This book is called Every Last Word and you know what? For me that's what it was. I literally cannot even find thOriginal review posted on Lexi Swoons
This book is called Every Last Word and you know what? For me that's what it was. I literally cannot even find the words to describe how I feel after reading it. I was completely enamored with this book from the moment I opened it and as soon as I turned the last page and closed the cover for the final time. I knew that I was in utter shock of how impressed I was with how the story turned out. To sum it up, i'll give you three words (in honor of Sam)-- glue sticks galore!
This story touches a little bit on depression and anxiety while also focusing on mental disorders and bullying. These are all some really important and heavy topics. I think this normally would have been fairly difficult to accomplish successfully, but the author does such a wonderful job at combining all these topics into one story while also giving it a realistic feel and a romantic feel at the same time. Kudos, Ms. Stone, for a job well done!
Sam, the MC who has OCD, was such a great character to meet and grow with. I loved seeing her growth from the beginning of the story to the very end. I think her story was believable and relatable to many young readers, even ones who don't have OCD, because many people go through the same situations as she did. From the crazy, backstabbing friends to the unplanned love interest with the most unlikely person...these things really happen and many people can relate to how everything was dealt with throughout the book.
Something else that I really loved about this book was the poetry. I've been a huge fan of poetry my entire life and from the moment I read that first poem to the moment I read the very last poem, my heart was so very full. It's such a great talent to be able to express yourself through poetry and I loved how the author was able to express so many emotions and sentiments through the eyes of so many different characters. It's a skill not many people (including authors) possess.
Also important to note that I feel like I need to search the world to find my own version of Caroline because I truly believe that she is the best friend I never had (even though I already have the BEST best friends lol.) She's such a strong and loyal friend to Sam and it breaks my heart when we finally see how her story plays out. I wish that I could bottle up her essence and use it whenever I need to feel brave or smart or caring because those are just some of her qualities that I could always use more of. She's an inspiration to us all.
Overall, I really loved this book and I wish I could expand my knowledge of the english language just so I could properly describe to you all what this book truly means to me. It's definitely a must read. If this book isn't already on your TBR--add it pronto!...more
Let me start by saying that this is not my favorite Rainbow Rowell book that i've read so far. I think Rainbow isOriginal review posted on Lexi Swoons
Let me start by saying that this is not my favorite Rainbow Rowell book that i've read so far. I think Rainbow is an amazing author, but this book didn't quite give me the feels I was looking for while reading.
Eleanor is a great character. She has been through so much in her life for such a young girl but I think she is so strong and brave. She has flaws just like everyone else, and there were things that I wish I could change in her personality. But, like life, you can't change things you don't like about people. I think that the particular flaws I find in her personality were actually very annoying, which is what made me slightly annoyed with her pretty much every time she spoke.
Park is also a great character. I loved that he was so in love with Eleanor and so concerned with everything that she encountered. In a way, I think he was a bit naive when it came to Eleanor and life in general. But he didn't have the same upbringing and struggles that Eleanor had so I can understand why he had the luxury of being so young and naive.
In a way I kind of loved the innocence of Park and I loved the toughness of Eleanor. I always like to see characters that have had hard times because it seems more realistic to me. I think I just didn't care to see these two characters together. I feel like they were so different and the connection wasn't quite right. I loved the environment and the story building for this book too. I just feel like it could have been perfect without the awkwardness of the two MC's. Overall, it was a quick read and I still (and will always) love Rainbow for her creativity and great writing!...more
You know that feeling you get when you're reading the last paragraph of a book that you just realized was great. Original review posted on Lexi Swoons
You know that feeling you get when you're reading the last paragraph of a book that you just realized was great. Then, somewhere along the lines, with out you realizing when, a smile spreads across you're face leaving you with this happy feeling. That's what Panic was for me. At first, when beginning this book, I wasn't all that impressed with the writing, But a few chapters in and I was hooked! Then it became impossible to put the book down. I hadn't realized it at the time, but Panic reeled me in and took a hold of me when I wasn't looking. Sneaky, sneaky.
We begin our journey with Heather. We see right away that's she has a bit of a tough life. But she also has a pair of great best friends that help her along the way. Probably more than we could ever realize until the bittersweet end. She's a lucky girl to be blessed with great friends and great people that care about her. And I love seeing her transition from timid to brave. She's a strong character for herself, her friends, Nathalie and Bishop, and her sister, Lily.
Then we meet Dodge and he seems fine at first. Really shy but also really sweet. But when the truth about his reasons for joining Panic are revealed we see some of his "shady" side come out and some pretty nasty schemes on his part. Not cool Dodge, not cool! But aside from his negative motives regarding Panic, we see him change in some pretty good ways. He's a good guy, just too focused on certain feelings that he should just let go. But I feel his pain and probably would have done a lot of the same things...to a point! His relationship with Nathalie is sweet to see growing. Of course, she has her own shady moments when it comes to Dodge, but throughout all the lies and sneaking around, a relationship still blooms between the two of them and that's great to watch.
So after everything that happened it's nice to see how things ended for the foursome and progressed with their characters and relationships. Seeing them happy and alive and together is what took me to that happy feeling at the end. The huge smile was plastered on my face before I even realized that I was smiling.
Panic, as a game, seemed a bit silly to me in the beginning and I thought it sounded similar to a Hunger Games type of game. But it was actually totally different. Panic was brought on by a bored town of people and kept up for the glory of winning, nothing to do with war and punishment. Mostly to keep yourself entertained and win the pot of Money at the end. So NOT The Hunger Games! Still, a great game though. I might have even considered it myself in a different time.
So overall, I'm so happy that my original thoughts on this book were different than what it actually was. Surprise stories are the best kind of story! And the ending will leave you feeling...in a word...HAPPY!! ...more
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