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Before We Were Sorry
“Complex, captivating, and gorgeously written.” —Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep a Secret We Were Liars meets Goodbye Days in this “gripping and atmospheric” (Kirkus Reviews) debut novel that sweeps readers away as they try to solve the mystery of what happened then to make Ellory so broken now—now with a brand-new look!It’s hard to find the truth beneath the lies you tell yourself. They were four—Bex, Jenni, Ellory, Ret. (Venus. Earth. Moon. Sun.) Electric, headstrong young women; Ellory’s whole solar system. Ellory is alone, her once inseparable group of friends torn apart by secrets, deception, and a shocking incident that changed their lives forever. Lazy summer days. A party. A beautiful boy. Ellory met Matthias and fell into the beginning of a spectacular, bright love. Ellory returns to Pine Brook to navigate senior year after a two-month suspension and summer away—no boyfriend, no friends. No going back. Tormented by some and sought out by others, troubled by a mysterious note-writer who won’t let Ellory forget, and consumed by guilt over her not entirely innocent role in everything and everyone she’s lost, Ellory finds that even in the present, the past is everywhere. The path forward isn’t a straight line. And moving on will mean sorting the truth from the lies—the lies Ellory has been telling herself. This book was previously published as See All the Stars.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2018
93 people are currently reading
6773 people want to read
About the author
Kit Frick
10 books682 followersKit Frick is the author of multiple mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults including B&N YA Book Club pick and Thriller Award finalist I Killed Zoe Spanos and the forthcoming adult mystery The Split. Her other books include Before We Were Sorry (previously titled See All the Stars), All Eyes on Us, Very Bad People, The Reunion, and the poetry collection A Small Rising Up in the Lungs.
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter including book news and giveaways should visit her website at kitfrick.com. Kit doesn't accept GR friend requests but you can still follow her here for updates or connect with her on Instagram.
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter including book news and giveaways should visit her website at kitfrick.com. Kit doesn't accept GR friend requests but you can still follow her here for updates or connect with her on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
August 24, 2018
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-"
"I took the one back to you."
I really wish this wasn't the case but, at this point, I think I’ve just read a few too many YA Contemporaries that do the same things and pull out the same twists as See All the Stars.
This is a book that relies heavily on the discovery of what happened in the 'before' of the novel. For me, at least, the journey was dragged out and overlong. The story alternates between the past, in which Ellory, Ret, Bex and Jenny are close friends, and the present, in which the friendship has fallen apart. It is clear that something happened to make Ellory a loner, and the book is all about finding out what made things change.
Alternating tenses gradually reveal what happened. It is somewhat compelling in the beginning but, unfortunately, I found it soon became dull, going through the repetitive motions of Ellory's relationship with Matthias, meeting his family, going to the restaurant where he works, talking about music, getting drunk, etc. After a while, I was only reading to get to the big reveal.
I guess I just feel like I've read this book before many times. An intense - borderline toxic - friendship between two (or more) girls ends with one girl's life being turned upside down. I only kept reading because I really hoped I was wrong about where it was going.
Plus, it just took me forever to get through this book. I actually started it a few weeks ago and put it aside because it wasn't holding my attention. I think enjoyment of this book hinges on two things: 1) Your patience for sitting through a lot of bland romance scenes, teens getting drunk, and chitchat, and 2) Whether or not you see it coming.
And, sadly, I saw it coming. I think I would have been okay predicting the truth if the getting there had been more enjoyable, but it was pretty much a snoozefest. And I'm just too skeptical of
CW: Alcohol & drug abuse;
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September 26, 2022
This is going to be an extremely difficult book to review, and I probably should have left this as a mini review solely for the fact that the less you know the better. See All The Stars is a character driven novel full of suspense with page turning compulsion, and I believe fans of YA novels that cross over between contemporary and mystery will eat this up. I am cautious to scream "READ THIS BOOK" because I know it's the fastest way to build hype and set up for unrealistic expectations, but I really do encourage readers to give this a second glance come August. It's not that this story hasn't been told before, but it's the way it's told and the sheer tension built throughout that really impressed me. Below, I'm going to frame some of the reasons I loved this in a non-spoiler filled manner and let you decide for yourself whether to pick it up.
The most important thing to remember about this novel is that it's a lesson in working through hard things. Grief, conflict, and betrayal aren't new themes, especially in the young adult realm, but I do think we need more novels showing teens how to work through these issues, and that's precisely what Frick has written into her narrative. While I guessed early on the source of the conflict (but more on this in a minute) and also had guessed somewhat of how the big twist would play out (also more on this in a minute), I didn't feel that detracted from the importance of what this novel has to offer. The real jewel here is, again, the lesson of facing your fears, facing your mistakes, and also learning to forgive yourself for not only the things you can't control, but also the things you can. I also love how naturally Ellory's use of a therapist is included here; not once is it portrayed as uncool, weird, or taboo, but as a necessity to her mental health and something she admits to helping her along her journey. We all make mistakes, and See All The Stars paints a picture of how one action can cause a chain of reactions that were never intended in the first place. We also see a classic tale of the manipulative, narcissistic friend that shows both the highs and lows of such platonic abusive relationships.
This novel was written in a very particular way, which will become clear as to why once you read it, and I loved it! For the majority, we receive alternating chapters (all from Ellory's POV) of past and present, or "pre The Fall" and "post The Fall". Like I mentioned above, you are somewhat expecting the betrayal that is coming, but I felt the author intended this, almost as a tool to ramp up the tension and suspense as we don't know exactly when it will happen and what the big fallout was afterward. Sorry for the vagueness, but trust me, you want to go in blind! Also, I mentioned above that I guessed the twist almost 100% on point (I knew the what but I didn't know how it came about until the end), and that was solely based on a book that the blurb compares this to. (I didn't include this in my synopsis above but it's easy to find if you choose to look for it.) While I see the necessity in finding the right audience for a novel, and do agree that fans of said novel will take to this, I also felt I wouldn't have guessed the twist prior to the reveal if I hadn't seen that and this would have been bumped up to a 5 star read.
Overall, this was the most compulsive book I've read to date in 2018. I absorbed everything from cover to cover in less than 24 hours, and I felt the characters were the type that will stay with me for a long time to come. I've been trying to write this review for almost a week now, and still feel moved and unsettled (in a good way) by this story. Also... CoVeR LoVe! <3 If you're looking for a lightning fast read that will play on a wide range of your emotions, give this a try. Compulsive, addicting, and suspenseful, this checks all the right boxes for a quick summer read. Highly recommended and I can't wait to see what the author brings us next!
Review copy furnished by the publisher via NetGalley.
The most important thing to remember about this novel is that it's a lesson in working through hard things. Grief, conflict, and betrayal aren't new themes, especially in the young adult realm, but I do think we need more novels showing teens how to work through these issues, and that's precisely what Frick has written into her narrative. While I guessed early on the source of the conflict (but more on this in a minute) and also had guessed somewhat of how the big twist would play out (also more on this in a minute), I didn't feel that detracted from the importance of what this novel has to offer. The real jewel here is, again, the lesson of facing your fears, facing your mistakes, and also learning to forgive yourself for not only the things you can't control, but also the things you can. I also love how naturally Ellory's use of a therapist is included here; not once is it portrayed as uncool, weird, or taboo, but as a necessity to her mental health and something she admits to helping her along her journey. We all make mistakes, and See All The Stars paints a picture of how one action can cause a chain of reactions that were never intended in the first place. We also see a classic tale of the manipulative, narcissistic friend that shows both the highs and lows of such platonic abusive relationships.
This novel was written in a very particular way, which will become clear as to why once you read it, and I loved it! For the majority, we receive alternating chapters (all from Ellory's POV) of past and present, or "pre The Fall" and "post The Fall". Like I mentioned above, you are somewhat expecting the betrayal that is coming, but I felt the author intended this, almost as a tool to ramp up the tension and suspense as we don't know exactly when it will happen and what the big fallout was afterward. Sorry for the vagueness, but trust me, you want to go in blind! Also, I mentioned above that I guessed the twist almost 100% on point (I knew the what but I didn't know how it came about until the end), and that was solely based on a book that the blurb compares this to. (I didn't include this in my synopsis above but it's easy to find if you choose to look for it.) While I see the necessity in finding the right audience for a novel, and do agree that fans of said novel will take to this, I also felt I wouldn't have guessed the twist prior to the reveal if I hadn't seen that and this would have been bumped up to a 5 star read.
Overall, this was the most compulsive book I've read to date in 2018. I absorbed everything from cover to cover in less than 24 hours, and I felt the characters were the type that will stay with me for a long time to come. I've been trying to write this review for almost a week now, and still feel moved and unsettled (in a good way) by this story. Also... CoVeR LoVe! <3 If you're looking for a lightning fast read that will play on a wide range of your emotions, give this a try. Compulsive, addicting, and suspenseful, this checks all the right boxes for a quick summer read. Highly recommended and I can't wait to see what the author brings us next!
Review copy furnished by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 4, 2026
3.5 Stars
Though intended for the young adult reader, See All the Stars will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. In this novel, Kit Frick exhibits a unique ability to write about extremely difficult issues with captivating prose. Her characters felt so real, like a story I could have lived through in high school in so many ways. The emotions. The feelings. The actions. All perfectly executed in the storyline. Told from a first-person perspective and using “then” and “now” chapters, Ellory's experiences are heartfelt and authentic. This book captivated me in a way like no other. If you are a teen or young adult who has experienced challenges, Ellory's story is for you. Kit Frick's writing is easy to read; she has a storytelling skill that draws you into the world of her characters.
