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r_happe's review against another edition
3.0
**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
To be honest, I wasn't crazy about this book at first. I didn't really care for Lulu or her friends and I wasn't sure where the plot was going. That being said, I grew to enjoy the story more as I read. I liked the ways Lulu learned to appreciate her family and her "extended" family. I liked how she learned more about herself through her challenges. I liked that the romance wasn't the focal point of the story, and Lulu still learned more about where she belonged without depending on James to do it for her. While I still don't really understand what the driving plot was, getting to see Lulu develop in such a natural and challenging way redeemed part of this for me. Though the book didn't grab me right away, it did grow on me, and I ended up enjoying reading about Lulu and her struggles with her family, tradition, friends, and herself.
Full review on my blog: https://picturethisliterature.com/2018/06/20/not-the-girls-youre-looking-for/
To be honest, I wasn't crazy about this book at first. I didn't really care for Lulu or her friends and I wasn't sure where the plot was going. That being said, I grew to enjoy the story more as I read. I liked the ways Lulu learned to appreciate her family and her "extended" family. I liked how she learned more about herself through her challenges. I liked that the romance wasn't the focal point of the story, and Lulu still learned more about where she belonged without depending on James to do it for her. While I still don't really understand what the driving plot was, getting to see Lulu develop in such a natural and challenging way redeemed part of this for me. Though the book didn't grab me right away, it did grow on me, and I ended up enjoying reading about Lulu and her struggles with her family, tradition, friends, and herself.
Full review on my blog: https://picturethisliterature.com/2018/06/20/not-the-girls-youre-looking-for/
minimouse2105's review against another edition
3.0
Hm. It was okay.
Like I wanted to finish it, so that’s a plus! But there were quite a few things leaving me waiting for more but not getting it lol.
Everything from the friendship breakups, to the ending... and I think the most frustrating bit was knowing things were happening to make the plot continue. Like it felt forced because some decisions honestly didn’t make logical sense to me.
It was iiiiight.
Like I wanted to finish it, so that’s a plus! But there were quite a few things leaving me waiting for more but not getting it lol.
Everything from the friendship breakups, to the ending... and I think the most frustrating bit was knowing things were happening to make the plot continue. Like it felt forced because some decisions honestly didn’t make logical sense to me.
It was iiiiight.
emenibz's review against another edition
4.0
"Be on time. Not Arab on time. Not inshallah time. On time, on time.”
I, of all people, can relate to that
I didn't expect to like this book that much I thought it would be an average reading but I really enjoyed the story and I had so much fun reading about Lulu whom I want to tell "love you girl keep going on"
I, of all people, can relate to that
I didn't expect to like this book that much I thought it would be an average reading but I really enjoyed the story and I had so much fun reading about Lulu whom I want to tell "love you girl keep going on"
jennsie's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this! The writing style is a bit..odd...but it grew on me. And the story is delightful!
erica_o's review against another edition
I made it about 30 pages in and realized I wasn't up for this level of teen drama.
I am waaaay too old for this.
I am waaaay too old for this.
richincolor's review against another edition
5.0
Review copy: Digital ARC via Netgalley
Lulu jumped from the page for me. She has specific concerns, but they also inspire the same emotions anyone can experience at different times in life. She’s part of an immigrant family and wants to blend in when she is at school, but also when she is with her family. This is something she sees as a problem. She doesn’t feel that she fits in either space and sees this as a negative. Over time, she begins to see benefits to being able to inhabit both spaces. The process is messy and filled with conflicts which is what I appreciated about the book. Realistic fiction works best when it’s showing people with all of their little quirks and even the massive contortions our relationships and personalities can go through. Lulu makes some pretty big screw-ups, but manages to face them and work through to the other side.
The book is filled with humor even when dealing with some fairly serious topics including gender expectations, growing up in multiple cultures, race issues, alcoholism, romantic relationships, and more. Lulu is fasting for Ramadan and the focus isn’t just on the lack of food and the hunger. Lulu has her own reasons for fasting and in the book readers can see the many reasons why someone might or might not choose to fast. They can also see that Ramadan is more than simply skipping meals.
Recommendation: Get it soon especially if contemporary novels are your thing. Lulu and her friends will make you want to shake them at times, but they will also bring you smiles and laughter.
Lulu jumped from the page for me. She has specific concerns, but they also inspire the same emotions anyone can experience at different times in life. She’s part of an immigrant family and wants to blend in when she is at school, but also when she is with her family. This is something she sees as a problem. She doesn’t feel that she fits in either space and sees this as a negative. Over time, she begins to see benefits to being able to inhabit both spaces. The process is messy and filled with conflicts which is what I appreciated about the book. Realistic fiction works best when it’s showing people with all of their little quirks and even the massive contortions our relationships and personalities can go through. Lulu makes some pretty big screw-ups, but manages to face them and work through to the other side.
The book is filled with humor even when dealing with some fairly serious topics including gender expectations, growing up in multiple cultures, race issues, alcoholism, romantic relationships, and more. Lulu is fasting for Ramadan and the focus isn’t just on the lack of food and the hunger. Lulu has her own reasons for fasting and in the book readers can see the many reasons why someone might or might not choose to fast. They can also see that Ramadan is more than simply skipping meals.
Recommendation: Get it soon especially if contemporary novels are your thing. Lulu and her friends will make you want to shake them at times, but they will also bring you smiles and laughter.
susiedunbar's review against another edition
4.0
A continuation of my love affair with and education in Indian culture via YA fiction! Although, this one had way less of the bounce of previous titles, but that was not a bad thing...after all, I was beginning to miss a bit of edge that this one brought me in spades. Very nice. Lovely lovely descriptions of the traditions of Indian celebrations, too.
phoenixinthecity's review against another edition
Liked the writing but had to DNF due to a combination of not being in the mood plus indifferent to the narrator's performance.