Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of The Fall of Whit Rivera.

I really enjoyed this book and the characters. I loved Whit and her friends and the relationships between all of the characters. There was so much depth in everyone included in the book.

I feel like this book would be great for teenagers.

This book is a warm mug of apple cider and cozy sweater. It’s so cute and sweet! I love the fall theme. Whit and her family are beautiful, well-rounded characters. It’s so amazing to watch Whit’s growth. Whit and Zay’s story is fun and delightful. I highly recommend this to everyone - not only do you get a sweet love story and tale of friendship, but you also get a better understanding of what people who live with chronic illness deal with every day.

omg I absolutely loved this book! I loved the short chapters and the little lists!!
The MC was so loveable and really caring!
The writing style was really smooth it felt sometimes that I wasn’t reading it but just experiencing!!

This honestly was the perfect book to get we into the autumnal mood that I’ve been easing into slowly. This was cute! And I’m still not over how beautiful this cover is. Something about young love is always so special.

☽𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎☾

Thank you netgalley adn the publisher for this ARC in exchange of a honest review!!

Considering so many people enjoyed it, this is certainly a 'me' thing.

Let me begin by stating that the cover is lovely, and the author does an excellent job at capturing the cosy and autumnal sensations throughout the book. There is Latino representation, and the female heroine suffers PCOS. I believe the teenage era is effectively depicted, both constructively and adversely.
Unfortunately, the narrative went on for too long for me. I found it monotonous and couldn't help myself but skim through it. It didn't entirely capture my attention.

Friendships were also well depicted, with all of their complexities. Furthermore, the love story was quite adorable.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!

This book follows Whitney as she faces many changes in her life. During what was supposed to be a fantastic summer, she spent that time in the doctor's office and her boyfriend moved away. However, Whitney is determined to have a great Fall. So, she decides to run for president to organize the Fall Formal.

I really love the cover of this book. It definitely captures the fall vibes. While romance plays a big part in the book, this book focuses more on Whitney and her relationships. I really enjoyed the way she loves her family and how she needs to let her sister go on her path. This book also explores Whitney's relationship with her diagnosis and how the medical industry can fail many women and girls with misdiagnoses. There were so many cute and sweet moments. I would recommend picking this book after a heavy read.

⤷‧₊˚3⭑
“i really, really like you.”
“i really, really like you, too.”

a cozy read that spreads the perfect autumn mood.
in some places i found it boring, so i skimmed through them. i feel like i read another ya book that had the same atmosphere as this one, so it didn't stick out to me.

i really liked the Latina representation and that you have to let go of some things and holding on to others, a realistic friendship but also the opportunity to find a way to love yourself.

the love story between them was adorable. everything about them was so cute that i had to smile a lot. i think this was my sign to read more ya romance books.

-thank you for arc in exchange for an honest review.-

*spoiler alert*

Embodying my favorite season… FAT GIRL FALL!

I loved everything about this book. It brought back so many memories of when I too was diagnosed with PCOS. I wish I had this book when I was diagnosed it would’ve helped me so much. I love each and every character and would love a story for each couple or at least a short novella.

The rest of this book is just notes that I felt so connected to.

- Remembering getting diagnosed in my junior year of college. Ignoring the signs
- I didn’t do as much research as I should have and the doctors really had no clue
- Obsessed with school supplies like me
- The chin hairs are so real
- “So help me Goddess (Beyoncé) and book that mentions the queen in a good way is for me.
- I hattted metformin… those side affects the first couple months are the worst
- Vicks cures everything

The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado did NOT disappoint! Just as I felt with her other two novels, Maldonado has made this 45 year old look back to high school years and remember how much everything meant and how perfection is what we yearned for. Had I known then, what I know now, I would say that Whit learned a lesson that will ease so much for her in her future.
Maldonado included so much that young adults may be looking for in literature, someone or something that resonates with them. This novel gives something for everyone! We are offered different family structures, friendship issues and how they combat things together, crushes (who hasn't had one) and how to handle them, medical situations handled with love (autism, PCOS). Maldonado tackled real life issues that are prevalent in our every day life and shed light, especially on the issues with healthcare and parents leaving/ loss of loved ones. Overall, I think the key thing that I loved is seeing how Whit learned how to not only accept herself but everything around her. I think for YA it is so important for them to remember to take it one day at a time. What society poses to be so important is not always important. The most important thing is to self-care, sharing time with good friends and reminding yourself that you deserve the best and not let anything or anyone (especially you) prevent that from happening! Also, I LOVE the fall and although I'm not a Pumpkin Spice lover, I appreciated it all!

Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Fall of Whit Rivera is heartwarming, sweet and hopeful story of Whitney or Whit who has to navigate her life after discovering she has PCOS and puts together her dream Fall Fest with her middle school ex.
I absolutely loved The Fall of Whit Rivera, it was like fall wrapped in a book. The parts when Whit and Isaiah plan and put together the Fall Fest were so fun to read. Whit's and Isaiah's family and friends were best people. They were so loving, supportive and everything warm. Whit's condition tells us what goes on in one's mind and in one's life while having such a condition and how we should be understanding towards one another. I enjoyed Whit and Isaiah's story, it was so sweet and a little funny and there was no third act breakup which I loved.
Definitely read The Fall of Whit Rivera especially if you love:
~ fall
~ pumpkin spice lattes
~ sweet family and friends dynamic
~ simping over boy bands
~ homecoming and proposals

This was definitely cute and fun but kind of basic. It feels like something I've read before and it didn't completely hold my interest because of that. That being said, I thought the characters and story were sweet.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Holiday House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

"I’m ignoring my homework and neglecting my phone, instead curled up in my bed with Patch. We’re snuggled up rewatching the first episode of Gilmore Girls, just because."

If that doesn't set the tone for this book, then I dont know what does!! This book is the perfect combination of cute and cozy, whilst also exploring heavier topics such as Whit's struggle with her PCOS and the fatphobia she becomes subject to as a result of it. It had all of the vibes of Gilmore Girls, except with more diversity and representation.

The story follows a Latina character Whit Rivera (obviously) who hasn't had the best summer (her boyfriend moved away so they're long-distancing which isn't exactly working out). She spent her summer instead at the doctor's office while they try to diagnose her symptoms, eventually finding out she has PCOS. As a result, she unfortuantely has to resign from the summer internship she was looking forward to. (As I said, not the best of summers 😕) When she returns to school, she throws herself in planning the Fall Fest and Formal that year, inspired by her grandparents' own 70's love story. Only to bump into (literally and figuratively) her 6th grade ex, Isaiah - a relationship that didn't end on the best of terms - and somehow coffee spilled all over herself. Before she knows it, he has given her his hoodie that smells exactly like him, cologne, firewood and adobo. Shortly after, Isiah, someone she's been at odds with for years now, throws a wrench in her perfectly planned out year by joining the committee as he number 2. Fall holds an extremely special meaning for Whit and her family and so someone, who doesn't exactly love fall the way Whit does (supposedly), becoming her second-in-command annoys and frustrates her to no end.

Crystal Maldonado has given us a rich story full of Latino representation (something particularly prominent in the familial dynamics); multidimensional developed characters; realistic friendships; the giddiness that arises with a new crush and the butterflies. Its a story of self-acceptance, coming to grips with who you are, letting go of some things and holding on to others. Its a story of how the people who love you and would rush to the hospital for you are your family. Its a story of all things fall and gilmore girls vibes (brownie points for that too!)

On top of all of that, I thought Whit and Lily's relationship was particularly touching. Although Whit isn't perfect, and perhaps admittedly makes mistakes when it comes to treating her sister, who has autism (which i loved to see representation for), she at the end of the day, tries to fix her mistakes cause she only ever wants Lily to be happy.

'“Here.” Isaiah holds out an arm to me, patting his forearm.
“Hold me for balance.” I hesitate for a second, but he meets my eyes. “I’ve got you.”'

