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What's a Soulmate?
Libby Carmichael has just met her Soulmate. It’s just too bad he’s behind bars.
When you only see the world in black and white until you meet yours, it's pretty easy to figure out when you’ve found your Soulmate. What Libby can't figure out is why fate,destiny, or the powers that be have decided that Andrew McCormack is her one, true match. Libby is smart, organized, and always has a plan for what's coming next. So when she sees Andrew for the first time and her world is instantly filled with color, she's thrown for a loop.
Namely because he's in a dingy grey jumpsuit.
And handcuffs.
And being booked into a juvenile detention facility.
Surely a boy who's been convicted of a headline-making, violent crime isn't who she’s meant to be with. There's no way she belongs with someone like that...right?
When you only see the world in black and white until you meet yours, it's pretty easy to figure out when you’ve found your Soulmate. What Libby can't figure out is why fate,destiny, or the powers that be have decided that Andrew McCormack is her one, true match. Libby is smart, organized, and always has a plan for what's coming next. So when she sees Andrew for the first time and her world is instantly filled with color, she's thrown for a loop.
Namely because he's in a dingy grey jumpsuit.
And handcuffs.
And being booked into a juvenile detention facility.
Surely a boy who's been convicted of a headline-making, violent crime isn't who she’s meant to be with. There's no way she belongs with someone like that...right?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2016
48 people are currently reading
1589 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Ouimet
3 books108 followersLindsey Ouimet is an author and fan of young adult literature. When not obsessing over fictional characters, she spends most of her time watching bad reality television, forgetting about the tea she just made, and refreshing her Twitter feed. She lives in Georgia with her husband and small army of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
February 7, 2017
I am so happy that this book plot got created and turned into an actual written book. I’ve seen this idea before I believe on Pinterest and was overjoyed when I saw it was put to life. Not only that, but Lindsey Ouimet does it splendidly.
The book is about a girl who lives in a world where everyone sees everything in only black and white, that is, until they meet their soulmate. One person could have a soulmate, and their soulmate could have another one and not return the favor. Also, not every person meets their soulmate and there’s only a 60% chance that you will. I really liked that it wasn’t like ‘meet your soulmate and instantly fall in love’ because if that was the way it was going to be I honestly would have stopped reading.
There’s even more to this story though that had me reading through the chapters pretty quickly. I also felt like I related to the character. We have a bit of the same personality and honestly, similar unruly hair.
And of course I just HAVE to mention Drew.
*sigh* dreamy, dreamy Drew with his dark curls and hazel eyes.
All the characters were also very real as well; I believed they could be real people.
On top of that, Andrew and Libby’s relationship had me feeling all the emotions right on with them. It had my heart breaking and my inner teenage girl voice squealing (and maybe my outer teenage girl voice but we’ll keep that one a secret). It was beautiful, cheesy goodness which is something I ADORE.
It’s one of those books that when you’re finished with it you smile and feel like you’re floating.
I really loved it and recommend to anyone who wants to read a lovely and romantic young adult novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book Via NetGalley.
The book is about a girl who lives in a world where everyone sees everything in only black and white, that is, until they meet their soulmate. One person could have a soulmate, and their soulmate could have another one and not return the favor. Also, not every person meets their soulmate and there’s only a 60% chance that you will. I really liked that it wasn’t like ‘meet your soulmate and instantly fall in love’ because if that was the way it was going to be I honestly would have stopped reading.
There’s even more to this story though that had me reading through the chapters pretty quickly. I also felt like I related to the character. We have a bit of the same personality and honestly, similar unruly hair.
And of course I just HAVE to mention Drew.
*sigh* dreamy, dreamy Drew with his dark curls and hazel eyes.
All the characters were also very real as well; I believed they could be real people.
On top of that, Andrew and Libby’s relationship had me feeling all the emotions right on with them. It had my heart breaking and my inner teenage girl voice squealing (and maybe my outer teenage girl voice but we’ll keep that one a secret). It was beautiful, cheesy goodness which is something I ADORE.
It’s one of those books that when you’re finished with it you smile and feel like you’re floating.
I really loved it and recommend to anyone who wants to read a lovely and romantic young adult novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book Via NetGalley.
February 7, 2017
(I received a digital copy of this book for free. Thanks to Evernight Teen Publishing and NetGalley.)
This was a YA paranormal/fantasy romance story, about a world where everything was black and white until you met your soulmate.
Libby was an okay character, although I expected her to tell her parents what had happened a lot sooner than she did.
The storyline in this was about Libby finding her soulmate just as he was being arrested for attacking a police officer. She then tried to work out what had really happened, and started visiting Drew in jail to try and work out a way to get him off the charges against him. The story seemed quite dull for me though, as it seemed that not a lot was really happening, and the slow pace really put me off.
The ending to this was okay, and things did end happily enough. This book just didn’t wow me though, and I felt like more could have been made of the storyline than really was.
6 out of 10
This was a YA paranormal/fantasy romance story, about a world where everything was black and white until you met your soulmate.
Libby was an okay character, although I expected her to tell her parents what had happened a lot sooner than she did.
The storyline in this was about Libby finding her soulmate just as he was being arrested for attacking a police officer. She then tried to work out what had really happened, and started visiting Drew in jail to try and work out a way to get him off the charges against him. The story seemed quite dull for me though, as it seemed that not a lot was really happening, and the slow pace really put me off.
The ending to this was okay, and things did end happily enough. This book just didn’t wow me though, and I felt like more could have been made of the storyline than really was.
6 out of 10
June 23, 2017
3.5 Stars
The new take on soulmates in this book and the pretty cover pulled me in. The idea is more realistic to me rather than the usual mate match dynamics in shifter books. Here, not ever soulmate match is romantic, it could be your friend, your lover, your son or daughter and it doesn't always work out well. One can match and not the other, they could match but not get along. It's a choice whether to try a romantic relationship or not, and I loved that idea.
Add to that vision changing from black and white to full colour upon meeting the other half of your soul - it's a beautiful concept.
The writing was engaging and the characters weren't immature but this was 80% inner monologue and little else. Now, that is understandable considering their situation, but towards the end, it did drag a little. I wanted to see more of them together.
This could have been an amazing book if it just had a bit more character depth and interaction. It was still enjoyable and a great new take on fated mates, it just lacked that extra sparkle for me.
*No epilogue. No sex. No HEA*
The new take on soulmates in this book and the pretty cover pulled me in. The idea is more realistic to me rather than the usual mate match dynamics in shifter books. Here, not ever soulmate match is romantic, it could be your friend, your lover, your son or daughter and it doesn't always work out well. One can match and not the other, they could match but not get along. It's a choice whether to try a romantic relationship or not, and I loved that idea.
Add to that vision changing from black and white to full colour upon meeting the other half of your soul - it's a beautiful concept.
The writing was engaging and the characters weren't immature but this was 80% inner monologue and little else. Now, that is understandable considering their situation, but towards the end, it did drag a little. I wanted to see more of them together.
This could have been an amazing book if it just had a bit more character depth and interaction. It was still enjoyable and a great new take on fated mates, it just lacked that extra sparkle for me.
*No epilogue. No sex. No HEA*
July 6, 2017
“What’s A Soulmate?” is a contemporary romance with one of the most unique premises I have ever read in the genre.
The world of the book remains in black and white until a person finds their soulmate, at which point everything turns to color. As you can imagine, that is quite disorienting and the author does a great job of showing the types of sensory challenges something like that could present. It’s also how I’ve found love to feel. Everything looks different when you’re with “the one.”
Unfortunately for the main character, Libby, she meets Andrew at possibly the worst time in the worst place imaginable. Her meeting her soulmate in juvenile detention presents for a plot full of challenges. The dialogue is snappy and there is a lot of humor mixed in with the seriousness of the situation.
