Jamie McGuire – The Left-Handed Book Lover

I created this book tag almost exactly a year ago, so I thought I’d bring it back for round two (with a couple additions).

1) THE SAND

A BOOK THAT STUCK WITH YOU LONG AFTER YOU FINISHED READING

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
This was a re-read but I’m still not over it. I can’t believe I let myself forget how absolutely spectacular this series is and how absolutely dazzling Warner is. I finished my re-read months ago and I still think about this novel all the time.

2) THE SUN

A BOOK THAT BURNED YOU

All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire
I just really truly was not fond of this novel. Check out my review for the reasons why.

3) THE WAVES

A BOOK THAT CALMS YOU DOWN AFTER A LONG DAY

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This novel was just an absolute delight. There’s just something so heart-warming and wholesome about this novel and I couldn’t help but smile the entire time I read it.

4) THE BATHING SUIT

A BOOK WITH A PRETTY, SUMMER-Y COVER

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

I actually chose one of Jenn Bennett’s books for this question last year, too. I can’t help it. Her covers are just beautiful and they have that warm summer glow. Like I definitely want to be sitting around that fire right now and making s’mores.

5) THE BIRDS

A BOOK THAT IS EVERYWHERE

Legendary by Stephanie Garber
I don’t know if this novel is ACTUALLY everywhere or it just feels like it because I want to read it so badly. I loved Caraval with my entire heart and soul and I cannot wait to get my hands on this sequel.

6) THE COMPANY

A BOOK WITH WONDERFUL CHARACTERS

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
This novel was just SO much fun. I had a blast with Monty, Percy, and Felicity. There was no shortage of sarcastic jabs, which is my favorite kind of interaction. Okay, yeah, they could be really foolish at times, but that’s part of their charm.

7) THE ICE-COLD DRINKS
A BOOK YOU ABSOLUTELY GULPED DOWN

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
I had no idea what to even expect from this novel but it was delicious and I couldn’t tear myself away from it. I’m so excited to see what else Rogerson is going to give us in the future.

8) THE FUN MEMORIES

A BOOK YOU CAN’T WAIT TO RETURN TO

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
After having lukewarm feelings about Welch’s debut Love & Gelato, I was so surprised to fall in absolute love with this book. I found it to be incredibly touching and fun! Plus, I got to relive all my favorite memories from Ireland. I would for sure re-read this one day!

If you want to do this tag, feel free!!! And if you do, make sure you leave me a link to it in the comments so I can check it out.

I’m going to tag a few people now.

Kayla @ Kayla Reads and Reviews
Kat @ Perks of Being a Book Nerd
Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books

All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire
(Standalone)
Published: May 29, 2018
Source: I received an eARC of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated in this review are my own.

Summary from Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jamie McGuire comes a riveting tale of first love that starts young but runs deep.

The first time Elliott Youngblood spots Catherine Calhoun, he’s just a boy with a camera, and he’s never seen a sadder and more beautiful sight. Both Elliott and Catherine feel like outcasts, yet they find an easy friendship with each other. But when Catherine needs him most, Elliott is forced to leave town.Elliott finally returns, but he and Catherine are now different people. He’s a star high school athlete, and she spends all her free time working at her mother’s mysterious bed-and-breakfast. Catherine hasn’t forgiven Elliott for abandoning her, but he’s determined to win back her friendship…and her heart.

Just when Catherine is ready to fully trust Elliott, he becomes the prime suspect in a local tragedy. Despite the town’s growing suspicions, Catherine clings to her love for Elliott. But a devastating secret that Catherine has buried could destroy whatever chance of happiness they have left.

I don’t usually rate books below a 3-star because usually if I’m not enjoying the novel, I stop reading it. But this book is different. I’m really conflicted when it comes to how I felt about this novel because I didn’t dislike it, I just didn’t particularly like it either. I was intrigued enough to keep reading, but I wouldn’t say I reaped much enjoyment from the experience.

For starters, it was far too long. I think this book could have been cut in half. It was slow and it grew tiresome. I think McGuire was trying to draw out the mystery, the big secret, but it just felt redundant. Really, I think a lot of the issues I have with this book stem from the fact that its too long. A bit of trimming could have made it faster paced and cleaned up some of the problems.

Also, I was really unimpressed by the romance…and I am probably the easiest person to please when it comes to romance. Like, two characters can just smile at each other and I’ll start shipping them and dedicating my life to their relationship. I liked Catherine and Elliott together at first, but as their relationship progressed, I was not charmed. It’s very dramatic. Like, these characters had a nice summer together when they were 15 and were crushing on each other, but then the Mean Adults kept them apart so Elliott basically dedicated his life to returning to Catherine and they have actually loved each other this whole time and he’s willing to give everything up for her and just…it’s a bit much. It didn’t feel authentic.

Plus, it’s like their entire relationship revolved around their problems. They never talked about anything else. I would have loved to see them have little moments, subtle moments of connection over something that isn’t sad or scary. AND FURTHERMORE, while Elliott isn’t necessarily toxic and their relationship isn’t necessarily unhealthy, I feel like it kinda bordered on it. He got too possessive for comfort sometimes. He was basically obsessed with her, and the more their relationship developed, the less he developed as a character. We learn a lot about him and his problems in the beginning, but then his life becomes The Catherine Show. The two had some really sweet moments, but I came nowhere near to swooning even once in this novel.

Speaking of Catherine. I didn’t dislike her. She was strong in a lot of ways, but she was SO. PASSIVE. At first it was understandable–she was torn between protecting her mother and making her life what she wanted it to be. I get that. Totally relatable and I sympathized with her. But there was only so much of that I could take until I wanted to pull my hair out because she just let people make decisions for her without even trying to stick up for herself. She does grow by the end of the novel, but her accepting-all-the-bullshit-thrown-at-her shtick went on far too long for me.

Now, the ending. It was exciting, I won’t lie. Was it partially predictable? Yes. But there was a twist of sorts I personally didn’t think about. Should the story have gotten to it sooner? Dear lord, yes. But when we finally did reach the big reveal, my heart race certainly picked up. I think there are certain aspects that should have been unpacked more, but I can’t say much more about that without giving spoilers.

Even though this review consists entirely of criticism, I wouldn’t call this book bad. It just didn’t really rev my particular engine.

My rating: