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ktrusty416's review against another edition
3.0
I'm interested in YA novels and in particular, YA novels that feature fat girls as their protagonists - this is, possibly, quite self-serving as I was a fat teenaged girl and now I'm a fat woman. I hoped I'd get through this novel without Miles trying to lose weight - she did such a great job of being a rebellious, non-conforming bad ass for most it - but then succumbed towards the end which was a disappointment. Miles' relationship with Jim rang so true and was the best thing about the novel (would've liked more time with him rather than all the Jamal/Bex angst).
Not a bad read but all the DC statehood stuff was decidedly uninteresting.
Not a bad read but all the DC statehood stuff was decidedly uninteresting.
ashleyraereads's review against another edition
1.0
To be honest, this was the worst book I've ever picked up. It was so dull and boring that I eventually just started skimming it to get through it.
dairyqueen84's review against another edition
4.0
Laura and Miles were cousins but they might have been sisters, they were so close. They grew up together and shared everything--talks in the tree house, cigarettes, snacks, prescription drugs--until Laura kills herself, that is. Miles was left to deal with the emotional detritus left behind after Laura’s death. Miles can not understand why Laura did it when she had everything, beauty, popularity, a loving, rich father, a great boyfriend, where Miles was overweight, preferred her books to people, an uncaring mother, and an unrequited crush on her best friend Jamal. Miles feels so alone after Laura is gone, especially after Bex, Laura’s best friend from her private school, finds solace with Jamal. She quickly descends into abusing the prescription drugs that she and Laura used to share; feeling like no one understands what she is going through and utterly alone. Without even realizing it, people in her life begin to notice her self-destruction and try to help, but is it too late? This interesting novel contains a variety of issues including statehood for Washington D.C., interracial relationships, alternative families, prescription drug abuse, woven together in a believable way that will appeal to many teens.
breecreative's review
2.0
While I think the premise behind the book is important, dealing with grief, suicide and drug addiction, I wasn't a big fan of this one. I think other authors have touched on the same subjects more effectively. I just found it hard to get around the run-on sentences and I wasn't really sympathetic to Miles and her political rants. She seemed like a smart girl making poor decisions, but with her attitude I just couldn't get into it.
paigingbrenna's review
3.0
The only reason I gave this book three stars is because it left me feeling depressed and pessimistic; but that is exactly what made it so good. Rachel Cohn has a strong voice in her characters, presenting a protagonist who you can't help but despise and feel sorry for all at once. Though I genuinely admire the skill it takes to write such a depressing book, I still feel as if it could've left a bit more of a positive impact of the reader.
littlemedusa's review against another edition
1.0
I have loved Cohn's books in the past, so I was really excited to read this when I came across it. However, in the end I couldn't even be bothered to finish it.
As it's been stated before, the character's just weren't properly fleshed out, and the main character (Miles) was not an enjoyable protagonist. That being said, I'd just like to say, I think Miles COULD have been a good protagonist but... she was so bitter, and her insecurities were circled back to again and again and again, as if the reader had forgotten. I understand that insecurities are an important characterization but when the plot of the book keeps breaking to go back to them, it can seem tired.
I was also really confused as to weather Cohn was purposely making Miles immature and ignorant (the glib 2 page rant to the tune of 'i wish i could have an eating disorder' was particularly terrible) so as to demonstrate a growth of character or if this was just the personality she chose to give to Miles as a vehicle to explore the issue of suicide?
Overall the book seemed aimless, and with the only detailed character being Miles and her being a real chore to read through the eyes of...I couldn't complete the book. Which is really rare for me!
As it's been stated before, the character's just weren't properly fleshed out, and the main character (Miles) was not an enjoyable protagonist. That being said, I'd just like to say, I think Miles COULD have been a good protagonist but... she was so bitter, and her insecurities were circled back to again and again and again, as if the reader had forgotten. I understand that insecurities are an important characterization but when the plot of the book keeps breaking to go back to them, it can seem tired.
I was also really confused as to weather Cohn was purposely making Miles immature and ignorant (the glib 2 page rant to the tune of 'i wish i could have an eating disorder' was particularly terrible) so as to demonstrate a growth of character or if this was just the personality she chose to give to Miles as a vehicle to explore the issue of suicide?
Overall the book seemed aimless, and with the only detailed character being Miles and her being a real chore to read through the eyes of...I couldn't complete the book. Which is really rare for me!
nicoles_card_catalog's review against another edition
1.0
I hated this! So depressing, and I felt uncomfortable throughout the whole book. Got tired of the main character moping about being fat/ugly. blah.