I recommend “What’s a Soulmate” for anyone looking for a unique young adult romance that is steamy without being too over-the-top. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to get something from Andrew’s point-of-view sometime.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
The world of the book remains in black and white until a person finds their soulmate, at which point everything turns to color. As you can imagine, that is quite disorienting and the author does a great job of showing the types of sensory challenges something like that could present. It’s also how I’ve found love to feel. Everything looks different when you’re with “the one.”
Unfortunately for the main character, Libby, she meets Andrew at possibly the worst time in the worst place imaginable. Her meeting her soulmate in juvenile detention presents for a plot full of challenges. The dialogue is snappy and there is a lot of humor mixed in with the seriousness of the situation.
I recommend “What’s a Soulmate” for anyone looking for a unique young adult romance that is steamy without being too over-the-top. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to get something from Andrew’s point-of-view sometime.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
October 30, 2016
4 solid stars.
A copy of this book has been kindly provided by Evernight Teen via NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
I had never read this author’s work but I must confess I was drawn by the cover first (it’s so pretty right?) and then the blurb. I love soulmate stories and YA/teen reads so this seemed like an ideal choice. And I did enjoy myself so much that I ended reading it in one day, being all grumpy when someone wanted to interrupt.
Two things I loved above all else in this story: the fresh soulmates viewpoint and the detective work Libby did to uncover the truth.
In this imaginary world, only sixty percent of the population meets their match. A match can stay platonic or the soulmate connection can be only one sided. Or someone falls deeply in love with someone that’s not her/his match and can’t stand the thought of meeting her/his soulmate. Many possibilities…
As long as you’ve not met your soulmate, you see life in black, white and grey. Seeing colors is the telltale sign that you’ve met your match.
The main female character Libby made me think of Merida from the “Brave” Disney/Pixar movie. She has red hair, blue eyes, is stubborn and very brave. She describes herself as the ” most pragmatic, least romantic people I know, that doesn’t stop me from dressing like I’m the lead in a quirky, rom-com.” Did the girl love her skirts and dresses! She could have been a seamstress.
Being the pragmatic one and conscious of the statistics, she knows the odds to belong to the forty percent minority without a mate is a reality. The shock was even greater when she met her mate unexpectedly while bringing diner to her father at the Juvenile Detention Center where he works as a correctional officer.
She can’t believe the mate fate destined her is in juvie. She hates violence, is always the good girl so there must be a mistake surely!
She needed time to process it and decided to keep quiet, not telling her family or friends. From that moment on I was put in Libby’s head and shoes. She was shocked, then angry and then determined to unearth the truth and see if Andrew was really a bad guy or if something happened to explain and maybe excuse what he’s done. Alone in her quest for a long time I could feel her burden and despair.
I found the way Libby and Andrew’s relationship evolved a very astute choice. It was not the classic “I fall in love at first sight” the main characters usually experience in that kind of story. No, their encounters were tense, awkward and sometime confrontational. Andrew was closed off and Libby had to plow through and try to gather some tidbits of information to get to know him and what happened that night. She had to be courageous to go on under his scrutiny, not knowing what he thought of her and taking some necessary steps to help him, even behind his back.
”If I think there’s something that can be done to help prove myself right or get me the result I want, then I don’t give up. Or think or the negative consequences, apparently. Especially if I think they’re outweighed by the positive ones.”
This bumpy relationship with ups and downs was much more believable than the instant love we usually get and it was refreshing.
As much as I could picture Libby quite clearly Andrew remained a mystery for a long time. I could only have a general picture of the person he was right and had to wait for Libby’s detective work to know him better. I realized he must be a great guy but did not know what pushed him to such extreme action for a long time. And even if I liked him he made some really dumb moves with Libby! I wanted to slap him when he was acting so dense!
It has been a really enjoyable story with a little bit of paranormal, a zest of mystery and a very great heroine.
A copy of this book has been kindly provided by Evernight Teen via NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
I had never read this author’s work but I must confess I was drawn by the cover first (it’s so pretty right?) and then the blurb. I love soulmate stories and YA/teen reads so this seemed like an ideal choice. And I did enjoy myself so much that I ended reading it in one day, being all grumpy when someone wanted to interrupt.
Two things I loved above all else in this story: the fresh soulmates viewpoint and the detective work Libby did to uncover the truth.
In this imaginary world, only sixty percent of the population meets their match. A match can stay platonic or the soulmate connection can be only one sided. Or someone falls deeply in love with someone that’s not her/his match and can’t stand the thought of meeting her/his soulmate. Many possibilities…
As long as you’ve not met your soulmate, you see life in black, white and grey. Seeing colors is the telltale sign that you’ve met your match.
The main female character Libby made me think of Merida from the “Brave” Disney/Pixar movie. She has red hair, blue eyes, is stubborn and very brave. She describes herself as the ” most pragmatic, least romantic people I know, that doesn’t stop me from dressing like I’m the lead in a quirky, rom-com.” Did the girl love her skirts and dresses! She could have been a seamstress.
Being the pragmatic one and conscious of the statistics, she knows the odds to belong to the forty percent minority without a mate is a reality. The shock was even greater when she met her mate unexpectedly while bringing diner to her father at the Juvenile Detention Center where he works as a correctional officer.
She can’t believe the mate fate destined her is in juvie. She hates violence, is always the good girl so there must be a mistake surely!
She needed time to process it and decided to keep quiet, not telling her family or friends. From that moment on I was put in Libby’s head and shoes. She was shocked, then angry and then determined to unearth the truth and see if Andrew was really a bad guy or if something happened to explain and maybe excuse what he’s done. Alone in her quest for a long time I could feel her burden and despair.
I found the way Libby and Andrew’s relationship evolved a very astute choice. It was not the classic “I fall in love at first sight” the main characters usually experience in that kind of story. No, their encounters were tense, awkward and sometime confrontational. Andrew was closed off and Libby had to plow through and try to gather some tidbits of information to get to know him and what happened that night. She had to be courageous to go on under his scrutiny, not knowing what he thought of her and taking some necessary steps to help him, even behind his back.
”If I think there’s something that can be done to help prove myself right or get me the result I want, then I don’t give up. Or think or the negative consequences, apparently. Especially if I think they’re outweighed by the positive ones.”
This bumpy relationship with ups and downs was much more believable than the instant love we usually get and it was refreshing.
As much as I could picture Libby quite clearly Andrew remained a mystery for a long time. I could only have a general picture of the person he was right and had to wait for Libby’s detective work to know him better. I realized he must be a great guy but did not know what pushed him to such extreme action for a long time. And even if I liked him he made some really dumb moves with Libby! I wanted to slap him when he was acting so dense!
It has been a really enjoyable story with a little bit of paranormal, a zest of mystery and a very great heroine.
February 26, 2017
Seems familiar?
I think someone's been browsing tumblr...
I first picked this book up because of the cover (which is so gorgeous) and when I read the synopsis of the book I freaked out for a bit becuase yes I saw that tumblr post myself, yes I was one of those people who heart and reblogged it and yes I was one of those who said that Someone needs to write this book right now!
So why the two star rating you ask? Well, let me explain.
First off, I would like to state that I didn't disliked the book. It was ok and I would recomend it to anyone who wants to read it to pick it up. However it wasn't as amazing as it could have been.
The story starts with Libby and her best friend Beth who talk about a girl in their school who found her soulmate only to realize he already found his and is marrying her.
She later explains how in her world everything is in black and white. Everything.
That is until you find your soulmate.
When you lock eyes with the one, something seems to explode inside you and in an instant the world takes color.
The problem with that is that you aren't only linked to one soulmate, you could have 20 of them.
