Okay, so I just reviewed Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon earlier this month, but I wanted to read her other book right away since I loved the first so much! Another beautiful cover, another story told in vignettes, I was just delighted to pick it up. I really did like this book too. As much as Everything, Everything? No... but it was still a really solid read.
Natasha is a Jamaican American who was born on the island. Daniel is a Korean American who was born in the States. But both are dealing with the issue of straddling two worlds - parents at home who want their children to have respect for their culture, versus their own teenage inner desire to just fit in. They meet by chance on Natasha's worst day ever - she and her family are about to be deported because of her father's poor choices. Daniel, however, is having the kind of day where it seems like the universe is causing everything to come up roses. The initial spark of an interesting conversation, a bold proposal, a shared lunch, the confiding of secrets... all things culminate in a day that totally changes both of them forever. Can poetic Daniel persuade scientific Natasha to fall in love with him before she leaves the country forever?
I won't give away the most important plot points or surprises - or even ruin the ending. But you know that feeling when you're getting closer and closer to the end of a book and you're worried that things are just not going to be resolved in the way you want them to? Then sometimes they just aren't. And you're a little bummed... almost like you spent all of those hours reading for nothing and you can't shake the unfinished feeling. That's how I felt with this book... until literally the last six words. Then all was right in the world. The. Last. Six. Words.
It's a story you might like - especially if you love New York City, love stories that involve multicultural characters and references, or like a little bit of loaded-topic-exploring in your fictional reading material (aka: extramarital affairs, racism, immigration, birth order stereotypes, poverty, loss and grieving, drunk driving, etc.).
Want to hear from the artist who created the beautiful cover for this book? Check it out!
And here's the author herself talking about this second book, the art, the format, the characters, and some of her difficulties in writing a book that takes place entirely within the span of 12 hours (with a tiny cheat at the end).
What shirts do you think Natasha and Daniel would wear? Why... these two, of course!
OR you could sport some band gear and wear this Temple of the Dog tee since it's while listening to "Hunger Strike" that Natasha first catches Daniel's eye. You know, it's whatever floats your boat.
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