Member Reviews
I love the premise of a what-if story and the care with which this story about the what-ifs of young love was handled with such delicacy and care. I was very delighted reading this book.
Where It All Lands has an intriguing premise starting with a coin toss and giving us dual timelines. The dual timeline was very interesting and well done.
A few times I was frustrated with the characters and thought they were immature then remembered they were teens and found them to be relatable.
How can things change just based on a coin toss?
When a new girl, Stevie, shows up at school and they both like her, best friends Drew and Shane use their standard way of deciding who gets to do something...a coin toss. This book uses dual timelines to tell what happens if Drew wins the coin toss vs. if Shane wins.
All three teens are passionate about playing music and dream of making it big in the field, so I liked that aspect of the book.
Overall, I found it to be a sweet and engaging story and enjoyed the characters. The first two "alternating" perspectives were quite long, and I enjoyed it more when they alternated more quickly toward the end of the book.
A book with some Jewish rep is always great! I liked how this book had the dual plotlines and stories. I saw a lot of reviews that said the characters were a bit immature, but I think it's important to note that this is a YA book about teens for teens.
I love the idea of a coin toss. That so much of our life is a mixture of so many little decisions that could have gone so many other directions. Instead, it all aligns to get us exactly to where we are now. As Wexler puts it “its not in the outcome, it’s in the living”. I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I went to this book blindly so imagine my surprise when I found out it is written in dual timelines?? and I get dual endings?? Woah.
Both stories revolving Stevie, Drew, and Shane were engaging, and I did enjoy this reading journey. I do wish I did get one ending instead of two though. There was so much pain already and I need a moment of closure.
Overall, I recommend this book for fans of love triangles, coming of age stories, music references, and angst.
This was such a sweet read and definitely the first of many I will be reading by this author. I found all the characters relatable in their own way. The romance aspect was written so well.
"Where It All Lands" by Jennie Wexler presents an intriguing premise through the lens of dual timelines, exploring the impact of a seemingly simple coin toss on the lives of its characters, Stevie, Drew, and Shane. The novel offers a poignant reflection on missed opportunities, second chances, and the unpredictable paths that shape our lives.
The author skillfully captures the complexities of teenage relationships and the challenges of making connections in a transient lifestyle. Stevie's struggle with trust and attachment, rooted in her nomadic existence, adds depth to her character. The dynamics between Drew and Shane, established best friends navigating through life's hardships, are well-crafted and relatable.
Wexler's prose is evocative, delivering a blend of heartbreak and hope that resonates throughout the narrative. The exploration of themes such as love, loss, and friendship is handled with sensitivity, allowing readers to connect with the characters on an emotional level. The dual timelines add an interesting layer to the storytelling, providing insight into the characters' past and present, and how the coin toss alters their trajectories.
However, despite the novel's strengths, it falls short in fully capitalizing on the potential emotional depth. The pacing, at times, feels uneven, with certain events lacking the impact they could have had with a more nuanced execution. Some character developments may leave readers wanting more depth and exploration.
In conclusion, "Where It All Lands" is a commendable debut that beautifully explores the complexities of relationships and the consequences of pivotal moments. While the novel successfully tugs at the heartstrings, it doesn't consistently maintain the emotional resonance needed to elevate it to a higher level. Fans of contemporary YA fiction will find elements to enjoy, but the book may not fully satisfy those seeking a more immersive and emotionally charged experience.
Thanks NetGalley for the preview!
I really struggled with this one. It was cute at times but very bittersweet and sad. I put it down many times and couldn’t find a groove.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this novel. This is YA novel with a little fe triangle and multiple points of view timelines. It was ok. Nothing that weird me but a solid read.
I love a multiple timeline story and this was a cute and heartfelt read. It's lovely and sad and a quick read.
This book confused me right from the beginning. We start off the first chapter with a tragedy, we don't know when it happened or anything and it's not really explained until later on. The characters were not very fleshed out, to the point where I didn't really care about them. All of the characters are music obsessed and the author blatantly insults some very well known singers which I felt was really uncalled for. And lastly, my least favorite trope of all time was present, insta-love is not for me in any genre or age category of book.
I really liked this book but felt that the characterization suffered a little bit because of the structure. It felt hard to connect to Shane when he wasn't the narrator, which made the ending feel a little forced.
This book was just sadly not for me! I was hoping for something different but it turned out to be something I was not expecting, which is okay and I'm sure someone else would love it!
Where it All Lands by Jennie Wexler is a novel that portrays a YA love triangle. I believe I was drawn in by the promo line "for fans of Sarah Dessen"
If you’re a YA lover, then this book is definitely for you. It has a little bit of everything. Friendships and love. I love how this book was divided into 3 parts based on a coin toss. Once you get into the book, you will love it.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this ya book. It says this book is for fans of Rainbow Rowell and I agree with that. I enjoyed Jennie Wexler's writing style and characters. There is good character interactions and development just like with Rowell.
Where it All Lands is a novel about how our choices define us, and that love will always find a way. The characters were fun to follow, and the author made me feel all of the feelings. I think the story could have been a little bit longer though, I wanted more time with the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.
3.5⭐️ - I love the "sliding doors" type of stories and this was an enjoyable read overall. There was some repetitiveness when we read the "tails" option of the story, but I appreciated the different insights we did get to differentiate the characters. And I liked how the ending played out!
I liked the Sliding Doors-esque storyline of Where It All Lands, despite love triangles not being my favourite trope in a romance novel.
I loved Stevie’s growth as she struggled to find a place where she belongs. It certainly reminded me of being a teenager and trying to find where I fit in the landscape of teenage life!