I think I liked this one better than thee others.

Phew, this one was just so frustrating. Mia's immaturity is reaching a peak (hopefully), and the whole thing with Michael just proved that she is not capable of handling a serious relationship. Honestly I was glad they broke up because I have been liking Michael less and less throughout the series for the things he says to Mia. I did feel a little bad for Lilly because JP was obviously only dating her to stay close to Mia (even though she is completely OBLIVIOUS and just thinks he's being "sweet" and "nice"), but I still don't like her. Mia's cluelessness and immaturity are what gets her into the most trouble, yet she still seems to blame everyone else or the situation rather than taking responsibility.

I AM SO DONE WITH MIA RIGHT NOW. SHE IS THE WORST. 3.5 STARS.

Unfortunately, Mia isn’t in her most likable form in this book, and it reeks of purity culture. It very much felt like a filler to the storyline and to leave readers hanging to see what would happen next. I think things go up from here but I haven’t read these books in a decade so I don’t remember lol.

NOTE: this book is published by harpercollins, whose union is currently on strike for fair wages and stronger diversity efforts in the workplace. I will not be posting this review outside of goodreads until demands are met. For more info, follow @hcpunion on Instagram.

Once again, we have a PD installment where Mia acts painfully immature even for her admittedly young age. She gets so mad over NOTHING and accuses Michael of lying to her when the topic of sexual partners had never even come up before. Maybe if they were seriously discussing going all the way, then yeah he should mention it, but they haven’t had a real talk about it, because so far Mia hasn’t been ready. Also, if you’re still calling your virginity your “precious gift”, you’re not ready to lose it.

Honestly, I think Michael can do way better, because Mia is kind of a brat. Every time they have an argument, or she gets upset for no reason, he always approaches it in the most simple, straightforward, and reasonable way, and she always refuses to listen and blows things out of proportion. Relationships shouldn’t be that exhausting.

And I can’t BELIEVE Mia was really so dead set on stopping him from going to Japan. Yeah, it sucks that your boyfriend is going to be gone for so long, but this is a HUGE opportunity for him (and the betterment of the world) and to even think about dissuading him is so selfish.

God this was an emotional roller coaster!!! The big fight and breakup at The Ritz really did me in. And the emails Michael sent after

I actually have vague memories of reading this book and loved it then, and I know I would have loved it if I read it when I was the age for this book. I love it now, except for the whole miscommunication, but that's a trope and that's a thing that just happens, but it's one I don't care for.

Spoiler

the part about Mia's dad loving Mia's mom and he regrets letting her go had me crying. It was so upsetting. But I kind of know that he gets his happy ending at some point, so that's something to look forward to.

3.5

3.5 stars, again, although if I rated this on actual enjoyment versus content it would be like a 2.5

1) I want to kill Mia. By far, my least favorite narrator and main character of all time. (A heavy burden to bear after America Singer.)
2) This book (and probably the next book) are going to be a total "New Moon" in which I will be Bella in that horrible scene from the movie where they just spin around and around her in a chair as the months flick by.
3) This deals with miscommunication, my absolute least favorite trope (?? - is it a trope? idk, anyway) in all of YA and literature in general. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER, OKAY. I PROMISE THAT HE PROBABLY DOESN'T HATE YOU, OKAY. god.
4) Michael, Mia's mom, and--I kind hate to say it but--Grandmere are the only sane people in this entire book. Everyone has their panties in a twist and just needs to calm the fuck down.
5) Can you tell I want to rip my eyeballs from my face?

*continues to read the ninth book because praise there are only two more books before she's an adult*