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jjkieft's review
5.0
This book was so good! I’m so lucky I was gifted an ARC for this story because I couldn’t wait to read it! Rocky does such an incredible job of tackling all of our toughest emotions. Her stories are inspiring; they remind you what it’s like to be alive and live. There is good and bad in this life, but Rocky reminds you that it’s worth it. Her characters are so perfectly imperfect in their grief and heartache and mistakes. Crashing Into You is the perfect story for readers to know that they aren’t alone in their bad times. There is hope and love and dreams worth chasing and promises worth keeping. This novel is awesome, and I can’t wait for it to help readers all over the world. Way to go Rocky!
brightside_83's review
3.0
3.5 Stars ✨
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Crashing into You, in exchange for an honest review.
In this moving YA novel, Leti Rivera’s love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she’s falling for.
*For Mature Audiences due to Language and some heavy themes. No Sex or Violence
I originally requested this book for two reasons. First, it had a racing theme, and second, because the love interest is autistic. This intrigued me so much. I had a feeling it would not be completely without faults, since you never know what you’re going to get these days when you pick up a young adult novel.
As a lover of cars and street racing, Fast and Furious and the fact that I just so happen to work with an autistic boy, this peaked my interest. Beyond the language and the typical teenage slang- a beautiful poetic story was told. It was a story about loss, dreams, love and ultimately sacrifice. I was able to look past the bad and see the good. The writing was fantastic, and the audio narration was perfection. I honestly think the narration was what drew me in the most.
Leti is a fiercely loyal, young Latina girl who was raised by her older brother who loves all things racing. She had her “crew” which gave me all the found family, Fast and Furious nostolgia. I absolutely loved her bond with her brother, it was beautiful. Then there was Jacob, who was on the autism spectrum, he was so honest and the sweetest thing. The author did an amazing job with the representation. These two characters could have not been more different, but they bond and end up developing a friendship that turns into more. They both go through tragedy and have to lean on one another with ups and downs. It was so awesome to read how their relationship bloomed over time.
This isn’t a typical read for me, and it will not be for everyone, but despite its flaws, I am glad I gave it a go. I would not recommend it for younger audiences due to some of the subject matter and language. I could totally see this becoming a movie someday, but Its definitely for more of a mature audience in my honest opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Crashing into You, in exchange for an honest review.
In this moving YA novel, Leti Rivera’s love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she’s falling for.
*For Mature Audiences due to Language and some heavy themes. No Sex or Violence
I originally requested this book for two reasons. First, it had a racing theme, and second, because the love interest is autistic. This intrigued me so much. I had a feeling it would not be completely without faults, since you never know what you’re going to get these days when you pick up a young adult novel.
As a lover of cars and street racing, Fast and Furious and the fact that I just so happen to work with an autistic boy, this peaked my interest. Beyond the language and the typical teenage slang- a beautiful poetic story was told. It was a story about loss, dreams, love and ultimately sacrifice. I was able to look past the bad and see the good. The writing was fantastic, and the audio narration was perfection. I honestly think the narration was what drew me in the most.
Leti is a fiercely loyal, young Latina girl who was raised by her older brother who loves all things racing. She had her “crew” which gave me all the found family, Fast and Furious nostolgia. I absolutely loved her bond with her brother, it was beautiful. Then there was Jacob, who was on the autism spectrum, he was so honest and the sweetest thing. The author did an amazing job with the representation. These two characters could have not been more different, but they bond and end up developing a friendship that turns into more. They both go through tragedy and have to lean on one another with ups and downs. It was so awesome to read how their relationship bloomed over time.
This isn’t a typical read for me, and it will not be for everyone, but despite its flaws, I am glad I gave it a go. I would not recommend it for younger audiences due to some of the subject matter and language. I could totally see this becoming a movie someday, but Its definitely for more of a mature audience in my honest opinion.
lisbethwhite's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
imeza7's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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
4.0
_ace_'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shaysshelf's review against another edition
4.25
I wasn't really sure what to expect from a YA romance with a street racing FMC and autistic MMC, but OMG I adored this SO much. It's like Fast & Furious meets high school drama.
There were some surprising tears shed while listening to this story as it does touch on some difficult topics including grief, mental illness, poverty, etc.
Leti, our FMC, is a sassy, bad ass, curvy, Latina street racer who just wants the opportunity to prove that girls can do it too. Jacob is a bit of a loner, who loves all things space, wants to become an astronaut and is on the autism spectrum.
