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millies_mini_library's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sophiexmae25's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This novel is YA and was recommended to me. I loved the authors ability to fluidly incorporate diversity within the novel. There is a myriad of dynamics and people in this novel but none of it is glaring— it just is. And it feels the way all books should be! I would have loved this even more as a teenager, so would def reccomend to anyone into YA.
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this even better than I thought I would! I like how Philippe wrote the moving to a new school narrative. Things happen so slowly that one day you look up and realize you made a life for yourself somewhere and I think he really drew that idea well. I really liked these characters and for the most part they felt real (if not a little too well adjusted in how they deal with break ups). Ben Philippe is definitely a writer to watch!
pulchritudinous_panda's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The beginning of the book was super strong and I really liked Norris' character. I really loved Maddie and their friendship. When it got into the final act was when I started to dislike it and feel conflicted. His relationship with Aarti felt forced and uncomfortable. It felt like the book tried to show Norris as having developed, but the only development I saw was that he no longer wanted to leave Texas. His apologies didn't feel like apologies and Norris didn't seem very likeable by the end. Overall, I still liked the book, but the ending really sucked.
selarue617's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while for me to get into it, but once I did, it was good
ramonaq's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
4.25
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
This was an awesome listen! I laughed out loud a few times and even shed some tears at one point. Norris is the son of Haitian immigrants to Canada. His father, a physician, has had an affair and started a new family. His mother, an anthropology professor, accepts a job with University of Texas at Austin and before 16 year old Norris knows what's happening, he has moved from his beloved Montreal to ungodly hot Austin. Norris begins the semester with a huge chip on his shoulder and he gladly puts all the cheerleaders and football players (the interest in football and not hockey being one of the horrors of it all) into a box labeled 'dumb, immature etc.' By the end of this witty, often snarky novel Norris has grown up a bit and learned to open his mind and heart. The reader/listener has worried about a black smart-Alec teenager in a US city and enjoyed several riffs on Canadian culture vs. U.S. culture, hockey vs. football, cold vs. hot. Thanks to Librofm for the bookseller listening program.
apriljp57's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75