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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Cool for the Summer in Books
May 13, 2021
A simply wonderful book about finding yourself and love
Larissa "Lara" Bogdan has had a crush on one person for her entirety of high school: Chase Harding, the handsome, beloved football quarterback. But it's not until she comes back from a summer at the Outer Banks that he seems to take real notice of Lara. Like, flirting, asking her out notice. Now, she suddenly has everything she's ever wanted. But Lara can't seem to shake her memories of that Outer Banks summer and the girl she spent it with: Jasmine. Those memories come back in full force when Jasmine unexpectedly shows up at Lara's school on the first day and sees Chase flirting with Lara. Lara finally has Chase now. So why can't she stop thinking about Jasmine?
"How do you tell people who've listened to you babble about your crush on a guy for a thousand years that whoops, you spent the summer fooling around with a girl?"
Oh goodness, this was a great book. I'm so jealous there are so many wonderful YA LGTBQIA books out there now, which I would have devoured as a teen, yet incredibly happy too. I absolutely loved Lara as a character. She's sweet and bookish (addicted to romances) and in that stage where she's finding herself and coming out. It's hard not to relate to that. Adler's characters pop onto the pages--Lara, her mother, Jasmine, and Lara's cast of funny, overbearing, and loving friends. And even Chase, who is truly a good guy. (I appreciated that it wasn't "bad guy" versus "good girl" but two good kids, with their own personalities and flaws, whom Lara had to choose from.)
The book is told in a then and now format, starting out with Lara in high school and then flashing back to her summer in the Outer Banks with Jasmine. As someone who has spent some time in the Outer Banks, I loved the beachy setting, and the book just felt fun, summery, and exciting. You could feel the thrill of Lara and Jasmine falling for each other. It's so rare that we get this in our literature, and it brought back memories of my own first love and that fun, scared, happy feeling, along with all that uncertainly of realizing you were feeling these things for another girl. Adler captures it all so perfectly.
"If I somehow got Jasmine back--if I even wanted her back--what would it mean losing when everyone else found out the truth?"
The premise for this book is fascinating and lovely. Lara suddenly has everything she wants: she has pined after Chase for THREE YEARS. She comes back from vacation with a tan, a new haircut, and a newfound confidence (which no one knows the source of) and he suddenly takes notice of her. She should be in heaven--her friends certainly think so. Faced with having to make all these monumental life decisions, to realize whom she loves, and what she is--it's a lot. The book does such an excellent job of portraying bisexuality and the journey of figuring out who who you are. It's very well done, but also funny and witty. All the characters seem real and, for the most part, true to their age.
Overall, I loved this one. It portrays the queer community very well and does an excellent job capturing teens. The story is fun, sweet, and captivating. I feel like it would speak well to teens and adults who remember that spark of falling in love. I have to go read everything else by Adler now... 4.5 stars.
"How do you tell people who've listened to you babble about your crush on a guy for a thousand years that whoops, you spent the summer fooling around with a girl?"
Oh goodness, this was a great book. I'm so jealous there are so many wonderful YA LGTBQIA books out there now, which I would have devoured as a teen, yet incredibly happy too. I absolutely loved Lara as a character. She's sweet and bookish (addicted to romances) and in that stage where she's finding herself and coming out. It's hard not to relate to that. Adler's characters pop onto the pages--Lara, her mother, Jasmine, and Lara's cast of funny, overbearing, and loving friends. And even Chase, who is truly a good guy. (I appreciated that it wasn't "bad guy" versus "good girl" but two good kids, with their own personalities and flaws, whom Lara had to choose from.)
The book is told in a then and now format, starting out with Lara in high school and then flashing back to her summer in the Outer Banks with Jasmine. As someone who has spent some time in the Outer Banks, I loved the beachy setting, and the book just felt fun, summery, and exciting. You could feel the thrill of Lara and Jasmine falling for each other. It's so rare that we get this in our literature, and it brought back memories of my own first love and that fun, scared, happy feeling, along with all that uncertainly of realizing you were feeling these things for another girl. Adler captures it all so perfectly.
"If I somehow got Jasmine back--if I even wanted her back--what would it mean losing when everyone else found out the truth?"
The premise for this book is fascinating and lovely. Lara suddenly has everything she wants: she has pined after Chase for THREE YEARS. She comes back from vacation with a tan, a new haircut, and a newfound confidence (which no one knows the source of) and he suddenly takes notice of her. She should be in heaven--her friends certainly think so. Faced with having to make all these monumental life decisions, to realize whom she loves, and what she is--it's a lot. The book does such an excellent job of portraying bisexuality and the journey of figuring out who who you are. It's very well done, but also funny and witty. All the characters seem real and, for the most part, true to their age.
