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iluvbooks123's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
readingwitheden's review
5.0
I wanted to read something super light, funny and sweet and this was the first thing I thought of. It definitely lived up to my expectations from my inner 13 year old. I LOVED Split by a Kiss and it's one of those teen books I've never really forgotten about. I do think I prefer the first book to this one but it definitely still has all of the same charm. Quick, fun and lighthearted read!
gmil_8's review
4.0
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
This was a very quick, fun and lighthearted read. I liked all the characters, except for Hailey. She was just annoying in my opinion. This book wasn't anything to take seriously and and it's something you can breeze by quickly. I liked the book, but there were some info parts about the characters that in my sense too long. I think the book dragged on longer than it should've. That's why I gave it a 3.5 rating, but it was still an enjoyable read that I would recommend to pass the time away.
This was a very quick, fun and lighthearted read. I liked all the characters, except for Hailey. She was just annoying in my opinion. This book wasn't anything to take seriously and and it's something you can breeze by quickly. I liked the book, but there were some info parts about the characters that in my sense too long. I think the book dragged on longer than it should've. That's why I gave it a 3.5 rating, but it was still an enjoyable read that I would recommend to pass the time away.
caroni's review
4.0
As much as I loved the character of Jo, I found it harder to get into Rachel's head. Rachel is the tough cookie, she snaps before she says "hi" and she is, all in all, someone who makes it incredibly hard to love her.
Never one to admit defeat in the face of adversity (yes, I just said that about a book), I have persisted in my quest to like Rachel, not only for her badass feminist attitude, but also for her real slightly hidden personality. The book is told from the alternate point of view of Rachel-in-Jo's-Body and of Jo-in-Rachel's-body (mostly as a journal). I loved the idea that both girls are highly unsatisfied in their lives and wish to be one another thinking the other has the perfect life. This is such a girl classic (not to like oneself that is) that I believe it comes as the trademark of all women alongside intelligence and an incredible sense of humour. Who's partial?
In this book, you get to go beyond the wall Rachel built around herself and learn more about her, her demons and her past. I already enjoyed reading about her in the first book, and now I understand better why she is the way she is. Rachel and David's relationship appears rocky but they are so made for each other that it is insanely cute to read about them.
The setting of the book is a Festival in the UK (as opposed to a high school in the US for Split by a Kiss) and I loved the cultural difference between Europe and USA and how Tori and Rachel have several culture shock-related events which made me laugh out loud. It was the same, though the other way around (British Jo in America) in the first book, and it is sooo hilarious!!
I find Tori's excitement so contagious, every time I read about her I just *squeeee* for no reason. She is most entirely awesome, and though she appears as an airhead, she is a great friend to Jo and then Rachel. Tori and Hailey fight for Jo's BFF status is hilarious!
I loved discovering the relationship Rachel has with her mother, and how it evolves through the story. I found that the book was a lot about identity, and especially how our parents influence who we are. It makes one think about one's own life and identity. (I mean, let's be honest, my parents, who have a bookshop, are entirely to blame for my book addiction!)
This book is a sweet and fun read, you will laugh out loud when the characters end up in the funniest situations and will fall for all the characters, even the ones only present for a couple of pages. I cannot wait to read Luisa's other book Extreme Kissing!
Never one to admit defeat in the face of adversity (yes, I just said that about a book), I have persisted in my quest to like Rachel, not only for her badass feminist attitude, but also for her real slightly hidden personality. The book is told from the alternate point of view of Rachel-in-Jo's-Body and of Jo-in-Rachel's-body (mostly as a journal). I loved the idea that both girls are highly unsatisfied in their lives and wish to be one another thinking the other has the perfect life. This is such a girl classic (not to like oneself that is) that I believe it comes as the trademark of all women alongside intelligence and an incredible sense of humour. Who's partial?
In this book, you get to go beyond the wall Rachel built around herself and learn more about her, her demons and her past. I already enjoyed reading about her in the first book, and now I understand better why she is the way she is. Rachel and David's relationship appears rocky but they are so made for each other that it is insanely cute to read about them.
