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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Sigh...
Really not much more you can say, but another fantastic story by Jennifer E. Smith! Once again she captures the balance between fiction and what could really happen.
Really not much more you can say, but another fantastic story by Jennifer E. Smith! Once again she captures the balance between fiction and what could really happen.
2.5 stars.
Smith's books have a retaining quality -- cliché but still fun. This book is no different, but this time, I didn't care for it as much. There was still some banter that was excellent (a thing that Smith excels at) and some good, thoughtful passages, but the overall characters weren't too great. The plot was fine, too, I suppose, but I wasn't that invested in it.
Smith's books have a retaining quality -- cliché but still fun. This book is no different, but this time, I didn't care for it as much. There was still some banter that was excellent (a thing that Smith excels at) and some good, thoughtful passages, but the overall characters weren't too great. The plot was fine, too, I suppose, but I wasn't that invested in it.
This book made me wish I had a high school romance. But it also makes me so thankful I didn’t. Imagine thinking you found “the one” just to be separated by such a typical but also monumental decision as different colleges. However, I am full adamant of not following anyone to college: that choice should be based on just you and what you want.
The concepts of this book is so cute. Revisiting all the places where landmark events happened before moving onto the next chapter of life. I wish I had read this as I was graduating high school or college. It’s similar to the tiktok videos of people showing old pictures or videos of them back then and then now. It’s like that Hannah Montana song “here we are now, everything’s about to change. We face tomorrow as we say goodbye to yesterday.” (That song would totally be the featured song of this book! It perfectly captures the “moving on with the next stage of my life but reminiscing over the memories that you want to hold onto for just a little longer” feeling.) This book has made me so sentimental, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve really had any major life transitions!
Compared to the movie adaption, I enjoy the book a lot more. I think having Clare be in control of creating the itinerary and having her plans ruined played more into the whole idea of how things can change regardless of how much you want to stick to the original plan. With the movie’s concept, it made Aidan take on the villainous role of breaking their agreement, which I did not like as much (maybe because I personally would have sided with him). However, in the book, it was circumstance that drove them to their final decision. Having something as the future play the antagonist is somewhat more creative than trying to force the blame onto one of the characters. Also, I liked how, in the book, it wasn’t that he didn’t get accepted but that he chose not to apply that determined where he went for college. This toyed with the idea that we do have some control in where we will end up, which almost contradicts the premise of having to “go where life leads you”, which I feel was one of the book’s mantas.
The concepts of this book is so cute. Revisiting all the places where landmark events happened before moving onto the next chapter of life. I wish I had read this as I was graduating high school or college. It’s similar to the tiktok videos of people showing old pictures or videos of them back then and then now. It’s like that Hannah Montana song “here we are now, everything’s about to change. We face tomorrow as we say goodbye to yesterday.” (That song would totally be the featured song of this book! It perfectly captures the “moving on with the next stage of my life but reminiscing over the memories that you want to hold onto for just a little longer” feeling.) This book has made me so sentimental, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve really had any major life transitions!
Compared to the movie adaption, I enjoy the book a lot more. I think having Clare be in control of creating the itinerary and having her plans ruined played more into the whole idea of how things can change regardless of how much you want to stick to the original plan. With the movie’s concept, it made Aidan take on the villainous role of breaking their agreement, which I did not like as much (maybe because I personally would have sided with him). However, in the book, it was circumstance that drove them to their final decision. Having something as the future play the antagonist is somewhat more creative than trying to force the blame onto one of the characters. Also, I liked how, in the book, it wasn’t that he didn’t get accepted but that he chose not to apply that determined where he went for college. This toyed with the idea that we do have some control in where we will end up, which almost contradicts the premise of having to “go where life leads you”, which I feel was one of the book’s mantas.
Clare and Aidan are leaving for college in the morning. They will be separated by thousands of miles. The two must decide if they want to continue their high school romance or break up. Is what they have worth fighting for? Clare designs a greatest hits road trip around town, where the two will reminisce about their relationship. This novel takes place over twenty four hours and discusses the thoughts and feelings related to starting an adult life.
I typically like Jennifer E Smith books, but this one really didn't work for me. I felt that the need to make a decision was way over the top. While young adults in these situations may have these feelings, I didn't feel that there was enough balance and perspective about how everything does not need to be decided right now. The dramatic characters just annoyed me. This one didn't work for me, sorry.
I typically like Jennifer E Smith books, but this one really didn't work for me. I felt that the need to make a decision was way over the top. While young adults in these situations may have these feelings, I didn't feel that there was enough balance and perspective about how everything does not need to be decided right now. The dramatic characters just annoyed me. This one didn't work for me, sorry.
I'm so conflicted by this book. I feel like NOTHING was resolved by the end. Situations haven't changed... so what is different?!? I don't get it. I am annoyed. Pffft. Full review to come.
4 stars
I struggled with this book. It was good. The writing felt real but the subject was sad and even though it ended on a hopeful note I still spent most of the book sad.
I struggled with this book. It was good. The writing felt real but the subject was sad and even though it ended on a hopeful note I still spent most of the book sad.