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shemyshines98's review against another edition
5.0
I really and truly loved this book. It's about a girl trying to find pieces and clues about her mother that is gone for a Photography project. But, after a while, it becomes more than that, it become a full journey. In the end, she realizes that she's not who made her. She is who she truly is, because of herself. She soon realizes that she's different from both sides of the spectrum, but it's totally ok and fine. This book is amazing! It will get you in the feels. It's well crafted and I could totally relate to Maude. We all put things especially people in auto-focus and the minute the picture we painted of them changes, we feel a certain way about it. The best way to avoid this, is to accept change. Yes, it's hard, but completely pushing it away, avoiding it, is detrimental. We not only have to accept people for who they truly are, but also ourselves. And this book taught me that. A definite good read! <3 <3 <3
srosnik's review against another edition
3.0
This book was just OKAY to me. I generally enjoy YA books a lot, it is the majority of the books that i read, but this book was a little too young for me. Decent story and I enjoyed the ending, the theme was just very young. It kept me interested, I was intrigued enough to keep reading to see the ending but I would have like it more had I read it in high school.
kimching232's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
When I learned that Lauren Gibaldi was coming up with a new book, I was really excited. I read her debut novel [b:The Night We Said Yes|23287168|The Night We Said Yes|Lauren Gibaldi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412947397s/23287168.jpg|25804003] and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to read whatever she came up with. I was so excited about this, in fact, that I didn't care what it was about and I just requested this one without really reading the synopsis. I had no idea that this was about adoption, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Autofocus is about a girl who went on a journey to find out more about her birth mother, who died when she gave birth to Maude. Her adoptive parents are not exactly supportive, but not exactly not supportive either, which I think was good because that makes it more realistic. So Maude goes to FSU to visit her best friend, and there she finds out more about her mom.
What I liked:
1. The romance: What's amazing about the romance of this book is that the two characters started out as friends, which is just so rare in YA nowadays. I mean, yeah, people start getting to know each other in books, but they didn't feel like being friends like Maude and Bennett were, you know? I really liked that they spent time not liking each other first, then getting to know each other, then liking each other.
2. Realistic: Maude has a good relationship with her adoptive parents, but they weren't exactly happy when she wanted to go on this journey to find her biological mother. I think that's a realistic portrayal because no matter how close she is to her parents, I think most adoptive parents will have some inhibitions and worries about their kid looking for his/her biological mother. However, I'm glad that Maude didn't have any problem in general when it came to convincing her parents, which I think was also realistic, considering that her parents really do love her as well and want what's best for her. They only wanted Maude to be careful and remember that she might be disappointed.
3. Self-discovery: Maude took a journey to find her mom in order to find herself. It's actually a cliche, but I didn't really mind because I love books with self discovery. Maude realized that her biological mom doesn't actually define her, which is also another cliche, but then Maude also realized that she isn't necessarily like anyone else as well. I think that's something important for everyone to know - that we can be unique and ourselves, not defined by who others are or the circumstances around us.
4. Bennett: Bennett is such a dork and a gentleman combined into one! He had a lot of opportunities to take advantage of Maude, but he chose not to. Instead, what he did was accompany Maude through her journey, and was there for her every step of the way. He understood when Maude needed company and when Maude needed to be alone. He was also a great friend first to Maude, and that matters.
What I didn't exactly like:
1. Connection: I couldn't fully connect to the main character and the story. I don't know why, but I just wasn't that invested in it. This is my main problem with the book, which is why I couldn't give it a higher rating. I really enjoyed reading the story, and I connected to it a little, but I just couldn't fully connect to it.
2. The ending: I feel like in terms of the romance part, the ending didn't really give it justice. I would really like to find out more of what happened in the end, or how they planned to move forward with their relationship. They still talked, but I just wanted to know, what now?
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a quick read and it was interesting. My only main problem about it is that I couldn't fully connect to it.
"I'm a blur. I'm not clear and crisp like some people; instead I'm messy on the edges and not quite formed. I'm many pieces all put into one, and one day I'll figure them all out. But right now, I'm happy being a blue. I'm happy being every part of me, every image of me, even if they don't feel like me."
When I learned that Lauren Gibaldi was coming up with a new book, I was really excited. I read her debut novel [b:The Night We Said Yes|23287168|The Night We Said Yes|Lauren Gibaldi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412947397s/23287168.jpg|25804003] and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to read whatever she came up with. I was so excited about this, in fact, that I didn't care what it was about and I just requested this one without really reading the synopsis. I had no idea that this was about adoption, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Autofocus is about a girl who went on a journey to find out more about her birth mother, who died when she gave birth to Maude. Her adoptive parents are not exactly supportive, but not exactly not supportive either, which I think was good because that makes it more realistic. So Maude goes to FSU to visit her best friend, and there she finds out more about her mom.
What I liked:
1. The romance: What's amazing about the romance of this book is that the two characters started out as friends, which is just so rare in YA nowadays. I mean, yeah, people start getting to know each other in books, but they didn't feel like being friends like Maude and Bennett were, you know? I really liked that they spent time not liking each other first, then getting to know each other, then liking each other.
2. Realistic: Maude has a good relationship with her adoptive parents, but they weren't exactly happy when she wanted to go on this journey to find her biological mother. I think that's a realistic portrayal because no matter how close she is to her parents, I think most adoptive parents will have some inhibitions and worries about their kid looking for his/her biological mother. However, I'm glad that Maude didn't have any problem in general when it came to convincing her parents, which I think was also realistic, considering that her parents really do love her as well and want what's best for her. They only wanted Maude to be careful and remember that she might be disappointed.
