The book did not really work for me. I DNF'ed it. I wasn’t able to connect with any of the many characters in the book and I found myself putting down the book a lot because it was never really catching my attention.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's the start of summer and Sadie is just starting to deal with the fact that all of her friends have graduated and will be going off to college while she is still stuck in high school. Her days are spent working at a local farm stand, selling fruit and overpriced cheese to locals and tourists that come through.

What she never expected was the one fateful decision she made to stop an obviously drunk man from driving off with a crying baby in his car would change the course of everything she knows. What makes it even worse, someone caught the whole horrific episode on camera, and now Sadie is having to deal with being in the spotlight for just doing what she thought was right.

One of the ramifications is she is awarded a medal for being an upstanding teen. It's at this gala where she meets four other teens also being awarded for their work with the community and an unlikely friendship is born. Sadie quickly finds a new comfort with this rag-tag group of people and they decide to go on a crusade to help the underdogs and right the wrongs that they see. Things start to get out of control though when the group is put in real danger trying to help a friend, and when their cause starts to catch the media's eye.

I really loved this book. Each character felt authentic, and I loved how the story evolved as we read along. I did at times wonder if Izzy was actually a drug addict, feeling like eventfully the truth was going to come out that it was a ruse. I found this to be an incredibly quick read, one that kept me coming back for more. I highly recommend for all libraries.

Sadie is doing all she can to make it through a boring. Her main claim to fame is that her father, Woody, is the local ice cream man. Then one day, while working at the local farmers market, she saves a baby in distress. Sadie then gains local celebrity fame. She’s invited to a local community service awards event. At the event her and the other four honorees(Jean, Gordie, Alice, and Val) decide to do good deeds for those in the community. They call themselves ‘The Unlikelies.’ They do this by spreading anti-trolling messages on social media and giving out cute care package.
The main thing I loved about this book is the positive message it sends. That it’s important to be kind. Doing something small can change someones day.
Another thing that I really enjoyed was the subtle humor. This helped to lighten the mood of the book.
The diversity was well done in ‘The Unlikelies’. Jean is Haitian, Val is Hispanic, and Sadie is half Persian. This really added another dimension to the story. The fact that all the kids came from different backgrounds but came together to ‘do good deeds’ really underscored the positive tone of the book.
The only thing that really left me wanting more was the mystery surrounded Mr.Upton. I wish that his life could have been touched on more. I kept thinking there was an interesting story there.
‘The Unlikelies’ is an all together great read. It has a positive message with an interesting storyline. Would definitely recommend. A must read for teenagers.

So sorry but this one just wasn't for me. Thanks for letting me try it.

I loved this story! The dynamic between the 5 kids was amazing. I loved how one event brings them all together and begins the journey for their summer adventure. I especially liked how they each learned something about the other that allowed them to see the world just a little bit differently. What a GREAT SUMMER READ! I can't wait to recommend this wonderful read to my customers!

The Unlikelies was not exactly the book I was expecting it to be, but in some ways it was better. I was expecting it to be mostly a story about how Sadie and her friends are trying to right wrongs in their community—and it was about that a bit, but really it was more about Sadie discovering that she can move on after she loses the things in her life that she defined herself with—mainly her relationship with her best friend. Sadie hadn’t expected to find anything new in her town the summer before her senior year. She hadn’t expected to move on—just to mope. She also has to move on from the fear that surrounds her after being attacked. She tells people she’s fine, but she really isn’t past it all. In some ways it makes her braver, though—she doesn’t want to shrink back from helping, no matter what.

The one issue that I had with the book was that Sadie and her friends put themselves in some very dangerous situations in order to help their friend with the drug addiction, and they don’t really ever see the consequences of that. I kind of wanted to scream at them to smarten up a little because helping doesn’t have to mean taking extreme risks—not when there are other options. Still, I loved that Sadie and her friends aren’t willing to just leave well enough alone. They fight back when most people would just sit back and complain. For that, I applaud them!

This book was a bit of a more serious read than I was expecting, but that was just fine with me. It was still fun in parts and really highlighted friendships, something that’s needed more in YA. Plus, the romance was sweet and easy to root for. Overall, I give this book 4/5 Stars.

Another great YA read was this novel about some unlikely friends who set out to be do-gooders. I am recommending this one to my 8th grader. It will give us a good opportunity to discuss drug use (or I should say continue the discussion), as the portrayal in this book is, I think, very realistic.
Thank you, Net Galley, for my e-copy!

Sadie and her friends are the rare breed of fictional teens that make readers actually want to be different and stand out from the crowd. As they cope with their shared do-gooder status bestowed upon them by their communities, they bond over a desire to rid the world of internet trolls and real life "lizards", eventually engaging in both innocent care package drop-offs and dangerous rescue missions at drug houses.

