tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post1680643304899828202..comments2024-03-18T10:29:57.463-04:00Comments on Ivy Book Bindings: Review: How to Love by Katie CotugnoKeertanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-59564151362701666132013-10-27T19:37:08.120-04:002013-10-27T19:37:08.120-04:00I have this and have been looking forward to it, e...I have this and have been looking forward to it, even though I knew little about the plot!<br /><br />I won't have high expectations when I get to it, and I sometimes find before & after stories hard to keep track ofVegan YA Nerdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11244310544451371368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-27707817084545932362013-10-27T07:46:17.490-04:002013-10-27T07:46:17.490-04:00I agree that the ending of this book really is rea...I agree that the ending of this book really is realistic, mixed in with hope but the knowledge that they might not make it anyway - that I liked. I can see how Allie's death would have totally broken him, but I wish it was more explicit. Plus, Sawyer had been having problems with his father and issues that Reena's father hinted at that seemed more long-term opposed to recent hurdles. And while, yes, the author never paints Sawyer to be someone better than he is, she also conveniently moves the novel around him to benefit him, which I wasn't a fan of. Even through Reena's perspective, I couldn't see what she liked about him. I think he just had such few redeeming qualities that I wasn't hooked, sadly. I really love this comment, though, Lauren - it made me think about Sawyer a lot more for sure, so thank you for that! :)Keertanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-44943824505480750812013-10-27T07:31:47.383-04:002013-10-27T07:31:47.383-04:00Okay, about this book. It seems like everyone agre...Okay, about this book. It seems like everyone agrees that How to Love is extremely well written and an accurate portrayal of teen pregnancy, but most people have a big problem with Sawyer. I read this one way before all the buzz started, and I'm not sure why I was able to handle Sawyer. Especially, because I've recently read at least 3 contemporary romances featuring guys I couldn't stand, although others have loved. Sawyer will never be my favorite guy, but I like that he's out there flaws and all, and for some reason I bought him enough to love this book. Maybe it's because the author doesn't apologize for him?<br /><br />I agree that it took me a long time to come to terms with Sawyer and Rena as a couple in the After. But I attributed all of his "bad" behavior to the big secret he reveals near the end of the story. Although we don't know for sure, I assumed that Sawyer began to self destruct when Allie died and he had massive internal guilt over that entire situation. I assumed that's the part where the painkillers started, and it spiraled from there. I could definitely, imagine something like that eating him so much inside that he took drugs to cope and eventually just had to leave. Even though he was falling for Reena, he was unable to get past himself enough to be healthy at the time.<br /><br />Whatever happens, it's clear these two still have a massive amount of work ahead of them if they want to make anything work, and I'm not convinced that they would ever make it long term. <br /><br />But in any case, I'm glad you did find something to like about this book, and I'm definitely curious about what else Cotugno writes. Lauren @ Love is not a trianglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388832613855107816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-74730024733918350822013-10-27T03:27:08.957-04:002013-10-27T03:27:08.957-04:00Hmm.. after reading some 5 star reviews, and then ...Hmm.. after reading some 5 star reviews, and then yours, I have to say I think I would feel much the same as Keertana. The way the character of Sawyer was developed (or not developed) and the way the relationship plays out would bother me too. I'm fine with the portrayal of unhealthy relationships, but I want the author to make me understand it. I'm not going to emotionally buy it a relationship "just because". I need a better reason than that. Also, I'm kind of tired of "all or nothing" romances, where it almost seems that the couple are fated to be together at whatever cost, can't possibly survive unless they're together. So thanks for writing this, Keertana, you raised some issues that I would definitely have with it too. Reynjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060057995836591765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-58566441795648376732013-10-25T17:58:43.062-04:002013-10-25T17:58:43.062-04:00Amanda, Small Damages is AMAZING! It's a short...Amanda, Small Damages is AMAZING! It's a short novel, told in verse if I remember correctly, and it's about a teenage girl sent to Spain to have her unwanted pregnancy. It's so incredibly thoughtful and really changed my perspective on teen pregnancy, never romanticizing it. I can't recommend it enough, so I hope you definitely give that one a try, even if not this book!(:Keertanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-37283307497600173932013-10-25T17:50:30.010-04:002013-10-25T17:50:30.010-04:00Your review is the first one I've read that is...Your review is the first one I've read that isn't super positive. It was pretty interesting to read your perspective on this book since, like you, many times the aspect of novels I struggle the most with is the romance. Obviously the romance sounds like it is an integral part of this novel and not thrown in there unnecessarily, so at least there's that comforting fact. Based on what you've said here, though, I know that I'd have a difficult time liking Sawyer (if I did at all). I haven't really read any books on teen pregnancy (and like you I tend to be judgy about it as well), but I would like to try reading one. Perhaps Small Damages instead, though.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03052456915027241479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-20905833074373636702013-10-25T16:15:30.165-04:002013-10-25T16:15:30.165-04:00It's funny because usually you and Jenny jump ...It's funny because usually you and Jenny jump onto the latest contemporary romance read, and I almost think the two of you would enjoy this since you're far more romantic than I am, but Sawyer ruined this one for me. I'll be really interested in your take on it should you choose to pick it up, Rachel!(:Keertanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-70340603071668012422013-10-25T15:55:33.170-04:002013-10-25T15:55:33.170-04:00I was just reading a review Tanja wrote on this an...I was just reading a review Tanja wrote on this and she gave this 3 stars as well. Jenny's comment over there hit the nail on the head for me. I doubt I'd be able to forgive Sawyer after his behavior and it would ruin the book for me. He sounds like a total jerk. Great review, Keertana. This is a pass for me. :)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682335183798720529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-53898565278879024602013-10-25T15:26:56.183-04:002013-10-25T15:26:56.183-04:00Hm... not sure about this one. Looks like it almos...Hm... not sure about this one. Looks like it almost wins in the character category. Great positives, but some negatives that just keep them out of reach. Might try a book by her, but perhaps not this one. Brilly review!Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-14216118705967255372013-10-25T12:05:58.929-04:002013-10-25T12:05:58.929-04:00Aw I'm sorry this didn't grip or swwon you...Aw I'm sorry this didn't grip or swwon you as I hope. O thought generally from the description that it would have some underlining of it rather than faving the issues between the charavters. I have to say her writing sounds intense yet the whole Before and After thing I'm not a great lover of. Great review as always, Keertana! :)<br /><br />I'm blogging over at Girl's of YA, Check out a Halloween Event kicking off with The Girl's Paranormal Boys http://girlsofya.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-girls-paranormal-guys.html Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17409669758470666840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-38756324265426533842013-10-25T10:35:53.544-04:002013-10-25T10:35:53.544-04:00Oohhhhh. I was under the impression that Sawyer le...Oohhhhh. I was under the impression that Sawyer left when he found out she was pregnant, which definitely colored my perception of him and had me greatly disliking him before I even picked the book up. I like him better knowing he didn't know, but I'm still not sure he'll be someone who wins me over based on your thoughts on him Keertana! I think I'll leave this one on the "maybe" list for now, wonderful review!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199685365145765394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-8443526201438025652013-10-25T06:17:44.603-04:002013-10-25T06:17:44.603-04:00I knew exactly how events would play out concernin...I knew exactly how events would play out concerning Aaron, but I think I just expected better from Reena. I at least wanted Aaron to back out of the relationship because he saw how good Reena and Sawyer were for each other, but that couldn't happen either because they simply weren't good for one another. I just felt so continuously terrible for Aaron'a character because it seemed as if Reena just strung him along, so then I lost all my respect for her too. *sigh* I think these characters were just a big mes after a point for me. :/Keertanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-18511439494589288022013-10-25T05:36:25.623-04:002013-10-25T05:36:25.623-04:00I'm sorry you weren't able to love this bo...I'm sorry you weren't able to love this book as you wanted to Keertana. I too was quite upset with the way Aaron was just fobbed off, he was really good for both Reena and Hannah and he had been there for both when Sawyer wasn't, but as soon as Sawyer waltzed in I knew how things would go down. I'm glad that despite not loving this book, you're still eager to give Cotugno's future books a try! Gorgeous review Keertana! :)Jasprithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346050783201302967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-91686279040100407832013-10-25T03:28:39.569-04:002013-10-25T03:28:39.569-04:00There are so many mixed thoughts about this one--I...There are so many mixed thoughts about this one--I love how you describe the MC, Reena. I think I'll click with her easily. I've been really ponderous upon whether I should read this mainly because of the idea. I like it but like you said, the love interest isn't convincing and well, this book is allll about the romance and lessons learnt. <br /><br />Fabulous review, Keertana! <33Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17035338608975371558noreply@blogger.com