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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Cute story and very easy quick read. I didn’t love the characters but they were okay. I liked the concept and I’m excited to watch the movie on Netflix! The ending was cute
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t even know how I feel about this book. At first I thought it was a cool concept and it’s well worked out. I really like that the book works in ‘stops’ instead of chapters.
Characters:
Characters:
- Clare: I found Clare very whiney throughout the book. It’s like only she and her opinions were important and all the others did not matter. She’s too caught up in het own shit that she doesn’t notice what’s going on with her best friend?
- Aiden: I felt soooo incredibly sorry for him. His parents (specifically his das), his best friends, Clare all gave made him dread the final night. I think everything he was feeling was valid and I understand him for the most part.
Overall I kept reading for Aiden and not really for Clare but I am happy that in the end she kinda becomes more open minded.
Another fun, enjoyable read from Jennifer E. Smith, albeit not my favourite.
In Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between, it is the last night before Clare and Aiden leave for college. They have been dating for two years, are best friends and are extremely close. So what's the problem? They're leaving for separate colleges, miles away from each other, and they're not sure how they are going to say goodbye. The question is, will they break up and end it now, or will they try and continue their relationship with the possibility that with all the distance and the separate lives they will now lead, it will all fizzle out?
At first, I thought that the answer was easy. Why not just stay together? Then you won't have to say goodbye. Easy. Done.
But after 50 pages I understood the dilemma and what Clare and Aiden were really asking.
Just like her past novels that I have read (The Geography of You and Me and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight), the author pleased me again in this book with its good premise/plot, decent writing, satisfying ending and character development. However, as I mentioned, I didn't enjoy this as much as I could have and some aspects were disappointing.
What I liked:
- Aiden: he was just a really sweet, optimistic guy, and a good balance for Clare. He is laidback and more carefree out of the two. Both characters also had other issues to resolve besides the main one and they helped each other through the course of the book with their uncertainties. I actually liked Aiden more than Clare, but sometimes he did things that I wasn't happy with.
- Stella and Scotty: these two are Clare and Aiden's best friends respectively. I thought they were decent friends. Though I could see their importance to the main characters, they weren't too necessary to the plot.
- Realistic: I felt that the characters and the dialogue were quite realistic and how in real life people would also do/say things like this.
- Character development: the book takes place in the twelve hours before Clare has to leave (Aiden leaves later in the day). For only twelve hours, I don't know how Smith did it, but she managed to create a book from it, with solid character development and characters I was fairly invested in. This book is definitely centered around the two characters, and I didn't mind that. Both Clare and Aiden come to terms with the 'new beginnings' that college holds for them, but also the importance of their eighteen or so years leading up to this day and finding out who they really want to be. I wasn't entirely convinced with the characters from the first few chapters, but after that I felt I understood them.
- History of their two years/romance: I liked how each chapter gives us the place where the two are going and what time it is (remember, they have only twelve hours yet to decide and they both know it is coming to an end and don't want it to - they avoided the topic of what to do with their relationship through all of their summer break). Clare has made a list of places to go that she felt was significant in her and Aiden's relationship, e.g. first kiss was at this place, first date was at that place, etc. She believes that revisiting these places and the memories they hold will help them make the decision. But they find out, the list might be making it harder than they thought. I liked seeing all the things that built up to this point, what made Clare and Aiden such a good couple and this also ties in with character development.
- Premise: instead of characters meeting and falling in love we have characters with history/ backstory who are deciding whether or not to break up. I thought this was different from the usual YA contemporary.
- Clare's parents: Though I didn't like Clare (see below), I liked how her parents were portrayed. They were quite the opposite to Aiden's parents (also see below) and it was refreshing to read about such encouraging, supportive, laid back parents.
- The idea of the 'second prologue':
Things I didn't like:
- Clare: So for the most part, I didn't mind her much, after I got to "know" her, and especially at the end when she realises some things. But from the first couple pages she was just so pro-breaking up, giving off vibes that she thought she and Aiden should just break up. This was annoying, I have to admit, and in each chapter she kept saying over and over again that it was not going to work out. Eventually, I understood that there was more to this and she was trying to save them both from heartbreak and of course, she redeemed herself but it didn't make her the most likable character. I also found her personality really boring. She has a thing for lists and planning and just being boring, you know? Clare isn't a very good friend to Stella and when she realises this, she feels surprised and then just pushes it aside. She also even admits that though she did well at school, it just came easy for her and maybe she should've been more grateful for that and her parents. So, she did get on my nerves a little.
- POV: I'm not sure if I liked this or not, but I felt like the POV was kind of 3rd person omniscient with more Clare than the other characters. When I read the synopsis, I thought it might just be 3rd person with Clare or something but it's a bit different to that. A lot of the times, it says they did this, they did that and then it would be what Clare was feeling/doing and sometimes what Aiden was feeling/doing. I don't really know how to explain it. Really it was like this, it would be more on Clare's POV, like: Clare didn't know what to say or even how she felt. She looked at Aiden... blah blah blah (just an example) and then it would be like: Aiden pushed past her to get to the door. Clare ran after him. He looked around the room, remembering... (etc.etc.) It wasn't jarring, per se, but it all just felt a little weird to read it. Though I have to admit, it wasn't a bad way to write the book.
