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_bunnybear_'s review
2.0
I was really excited to read this because I love Daddy Long Legs, I love retellings, and I was looking for a light romance to read. Suffice to say I was let down.
First of all, the pacing of the story was all wrong. some parts went way too fast, others way too slow. Very little time was spent on the actual romance Exposition is also given in such a boring, unbelievable way. I think this book would be more interesting if we slowly get to understand Jackie's situation and she gets more and more comfortable telling Mr. Smith about her life instead of her spilling everything on the second page. I really don't think this format worked well for the story Flinn is trying to tell.
Besides that, the characters, romance, and plot were all boring. There was a half-baked attempt at an underdog story that I don't think got quite the ending I would expect to make the storyline fulfilling. The romance has no twists and the drama feels contrived. If you know the plot of Daddy Long Legs, you'll probably be able to guess the "plot twist" and pretty much the entire book. All the characters are one dimensional, Jackie especially. Everything just *happens* to Jackie, she feels more like a passive narrator than a protagonist.
This was probably one of the biggest turn off for me for this book. The political implications. For one, Jackie is the very definition of "not like other girls" aka internalized misogyny and an excuse to shit on women. I was so tired of reading about how the only reason Jarvis liked Jackie was because she wasn't like other girls. It's fine to be like other women, or to fit a traditional role. We don't have to compete with one another. Also, the whole classism narrative Flinn tried to communicate fell completely flat and felt more like a rich person's caricature of a poor person than a real poor person. I'm so tired of poor characters talking about being poor all the time. We get it, move on. Moreover, she is handed everything to her by rich people, which perpetuates the idea that the poor just need to work hard for crumbs from the rich. In fact, this multibillionaire is applauded for paying for someone's braces, when we all know that's pocket change for him. In fact, that character even tries to point out rich privilege but the poor character dismisses his concerns. Also, the fact that she doesn't know about pop culture or even what a travel agent is makes poor people seem dumb an uncultured.
Overall, wouldn't recommend, but it was a quick read, so low stakes if you just want to go for it.
First of all, the pacing of the story was all wrong. some parts went way too fast, others way too slow. Very little time was spent on the actual romance
Spoiler
except for extreme detail over their like 3 breakups and long descriptions of how obsessed with Jarvis Jackie is without explaining why or giving interesting description.Besides that, the characters, romance, and plot were all boring. There was a half-baked attempt at an underdog story that I don't think got quite the ending I would expect to make the storyline fulfilling. The romance has no twists and the drama feels contrived. If you know the plot of Daddy Long Legs, you'll probably be able to guess the "plot twist" and pretty much the entire book. All the characters are one dimensional, Jackie especially. Everything just *happens* to Jackie, she feels more like a passive narrator than a protagonist.
This was probably one of the biggest turn off for me for this book. The political implications. For one, Jackie is the very definition of "not like other girls" aka internalized misogyny and an excuse to shit on women. I was so tired of reading about how the only reason Jarvis liked Jackie was because she wasn't like other girls. It's fine to be like other women, or to fit a traditional role. We don't have to compete with one another. Also, the whole classism narrative Flinn tried to communicate fell completely flat and felt more like a rich person's caricature of a poor person than a real poor person. I'm so tired of poor characters talking about being poor all the time. We get it, move on. Moreover, she is handed everything to her by rich people, which perpetuates the idea that the poor just need to work hard for crumbs from the rich. In fact, this multibillionaire is applauded for paying for someone's braces, when we all know that's pocket change for him. In fact, that character even tries to point out rich privilege but the poor character dismisses his concerns. Also, the fact that she doesn't know about pop culture or even what a travel agent is makes poor people seem dumb an uncultured.
Overall, wouldn't recommend, but it was a quick read, so low stakes if you just want to go for it.
lookingforamandaa's review
3.0
Love, Jacaranda was sent to me by the author as an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I love most of Flinn’s contemporary novels. This one was pretty good, but not a favorite. I’m a sucker for boarding school stories. It’s a topic that will always catch my interest. But I didn’t love the way this story was told. I think it was interesting. This story is told via emails. We follow Jacaranda as she’s given a full ride by an anonymous benefactor to a well-known musical school. This story is told via the emails she sends to this anonymous benefactor. That in itself was sort of weird to me. I probably would have sent a few emails full of gratitude for the opportunity they had allowed me, but Jacaranda’s emails turned into almost diary like sort of thing. She never gets a response, but it’s obvious that someone is reading them because her contact person, Vanessa, always calls her after any important questions or concerning comments. So, this felt sort of weird for me because this is a teenage girl treating emails to what we’re supposed to assume is a grown man, like her own personal diary. Despite my issue with this aspect, I did enjoy the story. I liked reading how much Jacaranda was enjoying her new classes. I liked seeing her make new friends and experience new things. She’s a girl that’s struggled most of her life. Her mother is in jail, and in the past hasn’t dated the best people. So, when her life changes the way it does, she feels like she shouldn’t reveal her past. This sort of made me sad, but I liked when Jacaranda made friends with another scholarship kid who knew who she really was. I liked that there was someone she could be honest with.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I didn’t love the ending, but I thought things were sufficiently wrapped up. I definitely had my issues with this story, but I still had a good time reading it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I didn’t love the ending, but I thought things were sufficiently wrapped up. I definitely had my issues with this story, but I still had a good time reading it.
