome or something. But it did make for some very cute scenes.
I really enjoyed this. Rachel didn't take the easy way out at any point, showing how messy something like this would be even when everyone has the best of intentions. I highly recommend it to other readers. Really good.
Everything that's not taken up with theater is filled with some of the messiest family politics I've seen in a while. Mick thinks her father is a bachelor, until the Terrible Thing happens and she discovers she is actually an affair baby. Give her father credit, he immediately steps up and takes her in. So does his wife. Their three children have varying reactions.
I was never less than enthralled by the story and the gradual shift in everyone's opinions. My only problem (spoiler): having Mick be the one who talked all the other kids into visiting sick Grandma felt a little weird. Like White Savior Syndrome or something. But it did make for some very cute scenes.
I really enjoyed this. Rachel didn't take the easy way out at any point, showing how messy something like this would be even when everyone has the best of intentions. I highly recommend it to other readers. Really good.
kthornette's review against another edition
4.0
Rachel Vincent’s Every Single Lie lives in my head rent free. It is my Roman Empire. That being said, I had high hopes for this book. And while I still enjoyed it, it’s no Every Single Lie.
The characters were great. I loved the family so much, flaws and all. I think my issue was more so with the pacing. The first third was great and then it just slowed down. I didn’t care much about the school play but I didn’t mind reading about it. I was bothered by the romance since that was underdeveloped and dull. And Ben’s an ass. An absolute trash can. I would’ve written more about Michaela’s mom and her grief since that part felt very rushed. I wish we focused more on Michaela’s new family cause I was more invested in them, especially Grammy and Gabe. No spoilers, but having those two’s biggest plot points be crammed for the last five chapters could have — and should’ve, in my opinion — been spaced out more.
Lastly: Emery is such a brat. I said what I said. She may have been redeemed by the end but girlie could’ve been nicer. (Not like Michaela was any better cause she did start to annoy me later on in the book).
The characters were great. I loved the family so much, flaws and all. I think my issue was more so with the pacing. The first third was great and then it just slowed down. I didn’t care much about the school play but I didn’t mind reading about it. I was bothered by the romance since that was underdeveloped and dull.
Lastly: Emery is such a brat. I said what I said. She may have been redeemed by the end but girlie could’ve been nicer. (Not like Michaela was any better cause she did start to annoy me later on in the book).
cbjgirl23's review
5.0
really enjoyed this book! can't wait to tell everyone i know who reads and loves musicals about it!