And, now finally onto the romance, (the moment you've all been waiting for), *screams, cries, giggles, throws my feet in the air, wonders why there aren't more Isaiahs in this world*. Their romance was the CUTEST. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was EVERYTHING. From the bringing her coffee, to the CUTEST lines, I have no words except for *screaming crying throwing up*. He has such golden retriever energy and any guy who creates a binder is automatically superior, I'm sorry.

Though at some moments, the dialogue was slightly cringey and I felt some of the points were not fleshed out enough to their full potential, if you couldn't already tell I loved this book. It was the perfect read to prevent my oncoming reading slump that I could feel was about to happen and the perfect accompaniment to autumn!!

A cozy read, perfect for fall. Wonderful writing with enigmatic characters. There were certain places that fell short for me but overall a very good experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this Arc.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I have been waiting to read this ever since Crystal announced it, so I was very excited to find it on NetGalley!

Let's start with the beautiful cover: FALL VIBES! Also, the double meaning of the title is great.

Rep: Afro-Dominican (Dr. Dianalys Delgado), Afro-Latino (Isaiah "Zay" Caleb Ortiz and family), Black (Malik), Chinese (Daniel), Hawaiian? (Leilani Mamea), Latina (Marisol "Sol" Pérez), Mexican (Jay Martinez), Puerto Rican (Whitney "Whit" Rivera/Liliana "Lily" Margaret Rivera/Paola "Abuela" Rivera/Tía Luisa/Tía Mariana/Tío Sebbie/Chloe Torres), Vietnamese (Sophie Tran), Autism (Lily), Diabetes (Sophie), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome [PCOS] (Whit), bisexual (Whit), lesbian (Marisol/Ari Garcia and Lily/Ruby Davis)

Tropes: enemies to lovers, miscommunication/misunderstanding, second chance

Content warning (from author): fatphobia, diet culture, bias in the medical community, autism, socioeconomic status, parental abandonment, loss, and grief

Whitney just had the worst summer: hey boyfriend, Aiden, moved 200 miles away, she spent most of the summer at a bunch of doctors' offices trying to get a diagnosis for her symptoms, and this ends up causing her to resign from a summer internship she was excited about. She has big plans to make this year's Fall Fest the best one yet, inspired by her grandparents' love story from the 1970s. Shortly after starting her senior year, she (literally) runs into her 6th grade ex, Isaiah Ortiz, and ends up with coffee all over herself. He is quick to give her his hoodie that smells the same way she remembered - cologne, firewood, and adobo. And he's even hotter now?! Before she knows it, he is also joining the Fall Fest committee as her number 2. Can they work together even after the night 6 years ago, and what happens when they finally talk about it? Can Whit let go and learn that imperfection is okay? Can she deal with the fact that her sister, Lily, is growing up, becoming her own person, and needs independence?

Whit has two very supportive friends - Marisol and Sophie. Marisol started a debate club at their high school and wants to become a lawyer. She is tired of being compared to her older sister, Natalia. Sophie plays the violin and wants to attend a winter music internship in Paris, but is afraid her parents won't let her because they are so overprotective.

Whit had a rough summer but is excited for her senior year of high school. She’s reconnecting with friends she hasn’t seen much over the summer, helping her freshman sister learn the ropes at school, and she (literally) runs into her 6th grade crush on the first day of school. Besides all of this, her dream of planning the Fall Festival is within her reach, and she’s hoping her recent diagnosis of PCOS doesn’t cause too many issues along the way.

I don’t know why I always said no to YA books in the past. This one, like the last 3 or 4 YA romcoms I’ve read, is a total ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for The Fall of Whit Rivera to come out October 10, 2023.

An enjoyable and cozy reading, full of lessons, entertainment, latin main character and easy narrative. It wasn't my first touch with the author's titles, So didin't surprised me at how good the story was constructed. Liked a lot!

I love everything that Crystal writes even though I'm over forty! She's so good at creating memorable characters that are very relatable. I felt connected to Whit in a few ways and her experiences in school reminded me of mine at the age. The fall descriptions are spot on and it is my favorite season so I love the cover and the writing about PSL, leaves falling, etc... Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars! Can't wait to buy this for my nieces.