valerieelseswhere's review
3.0
Read it in a day. A sweet and clean romance that doesn't avoid hard realities. Full of musical theatre; in fact the whole story is a non-creepy version of Daddy Long Legs.
cdoubet's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Blood, Murder, Medical content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Gun violence
danicris's review against another edition
2.0
when i read the synopsis i was thrilled and excited and oh boy, was i wrong.
i started reading and i was intrigued by the writing style, how it was structured; i completely loved how different it was, and by the circumstances it was molded. however, as i processed her personality, what she was going through and how detached i felt from the story; i despised it.
it felt like i was reading a book where the characters are 10 years old. it was a horrible experience to say the least.
*special thanks to edelweiss+ and harperteen for the arc*
i started reading and i was intrigued by the writing style, how it was structured; i completely loved how different it was, and by the circumstances it was molded. however, as i processed her personality, what she was going through and how detached i felt from the story; i despised it.
it felt like i was reading a book where the characters are 10 years old. it was a horrible experience to say the least.
*special thanks to edelweiss+ and harperteen for the arc*
sparbowl3's review
4.0
Okay, I have to admit that I haven't read Daddy Long-Legs in a very long time, but one of my favorite books is also based on Daddy Long-Legs, so I was excited to read this book, and it was really good! I do wish that the ending had been a little longer, but I really liked it.
inkspitblog's review against another edition
5.0
I want to take the opportunity to thank both Alex Flinn who personally offered to let me read this ARC and her lovely publishers in exchange for an honest review. So in that vein of thought I’d like to write this in the style of the book.
Dear Ms. Flinn,
I’ve been reading your work ever since Beastly and you wouldn’t believe the times your words have helped me. They really have. I was so shocked and excited when you reached out to my on Instagram and asked if I’d like to read this. I cried! I really did. No one has really ever taken any notice of me or my blog but I felt seen.
I write about books because they’re the thing that gets me through the day. Somethings that eases my depression and let’s me know there is something better. I never thought I’d fall in love with this book. I’m not really one for books rooted in reality instead of magic, but I wanted to read it because you sent it to me. On my birthday no less!
I have to apologise it too me so long, I’ve been in a slump since early March. But here I am. It’s 1am and I stayed up to finish this. I won’t lie and say I didn’t cry pretty much constantly from 60% all the way to the end, I did. I sobbed, I felt it in my soul. I heard from some that this is w retelling of a story, but I didn’t know it. It didn’t really matter because I connected with it so deeply.
You wrote a story that eased my pains and helped me come to terms with some of the stuff that’s been happening in my life. It sounds so dumb to write it that way but I felt like Jackie. But with less talent haha!
Thank you for keeping me up into the earlier hours crying when I felt unable to feel anymore.
Love,
Pixie
PS. You should write a sequel so I can cry some more.
Dear Ms. Flinn,
I’ve been reading your work ever since Beastly and you wouldn’t believe the times your words have helped me. They really have. I was so shocked and excited when you reached out to my on Instagram and asked if I’d like to read this. I cried! I really did. No one has really ever taken any notice of me or my blog but I felt seen.
I write about books because they’re the thing that gets me through the day. Somethings that eases my depression and let’s me know there is something better. I never thought I’d fall in love with this book. I’m not really one for books rooted in reality instead of magic, but I wanted to read it because you sent it to me. On my birthday no less!
I have to apologise it too me so long, I’ve been in a slump since early March. But here I am. It’s 1am and I stayed up to finish this. I won’t lie and say I didn’t cry pretty much constantly from 60% all the way to the end, I did. I sobbed, I felt it in my soul. I heard from some that this is w retelling of a story, but I didn’t know it. It didn’t really matter because I connected with it so deeply.
You wrote a story that eased my pains and helped me come to terms with some of the stuff that’s been happening in my life. It sounds so dumb to write it that way but I felt like Jackie. But with less talent haha!
Thank you for keeping me up into the earlier hours crying when I felt unable to feel anymore.
Love,
Pixie
PS. You should write a sequel so I can cry some more.