2.5*
I have some of the mixed feelings about this particular book. Obviously the best way to decipher said feelings is with a good old fashioned list.
Things I Liked:
- A train trip! Who doesn't love that idea, it sounds so fun, and kind of a cute, old-fashioned way to meet.
- Shenanigans ensue. Obviously, a mundane train ride does not a novel make. So some stuff has to happen that interrupts said comfy ride. And our main characters have to figure out what to do about it.
- Character development for the win! I did not really love either character in the beginning. Ammy was pretty full of herself, and I couldn't decide if Noah was a doormat or just an outright fool. But, as the book goes on, the characters do begin to realize some things about themselves, so that's good news.
- It was a super quick book and held my attention.
Things I Did Not:
- So. Much. The Hunger Games Hate. At first, I was mildly irritated, because hi, that is my favorite series of all time, and the characters spend half the damn trip (fine, I am mildly exaggerating, shh) making fun of the books, the movies, and basically using it as a way to insult one another. I understand full well that this is a huge personal preference issue, but I kind of don't like the idea demeaning anyone based on something that they enjoy? It just rubs me the wrong way. And honestly, in a book, it irritates me to be making fun of another book. I could be reading too much into it, sure, but it aggravated me and this is my review, so there you have it.
- This is a very character driven book, and I didn't care for the characters. Ammy is just... ugh. Look, you guys know I am usually super lenient with characters and flaws, because who among us doesn't have flaws. But Ammy was too irritating, too self absorbed, and I just couldn't handle her. Especially while she was making fun of my favorite books. Noah was running around trying to be a different person for some ex-girlfriend. Their relationship was totally unhealthy, and I wanted to yell at him. But he was okay, he didn't really bug me like Ammy did. Like I am totally down with characters having to grow and learn, like Noah. Otherwise, what's the point of the book? But I think for me to like Ammy, she would have needed a personality transplant, and I guess I missed that chapter.
Bottom Line: In a super character driven novel like this, in which we're really only seeing the two main characters, it's hard to love the book if you don't connect to them. And I kind of didn't.