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A review by bookscents
Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer
4.0
Immediate Reaction: 4.5 stars - so heartbreaking but so good. I love the discussion about things not always being black and white. I really loved Owen, and also Meagan and her sister's relationship.
Full review:
Well, I know one thing. I can always trust Brigid to really hit me in the feels with her contemporaries. She manages to craft such heartbreaking stories with realistic family relationships. The push and pull of family and societal expectations and what would you do for those that you love? Where is the line between right and wrong and how big a gray area is there, really? There’s a lot of food for thought in this one that left me considering how I would respond in a particular situation. I really love that about her contemporaries – letting the reader be so invested in the story and the tough issues and situations her characters face.
Maegan and Rob are each going through their own personal trials and when they’re thrown together for a school project, it turns out that each other is just what they need. They’re able to have an outlet, an understanding listening ear. I really loved both of them and most of the time just wanted to give each of them a giant hug. Like, it sucks what’s happening! I really enjoyed seeing the evolution of their friendship. I feel like Brigid really nails the intricacies of friendship and relationships here. Especially with Rob and Owen and Connor! Owen was my favorite, he seriously was such a shining spot in this story. And what Rob goes through with Connor is painful but also so true to life, in a lesser degree to what happened with them. It just shows how friendships can change and evolve and how strong those ties can be.
The family issues are intense in this one, you guys. This really is an issue heavy book but I never felt like it was too much and instead just loved being in these characters lives. I think what really shines for me, as someone who doesn’t typically read that many serious contemporaries, is that the facets of ALL the relationships in this book are so real! I’ll always love Brigid’s contemporaries.
In Short…
Highly recommend this YA contemporary tackling tough issues that is heartfelt, emotional and so good. A realistic look at how there isn’t ever a hard and fast rule to right and wrong and what happens when things fall in between. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a story with characters you you will love and a story that will pull you in!
Full review:
Well, I know one thing. I can always trust Brigid to really hit me in the feels with her contemporaries. She manages to craft such heartbreaking stories with realistic family relationships. The push and pull of family and societal expectations and what would you do for those that you love? Where is the line between right and wrong and how big a gray area is there, really? There’s a lot of food for thought in this one that left me considering how I would respond in a particular situation. I really love that about her contemporaries – letting the reader be so invested in the story and the tough issues and situations her characters face.
Maegan and Rob are each going through their own personal trials and when they’re thrown together for a school project, it turns out that each other is just what they need. They’re able to have an outlet, an understanding listening ear. I really loved both of them and most of the time just wanted to give each of them a giant hug. Like, it sucks what’s happening! I really enjoyed seeing the evolution of their friendship. I feel like Brigid really nails the intricacies of friendship and relationships here. Especially with Rob and Owen and Connor! Owen was my favorite, he seriously was such a shining spot in this story. And what Rob goes through with Connor is painful but also so true to life, in a lesser degree to what happened with them. It just shows how friendships can change and evolve and how strong those ties can be.
The family issues are intense in this one, you guys. This really is an issue heavy book but I never felt like it was too much and instead just loved being in these characters lives. I think what really shines for me, as someone who doesn’t typically read that many serious contemporaries, is that the facets of ALL the relationships in this book are so real! I’ll always love Brigid’s contemporaries.
In Short…
Highly recommend this YA contemporary tackling tough issues that is heartfelt, emotional and so good. A realistic look at how there isn’t ever a hard and fast rule to right and wrong and what happens when things fall in between. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a story with characters you you will love and a story that will pull you in!