Waiting on the Sidelines
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
See this review and more on my blog Lilybloombooks
WAITING ON THE SIDELINES was a rare request for me. Which is odd, if you think about it. I am a huge character driven novel- person. I want to connect to them and see them grow. But I don't read much coming of age novels. Since I am cleaning out my Netgalley shelf, and the reviews from my friends were flattering, it was time to give this a go.
It was... long.
I don't know if I am missing something or what, because I was not blown away. While there are a few things I did enjoy about the story, there are several things I did not. To chalk it up, execution. I have to be hooked from the very beginning and held until the end, and that was seriously lacking.
I loved how the book spanned over the course of 4 years, while Nolan was in high school. I remember those awkward times a freshman like it was yesterday. I do think Ginger did a great job with the situations at hand, and how each small thing affects us at that age.
Nolan. She is the kind of girl you want close to you, at all times. She would never betray you. She is loyal, sweet and just so down to earth and likeable. But in the same token, her loyalties were placed where, in my opinion, shouldn't have been. More on that later.
The friendships. It's so rare to see such strong, loving friendships in Young Adult. They were all so different, but they were really there for her when she needed them. Jealousy, betrayal and hate never got between these gals and I loved how strong they were. Not only that, her family. SHE HAS BOTH PARENTS. (Sorry, caps were needed for that). This is huge. Both of her parents were present, strong and loving. As with strong friendships, it was nice to see a strong, tight family unit.
The writing. There were things that were just different then what I am use to, and it took me a long time to get into it. Not to say that it was bad, just different. Example, what an idiot, I thought. It took me a few times to realize that the inner monologue was over. The narration was pretty juvenile, for teenagers anyway. It didn't much change much throughout the book, and it was hard to relate to that since it was 4 years. The flow of the too, was choppy at best. I mean, everything started out great, but there were too many places that it just draaaaaaged and I lost interest and started to skim.
One last thing, which will be hidden with spoilers When Tatum came back with her scam about the pregnancy, the time frame didn't add up. She would have been showing, for sure, if that baby was really Reed's or he was still seeing her on the side. Doesn't make sense, at all. Just another piece of drama that was unnecessarily added. That shit bothers me. The timing, plus I hate plot twists thrown in for no reason. In my opinion, it wasn't necessary, but hey. I didn't write the book.
Since the book took span over four years, I was hoping for some variety. It seemed like we get a good look at the same things & times of the year, EVERY year, while the rest is summarized. In a way, I get it. The Fall was a huge one because of Football, but the rest? No.
Reed. I hated Reed. It was okay at first, just a little punk that loved attention and like Nolan, placed his loyalties to the wrong people. He is the one character, whose lack of growth was SHINING. Granted, he had issues that I could (kind of) relate to. There was a lot of pressure on him, for many things, but Nolan was his target every time. It wasn't right the things he did to her, ALL the things he put her through. He was hot and cold, flaunted his flare of the week in front of her, just to hurt her! This is just not OKAY. It bothered me how loyal Nolan was to him. It was like he could do no wrong, and she forgive him every time.
Is this love? I suppose it could be. It isn't healthy, that's for damn sure. It's hard for me, to sit back and watch (er, read) while a girl/woman, especially someone at her age, continues to be treated like that.
It was okay. The fact that the romance between Nolan and Reed were a large focus of the book, really disappointed me. There is such good in Nolan, love and loyalty and she is tainted because of Reed. I doubt I will be reading the sequel, because I can't stomach to see what shit he will put her through. Because it will happen.
*I received this book from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
WAITING ON THE SIDELINES was a rare request for me. Which is odd, if you think about it. I am a huge character driven novel- person. I want to connect to them and see them grow. But I don't read much coming of age novels. Since I am cleaning out my Netgalley shelf, and the reviews from my friends were flattering, it was time to give this a go.
It was... long.
I don't know if I am missing something or what, because I was not blown away. While there are a few things I did enjoy about the story, there are several things I did not. To chalk it up, execution. I have to be hooked from the very beginning and held until the end, and that was seriously lacking.
What I liked:
I loved how the book spanned over the course of 4 years, while Nolan was in high school. I remember those awkward times a freshman like it was yesterday. I do think Ginger did a great job with the situations at hand, and how each small thing affects us at that age.
Nolan. She is the kind of girl you want close to you, at all times. She would never betray you. She is loyal, sweet and just so down to earth and likeable. But in the same token, her loyalties were placed where, in my opinion, shouldn't have been. More on that later.
The friendships. It's so rare to see such strong, loving friendships in Young Adult. They were all so different, but they were really there for her when she needed them. Jealousy, betrayal and hate never got between these gals and I loved how strong they were. Not only that, her family. SHE HAS BOTH PARENTS. (Sorry, caps were needed for that). This is huge. Both of her parents were present, strong and loving. As with strong friendships, it was nice to see a strong, tight family unit.
What killed it:
The writing. There were things that were just different then what I am use to, and it took me a long time to get into it. Not to say that it was bad, just different. Example, what an idiot, I thought. It took me a few times to realize that the inner monologue was over. The narration was pretty juvenile, for teenagers anyway. It didn't much change much throughout the book, and it was hard to relate to that since it was 4 years. The flow of the too, was choppy at best. I mean, everything started out great, but there were too many places that it just draaaaaaged and I lost interest and started to skim.
One last thing, which will be hidden with spoilers When Tatum came back with her scam about the pregnancy, the time frame didn't add up. She would have been showing, for sure, if that baby was really Reed's or he was still seeing her on the side. Doesn't make sense, at all. Just another piece of drama that was unnecessarily added. That shit bothers me. The timing, plus I hate plot twists thrown in for no reason. In my opinion, it wasn't necessary, but hey. I didn't write the book.
Since the book took span over four years, I was hoping for some variety. It seemed like we get a good look at the same things & times of the year, EVERY year, while the rest is summarized. In a way, I get it. The Fall was a huge one because of Football, but the rest? No.
Reed. I hated Reed. It was okay at first, just a little punk that loved attention and like Nolan, placed his loyalties to the wrong people. He is the one character, whose lack of growth was SHINING. Granted, he had issues that I could (kind of) relate to. There was a lot of pressure on him, for many things, but Nolan was his target every time. It wasn't right the things he did to her, ALL the things he put her through. He was hot and cold, flaunted his flare of the week in front of her, just to hurt her! This is just not OKAY. It bothered me how loyal Nolan was to him. It was like he could do no wrong, and she forgive him every time.
Is this love? I suppose it could be. It isn't healthy, that's for damn sure. It's hard for me, to sit back and watch (er, read) while a girl/woman, especially someone at her age, continues to be treated like that.
Overall -
It was okay. The fact that the romance between Nolan and Reed were a large focus of the book, really disappointed me. There is such good in Nolan, love and loyalty and she is tainted because of Reed. I doubt I will be reading the sequel, because I can't stomach to see what shit he will put her through. Because it will happen.
*I received this book from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.