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deepower7's review
3.0
Would have been at least four stars if the author had written a proper ending instead of shying away from almost everything.
Dunno what it was about this that made me so painfully aware of how young the characters seemed, it felt like I was reading about toddlers even though realistically I know that they're well within the age range for most ya books. Just felt weird. Also, end was a bit sudden, no? And sort of glossed over. I think I needed more from this. I mean, it was an enjoyable read, and while I did need more from the execution, I liked where the story ended up going. I just felt that the blurb and tone didn't really.match the plot. So I ended up with something extremely different from what I expected, but in a jarring way as opposed to a delightfully surprising way..
Dunno what it was about this that made me so painfully aware of how young the characters seemed, it felt like I was reading about toddlers even though realistically I know that they're well within the age range for most ya books. Just felt weird. Also, end was a bit sudden, no? And sort of glossed over. I think I needed more from this. I mean, it was an enjoyable read, and while I did need more from the execution, I liked where the story ended up going. I just felt that the blurb and tone didn't really.match the plot. So I ended up with something extremely different from what I expected, but in a jarring way as opposed to a delightfully surprising way..
flowersofquiethappiness's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful story. Smith certainly has a way with words. I really enjoy getting the flashbacks of Ryan's father. And the romance is cute. Ryan grew into herself during this story and it was a great journey with her.
inkstndfngrs's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't go into this book realizing what a downer this book turns out to be. Not for Cubs fans --honestly, I couldn't care less about baseball or sports in general actually. The fluffy romance that I've come to love about Smith's books is what I was expecting...and instead I got this. It wasn't bad...but its not going on my re-read list either. The ending is thinly veiled as to what happens after, and I am more of a nicely-tied "happily every after" kind of girl. As I am reading her backwards, (I know, weird, right?) I will say: Jennifer E Smith has only improved over time. She's in my top three of top "Crappy YA Romance" authors behind Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott. This was a solid first novel...but her new stuff is so much better --and not just because it isn't nearly as depressing at the end.
bookworm097's review
2.0
This book is definitely my least favorite of Jennifer's. It didn't keep my attention well, and for such a short book, it seemed to drag on forever. I felt like there was very little character development, and other than Ryan, we really don't get to see too much of any other character, everyone else pretty much was unnecessary. I'm also not very satisfied with the ending, it left too many loose strings. I'm a big fan of Jennifer's newer works, so I would stick with those and skip this book.
aimeelio's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4 stars for the comeback season. Good story (sad though), and very likable characters ensure that the somewhat open ended ending is okay. Ryan and Nick are good kids and you really just want everything to work out for them.
kristid's review against another edition
4.0
Ryan is accustomed to loss. Her father passed away five years ago, she doesn’t relate to her best friends anymore, and she is a Cubs fan. The anniversary of her father’s death happens to land on opening day, so Ryan skips school to go to the game. This is where she meets Nick. Another Cubs fan and also a new kid from her school. Thus, starting their friendship.
Nick’s friendship and the Cubs good fortune transform Ryan into the person she was before she let herself be dulled with grief. Nick reluctantly tells Ryan why his family really moved to Chicago. Ultimately, through facing Nick’s illness, Ryan realizes what her father had tried to teach her about life and baseball. It’s now about winning or losing, but having the courage to continue to the play the game no matter what is thrown at you.
I don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner! If I had realized how much I was going to like it I would have. I of course was initially drawn to the book because of the Cubs, but what really drew me in was the story itself. Smith is an extraordinary writer and I expect great things from her in the future. Her writing is simple yet powerful. This book is beautifully written, the language is so genuine you can’t help but be held captive to it. I found myself admiring Ryan’s character and empathizing with her throughout the entire story. I loved the history about the Chicago Cubs, although I knew most of it. Other readers might find that part tiresome or boring, but I really think that is adds to the story as a whole. I highly recommend The Comeback Season, it is a heartwarming story that will not be soon forgotten.
Nick’s friendship and the Cubs good fortune transform Ryan into the person she was before she let herself be dulled with grief. Nick reluctantly tells Ryan why his family really moved to Chicago. Ultimately, through facing Nick’s illness, Ryan realizes what her father had tried to teach her about life and baseball. It’s now about winning or losing, but having the courage to continue to the play the game no matter what is thrown at you.
I don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner! If I had realized how much I was going to like it I would have. I of course was initially drawn to the book because of the Cubs, but what really drew me in was the story itself. Smith is an extraordinary writer and I expect great things from her in the future. Her writing is simple yet powerful. This book is beautifully written, the language is so genuine you can’t help but be held captive to it. I found myself admiring Ryan’s character and empathizing with her throughout the entire story. I loved the history about the Chicago Cubs, although I knew most of it. Other readers might find that part tiresome or boring, but I really think that is adds to the story as a whole. I highly recommend The Comeback Season, it is a heartwarming story that will not be soon forgotten.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
I always have a difficult time reviewing books about grief - this book in particular, is even harder. I can't quite reconcile my feelings toward the main character. On the one hand, I truly feel for her. Ryan's inability to move forward five years after her father's death deserves all my sympathy. On the other, and forgive me if I may sound a bit callous, but to be inside Ryan's head was painful in a way that didn't have anything to do with her grief. We see her struggle day in and day out with the memories of her dad, the life lessons he'd imparted through baseball euphemisms, and everybody else's capability to move on, leaving her seemingly stagnant in her own depressed state. I wanted to take her by the shoulders and tell her to snap out of it. I wanted her to see that whatever she was doing was the exact opposite of how her father would want her to do. I get it, truly I do. You cannot possibly know what a person is going through unless you've actually been there. But that doesn't mean that she had my full empathy.
