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sandeeisreading's review
4.0
SUMMARY:
What would you do if you have a machine that would make you someone else, someone better than the real you? Do you think it would be worth it to give up on the things that you have now to be that person?
Annie Nutter wanted to be rich and popular. To be liked and loved by everyone at school. She wanted her crush to notice her. She got her wish, he did notice her but only to humiliate her.
Mel Nutter, Annie’s father was an inventor. He invented a device that would let you see what you would like to look like or who you would like to be. Annie was not really a fan of her father’s work but she decided to try it out anyways. Miraculously, it did work until her mother threw a fit and broke the device.
Annie then took the pieces of her laptop back to her room to try and fix it. Her father’s handheld gadget that would make his invention work was with her. Then everything changed all of a sudden. One minute she was Annie Nutter, the next she was Ayla Monroe, the daughter of a Jim Monroe who happened to be a billionaire and her mother’s ex-boyfriend.
THE REVIEW:
I loved the concept of this book. It was one of those books that you wouldn’t mind reading again and again.
Almost everyone wishes they were someone else. Annie was just one of them. She wanted to have more money, to live in a bigger house, to be more popular and she did get it. But. There is a BIG but there. At the end of the day, was she happy? The answer is no. She was not happy.
Annie was a very relatable character. I see myself in her. I was one of the invisibles when I was at school and I did wish to be popular and rich and all. I used to wish that I could be rich and popular. Difference between Annie and me was that she got what she wished for and I didn’t.
Sometimes she does piss me off. She was smart and all but just for the sake of being popular she does things with her friends that were not really acceptable. Being popular and rich has its perks but also it has its bad side too. If I was in her shoes, I’d enjoy everything but wouldn’t give in to the temptation doing the bad things that I could get away. Also I hate bullying! A big NO NO for me.
I don’t want to give anymore spoilers on it. This book is just so good to give anything away. You guys have to read it to see what I mean.
The guy in this book was special and he was not the guy who you’d expect to be Annie/Ayla’s love interest. I like him because he was smart and really dependable. He was from the alternate world where Annie was Ayla. He somehow found a way for them to be together and also save her sister. Arrrg I wouldn’t give out clues anymore.
All in all I liked the book. It did bore me a little during the first part of the book but redeemed itself in the later part. I noticed some other stuff too but they’re just minor things that can easily neglected.
A job well done on this one.
4.5 stars! :)
What would you do if you have a machine that would make you someone else, someone better than the real you? Do you think it would be worth it to give up on the things that you have now to be that person?
Annie Nutter wanted to be rich and popular. To be liked and loved by everyone at school. She wanted her crush to notice her. She got her wish, he did notice her but only to humiliate her.
Mel Nutter, Annie’s father was an inventor. He invented a device that would let you see what you would like to look like or who you would like to be. Annie was not really a fan of her father’s work but she decided to try it out anyways. Miraculously, it did work until her mother threw a fit and broke the device.
Annie then took the pieces of her laptop back to her room to try and fix it. Her father’s handheld gadget that would make his invention work was with her. Then everything changed all of a sudden. One minute she was Annie Nutter, the next she was Ayla Monroe, the daughter of a Jim Monroe who happened to be a billionaire and her mother’s ex-boyfriend.
THE REVIEW:
I loved the concept of this book. It was one of those books that you wouldn’t mind reading again and again.
Almost everyone wishes they were someone else. Annie was just one of them. She wanted to have more money, to live in a bigger house, to be more popular and she did get it. But. There is a BIG but there. At the end of the day, was she happy? The answer is no. She was not happy.
Annie was a very relatable character. I see myself in her. I was one of the invisibles when I was at school and I did wish to be popular and rich and all. I used to wish that I could be rich and popular. Difference between Annie and me was that she got what she wished for and I didn’t.
Sometimes she does piss me off. She was smart and all but just for the sake of being popular she does things with her friends that were not really acceptable. Being popular and rich has its perks but also it has its bad side too. If I was in her shoes, I’d enjoy everything but wouldn’t give in to the temptation doing the bad things that I could get away. Also I hate bullying! A big NO NO for me.
I don’t want to give anymore spoilers on it. This book is just so good to give anything away. You guys have to read it to see what I mean.
The guy in this book was special and he was not the guy who you’d expect to be Annie/Ayla’s love interest. I like him because he was smart and really dependable. He was from the alternate world where Annie was Ayla. He somehow found a way for them to be together and also save her sister. Arrrg I wouldn’t give out clues anymore.