You also might not be the soulmate of your soulmate. Like you see him, everything takes color but when he looks at you... nothing changes for him.
That's exactly what happened with Libby's parents.
Her mom locked eyes with her father and in a blink on an eye... everything was in color. Her father however kept seeing in black and white.
Still, they started dating and even tho her mother insisted that he should keep looking for his soulmate, he fell in love with her and wouldn't listen to a word she said about it.
After Libby was born he could see in color too.
So we know that every person has at least one soulmate. However you might not be the soulmate of your soulmate. He/She can have another one.
The only people that can see color are the ones that saw their soulmate even tho they don't have to be with them to continue seeing it.
Once their soulmate dies they turn back to seeing in black and white.
And soulmate or not, you can fall in love with whomever you like.
I wasn't a big fan of the writing and found Libby annoying and tiring at first and it took me a while to get into it.
I also belive that the book would be a whole lot of interessting if we experienced another's couple story.
It may have sounded appeling that her soulmate was an inmate but it turned out beeing kind of boring.
I would be more interessted in reading her parents story or the first girl who's soulmate is the groom of her cousin.
Basically any other couple who had a more angsty feeling to it.
So I stay to my 2 Star rating.
October 28, 2016
I wrote this! I'm pretty proud of it. ;)
February 7, 2017
THIS BOOK IS SUCH CHEEESY GOODNESS.
Plot
The concept of the storyline is rather simple. Their world is like ours - except for one thing: Your world is literally black and white until the moment you first set eyes on your Soulmate, in which your world finally fills with colors. It's just so cheesy and undeniably romantic and cute - I looove it. (However, meeting your Soulmate isn't like an easy, given thing. You might never meet that person, you might not actually love that person, that person might not love you, you might love that person but s/he doesn't love you, etc. etc.) I love seeing Libby trying to get to know her Soulmate, who's in a juvenile detention facility. I have to admit that not too much happens in this book - it's fairly straightforward, but it's lovely. It can feel a bit slow at times (especially for a book that only has 237 pages), but I love that the atmosphere and pacing of this book feel somehow true to life. The romance between her and Drew is slow, but gradual and natural. You would think their love would be "unrealistic" purely because the concept of this book is about Soulmates, but the way they responded to this chance meeting is quite realistic.
And that ending! The ending is so satisfying and perfect. (Read the spoilers section on the bottom of the review for more details.)
Romance
I SHIP Libby and Drew SO MUCH. They're incredibly cute. My only complaint is that I wanted more actual scenes between them. A lot of the book is Libby researching and trying to help Drew out behind his back. They don’t have a whole lot of dialogue or scenes between them, but every one of them does count in some way. Despite barely knowing each other, there’s a feeling that this relationship is going to be the biggest, most important one in their life. They don't love each other right away just because they're Soulmates, but they are curious.
It may seem a bit weird that Libby spends months obsessing over him and trying to help him. And it may seem annoying that Drew keeps on pushing her away, when HELLO – she’s trying to help him out. However, their actions make sense. Libby does her best to help him, even though she barely knows this guy. She helps him because he’s her Soulmate and he deserves better than his circumstances. Her parents raised her to believe in this all-consuming love, and so she does her best to get to know him and to help him out. Drew, on the other hand, pushes her away and is hesitant to get to know her because this is probably the worst time of his life, and all of a sudden he meets his Soulmate out of nowhere. It’s overwhelming – she’s overwhelming, especially when he feels like he doesn’t deserve all her efforts and attention. I just love how their responses are understandable - they're not crazy or foolish or overdramatic. They're just, well, human - and more precisely, young humans trying to figure shit out. I mean you just quite possibly met the most important person in your life, and you don't even know a thing about them - that sounds daunting, right?
Characters
All of the characters are so, so endearing.
-Libby: In a lot of YA books, there is a lot of nonsensical teenage angst, and the protagonist being all weepy and overdramatic about her love life, and I’m just like, “Ew. You need to sort out your priorities.” However, in this book, while Libby is quite obsessed with learning about and helping her newly founded Soulmate, all her responses are somehow relatable and understandable. She, for the most part, has her shit together. Like, she found her Soulmate, and she doesn’t love him right away, and doesn’t whine, or cry that her life is over, when things don’t go her way – she’s just doing her best. I appreciate that. Also, for a book that is shorter than others, I'm impressed by how well her personality comes across. I find a lot of characters in other YAs nowadays generic, or just dull (EX: not having any sorts of hobbies or interests outside of the love interest, not having any sort of thoughtful introspection, etc.) Libby, on the other hand, I think is a well thought-out character. She thinks about her future, about being lost on what exactly she wants to do in her life and major in college. She worries about being away from her family and making her dad sad. She's family-oriented, as shown by how much she thinks about her mom and dad, and how much she hangs with them. She loves fashion, as shown by her detailed narration of what she wears and creates, and what she notices on other people. She's pragmatic, as shown by how she responds to people and problems, but she's a bit of a hopeless romantic, as shown by how she admires her parents' marriage and her consistent initiatives with getting to know Drew. She's not perfect - she can get frustrating at times with her overthinking things (as we all tend to do), but I honestly think she's an amazing protagonist. In addition, her character development is great - she was judgmental when she first met Drew, but she learns to see him for who he really is.
-Drew: I can't say I know much about Drew, besides the research Libby has done on him and the handful of conversations they have had, but I like him. He's not too cheesy and perfect or too asshole-ish and rude. He doesn't know how to react to Libby at times, but he's honestly trying to take in this whole Soulmate thing. I like that he's family-oriented too, and so wonderfully faithful to taking care of and protecting his mom and younger brother. He's in general a good guy.
-Beth: UGH. I LOVE BETH SO MUCH. One thing that I absolutely ADOOOORE about this book is the friendship. Beth is Libby's best friend, and she's hilarious and immensely supportive. She also has her own lively, weird personality (in a good way). I love seeing her throughout this book, helping Libby out, and dealing with her own love life.
-Libby's parents: They are the CUTESTTT! I had a few tears in my eyes already at 4% because damn, her parents’ love story is pretty much the most romantic story ever. Also, I love that the dad has such a close relationship with Libby. They eat together every Friday and just talk. He's really protective of her, but also, he's an understanding guy. And the mom is cool and caring too. I just ADORE them.
Final Thoughts
One thing that I appreciate about this book is that while it is primarily focused on the romance, there are so many components to it. There's the great friendship between Libby and Beth, and you can really feel their strong connection. There are Libby's parents, who are unbelievably cool and adorable as individuals and as a couple, and they make me a bit weepy because their own love story is everyyyythinggg. Then, there's the romance between Libby and Drew, which is sweeeeet. And the characters are all great and completely endearing. Overall, I'm giving this 4 solid stars. It's a cute, short read, with wonderful characters and concepts.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
----------------
When you’re not sure if you want to buy the physical copy because the cover is so pretty or the Kindle version because you want to read it now… (I bought the Kindle, but honestly, fuck it, I might buy both versions.)
I remember reading this on Swoon Reads way backkk when it was on there, and it was absolutely wonderful. I can't wait to read this officially published version. <3 *ready to melt into a puddle*
Plot
The concept of the storyline is rather simple. Their world is like ours - except for one thing: Your world is literally black and white until the moment you first set eyes on your Soulmate, in which your world finally fills with colors. It's just so cheesy and undeniably romantic and cute - I looove it. (However, meeting your Soulmate isn't like an easy, given thing. You might never meet that person, you might not actually love that person, that person might not love you, you might love that person but s/he doesn't love you, etc. etc.) I love seeing Libby trying to get to know her Soulmate, who's in a juvenile detention facility. I have to admit that not too much happens in this book - it's fairly straightforward, but it's lovely. It can feel a bit slow at times (especially for a book that only has 237 pages), but I love that the atmosphere and pacing of this book feel somehow true to life. The romance between her and Drew is slow, but gradual and natural. You would think their love would be "unrealistic" purely because the concept of this book is about Soulmates, but the way they responded to this chance meeting is quite realistic.