Though intended for the young adult reader, See All the Stars will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. In this novel, Kit Frick exhibits a unique ability to write about extremely difficult issues with captivating prose. Her characters felt so real, like a story I could have lived through in high school in so many ways. The emotions. The feelings. The actions. All perfectly executed in the storyline. Told from a first-person perspective and using “then” and “now” chapters, Ellory's experiences are heartfelt and authentic. This book captivated me in a way like no other. If you are a teen or young adult who has experienced challenges, Ellory's story is for you. Kit Frick's writing is easy to read; she has a storytelling skill that draws you into the world of her characters.
November 16, 2018
4 You Got Me stars for Kit Frick's See All the Stars!
Have you ever had a friendship or love/relationship that completely consumed you? You know the type that barely toes the line between normal and obsession. I think many of us have been there at some point in our lives. You almost lose yourself in the other person. That is the bulk or Ellory's tale told here in split timeframes - the then & now.
To be honest though, this was more than a complicated tale of first love, friendship and betrayal. It was also part mystery - unfolding in shattered, piecemeal flashbacks that felt as erratic as Ellory's emotions. Ellory is trying to come to terms with something and we are along for the completely addictive ride. Frick knows how to build tension and weaves a superb story of flawed characters. I thought I had this one all figured out & then BAM - she got me!
I won't spoil a thing here. I'll just say that this is not your typical, cliche YA read. It was addictive, suspenseful and there were important lessons to be learned on substance abuse, forgiveness, letting go and accepting things that are not within our power to change. See All The Stars was definitely a stunning debut by an author I'll be sure to follow in the future.
Have you ever had a friendship or love/relationship that completely consumed you? You know the type that barely toes the line between normal and obsession. I think many of us have been there at some point in our lives. You almost lose yourself in the other person. That is the bulk or Ellory's tale told here in split timeframes - the then & now.
To be honest though, this was more than a complicated tale of first love, friendship and betrayal. It was also part mystery - unfolding in shattered, piecemeal flashbacks that felt as erratic as Ellory's emotions. Ellory is trying to come to terms with something and we are along for the completely addictive ride. Frick knows how to build tension and weaves a superb story of flawed characters. I thought I had this one all figured out & then BAM - she got me!
I won't spoil a thing here. I'll just say that this is not your typical, cliche YA read. It was addictive, suspenseful and there were important lessons to be learned on substance abuse, forgiveness, letting go and accepting things that are not within our power to change. See All The Stars was definitely a stunning debut by an author I'll be sure to follow in the future.
January 3, 2019
I'm between 4 and 4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book and found it surprisingly poignant. Think of it as not-so Mean Girls crossed with We Were Liars or One of Us is Lying , where you know something happened, but you just don't know what or who was responsible until you get further into the book.
Once the four of them were practically inseparable friends—Ellory, Ret, Jenni, and Bex. While Ret always had control over the group's dynamics (or the others paid the price), they spent most of the first three years of high school in each other's orbit. But everyone knew that Ret and Ellory were the closest, and while Ret liked to keep Ellory on her toes, she knew Ellory would always come running when she wanted her to.
"Little by little, she drew me to the surface. Soon Ret's world was my world, her friends my friends. It was like it had always been that way. Everything Ret touched felt electric, exciting, a little bit dangerous. Including me. Before Ret, I was basically invisible. With Ret, I was somebody."
But now, as Ellory prepares to start her senior year of high school, she is alone. Her friendships have been destroyed, her classmates whisper about her (or even dare to ridicule her), even her teachers treat her with caution. She just wants to make it through until the end of the school year, when hopefully she can go to art school across the country. Until then she wants to put everything that happened toward the end of junior year behind her, when everything changed, leaving her feeling angry, guilty, hurt, and alone. But there's one person who keeps writing her notes that doesn't want her to forget just yet.
How did everything change so drastically? During junior year she was in love with Matthias, a beautiful but troubled classmate. Even though her relationship with Matthias limited her ability to be at Ret's beck and call all the time, she still was able to hang out with Ret, Bex, and Jenni, and enjoy their usual pastimes. Why is she the one everyone treats differently? Why didn't anyone take her side?
See All the Stars shifts back and forth from junior year when life seemed idyllic, to senior year when everything is so different and Ellory is an outcast. Recounting the lazy summer days, the flush of first love, the jumble of emotions, the tug of obligation between romance and friendship, to the jealousy, recriminations, confusion, and anger, the book both gradually reveals what happened how Ellory struggles to make sense of all of it, and how, ultimately, she realizes what must be done if she can ever move on.
I really enjoyed the way Kit Frick set this story up. While at times the jumping back and forth between past and present was a little confusing, by and large it really worked to stoke the suspense and make you question just which characters you can trust. While some of what happened was not surprising, there was one moment that surprised me, and I actually had to go back and re-read the previous pages, thinking, "Wait, what?"
Certainly what some of the characters go through is moving, but what was most poignant is how in a split second everything can change, how insecure people act often act in selfish and cruel ways, and how hard it is to pick up the pieces of your life when not all that occurred was your fault. All of those emotions run through See All the Stars , and while there is certainly no shortage of teenage angst, there's little melodrama.
Once again, I must marvel at the immense depth of talent in the YA genre right now. There are so many different types of YA books being written right now, and there are some authors, like Frick, who really know how to tell a story and pique your emotions. This was a good one, and I can't wait to read her next book.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
I really enjoyed this book and found it surprisingly poignant. Think of it as not-so Mean Girls crossed with We Were Liars or One of Us is Lying , where you know something happened, but you just don't know what or who was responsible until you get further into the book.
Once the four of them were practically inseparable friends—Ellory, Ret, Jenni, and Bex. While Ret always had control over the group's dynamics (or the others paid the price), they spent most of the first three years of high school in each other's orbit. But everyone knew that Ret and Ellory were the closest, and while Ret liked to keep Ellory on her toes, she knew Ellory would always come running when she wanted her to.
"Little by little, she drew me to the surface. Soon Ret's world was my world, her friends my friends. It was like it had always been that way. Everything Ret touched felt electric, exciting, a little bit dangerous. Including me. Before Ret, I was basically invisible. With Ret, I was somebody."
But now, as Ellory prepares to start her senior year of high school, she is alone. Her friendships have been destroyed, her classmates whisper about her (or even dare to ridicule her), even her teachers treat her with caution. She just wants to make it through until the end of the school year, when hopefully she can go to art school across the country. Until then she wants to put everything that happened toward the end of junior year behind her, when everything changed, leaving her feeling angry, guilty, hurt, and alone. But there's one person who keeps writing her notes that doesn't want her to forget just yet.
How did everything change so drastically? During junior year she was in love with Matthias, a beautiful but troubled classmate. Even though her relationship with Matthias limited her ability to be at Ret's beck and call all the time, she still was able to hang out with Ret, Bex, and Jenni, and enjoy their usual pastimes. Why is she the one everyone treats differently? Why didn't anyone take her side?
See All the Stars shifts back and forth from junior year when life seemed idyllic, to senior year when everything is so different and Ellory is an outcast. Recounting the lazy summer days, the flush of first love, the jumble of emotions, the tug of obligation between romance and friendship, to the jealousy, recriminations, confusion, and anger, the book both gradually reveals what happened how Ellory struggles to make sense of all of it, and how, ultimately, she realizes what must be done if she can ever move on.
I really enjoyed the way Kit Frick set this story up. While at times the jumping back and forth between past and present was a little confusing, by and large it really worked to stoke the suspense and make you question just which characters you can trust. While some of what happened was not surprising, there was one moment that surprised me, and I actually had to go back and re-read the previous pages, thinking, "Wait, what?"
Certainly what some of the characters go through is moving, but what was most poignant is how in a split second everything can change, how insecure people act often act in selfish and cruel ways, and how hard it is to pick up the pieces of your life when not all that occurred was your fault. All of those emotions run through See All the Stars , and while there is certainly no shortage of teenage angst, there's little melodrama.
Once again, I must marvel at the immense depth of talent in the YA genre right now. There are so many different types of YA books being written right now, and there are some authors, like Frick, who really know how to tell a story and pique your emotions. This was a good one, and I can't wait to read her next book.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
August 14, 2018
***Thanks to First to Read for providing me a complimentary copy of SEE ALL THE STARS by Kit Frick in exchange for my honest review***
Holy unputdownable, Batman.
GRADE: A
5 STARS
SEE ALL THE STARS is one of those books that gave me a tingle in my stomach, an excitement that only book lovers can understand. Even in the first chapter, I knew I was reading something special. Kit Frick’s gorgeous words danced off the page into my mind. And heart. I wanted to read quickly to see the source of Ellory‘s pain, but slowly to savor the story. I knew I’d reread immediately after finished.
Although I have an ARC, I pre ordered SEE ALL THE STARS for my Kindle. That’s how much I fell in love with Ellory and her story. She narrates the story from then, beginning the summer before junior year, to now, the start of senior year in alternating chapters. Something happened to shatter Ellory’s life and her friendships. What, we do not know. She’s no longer friends with her inner circle, including the troubled, yet alluring Ret. Matthias is no longer Ellory’s boyfriend. Her classmates alternate from ignoring her to bullying. When former friends try to reach out, Ellory pushes them away.
Frick’s compelling writing made me ache for Ellory, even when I didn’t know why. When looking for her other works, I wasn’t surprised to see she’s also a poet.
Readers, don’t read too many reviews before beginning SEE ALL THE STARS. You don’t want any hints to spoil the beauty arc of the storyline. You may guess the source of Ellory’s pain before the story unfolds, but that won’t diminish your enjoyment if you allow your revelations to happen organically.
I have several favorite books which I reread at least once a year, sometimes more frequently when I need to rely on an old familiar book friend. SEE ALL THE STARS has made that list and I think Kit Frick for writing such a special novel.
Holy unputdownable, Batman.
