This is a cute book, a sweet book. It's incredibly imaginative, I loved the family dynamics, and Mim was a great and relatable character. I really cannot think of negatives for this book, which is why this is such a hard review to write. Because there isn't anything wrong with it, I just didn't love it enough to give it five stars, you feel me? Let's break down the good things about this book, shall we?
Thing 1: Stacey Lee's Writing
Stacey Lee is basically auto-buy for me even though this is only the second book of hers that I have read (the first being Outrun the Moon), but her writing is just beyond incredible. It's descriptive and lovely without being overdone, she builds pictures with words, basically. She made me fall in love with Mim, and care for what happened to her.
Thing 2: Mim is just a big ball of adorable
Mim is a wonderful main character. Not perfect, which would be annoying, just a great combination of a good kid who has a pretty good head on her shoulders, and sure, makes a few mistakes here and there. She reminded me a bit of... well, of me. Minus the whole aromateur thing. She wants to please her mom, but she also wants to live her own life, which is something that is super relatable.
Thing 3: Mother-daughter complexities
I wish more books would focus on this incredibly important and oft-overlooked relationship in young adults. Because look, being a teenage girl and trying to navigate a relationship with your mom is hard. But it isn't all bad or angsty, and I liked that Stacey was able to show both sides of the relationship.
Thing 4: The swoons!
There weren't just swoons involved from Mim's love interest either- the whole book is basically about setting people up, so there are so many complicated relationships throughout! I really enjoyed that aspect of it, and yes, I did enjoy Mim's love interest as well. He was just a decent guy, and I like that.
So, what went wrong? I don't know, nothing. I just didn't feel the overwhelming feels that I need to rate a book five stars, I guess? Maybe the aromateur thing was a tiny bit farfetched for me? (I do admit, when they started discussing plants, I did zone out for a second or two.) Regardless, my weird feelings should not stop you from reading this because it is a good book.
Bottom Line: Adorable and full of imaginative plot, great writing, and characters who are loveable, you should definitely give this one a try if you enjoy contemporary and/or magical realism at all!
*Copy provided for review