Rating 3

Someday We’ll Find it by Jennifer Wilson was a cute young adult story. After reading the synopsis I knew I had to read this book. I always love a main character that is dealing with a little bit of trouble because they are always more relatable. I enjoyed Bliss’ character but she did not come across as being seventeen years old. Her voice and actions seemed much younger, almost like a fifteen year old. This immediately took me out of the story. I understand she is innocent and that gives her a certain southern charm but she was just way too naive for me. A lot of her actions or conversations annoyed me because they were too simple. I did like the overall storyline about Bliss trying to reconnect with her mom. But personally, I feel as though the reader never got any real payoff for it. I wish Bliss would just stick up for herself and put herself first for once. Reading this book is the first time I questioned whether or not YA books are still for me. I could not get into this book but I definitely think a younger audience can relate to Bliss and will probably enjoy this story. Bliss wants to find herself while at the same time leave her small town behind which is what a lot of young teens think about.

**Received a copy from #Netgalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

When I started reading I wasn't sure where this book wanted to take me with Bliss. At times I found her passiveness annoying as a MC. BUT Bliss is very realistic of a child who was abandoned. A girl who doesn't rock the boat, not for her boyfriend who asks for too much. Aunt and Uncle who love her but apparently didn't make her feel welcomed with them....because her jelly cousin Pasty sure doesn't sometimes.

Things get messy when Bliss asks herself her Pandora's box question what does she want. The payoff to this question was worth the read. Even if I didn't get the blowout that I wanted. (I like the fictional drama.)

This was a really really beautiful debut! I always love reading debut authors because it gives children and young adults a new sense of relief and also something to enjoy. This really touched me in ways I didn’t and wouldn’t even consider at first. It was really beautiful. I adored all the characters and the introduction to a character that I’ll surely remember for the rest of my life! This was perfect and exactly what I needed so credit to the author for such a beautiful review. This was an honour to read. 5 out of 5 stars!

I got this ARC on a whim since it's based on rural central Illinois, which is where I'm from. But nobody goes to Steak N Shake in this story so like, does it even count? Also, Bliss has been living there for 6 years and doesn't know what corn detasseling or bean walking are??? Sus tbh

yeah this is my equivalent of people nitpicking like New York subway stops in fiction, minor details that won't matter to most readers!!

Anyway...yeah, I think this is something that teens in small towns with some fraught family relationships might relate to. It is kind of wild that one of Bliss's main problems is that she is TOO BEAUTIFUL and her flaky model mom is jealous of her and then her agent sees Bliss on a Zoom call and is like "this teenager is so beautiful, she MUST MODEL." But OK fine some wish fulfilment. OR
IS IT. (it is and the wish is "teenager whose emotional labor has been undervalued will find someone who values it and understands that she has had a uniquely hard life".)

[
I think I also found it kind of unsatisfying that Bliss never really figured out what she wanted to do? Which I guess is also realistic because teens like, don't have to have things figured out. But it's maybe not the most satisfying fiction. Also the title is bc she wanted to learn how to play "Rainbow Connection" on what she thought was her mom's ukulele and she thought it was her mom's favorite song but then like...it wasn't? Or her mom lied about it being her favorite song I guess? IDK but then it wasn't like Bliss really discovered a love of music after that or anything.........so.........ok. (hide spoiler)]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This was another great read. I was instantly attracted to the cover, but then the premise as well
Seventeen-year-old Bliss Walker has been stuck in a home that doesn’t feel like hers for six years. Ever since Mama dropped her off and never came back.

Then, the summer before her senior year of high school, two things happen: Mama returns out of the blue, and Bliss meets Blake, a boy who listens like everything she has to say is worth hearing.
It was a really nice coming of age story that has an interesting family dynamic as well as a bit of romance mixed in as well. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.

Bliss Walker has been living with her aunt, uncle, and cousin since the day her mother left her five years ago. Bliss holds on to the hope that some day her mother will return and they will live together again. Bliss always feels out of place in the home and tries her best to not cause any problems. She has a boyfriend who she can see herself building a future with and a cousin who she loves (and sometimes hates). In her summer before senior year, Bliss finds herself short on cash and gets a job with her cousin Patsy walking beans on an organic farm. She meets Blake, the owner's son, and she finds herself drawn to him. When her mother returns, with a plan for Bliss, Bliss starts to realize that she's never really followed her own dreams, that she is always going along with other people's plans in order to not make waves and to keep them happy. When Bliss finally starts to embrace her own plans and dreams, she learns that finding her own voice can make life both better and more difficult.

This theme felt very familiar to me, I think I have read a similar book, but this one stood out on its own. I liked Bliss and how she figures out how to stand up for herself and what she wants.
Her mother is very self centered and might love Bliss but wants to mold her a certain way.
I liked Patsy & Bliss's relationship, and how they helped each other. I liked Bliss's Aunt & how she takes care of her.
I think many teens can relate to the themes of wanting to find themselves and figure out where they belong.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This book felt so special to me. The book is well narrated; the main character had so much depth, and all the characters are so well written. 5 stars. Lovely story.

The summer before her senior year finds Bliss trying to find her identity. She's in year 6 of a one-year abandonment by her Mom. Mom is off pursuing her modeling career in Japan while Bliss is dealing with River, the rest of her family, and Blake. Each adds another layer to Bliss' journey. As the summer progresses, Mom returns with some big news for Bliss. Bliss is faced with making choices and determining the best considerations for her choices - to help her or to help someone else. Bliss and her circumstances and choices are relatable and will challenge the reader to think about his/her own choices.

This was your typical teenage love story except with the twist of one teen’s mother who wanted her modeling career more than her daughter. But the best about this book was how being older and reading it made me wish it had been out when I was a teen to realize we don’t deserve certain boyfriends to talk to or treat us the way one did in this book.

Bliss and her mom were supposed to be a team, but mom left her with relatives when she left for a modeling job in Japan so now Bliss and River are a team. Bliss meets Blake at a party and kisses him and realizes wanting something can make things worse especially since she’s with River Then Bliss’s mom comes back and wants Bliss to do mother-daughter modeling in Europe. Bliss works for Blake at his farm and wonders about having to choose between all the things you love.” Bliss thinks she might like Blake. Do you choose what’s best for others even if you wish you could choose something else.” Does Bliss stay with River? Does she really want to go with her erratically behaving mom to Europe? Everyone has choices. Bliss realizes she needs to do what she wants.