I really loved this read! I was super invested in the characters and felt like this book was a nice blanch between tackling grief issues but also self discovery and friendship and breaking out of your comfort zone. I really loved how this book focused on friendship dynamics. I loved how this book had various romance issues and found the book to super compelling. I really am excited to dive into the sequel book soon! ( )

I really loved this read! I was super invested in the characters and felt like this book was a nice blanch between tackling grief issues but also self discovery and friendship and breaking out of your comfort zone. I really loved how this book focused on friendship dynamics. I loved how this book had various romance issues and found the book to super compelling. I really am excited to dive into the sequel book soon! ( )

CW: Loss of loved ones, drowning

No surprises in this cute-ish romance.

I think the subject of grief in this book was slightly different than what I was expecting. Paige wasn't really grieving for the boyfriend she loved, she was grieving for the fact she didn't get to know him as well as she wanted in their short two months together. However, I think she was mostly grieving the loss of her own identity and having it replaced by 'the girl with the dead boyfriend' label. This girl needed sympathetic looks and understanding 'how are you?'s. After setting some rather cliched goals she sets about to get her life back on track.

For me, the strength of this book lay in the friendships. She had 'drop everything' friends and it was nice to see this shine through in the story. I loved the friendship she developed with Max. It was super cute and, in my opinion, felt complete. It would have made a much better ending to leave it there. The book could have shown how gorgeous, adorable and important platonic friendships can be. The romance felt unnecessary and unwarranted as she needed to address her own issues before looking for love. The story could have ended on her being happy in herself and now emotionally ready to move forward with her life rather than getting the boy and now being happy. Just okay for me. ( )

I'm officially through with this book.
(that's so not a compliment, I can't even *throws up hands in frustration*)

I refuse to be emotionally involved with a book that I'm in no way emotionally invested in.

THIS is what I thought when I started reading:
I don't know why, but the voice of the book is a little ... young.
Many themes are covered, but the emotional connection is missing.
I feel inordinately let down.

My opinion did not change after flipping through to the end.
Actually, this book managed a spectacular feat: tremendous mental exhaustion on my part.
I sincerely think it would have worked better as a more middlegrade book than YA.

It fell flat with me. ( )

My first book by this author and I really liked it.
Paige's issues were real. At the same time there was nothing really terrible in her life. I liked that. I don't think every hero or heroine has to have an awful childhood or something absolutely terrible in their life to have angst.
I liked the whole quizbowl club, Mrs Pepper who starts off with the Salt N Pepper jokes, Dr Watson.
All of the popular references, the movie/ book references were real cute.
On the Jane Austen debate though I do feel like I like Liz better than Jane.
All of Paige's friends were real. No over the top meanness issues etc. Tess is a rich girl with rich parents who don't have time for her. K is a girl exploring relationships for the first time . She doesn't know how to balance the relationship with her girl time with girlfriends. M is dealing with possibly losing her friend to a boy and one who isn't even worth her.
From the parent child relationships I liked Paige's dad. I felt he really got her. Dr Watson was also a good mom.
Now on the team jock vs team nerd, I am always on team nerd being a nerd myself.
I really liked Max and Ryan too.
All in all an enjoyable read with a nice storyline, interesting characters, some good wit.
I am definitely going to try and explore more by this author
( )