Leti and Jacob quickly strike up a friendship by finding common ground of being outcasts and grieving the loss of a parent. Their friendship is so sweet and their connection was tangible. I found myself excited to keep listening to their story as it took me through all the emotions: happy and light hearted, to heart broken, to determined and everything in between.
The characters felt well developed given their age and shared experience of losing a parent. I appreciated Leti's determination to never give up and Jacob's passion for keeping his connection to his late father.
I'm a fan of Stacey Gonzalez. Her narration portrayed all the emotions Leti was feeling perfectly. Her performance even pulled a few tears from me along the way.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy.
There were some surprising tears shed while listening to this story as it does touch on some difficult topics including grief, mental illness, poverty, etc.
Leti, our FMC, is a sassy, bad ass, curvy, Latina street racer who just wants the opportunity to prove that girls can do it too. Jacob is a bit of a loner, who loves all things space, wants to become an astronaut and is on the autism spectrum.
Leti and Jacob quickly strike up a friendship by finding common ground of being outcasts and grieving the loss of a parent. Their friendship is so sweet and their connection was tangible. I found myself excited to keep listening to their story as it took me through all the emotions: happy and light hearted, to heart broken, to determined and everything in between.
The characters felt well developed given their age and shared experience of losing a parent. I appreciated Leti's determination to never give up and Jacob's passion for keeping his connection to his late father.
I'm a fan of Stacey Gonzalez. Her narration portrayed all the emotions Leti was feeling perfectly. Her performance even pulled a few tears from me along the way.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy.
corinneschapterchatter's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to! The opinions expressed are honest and my own but I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC of this title.
This was a unique YA story that has the typical tropes but in a creative way. The street racing aspect lends a different spin to the story. The relationship fostered in the book (don’t want to give spoilers) seemed organic and very “teen like” in how they interacted with each other and made decisions.
The book was definitely heavier than I expected even knowing there would be a tragic event, but it wasn’t “too much” as it was carefully balanced with the real world romance and other pressures a teen would face.
Lastly, it was a surprise neurodivergent bonus! I usually seek books that represent autistic characters but it’s a happy accident when they are included and I didn’t know going in.
The author handled the character very well and didn’t succumb to endless stereotypes.
This is a book I definitely recommend to my YA and NA loving friends. I think I may grab the physical book and give it a read too.
Oh! The audio narrator! She did a great job. So much that I forgot this was an audio book whilst writing this. I love when the reader has a great balance of emoting the material but not going overboard allowing the listener some creativity in picturing the world the author sets forth.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
This was a unique YA story that has the typical tropes but in a creative way. The street racing aspect lends a different spin to the story. The relationship fostered in the book (don’t want to give spoilers) seemed organic and very “teen like” in how they interacted with each other and made decisions.
The book was definitely heavier than I expected even knowing there would be a tragic event, but it wasn’t “too much” as it was carefully balanced with the real world romance and other pressures a teen would face.
Lastly, it was a surprise neurodivergent bonus! I usually seek books that represent autistic characters but it’s a happy accident when they are included and I didn’t know going in.
The author handled the character very well and didn’t succumb to endless stereotypes.
This is a book I definitely recommend to my YA and NA loving friends. I think I may grab the physical book and give it a read too.
Oh! The audio narrator! She did a great job. So much that I forgot this was an audio book whilst writing this. I love when the reader has a great balance of emoting the material but not going overboard allowing the listener some creativity in picturing the world the author sets forth.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
3.5
A solid YA romance that explores family, fate, and first love. Outside of Leti and Jacob's relationship, there's a lot going on with both of their families. They get close because they're both dealing with grief in their own ways, and they realize that they have a connection. There is also a found family aspect, with the group of friends Leti has at the garage who would do anything for her. I am always a sucker for a good found family.
I do think the third act dragged on a little longer than it needed to, but the writing overall wasn't bad, getting redeemed with some of the character development. If you like your romance with a side of family issues, this might be the book for you!
I do think the third act dragged on a little longer than it needed to, but the writing overall wasn't bad, getting redeemed with some of the character development. If you like your romance with a side of family issues, this might be the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
krissyronan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Really loved that this romance had some realistic challenges along with unique characters.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Libro.fm for the book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Libro.fm for the book.