Publisher: Delacorte Press
Purchase: Amazon | B&N
Synopsis via Goodreads:
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
*Received physical ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This one had really nice writing, a diverse setting, and an instant yet sweet romance. I don't think I've ever read a story that plays out in one day (maybe I just don't remember) but I liked the author's delivery and how much was touched on throughout.
Natasha was a bit hard for me to like in the beginning. She just seemed too tough, too much attitude, but then I realized that the way she was had a lot to do with the issues she had with her father. And also, her family was about to be deported, so of course she would be upset. She was about to leave the country that had been her home since she was eight, and return to an island she didn't remember and didn't have much connection with anymore. While I'm from Jamaica and love that the author is also from there (yay), I do understand this family's situation. This is something that happens often and I wish more could be done for immigrants like Natasha and her brother (he was actually born in the US). So that was another thing I liked about the story--it's realistic. And even if I can't relate to the situation, I'm sure someone else will.
Daniel was a sweetheart. I can't get over how awesome of a guy he was, coming from a family that had so much expectations and never cared to ask what he wanted. His older brother was a self-hating a-hole, by the way. Both Daniel and Natasha were from different cultures and their parents came from different countries, but there was some correlation. For instance, going back to the parents, they all worked hard to give their children opportunities, so they wouldn't have to face the hardships they once did in their home country. I wasn't expecting certain racial issues to come up in a story that only takes place in one day, but I liked that the author brought it up, especially in the scene with Natasha and Daniel's father. Man I wanted to slap him for his asinine presumption about her hair. That's another real issue that happens in society and it's truly sad. By the way, did I mention that Daniel's brother was a self-hating a-hole? Yeah, he had me seething. Another thing too, while it wasn't really obvious if Natasha's parents wanted her to be with someone black, though I doubt they cared, Daniel's parents wanted him to be with Korean girls. Yeah, that's still going on in modern times.
The one thing about the story that some may not like or find the most unrealistic, is the way these two characters came to meet and fell in love (in one day). But I thought it was sweet and their emotions were convincing. I'm the kind of person that believes in falling for someone instantly because that happened to me and my husband, but when it comes to books I don't always like it because it usually isn't believable. But in the case of Daniel and Natasha, their romance tugged at my heart, especially when they only had one day together and who knew what the future had in store for them. I loved how Daniel got her to reconsider love and actually believe it, and believe that some things are just meant to be.
My only issue with the story were the parts that gave a character breakdown on someone I didn't really care for, and the scientific explanations. I thought the book could do without those parts, but thankfully it wasn't enough to break my interest. Like I said, nice writing and a sweet romance. But the one thing I loved most of all was the multicultural aspect. Do give this one a read.
NICOLA YOON is the number one New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, who created the artwork in these pages, and daughter, both of whom she loves beyond all reason. Everything, Everything is her first novel.
LOVE that it's a multicultural book! Adding to my TBR :)
ReplyDeleteHope you read it soon :)
DeleteI just finished this one over the weekend. Loved it, too, though not as much as Everything, Everything. Love the introspective that ties the story together.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Everything, Everything. But I've heard about its greatness. Glad you loved this one :)
DeleteThis sounds like such an interesting story. I've had my eye on it for a while now. Is the day they spend today drawn out or really short? I could get behind the insta-love if it takes place throughout the majority of the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's drawn out. I don't know how to describe it but it's almost like everything happens over a long period of time but it's only one day. It's just interesting. Hope you give it a try :)
DeleteOh wow, Shane! It sounds as if The Sun is Also a Star is amazing :) And I have a copy of this one! I need to sit down an dread it, and I have to do that very soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Yeah, it's a really nice story. Hope you enjoy it when you get to read it :)
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