I was instantly captivated by the premise of this book, and the impact it can have on teens - teens who are so vulnerable to the horrors of internet hate and trolls, and in desperate need of the work that The Unlikelies end up doing. I laughed out loud at the incredibly witty dialogue and cheered as Sadie worked to overcome her post-attack night anxieties and her friend Alice struggled to reconcile her childhood friend's descent into heroin addiction.

The Unlikelies deals with gritty and real issues, but does so in a hopeful and at times, hilarious manner. Required purchase for high school libraries.

DNF

Sorry, couldn't really get into the story/tone of the book.

This will go live on my blog tomorrow. Kellyvision.wordpress.com

Sadie's friends are all graduating but she has a year left. She's not sure what to do, beyond her summer job at a farmstand. Then she saves a baby (long story) and gets invited to a sort of Hero Teens award ceremony. She quickly bonds with them and they ultimately dub themselves The Unlikelies and set out to improve the world (also a long story).

I love the concept of this--the idea that you and some friends could do good in the world with very little effort.

The execution felt a little flat for me, though. I didn't really love any of the characters and, although they talked about kindness and preventing bullying, they were all pretty judge-y (especially Sadie).

I enjoyed this, but not as much as I hoped to.

Last year, Carrie Firestone’s The Loose Ends List was definitely on my top books of 2016 list. It was uproariously unrepentant and unprecedented in its premise. So I was on the edge of my seat going into The Unlikelies. I didn’t read the blurb before I started so I went into blind, and I would highly recommend that because it was SO. MUCH. FUN. to dive in and discover all the twists and turns without any expectations. Right from the start it grabbed me and I didn’t let go. Seriously, I’m going to be talking about this one for a looooooooooooong long time.

There are so many reasons to love this book.

Vigilante Do-Gooders Fight Evil with Candy. If that sentence made little to no sense to you but definitely piqued your interest, I think you and I could be best friends. I mean, who doesn’t love candy and vigilantes all in the same sentence? And what a great idea… I’m pretty convinced that sugar could probably save the world if only we thought to use it more often. “Oh, you want to drop a nuke on another country… here’s a kit kat because you could use a break... and, while you’re at it, let’s give that country a break too and sign a nonaggression pact.” “Oh, you didn’t get the international attention you were looking forward to and now you want to go to war? Here’s a twix because we all know you aren’t yourself if you’re hangry.” What I’m trying to say is, I’m pretty sure that recess pieces are the missing piece of world peace (See what I unapologetically did there?). I may have gotten a teensy bit off topic, but seriously, Sadie and her friends are totally BA and they know how important it is to make others feel awesome by spreading the love via delicious treats. I loved EVERYTHING about this band of friends, and Carrie Firestone does such an incredible job of fleshing them each out as individuals, in addition to building them up as a whole. Their friendship works, and it felt real, which is sometimes hard to pull off, but I felt I knew each of them and I wanted to be in their inner circle because that inner circle is one hell of an awesome place to be.

There may or may not be some major blood money involved. I don’t want to give away the entire plot which is making it really hard to review this book, but I’m just saying… there is some dirty money in this book that has a sordid past and is put to very good use… The Unlikelies is basically a spy movie meets The Breakfast Club meets summery contemporary romance all rolled up together into a spicy burrito with more than a little sass on the side. I loved every single bite, because it is one of the most unique things I’ve ever read, and I tend to like that in my books.

If you also like reading laugh-out-loud, romantic-but-not-too-romantic, adorkable books about summer that will blow your mind with originality than this is definitely a book that should already be on your TBR. If it’s not, add it now, or better yet run to your local bookstore and pick it up. It was such a flippin’ fantastic read for me, and it’s going to be on this year’s best list for sure. I hope it delights you too.

For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JOPd...

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Sadie steps into a dangerous situation to ensure the safety of a child she finds herself becoming a local hero. Sadie finds herself thrusts into the spotlight and invited to be honored at a local teen charity awards ceremony. At the ceremony Sadie makes fiends with other local teens being recognized for their own contributions to the community. When Sadie is given a large amount of money to help people in need the group teams up to try to make a better world.

This book had a great concept but it just didn't quite work for me. The content and the tone of this book felt very disjointed. The cover and the fluffy romance angle felt odd juxtaposed with heroine abuse and endangered children. I appreciate the message of trying to be kind and making the world better one small act at a time but I was just never won all the way over.

Interesting characters, feel-good plot line, friendship & romance make this enjoyable (even if some aspects seem a bit implausible). A fun summer read!