All in all I liked the book. It did bore me a little during the first part of the book but redeemed itself in the later part. I noticed some other stuff too but they’re just minor things that can easily neglected.
A job well done on this one.
4.5 stars! :)
brisbookreviews's review
5.0
Don't You Wish is about a nerdy, unpopular teen named Annie Nutter. Her dad is a crazy inventor (I instantly pictured Rick Moranis from Honey I Shrunk the Kid) and her mom becomes depressed after seeing a magazine article about a successful former boyfriend. After somehow getting zapped by one of her dad's creations, Annie wakes up in a parallel universe. Her new universe appears to be perfect, her name is Ayla Monroe, shes beautiful, popular, and rich! But is her new life really better?
Don't you Wish was a fantastic read and a perfect example that the grass isn't always greener on the other side! The writing flowed well and was extremely interesting. I loved the fun realistic characters. Don't you Wish was a great read and had a perfect ending! I highly recommend this to anyone!
I rate Don't You Wish 5 out of 5 stars! This has made it to my favorites list!!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books. I received an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Don't you Wish was a fantastic read and a perfect example that the grass isn't always greener on the other side! The writing flowed well and was extremely interesting. I loved the fun realistic characters. Don't you Wish was a great read and had a perfect ending! I highly recommend this to anyone!
I rate Don't You Wish 5 out of 5 stars! This has made it to my favorites list!!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books. I received an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
nagam's review
3.0
[Review Originally Posted on Rather Be Reading]
If you had the chance to make a wish and switch lives with someone else, would you?
The premise for Don’t You Wish is extremely interesting and vaguely reminiscent of fun movies like 17 Again and Freaky Friday. It brings about great topical questions like “Would you rather have the less-than-ideal reputation and a great family or loads of money and a broken, dysfunctional family?” Annie’s family was incredibly close, but her social status was well below average. She couldn’t get the boy she swooned over to give her the time of day (unless the popular crowd put him up to a sick prank). Ayla is the epitome of gorgeous and rules her school with a handful of minions trailing behind. Annie’s good-girl attitude doesn’t mesh well with the bad-girl reputation Ayla’s achieved.
Readers will experience a strong battle of moral conflict as Annie tries to figure out who she is trapped inside Ayla’s body. There’s no guarantee Annie will ever make it back “home.” She struggles with being the person Ayla was to continue to be popular or being the person she used to be that would cause her to lose her status at the top of the popularity ladder. The dilemmas and strife are what absorbed my attention: good versus evil, is it possible for people to change?, social norms versus status quo. I loved pondering the answers and rooting for Annie to make wise decisions.
It was when things got a little more technical and complicated as Annie tried to understand how she’d taken over Ayla’s body that I lost a bit of interest. The first half of the book felt incredibly fine-tuned and well-structured, but as soon as the physics jargon made an appearance, part of the intrigue was lost for me. Annie’s decision-making also seemed to lose its moral compass – she often felt so disconnected and didn’t know what she really wanted to do or who she wanted to be.
Part of the complication is a boy. Annie finally feels as if she’s found someone who understands her. He’s sarcastic and unselfish. How can she leave him behind when she’s just found him? Though I’m pretty sure I would be confused, too, I felt much more certain of my answers than Annie ever did.
There were a few loose ends at the end of the book that weren’t addressed at all. Some of the characters did not come full circle for me and there was little to no resolution in some respects. I turned the last page and thought, “BUT, WAIT!” because I couldn’t believe it was over. As of now, I see nothing that alludes to a sequel for Don’t You Wish. And while I had my issues and wanted things to be tied up perfectly, I do recommend that you give this a read. I especially feel teachers would find this a great discussion book in their classrooms.
If you had the chance to make a wish and switch lives with someone else, would you?
The premise for Don’t You Wish is extremely interesting and vaguely reminiscent of fun movies like 17 Again and Freaky Friday. It brings about great topical questions like “Would you rather have the less-than-ideal reputation and a great family or loads of money and a broken, dysfunctional family?” Annie’s family was incredibly close, but her social status was well below average. She couldn’t get the boy she swooned over to give her the time of day (unless the popular crowd put him up to a sick prank). Ayla is the epitome of gorgeous and rules her school with a handful of minions trailing behind. Annie’s good-girl attitude doesn’t mesh well with the bad-girl reputation Ayla’s achieved.
