How We Roll

by Natasha Friend

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

After a terrible year, Quinn was looking forward to a new start, in a new town, at a new school, where she wasn't the girl without any hair. In trying to become someone new, she built some great new friendships and found her way back to her self.

• Pro: The book featured an unlikely friendship, which ended up being sort of vital for both Quinn and Jake. The support and little nudges they gave to each other were quite heartwarming. I loved watching this friendship grow, flourish, and change. And, well, yeah, I totally shipped them too.

• Pro: Quinn had a big, beautiful heart, and I thought she had a really great attitude. She could have been bitter and hostile and all sorts of other terrible things, but she wasn't. Granted, it took her a while to start to trust people again, but as her trust in others grew, she regained her confidence and she started to trust herself as well.

• Pro: What a nice group of friends Natasha Friend assembled for Quinn. They totally made up for all the punishment she endured in Colorado, and it was sort of important for me to see her have some good things come her way.

• Pro: I liked that forgiveness was address in several different ways. Quinn had been wronged by so many people. She could have held grudges, but instead, she chose to move on and forgive those, who betrayed her. She also encouraged Jake to consider forgiveness, and I think was an important step in his life after the accident.

• Pro: It was tough to like Nick, at first, but as his friendship with Quinn grew, so did he. I was really proud of all his progress, and started looking forward to his time on page.

• Pro: Quinn's family was all sorts of fabulous. Her mom was so caring and patient, and her dad was this awesome, nerdy guy, who gifted us with daily Latin phrases, and was also willing to acknowledge his mistakes. Most of all, I loved that they loved Quinn and her brother so much, and took the time to tell them and show them they did.

• Pro: I have not read too many books with characters with alopecia. Friend helped me understand more about this disease, and the the things that people with alopecia have to deal with on a daily basis - the discomfort, the worry, the stigma, these things and the accompanying feelings were all conveyed quite well, and I really learned a lot.

• Pro: I also do not read too many books on the younger side of YA, and it was sort of refreshing. Quinn was 14 and a freshman, so we see different everyday life issues featured because of that.

• Pro: The ending was the most adorable, sweetest, precious thing ever. I swear! My face hurt from the size of the smile I was wearing.

• Con: I wanted more of this story, because I loved it so much!

Overall: I absolutely adored this sweet and touching story of family, friendship, being yourself, and being there for other people.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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