GRADE: A
5 STARS
SEE ALL THE STARS is one of those books that gave me a tingle in my stomach, an excitement that only book lovers can understand. Even in the first chapter, I knew I was reading something special. Kit Frick’s gorgeous words danced off the page into my mind. And heart. I wanted to read quickly to see the source of Ellory‘s pain, but slowly to savor the story. I knew I’d reread immediately after finished.
Although I have an ARC, I pre ordered SEE ALL THE STARS for my Kindle. That’s how much I fell in love with Ellory and her story. She narrates the story from then, beginning the summer before junior year, to now, the start of senior year in alternating chapters. Something happened to shatter Ellory’s life and her friendships. What, we do not know. She’s no longer friends with her inner circle, including the troubled, yet alluring Ret. Matthias is no longer Ellory’s boyfriend. Her classmates alternate from ignoring her to bullying. When former friends try to reach out, Ellory pushes them away.
Frick’s compelling writing made me ache for Ellory, even when I didn’t know why. When looking for her other works, I wasn’t surprised to see she’s also a poet.
Readers, don’t read too many reviews before beginning SEE ALL THE STARS. You don’t want any hints to spoil the beauty arc of the storyline. You may guess the source of Ellory’s pain before the story unfolds, but that won’t diminish your enjoyment if you allow your revelations to happen organically.
I have several favorite books which I reread at least once a year, sometimes more frequently when I need to rely on an old familiar book friend. SEE ALL THE STARS has made that list and I think Kit Frick for writing such a special novel.
August 3, 2021
CW:
Well it dragged a bit before coming to it's predictable ending.
That being said I did want to know what was going to happen, so Kit did a great job of building intrigue. I thought the sense of instability in the friendship group was done incredibly well and found myself feeling a bit anxious for the characters at times. The dynamics between young women can be fraught with difficulty when they are focused on their perceived pecking order to determine how they relate to each other and function as a group. It made for some tense moments as I was reading. I liked the dual timeline although as I mentioned it did drag out a little. I was coiled like a spring wanting to know what was going to happen and then it kept going and going. There is only so long you can be on the edge of your seat before you take a breath and sink back in annoyance. Overall though, a good YA mystery that looks at themes of lies and betrayal.
Well it dragged a bit before coming to it's predictable ending.
That being said I did want to know what was going to happen, so Kit did a great job of building intrigue. I thought the sense of instability in the friendship group was done incredibly well and found myself feeling a bit anxious for the characters at times. The dynamics between young women can be fraught with difficulty when they are focused on their perceived pecking order to determine how they relate to each other and function as a group. It made for some tense moments as I was reading. I liked the dual timeline although as I mentioned it did drag out a little. I was coiled like a spring wanting to know what was going to happen and then it kept going and going. There is only so long you can be on the edge of your seat before you take a breath and sink back in annoyance. Overall though, a good YA mystery that looks at themes of lies and betrayal.
October 5, 2017
Complex, captivating, and gorgeously written. Kit Frick nails this story on so many levels: suspense, swoons, and sheer page-turning goodness--not only for the mystery at hand, but for what's going to happen for these beautifully drawn characters. They leap off the page so vividly, I felt as though I knew them and I'm still thinking about them a week after finishing. A stunning debut, and I can't wait to see what this author shares with us next.
Want to read
November 17, 2020Caution: This is not an actual review.
I have been noticing a trend that famous authors keep their book in Netgalley's read-now section and once you noticed and overjoyed by that - publishers give you protected PDF.
I hate reading PDFs, they are not great format to read. The difficulty is that I read all my books in eReader where I use Black background and white font color. It strains my eyes less and as my father is ophthalmologist, he simply agrees with the decision. There is no way to make such settings in PDF, as far as I know.
Note to Publishers: Don't keep author's book in read-now section, if you are going to give protected PDFs or mention somewhere that it is in protected PDF format, so readers like me can ignore them.
I started reading it and wanted to finish it, but I simply cannot for above reason.
Note to Authors: if you are worried that someone is going to steal your book, don't give it to Netgalley.
I have been noticing a trend that famous authors keep their book in Netgalley's read-now section and once you noticed and overjoyed by that - publishers give you protected PDF.
I hate reading PDFs, they are not great format to read. The difficulty is that I read all my books in eReader where I use Black background and white font color. It strains my eyes less and as my father is ophthalmologist, he simply agrees with the decision. There is no way to make such settings in PDF, as far as I know.
Note to Publishers: Don't keep author's book in read-now section, if you are going to give protected PDFs or mention somewhere that it is in protected PDF format, so readers like me can ignore them.
I started reading it and wanted to finish it, but I simply cannot for above reason.
Note to Authors: if you are worried that someone is going to steal your book, don't give it to Netgalley.
November 13, 2018
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I..."
"I took the one with this book on it..."
And I got bored to death.
"I took the one with this book on it..."
And I got bored to death.
February 20, 2018
Pre-order available now! Amazon
4.5 Stars
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I . . . "
Yes, I read this super early, several months in advance of its release date, but I couldn't get it off my mind once I saw the cover and read the blurb. When a book like this is sitting on your Kindle, you read it, publish date ignored. Within a handful of pages, I knew this was the sort of book that required my full attention. Kit Frick's beautiful prose pulled me into the solar system made up of Ellory, Ret, Bex, and Jennie, with me flickering on the sidelines as a star, watching their natural rotation unravel. With Ellory as our narrator, we see the friends in the past and in the present, known only as Then and Now. We know the friendship was rocky and dependent on Ret, we know now that they are no longer friends, we know that something happened in the summer of junior year, and we know that all Ellory wants is to get through her senior year unseen and unheard.
"Somewhere, there's an alternate reality version of Ellory. . . . I think about that girl sometimes, until the wanting gets too big, and I have to stop."
I don't want to ruin the novel for readers checking out reviews in advance of See All the Stars' release date, so this review will be as broad as I can make it. I'll try not to gush endlessly, but really, I want to, and I want to post the 29,803 quotes that I highlighted. A coming of age story that belongs with the best of them, See All the Stars takes you back to the high school halls filled with drama, friendships, and first love. The alternating storyline allows readers to become a part of the story, reliving Ellory's junior year experiences and floating alongside her while she hides from everyone during her senior year. With a large cast of secondary characters, we visit parties, river banks, classrooms, and bedrooms, each character and scene proving to be pivotal to the story line.
"Our hands were the beginning of a spectacular, bright promise."
Then, we recognize her naivety in her willingness to submit to her friend Ret, the self appointed leader of their group, and in her desperate hope to make her first real relationship last. We learn that though Ret and Ellory call themselves best friends, they're held together more out of necessity, they need each other, just as they need the other two to balance them out. We watch her downward spiral as she accepts the use of alcohol and drugs around her, how she lets things slide that as readers we scream at her to question, and how she becomes a puppet to a friend's desperate need to have her all to herself. Now, we praise her complex development as she ages another year, but we also ache with each lie she believes and each lie she tells herself. As Now reaches the last chapters, we rejoice as Ellory learns to face the thing that left her friendless, boyfriendless, and alone. The style of writing, and the alternating time frames allows readers to experience the then, while also uncovering the truths that the friends didn't know at the time, revealing us the details of the fall. The accident, something we don't know understand until the end, pulls the friends in two directions and Kit Frick's decision to only write from Ellory's perspective forces us to choose her side.
"My mom calls what happened the fall. It's a kindness, a shortcut, a way of taking something hard and shaping it into two little words that can slip off your tongue."
See All the Stars is the sort of novel that shouldn't be limited to only readers of the Young Adult genre. It's too complex, too big of a story to be ignored by readers of New Adult, Adult, and Contemporary Fiction. The depth of See All the Stars makes it feel very real, making me not only empathize with the characters, but also reevaluate my own personal experiences, putting myself in the same shoes. The focus on relationships, lies, truth, and forgiveness made for a very compelling story. The characters are very well developed, made up of layers and flaws, their emotions ruling their decisions. I was able to guess at some of the plot, but the final chapters of the book proved that the true reveal was one worth waiting for. The shock factor was huge and unexpected, but perfect for a novel that makes you care so much for the main character and the hurt that she had gone through. I was incredibly impressed to find that See All the Stars is Kit Frick's debut novel and I really hope to see more from her.
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one with Ret."
ARC provided via Netgalley.
4.5 Stars
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I . . . "
Yes, I read this super early, several months in advance of its release date, but I couldn't get it off my mind once I saw the cover and read the blurb. When a book like this is sitting on your Kindle, you read it, publish date ignored. Within a handful of pages, I knew this was the sort of book that required my full attention. Kit Frick's beautiful prose pulled me into the solar system made up of Ellory, Ret, Bex, and Jennie, with me flickering on the sidelines as a star, watching their natural rotation unravel. With Ellory as our narrator, we see the friends in the past and in the present, known only as Then and Now. We know the friendship was rocky and dependent on Ret, we know now that they are no longer friends, we know that something happened in the summer of junior year, and we know that all Ellory wants is to get through her senior year unseen and unheard.
"Somewhere, there's an alternate reality version of Ellory. . . . I think about that girl sometimes, until the wanting gets too big, and I have to stop."
I don't want to ruin the novel for readers checking out reviews in advance of See All the Stars' release date, so this review will be as broad as I can make it. I'll try not to gush endlessly, but really, I want to, and I want to post the 29,803 quotes that I highlighted. A coming of age story that belongs with the best of them, See All the Stars takes you back to the high school halls filled with drama, friendships, and first love. The alternating storyline allows readers to become a part of the story, reliving Ellory's junior year experiences and floating alongside her while she hides from everyone during her senior year. With a large cast of secondary characters, we visit parties, river banks, classrooms, and bedrooms, each character and scene proving to be pivotal to the story line.
"Our hands were the beginning of a spectacular, bright promise."
