Scan barcode
heyheyheyhey's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I hadn’t read this in years and completely forgot about some of the plotlines. While Beatle’s an asshole for most of the book, his behaviour makes sense and is probably relatable for a lot of young people.
I do wish we had gotten to dig into Destiny a bit more. The stalking plotline is treated a bit flippantly.
I do wish we had gotten to dig into Destiny a bit more. The stalking plotline is treated a bit flippantly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking
baoluong's review
3.0
I don't believe in soulmates, least of all, destiny.
What happens in this book is inexcusable and I don't think we should indulge in the fantasy that you can hurt people in the name of love. Feelings can change but there's a right and there's a wrong way to do things. I'm taking the moral high ground on this one which surprises me to no end.
What happens in this book is inexcusable and I don't think we should indulge in the fantasy that you can hurt people in the name of love. Feelings can change but there's a right and there's a wrong way to do things. I'm taking the moral high ground on this one which surprises me to no end.
jackbailey's review
3.0
This was a very quick read, the book only being 291 pages long, but it was also very interesting. It is set in Melbourne, Australia and features a lot of well known places in that area. The book shifts between two viewpoints, Beatle’s and Destiny’s, and focuses on their relationship over the course of a few months months. Something I really liked about this book was the fact that the main events of the novel took place over three different days: Friday the 13th of February; Friday the 13th of March; and Friday the 13th of November. I also loved how their were little short stories/interviews interlaced throughout the book that tied very nicely together at the end.
Beatle, I found to be a bit of an irritating character, but he was bearable. The character that interested me the most however was Beatle’s mother. Somewhat of a hippie and obsessed with Horoscopes and superstitions, she added a very intriguing factor to the story. It was interesting to see what became of a person who relied so heavily on signs and astrology and how she managed to incorporate them into her’s, and her children’s, everyday lives. Beatles life is largely impacted by the decisions he makes as a result of this.
Although the ending was abrupt, and I felt like the matter with the stalker was brushed aside, it was satisfying. Beatles transformation as a character was interesting to witness and most things tied together nicely.
The formatting of the novel was really unique and it gave the book a nice touch. On the page that marked the start of each new chapter, rings like that left by a coffee cup were present. And on the first page of a new short story the page was decorated with the same slanted lines that appear on the book’s cover. I thought this was a nice little extra.
Overall Beatle Meets Destiny was a good romance/young-adult book. It had an interesting plot and was just a fun and light read. However there could have been more character development and, as I said before, the ending was abrupt.
Beatle, I found to be a bit of an irritating character, but he was bearable. The character that interested me the most however was Beatle’s mother. Somewhat of a hippie and obsessed with Horoscopes and superstitions, she added a very intriguing factor to the story. It was interesting to see what became of a person who relied so heavily on signs and astrology and how she managed to incorporate them into her’s, and her children’s, everyday lives. Beatles life is largely impacted by the decisions he makes as a result of this.
Although the ending was abrupt, and I felt like the matter with the stalker was brushed aside, it was satisfying. Beatles transformation as a character was interesting to witness and most things tied together nicely.
The formatting of the novel was really unique and it gave the book a nice touch. On the page that marked the start of each new chapter, rings like that left by a coffee cup were present. And on the first page of a new short story the page was decorated with the same slanted lines that appear on the book’s cover. I thought this was a nice little extra.
Overall Beatle Meets Destiny was a good romance/young-adult book. It had an interesting plot and was just a fun and light read. However there could have been more character development and, as I said before, the ending was abrupt.
library_brandy's review
3.0
Australian high school senior Beatle (real name: John Lennon. Really.) is superstitious enough that he heads for home early on Friday the 13th--taking the bus, since there's a greater likelihood of an accident on a Friday the 13th. At the bus stop, the day's bad luck turns around: also waiting for the bus is Destiny (last name: McCartney. Really.). The pair decide it's fate and go for ice cream, and from there their relationship blooms. Or would, if not for the detail of Beatle's girlfriend Cilla. Who happens to be best friends with Beatle's twin sister. Destiny has her own problems, related to purloined art materials, a stalker, and Beatle, the guy who seems into her but won’t call.
Gets a little caught up in its side stories, but the bulk of the story will appeal to fans of quirky-romantic realistic fiction.