The setting of the book is a Festival in the UK (as opposed to a high school in the US for Split by a Kiss) and I loved the cultural difference between Europe and USA and how Tori and Rachel have several culture shock-related events which made me laugh out loud. It was the same, though the other way around (British Jo in America) in the first book, and it is sooo hilarious!!
I find Tori's excitement so contagious, every time I read about her I just *squeeee* for no reason. She is most entirely awesome, and though she appears as an airhead, she is a great friend to Jo and then Rachel. Tori and Hailey fight for Jo's BFF status is hilarious!
I loved discovering the relationship Rachel has with her mother, and how it evolves through the story. I found that the book was a lot about identity, and especially how our parents influence who we are. It makes one think about one's own life and identity. (I mean, let's be honest, my parents, who have a bookshop, are entirely to blame for my book addiction!)
This book is a sweet and fun read, you will laugh out loud when the characters end up in the funniest situations and will fall for all the characters, even the ones only present for a couple of pages. I cannot wait to read Luisa's other book Extreme Kissing!
onceuponabookcase's review
5.0
I wish I wasn't myself anymore.
I wish I was her.
I wish I was Jo.
Rachel hates her life. Wen her on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival, she decides to surprise him - but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round perfect Jo.
Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair?
And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again? From the back of the book.
As most of you will know, I am a huge Luisa Plaja fan. I loved Split by a Kiss, the first in this duology, so when I was offered the chance to review Swapped by a Kiss, I jumped at the chance! And just as I expected, I loved it!
Swapped starts a few months after Split ends. Jo is with Albie, Tori is friends with Jo now instead of the popular gang, and most importantly Rachel is with David. Ish. With her fiery personality and raging jealousy, arguments are common between the two of them. One such fight happens before David goes to England for a festival, but when Rachel decides to surprise him by turning up at the festival, he finds him kissing Jo.
Jo splitting in two in the first book was just awesome. Following her down two different paths at the same time was awesome, but watching Rachel in Jo's body, trying to be British and nice was just genius! I didn't really relate all that much to Rachel, as she's hugely into graphic novels, comics and superheroes - not really my bag. But I sympathised with her and her situation. Not only are the guys in Rachel-Rachel's and Rachel-Jo's life "dastards", but there are more serious issues running through the book; identity and self-image.
Before the swap took place, it was heart breaking to read Rachel's thoughts about herself, and about Jo. What it says above in the blurb, "Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round perfect Jo," is exactly what Rachel thinks of her, where as she describes herself as "oversized". She believes she's a nightmare, and if she was Jo, she wouldn't have to deal with the crap going on in her life, and everyone would like her better - especially David. It's just awful having to read about Rachel's low self-esteem and her other issues, and not being able to give her a hug. It's really sad!
However, this is not to say Swapped is hard, emotional reading. Swapped is quite a light, humourous read, and pretty fun. The scrapes Rachel gets herself into in Jo's body are just hilarious. Attempting to use British words, and make up fake swear words - because that's what British people do - is cause for much laughter. Jo's diary entries of conversations she has with Rachel's mum, while pretending to be angry, unkind, and American are also hilarious.
All in all, a great quick, light, fun read that touches on some serious subjects. This would make such a good beach read! I loved it, and I so hope there is going to be another story about these characters. Maybe involving one of the boys this time!
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
I wish I was her.
I wish I was Jo.
Rachel hates her life. Wen her on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival, she decides to surprise him - but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round perfect Jo.
Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair?
And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again? From the back of the book.
As most of you will know, I am a huge Luisa Plaja fan. I loved Split by a Kiss, the first in this duology, so when I was offered the chance to review Swapped by a Kiss, I jumped at the chance! And just as I expected, I loved it!
Swapped starts a few months after Split ends. Jo is with Albie, Tori is friends with Jo now instead of the popular gang, and most importantly Rachel is with David. Ish. With her fiery personality and raging jealousy, arguments are common between the two of them. One such fight happens before David goes to England for a festival, but when Rachel decides to surprise him by turning up at the festival, he finds him kissing Jo.
