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elysekimberly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have tried to read this book easily eight times in the past. Each time I would give up after a few chapters. This time I didn’t give up.
One thing I found odd about this book was its language. The author put random vocabulary words in, that didn’t sound like a teenager. If she had put these words in Meredith’s it may have added to characterization, but she didn’t. She would put words like erstwhile,then a few pages later she would say things like squooshed. The writing often felt cliche and leaned toward preachy. I did like the similes the author used. The Disney-themed ones I especially liked.
The girls had different characteristics, but it didn’t feel like they had very distinctive voices. Sometimes I had to check to see who I was reading from.
I think the idea of this book was good, but there was too much put in one book. There were so many storylines that it was hard to connect with them.
Meredith- Has an overly emotional, 2 week relationship with a boy. It felt too dramatic for the amount of time they’d known each other. They had cute moments at certain points and witty conversations. But it still took Meredith away from the friendships, which should have been the prioritized relationship.
Kate- She also had a similar issue to Meredith. She spent most of the summer watching a little boy. I understand that she learned things from this, but it also took away from her relationships with the other girls. It felt like the author had too many characters and didn’t want to take care of them.
Britta & Spider seemed to develop a meaningful friendship. Britta’s passions felt more developed, and Spider’s struggles with chronic illness were portrayed honestly. The author tried a bit too hard at first to make Spider quirky and different, but she developed from that. I think if the author made Kate/Meredith more involved with Britta & Spider, the story may have been different.
The Ruthie and Janet storyline was nice at some points, but it felt too convenient to me.
This book tried to do a bit too much, and was too long. It did make me smile though and was wholesome and beautiful at certain points. I’m glad I finally read it.
One thing I found odd about this book was its language. The author put random vocabulary words in, that didn’t sound like a teenager. If she had put these words in Meredith’s it may have added to characterization, but she didn’t. She would put words like erstwhile,then a few pages later she would say things like squooshed. The writing often felt cliche and leaned toward preachy. I did like the similes the author used. The Disney-themed ones I especially liked.
The girls had different characteristics, but it didn’t feel like they had very distinctive voices. Sometimes I had to check to see who I was reading from.
I think the idea of this book was good, but there was too much put in one book. There were so many storylines that it was hard to connect with them.
Meredith- Has an overly emotional, 2 week relationship with a boy. It felt too dramatic for the amount of time they’d known each other. They had cute moments at certain points and witty conversations. But it still took Meredith away from the friendships, which should have been the prioritized relationship.
Kate- She also had a similar issue to Meredith. She spent most of the summer watching a little boy. I understand that she learned things from this, but it also took away from her relationships with the other girls. It felt like the author had too many characters and didn’t want to take care of them.
Britta & Spider seemed to develop a meaningful friendship. Britta’s passions felt more developed, and Spider’s struggles with chronic illness were portrayed honestly. The author tried a bit too hard at first to make Spider quirky and different, but she developed from that. I think if the author made Kate/Meredith more involved with Britta & Spider, the story may have been different.
The Ruthie and Janet storyline was nice at some points, but it felt too convenient to me.
This book tried to do a bit too much, and was too long. It did make me smile though and was wholesome and beautiful at certain points. I’m glad I finally read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Chronic illness
Moderate: Blood and Drug abuse
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