Then, we recognize her naivety in her willingness to submit to her friend Ret, the self appointed leader of their group, and in her desperate hope to make her first real relationship last. We learn that though Ret and Ellory call themselves best friends, they're held together more out of necessity, they need each other, just as they need the other two to balance them out. We watch her downward spiral as she accepts the use of alcohol and drugs around her, how she lets things slide that as readers we scream at her to question, and how she becomes a puppet to a friend's desperate need to have her all to herself. Now, we praise her complex development as she ages another year, but we also ache with each lie she believes and each lie she tells herself. As Now reaches the last chapters, we rejoice as Ellory learns to face the thing that left her friendless, boyfriendless, and alone. The style of writing, and the alternating time frames allows readers to experience the then, while also uncovering the truths that the friends didn't know at the time, revealing us the details of the fall. The accident, something we don't know understand until the end, pulls the friends in two directions and Kit Frick's decision to only write from Ellory's perspective forces us to choose her side.
"My mom calls what happened the fall. It's a kindness, a shortcut, a way of taking something hard and shaping it into two little words that can slip off your tongue."
See All the Stars is the sort of novel that shouldn't be limited to only readers of the Young Adult genre. It's too complex, too big of a story to be ignored by readers of New Adult, Adult, and Contemporary Fiction. The depth of See All the Stars makes it feel very real, making me not only empathize with the characters, but also reevaluate my own personal experiences, putting myself in the same shoes. The focus on relationships, lies, truth, and forgiveness made for a very compelling story. The characters are very well developed, made up of layers and flaws, their emotions ruling their decisions. I was able to guess at some of the plot, but the final chapters of the book proved that the true reveal was one worth waiting for. The shock factor was huge and unexpected, but perfect for a novel that makes you care so much for the main character and the hurt that she had gone through. I was incredibly impressed to find that See All the Stars is Kit Frick's debut novel and I really hope to see more from her.
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one with Ret."
ARC provided via Netgalley.
January 31, 2018
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I . . .
I chose to follow her.
Ret, Ellory, Jenny and Bex. They were four friends, inseparable. Ellory was the artist, Bex, the dancer, Jenny the grounded one and Ret the center of their universe. Each girl lived to please her and be noticed by her. They sought out her approval in all things. For her part, Ret knew the power she held over them and reveled in their competition for her affection.
I lied to myself.
A coming-of-age story, See All the Stars is also a mystery that shifts between two time frames. Then and Now – before the fall and after its devastating effects. Ellory’s delusion and her release. Frick takes us on a journey of coming to terms with the lies we tell ourselves. Lies that serve their purpose for the meantime. Lies that allow us to believe that everything is okay. As the layers of the story are peeled back the reader is offered glimpses of the truth and slowly uncover the event that leads to Ellory’s ruin.
I learned to forgive.
By the time the mystery unfolds Ellory has become more introspective. She is a year older, a little wiser and learning to be honest with herself. Instead of laying blame elsewhere she is cognizant of her motives and the impact of her behavior. She learns that in order to move forward in life she must first be able to forgive herself.
See All the Stars is Kit Frick’s first novel. The plot was fast paced, the characters relatable, yet there was a certain depth to it that I find uncommon in most YA novels. I look forward to hearing more from this author. Job well done!
Much thanks to Net Galley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books and the author, Kit Frick, for receiving a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I chose to follow her.
Ret, Ellory, Jenny and Bex. They were four friends, inseparable. Ellory was the artist, Bex, the dancer, Jenny the grounded one and Ret the center of their universe. Each girl lived to please her and be noticed by her. They sought out her approval in all things. For her part, Ret knew the power she held over them and reveled in their competition for her affection.
I lied to myself.
A coming-of-age story, See All the Stars is also a mystery that shifts between two time frames. Then and Now – before the fall and after its devastating effects. Ellory’s delusion and her release. Frick takes us on a journey of coming to terms with the lies we tell ourselves. Lies that serve their purpose for the meantime. Lies that allow us to believe that everything is okay. As the layers of the story are peeled back the reader is offered glimpses of the truth and slowly uncover the event that leads to Ellory’s ruin.
I learned to forgive.
By the time the mystery unfolds Ellory has become more introspective. She is a year older, a little wiser and learning to be honest with herself. Instead of laying blame elsewhere she is cognizant of her motives and the impact of her behavior. She learns that in order to move forward in life she must first be able to forgive herself.
See All the Stars is Kit Frick’s first novel. The plot was fast paced, the characters relatable, yet there was a certain depth to it that I find uncommon in most YA novels. I look forward to hearing more from this author. Job well done!
Much thanks to Net Galley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books and the author, Kit Frick, for receiving a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 27, 2018Hello, readers! *waves*
See All the Stars is now out in the world! Huzzah! If you're a fan of gritty, heartbreaking contemporary YA novels like Jeff Zentner's Goodbye Days and Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are and twisty suspense like E. Lockhart's We Were Liars and Stephanie Kuehn's Complicit, you're in the right place. I'm glad we found each other!
See All the Stars unfolds in two timelines with chapters alternating between Ellory's junior and senior years of high school. It combines a few of my favorite (and not so favorite) things:
Best friends + best friend breakups + rock shows + sculpture and metalworking + dance movie marathons + mall dates + Pennsylvania (my home state!) + Manic Panic + hidden journals + Nirvana + first love + major guilt + riverbank hideaways + secrets and lies +++
I can't wait for you to meet Ellory...
NEWS!
Want to be first in line for book news, events, and giveaways? How about a behind-the-scenes look at my writing life and tips from my editorial desk? Podcast, book, and TV recommendations from the world of psychological suspense and true crime? For insider access, sign up for my newsletter, These Little Secrets: bit.ly/KitLetter
Everyone who subscribes will receive a deleted scene from See All the Stars plus a previously unpublished poem from my forthcoming collection, A Small Rising Up in the Lungs.
Happy reading!
See All the Stars is now out in the world! Huzzah! If you're a fan of gritty, heartbreaking contemporary YA novels like Jeff Zentner's Goodbye Days and Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are and twisty suspense like E. Lockhart's We Were Liars and Stephanie Kuehn's Complicit, you're in the right place. I'm glad we found each other!
See All the Stars unfolds in two timelines with chapters alternating between Ellory's junior and senior years of high school. It combines a few of my favorite (and not so favorite) things:
Best friends + best friend breakups + rock shows + sculpture and metalworking + dance movie marathons + mall dates + Pennsylvania (my home state!) + Manic Panic + hidden journals + Nirvana + first love + major guilt + riverbank hideaways + secrets and lies +++
I can't wait for you to meet Ellory...
NEWS!
Want to be first in line for book news, events, and giveaways? How about a behind-the-scenes look at my writing life and tips from my editorial desk? Podcast, book, and TV recommendations from the world of psychological suspense and true crime? For insider access, sign up for my newsletter, These Little Secrets: bit.ly/KitLetter
Everyone who subscribes will receive a deleted scene from See All the Stars plus a previously unpublished poem from my forthcoming collection, A Small Rising Up in the Lungs.
Happy reading!
October 21, 2016
I was fortunate enough to read an early version of SEE ALL THE STARS, and I absolutely loved it. There is so much poetry in Kit Frick's prose, so many gorgeous lines. This is a book that manages to be both chilling and lovely, with a nonlinear timeline that keeps you guessing. Longer review to come closer to pub date!
June 29, 2022
You can read this review at https://bookwormbrittanyy.wordpress.c...
Disclaimer: I was sent a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Rating: 3.5 stars*
"Whoever said that time heals all wounds didn't know what he was talking about. Time dulls the wounds, makes them bearable. But it doesn't patch you up and send you on your way, good as new.
I'm the only one who can make that happen. And it's freaking hard."
Do you guys ever read a book and come across a line that just sticks with you for whatever reason, and you're like, "This is what I'm going to remember about this book. This beautifully sculpted, well-thought out, masterpiece of a sentence is going to stay with me"? No? Okay well maybe it's just me. But this book was full of those moments for me. Kit Frick has a great way with words and I really enjoy her writing style. This is a huge compliment coming from me because I rag on writing alllllllll the time. Probably too much. But the writing of a book is so important. I don't think it matters how planned out and intricate your plot is if your writing is all over the place. It can make or break a story. And Kit Frick really gets that.
I think the the way she sequenced the book really worked in her favor. In all honesty, I'm not sure that the story line would've been interesting enough to me to stay hooked until the end had it been in chronological order. I love YA books but really do not enjoy reading about teenage drama. I'm a contradiction, I know. Truth be told, I really kinda just kept reading to see why Ellory was so friendless senior year, and once I knew, I was pretty much over it. The last few pages dragged for me, because I'm not a huge sucker for all things happy ending. It wasn't a bad read, honest. It just wasn't super captivating for me. I love a good YA and I love books that really get into your mind but this book didn't really make me think much.
So, now that we've gotten that out of the way... lets talk spoilers. (Do not keep reading if you don't want to know what happens!!!!)
it was an easy story to understand on some level, though it didn't tug at my heart strings or keep me from putting the book down every once in a while. It was a nice read, and I enjoyed it well enough. I think that a book like this would be easier to connect to for a younger reader still in high school, or even middle school, but it's certainly good for all YA enthusiasts.
Disclaimer: I was sent a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Rating: 3.5 stars*
"Whoever said that time heals all wounds didn't know what he was talking about. Time dulls the wounds, makes them bearable. But it doesn't patch you up and send you on your way, good as new.
I'm the only one who can make that happen. And it's freaking hard."
Do you guys ever read a book and come across a line that just sticks with you for whatever reason, and you're like, "This is what I'm going to remember about this book. This beautifully sculpted, well-thought out, masterpiece of a sentence is going to stay with me"? No? Okay well maybe it's just me. But this book was full of those moments for me. Kit Frick has a great way with words and I really enjoy her writing style. This is a huge compliment coming from me because I rag on writing alllllllll the time. Probably too much. But the writing of a book is so important. I don't think it matters how planned out and intricate your plot is if your writing is all over the place. It can make or break a story. And Kit Frick really gets that.
