Scan barcode
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
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
4.5
Such a lovely YA sapphic romance about two best friends who fall for each other and start dating. Mitra and Bea have had a poetry book going between them for the last five years, and now, they're learning how to navigate that when they start in a romantic relationship. We get to see glimpses of the poems they write each other, as well as the poems that Mitra writes for class. They are all quite lovely and add a lyrical, emotional element to the story.
Mitra is also navigating the fact that her estranged mom, who left because she struggled with addiction, has come back into their lives. It forces Mitra to confront her own trust issues, both with her family and in her relationships. There's a lot of complex emotions in this book, and they are all so well done.
This is Akhbari's debut, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
Mitra is also navigating the fact that her estranged mom, who left because she struggled with addiction, has come back into their lives. It forces Mitra to confront her own trust issues, both with her family and in her relationships. There's a lot of complex emotions in this book, and they are all so well done.
This is Akhbari's debut, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Drug use, and Alcoholism
frannook's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
kmoz's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
marym2215's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
In Just Another Epic Love Poem, senior Mitra Esfhani and her best friend, Bea Ortega, have forged an unbreakable bond through the pages of The Book, a collection of their shared experiences and poetic musings started when they were twelve years old. From passing The Book back and forth over the past five years, Mitra and Bea have allowed themselves to express their deepest emotions in the comfort of a safe space. For introverted Mitra, The Book has been a safe-haven to express all of the ups and downs of her teenage life, except for the fact that she is hopelessly in love with Bea. But, when Mitra allows herself to open up one day at school and take a chance, what follows is a beautiful story that delves into the themes of love, friendship, betrayal, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Written with heart, humor, and sometimes sorrow, Just Another Epic Love Poem is a promising story that will resonate with readers seeking an immersive tale of love, connection, forgiveness, and growth.
From the description, I did not realize this book was actually going to be a full-fledge story. I was under the impression that it was solely going to be a collection of poems, written back and forth between Mitra and Bea. While the reader does get a peak into the musings written in The Book, this story is so, so much more. Written from Mitra’s perspective, I felt so connected to her journey through her search for love in friendships, in romantic relationships, in her family, and in herself. I absolutely loved this book and its ability to take me back to those years in high school, where there were always more questions than answers, and where insecurities and fear lurked in our deepest thoughts. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to go on a journey filled with emotion and sometimes heartbreak, but most importantly love and self discovery.
Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Just Another Epic Love Poem in return for my honest review.
From the description, I did not realize this book was actually going to be a full-fledge story. I was under the impression that it was solely going to be a collection of poems, written back and forth between Mitra and Bea. While the reader does get a peak into the musings written in The Book, this story is so, so much more. Written from Mitra’s perspective, I felt so connected to her journey through her search for love in friendships, in romantic relationships, in her family, and in herself. I absolutely loved this book and its ability to take me back to those years in high school, where there were always more questions than answers, and where insecurities and fear lurked in our deepest thoughts. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to go on a journey filled with emotion and sometimes heartbreak, but most importantly love and self discovery.
Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Just Another Epic Love Poem in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
dorothy_shack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
lindseyanderson's review
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
kayla_thebookishmama's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
4.0
Not only was this a story that made my poetry loving heart sing, but it was a sapphic romance, friends-to-lovers, coming-of-age, family story that was beautifully done. There were important themes of addiction, what it is to be Muslim, immigration, and so many more. I love how Mitra and Bea started their friendship, and had to work through the tumultuous teenage feelings (were we really all that dramatic, and why is the answer yes?) as well as real issues that impacted their history and their futures. Also, I adore Mitra’s father and how he cares for his children.
And a moment for the way that this story uses form and multiple types of storytelling that still allowed it flow beautifully. There are text exchanges, prose, poetry, notes - it really made the interactions feel intimate. And the poems by famous poets like Naomi Shihab Nye that were chosen for this book *chef’s kiss*
The audio narration is wonderful, and the physical version really is a nod to poetic form and the way it fills a page. Either way, it’s an enjoyable book!
And a moment for the way that this story uses form and multiple types of storytelling that still allowed it flow beautifully. There are text exchanges, prose, poetry, notes - it really made the interactions feel intimate. And the poems by famous poets like Naomi Shihab Nye that were chosen for this book *chef’s kiss*
The audio narration is wonderful, and the physical version really is a nod to poetic form and the way it fills a page. Either way, it’s an enjoyable book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
jazzyjbox's review
challenging
emotional
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
What an incredible story about love and trust.
Mitra shares everything with her best friend Bea, like the never-ending poem the two of them have been penning through years of Catholic school, culminating in senior year. Except Mitra hasn't shared that she's actually in love with Bea, or the truth about the emotional pain inflicted by Mitra's pill-addicted mother. Then Mitra's mom returns and Bea finds out the depth of Mitra's feelings. What's a girl to do?
Steeped in poetry and Persian American culture, this story tells the incredible story of how Mitra comes to terms with her mother's addiction and Mitra's own trust issues. There's a powerful lesson involved. "I am more than things I've ruined." Mitra's best friends-to-lovers journey is so sweet, but her connections with her family, especially with her younger sister, had me in tears.
Mitra shares everything with her best friend Bea, like the never-ending poem the two of them have been penning through years of Catholic school, culminating in senior year. Except Mitra hasn't shared that she's actually in love with Bea, or the truth about the emotional pain inflicted by Mitra's pill-addicted mother. Then Mitra's mom returns and Bea finds out the depth of Mitra's feelings. What's a girl to do?
Steeped in poetry and Persian American culture, this story tells the incredible story of how Mitra comes to terms with her mother's addiction and Mitra's own trust issues. There's a powerful lesson involved. "I am more than things I've ruined." Mitra's best friends-to-lovers journey is so sweet, but her connections with her family, especially with her younger sister, had me in tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
More...