And that ending! The ending is so satisfying and perfect. (Read the spoilers section on the bottom of the review for more details.)
Romance
I SHIP Libby and Drew SO MUCH. They're incredibly cute. My only complaint is that I wanted more actual scenes between them. A lot of the book is Libby researching and trying to help Drew out behind his back. They don’t have a whole lot of dialogue or scenes between them, but every one of them does count in some way. Despite barely knowing each other, there’s a feeling that this relationship is going to be the biggest, most important one in their life. They don't love each other right away just because they're Soulmates, but they are curious.
It may seem a bit weird that Libby spends months obsessing over him and trying to help him. And it may seem annoying that Drew keeps on pushing her away, when HELLO – she’s trying to help him out. However, their actions make sense. Libby does her best to help him, even though she barely knows this guy. She helps him because he’s her Soulmate and he deserves better than his circumstances. Her parents raised her to believe in this all-consuming love, and so she does her best to get to know him and to help him out. Drew, on the other hand, pushes her away and is hesitant to get to know her because this is probably the worst time of his life, and all of a sudden he meets his Soulmate out of nowhere. It’s overwhelming – she’s overwhelming, especially when he feels like he doesn’t deserve all her efforts and attention. I just love how their responses are understandable - they're not crazy or foolish or overdramatic. They're just, well, human - and more precisely, young humans trying to figure shit out. I mean you just quite possibly met the most important person in your life, and you don't even know a thing about them - that sounds daunting, right?
Characters
All of the characters are so, so endearing.
-Libby: In a lot of YA books, there is a lot of nonsensical teenage angst, and the protagonist being all weepy and overdramatic about her love life, and I’m just like, “Ew. You need to sort out your priorities.” However, in this book, while Libby is quite obsessed with learning about and helping her newly founded Soulmate, all her responses are somehow relatable and understandable. She, for the most part, has her shit together. Like, she found her Soulmate, and she doesn’t love him right away, and doesn’t whine, or cry that her life is over, when things don’t go her way – she’s just doing her best. I appreciate that. Also, for a book that is shorter than others, I'm impressed by how well her personality comes across. I find a lot of characters in other YAs nowadays generic, or just dull (EX: not having any sorts of hobbies or interests outside of the love interest, not having any sort of thoughtful introspection, etc.) Libby, on the other hand, I think is a well thought-out character. She thinks about her future, about being lost on what exactly she wants to do in her life and major in college. She worries about being away from her family and making her dad sad. She's family-oriented, as shown by how much she thinks about her mom and dad, and how much she hangs with them. She loves fashion, as shown by her detailed narration of what she wears and creates, and what she notices on other people. She's pragmatic, as shown by how she responds to people and problems, but she's a bit of a hopeless romantic, as shown by how she admires her parents' marriage and her consistent initiatives with getting to know Drew. She's not perfect - she can get frustrating at times with her overthinking things (as we all tend to do), but I honestly think she's an amazing protagonist. In addition, her character development is great - she was judgmental when she first met Drew, but she learns to see him for who he really is.
-Drew: I can't say I know much about Drew, besides the research Libby has done on him and the handful of conversations they have had, but I like him. He's not too cheesy and perfect or too asshole-ish and rude. He doesn't know how to react to Libby at times, but he's honestly trying to take in this whole Soulmate thing. I like that he's family-oriented too, and so wonderfully faithful to taking care of and protecting his mom and younger brother. He's in general a good guy.
-Beth: UGH. I LOVE BETH SO MUCH. One thing that I absolutely ADOOOORE about this book is the friendship. Beth is Libby's best friend, and she's hilarious and immensely supportive. She also has her own lively, weird personality (in a good way). I love seeing her throughout this book, helping Libby out, and dealing with her own love life.
-Libby's parents: They are the CUTESTTT! I had a few tears in my eyes already at 4% because damn, her parents’ love story is pretty much the most romantic story ever. Also, I love that the dad has such a close relationship with Libby. They eat together every Friday and just talk. He's really protective of her, but also, he's an understanding guy. And the mom is cool and caring too. I just ADORE them.
Final Thoughts
One thing that I appreciate about this book is that while it is primarily focused on the romance, there are so many components to it. There's the great friendship between Libby and Beth, and you can really feel their strong connection. There are Libby's parents, who are unbelievably cool and adorable as individuals and as a couple, and they make me a bit weepy because their own love story is everyyyythinggg. Then, there's the romance between Libby and Drew, which is sweeeeet. And the characters are all great and completely endearing. Overall, I'm giving this 4 solid stars. It's a cute, short read, with wonderful characters and concepts.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
----------------
When you’re not sure if you want to buy the physical copy because the cover is so pretty or the Kindle version because you want to read it now… (I bought the Kindle, but honestly, fuck it, I might buy both versions.)
I remember reading this on Swoon Reads way backkk when it was on there, and it was absolutely wonderful. I can't wait to read this officially published version. <3 *ready to melt into a puddle*
September 12, 2022
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and would like to thank Lindsey Ouimet and Evernight Teen Publishing. Due to this kind gesture, I have decided to leave a review.
I was so excited about this book, the cover is gorgeous plus I saw the Tumblr post where this all started. I am so disappointed it breaks my heart. 1 and a half stars.
In a world where you can only see black & white until you meet your soul mate must be everything. This book had the opportunity to be amazing but it completely fell flat the whole way through, I literally skim read until I could actually find spoken dialogue which is not a great sign at all, especially when you do find it, its corny, annoying, cheesy and you just want to claw your eyes out.
I couldn't connect with any the characters, Libby our leading lady was so annoying, rude, frustrating, let's give you a taster...
"But I think the thing I'm most mad at is fate. If it's even a real thing. And it has to be a thing instead of a person, because who would ever take someone like me, really look at who I am, weigh the options, and decide I would best benefit from someone like him?"
Ok, first of all, you ain't all that. Coming from one person to another how dare someone come away with such snooty nonsense it put me completely off the book. Regardless of what people do in life doesn't mean you are better than them so get your gangly ass off your high horse.
I don't honestly know what else to write so I will keep it short and sweet, the book really wasn't for me, far too much crap you had to try and skim read before you found a tiny bit of spoken dialogue. It was predictable and you knew what was going to happen before it did.
Did I hate the book? Funnily enough no, and I can see why some people would be interested in it but unfortunately it was not great at all for me.
Www.amandaminnockx.tumblr.com
"I have no idea, but maybe you should probably start preparing your eulogies. I fear I am not long for this world."
I was so excited about this book, the cover is gorgeous plus I saw the Tumblr post where this all started. I am so disappointed it breaks my heart. 1 and a half stars.
In a world where you can only see black & white until you meet your soul mate must be everything. This book had the opportunity to be amazing but it completely fell flat the whole way through, I literally skim read until I could actually find spoken dialogue which is not a great sign at all, especially when you do find it, its corny, annoying, cheesy and you just want to claw your eyes out.
I couldn't connect with any the characters, Libby our leading lady was so annoying, rude, frustrating, let's give you a taster...
"But I think the thing I'm most mad at is fate. If it's even a real thing. And it has to be a thing instead of a person, because who would ever take someone like me, really look at who I am, weigh the options, and decide I would best benefit from someone like him?"
Ok, first of all, you ain't all that. Coming from one person to another how dare someone come away with such snooty nonsense it put me completely off the book. Regardless of what people do in life doesn't mean you are better than them so get your gangly ass off your high horse.
I don't honestly know what else to write so I will keep it short and sweet, the book really wasn't for me, far too much crap you had to try and skim read before you found a tiny bit of spoken dialogue. It was predictable and you knew what was going to happen before it did.
Did I hate the book? Funnily enough no, and I can see why some people would be interested in it but unfortunately it was not great at all for me.
Www.amandaminnockx.tumblr.com
"I have no idea, but maybe you should probably start preparing your eulogies. I fear I am not long for this world."
March 29, 2019
Ahoy there me mateys! So a recent theme for “Top Ten Tuesday” was “Books I LOVED with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads.” I don’t tend to do memes here in me log but I love readin’ the posts by me crew. Especially when they be fun topics which lead me to unexpected treasures. One such gem was this delightful book recommended by Jackie @ deathbytsundoku. In her post she says:
"I read this book in 2016 and have been raving about it since. This contemporary fiction YA novel is set in an alternative universe where everyone has a Soulmate. Capitol S. Proper noun. Only 60% of the world ever meets their Soulmate. They might already be married, or not interested in you romantically, or whatever. Why does it matter? How do you know? The moment you meet your Soulmate your whole world transforms from black and white to color. This is the backdrop by which Libby Carmichael meets her Soulmate. The only problem? He’s locked in the juvenile detention facility Libby’s father runs."
As Jackie said in her comments to me when I told her I bought the novel, it doesn’t seem like the type of book I normally would read. And truthfully it isn’t. But I had seen folks talk about this book before and the color change intrigued me every single time. But I wasn’t sure if it would be done well or not and I didn’t want to spend hard-earned loot on it if it wasn’t. I try to save me doubloons for books I know I will want to re-read. But Jackie gave this 5 stars – a rarity. And her description was stellar. So I bought it and am glad.
This book had so many fun features like:
- Contemporary with magical paranormal elements – absolutely adored the whole color Soulmate thing and how it worked and didn’t work. The concept rocks.
- Libby, the main character – is a delightful mess. This level-headed girl drives herself crazy with the situation. She knows she is being ridiculous. She just can’t help it.
- Beth, her best friend – Friends who don’t fight, help each other, respect each other needing space and time, call each other out on being silly. Just wonderful and lovely.
- The other girls – there are a couple of other tangential girl characters who are not mean girls and actually are nice. Yay!
- Libby’s parents – Not only does she have parents who care and are present but there also is trust shown. Libby loves and respects her parents. They love and respect her too. And when Libby asks them for help, they are wonderful. A teen fessing up and asking for help! Gasp! Plus their story is adorable.
- The teens – all of them acted their age for better or worse. Aye, there be a bit of angst which normally would drive me insane but these 17 year-olds felt like they were responding in character with the plot lines.
- The Soulmate – I enjoyed how awkward Libby and Drew were and the ups and downs they had in terms of dealing with each other. It was excellent fun.
There were only a few minor bumps for me:
- There is another teen at the school dealing with a Soulmate and she exists to basically further the plot. I wanted to know more about her and the not-so-good outcome of her Soulmate. Maybe the author can write a book about the non-success story.
- The reason love interest was in jail was obvious and rather silly. I get it but I would have preferred something else.
- Libby’s love interest Drew was rather bleh. He didn’t feel real. But it didn’t really deter me having fun with the novel. I cared about Libby and Beth the most.
This novel only has about 535 ratings and 140 reviews on Goodreads. I am certainly glad to add another good review. I will be interested to see what other things the author will create. Arrrr!
Check out me other review at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
"I read this book in 2016 and have been raving about it since. This contemporary fiction YA novel is set in an alternative universe where everyone has a Soulmate. Capitol S. Proper noun. Only 60% of the world ever meets their Soulmate. They might already be married, or not interested in you romantically, or whatever. Why does it matter? How do you know? The moment you meet your Soulmate your whole world transforms from black and white to color. This is the backdrop by which Libby Carmichael meets her Soulmate. The only problem? He’s locked in the juvenile detention facility Libby’s father runs."
As Jackie said in her comments to me when I told her I bought the novel, it doesn’t seem like the type of book I normally would read. And truthfully it isn’t. But I had seen folks talk about this book before and the color change intrigued me every single time. But I wasn’t sure if it would be done well or not and I didn’t want to spend hard-earned loot on it if it wasn’t. I try to save me doubloons for books I know I will want to re-read. But Jackie gave this 5 stars – a rarity. And her description was stellar. So I bought it and am glad.
This book had so many fun features like:
- Contemporary with magical paranormal elements – absolutely adored the whole color Soulmate thing and how it worked and didn’t work. The concept rocks.
- Libby, the main character – is a delightful mess. This level-headed girl drives herself crazy with the situation. She knows she is being ridiculous. She just can’t help it.
- Beth, her best friend – Friends who don’t fight, help each other, respect each other needing space and time, call each other out on being silly. Just wonderful and lovely.
- The other girls – there are a couple of other tangential girl characters who are not mean girls and actually are nice. Yay!
- Libby’s parents – Not only does she have parents who care and are present but there also is trust shown. Libby loves and respects her parents. They love and respect her too. And when Libby asks them for help, they are wonderful. A teen fessing up and asking for help! Gasp! Plus their story is adorable.
- The teens – all of them acted their age for better or worse. Aye, there be a bit of angst which normally would drive me insane but these 17 year-olds felt like they were responding in character with the plot lines.
- The Soulmate – I enjoyed how awkward Libby and Drew were and the ups and downs they had in terms of dealing with each other. It was excellent fun.
There were only a few minor bumps for me:
- There is another teen at the school dealing with a Soulmate and she exists to basically further the plot. I wanted to know more about her and the not-so-good outcome of her Soulmate. Maybe the author can write a book about the non-success story.
- The reason love interest was in jail was obvious and rather silly. I get it but I would have preferred something else.
- Libby’s love interest Drew was rather bleh. He didn’t feel real. But it didn’t really deter me having fun with the novel. I cared about Libby and Beth the most.
This novel only has about 535 ratings and 140 reviews on Goodreads. I am certainly glad to add another good review. I will be interested to see what other things the author will create. Arrrr!
Check out me other review at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
December 21, 2016
I received a copy of this book via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Review available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com.
Review available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com.
October 31, 2016
*Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
I simply loved this book. The angst, the mystery, the romance. Finding your soulmate, literally, lights up your world. Libby starts seeing colors in the jail where her soulmate is awaiting trial. This book started great and kept getting better. I could not wait until Libby visited Drew again. Their romance was awkward and genuine. They both had their moments where I wanted to smack them, but I think they handled the situation the best they could. The mystery comes in when you're trying to figure out who did what and why. I don't blame Drew in the least for what happened. I was team Drew the whole time. The ending was cute, but I wish they had a HEA and not just a HFN. I'll just make up their future in my mind. Lol. Great read.
I simply loved this book. The angst, the mystery, the romance. Finding your soulmate, literally, lights up your world. Libby starts seeing colors in the jail where her soulmate is awaiting trial. This book started great and kept getting better. I could not wait until Libby visited Drew again. Their romance was awkward and genuine. They both had their moments where I wanted to smack them, but I think they handled the situation the best they could. The mystery comes in when you're trying to figure out who did what and why. I don't blame Drew in the least for what happened. I was team Drew the whole time. The ending was cute, but I wish they had a HEA and not just a HFN. I'll just make up their future in my mind. Lol. Great read.
November 20, 2016
In this alternate reality, everyone sees in black and white until they meet their Soulmate. Upon looking at your Soulmate your world is suddenly flooded with colors. Talk about overwhelming! But, Soulmate as a noun in this book does not mean what our reality defined a soulmate as. There is so much more. The statistics shared in the book indicate that only 60% of the population ever finds their Soulmate. Many people marry for love. Sometimes, your Soulmate is already married, or you are cis or bi and your Soulmate isn't someone you are interested in sexually. Sometimes, someone is your Soulmate and you aren't there's. It's complicated. And wonderful. This supposedly simple premise with very easy rules becomes a quagmire for Libby as this story unfolds.
