[I originally reviewed this book for CBR5. My review can be found HERE.]
So I gave into my baser impulses and dove back into my very first Rainbow Rowell book again for the first time since I read it back in February 2013. Audible is the devil and had a $5 sale a couple of months ago, and this was up in there, so I bought it. It was only a matter of time before I gave in.
Happy to report this book is just as delightful the second time. Jennifer and Beth’s friendship is still the best. The way the book goes back and forth between silly and light and unexpectedly serious works really well. The side characters are well-rounded. Lincoln is still the perfect man (for me). I still think the 1999 almost-Y2K setting is perfect for the story.
The first time I read this book, it completely took me by surprise and I fell head over heels in love with it. Afterwards, I read all of of Rainbow Rowell’s books as they were published. I loved all of them. But reading this one after reading those, as good as this one still is, and as much as I still love it . . . I think I can safely say that it might no longer be my favorite. She’s just grown so much as a writer since this was published!
I will of course now be re-reading Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, Landline, and Carry On in short order. I shall report back when I am finished. Or, you know, while I’m reading.
This short excuse for a review has been brought to you by Oh-God-We-Have-To-Get-All-Of-Our-Reviews-In-By-Noon-Tomorrow.
Yeeesss! Am happy to hear it holds up, you may have convinced me to re-read as well :)
I also loved my re-read. [blissful sigh]
This was my first Rainbow (in fact, I remember asking my library to get it right after reading your original review) and still stands as my favorite. I’m almost afraid to read it again, just in case I dont still love it.