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allysonbogie's review against another edition
3.0
This book kept me reading because I was intrigued by the story and main character. The most interesting parts of the story were Thomas' relationship with Mallory, and the situation with his brother a Jake, who was recently returned from war somewhere in the Middle East.
Thomas alludes to his history with Mallory, but I didn't feel like I understood enough about their past friendship and conflict. Mallory was a flat character, too. She never came alive for me.
Jake is experiencing what seems like PTSD from the war, and Thomas is determined not to become like him. I don't know much about veterans and war trauma so I'm not sure how accurate the book is, but it was certainly interesting and I really cared about Jake. There were some moments that really gave his character dimension.
Unfortunately, there were too many places in this book where the author seemed to be concealing details to make it suspenseful, but then never gave enough details to really give those parts of the story substance. That was disappointing because I love an ending that resolves things.
I really like that this book is about boys, and is told from a male point of view and has mostly male characters. But I'm pissed because the cover design implies that it is one of many, many similar YA books with girl protagonists and mediocre romantic plots. It would really help if the cover of this book was a little more informative, or reflective of the story.
Thomas alludes to his history with Mallory, but I didn't feel like I understood enough about their past friendship and conflict. Mallory was a flat character, too. She never came alive for me.
Jake is experiencing what seems like PTSD from the war, and Thomas is determined not to become like him. I don't know much about veterans and war trauma so I'm not sure how accurate the book is, but it was certainly interesting and I really cared about Jake. There were some moments that really gave his character dimension.
Unfortunately, there were too many places in this book where the author seemed to be concealing details to make it suspenseful, but then never gave enough details to really give those parts of the story substance. That was disappointing because I love an ending that resolves things.
I really like that this book is about boys, and is told from a male point of view and has mostly male characters. But I'm pissed because the cover design implies that it is one of many, many similar YA books with girl protagonists and mediocre romantic plots. It would really help if the cover of this book was a little more informative, or reflective of the story.
jean_paul's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
eri_off_the_shelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Mental illness
Minor: War, Alcohol, and Blood
scythefranz's review
4.0
The nostalgia is strong in this book that reading it makes me miss my childhood days and my childhood friends. In a stressful life I have right now, remembering and reminiscing my days as a child is such a sweet thing; a fulfilling moment that spread a warm feeling in my heart. And I'm thanking Meet Me Here for that.
Bliss's second YA novel is a remarkably well-written and well - told book. A profound novel with good pacing and realistic characters. Even the story only happens in one night, it conveys a lot of desirable things that made this book a worthy read. It's absorbing and it's absolutely gut-wrenching.
First and foremost, I like how this is nostalgic in a way where Thomas and his long-estranged friend, Mallory remembers and relives their past. I like the subtlety of it all that I thought Meet Me Here is all about Thomas and Thomas alone. It wasn't. I like how the characters grow in each chapter of this novel, especially Thomas who comes up on his own term to face the inevitable. I like how the book shares knowledge about the trauma of war. And I like the open-ended ending the book has, justifying that Thomas has lot of choices with his life; his future.
Meet Me Here is all about choices and decision and the struggle with reality and expectation. And it's relatable.
In this novel, Thomas is to decide whether he will follow the path taken by his father and brother-- being an Army (which is expected to him by the people around him, especially by his father). Or to embark a new path for himself especially after his brother came back as a completely different person.
It's almost the same with everybody, right? That expectations and pressure from the people around you. That feeling of reluctance and confusion whether to follow the current or flow against it. That indecisiveness to push through a concrete plan you made for yourself after witnessing an unexpected turn of events. It's difficult and exhausting. Fulfilling their expectations, weighing things, deciding and all that.
Bliss's second YA novel is a remarkably well-written and well - told book. A profound novel with good pacing and realistic characters. Even the story only happens in one night, it conveys a lot of desirable things that made this book a worthy read. It's absorbing and it's absolutely gut-wrenching.
First and foremost, I like how this is nostalgic in a way where Thomas and his long-estranged friend, Mallory remembers and relives their past. I like the subtlety of it all that I thought Meet Me Here is all about Thomas and Thomas alone. It wasn't. I like how the characters grow in each chapter of this novel, especially Thomas who comes up on his own term to face the inevitable. I like how the book shares knowledge about the trauma of war. And I like the open-ended ending the book has, justifying that Thomas has lot of choices with his life; his future.
Meet Me Here is all about choices and decision and the struggle with reality and expectation. And it's relatable.
In this novel, Thomas is to decide whether he will follow the path taken by his father and brother-- being an Army (which is expected to him by the people around him, especially by his father). Or to embark a new path for himself especially after his brother came back as a completely different person.
It's almost the same with everybody, right? That expectations and pressure from the people around you. That feeling of reluctance and confusion whether to follow the current or flow against it. That indecisiveness to push through a concrete plan you made for yourself after witnessing an unexpected turn of events. It's difficult and exhausting. Fulfilling their expectations, weighing things, deciding and all that.
hall852's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed this book that I read it all in one sitting. The story line was really interesting and unique. It follows Thomas and Mallory who used to be best friend and spend graduation night together. I loved how they were just friends with no romantic connects, don't see that in most YA novels. There were tones of little message throughout the book like being loyal, being true to yourself and do what makes you happy
mliztucker's review
2.0
Meh. It was... fine? Nothing exceptionally memorable to me, except my disbelief that so much could be accomplished within the timeframe it was set it. I don't know, it wasn't bad, I just didn't really connect with the characters.
