Tag: controlling parents

REVIEW: The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss by Amy Noelle Parks

REVIEW: The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss by Amy Noelle Parks

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Abrams Kids in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Evie and Caleb have been best friends since childhood. And Caleb has been in love with her for most of that time. But Evie has never responded to his hints – or his “almost kisses.” She’s not really been interested in any romantic relationship at all. Teaming up with Caleb, Evie has the chance to compete once again for a huge math/science award. Last year, a panic attack before she even got on the plane derailed her plans. But this year, with Caleb at her side, she has a chance to fully compete.

After 8 months with a therapist of her choosing, Evie is managing her anxiety and feeling more confident in general. And then Leo transfers in. He’s brilliant – someone who can compete in a lot of ways at Evie’s level. And he gives her fluttery feelings she’s never experienced before. Caleb has to reign in his jealousy when Leo and Evie start dating.

When Caleb has a chance to interact anonymously with Evie in the online forum for the award finalists, he jumps at it, hoping it will help Evie see him as a romantic option once she knows it is him.  Evie is left wondering how she went from complete disinterest in romance to juggling feelings for Leo and a new guy online. And wondering how this new layer to her life will work with everything else she has been working through so very carefully.

Review

Evie and Caleb were captivating from the first delightful chapter. I loved their friendship and what they meant to each other. I loved reading about Evie’s journey with anxiety and therapy, and the ways Caleb was part of that journey. Evie and Caleb were so fun, both as individuals and in their bantering friendship.

The arrival of Leo coincides with Evie maturing to a place where she is noticing romantic feelings and she’s ready to explore that part of growing up. Leo was good for her even if he was an obstacle for Caleb.

The math of the book was way over my head, but never a distraction or drag on the story. I loved all the ways the characters in this pushed back on assumptions about women in general and Evie in particular when it comes to math and science. While Evie’s mother is the most infuriating part of this book, the misogynistic pieces were a close second. But Evie and her friends stand up to it brilliantly.

This is a delightful character-driven book. I loved having Evie and Caleb tell their own stories. And the romance is sweet and complicated, but never over-the-top. And the book is funny! The side characters might have been developed a little more (Bex’s story was fascinating, but I wanted her to feel more fleshed out), but the spotlight here is really for Evie and Caleb. And they deserve it. Don’t miss this one! (Some language, TW: Anxiety/panic attacks)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

REVIEW: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Eliza’s best friend, Merrilee Campbell (A Date with Darcy), is convinced their English teacher, Ms. Gregoire, is magic. But science-minded Eliza knows that is not remotely possible. Merrilee and her sister, Rory (The Boy Next Story), believe Ms. Gregoire gives students books that magically come true in their lives. But that’s ridiculous.

Not willing to take any chances, though, Eliza chooses Frankenstein as her free reading choice for class. Ms. Gregoire is reluctant to let Eliza go with that book, but Eliza is confident that its lack of romance and its emphasis on science make it the perfect choice.

As Eliza digs into the assignment, she’s also trying to keep up on her parents’ ever-increasing demands. They are world-famous scientists currently working at the South Pole. They monitor Eliza through exacting logs, a personal tracker, and the grad student they have watching her at the house. Her 89% on a recent math test has them concerned. They want her to beef up her study habits as well as add an extracurricular – from three choices they feel would be appropriate. She chooses Quiz Bowl team, not expecting to find Curtis there.

Curtis is the sophomore class’s Class Clown. He always has a joke or zinger at the ready. How is HE on the Quiz Bowl team?

Soon Eliza’s assumptions – about her English assignment, her parents’ expectations, and even Curtis – are going to be challenged in ways she can’t begin to imagine.

Review

I have been crazy for the Bookish Boyfriends series since I first heard the plot of book 1!  And this book is no exception. I’ve been eager to read Eliza’s story since Merrilee’s book. Her parents’ controlling behavior is stunning. I wanted to know more about why they were like that and why Eliza put up with it. She’s also been putting up with Curtis since the first book. So this was my chance to see that relationship explored. It was so satisfying!

Curtis and his siblings are my favorite characters from this book, although I also love the whole ensemble. But Curtis is a perfect contrast for Eliza’s controlled and controlling life. He’s fun and sweet and endearing. He’s also confident enough to ask for what he wants and stand up for his right to be treated with kindness, courtesy, and honesty. This is my favorite pair in the series – at least for today. I think I say it every time I finish a book in the series!

There is no element of anyone trying to figure out how Ms. Gregoire does what she does. And I’m loving that. They accept it as part of life and just watch to see what happens. Each book in the series so far explores two pieces of literature. The second book in this one is Anne of Green Gables.

We already know where book four – Get a Clue – is headed. I am looking forward to seeing what happens when Huck and Curtis’ brother, Win, team up to solve a mystery à la Sherlock Holmes. That is currently scheduled to release in January 2021. I already have it sitting in my online shopping cart. These are characters I already love. And a new book gives me the perfect excuse to go back and re-read the whole series over Christmas.

Fans of YA romance, especially with a lot of book love and a touch of magic, should not miss this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥= Outstanding, Fantastic