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wren_in_black 's review for:
Again, but Better
by Christine Riccio
I'm torn on this one. 3.5/5 Stars, rounded to 4 because I always round up on Goodreads.
When I started this book I didn't know much about it or its author. I knew Christine Riccio was a booktuber, but I had not and still haven't watched any of her videos. That's not any statement against her, I just don't really watch videos.
The book begins with a character named Shane (ugh, I do NOT like that name, not at all) going to a study abroad program in the UK. She leaves her New York life behind, which isn't too difficult because she never settled into it. She has no friends (uh, really?) and did not enjoy her pre-med program. This was a chance to make a change by going to London and enrolling in semester long creative writing program. Perhaps it could be the start she needs to change the direction of her life.
I enjoyed reading about Shane's stay in London and her travels, even if they felt a bit vague for me. I've been to some of the places Shane visits in the book and I didn't feel like I was transported back there with Shane. That was a little disappointing, because I LOVE reading about those places. But, I did enjoy her flatmates and even the drama that ensues.
But then, the author introduces a time skip - a relatively large one - and it threw me for a loop. I felt like the time skip was too sudden, too large, and too unannounced. I did enjoy seeing a peek into this future for Shane and some of the other characters, but whoa- I think that portion of the book was the weakest.
After the time skip episode was pretty great. I read all of that portion in one setting. It got me to thinking about what I would do if I could start over again in my final year of college and I enjoyed that thought exercise.
Overall, for a debut novel, pretty good! I look forward to seeing what Riccio comes up with next.
** Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
** Teachers and Parents, there are a couple of steamy scenes in this book, but nothing is described in great detail. There is some language in this book,. Since the characters are all in college I would not describe this as a YA (young adult) book, but an NA (new adult) book. I think it is still appropriate for high school students, but the subject matter might be of greater interest to undergraduate students. **
When I started this book I didn't know much about it or its author. I knew Christine Riccio was a booktuber, but I had not and still haven't watched any of her videos. That's not any statement against her, I just don't really watch videos.
The book begins with a character named Shane (ugh, I do NOT like that name, not at all) going to a study abroad program in the UK. She leaves her New York life behind, which isn't too difficult because she never settled into it. She has no friends (uh, really?) and did not enjoy her pre-med program. This was a chance to make a change by going to London and enrolling in semester long creative writing program. Perhaps it could be the start she needs to change the direction of her life.
I enjoyed reading about Shane's stay in London and her travels, even if they felt a bit vague for me. I've been to some of the places Shane visits in the book and I didn't feel like I was transported back there with Shane. That was a little disappointing, because I LOVE reading about those places. But, I did enjoy her flatmates and even the drama that ensues.
But then, the author introduces a time skip - a relatively large one - and it threw me for a loop. I felt like the time skip was too sudden, too large, and too unannounced. I did enjoy seeing a peek into this future for Shane and some of the other characters, but whoa- I think that portion of the book was the weakest.
After the time skip episode was pretty great. I read all of that portion in one setting. It got me to thinking about what I would do if I could start over again in my final year of college and I enjoyed that thought exercise.
Overall, for a debut novel, pretty good! I look forward to seeing what Riccio comes up with next.
** Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
** Teachers and Parents, there are a couple of steamy scenes in this book, but nothing is described in great detail. There is some language in this book,. Since the characters are all in college I would not describe this as a YA (young adult) book, but an NA (new adult) book. I think it is still appropriate for high school students, but the subject matter might be of greater interest to undergraduate students. **