Readers will experience a strong battle of moral conflict as Annie tries to figure out who she is trapped inside Ayla’s body. There’s no guarantee Annie will ever make it back “home.” She struggles with being the person Ayla was to continue to be popular or being the person she used to be that would cause her to lose her status at the top of the popularity ladder. The dilemmas and strife are what absorbed my attention: good versus evil, is it possible for people to change?, social norms versus status quo. I loved pondering the answers and rooting for Annie to make wise decisions.
It was when things got a little more technical and complicated as Annie tried to understand how she’d taken over Ayla’s body that I lost a bit of interest. The first half of the book felt incredibly fine-tuned and well-structured, but as soon as the physics jargon made an appearance, part of the intrigue was lost for me. Annie’s decision-making also seemed to lose its moral compass – she often felt so disconnected and didn’t know what she really wanted to do or who she wanted to be.
Part of the complication is a boy. Annie finally feels as if she’s found someone who understands her. He’s sarcastic and unselfish. How can she leave him behind when she’s just found him? Though I’m pretty sure I would be confused, too, I felt much more certain of my answers than Annie ever did.
There were a few loose ends at the end of the book that weren’t addressed at all. Some of the characters did not come full circle for me and there was little to no resolution in some respects. I turned the last page and thought, “BUT, WAIT!” because I couldn’t believe it was over. As of now, I see nothing that alludes to a sequel for Don’t You Wish. And while I had my issues and wanted things to be tied up perfectly, I do recommend that you give this a read. I especially feel teachers would find this a great discussion book in their classrooms.
nikkidreads's review
4.0
My Favorite Line:
“Money doesn't make you happy," Mom insists, whipping carrots and lettuce out of the cart. "Money doesn't make you laugh when you're lonely, or make you full of contentment on Christmas morning.”
Why I Loved It: I had no idea how much I would really like this book. The idea has been used a great deal. Going to an parallel universe where you have everything is not exactly a new idea, but I thought Ms. St. Claire did an incredible job.
My love for the book revolves around one particular part: Charlie. I have many weaknesses when it comes to cute boys. But Charlie has all of my weaknesses wrapped up within him. He is this incredibly smart, nerdish type who has a love beyond all things for family. And he wears a fedora. I fell head over heels for him during the book.
Don't think that all there is to this book is an incredibly cute boy named Charlie. There really is a lot more than that! The plot is quite addicting the more you get into the book. Seeing how much Annie comes out in Ayla and how that turns so many heads was crazy. Constantly, Annie can see just how good her life is even in the midst of the hard stuff that life throws out.
In the end, it's the same old idea that money can't buy happiness but you will enjoy the ride as Annie discovers it for herself. And Charlie. Yes Charlie. You will definitely enjoy that ride!
Who Should Read It: Everyone!! Seriously. But definitely those people out there that love contemporary. The book is going to surprise you.
“Money doesn't make you happy," Mom insists, whipping carrots and lettuce out of the cart. "Money doesn't make you laugh when you're lonely, or make you full of contentment on Christmas morning.”
Why I Loved It: I had no idea how much I would really like this book. The idea has been used a great deal. Going to an parallel universe where you have everything is not exactly a new idea, but I thought Ms. St. Claire did an incredible job.
My love for the book revolves around one particular part: Charlie. I have many weaknesses when it comes to cute boys. But Charlie has all of my weaknesses wrapped up within him. He is this incredibly smart, nerdish type who has a love beyond all things for family. And he wears a fedora. I fell head over heels for him during the book.
Don't think that all there is to this book is an incredibly cute boy named Charlie. There really is a lot more than that! The plot is quite addicting the more you get into the book. Seeing how much Annie comes out in Ayla and how that turns so many heads was crazy. Constantly, Annie can see just how good her life is even in the midst of the hard stuff that life throws out.
In the end, it's the same old idea that money can't buy happiness but you will enjoy the ride as Annie discovers it for herself. And Charlie. Yes Charlie. You will definitely enjoy that ride!
Who Should Read It: Everyone!! Seriously. But definitely those people out there that love contemporary. The book is going to surprise you.
kaliece's review
3.0
This book was so good! The ending was the most perfect thing I can't even stand it. I think I actually screamed
novelheartbeat's review
5.0
All my reviews posted on Auntie Spinelli Reads
Oh my, where do I start? This book was so wonderful!! I've been stuck in this horrible rut of mediocre books with vomit-inducing romances for so long that I was beginning to think it was just me. But as it turns out, it isn't!