I think the the way she sequenced the book really worked in her favor. In all honesty, I'm not sure that the story line would've been interesting enough to me to stay hooked until the end had it been in chronological order. I love YA books but really do not enjoy reading about teenage drama. I'm a contradiction, I know. Truth be told, I really kinda just kept reading to see why Ellory was so friendless senior year, and once I knew, I was pretty much over it. The last few pages dragged for me, because I'm not a huge sucker for all things happy ending. It wasn't a bad read, honest. It just wasn't super captivating for me. I love a good YA and I love books that really get into your mind but this book didn't really make me think much.
So, now that we've gotten that out of the way... lets talk spoilers. (Do not keep reading if you don't want to know what happens!!!!)
it was an easy story to understand on some level, though it didn't tug at my heart strings or keep me from putting the book down every once in a while. It was a nice read, and I enjoyed it well enough. I think that a book like this would be easier to connect to for a younger reader still in high school, or even middle school, but it's certainly good for all YA enthusiasts.
July 29, 2018
This YA thriller is filled with teen angst, young love and tough friendships. Split into two time frames in a before and after format, I was left guessing what the twist might be - while it was in front of me the whole time, I didn’t even see it! I think once people read this, it may be compared to another popular YA novel, which I won’t name for spoiler purposes - but I’ll be curious to see how that impacts reviews for some - for me, this was definitely a hit!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Read
May 2, 2018I thought I had this book figured out, but things took a much darker, edgier turn than I expected. The story follows a girl named Ellory during her senior year of high school. We know that something traumatic happened the previous year to make her life absolutely miserable, but the book takes its time retreading the past and revealing exactly what happened. Frick is especially insightful about the ways some friendships (especially teenage friendships) can be incredibly manipulative, while also showing that that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t something real at the core of those friendships. And her teenagers feel extremely believable –mature and immature, wise and confused, perceptive and clueless. Books set in high schools will never be my thing, but I’m glad I made an exception for this one. And if you ARE a fan of realistic YA, keep your eye out for this debut novel.
February 23, 2018
Hm… okay... wow.
There are some books you know you are unlikely to read again, not because they are bad but because they click something inside you and then they unlock something you buried deep –something you either fought against and won or compromised with, accepted and move on, much like its main character. They touch you deep and you are not sure if you are willing to go through that again.
I am not sure I can explain what this book was about –I’m even less sure I want to- but if I had to use just one word to describe it in its essence:
Unexpected.
See all Stars is unexpected.
By all means, do what I did. Allow your prejudice to trick you into thinking that this is just another YA book. Let your eyes roll and your heart feel grateful you are over all that high school drama and laugh at how impossibly naïve, undue -adolescent- the characters are, because this is part of its charm, part of its beauty, part of its unexpectedness.
Maybe that’s a bit arrogant on my behalf –she’ll probably never see this, anyway- but, Kit Frick, please, allow me to be one of the yeses you mention in your acknowledgements. Yes, this story is mine now and I think it’ll be for a great while. Yes, it’s written beautifully, relatable and Ellory has such a distinguishable voice. She is one of the most real and touching and honest characters I’ve recently come across. Yes, the back and forths were brilliant; they soaked the pages with a sense of doom that made me not to be able to pull away, despite the nausea it made me feel throughout.
Thank you, for sharing your story.
And thank you NetGalley for granting me this book (for an exchange of an honest review).
I know many people might not find this helpful. Contemporaries are not really my thing and I am not sure how to explain this without spoiling anything. But if you are debating whether to read this or not, the answer is a big YES.
Just make sure you take a deep breath first.
There are some books you know you are unlikely to read again, not because they are bad but because they click something inside you and then they unlock something you buried deep –something you either fought against and won or compromised with, accepted and move on, much like its main character. They touch you deep and you are not sure if you are willing to go through that again.
I am not sure I can explain what this book was about –I’m even less sure I want to- but if I had to use just one word to describe it in its essence:
Unexpected.
See all Stars is unexpected.
By all means, do what I did. Allow your prejudice to trick you into thinking that this is just another YA book. Let your eyes roll and your heart feel grateful you are over all that high school drama and laugh at how impossibly naïve, undue -adolescent- the characters are, because this is part of its charm, part of its beauty, part of its unexpectedness.
Maybe that’s a bit arrogant on my behalf –she’ll probably never see this, anyway- but, Kit Frick, please, allow me to be one of the yeses you mention in your acknowledgements. Yes, this story is mine now and I think it’ll be for a great while. Yes, it’s written beautifully, relatable and Ellory has such a distinguishable voice. She is one of the most real and touching and honest characters I’ve recently come across. Yes, the back and forths were brilliant; they soaked the pages with a sense of doom that made me not to be able to pull away, despite the nausea it made me feel throughout.
Thank you, for sharing your story.
And thank you NetGalley for granting me this book (for an exchange of an honest review).
I know many people might not find this helpful. Contemporaries are not really my thing and I am not sure how to explain this without spoiling anything. But if you are debating whether to read this or not, the answer is a big YES.
Just make sure you take a deep breath first.
Read
August 17, 2022Oh my God!!
This book was extremely captivating from the very first chapter. The switching perspectives from 'NOW' to 'THEN' keep the mystery and intrigue alive throughout the whole novel and they keep you reading so you find out what the massive event that caused such a change in these characters' lives is. And the plot-twist at the end will leave you speechless!
This book follows our main character Ellory throughout her last high school years, unveiling two timelines 'NOW' and 'THEN' until they eventually converge and we finally find out the monumental event that split her life in two before/after-type periods. The story is centred around Ellory and her girl squad: Ret, the leader; Jenni, the wannabe, and Bex, the mediator; and the dynamic between them that gets more and more strained until it eventually leads to 'The Fall'. It reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why and Before I Fall (so if you're a fan of any of those I recommend picking this up) but it's definitely it's own unique story and not a repeat of those.
The action is not at all predictable and it keeps you guessing with twists and turns and characters who only ever reveal half the information. I would recommend this for the older side of the YA community, rather than young teen readers (it's marketed as 14+) as it touches on (not very in-depth) some serious topics such as unhealthy friendships, substance abuse, negligent parents etc. The characters are all complex and flawed and they lie and deceive and judge and make the wrong choices for the right reasons. This book will keep you hooked from the very beginning!
The only two things I wish were better is the diversity (with the exception of a couple of characters, including one of the main 4 girls, no one else is said to be of a different race, sexuality, ability/disability) and the bit of insta-love at the beginning (though this did not bother me that much as the story is not meant to be focused on the way the MC and the love interest met and rather explores their relationship from then on. It's not bad insta-love by any means but it was slightly bordering on cliché just a bit. A slower approach would have been better imo). However, these two aspects while I wish they were better, did not take that much away from the novel and I still enjoyed it greatly.
Overall, a wonderful debut novel! I hope to see more from Kit Frick in the future, hopefully with a bit more diversity and representation, but as far as storytelling goes, she is doing an amazing job! I would recommend picking this up!
This book was extremely captivating from the very first chapter. The switching perspectives from 'NOW' to 'THEN' keep the mystery and intrigue alive throughout the whole novel and they keep you reading so you find out what the massive event that caused such a change in these characters' lives is. And the plot-twist at the end will leave you speechless!
This book follows our main character Ellory throughout her last high school years, unveiling two timelines 'NOW' and 'THEN' until they eventually converge and we finally find out the monumental event that split her life in two before/after-type periods. The story is centred around Ellory and her girl squad: Ret, the leader; Jenni, the wannabe, and Bex, the mediator; and the dynamic between them that gets more and more strained until it eventually leads to 'The Fall'. It reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why and Before I Fall (so if you're a fan of any of those I recommend picking this up) but it's definitely it's own unique story and not a repeat of those.
The action is not at all predictable and it keeps you guessing with twists and turns and characters who only ever reveal half the information. I would recommend this for the older side of the YA community, rather than young teen readers (it's marketed as 14+) as it touches on (not very in-depth) some serious topics such as unhealthy friendships, substance abuse, negligent parents etc. The characters are all complex and flawed and they lie and deceive and judge and make the wrong choices for the right reasons. This book will keep you hooked from the very beginning!
The only two things I wish were better is the diversity (with the exception of a couple of characters, including one of the main 4 girls, no one else is said to be of a different race, sexuality, ability/disability) and the bit of insta-love at the beginning (though this did not bother me that much as the story is not meant to be focused on the way the MC and the love interest met and rather explores their relationship from then on. It's not bad insta-love by any means but it was slightly bordering on cliché just a bit. A slower approach would have been better imo). However, these two aspects while I wish they were better, did not take that much away from the novel and I still enjoyed it greatly.
Overall, a wonderful debut novel! I hope to see more from Kit Frick in the future, hopefully with a bit more diversity and representation, but as far as storytelling goes, she is doing an amazing job! I would recommend picking this up!
August 10, 2018
I am sure that a lot of people that will read this book will love it.
But sadly i just read to many books telling a very similar story - toxic friendships between girls, bad things that happen that destroys friendships, told in past/now plotting...- and there was just not that one thing that stood out to me that made this book go from "its okay" to "this is great".
Everything was good.
The writing is good, the characters are okay, the plotting and structure of this book are good -even if some sections feel very dragged out in my option and could have been cut short- and the big "Plot twist" of what happened was very predictable and nothing new but at the same time not done bad just not done fantastically well.
So all in all its a good book.
And if you are not a huge read of this type book/genre i am sure you will enjoy this book.
But i just felt like there was the little something special missing in this book that would make this book stand out to me personally and i just know that in a few weeks i will have no idea anymore about the details in the book since it just felt like the very generic "friendship gone bad" type of book to me.
