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gissellellamas's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think this is the only time I've ever liked a film adaptation more than the book it's based on. Maybe it's just the cast, but the characters are so much more likable in the show. Belly and Conrad were both mostly just annoying in this book. That being said, it's a very quick and mostly enjoyable read, so I would still recommend it. I'm not sure I would rave about it, though. Unfortunately, there were a couple of problematic moments within the writing. One thing I noticed a couple times was the use of the word "gay" as an insult. The first time, Taylor wants to play truth or dare and when Conrad rejects the idea she says, "Don't be so gay." Jeremiah does go on to criticize her for using the word in that sense, but it is played off in a flirty, cute way without any actual repercussions to Taylor. Later in the book, Belly wants to go skinny dipping with Cam and when he, too, rejects the idea, Belly says "Are you serious?" and in the narration, follows that with, "What I really wanted to say was, Are you gay?" What's worse is that the author doesn't really address how this is problematic and acts like it's a normal thing for a teen to say as an insult, which it shouldn't be. In the show, Jeremiah is bisexual, but I haven't seen any indications of that in the book, so I cannot defend the author for including this not once, but twice. Also, Belly gets mad and leaves Cameron for not wanting to go skinny dipping, and this is how they ultimately split up. This feels too much like an insinuation of breaking up with someone because they don't consent to sexual activities. And there is nothing to indicate that the author recognizes that this, too, is a problem. If you overlook these things, the book is decent. However, I think these small additions are reflective of Jenny Han as a person, which is unfortunate because I loved her work in the TSITP show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Cancer
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
_lilyyy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
danicampbell0506's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Homophobia and Ableism
kdailyreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Body shaming
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, Homophobia, and Cursing
izypup's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
taylynnmazz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A coming of age story that is relatable and brought me back to my fifteen year old self. To be honest, I kind of liked the shows take on the story a bit more than I liked the book itself. That being said, I still really enjoyed the book, and the way the story is told.
At times though, Belly really bothered me with the way she treated some of the people around her. Some comments that were made throughout the book rubbed me the wrong way as well (i.e., the authors use of “gay” in a seemingly negative way).
After watching the show (those of you who read before the show, please don’t hate me lol), I was really excited to read this book. And although I enjoyed it overall, I wasn’t as impressed as I had hoped to be. I will continue reading the series though!
At times though, Belly really bothered me with the way she treated some of the people around her. Some comments that were made throughout the book rubbed me the wrong way as well (i.e., the authors use of “gay” in a seemingly negative way).
After watching the show (those of you who read before the show, please don’t hate me lol), I was really excited to read this book. And although I enjoyed it overall, I wasn’t as impressed as I had hoped to be. I will continue reading the series though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Drug use, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia and Grief
Minor: Homophobia
thalea's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Fatphobia
alycass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read this book every summer, it's how I kick off my summer reading, but the past two-ish years I had skipped out on it for various reasons. This was my first time coming back to it after a while and I just got to say that for the most part it still holds up.
I just absolutely love the opening and can't help it I want to share some quotes, because these remind me a lot of my journey to Port Aransas, which is like my version of Cousins Beach and is my home away from home. And I think these quotes capture that perfectly:
"One of my favorite things about going to the beach was the radio stations. I was as familiar with them as with the ones back home and listening to Q94 made me just really know inside that I was there, at the beach."
"We drove through town slowly...I didn't really mind...I loved this drive, this moment, Seeing the town again...it was like coming home again after you'd been gone a long, long time. It held a million promises of Summer and what just might be."
"I rolled down the window and took it all in. The air tasted just the same, smelled just the same. The wind making my hair feel sticky, the salty sea breeze, all of it felt just right. Like it had been waiting for me to get there."
I fell in love with all of these characters all over again and had such a great time doing so- except Taylor, fuck her, she can die in a ditch. Speaking of women in this book, you can definitely this is a product of 2010- when it was published. Women in this book exist for two purposes, so that Belly can hate herself more and throw herself a pity party, or so that she can be jealous and act like a petulant child.
Don't get me wrong, but Belly was frustrating at times because she did act like the child that Jeramiah, Conrad, and Steven often accused her of being. I tried not to be too annoyed by it though because for the majority of the book she is between the ages of 11 and 14. (The book jumps back and forth in time.)
BRIEF MENTION OF HOMOPHOBIA:
There are off-handed homophobic remarks made throughout the book. There's a part of the book where Belly asks Cam if he wants to go skinny dipping and he changes his mind, citing a fear of getting caught as his reasoning and within the narration we get the line:
"Are you serious?" What I really wanted to ask is, are you gay?
That's not the only time either of all three- or four-times comments like this has been made either verbally by the characters or within the narration it's only been challenged once. I know it's one of those things where at the time that this book came out just saying the word "gay" was enough to constitute a joke in and of itself, but it's still getting on my nerves, because at the end of the day it's still homophobic.
Other than these things I overall enjoyed the book pretty well. And I think a lot of it still holds a place near and dear to my heart, though that could just be the nostalgia talking since I started reading this series when I was about 11 or 12 myself and have read it every summer since.
I just absolutely love the opening and can't help it I want to share some quotes, because these remind me a lot of my journey to Port Aransas, which is like my version of Cousins Beach and is my home away from home. And I think these quotes capture that perfectly:
"One of my favorite things about going to the beach was the radio stations. I was as familiar with them as with the ones back home and listening to Q94 made me just really know inside that I was there, at the beach."
"We drove through town slowly...I didn't really mind...I loved this drive, this moment, Seeing the town again...it was like coming home again after you'd been gone a long, long time. It held a million promises of Summer and what just might be."
"I rolled down the window and took it all in. The air tasted just the same, smelled just the same. The wind making my hair feel sticky, the salty sea breeze, all of it felt just right. Like it had been waiting for me to get there."
I fell in love with all of these characters all over again and had such a great time doing so- except Taylor, fuck her, she can die in a ditch. Speaking of women in this book, you can definitely this is a product of 2010- when it was published. Women in this book exist for two purposes, so that Belly can hate herself more and throw herself a pity party, or so that she can be jealous and act like a petulant child.
Don't get me wrong, but Belly was frustrating at times because she did act like the child that Jeramiah, Conrad, and Steven often accused her of being. I tried not to be too annoyed by it though because for the majority of the book she is between the ages of 11 and 14. (The book jumps back and forth in time.)
BRIEF MENTION OF HOMOPHOBIA:
There are off-handed homophobic remarks made throughout the book. There's a part of the book where Belly asks Cam if he wants to go skinny dipping and he changes his mind, citing a fear of getting caught as his reasoning and within the narration we get the line:
"Are you serious?" What I really wanted to ask is, are you gay?
That's not the only time either of all three- or four-times comments like this has been made either verbally by the characters or within the narration it's only been challenged once. I know it's one of those things where at the time that this book came out just saying the word "gay" was enough to constitute a joke in and of itself, but it's still getting on my nerves, because at the end of the day it's still homophobic.
Other than these things I overall enjoyed the book pretty well. And I think a lot of it still holds a place near and dear to my heart, though that could just be the nostalgia talking since I started reading this series when I was about 11 or 12 myself and have read it every summer since.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
laylashine_hey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
This book was such a fun read! If you are looking to read a book that is summery and gives the vibe that you are reading on a sunny beach... READ THIS BOOK! My only complaint is that there were two love interests, and I ended up rooting for the wrong one. I think the story would be better if the other one was the one belly fell for but I'll just have to wait and see how that plays out later in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Minor: Homophobia
gracegeeks's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Homophobia