It’s hard not to praise a book which ultimately promotes kindness, bravery and respect. THE UNLIKELIES by Carrie Firestone shares the story of five teens over a long, eventful summer. They are an economically, culturally and racially diverse group and indeed unlikely friends from different schools. Sadie (who rescues a baby from an abusive situation) meets the others at a luncheon honoring local homegrown heroes: Gordon (works with adults with learning disabilities), Val (collects school supplies), Alice (animal rights photographer) and Jean (gifted artist).

As their friendship deepens, readers come to appreciate the issues each faces, especially Alice's concerns over her best friend's heroin addiction. The adults in the story seem mainly clueless and these kids take some big risks. Maybe I had just read too many young adult books in quick succession, but I was not sure for whom I would recommend this book. Middle school? Early high school? (School Library Journal says grade 9 and up). Honestly, many of my high school students would find these characters to be rather unsophisticated and therefore less appealing. However, their values, particularly in regards to cyberbullying, reflect maturity and deserve acknowledgement.

This is the second novel by Carrie Firestone and it was just as wonderful as her first novel. Like her first novel., I found that the overwhelming theme of hope and kindness was refreshing since sometimes literature focused on teens can leave you frustrated. Sadie is a kind, generous and caring young woman who is saying goodbye to the friends who have graduated and is ready for her summer working at the farmstand. In an act of bravery to right a wrong and protect a child, Sadie becomes a hero to those around her. After a cancelation at an event, Sadie is celebrated as a "hometown hero" and finds herself with an unlikely group of new friends (and an old crush). The story moves forward as Sadie is dealing with the aftermath of her accident and is gifted a suitcase from a dying man she knows from her job. In the suitcase there are many creepy items, but also a surprising valuable one. This unlikely group of friends finds themselves coming together and forming new relationships, while supporting each other through the changes, issues and problems within their personal lives. Firestone creates a dynamic cast of characters, full of realistic issues and problems. She has this cast of characters take on internet trolls and bullying behavior in a way that makes the reader feel motivated to help others as well. She crafts a beautifully written novel that is both uplifting and hopeful and I will continue to be a huge fan of her work!

DNF at 25%

I really thought that I was going to enjoy this one, but it just isn't what I expected at all. I just had a hard time getting into this one. The plot just seemed to drag for me. Also, the cover is a bit misleading for those looking for a fluffy contemporary.

The Unlikelies is a fun, light read perfect for the summer! It is one of those feel-good kind of books that after reading will give you that happy, summertime buzz. This is a story about teens who come together to do good. Truly a beautiful story with remarkable lessons bound to make anyone feel good. There's a slight bit of romance, wonderful friendship, and a perfect blend of humor and drama. Firestone is one to watch out for. If you've had a hard week or just want a feel-good YA contemporary, make sure to check out The Unlikelies Tuesday!

I couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for Sadie at the very beginning because she has lost all her close friends, even her ex-boyfriend who’s not quite totally ex to graduation. I had the opposite situation when I graduated from high school, leaving my best friend behind, and I know it’s awfully painful.

Sadie is a little at a loss the first day after her friends scatter but she’s not devastated; she has a life with a job at a farm stand, she’s saving for college, she has a good family. In short, she’s a normal, emotionally grounded teen who just happens to erupt into lifesaving mode when a baby needs help, proof that this sort of thing can happen to anyone.

On the other hand, this story has more than a touch of unreality, from the moment of Sadie’s heroism to the formation of a sort of do-gooder group. Still, these kids are interesting and we learn much about each one, warts and all, and it’s nice to see teens and parents dealing with the vagaries of life in healthy fashion.

Sometimes, the story gets a bit too sweet but it’s a nice summer read and I enjoyed it quite a lot. There are enough humorous moments to lighten what could be a preachy tale and I just couldn’t help liking these kids and their idealism that they turn into action. I recommend this for any teen or adult looking for a tale of good intentions carrying the day. Hate does not always win 😉

Note: For anyone who’s counting, this can be listed in the diversity column.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, May 2017.

The characters, plot, and pacing of this book were fantastic. I found myself smiling and falling in love with the cast of characters.

TOP 3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THE UNLIKELIES!
1. To learn where the name comes from! It is actually a cool backstory!
2. To learn about good things that come out of bad situations. Sadie figured working at the farm stand would be boring. Even though something bad happened it led to other events which were really good friends and a way more interesting summer then she ever expected!
3. Finding Treasure! A regular visitor to the farm stand gives her a gift and a request. Can she figure out the puzzle and fulfill the sweet old mans wishes?
This book was amazing and I am giving it my rare full five stars! You need to read it! I wish I could better explain certain parts, but I seriously don’t want to give anything away! Plus it’s one of those books that to get the full idea of its awesomeness you just have to read it! Thank you to the tour owners as well as the publisher for the chance to read this amazing book!