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jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
2020 reread - I loved it just as much as i did the first time. I love the relationship she develops with her father and whilst the argument at the end resolves quite quickly it was well done.
I really loved this book, and I don't usually love this genre.
I really loved this book, and I don't usually love this genre.
itsjustkiwi's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved My Heart and Other Black Holes so I had super high hopes for this and was super disappointed. I didn’t really find a single likeable character, okay maybe the neighbour guy whose name I can’t remember but then pamplemousse happened, so, nope.
Unfortunately I found myself bored for nearly the whole book, the only bit I found interesting was the flashback story being told throughout, so when that had been wrapped up with a super rushed ending the whole thing felt kinda frustrating. 2 stars b’cos I think me 7 years ago could have possibly loved this book before reading the same tropes over and over again (I get it they work just not a fan of how they’re executed here!) so it’s likely I’ve just outgrown the author but then I don’t feel like I’ve outgrown MHAOBH so I don’t know *shrug*
Unfortunately I found myself bored for nearly the whole book, the only bit I found interesting was the flashback story being told throughout, so when that had been wrapped up with a super rushed ending the whole thing felt kinda frustrating. 2 stars b’cos I think me 7 years ago could have possibly loved this book before reading the same tropes over and over again (I get it they work just not a fan of how they’re executed here!) so it’s likely I’ve just outgrown the author but then I don’t feel like I’ve outgrown MHAOBH so I don’t know *shrug*
sheilsyy's review against another edition
2.0
I’m a little partial reading this, considering Warga’s debut novel didn’t leave a great impression on me. But since I’m trying to read as many novels as I can get my hands on, I finally took a chance. This, to me, seems a bit of an improvement from her first book, yet, somehow, I still find this lacking.
Conflicts kept arising from here and there, which sure made the plot a lot more interesting, but because they weren’t resolved properly, this book still felt underwhelming. It didn’t help that Taliah complains a lot about his father. Granted, she has all the reason to be angry after being left unacknowledged for 15 years, but I was almost done reading through the latter part of the novel and I was still seeing only minimal character growth. There were some good points her friend Harlow said to her that, surprisingly, hit you too as a reader, but I was sad to see even their friendship take a break a little sourly.
Although, I would have to say that the only character I totally related with was Tal’s mom, Lena. Her desire to reinvent herself in a foreign place speaks as loud as mine. Even her insecurities of not amounting to anything is a feeling all too familiar with me. What exactly goes through your mind when you’re young, driven, and ambitious? Yes, doubts. And doubts, Lena had them a lot. It was very inspiring to see her struggle with what she’s unsure she was capable of doing and then rise through every hesitation and work towards success and contentment. What an impressive, fine woman right there.
As much as I didn’t like Taliah’s attitude with pretty much everything and everyone, she wasn’t that bad at all. She had shining moments too, especially when music is involved. Also, what may be lacking with her relationship with her father, makes up for what she has with her mom, and it was adorable. I’d also like to give credit to Warga for writing diverse characters, which at least kept me reading even when some parts of her writing felt dry.
The romance isn’t even big on this novel but it was still cute. It was subtle, not too forceful, just right. Frankly, I liked the romance between Julian and Lena a lot more. I wanted to do a [a:Colleen Hoover|5430144|Colleen Hoover|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464032240p2/5430144.jpg] reading spree after the first part of their story.
If you want something you can read in between breaks but can never commit to it fully, give this one a try.
Conflicts kept arising from here and there, which sure made the plot a lot more interesting, but because they weren’t resolved properly, this book still felt underwhelming. It didn’t help that Taliah complains a lot about his father. Granted, she has all the reason to be angry after being left unacknowledged for 15 years, but I was almost done reading through the latter part of the novel and I was still seeing only minimal character growth. There were some good points her friend Harlow said to her that, surprisingly, hit you too as a reader, but I was sad to see even their friendship take a break a little sourly.
Although, I would have to say that the only character I totally related with was Tal’s mom, Lena. Her desire to reinvent herself in a foreign place speaks as loud as mine. Even her insecurities of not amounting to anything is a feeling all too familiar with me. What exactly goes through your mind when you’re young, driven, and ambitious? Yes, doubts. And doubts, Lena had them a lot. It was very inspiring to see her struggle with what she’s unsure she was capable of doing and then rise through every hesitation and work towards success and contentment. What an impressive, fine woman right there.
As much as I didn’t like Taliah’s attitude with pretty much everything and everyone, she wasn’t that bad at all. She had shining moments too, especially when music is involved. Also, what may be lacking with her relationship with her father, makes up for what she has with her mom, and it was adorable. I’d also like to give credit to Warga for writing diverse characters, which at least kept me reading even when some parts of her writing felt dry.
The romance isn’t even big on this novel but it was still cute. It was subtle, not too forceful, just right. Frankly, I liked the romance between Julian and Lena a lot more. I wanted to do a [a:Colleen Hoover|5430144|Colleen Hoover|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464032240p2/5430144.jpg] reading spree after the first part of their story.
If you want something you can read in between breaks but can never commit to it fully, give this one a try.
locke_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lindsey_kerrigan's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I was afraid that this book was going to be just mediocre but it did not disappoint. I loved all aspects of the story line between Harlow, and Julien, and her mom, it all wrapped up into a great story. I also love love love the cover, just because. I think books that have such a strong focus on music are really interesting because there is no way of translating that music through that media, the author has to translate it with words. Overall, the book gets two thumbs up from me! It didn't blow my mind but I did like it.
ngreader's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars rounded up.
It wasn't horrible; it was just bad. Trite, poor dialogue, weird cultural references, and oversimplified plot. The characters felt incredibly flat and the resolution was poor. The best friend and romantic lead were honestly a hot mess - the best friend doubly so.
It wasn't horrible; it was just bad. Trite, poor dialogue, weird cultural references, and oversimplified plot. The characters felt incredibly flat and the resolution was poor. The best friend and romantic lead were honestly a hot mess - the best friend doubly so.
Spoiler
contains cursing, homosexual side charactersm_e_trevi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5, I didn’t dislike this book. I thought it was a quick read and maybe that’s its downfall. I wanted more from Julian and Talia’s relationship past her time at Oak Falls I would like to have seen how they grow together and form a relationship that isn’t just surface level. That being said I still enjoyed this book to a reasonable level.
hollowrave's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rachelannak's review against another edition
4.0
This one was really cute and heartfelt and I loved all the references to how music can impact a person.