- Aiden's parents (or more specifically his father)
- Two particular characters
- Pacing: I took three weeks to finish this book as I put it down at one point, when I was around the middle of the book, because I wasn't really feeling it. This was largely due to the pacing. There was stuff going on in most chapters but sometimes, some chapters wouldn't have much except for some talking/kissing/walking. I do realise this was to give the reader backstory with all the reminiscing (which for the most part I really liked) and to develop the characters and the story line but at these points I felt discouraged to keep reading.
Overall, this was a decent read, but not the best I have read. It had some good and bad aspects. 3.5 stars
In Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between, it is the last night before Clare and Aiden leave for college. They have been dating for two years, are best friends and are extremely close. So what's the problem? They're leaving for separate colleges, miles away from each other, and they're not sure how they are going to say goodbye. The question is, will they break up and end it now, or will they try and continue their relationship with the possibility that with all the distance and the separate lives they will now lead, it will all fizzle out?
At first, I thought that the answer was easy. Why not just stay together? Then you won't have to say goodbye. Easy. Done.
But after 50 pages I understood the dilemma and what Clare and Aiden were really asking.
Just like her past novels that I have read (The Geography of You and Me and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight), the author pleased me again in this book with its good premise/plot, decent writing, satisfying ending and character development. However, as I mentioned, I didn't enjoy this as much as I could have and some aspects were disappointing.
What I liked:
- Aiden: he was just a really sweet, optimistic guy, and a good balance for Clare. He is laidback and more carefree out of the two. Both characters also had other issues to resolve besides the main one and they helped each other through the course of the book with their uncertainties. I actually liked Aiden more than Clare, but sometimes he did things that I wasn't happy with.
- Stella and Scotty: these two are Clare and Aiden's best friends respectively. I thought they were decent friends. Though I could see their importance to the main characters, they weren't too necessary to the plot.
- Realistic: I felt that the characters and the dialogue were quite realistic and how in real life people would also do/say things like this.
- Character development: the book takes place in the twelve hours before Clare has to leave (Aiden leaves later in the day). For only twelve hours, I don't know how Smith did it, but she managed to create a book from it, with solid character development and characters I was fairly invested in. This book is definitely centered around the two characters, and I didn't mind that. Both Clare and Aiden come to terms with the 'new beginnings' that college holds for them, but also the importance of their eighteen or so years leading up to this day and finding out who they really want to be. I wasn't entirely convinced with the characters from the first few chapters, but after that I felt I understood them.
- History of their two years/romance: I liked how each chapter gives us the place where the two are going and what time it is (remember, they have only twelve hours yet to decide and they both know it is coming to an end and don't want it to - they avoided the topic of what to do with their relationship through all of their summer break). Clare has made a list of places to go that she felt was significant in her and Aiden's relationship, e.g. first kiss was at this place, first date was at that place, etc. She believes that revisiting these places and the memories they hold will help them make the decision. But they find out, the list might be making it harder than they thought. I liked seeing all the things that built up to this point, what made Clare and Aiden such a good couple and this also ties in with character development.
- Premise: instead of characters meeting and falling in love we have characters with history/ backstory who are deciding whether or not to break up. I thought this was different from the usual YA contemporary.
- Clare's parents: Though I didn't like Clare (see below), I liked how her parents were portrayed. They were quite the opposite to Aiden's parents (also see below) and it was refreshing to read about such encouraging, supportive, laid back parents.
- The idea of the 'second prologue':
Spoiler
When Aiden is talking about Stella and Scotty, he parallels their summer romance to a prologue and that they could begin again/continue at college and it would be like a 'second prologue'. Clare mulls this over and realises that she can apply this same idea to her and Aiden; their two years together being their prologue and now beginning college and life and everything being their second prologue if they can find out if they are truly meant to be with each other. I liked how the epilogue was called the prologue; there was a prologue at the beginning so the prologue at the end was the second prologue, and it was just very fitting with the end of the book.Things I didn't like:
- Clare: So for the most part, I didn't mind her much, after I got to "know" her, and especially at the end when she realises some things. But from the first couple pages she was just so pro-breaking up, giving off vibes that she thought she and Aiden should just break up. This was annoying, I have to admit, and in each chapter she kept saying over and over again that it was not going to work out. Eventually, I understood that there was more to this and she was trying to save them both from heartbreak and of course, she redeemed herself but it didn't make her the most likable character. I also found her personality really boring. She has a thing for lists and planning and just being boring, you know? Clare isn't a very good friend to Stella and when she realises this, she feels surprised and then just pushes it aside. She also even admits that though she did well at school, it just came easy for her and maybe she should've been more grateful for that and her parents. So, she did get on my nerves a little.