I loved this one from start to finish. It opens with Annie getting totally shot down by some buttface jock and I immediately saw her as a kindred spirit, because let's face it - I was a loser in high school too. I wanted to stand up to defend her and punch that guy right in the mouth!!
I loved seeing the development in Annie. In the beginning she doesn't have much thought for her family or her best friend, Lizzie. She's a bit shallow, thinking that being pretty and popular are crucial. She wishes she could be like that. And let's be honest, who hasn't occasionally wished they could live the life of luxury? To be able to have whatever you want and get whatever you want would certainly be great, right?
Then the unthinkable happens and she wakes up as someone else. Ayla Monroe - a selfish, cheating, lying, spoiled rich bitch. She's got it all: money, social status, and looks. Or so she thinks. I was pleased with how quickly she realized that being pretty, rich, and popular aren't the key to happiness. She becomes overwhelmed with drama and the constant pressure to keep up her cool facade. Then there were all of the family problems - it was really testament to the fact that there's always things going on behind the scenes in 'picture perfect' lifestyles. Everyone has problems.
I absolutely adored Charlie! Talk about swoon-worthy - this is the kind of romance I've been looking for! It was flawed, real, and had that wonderful slow burn feeling that gives me butterflies. I wanted to jump in there, shove Ayla/Annie aside and steal him away for myself! Ohhh Charlie, you have my heart. ♥
And the ending...ahhh!!! I was grinning like an idiot for sure.
This book had a great message in it and is definitely worth picking up!
Quotes:
"Ryder is pissed beyond description," Bliss announces. "He's epileptic."
"He's epileptic?" I couldn't tell that.
"I mean he's just crazy furious with you."
I frown at her. "Do you mean apoplectic?"
Bliss's grammatical faux pas cracked me up!
"Yes, you are pretty, and when you pictured perfect, you came damn close, but the part of you I like most is inside."
Awwwww see why I love him :))
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 5/5 starfish
Oh my, where do I start? This book was so wonderful!! I've been stuck in this horrible rut of mediocre books with vomit-inducing romances for so long that I was beginning to think it was just me. But as it turns out, it isn't!
I loved this one from start to finish. It opens with Annie getting totally shot down by some buttface jock and I immediately saw her as a kindred spirit, because let's face it - I was a loser in high school too. I wanted to stand up to defend her and punch that guy right in the mouth!!
I loved seeing the development in Annie. In the beginning she doesn't have much thought for her family or her best friend, Lizzie. She's a bit shallow, thinking that being pretty and popular are crucial. She wishes she could be like that. And let's be honest, who hasn't occasionally wished they could live the life of luxury? To be able to have whatever you want and get whatever you want would certainly be great, right?
Then the unthinkable happens and she wakes up as someone else. Ayla Monroe - a selfish, cheating, lying, spoiled rich bitch. She's got it all: money, social status, and looks. Or so she thinks. I was pleased with how quickly she realized that being pretty, rich, and popular aren't the key to happiness. She becomes overwhelmed with drama and the constant pressure to keep up her cool facade. Then there were all of the family problems - it was really testament to the fact that there's always things going on behind the scenes in 'picture perfect' lifestyles. Everyone has problems.
I absolutely adored Charlie! Talk about swoon-worthy - this is the kind of romance I've been looking for! It was flawed, real, and had that wonderful slow burn feeling that gives me butterflies. I wanted to jump in there, shove Ayla/Annie aside and steal him away for myself! Ohhh Charlie, you have my heart. ♥
And the ending...ahhh!!! I was grinning like an idiot for sure.
This book had a great message in it and is definitely worth picking up!
Quotes:
"Ryder is pissed beyond description," Bliss announces. "He's epileptic."
"He's epileptic?" I couldn't tell that.
"I mean he's just crazy furious with you."
I frown at her. "Do you mean apoplectic?"
Bliss's grammatical faux pas cracked me up!
"Yes, you are pretty, and when you pictured perfect, you came damn close, but the part of you I like most is inside."
Awwwww see why I love him :))
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 5/5 starfish
cupcakegirly's review
4.0
4.5 Stars!
Don't You Wish is an entertaining and often times, heartbreaking blend of Mean Girls, Back to the Future and It's A Wonderful Life. A story of one teenage girl's desire to be "seen" and the lessons she learns when the rose colored Dior glasses come off and she's faced with all that glitters and it isn't necessarily gold.