Even if the premise wasn't so compelling, Libby is a brilliant narrator. Her voice alone might have sold me on this book. At seventeen years old, she is a self-conscious yet strong headed young woman. She questions everything, including herself, and isn't afraid to ask questions. But she doesn't always have the right answer and often feels awkward and out of place. She is snarky and passionate. And strangely relatable, while being nothing at all like me. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I read a book where I highlighted so many quotable lines.
Now, What's a Soulmate? certainly isn't perfect. At times, I felt like the pacing wasn't working for me. I felt like some scenes weren't necessary. But I was so absorbed in Libby's story that I didn't really care. What I liked most about the things I typically don't like (that's a weird statement…) is that while the elements of this story were predictable, they took an unpredictable way to get there. Plus all the characters are flawed in their appropriate stereotypes (bubbly best friend, stoic love interest, etc.), but their flaws are so much more realistic that the typical romance characters. Beth is bubbly and a bit self-absorbed, but also a glowing best friend. Andrew is surly and stoic, but we are given all the material we need to understand this is a product of being in Juvie. In the end, all this predictability along with the twists and turns makes for a lovely YA romance cocktail.
A shockingly good book, I spent a lot of time debating my star rating. I don't believe in half stars, just because Goodreads doesn't allow for that. However, I know I'll re-read this book some day when I need a lighthearted pick me up. 5 stars for general awesome; strongly recommended to lovers of YA, romance, and those in need of something mentally stimulating yet fluffy.
Even if the premise wasn't so compelling, Libby is a brilliant narrator. Her voice alone might have sold me on this book. At seventeen years old, she is a self-conscious yet strong headed young woman. She questions everything, including herself, and isn't afraid to ask questions. But she doesn't always have the right answer and often feels awkward and out of place. She is snarky and passionate. And strangely relatable, while being nothing at all like me. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I read a book where I highlighted so many quotable lines.
Now, What's a Soulmate? certainly isn't perfect. At times, I felt like the pacing wasn't working for me. I felt like some scenes weren't necessary. But I was so absorbed in Libby's story that I didn't really care. What I liked most about the things I typically don't like (that's a weird statement…) is that while the elements of this story were predictable, they took an unpredictable way to get there. Plus all the characters are flawed in their appropriate stereotypes (bubbly best friend, stoic love interest, etc.), but their flaws are so much more realistic that the typical romance characters. Beth is bubbly and a bit self-absorbed, but also a glowing best friend. Andrew is surly and stoic, but we are given all the material we need to understand this is a product of being in Juvie. In the end, all this predictability along with the twists and turns makes for a lovely YA romance cocktail.
A shockingly good book, I spent a lot of time debating my star rating. I don't believe in half stars, just because Goodreads doesn't allow for that. However, I know I'll re-read this book some day when I need a lighthearted pick me up. 5 stars for general awesome; strongly recommended to lovers of YA, romance, and those in need of something mentally stimulating yet fluffy.
August 12, 2016
I've read this author before and the heat in her writing is tangible. "What's A Soul Mate" is no exception-- magical realism, a world where people are able to find their soulmates by their sudden ability to see color. Throw in gorgeous Andrew, bad boy extraordinaire, rightly or wrongly serving time in juvie; Libby, strong and fearless enough to face the inherent danger in pursuing the boy who brings color into her life. And did I mention that Libby's dad works in the juvie detention center? So you get the point that a lot can go wrong. The romance is hot and the story is highly entertaining. Recommend.
November 10, 2016
*This book was received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I loved this book! The idea that everyone sees the world in black and white, until they meet their soulmate causing colour to finally be seen, is a powerful metaphor for the eye-opening or transformative power of love but is also quite original and interesting. I like the fact that when the two main characters Andrew and Libby see each other for the first time and discover thy are soul mates, they don't instantly fall in love with each other but instead are careful and cautious. Because of this, the romance felt more believable. I also loved the fact that during the interactions between Andrew and Libby we as an audience learnt more about both of them as they learnt about each other. The plot was really good and I'm glad that there were other elements, such as the truth behind Andrew's crime, beside the romance. All the characters were well developed and the world was well built. What I especially loved about this book was how authentic the world and all the characters in it seemed; they seemed just like everyday people battling through life. The descriptions of Libby's discovery of colour were detailed, well-written and enjoyable.
Overall, this was an amazing book with great characters, a great plot and and enjoyable writing style.
I loved this book! The idea that everyone sees the world in black and white, until they meet their soulmate causing colour to finally be seen, is a powerful metaphor for the eye-opening or transformative power of love but is also quite original and interesting. I like the fact that when the two main characters Andrew and Libby see each other for the first time and discover thy are soul mates, they don't instantly fall in love with each other but instead are careful and cautious. Because of this, the romance felt more believable. I also loved the fact that during the interactions between Andrew and Libby we as an audience learnt more about both of them as they learnt about each other. The plot was really good and I'm glad that there were other elements, such as the truth behind Andrew's crime, beside the romance. All the characters were well developed and the world was well built. What I especially loved about this book was how authentic the world and all the characters in it seemed; they seemed just like everyday people battling through life. The descriptions of Libby's discovery of colour were detailed, well-written and enjoyable.
Overall, this was an amazing book with great characters, a great plot and and enjoyable writing style.
February 7, 2017
(I received a copy from Netgalley, In exchange for an honest review.)
The characters in this were alright, but I didn't love them.
This was an okay read, but after a while it started to drag slightly for me unfortunately. It felt quite slow in areas, and struggled to keep me fully interested.
Overall, Dragged slightly, but an okay read.
The characters in this were alright, but I didn't love them.
This was an okay read, but after a while it started to drag slightly for me unfortunately. It felt quite slow in areas, and struggled to keep me fully interested.
Overall, Dragged slightly, but an okay read.
November 10, 2016
★4 stars★
Where do I begin with this book? It's not by any means perfect and it's pretty obvious that its a debut novel, but it doesn't change the fact that it's an amazing book that deserves all 4 stars.
Points for:
❤Originality. This idea that people see in black and white until the day they see their soulmate , is something that I haven't read in any other book. It hooked me like a fish in the sea.
❤Conflict. Now, the fact that your soulmate is behind bars? I started to turn the pages like a crazy woman.
❤Romance. Pretty amazing, the way it build up slowly, creating tension and anticipation. The fact that despite the Soulmate thing being instant, there was no insta-love. You can have a soulmate, but if the soulmate is a jackass, you still have a say in it.
❤Characters. Well-developed and likable.
★The MC Libby is nice, strong headed and when she want something she goes out of her way to get it. She is very caring and likes to help others. Sometimes she would seem too absorbed, self centered, only thinking about her problem and pretty much ignoring everyone else. That's the only time when I liked her a little less.
★Andrew was quite a mystery. He is a good guy, but tough when the circumstances demand it. It took time for him to open up to Libby and for us to see his true self.
★Libby's parents and especially her dad, where very nice and patient and understanding, things that all parents should be.
★Beth, Libby's best friend was also a pretty cool character, very supportive and a good friend.
❤Story/storyline. Loved it. I especially enjoyed the scene It was very intense.
I expected it to be a little more difficult The resolution felt too easy.
All in all it was a book that I enjoyed a lot and that's all that matters in life, to be near things and people that give you joy. It's a book that will stay with me and stand out in my memory among the rest.
Where do I begin with this book? It's not by any means perfect and it's pretty obvious that its a debut novel, but it doesn't change the fact that it's an amazing book that deserves all 4 stars.