- POV: I'm not sure if I liked this or not, but I felt like the POV was kind of 3rd person omniscient with more Clare than the other characters. When I read the synopsis, I thought it might just be 3rd person with Clare or something but it's a bit different to that. A lot of the times, it says they did this, they did that and then it would be what Clare was feeling/doing and sometimes what Aiden was feeling/doing. I don't really know how to explain it. Really it was like this, it would be more on Clare's POV, like: Clare didn't know what to say or even how she felt. She looked at Aiden... blah blah blah (just an example) and then it would be like: Aiden pushed past her to get to the door. Clare ran after him. He looked around the room, remembering... (etc.etc.) It wasn't jarring, per se, but it all just felt a little weird to read it. Though I have to admit, it wasn't a bad way to write the book.
- Aiden's parents (or more specifically his father)
Spoiler
The parents, though just really the father, is quite strict on Aiden and the fact the he didn't get into Harvard which just made me not like the man. He was just selfish and wasn't a very good father to Aiden. Near the end, he sort of realises what he's done and the wedge between he and Aiden that he created and has a talk with Aiden about it. Which, thankfully, meant that Aiden's parents were now more understanding and Aiden no longer needed to worry about it when he left for college. However, this was the thing I had an issue with. For most of the book, we know, as the reader, that Aiden has the thing with his father at the back of his head constantly. But the way it is resolved so quickly, was just so unrealistic. Yes, Clare gave them a little time to talk, and the father was coming around to it especially with how Aiden lied and everything, but even before that when they all knew what university he was going to ages ago, why didn't they talk then?! And then suddenly, it's all because Clare went out of the kitchen, and ta-da Aiden and his father are practically good again. I just couldn't get my head around that.- Two particular characters
Spoiler
Stella and Scotty are revealed to have been dating for the past month and Clare and Aiden didn't know this before. I would have liked to see in the second prologue/epilogue, whether they were still together.- Pacing: I took three weeks to finish this book as I put it down at one point, when I was around the middle of the book, because I wasn't really feeling it. This was largely due to the pacing. There was stuff going on in most chapters but sometimes, some chapters wouldn't have much except for some talking/kissing/walking. I do realise this was to give the reader backstory with all the reminiscing (which for the most part I really liked) and to develop the characters and the story line but at these points I felt discouraged to keep reading.
Overall, this was a decent read, but not the best I have read. It had some good and bad aspects. 3.5 stars
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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:
No
This should be required reading for every high school senior.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I didn’t want to waste my time reading a romance book where they don’t end up together.
Jennifer E. Smith’s teen romance novels are light-hearted alternatives to many of today’s serious realistic fiction novels. Although separation is a common theme, as in The Geography of You and Me, Smith focuses on somewhat well-adjusted, upper middle class teens and their relationships. In her most recent book, college-bound sweethearts Clare and Aidan use their last night in their hometown to decide whether they should break up or not. Although Clare and Aidan have been in a happy relationship for two years, they decided to pursue the colleges of their dreams on opposite coasts. Aidan thinks it would be a good idea to stay together, since love is love, after all, but Clare is not so sure. She can foresee the challenges of long-distance relationships and the painful drifting apart, and wants to stop it before it’s too late.
Although this book has some merits, and will be a hit with romance readers and teens who are college-bound and have to make similar decisions, it also has its flaws. It is not written as well as The Geography of You and Me. The story is mainly told through dialog – and not especially well-written dialog. The constant back-and-forth between characters might be somewhat realistic, but it hinders the plot and character development, especially since most of the things the characters say are not very profound or meaningful. The main things we learn about the characters is that Clare is a bit of an overachiever and an overthinker, and Aidan is sweet and laid-back, and we learn a little about their families. The book could benefit from a bit more character development to help the reader connect more with the characters. But that said, this is still a sweet, simple love story that will find its audience with reluctant readers because of its subject and quick pacing.
Although this book has some merits, and will be a hit with romance readers and teens who are college-bound and have to make similar decisions, it also has its flaws. It is not written as well as The Geography of You and Me. The story is mainly told through dialog – and not especially well-written dialog. The constant back-and-forth between characters might be somewhat realistic, but it hinders the plot and character development, especially since most of the things the characters say are not very profound or meaningful. The main things we learn about the characters is that Clare is a bit of an overachiever and an overthinker, and Aidan is sweet and laid-back, and we learn a little about their families. The book could benefit from a bit more character development to help the reader connect more with the characters. But that said, this is still a sweet, simple love story that will find its audience with reluctant readers because of its subject and quick pacing.
One of the reasons why reading fiction is so important, especially at a young age, is that it gives the reader a trial-run at emotions and experiences to which he or she hasn't yet been exposed. The young mind can see how the characters react, think through its own theoretical reaction, and learn what's appropriate before ever having to experience it in reality, or be explicitly taught.
This is one of those books that every high schooler (or anyone on the brink of a life change) needs to read, because the author gives its characters such an important and /real/ struggle, and allows the reader to feel it out. Very sweet, very funny, very well done.
This is one of those books that every high schooler (or anyone on the brink of a life change) needs to read, because the author gives its characters such an important and /real/ struggle, and allows the reader to feel it out. Very sweet, very funny, very well done.