Overall, I loved this one. It portrays the queer community very well and does an excellent job capturing teens. The story is fun, sweet, and captivating. I feel like it would speak well to teens and adults who remember that spark of falling in love. I have to go read everything else by Adler now... 4.5 stars.
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Nov 22, 2017 (Updated Nov 22, 2017)
Fun to watch but doesn't break new ground
No doubt Tom Holland's portrayal of Spiderman is the most accurate version that I have seen, given that Spiderman is a teenager in a high school. I can't help but feel that if Homecoming had more time in the oven, we would have been rewarded with the best Spider-man ever seen on the silver screen. As is, this Spider-man breaks no new ground that won't quickly be plowed under.
Michael Keaton's Vulture is the perfect villain for a downbeat in the MCU symphony. A regular, working-class but ambitious man who took an opportunity - a blue collar Tony Stark. The level of detail and forethought paid to the Vulture and his crew's dealings provides much needed grounding to these fabulous tales of super-heroism. Still, the refreshing qualities of Homecoming are far-outmatched by the staleness of its formula.
Too many of these beats have already been explored in other movies. Tony Stark has remote access to his suit. Tony Stark's dad. Retro-reflective plates. Tony Stark overdesigns stuff. Peter Parker has trouble managing his two lives. Peter Parker's enemy is a close friend's parent.
But the best part is definitely Michael Keaton, who is both seen as a 'hardworking' father trying to provide for his family, while being deeply flawed - the fact that he isn't killed off is also promising. Not a bad film, but not particularly novel.
Michael Keaton's Vulture is the perfect villain for a downbeat in the MCU symphony. A regular, working-class but ambitious man who took an opportunity - a blue collar Tony Stark. The level of detail and forethought paid to the Vulture and his crew's dealings provides much needed grounding to these fabulous tales of super-heroism. Still, the refreshing qualities of Homecoming are far-outmatched by the staleness of its formula.
Too many of these beats have already been explored in other movies. Tony Stark has remote access to his suit. Tony Stark's dad. Retro-reflective plates. Tony Stark overdesigns stuff. Peter Parker has trouble managing his two lives. Peter Parker's enemy is a close friend's parent.
But the best part is definitely Michael Keaton, who is both seen as a 'hardworking' father trying to provide for his family, while being deeply flawed - the fact that he isn't killed off is also promising. Not a bad film, but not particularly novel.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Dec 28, 2017
Music (1 more)
Hugh Jackman
Heartwarming with a fantastic soundtrack
I'll be honest and say that I'm a sucker for musicals, so it was pretty unlikely that I was ever not going to like this. And unsurprisingly, I did think it was really good.
It's a genuinely feel good and enjoyable film, with a fantastic soundtrack. The plot is interesting and they speed through the storyline instead of dwelling and trying to drag it out beyond the 2 hour mark. Hugh Jackman is probably one of the best and most loveable leading men in Hollywood and he puts on another fine show here. It's so entertaining to watch him sing and dance. It was refreshing too to see Zac Efron singing and dancing again since his High School Musical days.
Parts of the script and some scenes seem a little bit cheesy and cringeworthy, but fortunately the true star of this film is the music. All the songs were catchy and made me really want to sing along. They were that good that I have a feeling the soundtrack is going to be on repeat in my car now for quite some time to come.
I tend to rate films based on whether I'd go out and buy them, and I would definitely fork out some cash for this. Although it isn't the best musical I've ever seen, it's still hugely enjoyable with brilliant music.
It's a genuinely feel good and enjoyable film, with a fantastic soundtrack. The plot is interesting and they speed through the storyline instead of dwelling and trying to drag it out beyond the 2 hour mark. Hugh Jackman is probably one of the best and most loveable leading men in Hollywood and he puts on another fine show here. It's so entertaining to watch him sing and dance. It was refreshing too to see Zac Efron singing and dancing again since his High School Musical days.
Parts of the script and some scenes seem a little bit cheesy and cringeworthy, but fortunately the true star of this film is the music. All the songs were catchy and made me really want to sing along. They were that good that I have a feeling the soundtrack is going to be on repeat in my car now for quite some time to come.
I tend to rate films based on whether I'd go out and buy them, and I would definitely fork out some cash for this. Although it isn't the best musical I've ever seen, it's still hugely enjoyable with brilliant music.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Storyteller in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I have to say I am a die hard Jodi Picoult fan! I was before I read Sing You Home & I am still. I heard that this book was not her "norm" among various other things. But to me it was no different. It touches on love, family, friendships, & the definition of what constitutes a family. It speaks to current societal & politcial issues with Picoult's usual grace & lyrical writing style.
This book tells the story of Zoe & Max at the beginning. They are a couple who have tried unsuccessfully for years to have a child. They eventually begin IVF treatments & in the end have a boy, stillborn. This proves too much for their marriage & it falls to pieces. Zoe begins a friendship with an acquaintance who had contracted her musical therapy services for a student at the high school where she is a counselor.