3. Self-discovery: Maude took a journey to find her mom in order to find herself. It's actually a cliche, but I didn't really mind because I love books with self discovery. Maude realized that her biological mom doesn't actually define her, which is also another cliche, but then Maude also realized that she isn't necessarily like anyone else as well. I think that's something important for everyone to know - that we can be unique and ourselves, not defined by who others are or the circumstances around us.
4. Bennett: Bennett is such a dork and a gentleman combined into one! He had a lot of opportunities to take advantage of Maude, but he chose not to. Instead, what he did was accompany Maude through her journey, and was there for her every step of the way. He understood when Maude needed company and when Maude needed to be alone. He was also a great friend first to Maude, and that matters.
What I didn't exactly like:
1. Connection: I couldn't fully connect to the main character and the story. I don't know why, but I just wasn't that invested in it. This is my main problem with the book, which is why I couldn't give it a higher rating. I really enjoyed reading the story, and I connected to it a little, but I just couldn't fully connect to it.
2. The ending: I feel like in terms of the romance part, the ending didn't really give it justice. I would really like to find out more of what happened in the end, or how they planned to move forward with their relationship. They still talked, but I just wanted to know, what now?
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a quick read and it was interesting. My only main problem about it is that I couldn't fully connect to it.
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Maude was adopted when she was a baby, but a family project in her photography class sets her on a course to learn more about her birth mother. Using the little information she has about her birth mother (who conviently went to college where her best friend is now going to college), Maude goes to visit her best friend for spring break with the intention of finding her birth mother. Treena, Maude's best friend, has the intention of helping her, but things have changed at college and Treena begins ditching her for a new romantic prospect. After being sexiled (basically), Maude meets Bennett in the hall. Maude begins have her own romantic entanglement, who actually helps her look for answers.
This was an interesting story, with realistic and cute love stories. I felt that certain aspects seemed almost too convenient, but I did enjoy the experience.
This was an interesting story, with realistic and cute love stories. I felt that certain aspects seemed almost too convenient, but I did enjoy the experience.
thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
Maude’s senior project for her photography class is to do a portfolio that shows the meaning of family. This is a tough assignment for her, because her birth mother died when she was born. In order to find out the truth about her, Maude makes the trip to visit her best friend Treena, who dorms at college in Tallahassee, the same town that Maude’s mother once lived. However, Treena is busy with school, boys and her social life, and can’t find time to help her friend. Then she meets, Bennett, a cute boy who lives in Treena’s dorm, who agrees to help her in her search. She’s excited but nervous to find out what her mother’s past holds.
ciaralo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Read during a reading slump which made it hard to connect to. Some really great themes of growing up and finding out who you are. Definitely put Lauren Gibaldi on your radar if she isn't already
sarahs_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
Good read
Being a photographer in Orlando, it was quite interesting to read this as if I was connected to Maude. I thought some of the writing was too ... mmm, cliché/typical, but overall I enjoyed the message it gave. It’s not just family by blood that makes you family. You get to choose who is your family when the others leave you behind.
Being a photographer in Orlando, it was quite interesting to read this as if I was connected to Maude. I thought some of the writing was too ... mmm, cliché/typical, but overall I enjoyed the message it gave. It’s not just family by blood that makes you family. You get to choose who is your family when the others leave you behind.
charmaineac's review against another edition
4.0
Look guys. Growing up isn't easy, and it's even less so when you don't even really know yourself or your family. Luckily, Maude got a little help on both fronts in this book. Actually, she proactively went out and got the information that she wanted. You go girl.
Bennett was a sweetheart, but I felt like that one-week romance was so unnecessary. I'd believe it more if Maude visited FSU every weekend for a few months or something. Or I'd like it better if she began this quest after starting university there. I just felt like the quick fling was so unsustainable (but I guess they realized that too, and never committed to anything!). Actually, in general, I would've liked to see where Maude went after this journey. Did she pick a future at FSU too, happily ever after with Treena and Bennett? Or maybe she went all the way across the country; forging her own path. I think that would've been a nice touch!
Photography played a key part in Maude's life. But I felt like her interest in photography was a little disconcerting/creepy at times with the candid pictures of people. It would've been nice to see Maude quickly editing pictures before posting them or something, not just haphazardly uploading phone photos. But regardless, the photography felt like a key part of the story.
I wish Chad and Claire's mom had more to offer. But sometimes people in this world will disappoint you, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Bennett was a sweetheart, but I felt like that one-week romance was so unnecessary. I'd believe it more if Maude visited FSU every weekend for a few months or something. Or I'd like it better if she began this quest after starting university there. I just felt like the quick fling was so unsustainable (but I guess they realized that too, and never committed to anything!). Actually, in general, I would've liked to see where Maude went after this journey. Did she pick a future at FSU too, happily ever after with Treena and Bennett? Or maybe she went all the way across the country; forging her own path. I think that would've been a nice touch!
Photography played a key part in Maude's life. But I felt like her interest in photography was a little disconcerting/creepy at times with the candid pictures of people. It would've been nice to see Maude quickly editing pictures before posting them or something, not just haphazardly uploading phone photos. But regardless, the photography felt like a key part of the story.
I wish Chad and Claire's mom had more to offer. But sometimes people in this world will disappoint you, and there's nothing you can do about it.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book. I loved everything about this book. I loved the references to her first book and it just was a fast pace read that really focused on self discovery and family. The romance was sweet and and the family based mystery made this such a good book to read as well. If you love the night we said yes check out this book as well.
hazelstaybookish's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.75-4
Slow start for me but the lovely writing was what did it. Full review tk.
Slow start for me but the lovely writing was what did it. Full review tk.