Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills-- Glitter and happiness in a book

Foolish Hearts

Introverted Claudia is forced to try out for her school's production on A Midsummer Night's Dream when a class project with prickly Iris goes wrong.

Being involved in the play ends up being an awakening experience for Claudia as she-- makes new friends, puts herself in new social situations, and maybe even makes a romantic connection.

As opening night grows closer, even her relationship with Iris makes major headway-- and a boy band obsession begins....













This book is rainbow glitter falling from cotton candy clouds.  It's sunshine rays bursting out of a unicorn's horn.  I'm 100% convinced that Emma Mills mixes happiness into her ink when she prints these books because there is no way you could read this book and not feel happy all over.

Claudia, our main girl, is a down-to-Earth, relatable protagonist and even though I'm really nothing like her, I found myself WANTING to be like her.  She has an awesome/admirable way of looking at the world, and I loved that she was into spending time with family and liked gaming.  If she's a typical high school girl, our world is a better place than I thought.

The side characters in this book were also people I wouldn't mind knowing IRL.  Gideon, the love interest, (who was basically Frank Sager from This Adventure Ends) was so cute and positive.  Everyone liked Gideon because Gideon liked everyone.  Iris was my fave because she had no filter.  My filters are alarmingly thin, so I can relate to a gal who just SAYS it.  True, she was super alienating to most of her classmates, but I had a blast watching as Claudia broke through her icy outer-layer.

The only character I didn't love was Zoe, the BFF from preschool.  She was sort of unnecessary for me, and she was also part of the only thing in the book that I didn't like.  Towards the end, there is a major plot twist involving Zoe, and I thought it was a MAJOR thing that really didn't get it's MAJOR due.  It seemed like all the side characters were telling Claudia to "get over it", and I wanted to jump onto the page and tell Claudia that her feelings were valid!!

Okay, so I know you're thinking that this book is all fluffy and romancey, and I just want to assure you that it's not just that.  The romance part is very minimal-- it's more about family and friendship, sort of like how This Adventure Ends was.  And the fluff part... well, it is fluffy, I'll give you that, but fluffy is good here.

OVERALL: PERFECTION!!  Emma Mills and her adorable characters strike again.  I'm lost to this author and will read everything she ever writes forever and ever.  I recommend you do the same because everyone needs this kind of happiness in their lives every now and again.

Date Published: 12/5/2017
How I got this book: Thanks to Macmillan/Fierce Reads for providing me an advanced copy to read and honestly review.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Add it to your To-Read List!!


My Rating: 5/5








Character: Iris Huang
Book: Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky

  • I think Iris would love to read about superfans like the girls in this book-- and she would laugh at the dark humor.




13 comments:

  1. YES! I loved Foolish Hearts so very much! Claudia and Gideon are the best and I love Iris as well! Especially the boy band fandom aspect of their friendship<3

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    1. Iris forevs. The boy band part was really cute-- I was NOT expecting Claudia to start liking This Is Our Now or whatever their name was, and she totally surprised me in an awesome way!!

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  2. So glad to read another great review for this book! I'm so looking forward to it. I love that Mills focuses on friendship and family, with romance being only a small part of the book. It gives me hope for YA!

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    1. Right?? Romance was OUT OF CONTROL for a while there in YA, but now I think I'm finding more books that don't try to force it in when it's not needed or wanted.

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  3. I couldn't agree more! Emma Mills writes magic :D

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  4. Loved this book and loved Iris sosososo much!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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  5. YAY!!! I am so excited for this one and LOVE Emma Mills books. Great review!!

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  6. Woman, get out of my head! I just described this book to someone as sunshine and rainbows and unicorns and everything that is delightful, because it was!!! I am a fan of Gideon's and the sibling bond was incredible in this one. I am in total love with your fangirl review.

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  7. I will have to add this book to my list. I wasnt’ a huge fan of her debut but this one sounds charming, I like that it isn’t all about romance.

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  8. I've seen this one make the blogosphere rounds, however I don't think I've really read much about it. Guess I'd better take a closer look in 2018 - plus, that cover!! It's gorgeous. :)

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  9. I just really loved the fucking shit out of this book. Sooo much! So glad you loved it too. Happy 2018!

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