Yes No Maybe So
Ratings29
Average rating3.6
short n sweet wholesome romance. wasnt terrible, but ive read better. a huge complaint for me would be the conflict at the end that all romance books need, it was terrible lol like i understand mayas reaction but why tf did that damage their relationship?? also sophie fuckin sucks holy shit shes annoying
other than that it was aight
music listened to: Dragon Roost Island from Wind Waker !
time taken to read: 4 hours !
Overall, this is a sweet story about two teenagers who spend their summer campaigning for a state senate candidate in Georgia. The book follows about a month of their summer and is full of complications from friendships to family issues to the complexities of their own relationship. But it also gives teenagers a clear site into what activism can look like for a teenager who wants to get involved in politics—from either side of the aisle (although this book is told from a Democrat campaign POV)
The authors did a great job getting into the minds and issues that I at least remember feeling as a teenager, albeit they certainly mend their problems in a healthier way. It would have been five stars for me if the representation in the book hadn't felt like so much more of a subplot to the rom com feel.
A little long - but I loved that it was based (somewhat) in real events post the 2016 election. A really great read to help me through the past few weeks, and the week following, and it definitely made me feel hopeful about politics in red states!
a solid 3.5 stars!
I really enjoyed how Maya & Jaime's friendship slowly developed into a romance. I liked both Maya and Jaime, especially the fact that Jaime was not your stereotypical uber-masculine love interest. I also liked the political & social discussions in here!
my major complaint with this was how quickly Maya seemed to completely switch her beliefs. all throughout the story, it was made known that her parents do not want her dating/kissing/canoodling with anyone & she seems to agrees with them. very quickly this goes away & she's making out with Jaime in a dressing room IDK that part just moved a lil fast for me and I wish Maya stuck to her beliefs more or it at least showed her changing her mind. I realllly did not like the arguing at the end because I felt like it could have been easily avoided, even though I understood both sides. I also thought this was a bit long for a contemporary.
TLDR - fun & cute, nice political commentary, minor issues!
Okay, it took me foreverrrrr to get into this book. Slow burn doesn't begin to cover it. But! At some point, I realized I was invested, in the budding relationship, the political race, their desire and confidence and drive when spreading the word against HB 28. At some point, I realized how much I loved these characters and how much I wanted them to win.
Albertali and Saeed do an incredible job painting a realistic picture of their environments, and relationships, both familial and societal. This is the second book of Albertali's that I ugly cried reading, that's a 100% chance of tears, and I guarantee won't be my last.