I am however interested to see what else this author will be doing, so we'll see what the future brings, and we will see if the next book by this author might be a better fit for me personally!
*Thanks to NetGalley.com for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
But sadly i just read to many books telling a very similar story - toxic friendships between girls, bad things that happen that destroys friendships, told in past/now plotting...- and there was just not that one thing that stood out to me that made this book go from "its okay" to "this is great".
Everything was good.
The writing is good, the characters are okay, the plotting and structure of this book are good -even if some sections feel very dragged out in my option and could have been cut short- and the big "Plot twist" of what happened was very predictable and nothing new but at the same time not done bad just not done fantastically well.
So all in all its a good book.
And if you are not a huge read of this type book/genre i am sure you will enjoy this book.
But i just felt like there was the little something special missing in this book that would make this book stand out to me personally and i just know that in a few weeks i will have no idea anymore about the details in the book since it just felt like the very generic "friendship gone bad" type of book to me.
I am however interested to see what else this author will be doing, so we'll see what the future brings, and we will see if the next book by this author might be a better fit for me personally!
*Thanks to NetGalley.com for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
January 16, 2018
It’s not until adulthood that we can finally look back and fully understand the complexities of the core relationships from our youth. And they were complex. At the time we told each other we would be best friends FOREVER and meant it. Our first loves felt like the center of our universes, and they were. Everything was life or death at the time and we couldn’t possibly see that this period of our lives was nothing more than a stepping stone to something bigger, something real.
This wonderfully written book perfectly depicts this period in all our lives, but then adds a profound layer of deception, betrayal, and tragedy. Things that could easily have happened to us all. After all, the ingredients were there. Heightened feelings, hormones, sex, drugs and alcohol… It just depends on how they were mixed.
I really enjoyed this book, The writing was excellent, the characters are flawed and deeply layered, and it felt very real. For me, this story brought my high school experience rushing back and I could easily empathise with a lot of what “Ellory” was going through. Actually, I could empathise with many of the main characters, including “Ret”.
Then there was the twist!
The ending of the story was completely unexpected! It tied everything together beautifully and it was done so well, it made me elevate my 4 star rating to 5 stars!
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. Kudos to the author for masterfully writing a truly evocative and realistic story. This is a MUST read!
Rating… A+
This wonderfully written book perfectly depicts this period in all our lives, but then adds a profound layer of deception, betrayal, and tragedy. Things that could easily have happened to us all. After all, the ingredients were there. Heightened feelings, hormones, sex, drugs and alcohol… It just depends on how they were mixed.
I really enjoyed this book, The writing was excellent, the characters are flawed and deeply layered, and it felt very real. For me, this story brought my high school experience rushing back and I could easily empathise with a lot of what “Ellory” was going through. Actually, I could empathise with many of the main characters, including “Ret”.
Then there was the twist!
The ending of the story was completely unexpected! It tied everything together beautifully and it was done so well, it made me elevate my 4 star rating to 5 stars!
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. Kudos to the author for masterfully writing a truly evocative and realistic story. This is a MUST read!
Rating… A+
January 12, 2024
Earlier this year I read All Eyes on Us, Kit Frick's sophomore novel, and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to read See All the Stars. My friend and I buddy read it together and neither of us could put the book down - it's one of those you'll want to read from start to finish in one shot! And it's the kind of mystery that keeps you guessing - as with Kit Frick's other book, anything and everyone is suspect. Some parts of the story were predictable while others took both of us by surprise.
I usually write longer reviews, but this is a book that really benefits from going in knowing as little as possible. I will say that it contained interesting friendship dynamics and depictions of high school social politics.
Overall, I'd recommend this as a fun, fast read. After reading two YA thrillers by Kit Frick, I can't wait to see what else she writes - sign me up for all of her future releases!
Thank you Simon & Schuster for sending a free finished copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I usually write longer reviews, but this is a book that really benefits from going in knowing as little as possible. I will say that it contained interesting friendship dynamics and depictions of high school social politics.
Overall, I'd recommend this as a fun, fast read. After reading two YA thrillers by Kit Frick, I can't wait to see what else she writes - sign me up for all of her future releases!
Thank you Simon & Schuster for sending a free finished copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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May 7, 2020While reading, I felt like I was really missing the point of the novel and what the plot was, in a way?
The best way I can describe it is like E. Lockhart's Genuine Fraud. Pretty non-linear (has a then-now alternating format rather than all backwards) and you're just kind of reading exposition after exposition after exposition until the big reveals in the last 100 pages.
I just wasn't thrilled. I wasn't really interested and I didn't really care about the characters and it all just merged into a subpar experience because I just wasn't invested.
The best way I can describe it is like E. Lockhart's Genuine Fraud. Pretty non-linear (has a then-now alternating format rather than all backwards) and you're just kind of reading exposition after exposition after exposition until the big reveals in the last 100 pages.
I just wasn't thrilled. I wasn't really interested and I didn't really care about the characters and it all just merged into a subpar experience because I just wasn't invested.
August 6, 2018
Ellory is starting her senior year under a cloud so dark she wants to avoid the four people she was closest to one year before: her boyfriend (Matthias) and the three girls in her inner circle (Ret, Bex and Jenny). Through parallel plotlines we see Now and the Past proceed exactly one year apart until we finally discover the source of Ellory's troubles. Some great life lessons about selecting friends and dealing with the unexpected events in life.
A thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Edelweiss for a digital ARC of this YA novel.
A thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Edelweiss for a digital ARC of this YA novel.
August 13, 2018
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I—"
"I took the one back to you."
See All the Stars is a thoroughly impressive debut novel from Kit Frick that explores themes of toxic friendship, young love, and finding oneself. A powerful coming-of-age tale, this young adult contemporary manages to be unexpectedly fun despite being laced with dark themes, and I couldn't be more pleased to be sharing my thoughts with you today as part of the blog tour leading up to its release.
Told in a dual timeline structure (my forever weakness), See All the Stars explores the multifaceted friendship of Ellory, Bex, Jenni, and Ret: their strengths and the cracks in their armor while they were together, as well as the aftermath of the catastrophic event that tore them all apart. The plot certainly kept me on my toes and guessing throughout, but it's worth noting that See All the Stars is first and foremost a character-driven novel. All of the characters are intriguingly flawed, and it's riveting to watch their personalities clash against one another. The female friendships in this book run deep and true, but there's undoubtedly an undercurrent of toxicity; think Pretty Little Liars or We Were Liars or even Gossip Girl. Ellory is constantly pulled back into Ret's orbit, even when she acknowledges just how manipulative the other girl is being. And Ellory herself isn't entirely innocent. She's a gem of a protagonist, and she isn't above getting her hands dirty with lies of her own if she can convince herself they're for the better.
I'm still baffled that this is Frick's debut novel; it's hard to tell from her gorgeous writing style. The prose is almost lyrical, and it's wonderfully evocative in both the past and present threads. A blissful naïveté colors the events of the previous year as Ellory explores her first relationship and its effects on her closest friendships, and there's a hazy detachment that permeates her senior year as she tries to come to terms with the horrible ending of the year before. Rich metaphors breathe another layer into the characters and their relationships; I especially loved the recurring constellation-themed allusions to Ellory, Bex, Jenni, and Ret's friendship, making See All the Stars really earn its title. I also loved the motif of the opening lines of the famed Robert Frost poem, which starts as an inside joke between Ellory and Ret and yet comes to symbolize all of the choices and roads not taken by the end of the novel.
The twist at the ending is two-pronged and executed well, and I thought it made for a very fitting conclusion to Ellory's story. I will say that I felt the parts leading up to it were rather predictable and fell somewhat flat, but that didn't take away from the impact of the overall reveal and how impressed I am that Frick was able to pull it off seamlessly.
I had a blast with Kit Frick's debut novel, which is rich with lyrical prose, engaging themes, and vivid characters. I'll be eagerly on the lookout for more of her work in the future, but in the meantime, I highly recommend giving See All the Stars a shot!
Soon Ret's world was my world, her friends my firneds. It was like it had always been that way. Everything Ret touched felt electric, a little bit dangerous. Including me.
Before Ret, I was basically invisible.
With Ret, I was somebody.
Warm thanks to Simon & Schuster and the Fantastic Flying Book Club for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
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August 13, 2018
Full review on: Flipping Through the Pages
See All the Stars was no less than a movie or a show. I went into reading this without any expectations or pre-knowledge and it totally surprised me. I loved this book.
This story is about Ellory, a senior year student, and her life in Junior year. The book is basically written in two parts (not divided into two parts). The first part is about the present life of Ellory in senior year and second part talks about her past as a junior year student. Both the parts are well connected and we get to see the interlinks between past and present and also how Ellory’s past affected her present life decisions.
Ellory’s life in junior year was perfect. She was part of a group of 4 girls along with Ret, Bex, and Jennie. Ret was kind of mastermind of the group and she manipulated everyone as per her wish. I totally get the vibes of Pretty Little Liars here. Remember Alison from that group? Yeah, I resonated Ret with Alison so much. Ellory always felt as if she was favorite of Ret. When Matthias enters into Ellory’s life, her frequency changes with her friends as she wanted to spend more time with her boyfriend. But at that time too, she was closest to Ret and shared every secret to her. But she later finds out that this is not true with Ret, however.
Kit Frick has perfectly unveiled the events of pasts along with the present day scenes. I really liked the writing style of the author. The author has portrayed many serious topics in this book like parental neglect, unhealthy friendships, drug abuse among others. Making a story with all kind of issues is not always easy but the author has perfectly captured the whole essence of troubled teen lives.
