Take a photo of a barcode or cover
anushb 's review for:
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between
by Jennifer E. Smith
Jennifer E. Smith’s teen romance novels are light-hearted alternatives to many of today’s serious realistic fiction novels. Although separation is a common theme, as in The Geography of You and Me, Smith focuses on somewhat well-adjusted, upper middle class teens and their relationships. In her most recent book, college-bound sweethearts Clare and Aidan use their last night in their hometown to decide whether they should break up or not. Although Clare and Aidan have been in a happy relationship for two years, they decided to pursue the colleges of their dreams on opposite coasts. Aidan thinks it would be a good idea to stay together, since love is love, after all, but Clare is not so sure. She can foresee the challenges of long-distance relationships and the painful drifting apart, and wants to stop it before it’s too late.
Although this book has some merits, and will be a hit with romance readers and teens who are college-bound and have to make similar decisions, it also has its flaws. It is not written as well as The Geography of You and Me. The story is mainly told through dialog – and not especially well-written dialog. The constant back-and-forth between characters might be somewhat realistic, but it hinders the plot and character development, especially since most of the things the characters say are not very profound or meaningful. The main things we learn about the characters is that Clare is a bit of an overachiever and an overthinker, and Aidan is sweet and laid-back, and we learn a little about their families. The book could benefit from a bit more character development to help the reader connect more with the characters. But that said, this is still a sweet, simple love story that will find its audience with reluctant readers because of its subject and quick pacing.
Although this book has some merits, and will be a hit with romance readers and teens who are college-bound and have to make similar decisions, it also has its flaws. It is not written as well as The Geography of You and Me. The story is mainly told through dialog – and not especially well-written dialog. The constant back-and-forth between characters might be somewhat realistic, but it hinders the plot and character development, especially since most of the things the characters say are not very profound or meaningful. The main things we learn about the characters is that Clare is a bit of an overachiever and an overthinker, and Aidan is sweet and laid-back, and we learn a little about their families. The book could benefit from a bit more character development to help the reader connect more with the characters. But that said, this is still a sweet, simple love story that will find its audience with reluctant readers because of its subject and quick pacing.