Points for:
❤Originality. This idea that people see in black and white until the day they see their soulmate , is something that I haven't read in any other book. It hooked me like a fish in the sea.
❤Conflict. Now, the fact that your soulmate is behind bars? I started to turn the pages like a crazy woman.
❤Romance. Pretty amazing, the way it build up slowly, creating tension and anticipation. The fact that despite the Soulmate thing being instant, there was no insta-love. You can have a soulmate, but if the soulmate is a jackass, you still have a say in it.
❤Characters. Well-developed and likable.
★The MC Libby is nice, strong headed and when she want something she goes out of her way to get it. She is very caring and likes to help others. Sometimes she would seem too absorbed, self centered, only thinking about her problem and pretty much ignoring everyone else. That's the only time when I liked her a little less.
★Andrew was quite a mystery. He is a good guy, but tough when the circumstances demand it. It took time for him to open up to Libby and for us to see his true self.
★Libby's parents and especially her dad, where very nice and patient and understanding, things that all parents should be.
★Beth, Libby's best friend was also a pretty cool character, very supportive and a good friend.
❤Story/storyline. Loved it. I especially enjoyed the scene It was very intense.
I expected it to be a little more difficult The resolution felt too easy.
All in all it was a book that I enjoyed a lot and that's all that matters in life, to be near things and people that give you joy. It's a book that will stay with me and stand out in my memory among the rest.
January 6, 2017
I've been meaning to write this review for a couple of weeks now. Finally finding time to sit down and give an in depth heartfelt opinion. I didn't want to rush it because it's worth much more than that.
I loved this book from start to finish. 4% into the novel, I got chills up my spine and goosebumps down my arms. It has such a romantic beginning to it that was unique and unlike anything I've ever read.
The author has an amazing talent for connecting the reader to her world. I think what's unique about this story compared to others was her ability to mirror our own world perfectly while simply throwing in this added twist of seeing in color once you lay eyes on your soulmate. It's such a romantic notion that leaves you wishing with every bone in your body that it wasn't a fantasy and this is really the world we live in.
The characters are so relatable. There wasn't one character I felt like I couldn't understand on some level. She manages to add really personal touches to each persons story that throws you right in there with them.
Her attention to detail is astounding. She plays on all the senses she possibly can. You not only see the colors with the characters for the first time but you feel the emotions they feel as they navigate their way through this new reality. Every time Drew touches her, you feel the butterflies and the warmth spread over your own skin. She draws you in and holds you there in her world of new color.
All in all, this book will really exercise your imagination. You will look forward to the end of the day when you can pick up this book and rejoin the characters and dive back into this world for which you will never want to leave.
The only bad part of this book was when it ended. I wish it could have gone on forever. I wish I could continue to watch their lives play out and find out what happened after their initial happy ending. It's one of those books that will stay with you forever.
I can only hope there will be a sequel!
I loved this book from start to finish. 4% into the novel, I got chills up my spine and goosebumps down my arms. It has such a romantic beginning to it that was unique and unlike anything I've ever read.
The author has an amazing talent for connecting the reader to her world. I think what's unique about this story compared to others was her ability to mirror our own world perfectly while simply throwing in this added twist of seeing in color once you lay eyes on your soulmate. It's such a romantic notion that leaves you wishing with every bone in your body that it wasn't a fantasy and this is really the world we live in.
The characters are so relatable. There wasn't one character I felt like I couldn't understand on some level. She manages to add really personal touches to each persons story that throws you right in there with them.
Her attention to detail is astounding. She plays on all the senses she possibly can. You not only see the colors with the characters for the first time but you feel the emotions they feel as they navigate their way through this new reality. Every time Drew touches her, you feel the butterflies and the warmth spread over your own skin. She draws you in and holds you there in her world of new color.
All in all, this book will really exercise your imagination. You will look forward to the end of the day when you can pick up this book and rejoin the characters and dive back into this world for which you will never want to leave.
The only bad part of this book was when it ended. I wish it could have gone on forever. I wish I could continue to watch their lives play out and find out what happened after their initial happy ending. It's one of those books that will stay with you forever.
I can only hope there will be a sequel!
March 15, 2017
What's a Soulmate? By Lindsey Ouimet is such a fun and sweet YA romance.
Magical realism- Lindsey Ouimet created a world where people only see in black and white... unless they happen meet their soulmate. About 60% of the population will meet their soulmate, about 10% of those matches won't be romantic or might not even work out, and about 40% of the world might not ever find theirs. Also, a person's soulmate could be matched up with someone other than that person (like the MC's parents) or could be completely platonic. Regardless of who your soulmate might be, once you lay eyes on them your whole world fills with color.
Libby finds her soulmate one day during a lunch visit with her father at his work place - a juvenile detention center. Feeling like she has some of the worst luck ever, to be paired with a boy who's been arrested for a violent crime, she decides to meet him and figure out what really happened.
I really enjoyed that even if you find your soulmate you're not obligated to be with them. There was no ' insta-love' between Libby and Andrew, which was great. They knew nothing about each other and (through unfortunate circumstances) slowly got to know each other and build on their relationship.
Great world building and character development. I do wish there was a bit more diversity within the coupled soulmates in this story, though. I think that would've made this book much more interesting.
This is a sugary teen romance that does lightly touch on some horrible situations (physical violence and abuse). It's fairly fast paced and kept my interest til the very end.
*** I received an ebook copy of this title through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
Magical realism- Lindsey Ouimet created a world where people only see in black and white... unless they happen meet their soulmate. About 60% of the population will meet their soulmate, about 10% of those matches won't be romantic or might not even work out, and about 40% of the world might not ever find theirs. Also, a person's soulmate could be matched up with someone other than that person (like the MC's parents) or could be completely platonic. Regardless of who your soulmate might be, once you lay eyes on them your whole world fills with color.
Libby finds her soulmate one day during a lunch visit with her father at his work place - a juvenile detention center. Feeling like she has some of the worst luck ever, to be paired with a boy who's been arrested for a violent crime, she decides to meet him and figure out what really happened.
I really enjoyed that even if you find your soulmate you're not obligated to be with them. There was no ' insta-love' between Libby and Andrew, which was great. They knew nothing about each other and (through unfortunate circumstances) slowly got to know each other and build on their relationship.
Great world building and character development. I do wish there was a bit more diversity within the coupled soulmates in this story, though. I think that would've made this book much more interesting.
This is a sugary teen romance that does lightly touch on some horrible situations (physical violence and abuse). It's fairly fast paced and kept my interest til the very end.
*** I received an ebook copy of this title through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
February 12, 2017
I loved a lot about this book - the idea, the characters, the fact that it's the story of a journey to a relationship. But what I think I loved most about this book was the element of discovery - the discovery of colour, of what a soulmate is, of a stranger's secrets, of the truth, of who a person is. All of these, in some way, shape or form, are explored in What's a Soulmate.