When Annie gets a chance to see her life from both sides of "her story", she'll have to decide which life is the one she really wants to live. There are pros and cons to whatever choice she makes, (assuming she even has one) and while it could be she's here for a reason, is she willing to risk everything to find out for sure?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up but once I did, I couldn't put it down! I mean, who hasn't wondered what their lives would be like if they'd been born into another family? If one of our parents had married someone else, would "you" still be "you" or would you have been someone else entirely? Don't You Wish addresses the question of "What makes "you", you?" in a unique and thought provoking way with sci-fi elements that are creative and didn't make my brain hurt (too much). I tend to cower in the corner with my "Dunce" cap on at the mere mention of physics, quantum or otherwise. ;)
I really enjoyed Annie as a main character. She's got a good heart, considers other people in addition to herself and always tries to make the right choice despite the pressures around her. Lizzie is the kind of BFF anyone would be fortunate to have and Charlie and Chase are the type of boys you can bring home to meet Dad, whether he's an insanely rich doctor or a scatterbrained inventor.
Don't You Wish is an entertaining and often times, heartbreaking blend of Mean Girls, Back to the Future and It's A Wonderful Life. A story of one teenage girl's desire to be "seen" and the lessons she learns when the rose colored Dior glasses come off and she's faced with all that glitters and it isn't necessarily gold.
When Annie gets a chance to see her life from both sides of "her story", she'll have to decide which life is the one she really wants to live. There are pros and cons to whatever choice she makes, (assuming she even has one) and while it could be she's here for a reason, is she willing to risk everything to find out for sure?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up but once I did, I couldn't put it down! I mean, who hasn't wondered what their lives would be like if they'd been born into another family? If one of our parents had married someone else, would "you" still be "you" or would you have been someone else entirely? Don't You Wish addresses the question of "What makes "you", you?" in a unique and thought provoking way with sci-fi elements that are creative and didn't make my brain hurt (too much). I tend to cower in the corner with my "Dunce" cap on at the mere mention of physics, quantum or otherwise. ;)
I really enjoyed Annie as a main character. She's got a good heart, considers other people in addition to herself and always tries to make the right choice despite the pressures around her. Lizzie is the kind of BFF anyone would be fortunate to have and Charlie and Chase are the type of boys you can bring home to meet Dad, whether he's an insanely rich doctor or a scatterbrained inventor.
absalomabsalom's review
3.0
i read this book because sometimes i... crave... garbage? and i remembered that i had read it in 8th grade and been delighted by the sheer - you know. anyway, i loved it. unsatisfying ending, but so fun.
mrsjkamp's review
3.0
See full review here!
It took me a while to read this one. I set it aside for a bit to read something else and came back to it. I had to read quickly because I was annoyed most of the time with this one. It's an ARC, so it needs editing. A lot of it. I wasn't really a fan of the MC until maybe the middle of the novel. And I couldn't tell her age half the time. When she's with Ryder, some mature things are talked about, but then she seems younger the rest of the time. Maybe that's just me.
I will say that I liked the very last page a lot. It put a smile on my face. I was wondering how it would all work out, but I think Roxanne did it just right. I really liked Charlie, but I didn't like Annie/Ayla as much as I would have liked. She was kind of annoying with "knowing" stuff all the time. I'm glad that she was trying to make a difference, and hopefully she did make a big change at that school.
The story is creative, even if it's an old idea. It's a bit of a fresh take on it. I'd like to see what happens to everyone in the end. We only get one side of it. I wanted a bit more, even though this book is long enough. I would have preferred to read a finished copy though. Maybe that would help change my mind.
It took me a while to read this one. I set it aside for a bit to read something else and came back to it. I had to read quickly because I was annoyed most of the time with this one. It's an ARC, so it needs editing. A lot of it. I wasn't really a fan of the MC until maybe the middle of the novel. And I couldn't tell her age half the time. When she's with Ryder, some mature things are talked about, but then she seems younger the rest of the time. Maybe that's just me.
I will say that I liked the very last page a lot. It put a smile on my face. I was wondering how it would all work out, but I think Roxanne did it just right. I really liked Charlie, but I didn't like Annie/Ayla as much as I would have liked. She was kind of annoying with "knowing" stuff all the time. I'm glad that she was trying to make a difference, and hopefully she did make a big change at that school.
The story is creative, even if it's an old idea. It's a bit of a fresh take on it. I'd like to see what happens to everyone in the end. We only get one side of it. I wanted a bit more, even though this book is long enough. I would have preferred to read a finished copy though. Maybe that would help change my mind.