Monday, December 11, 2017

Review: Foolish Hearts - Emma Mills

Foolish Hearts
Emma Mills
Series: n/a
Genre: Young Adult,  Contemporary
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
A contemporary novel about a girl whose high school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream leads her to new friends—and maybe even new love.

The day of the last party of the summer, Claudia overhears a conversation she wasn't supposed to. Now on the wrong side of one of the meanest girls in school, Claudia doesn't know what to expect when the two are paired up to write a paper—let alone when they're both forced to try out for the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

But mandatory participation has its upsides—namely, an unexpected friendship, a boy band obsession, and a guy with the best dimpled smile Claudia's ever seen. As Claudia's world starts to expand, she finds that maybe there are some things worth sticking her neck out for.
Back in September, I shared a list of authors I NEED to read. Emma Mills was on this list, and I cannot believe it took me so long to read one of her books! This book was such a joy to read, and exactly my cup of tea.

I am not quite sure where to start with my outpouring of affection for this book, but I am going to try.
  • Claudia was so wonderful! I related to so many of her worries and the baggage she was carrying from a past relationship, but also found her to be such a genuinely kind person. She made mistakes, but she also knew she made mistakes, and worked hard to remedy those transgressions. I just adored her and wanted to be her friend, as well as a part of her guild too. 
  • Gideon!!! There was a LOT more to this uber-popular boy than we were led to believe. He came off a little goofy and not very serious, but as the story progressed, we learned about what a beautiful and kind person he really was. I would totally have Gideon as my "majestic space prince" any day. And if he was older or I was younger, I would eat soggy cereal with him. 
  • In general, this book is packed with superb characters. They were quirky and interesting and felt real to me. I was super eager to spend time in their world, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of characters to do it with. 
  • I love romance, and my heart just exploded from the romances in this book. There are three to watch, and all are sweet and adorable, and I shipped them all. Claudia's romance was the main focus, and it was so adorably awkward and perfectly "her". I just couldn't get enough of it. 
  • Claudia's narration was so fabulous! I just loved being in her head, and I found her voice to be perfect. 
  • Growth, growth, and more growth! I felt like a lot of characters experienced significant personal growth in this book, but most notably, Iris and Claudia. Iris learned how to be a better friend and a better person, and Claudia learned to love and appreciate herself more. I am always on board with personal growth, and found Claudia's to be an important journey to share. 
  • The family ties were tied nice and tight in this one. Claudia's family was total #FamilyGoals. Her parents are very present in this book, but we see more focus on the sibling relationships, which were quite lovely. I love that they maintained contact over the miles by playing an MMORPG together. You know what they say, the family that plays together, stays together. Mills really did a wonderful job with the family dynamic, and I couldn't get enough of this clan. 
  • This is my favorite kind of book, because it was quite fun, packed with great and witty banter, and low drama. It's almost as if Mills wrote this book just for me. 
Overall: A wonderful story filled with family and friendship, which left me with an incurable case of the warm-fuzzies. I have now found an new author for my go-to list and am eager to read every book Mills writes.

**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.









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24 comments:

  1. I'm a massive fan of Emma Mills as well Sam, I read First & Then earlier this year I think it might have been and fell in love with her characters and the romance. They're just feel great reads aren't they. So glad you loved this Sam, planning on picking it up soon too. Brilliant review! <3

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    1. She really does know how to write incredible characters. I have First & Then, but it slipped through the cracks (as these things happen). I am so motivated to read her other two books now. I hope you love this book as much as I did.

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  2. I've been meaning to read First & Then for so long, but now that I read your review for this one, I might end up picking Foolish Hearts instead- it sounds just like my kinda read and I'm glad you loved it as much as you did! The characters and romance sound really great, and yay for healthy families!

    Ruzaika @ The Regal Critiques.

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    1. I own First & Then and have not read it yet, but I am definitely prioritizing it for my Backlist challenge. Mills just crafts great characters. She is up there with Rainbow Rowell and Becky Albertalli for me when it comes to creating characters I want to be friends with.

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  3. I absolutely loved This Adventure Ends, mainly because it had such positive friendships and family relationships. Glad to hear that this one is just as lovely!

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    1. I hope to read that one too. This is my first Mills book, but I think it's love at first sight.

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  4. Yay review twins! You nailed everything that I loved about this book. It was phenomenal in every way! Not that I had any doubts going in! Can't wait to see whatever she comes up with next.

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    1. I swear, I will read everything she writes!! I loved your review too.

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  5. I actually placed a hold on this yesterday after reading all the great reviews last week, and you review has made me even more excited to start it! Gideon and Claudia both sound like amazing characters. I always love when the uber-popular boy has more to him than meets the eye. Great review, Sam! :)

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    1. I feel confident that you will not regret reading this book. It just made me happy.

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  6. I haven't picked up a single Emma Mills book either, but I recently bought all three of hers and I can't wait to read them. I'm going to be starting this one first, I think - it sounds so amazing and I really love that cover. I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much - great review!

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    1. I have First & Then (which I still need to read), but I WANT This Adventure Ends, because I have heard so many raves about it. I plan to read them all and anything else she writes. She just gets me.

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  7. I'm glad to hear this is such a great read. The focus on family and friendship make it definitely sound like something I would enjoy. Wonderful review!

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    1. Claudia's family was so wonderful, but still so real. I just wanted them to adopt me.

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  8. This sounds so good! I love how wonderful all of these characters seem. I need to read this author very soon.

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    1. It so sweet, adorable, funny, smile inducing. I was ridiculously happy after reading this book.

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  9. It's so obvious how much you loved this one! :) I love those books that just make you happier for reading them. And I have to mention, the line "the family ties were tied nice and tight" is sheer genius. I love that line! :)

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    1. Awww, you are the sweetest! I absolutely adored this book, and I really want to be part of Claudia's family. I have read quite a few books with stupendous families, but I have to say, this one is near the top. I love that they had siblings that were so far apart in age and life stages, but still treated each other as peers.

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  10. Your the second blogger I've seen who has loved this book so I will definitely be reading. I have delayed reading Emma Mills books for far too long. I don't care I'll have to pay that bit extra to get a copy as it's not out in the UK. This sounds awesome.

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    1. It was so precious and sweet and the characters!!!! Mills writes great characters. Add her to my Rainbow Rowell list for fabulous characters (that's a good thing, in case you were wondering).

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  11. I really need to pick up an Emma Mills book---I own this one and her last one, but I haven't gotten to them yet. Lots of great reviews for this book!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I have to say, after reading this book, I am making her a contemporary go-to for me. She lived up to all the hype.

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  12. I've seen this book around quite a bit but I have to admit I haven't actually read anything like this before! Or by this author. But the characters sound so great I'm willing to give it a try :D

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    1. I am a contemporary lover and this one had everything I adore - great characters, positive family focus, sweet and adorable romance, and fantastic friendships.

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