yunsq's reviews
147 reviews

“I hope so. I hope so at the same time I hope not. Which way, after all, spares him?”

This whole book is a trigger warning for white feminism, toxic positivity, the toxic culture of social media, community building driven by The Algorithm and neo-liberal capitalism.

The resolution was a non-resolution Lol if this was supposed to be satirical the author really didn’t do a very good job!!

1 star for the concept of the book and 1 star for me for finishing it

A fun and cozy read. I breezed through it. I absolutely loved alllllll the food descriptions. Content warning for drug use and OD. And evidence planting. 

I still don't really know how to feel about this book. I love everything it addresses and spotlights I LEARNT SO MUCH about Black culture and sufferings. But I AM LEFT WITH SOOO MANY QUESTIONS about the characters after finishing the book. 

I am giving in 4.25 stars because I think the plot and the twists were BRILLIANT and I REALLY got spooked out by the last bit of the epilogue. I did get Get Out alike chills. Ahhhhh Nella T___T

It feels slightly wrong that this book is publicised as a beach read. That Summer is far from being lighthearted. It has a lot of heavy and weighted themes and topics which I don’t think anyone should read if they are not ready. I wouldn’t have gotten into it in the first place if I’d known. I only finished it because it played in the background whilst I was doing chores. 

Jennifer Weiner really has a way with writing (white) women. I really empathised with both Daisy and Diana and I was feeling with them every step of the way. 

Bumping my rating down because the ending was too fantastical and hasty for a book that was trying to address many issues. 

Bonus: food descriptions!!!! 

My favourite essay: Artist Statement 

What a special, thoughtful, and moving story. The story between Yunjae and Gon will be sticking with me for a long time. 

"But I have come to think that love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster. That’s the story I wanted to tell." - Won-Pyung Sohn

“Because, to Yunjae, love is not confined in a box—he did not have a box, to begin with. I hope the English readers will feel like the same rush of emotions from Yunjae’s almond as I did.” - Sandy Joosun Lee

Good night, almond. 

This book has my whole broken bleeding heart. :((( 

I listened to this book on audio but wish I’d accompanied my listening with a physical copy to read.