This story is hugely based on characters and no character is perfect. Every one of them is flawed and complex. Ellory is a relatable character who loves art and working with metal and her dream is to get admission in her dream college in an art program. She is an only child with loving, protective parents. When Ret becomes her friend, Ellory is like a blank slate who is willing to be transformed by Ret’s in order to get her total attention. Her decisions were affected by Ret’s perspective. I loved how realistically this friendship was depicted.
Ret has a negligent mother and her life is twisted in its own way. She like to control everyone in their friendship group. Jenni is fond of cooking and always arranges night-out at her place but her parents also were almost out-of-focus. Matthias family was twisted and he never allowed Ellory to enter in his life. Basically, none of the families were portrayed as happy or good and maybe that’s because we get to see so many issues with those teens.
The biggest lesson that this story gives is how to work on hard things and how to fight your fears. You should be capable enough to learn from your own mistakes and should learn to forgive yourself. This story tells how one action of someone can cause the reactions which were never meant to happen in the first place.
The ending of the novel is the biggest point for it. Basically, the ending has two twists. While the first twist was predictable from the mid of the book itself, I never thought about the second twist. It was a total surprise for me and finally was a factor that made me like this book even more.
Though the story was entertaining and suspense was quite good, I felt as if it was little long and was kind of dragged out. I think that sometimes the past was moving too slowly and the book could have been much shorter. Also, the romance was not the strongest point of the story. I never shipped Matthias and Ellory. From the beginning itself, their relationship felt too rushed and forced. Matthias never seems that interested while Ret was trying to prove her importance to him.
Overall, this book is a complex and captivating read which definitely has the potential to keep the readers hooked till the end. The writing of Kit Frick is really good and with the complex and layered characters, she has added a magic to the story. The final twist was definitely worth waiting. This book makes you feel connected to Ellory and her emotions on so many levels. I was really impressed with this story and I hope to read more from Kit Frick in the future.
** Thank you to the author and McElderry Books for providing me the ARC in exchange for an honets review.
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See All the Stars was no less than a movie or a show. I went into reading this without any expectations or pre-knowledge and it totally surprised me. I loved this book.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-“
“I took the one back to you.
This story is about Ellory, a senior year student, and her life in Junior year. The book is basically written in two parts (not divided into two parts). The first part is about the present life of Ellory in senior year and second part talks about her past as a junior year student. Both the parts are well connected and we get to see the interlinks between past and present and also how Ellory’s past affected her present life decisions.
Ellory’s life in junior year was perfect. She was part of a group of 4 girls along with Ret, Bex, and Jennie. Ret was kind of mastermind of the group and she manipulated everyone as per her wish. I totally get the vibes of Pretty Little Liars here. Remember Alison from that group? Yeah, I resonated Ret with Alison so much. Ellory always felt as if she was favorite of Ret. When Matthias enters into Ellory’s life, her frequency changes with her friends as she wanted to spend more time with her boyfriend. But at that time too, she was closest to Ret and shared every secret to her. But she later finds out that this is not true with Ret, however.
"I wanted only this, the four of us together, but Ret said nothing ever happened, and Ret Johnson was the sun. Hot, bright, at the center of our universe. That we revolved around her was simply a fact."
Kit Frick has perfectly unveiled the events of pasts along with the present day scenes. I really liked the writing style of the author. The author has portrayed many serious topics in this book like parental neglect, unhealthy friendships, drug abuse among others. Making a story with all kind of issues is not always easy but the author has perfectly captured the whole essence of troubled teen lives.
This story is hugely based on characters and no character is perfect. Every one of them is flawed and complex. Ellory is a relatable character who loves art and working with metal and her dream is to get admission in her dream college in an art program. She is an only child with loving, protective parents. When Ret becomes her friend, Ellory is like a blank slate who is willing to be transformed by Ret’s in order to get her total attention. Her decisions were affected by Ret’s perspective. I loved how realistically this friendship was depicted.
Ret has a negligent mother and her life is twisted in its own way. She like to control everyone in their friendship group. Jenni is fond of cooking and always arranges night-out at her place but her parents also were almost out-of-focus. Matthias family was twisted and he never allowed Ellory to enter in his life. Basically, none of the families were portrayed as happy or good and maybe that’s because we get to see so many issues with those teens.
The biggest lesson that this story gives is how to work on hard things and how to fight your fears. You should be capable enough to learn from your own mistakes and should learn to forgive yourself. This story tells how one action of someone can cause the reactions which were never meant to happen in the first place.
The ending of the novel is the biggest point for it. Basically, the ending has two twists. While the first twist was predictable from the mid of the book itself, I never thought about the second twist. It was a total surprise for me and finally was a factor that made me like this book even more.
Though the story was entertaining and suspense was quite good, I felt as if it was little long and was kind of dragged out. I think that sometimes the past was moving too slowly and the book could have been much shorter. Also, the romance was not the strongest point of the story. I never shipped Matthias and Ellory. From the beginning itself, their relationship felt too rushed and forced. Matthias never seems that interested while Ret was trying to prove her importance to him.
Overall, this book is a complex and captivating read which definitely has the potential to keep the readers hooked till the end. The writing of Kit Frick is really good and with the complex and layered characters, she has added a magic to the story. The final twist was definitely worth waiting. This book makes you feel connected to Ellory and her emotions on so many levels. I was really impressed with this story and I hope to read more from Kit Frick in the future.
** Thank you to the author and McElderry Books for providing me the ARC in exchange for an honets review.
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August 24, 2020
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
Actual Rating: 2.5
MY THOUGHTS
I have mixed feelings for this book. I started out liking it, but by the midpoint I was bored.
It used to be the four of them together, Bex, Jenni, Ellory, and Ret. All of them revolving around Ret. But months later, Ellory finds herself alone, without her group of friends, and with the school hating her. Going back and forth between Then and Now, this is the story of what broke apart these four friends.
The set-up with the switching timelines, between Past and Present, did make a compelling mystery at the start. Sure, it's been done so many times before at this point, but it still makes a reader curious. What happened to Ellory in those months between? I had just gotten done with I Killed Zoe Spanos , so I was looking forward to a twisting mystery. A mystery with unreliable characters. In a way, this book does have that. The characters certainly aren't reliable, which can make an interesting read. From the beginning, I was drawn into the story. We have this sense of darkness in the Now passages and it drives you to know more. But the more I read, the more I realized that there wasn't that much of a mystery.
Okay, that may sound strange as this is a mystery book, but what I mean is this: there was very little actually driving the book forward. There is the overarching mystery of finding out what happened to Ellory and her group of friends, but neither perspective spends time on that question. They barely even hint at it. By the end of the book, yes, we get our answer, but that's only when the two timelines start to catch-up. Until then, we get a whole lot of nothing.
I actually struggled to write a synopsis for this book because not much happens in most of it. In our Then timeline, it's Ellory hanging with her friends and starting a relationship with a boy. In the Now timeline, it's Ellory just going to school and... that's really it. She sometimes talks to her ex-friends, but it's mostly just her being sad. A little less than midway through the book, I noticed that there was nothing happening, and I just really bored. This honestly didn't get better until the very very end, and by that point, I was just a little annoyed that I wasted my time.
As for the ending, well, I have very mixed feelings. I think it did up-the-ante once we finally got to the climax. The plot did start moving along, and it made the book interesting again. It also dealt with the Then vs. Now timelines in a different way. The timelines jumped around more, and we would start to have shorter scenes for each timeline. It really moved the pace and helped fit the puzzle pieces together. Now, as for what I didn't like....
IN CONCLUSION
This book started out great, but it really faltered the further I read. It has the potential for a mystery, but it lost the mystery midway through, only to create a huge climax. Overall, though I was mostly bored reading this book. I didn't dislike it, but for a mystery, it sure wasn't thrilling. I am unlikely to read anything else by Kit Frick, since both books I've read from her have had disappointing endings.
Actual Rating: 2.5
MY THOUGHTS
I have mixed feelings for this book. I started out liking it, but by the midpoint I was bored.
It used to be the four of them together, Bex, Jenni, Ellory, and Ret. All of them revolving around Ret. But months later, Ellory finds herself alone, without her group of friends, and with the school hating her. Going back and forth between Then and Now, this is the story of what broke apart these four friends.
The set-up with the switching timelines, between Past and Present, did make a compelling mystery at the start. Sure, it's been done so many times before at this point, but it still makes a reader curious. What happened to Ellory in those months between? I had just gotten done with I Killed Zoe Spanos , so I was looking forward to a twisting mystery. A mystery with unreliable characters. In a way, this book does have that. The characters certainly aren't reliable, which can make an interesting read. From the beginning, I was drawn into the story. We have this sense of darkness in the Now passages and it drives you to know more. But the more I read, the more I realized that there wasn't that much of a mystery.
Okay, that may sound strange as this is a mystery book, but what I mean is this: there was very little actually driving the book forward. There is the overarching mystery of finding out what happened to Ellory and her group of friends, but neither perspective spends time on that question. They barely even hint at it. By the end of the book, yes, we get our answer, but that's only when the two timelines start to catch-up. Until then, we get a whole lot of nothing.
I actually struggled to write a synopsis for this book because not much happens in most of it. In our Then timeline, it's Ellory hanging with her friends and starting a relationship with a boy. In the Now timeline, it's Ellory just going to school and... that's really it. She sometimes talks to her ex-friends, but it's mostly just her being sad. A little less than midway through the book, I noticed that there was nothing happening, and I just really bored. This honestly didn't get better until the very very end, and by that point, I was just a little annoyed that I wasted my time.
As for the ending, well, I have very mixed feelings. I think it did up-the-ante once we finally got to the climax. The plot did start moving along, and it made the book interesting again. It also dealt with the Then vs. Now timelines in a different way. The timelines jumped around more, and we would start to have shorter scenes for each timeline. It really moved the pace and helped fit the puzzle pieces together. Now, as for what I didn't like....