66brookeb's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.5
It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t really good.
I didn’t really understand the whole idea of the plot, and i feel like i was dissatisfied with the ending of it.
I wouldn’t read it again, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone either.
I didn’t really understand the whole idea of the plot, and i feel like i was dissatisfied with the ending of it.
I wouldn’t read it again, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone either.
mimi_book_mouse's review against another edition
4.0
My name is Thomas. But you you probably know me as Jake’s brother, the soldier hero who is getting a bridge named after him. Yes, he is doing fine. Yes, my dad went to the war as well. He went to Iraq. Yeah, I know how to shoot a gun since I am, like, seven years old. It’s in out blood. The Bennets go to war and protect the country for you. What did you say? If I am ready to be shipped tomorrow? Hum, yeah, I guess.
It is Thomas’ graduation day. He has one night to decide if he will go to the army on the morning, or if he will just flee his responsibilities to a better place, to any place really. So this one night, he just let it all go; bonds with his former best friend from childhood, creates stronger ties with close friends and meet new people that will become family. And then, just then, will he choose.
I really enjoyed this book. Meet Me Here is a pleasantly original take on the « quest of identity » cliché. I thought the enrollment of the main character, how it influenced his family as a whole, really demonstrated how much finding yourself in the nest in which you were born can end up being complicated. Is it what you want, or what your dad wants? Those kind of thoughts are real. They are a part of a teenager’s life and Bliss pictured it perfectly to me.
Another important chunk of the story is connections. Friendships, brotherhood, family-hood, love relationships. It was all handled by the author through this one single story. The main character wasn’t just flesh and bone and in a quest of his own identity. He had to find himself through all these links and create new ones and it was magical to see how much we are made of what others are. Feelings and ties were felt more than explained literally and I just enjoyed that thoroughly.
The fact that I never knew what would happen next was a real plus for me as well. Each time I wondered and made predictions about the next chapters, I always ended up being wrong. Bliss made some choices that I never saw coming, and that was for the best, honestly.
The only little thing that bugged me in that book was Jake. I know why he existed and what he was supposed to mean to Thomas. I guess what I did not like is how much he changed and the fact that we never really got to uncover what was going on with him. There was too much conspiracies concerning him, and I would have liked a better tied ending for his character. He was left half painted in my opinion...
In the end, I really do recommend this book to anyone. It was fresh, fun, limitless and real. It is not the best book of all time and it won’t change the way you see the world from now on, but it sure will give you a hell of a good ride.
It is Thomas’ graduation day. He has one night to decide if he will go to the army on the morning, or if he will just flee his responsibilities to a better place, to any place really. So this one night, he just let it all go; bonds with his former best friend from childhood, creates stronger ties with close friends and meet new people that will become family. And then, just then, will he choose.
I really enjoyed this book. Meet Me Here is a pleasantly original take on the « quest of identity » cliché. I thought the enrollment of the main character, how it influenced his family as a whole, really demonstrated how much finding yourself in the nest in which you were born can end up being complicated. Is it what you want, or what your dad wants? Those kind of thoughts are real. They are a part of a teenager’s life and Bliss pictured it perfectly to me.
Another important chunk of the story is connections. Friendships, brotherhood, family-hood, love relationships. It was all handled by the author through this one single story. The main character wasn’t just flesh and bone and in a quest of his own identity. He had to find himself through all these links and create new ones and it was magical to see how much we are made of what others are. Feelings and ties were felt more than explained literally and I just enjoyed that thoroughly.
The fact that I never knew what would happen next was a real plus for me as well. Each time I wondered and made predictions about the next chapters, I always ended up being wrong. Bliss made some choices that I never saw coming, and that was for the best, honestly.
The only little thing that bugged me in that book was Jake. I know why he existed and what he was supposed to mean to Thomas. I guess what I did not like is how much he changed and the fact that we never really got to uncover what was going on with him. There was too much conspiracies concerning him, and I would have liked a better tied ending for his character. He was left half painted in my opinion...
In the end, I really do recommend this book to anyone. It was fresh, fun, limitless and real. It is not the best book of all time and it won’t change the way you see the world from now on, but it sure will give you a hell of a good ride.
tizzyxlish23's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
livthebooknerd's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This book had the potential to be really good. The beginning was too much like Looking For Alaska by John Green, but I didn't really connect with the characters. The story line was kind of mediocre, but I overall enjoyed it. I really wanted to like this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
Full review to come on livthebooknerd.blogspot.com
This book had the potential to be really good. The beginning was too much like Looking For Alaska by John Green, but I didn't really connect with the characters. The story line was kind of mediocre, but I overall enjoyed it. I really wanted to like this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
Full review to come on livthebooknerd.blogspot.com