This book is really about life's inevitable disappointments - and what better way to immortalize life's heartaches than the Cubs' merry-go-round of curses and heartbreaks? I'm a bit of a sports nut myself, so I understand the emotions we go through with every wins and every losses. I just have never actually applied it in reality. The author either did her homework well, or she wrote from experience. This book is rich in sports history and psychology euphemisms - some a bit more clichéd than others. But the beauty of it all is that the author, in one way or another, gave it a fresh new take that it didn't induce some justified eye rolls.
I also loved that even though Ryan was always on the outside looking in, she couldn't care less either way. She didn't spend her time grumbling about her isolation in school and at home, she just accepted it the way it is. It was her choice, after all. And really, this is where I'm feeling the most conflicted about our character. I have this certain admiration for her but at the same time, it wasn't easy to ignore her defeatist attitude.
A lot of people have cried over this book; it was an emotional read after all. I would too had I known Nick's eventual fate. And I don't know, it was just not as draining a read as I thought it would be. I also wish that the author didn't leave the ending in such a manner. It was vague that I didn't get any resolution. But you need to read this book and take it for what it is.
This book is really about life's inevitable disappointments - and what better way to immortalize life's heartaches than the Cubs' merry-go-round of curses and heartbreaks? I'm a bit of a sports nut myself, so I understand the emotions we go through with every wins and every losses. I just have never actually applied it in reality. The author either did her homework well, or she wrote from experience. This book is rich in sports history and psychology euphemisms - some a bit more clichéd than others. But the beauty of it all is that the author, in one way or another, gave it a fresh new take that it didn't induce some justified eye rolls.
I also loved that even though Ryan was always on the outside looking in, she couldn't care less either way. She didn't spend her time grumbling about her isolation in school and at home, she just accepted it the way it is. It was her choice, after all. And really, this is where I'm feeling the most conflicted about our character. I have this certain admiration for her but at the same time, it wasn't easy to ignore her defeatist attitude.
A lot of people have cried over this book; it was an emotional read after all. I would too had I known Nick's eventual fate. And I don't know, it was just not as draining a read as I thought it would be. I also wish that the author didn't leave the ending in such a manner. It was vague that I didn't get any resolution. But you need to read this book and take it for what it is.
dearmaria_'s review against another edition
5.0
This book is from now on one of my favourites. It reminded me of TFiOS - or I should say TFiOS reminded me of it. I loved Ryan, her personality is just so relatable and this book had a message that touched me deep inside. It was something Ive been needing to hear for a long time. Nick's cancer came to me as a shock - I knew that was something wrong with him but couldnt put my finger on it. I wish his death was more explicit but it was hard to bear anyway. He was just perfect for Ryan. He represents the fact that people enter our life so we can learn from them and their love was just beautiful. I loved every word of this book!
emariegrace's review against another edition
5.0
The Comeback Season is the second book by Jennifer E Smith I've read, and, just the The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight, it was amazing.
Ryan's dad died 5 years before the book starts, her mom is remarried and pregnant, and her sister doesn't remember their dad that well. Ryan is the only one in her family who hasn't moved on properly. Her dad was a huge baseball lover, his team was the Cubs, and he passed that love on to Ryan.
Ryan skips school to go to the opening Cubs game on April 8th, and meets Nick.
Nick is an amazing character. He's funny and realistic. Both him and Ryan are very real characters to me.
I won't say what exactly it is that Nick is hiding, because it would spoil the book. I will say that it's one of those things that you knew was coming but it still surprises you.
And the ending. I still haven't accepted the way that the story ends. It doesn't make sense, but it fits the style of the book.
I know next to nothing about baseball, but I could still enjoy and understand this book. Go read it!
Ryan's dad died 5 years before the book starts, her mom is remarried and pregnant, and her sister doesn't remember their dad that well. Ryan is the only one in her family who hasn't moved on properly. Her dad was a huge baseball lover, his team was the Cubs, and he passed that love on to Ryan.
Ryan skips school to go to the opening Cubs game on April 8th, and meets Nick.
Nick is an amazing character. He's funny and realistic. Both him and Ryan are very real characters to me.
I won't say what exactly it is that Nick is hiding, because it would spoil the book. I will say that it's one of those things that you knew was coming but it still surprises you.
And the ending. I still haven't accepted the way that the story ends. It doesn't make sense, but it fits the style of the book.
I know next to nothing about baseball, but I could still enjoy and understand this book. Go read it!
hannandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Not what I expected, which left me little disappointed. Good book though, I wish I would have known more about it before hand.