Gets a little caught up in its side stories, but the bulk of the story will appeal to fans of quirky-romantic realistic fiction.
missusb21's review
5.0
A laugh-out loud sparkler of a book. Clever, realistic and non-stereotypical. Always excellent aspects in YA.
gator1313's review
4.0
A fun, quirky read. I really liked it. Plus, it was fun reading about teens in Australia.
tepidgirlsummer's review
2.0
Eh.
This book has a neat premise—John Lennon meets Destiny McCartney, signs all over the place that they’re MFEO, etc. etc.—but it just didn’t do it for me. It’s a very superficial book, a fun idea and fun characters but everything feels more like an outline than a fleshed-out novel and no one is remotely profound. The characters are quirky, which I like, but so much of the quirkiness just seemed... forced. I felt zero connection to any of the characters. I would’ve liked to know more about them and what makes them tick.
I read this book within 24 hours though, which is quite a feat considering how long it’s been taking me to read some other books lately. I get pretty excited about Aussie YA fiction, so maybe part of the problem was just how high my expectations were.
This book has a neat premise—John Lennon meets Destiny McCartney, signs all over the place that they’re MFEO, etc. etc.—but it just didn’t do it for me. It’s a very superficial book, a fun idea and fun characters but everything feels more like an outline than a fleshed-out novel and no one is remotely profound. The characters are quirky, which I like, but so much of the quirkiness just seemed... forced. I felt zero connection to any of the characters. I would’ve liked to know more about them and what makes them tick.
I read this book within 24 hours though, which is quite a feat considering how long it’s been taking me to read some other books lately. I get pretty excited about Aussie YA fiction, so maybe part of the problem was just how high my expectations were.
phobacloh's review
3.0
Original rating: 4 Stars
Updated rating: 3 stars.
I'm going to chalk the drop in stars up to the book ageing, myself ageing and the fact that I've read a lot more since 2009, so my scaling is different.
This was a cute and light-hearted book, and I can totally understand why younger me enjoyed this one.
Glad I re-read it, but I probably won't again.
Updated rating: 3 stars.
I'm going to chalk the drop in stars up to the book ageing, myself ageing and the fact that I've read a lot more since 2009, so my scaling is different.
This was a cute and light-hearted book, and I can totally understand why younger me enjoyed this one.
Glad I re-read it, but I probably won't again.
beecheralyson's review
I have read through the other reviews and I am going to leave this unrated. It appears this book did not connect with me as it did for others.
heatherhy01's review
5.0
Reviewed at http://www.nightlyreading.wordpress.com
This was a hilarious and quirky book!
Beatle's real name is John Lennon, but everyone just calls him Beatle. Destiny's last name is McCartney. Anyone whom is a Beatles fan, would totally get the irony in this. Beatle is very superstitious and Destiny is not sure if her name truly fits her. On Friday, the 13th, their world's collide and all the trouble begins!!!
I actually cannot express how mush I enjoyed this book! I loved the little skits in between the chapters with the different relationships between twins. Also, the fact that Beatle and his sister were interviewed last. I enjoyed Destiny's friends. They were a hilarious group!!! Alsways finding a way to get into trouble. I also really liked the fact that the writer lets you really get into Beatles head, and some of his thoughts are belly laughing funny!
The cover to this book is really eye catching. I loved the red and the hearts. (I am a sucker for hearts)
I would personally like to send out a big THANK YOU to Gabrielle Williams for writing this fun, quirky and fresh book! I would highly recommend it to anyone.
This was a hilarious and quirky book!
Beatle's real name is John Lennon, but everyone just calls him Beatle. Destiny's last name is McCartney. Anyone whom is a Beatles fan, would totally get the irony in this. Beatle is very superstitious and Destiny is not sure if her name truly fits her. On Friday, the 13th, their world's collide and all the trouble begins!!!
I actually cannot express how mush I enjoyed this book! I loved the little skits in between the chapters with the different relationships between twins. Also, the fact that Beatle and his sister were interviewed last. I enjoyed Destiny's friends. They were a hilarious group!!! Alsways finding a way to get into trouble. I also really liked the fact that the writer lets you really get into Beatles head, and some of his thoughts are belly laughing funny!
The cover to this book is really eye catching. I loved the red and the hearts. (I am a sucker for hearts)
I would personally like to send out a big THANK YOU to Gabrielle Williams for writing this fun, quirky and fresh book! I would highly recommend it to anyone.
More...