In the end that friendship goes into places that no one involved ever expected. But ultimatly that unexpected relationship is what ends up saving them all in the end.
This story was beautifully written as usual with her books. It had me laughing & crying with the characters who were all so real & genuine that you couldn't help but root for each & everyone of them despite the fact that they find themselves on opposite sides of a contensious lawsuit. I hate to say more & ruin the book. Go read it. You will NOT be disappointed!
This book tells the story of Zoe & Max at the beginning. They are a couple who have tried unsuccessfully for years to have a child. They eventually begin IVF treatments & in the end have a boy, stillborn. This proves too much for their marriage & it falls to pieces. Zoe begins a friendship with an acquaintance who had contracted her musical therapy services for a student at the high school where she is a counselor.
In the end that friendship goes into places that no one involved ever expected. But ultimatly that unexpected relationship is what ends up saving them all in the end.
This story was beautifully written as usual with her books. It had me laughing & crying with the characters who were all so real & genuine that you couldn't help but root for each & everyone of them despite the fact that they find themselves on opposite sides of a contensious lawsuit. I hate to say more & ruin the book. Go read it. You will NOT be disappointed!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Where We Belong in Books
May 10, 2018
What happens when you give birth to a child and give her up for adoption? You never tell the father that you are even pregnant, in fact you don't tell anyone but your mother. Eighteen years later, this child shows up at your doorstep eager to find out about the parents who couldn't keep her How do you explain what happened so long ago and how do you go back and correct the wrongs?
Marion and Kirby tell the story from their own perspectives describing the emotions they go through in order to deal with their present circumstances. Kirby is at a pivotal point in her life. She is about to graduate high school and is unsure about what the next step should be. Her adoption allows her to contact her birth mother once she reaches eighteen and she doesn't hesitate to do just that. Marion, a show creator living in New York City is doing exactly what she dreamed. She's dating an amazing man and things in her life seem to be going just right, but when Kirby arrives at her doorstep her whole life is put into perspective and she is forced to analyze her world to see if it's really as great as it appears.
Throughout their journey, the two women will discover the true soul of themselves and find a more secure place in their own lives as well as in each others.
Marion and Kirby tell the story from their own perspectives describing the emotions they go through in order to deal with their present circumstances. Kirby is at a pivotal point in her life. She is about to graduate high school and is unsure about what the next step should be. Her adoption allows her to contact her birth mother once she reaches eighteen and she doesn't hesitate to do just that. Marion, a show creator living in New York City is doing exactly what she dreamed. She's dating an amazing man and things in her life seem to be going just right, but when Kirby arrives at her doorstep her whole life is put into perspective and she is forced to analyze her world to see if it's really as great as it appears.
Throughout their journey, the two women will discover the true soul of themselves and find a more secure place in their own lives as well as in each others.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Better Than I Know Myself in Books
Apr 3, 2019
Did you ever have a friend who was more like family? For Regina Foster, Jewel Prescott, and Carmen Webb this is exactly true. Better Than I Know Myself starts in the late 70's when the girls are seniors in high school and making the decision on where to go to college. Three different girls from three very different backgrounds. Jewel, a former child star. Regina, the daughter of two college educated parents and little sister to older brothers who had all attended and graduated from college. And Carmen whose parents had left her at a young age.
The story progresses through their meeting in New York at Barnard and continues through their graduation. Regina and Jewel were already roommates when they met Carmen at the university library. They all got stuck in an elevator together and as they say, "The rest is history." They lived together through the early 80's as they grew into women and started to become independent.
The book covers twenty years of friendship and sisterhood and all the trials and tribulations that entails.
This book made me laugh out loud and brought a tear or two to my eyes. It also made me want to get together with my closest girlfriends. This is a book that you have to read until the end.
I listened to this book through the iPod and Overdrive. The audio was read by Lisa Renee Pitts.
The story progresses through their meeting in New York at Barnard and continues through their graduation. Regina and Jewel were already roommates when they met Carmen at the university library. They all got stuck in an elevator together and as they say, "The rest is history." They lived together through the early 80's as they grew into women and started to become independent.
The book covers twenty years of friendship and sisterhood and all the trials and tribulations that entails.
This book made me laugh out loud and brought a tear or two to my eyes. It also made me want to get together with my closest girlfriends. This is a book that you have to read until the end.
I listened to this book through the iPod and Overdrive. The audio was read by Lisa Renee Pitts.
