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snowreo's review against another edition
5.0
First of all, thank you so, SO much to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for giving me the chance to read Nina LaCour's first adult novel early. I absolutely loved "Hold Still" when I read it and I new I was in for a treat when I got the notification that I had been approved for this.
"Yerba Buena" follows two different protagonists in alternating perspectives. Sara Foster, who ran away to Los Angeles at the age of sixteen after a series of dramatic losses leaves her hollow. Emilie Dubois, who is trying to fill her own hollowness by finding a purpose in life. In adulthood, as a renowned bartender and florist respectively, they meet. It is posed as a story of two characters finding love, but it is so much more than that. It is the story of two people reckoning with the horrors of their past and growing from them. It is a story of healing even when it seems impossible.
I absolutely loved our main characters and their stories. They were saw raw and so incredibly human, and I often felt their words and thoughts deep within the crevices of my being. They made me laugh and they made me cry. Never have I read a book where I can relate to the characters on such a fundamental level. Never have I read a book where I felt so strongly about the characters receiving an ending they deserve.
The descriptions and overall prose, as always, were absolutely gorgeous. They used so much imagery, played so heavily on the senses that I could see, smell, taste everything that Nina LaCour put on the page. Excuse me while I try to make fillet aperitif in real life.
Nina LaCour has truly done it again. While I loved Hold Still, I can safely say this book is my favorite of hers and I'll never forget it for as long as I live. Please, if you get the chance to read this book, do it.
Please note the following trigger warnings: addiction/drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault/sex work of a minor, death
"Yerba Buena" follows two different protagonists in alternating perspectives. Sara Foster, who ran away to Los Angeles at the age of sixteen after a series of dramatic losses leaves her hollow. Emilie Dubois, who is trying to fill her own hollowness by finding a purpose in life. In adulthood, as a renowned bartender and florist respectively, they meet. It is posed as a story of two characters finding love, but it is so much more than that. It is the story of two people reckoning with the horrors of their past and growing from them. It is a story of healing even when it seems impossible.
I absolutely loved our main characters and their stories. They were saw raw and so incredibly human, and I often felt their words and thoughts deep within the crevices of my being. They made me laugh and they made me cry. Never have I read a book where I can relate to the characters on such a fundamental level. Never have I read a book where I felt so strongly about the characters receiving an ending they deserve.
The descriptions and overall prose, as always, were absolutely gorgeous. They used so much imagery, played so heavily on the senses that I could see, smell, taste everything that Nina LaCour put on the page. Excuse me while I try to make fillet aperitif in real life.
Nina LaCour has truly done it again. While I loved Hold Still, I can safely say this book is my favorite of hers and I'll never forget it for as long as I live. Please, if you get the chance to read this book, do it.
Please note the following trigger warnings: addiction/drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault/sex work of a minor, death
aubreystrawberry's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vbsauce's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lefthandedlooney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
3.5
remmslupin's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bymo's review
3.75
very nice book!!! didnt like it as much as we’re okay but nina lacour’s writing is always a blessing
apiteo's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wasn’t gay till half way through. I hate affair troupes. rlly lovely prose and exploration of relatable flaws/feelings tho
wreathedinviolets's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Alcoholism