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A review by writerres27
Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall rating: 4 stars
Genre rating (YA Romance): 4.25 stars
Long story short:
I enjoyed this book very much, with my adoration toward the characters growing as the story went on. While there were some aspects that felt a bit juvenile on first impression, the book is ultimately a Young Adult novel and therefore this should not reflect as a criticism. It is appropriate for the intended audience, has a satisfying plot progression, and demonstrates well-crafted character development. This book receives a 4.25 when compared to other YA romances I've read because it is a satisfying, representative story that I enjoyed reading. It only falls short of 5 stars because it did not grab me from the beginning, but rather about halfway through. I give the book a 4 stars overall for the same reason, paired with the fact that it is not my first choice genre. However, I was happy to pick up this story as a step outside of my typical reading habits, and I am likely to return to the genre because of my positive experience with this book.
Plot commentary:
The pacing of the story and the overall duration of the book was perfect. Just short of 300 pages, this is the perfect length for a (presumably) standalone YA romance novel. Enough time was spent setting the stage at the beginning, developing both the characters and the general conflict, while also giving the storyline enough room to flow naturally without getting bogged down in too much detail or repetition. The climax and resolution of the plot were realistic, satisfying, and enjoyable to read. While I was not entirely engaged at the beginning, this is more due to the fact that YA romcoms are not my primary genre, so it always takes some time for me to settle in. Once I hit the midpoint of the book, I devoured the rest of it in no time, eager to see what would happen next.
Character commentary:
The main character, Juliette, experienced multiple forms of character development over the course of the book. Both internally and interpersonally, Juliette was challenged in some ways and reaffirmed in others. Priya, as the secondary main character, also experienced these developments, albeit on a smaller scale. Other side characters were not within the main focus enough to go through such development, but I did not feel that I was missing anything without that. The book is ultimately character-driven, and Juliette and Priya are the focus. The characters were relatable for the intended audience, though the stubborn nature of Juliette was a challenge to read sometimes. This is authentic, however, given her age and circumstances, and reminds me of myself as a late teen. So, while uncomfortable at times, this was exactly how the character was supposed to be portrayed and Baldwin pulled it off genuinely and without overdoing it. The dynamics between characters evolved naturally, with no changes in the relationships catching me off guard. I felt that the pacing of the conflict/dynamic between Juliette and Priya was reasonable, and I was eager in the way that the reader of a slow-burn should be, not too much excess build up but not going by too quickly either.
Genre rating (YA Romance): 4.25 stars
Long story short:
I enjoyed this book very much, with my adoration toward the characters growing as the story went on. While there were some aspects that felt a bit juvenile on first impression, the book is ultimately a Young Adult novel and therefore this should not reflect as a criticism. It is appropriate for the intended audience, has a satisfying plot progression, and demonstrates well-crafted character development. This book receives a 4.25 when compared to other YA romances I've read because it is a satisfying, representative story that I enjoyed reading. It only falls short of 5 stars because it did not grab me from the beginning, but rather about halfway through. I give the book a 4 stars overall for the same reason, paired with the fact that it is not my first choice genre. However, I was happy to pick up this story as a step outside of my typical reading habits, and I am likely to return to the genre because of my positive experience with this book.
Plot commentary:
The pacing of the story and the overall duration of the book was perfect. Just short of 300 pages, this is the perfect length for a (presumably) standalone YA romance novel. Enough time was spent setting the stage at the beginning, developing both the characters and the general conflict, while also giving the storyline enough room to flow naturally without getting bogged down in too much detail or repetition. The climax and resolution of the plot were realistic, satisfying, and enjoyable to read. While I was not entirely engaged at the beginning, this is more due to the fact that YA romcoms are not my primary genre, so it always takes some time for me to settle in. Once I hit the midpoint of the book, I devoured the rest of it in no time, eager to see what would happen next.
Character commentary:
The main character, Juliette, experienced multiple forms of character development over the course of the book. Both internally and interpersonally, Juliette was challenged in some ways and reaffirmed in others. Priya, as the secondary main character, also experienced these developments, albeit on a smaller scale. Other side characters were not within the main focus enough to go through such development, but I did not feel that I was missing anything without that. The book is ultimately character-driven, and Juliette and Priya are the focus. The characters were relatable for the intended audience, though the stubborn nature of Juliette was a challenge to read sometimes. This is authentic, however, given her age and circumstances, and reminds me of myself as a late teen. So, while uncomfortable at times, this was exactly how the character was supposed to be portrayed and Baldwin pulled it off genuinely and without overdoing it. The dynamics between characters evolved naturally, with no changes in the relationships catching me off guard. I felt that the pacing of the conflict/dynamic between Juliette and Priya was reasonable, and I was eager in the way that the reader of a slow-burn should be, not too much excess build up but not going by too quickly either.