Hi friends! I am thrilled today to talk about a book I’ve been anticipating for a little while now and… really happy to be able to hype this up, too, because it really deserves ALL the hype.
? The book
Rebecca Barrow, This Is What It Feels Like, Published by Harper Teen, November 6th, 2018.
It doesn’t matter what the prize for the Sun City Originals contest is this year.
Who cares that’s it’s fifteen grand? Who cares about a gig opening for one of the greatest bands to ever play this town?
Not Dia, that’s for sure. Because Dia knows that without a band, she hasn’t got a shot at winning Sun City. Because ever since Hanna’s drinking took over her life, Dia and Jules haven’t been in it. And ever since Hanna left — well, there hasn’t been a band.
It used to be the three of them, Dia, Jules, and Hanna, messing around and making music and planning for the future. But that was then, and this is now — and now means a baby, a failed relationship, a stint in rehab, all kinds of off beats that have interrupted the rhythm of their friendship. No contest can change that. Right?
But like the lyrics of a song you used to play on repeat, there’s no forgetting a best friend. And for Dia, Jules, and Hanna, this impossible challenge — to ignore the past, in order to jumpstart the future — will only become possible if they finally make peace with the girls they once were, and the girls they are finally letting themselves be.
Before getting into this, the biggest thank you and shout out to my incredible bookish fairy Laura @ Green Tea & Paperbacks for sending me her ARC of this book. You’re the sweetest and I am so, so very thankful.
I ENJOYED… ❤️
?
- Okay I know this is not an argument, but DID YOU SEE THIS COVER? I am so in love with it.
- I loved that friendship was at the heart of this book. It’s all about a beautiful, broken friendship between three amazing girls and I absolutely loved seeing them reconnecting, little by little. I loved them so much.
- This book has three different POV and I liked how distinct their voices felt. I also liked ALL of the characters equally, something that rarely happens.
- YES the characters. They’re all wonderfully diverse: two out of three MCs are POC (Jules and Dia), though I am not certain of their specific ethnicities. We also have one sapphic MC (Jules). AND the softest, most adorable f/f romance.
- All three girls dealt with issues, some more intense than others. From being a young mother, to acoholism to heartbreak to insecurities, they all had their own issues and their own, beautiful character arc and growth. I loved following this so much.
- The music parts of this book were really great, too – we could see the passion driving these three girls, the alive feeling when they played together and I loved seeing characters so passionate.
- Also the family vibes and parents vibes. GREAT, supportive parents on Dia’s side and a soft and sweet and really good sister relationship between Hanna and her sister Molly.
I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…?
?
- I’m… honestly I feel bad for leaving this category here. I am having that frustrating feeling when something was missing for it to be a 5-star read, but I can’t quite put my finger on it, so… let’s leave it at that and forgive me?
OVERALL
Great character developement, tackling realistic, harsh issues at times, beautiful friendship focus and badass girls band. That’s what you’ll get when reading This Is What It Feels Like and, honestly, I will be recommending this book multiple times, because it was GREAT.
Final rating: 4,5 drops!
Trigger warnings: one of the main characters deals with alcohol addiction. There is also mention of a death (car accident), but it is not narrated in details.
Do you want to read This Is What It Feels Like? Why, or why not?
Do you have any recommendations of books featuring great friendships? I’d love to hear them! Let me know in comments!
Kate (Reading Through Infinity) says
Oooh I really want to read this so I’m glad you enjoyed it! Would you say it’s more character-driven or plot-drive? 🙂 Great review!
Marie says
Ahh I hope you’ll get to read it soon Kate, it was amazing! ❤️ I found it to be very character-driven, so… my favorite kind of read, really. These characters were fantastic ❤️
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Tanaz Masaba says
This sounds like a great book Marie! I love your bullet point-review, it’s so concise <3 I don't usually like contemporary but this one sounds like it's worth giving a try
Marie says
Aww thank you, I’m happy you liked it! ❤️ I hope you’ll pick it up at some point, it’s really worth it 😀
Sahi says
Lovely review… the books amazing!!!
