Reviews

Speed of Life by Carol Weston

jenflan's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

shadownlite's review against another edition

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3.0

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest.

I found it an okay read but it really was Middle Grade in writing level. And at times seemed at bit preachy lIke MG books can get.

The characters were interesting though I found Sofia seemed really immature and naive for at 14 year old. Especially compared to her friends and school mates. It made the story seem "talking down to" the reader. That was a bit annoying at times.

Not a bad read but not to my taste.

the_loudlibrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The story covers a year in NYC teen Sofia’s life. She lost her mother to a brain aneurysm the year before, and now her father is dating the advice columnist that Sofia started writing at the suggestion of her best friend. The author warns readers in the prologue that the book is sad, and it is - but it also shows beauty and growth in Sofia. I definitely recommend this to older middle school and high school readers.

bunthedestroyer's review against another edition

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4.0

This story was a lot longer than I thought it would be and covered a fair amount of Sofia‘s life which I really liked! As a married person, though, I find it hard to believe that a happily married man who had a child with someone would start dating and move on with someone after the wife has been dead just over a year. Seems very heartless

jacjac3000's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 rounded up

For a book to acknowledge so many realities of early teenhood AND grief this fully is amazing. This story was real and raw, vulnerable and honest, in a way that books for this age group rarely are.

gdawson's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

lratkinson's review against another edition

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4.0

Mock newbery

spnlvr75's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I stumbled across it at the dollar store. I felt it dealt well with grief and one girls (and her fathers) journey. It wasn’t too heavy, so it made it a nice read. I’d definitely recommend.

lnocita's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute. Perhaps too cute. Definite tween girl appeal.

ashira12356's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book is about how 14yr old Sofia navigates through life for a year after her mom dies. From love, school, moving, parents and family this book shows how life keeps moving forward and how there is always light after dark


This book had me reflecting a lot about moments of my own loss and how life has changed now and it will again. To make the most out of a pause and saviour the hellos before goodbyes.