Jo splitting in two in the first book was just awesome. Following her down two different paths at the same time was awesome, but watching Rachel in Jo's body, trying to be British and nice was just genius! I didn't really relate all that much to Rachel, as she's hugely into graphic novels, comics and superheroes - not really my bag. But I sympathised with her and her situation. Not only are the guys in Rachel-Rachel's and Rachel-Jo's life "dastards", but there are more serious issues running through the book; identity and self-image.
Before the swap took place, it was heart breaking to read Rachel's thoughts about herself, and about Jo. What it says above in the blurb, "Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round perfect Jo," is exactly what Rachel thinks of her, where as she describes herself as "oversized". She believes she's a nightmare, and if she was Jo, she wouldn't have to deal with the crap going on in her life, and everyone would like her better - especially David. It's just awful having to read about Rachel's low self-esteem and her other issues, and not being able to give her a hug. It's really sad!
However, this is not to say Swapped is hard, emotional reading. Swapped is quite a light, humourous read, and pretty fun. The scrapes Rachel gets herself into in Jo's body are just hilarious. Attempting to use British words, and make up fake swear words - because that's what British people do - is cause for much laughter. Jo's diary entries of conversations she has with Rachel's mum, while pretending to be angry, unkind, and American are also hilarious.
All in all, a great quick, light, fun read that touches on some serious subjects. This would make such a good beach read! I loved it, and I so hope there is going to be another story about these characters. Maybe involving one of the boys this time!
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
sammeehicks's review
5.0
I was so excited to read this book. I loved Spilt by a Kiss and could not wait to revisit the characters - and I can tell you that I loved it! Not only is it completely hilarious but it is also incredibly romantic and Luisa has the marvelous ability to completely floor you. There was one thing in particular that I did not see coming!
Many of the characters return from Spilt by a Kiss and it was great to see Jo again - I loved hearing her side of events through her 'diary' entries. We also have David who, in this book, completely won my affections! As for Rachel, I absolutely adored her. I loved her sass and snarky comments but it was also lovely to get to know the 'real' her as opposed to the one she pretends to be. Being a character who is not afraid to speak her mind I loved the way we got to see what she was really thinking! It was also really good fun to see Tori again, and it was really interesting seeing her through Rachel's eyes.
I thought the 'swapped' thing was done brilliantly and I loved how both characters also alluded to events from the first book. Again the book was rich in storylines - with so much going on I found myself completely gripped - really not wanting it to end. Both Jo and Rachel had really good storylines and I was equally interested in both. I loved Jo's interactions with Rachel's mother and I really enjoyed watching Rachel get to see life from someone else's point of view.
As I said before - it really is funny! There were so many times I found myself laughing out loud and there is one scene involving 'quicksand' that had me laughing so hard I have still been sniggering to myself all day! It is definitely a novel that will bring a big goofy smile to your face. But it is also more than than. The characters felt real and honestly depicted. The romance is really sweet and you can feel a true connection between the couples. I don't know what else to say really except I Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!
Many of the characters return from Spilt by a Kiss and it was great to see Jo again - I loved hearing her side of events through her 'diary' entries. We also have David who, in this book, completely won my affections! As for Rachel, I absolutely adored her. I loved her sass and snarky comments but it was also lovely to get to know the 'real' her as opposed to the one she pretends to be. Being a character who is not afraid to speak her mind I loved the way we got to see what she was really thinking! It was also really good fun to see Tori again, and it was really interesting seeing her through Rachel's eyes.
I thought the 'swapped' thing was done brilliantly and I loved how both characters also alluded to events from the first book. Again the book was rich in storylines - with so much going on I found myself completely gripped - really not wanting it to end. Both Jo and Rachel had really good storylines and I was equally interested in both. I loved Jo's interactions with Rachel's mother and I really enjoyed watching Rachel get to see life from someone else's point of view.
As I said before - it really is funny! There were so many times I found myself laughing out loud and there is one scene involving 'quicksand' that had me laughing so hard I have still been sniggering to myself all day! It is definitely a novel that will bring a big goofy smile to your face. But it is also more than than. The characters felt real and honestly depicted. The romance is really sweet and you can feel a true connection between the couples. I don't know what else to say really except I Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!
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