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Best Possible Answer in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Viviana is under an immense amount of stress. It's the end of junior year and her future is in the balance. The goal was always to get perfect grades, rock her exams and attend Stanford. Then a distraction, and by distraction I mean boy, sets her off balance. They break up and he does something that sends her world spinning off its axis. Vivi starts having panic attacks and feels that she's not doing anything right in her life. To make it worse, her dad goes on a business trip to Singapore and doesn't come back. She puts every blame and burden on her overworked shoulders.
The characters in the book are very believable and relatable, even if you haven't experienced the same life events that they have. You can feel the friendship between Sammie and Vivi, with all of its ups and down. How much they love each other and do their best to protect one another.
The novel is about believing in yourself, learning to trust and rely on others even when you think you can do it all by yourself, and doing your best. Vivi must learn about herself and realizes that not everything in her life is as it seems.
Highly recommended to teens and young adults who enjoy contemporary ya fiction books about life, loves and high school. (With maybe a little family drama thrown into the mix.) Great, quick, enjoyable read!
The characters in the book are very believable and relatable, even if you haven't experienced the same life events that they have. You can feel the friendship between Sammie and Vivi, with all of its ups and down. How much they love each other and do their best to protect one another.
The novel is about believing in yourself, learning to trust and rely on others even when you think you can do it all by yourself, and doing your best. Vivi must learn about herself and realizes that not everything in her life is as it seems.
Highly recommended to teens and young adults who enjoy contemporary ya fiction books about life, loves and high school. (With maybe a little family drama thrown into the mix.) Great, quick, enjoyable read!
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated Lies You Never Told Me in Books
Jul 20, 2018
A tale of two narratives, in Lies You Never Told Me, debut novelist Jennifer Donaldson deftly flips back and forth between the first person points-of-view of high school students Gabe (in Austin) and Elyse (in Portland).
An addicting work of romantic suspense, although it opens with an air of mystery followed by the bang of a hit-and-run, the book slows down enough to carefully build the characters and effectively develop their alternating storylines to the point that – to the author's credit – there's no easily mistaking one for the other.
Nicely balancing the intrigue of a Gabe chapter with the drama of an Elyse (and vice versa), the book's pace quickens with each chapter to the point that I found myself nearly unable to put it down.
And despite the fact that I was able to piece together precisely how and why the two characters were connected roughly a quarter of the way into the novel, thanks to certain context clues, the book is so well written that I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Of course, that being said, the less you know going in the better.
Reminiscent of a great character driven '80s thriller from the Hollywood heyday of Fatal Attraction, in spite of a slightly contrived climax, Lies You Never Told Me is a terrific stay up all night summer read you'll definitely want to recommend to a friend.
An addicting work of romantic suspense, although it opens with an air of mystery followed by the bang of a hit-and-run, the book slows down enough to carefully build the characters and effectively develop their alternating storylines to the point that – to the author's credit – there's no easily mistaking one for the other.
Nicely balancing the intrigue of a Gabe chapter with the drama of an Elyse (and vice versa), the book's pace quickens with each chapter to the point that I found myself nearly unable to put it down.
And despite the fact that I was able to piece together precisely how and why the two characters were connected roughly a quarter of the way into the novel, thanks to certain context clues, the book is so well written that I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Of course, that being said, the less you know going in the better.
Reminiscent of a great character driven '80s thriller from the Hollywood heyday of Fatal Attraction, in spite of a slightly contrived climax, Lies You Never Told Me is a terrific stay up all night summer read you'll definitely want to recommend to a friend.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated G.O.A.T. in Books
Oct 31, 2019 (Updated Oct 31, 2019)
Tessa and Nash met when they both had just finished high school. She was off to Harvard and he was off to the military. In that one night, they lost their virginity to each other. She gave him her number, but he never called. For Nash, that was the best night of his life and for the past few years, he hasn't been able to get Tessa out of his head, no one can compare. So when she comes back into his life, will they be able to pick up where they left off, or is all hope lost?
Thank you to Frankie and Chantel for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I am loving this new Get Some series from the Quickie Queens. These novellas will grab you from the start and you won't be able to put them down until the very end.
What would you do if you met a guy and he rocked your world and then you never heard from him again? Is there something wrong with him or with you? Then all of a sudden, you're out one night with your friends, and there he is. Will you ever find out what happened all those years ago, or will it remain a mystery.
Nash and Tessa, Tessa and Nash. These two were made for each other, but will old hurts and new wounds be able to heal in order for them to be together.
Thank you to Frankie and Chantel for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I am loving this new Get Some series from the Quickie Queens. These novellas will grab you from the start and you won't be able to put them down until the very end.
What would you do if you met a guy and he rocked your world and then you never heard from him again? Is there something wrong with him or with you? Then all of a sudden, you're out one night with your friends, and there he is. Will you ever find out what happened all those years ago, or will it remain a mystery.
Nash and Tessa, Tessa and Nash. These two were made for each other, but will old hurts and new wounds be able to heal in order for them to be together.