IN CONCLUSION
This book started out great, but it really faltered the further I read. It has the potential for a mystery, but it lost the mystery midway through, only to create a huge climax. Overall, though I was mostly bored reading this book. I didn't dislike it, but for a mystery, it sure wasn't thrilling. I am unlikely to read anything else by Kit Frick, since both books I've read from her have had disappointing endings.
July 24, 2018
The longer I think about this novel the less I like it. It kept my attention, sure, but only because it was a shitshow of drama that just hemorrhaged ridiculous scenarios.
Basically this novel will appeal to the people that watch shows like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, where teenagers apparently get away with weird shenanigans and no one seems to notice.
Ret was the one that bothered me the most. I seriously can’t suspend disbelief enough to trust that a 16 year old girl was allowed to wear 5 inch heels to school on a regular basis, that no one noticed she was swigging from a flask constantly, and that she was a manipulative bitch. She was far too fake for me to believe in any of her friendships, and so the whole story gradually fell further and further apart the longer she was the central theme.
Matthias was an unrealistic character too. There’s no fucking way he was able to accomplish all the things that he was supposedly doing each and every night. It was weird and was too cramped, and again just felt unrealistic.
Also, they cutesy names annoyed the crap out of me. Jenni, Bex, Ret, Ellory, Matthias, Lizza—NO ONE had a common name and it all felt excessively edgy and cool. These are the kind of names I picked out for stories when I was 13.
Basically this novel will appeal to the people that watch shows like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, where teenagers apparently get away with weird shenanigans and no one seems to notice.
Ret was the one that bothered me the most. I seriously can’t suspend disbelief enough to trust that a 16 year old girl was allowed to wear 5 inch heels to school on a regular basis, that no one noticed she was swigging from a flask constantly, and that she was a manipulative bitch. She was far too fake for me to believe in any of her friendships, and so the whole story gradually fell further and further apart the longer she was the central theme.
Matthias was an unrealistic character too. There’s no fucking way he was able to accomplish all the things that he was supposedly doing each and every night. It was weird and was too cramped, and again just felt unrealistic.
Also, they cutesy names annoyed the crap out of me. Jenni, Bex, Ret, Ellory, Matthias, Lizza—NO ONE had a common name and it all felt excessively edgy and cool. These are the kind of names I picked out for stories when I was 13.
March 7, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was hard for me to rate because while I liked it, I also had trouble connecting to the characters in the book. I ended up with a 4 star rating because I did not see the end coming at all.
This novel alternates between taking place in the past, starting the summer before Ellory's junior year (then), and the present, starting just before Ellory starts her senior year (now). We know that something happened between then and now that left Ellory friendless and single with her only goal to make it through the year, but we don't know what happened, and we slowly learn, in this alternating timeline, the events that led to her current predicament.
I really liked this way of telling the story. I think that if the book had been chronological, I wouldn't have liked it nearly as much, because the mystery of not knowing what happened was kept intact until close to the end of the book. There were a lot of times that I found myself reading solely to find out what happened because what was currently happening wasn't really holding my interest. I was able to predict one of the twist () but the other definitely surprised me.
As I mentioned earlier, I had trouble connecting with the characters in this story. The whole story is told from Ellory's POV, and in the 'then' parts, we see her friendship with Ret, Jenni, and Bex, as well as her relationship with Matthias. While I couldn't connect with them, it also felt real to me, and I liked that. It was really interesting to see how the relationships changed as the story progressed, so despite personally not connecting with any of them, I still liked seeing how everything panned out with them.
I would recommend this to people who like YA contemporaries. I think it's well written and engaging and the mystery on what happened is definitely intriguing. As a side note, maybe I just have never seen this, but the fact that their school had 8 stories seemed very unrealistic to me. I don't think I've ever heard of a school with more than 3 levels, but again, that could just be my limited knowledge of high schools around the country.
This book was hard for me to rate because while I liked it, I also had trouble connecting to the characters in the book. I ended up with a 4 star rating because I did not see the end coming at all.
This novel alternates between taking place in the past, starting the summer before Ellory's junior year (then), and the present, starting just before Ellory starts her senior year (now). We know that something happened between then and now that left Ellory friendless and single with her only goal to make it through the year, but we don't know what happened, and we slowly learn, in this alternating timeline, the events that led to her current predicament.
I really liked this way of telling the story. I think that if the book had been chronological, I wouldn't have liked it nearly as much, because the mystery of not knowing what happened was kept intact until close to the end of the book. There were a lot of times that I found myself reading solely to find out what happened because what was currently happening wasn't really holding my interest. I was able to predict one of the twist () but the other definitely surprised me.
As I mentioned earlier, I had trouble connecting with the characters in this story. The whole story is told from Ellory's POV, and in the 'then' parts, we see her friendship with Ret, Jenni, and Bex, as well as her relationship with Matthias. While I couldn't connect with them, it also felt real to me, and I liked that. It was really interesting to see how the relationships changed as the story progressed, so despite personally not connecting with any of them, I still liked seeing how everything panned out with them.
I would recommend this to people who like YA contemporaries. I think it's well written and engaging and the mystery on what happened is definitely intriguing. As a side note, maybe I just have never seen this, but the fact that their school had 8 stories seemed very unrealistic to me. I don't think I've ever heard of a school with more than 3 levels, but again, that could just be my limited knowledge of high schools around the country.
August 1, 2021
5/5 stars
Reading vlog: https://youtu.be/bUf6jCm5gNI?list=PLD...-
Broad thoughts: This book was really, really good. It dealt with so many hard topics including, but not limited to: grief for the loss of a friend, forgiving yourself and others, mental health, and emotional trauma. The main character, Ellory was going through so much stuff and watching her battle with herself was very interesting. This year, I've lost a lost of friendships that I thought were going to last, so it felt very personal to me.
Description: This book follows Ellory in the past and in the present. In the past, she has it all. She has a great friend group that she thinks will never go away, a boyfriend, great grades and popularity at school, etc. Now, she has just come back from a two month suspension to finish up her high school, her friend group is shattered, and her boyfriend and her broke up. We find out how and why everything went down. This book will shatter your heart and make you feel so much.
More specific thoughts: The exploration of loss of friendships was done so, so well. You don't just move on. You linger, a part of you hopes for things to be fixed, you want to be together again. Ellory's friendship ended in such a way that she especially battles with all of these things.
The past, present was woven together beautifully, and you are kept wanting desperately to know what went down exactly and how everything happened. It was just so good!
This book does a really good job of showing both how a friendship seems to end suddenly, but also how from an outsider looking in, it is clear there is a lot of toxicity in this friendship. Ret, who was kind of the leader of the group of friends, is very bossy and demanding. She manipulates the other girls and guilts them into doing what she wants. But she's also charming and gives them everything they could ever hope for. They, on the inside don't realize what's going on is bad until it's too late. So for Ellory, it seems like when the friendship ends it was sudden... at first. Until she takes a step back and realizes this was coming for a while.
I, as someone who (again) just lost really important friendships, can really relate to this feeling. At first, I thought "What just happened? Why!?" Until I took a step back and saw how awful these people have been for a while now and how this was bound to happen at some point.
Spoilery thoughts:
LOOK AWAY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS!!
okay, then:
I totally guessed that Matthias had been cheating on Ellory with Ret, but that didn't take away from my shock when he revealed it. However, I did NOT guess that Ret was going to be dead. I thought it was a little strange when her and Jenni weren't talking, but I didn't think it was THAT!
Wrap Up: This book was really good and it definitely deserves more hype, and it was really good in the way that it explored these difficult topics. It's something that I can see myself rereading many, many more times, and still getting more out of it.
Reading vlog: https://youtu.be/bUf6jCm5gNI?list=PLD...-
Broad thoughts: This book was really, really good. It dealt with so many hard topics including, but not limited to: grief for the loss of a friend, forgiving yourself and others, mental health, and emotional trauma. The main character, Ellory was going through so much stuff and watching her battle with herself was very interesting. This year, I've lost a lost of friendships that I thought were going to last, so it felt very personal to me.
Description: This book follows Ellory in the past and in the present. In the past, she has it all. She has a great friend group that she thinks will never go away, a boyfriend, great grades and popularity at school, etc. Now, she has just come back from a two month suspension to finish up her high school, her friend group is shattered, and her boyfriend and her broke up. We find out how and why everything went down. This book will shatter your heart and make you feel so much.
More specific thoughts: The exploration of loss of friendships was done so, so well. You don't just move on. You linger, a part of you hopes for things to be fixed, you want to be together again. Ellory's friendship ended in such a way that she especially battles with all of these things.
The past, present was woven together beautifully, and you are kept wanting desperately to know what went down exactly and how everything happened. It was just so good!
This book does a really good job of showing both how a friendship seems to end suddenly, but also how from an outsider looking in, it is clear there is a lot of toxicity in this friendship. Ret, who was kind of the leader of the group of friends, is very bossy and demanding. She manipulates the other girls and guilts them into doing what she wants. But she's also charming and gives them everything they could ever hope for. They, on the inside don't realize what's going on is bad until it's too late. So for Ellory, it seems like when the friendship ends it was sudden... at first. Until she takes a step back and realizes this was coming for a while.
I, as someone who (again) just lost really important friendships, can really relate to this feeling. At first, I thought "What just happened? Why!?" Until I took a step back and saw how awful these people have been for a while now and how this was bound to happen at some point.
Spoilery thoughts:
LOOK AWAY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS!!
okay, then:
I totally guessed that Matthias had been cheating on Ellory with Ret, but that didn't take away from my shock when he revealed it. However, I did NOT guess that Ret was going to be dead. I thought it was a little strange when her and Jenni weren't talking, but I didn't think it was THAT!
Wrap Up: This book was really good and it definitely deserves more hype, and it was really good in the way that it explored these difficult topics. It's something that I can see myself rereading many, many more times, and still getting more out of it.
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