Marie says
Aw thank you so much! This book really was amazing! ❤️
Green Tea & Paperbacks says
Aaah I’m so so glad you liked the book, and you’re welcome! <3
Marie says
I loved it so much, it was such a good read! ❤️ thank you again for everything, you’re a gem ?❤️
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions says
Love your review! This really sounds like a great read! The cover was spot on! I’m glad you loved it!
Marie says
Ahh thank you so much Raven, you’re so sweet! I’m so happy you enjoyed my review, I hope you’ll love the book 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries says
Great review! I love bullet point reviews, they can be so fun and perfectly to the point. I’ve been eyeing this one for a while so I’ll definitely have to check it out!
Marie says
Oh thank you so much Destiny, I’m so happy you liked it 😀 I hope you’ll get a chance to read it soon, it was SO GOOD. 😀
Dezzy @ The Thoughtful Voice says
Lovely review, Marie! This sounds like such a beautiful book about friendship, and I love that it has an adorable f/f romance too! ? One book that I really liked with great friendships is Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills; it’s the best. ?
Marie says
Thank you so much Dezzy! <3
It was an incredible book, I hope you'll get a chance to read it soon 😀
And ahhh, I NEED to read this book soon, it sounds SO GREAT <3
Elin (annotated paperbacks) says
i’m so happy you enjoyed this is what it feels like! i can’t wait to read it, it’s been on my tbr for so long now. great review!
Marie says
Ahh I really hope you’ll be able to read it soon, it was such a great book 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Great review for this book Marie, I know how much you love books with such strong friendships so I’m not surprised this got such a high rating from you. 😀 I get what you mean though because sometimes a book can have all the right things, and there are no obvious negatives, but there’s some small spark missing that stops it from being a five star read. This is What It Feels Like sounds like an incredible read, with amazing representation and important topics to discuss as well. 🙂 I may have to add this to my TBR list as well, I love books with great friendships too. 😀 <3
Marie says
Oh thank you so much Beth! <3 Ahah yes, it's not that surprising given how much I love friendships in books and that one had plenty 😀
I'm so happy you added it to your list and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did! <3
Ely (@earlgreybooks) says
This is one of my most anticipated books for this year, so I’m so happy to see you enjoyed it!
Marie says
Ahhh yay I hope you’ll love it when you can read it, it was amazing 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment Ely! <3
Kat @ Novels & Waffles says
Okay, I agree with you a 100% about that cover. Like, it’s so adorable, I can’t take it. Could I please look that cute when laughing? I love that this book is about girl bands. Any mention of girl bands puts me in such a 90s sort of mood. And I totally get what you mean about the five star rating. I feel the same way sometime. I’m like, “I can’t think of anything specific I didn’t like about this book….but it doesn’t feel like a five star?” Anywaysssss thanks for another wonderful review, as always 🙂
Marie says
Ahah I’m glad I’m not the only one, it is kind of frustrating when we can’t quite put our finger on what was wrong in a book, yet somehow it doesn’t feel like a 5-stars, either, haha; 🙂
I hope you’ll get to read that one someday, it was really great 😀
Thank you so much Kat! <3
flippingthruthepages says
I have been seeing this book around a lot lately. I am glad you enjoyed this one. And don’t worry no one is judging you on not giving the reason for deducting that half star 😛 I hope to read it someday 🙂
Marie says
Ahah I hope not 😛 thank you so much, Sim! I hope you’ll get to read it someday <3 <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
This sounds like such a wonderful books and I love the sound of the family dynamic. Great review!
Marie says
It was such a great book, I loved it 😀 Thank you so much! <3
Darque Dreamer Reads says
This sounds so good!
Marie says
It really was amazing! I hope you’ll get a chance to read it 🙂
Darque Dreamer Reads says
Thanks! I am definitely adding it to my tbr!
Marie says
Yay! so happy to hear it. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it 🙂
Elysa says
This book is wonderful! As soon as I was done with it, I handed it to a coworker and just said, “here you’ll love this.”
Marie says
Ahhh really, that’s so great! I’d love to have you as a co-worker for all the book recommendations 😀 I’m so happy you enjoyed it as well 🙂