Libby, as a character, is as vivid in my head as her hair is red. And Drew, while almost a mystery at the start, was slowly pulled into focus the more Libby - and the reader - got to know him. The supporting characters were well fleshed out; you knew who they were, some of their idiosyncrasies and how they interacted with Libby
Ultimately, I really enjoyed that while it centred around the idea that the two central characters were soulmates, it didn't have them immediately dive into a relationship. Instead, they were wary, cautious, curious, searching, and while they would have had that bond driving them towards each other, they looked at it as more than that. Because, frankly, the idea of meeting a random stranger one day and having your world turn to colour because of them wouldn't only be amazing and eye-opening - but it would also be damn life-changing.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
Libby, as a character, is as vivid in my head as her hair is red. And Drew, while almost a mystery at the start, was slowly pulled into focus the more Libby - and the reader - got to know him. The supporting characters were well fleshed out; you knew who they were, some of their idiosyncrasies and how they interacted with Libby
Ultimately, I really enjoyed that while it centred around the idea that the two central characters were soulmates, it didn't have them immediately dive into a relationship. Instead, they were wary, cautious, curious, searching, and while they would have had that bond driving them towards each other, they looked at it as more than that. Because, frankly, the idea of meeting a random stranger one day and having your world turn to colour because of them wouldn't only be amazing and eye-opening - but it would also be damn life-changing.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
February 6, 2017
4.75 I really really liked this book so much. The only thing that stopped me from giving this book a full 5 stars was the ending felt a little unfinished. But the writing was phenomenal I think I haven't read such talented inner and outer dialogue in a very long time. The main charachter was 100% relatable and so stinking funny I couldn't but hall head over heels in love with her. She was so relatable and perfectly normal but also had so many qualities I wish I myself could have, she was resilient and hopeful and kind and her relationship with her parents and even her best friend were so easy to believe and love. I think that Drew's charachter was really great too, he seemed darker and more intense then his 17 years but after the harsh life he has lived you can see why. I think I didn't love him the same way I loved Libby but I also didn't get inside his head or even get to see him as much as I wish since he WAS in jail. I will say that my inner smutt self kept hoping the romance would get more intense and sexual but it stayed a solid PG level with a few make out's and hand holding but I also respect the author with trying to stay inside a certain age bracket. I overall really really loved this one though and highly recommended.
March 11, 2017
4.5/5.0
What a unique and creative twist on a YA story! A little paranormal spiced with a good dose of reality makes this read totally lovable.
What a unique and creative twist on a YA story! A little paranormal spiced with a good dose of reality makes this read totally lovable.
May 17, 2017
Some spoilers ahead.
DNF at 42%, but I skimmed so much of it that I don't even know how much I actually read.
This was so slow, so corny, almost juvenile, and there was so. MUCH. internal dialogue and rambling about shit that didn't matter at all and was not needed whatsoever. So much description that I kept tapping for the next page until I found one strand of spoken dialogue.
It's predictable, cheesy, and the dialogue was not good, when there actually was dialogue... It didn't flow well, and like I said it was so juvenile and sounded like things you'd never actually hear people say. It kinda felt like a 60 year old was trying to imitate how young people think or speak, when I know that's not the case, but still it came off as trying too hard. I've read plenty of stories about 17 year olds but this narrator in particular felt very immature.
Now, I understand this was an idea already created but I was curious to see how someone would take it and use it, as I'm not too harsh about it being stolen. It's one thing to flat out steal an already-made novel idea but a little idea on Tumblr isn't the end of the world.
Of course there's gonna be insta love, I mean duh, it's about fate-chosen soulmates. But it was a little dull for me. They had no chemistry, and to be honest I found Libby kind of really creepy and obsessive. I get that she wants to know her soulmate but googling every little detail about him, stalking him on the internet and seeing him several times a week without his permission, and then ADMITTING to him that she stalks him??? If you're gonna do it, at least be subtle about it or discreet. It was just downright creepy as hell. Pushy pushy Libby.
I thought the idea of someone being someone's soulmate but them not being yours was interesting. And that when you have a child you see in colour. But I'm afraid that's all I really liked about this. :(
DNF at 42%, but I skimmed so much of it that I don't even know how much I actually read.
This was so slow, so corny, almost juvenile, and there was so. MUCH. internal dialogue and rambling about shit that didn't matter at all and was not needed whatsoever. So much description that I kept tapping for the next page until I found one strand of spoken dialogue.
It's predictable, cheesy, and the dialogue was not good, when there actually was dialogue... It didn't flow well, and like I said it was so juvenile and sounded like things you'd never actually hear people say. It kinda felt like a 60 year old was trying to imitate how young people think or speak, when I know that's not the case, but still it came off as trying too hard. I've read plenty of stories about 17 year olds but this narrator in particular felt very immature.
Now, I understand this was an idea already created but I was curious to see how someone would take it and use it, as I'm not too harsh about it being stolen. It's one thing to flat out steal an already-made novel idea but a little idea on Tumblr isn't the end of the world.
Of course there's gonna be insta love, I mean duh, it's about fate-chosen soulmates. But it was a little dull for me. They had no chemistry, and to be honest I found Libby kind of really creepy and obsessive. I get that she wants to know her soulmate but googling every little detail about him, stalking him on the internet and seeing him several times a week without his permission, and then ADMITTING to him that she stalks him??? If you're gonna do it, at least be subtle about it or discreet. It was just downright creepy as hell. Pushy pushy Libby.
I thought the idea of someone being someone's soulmate but them not being yours was interesting. And that when you have a child you see in colour. But I'm afraid that's all I really liked about this. :(
October 30, 2016
Netgalley copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a sucker for a good romance that will make my heart beat madly and will left me grinning like a fool. This book is everything I was expecting, and more.
I love the main idea of soulmates. I think it is a beautiful theme, and it was handled beautiful. The descritions of the world are written incredibly well, and the words are full of poetry and wonders.
Libby, the main character, is a strong and wise young woman, and she’s so loveable that I would love for her to be my best friend. I loved how she analyses everything and sees the world, and how much importance she gives to details. She’s witty, clever and flawed, and that makes her a perfect main character, in my opinion.
The story was intense, fast-paced and realistic, and I could not put the book down. Libby and Andrew have a perfect connection, and the dialogues are snappy and witty and perfect.
One of my favourite moments in this story were the processes in which the characters got acquainted with colours, and they truly feel like a character in themselves. I found it incredibly beautiful and raw. Somehow, it made me realise that we need to appreciate the little things of life.
I loved it, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, I could not stop reading and I loved the ending, so I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to read this book!
★★★★★
I’m a sucker for a good romance that will make my heart beat madly and will left me grinning like a fool. This book is everything I was expecting, and more.
I love the main idea of soulmates. I think it is a beautiful theme, and it was handled beautiful. The descritions of the world are written incredibly well, and the words are full of poetry and wonders.
Libby, the main character, is a strong and wise young woman, and she’s so loveable that I would love for her to be my best friend. I loved how she analyses everything and sees the world, and how much importance she gives to details. She’s witty, clever and flawed, and that makes her a perfect main character, in my opinion.
The story was intense, fast-paced and realistic, and I could not put the book down. Libby and Andrew have a perfect connection, and the dialogues are snappy and witty and perfect.
One of my favourite moments in this story were the processes in which the characters got acquainted with colours, and they truly feel like a character in themselves. I found it incredibly beautiful and raw. Somehow, it made me realise that we need to appreciate the little things of life.
I loved it, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, I could not stop reading and I loved the ending, so I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to read this book!
★★★★★
November 11, 2016
I read an early version of this book when it was available on SwoonReads, and I really enjoyed it then. But since, the charming authoress has added new content to flesh out the story even more, and make it even easier to fall in love with Drew and Libby all over again.
Which I did. Because they are DELIGHTFUL.
Not only are our protagonists charming and complex, so is the world they live in. Lindsey Ouimet did an excellent job addressing the finding of color in this text, and discovering this alongside Libby was a treat.
A really excellent read, and an exciting debut for this YA novelist.
Which I did. Because they are DELIGHTFUL.
Not only are our protagonists charming and complex, so is the world they live in. Lindsey Ouimet did an excellent job addressing the finding of color in this text, and discovering this alongside Libby was a treat.
A really excellent read, and an exciting debut for this YA novelist.
July 22, 2019
It was beautiful
What's a Soulmate? tells the story of a black and white world that fills with color once you meet your soulmate. Which is what happens to Libby, when she sees a guy in handcuffs being transfer to a juvenile detention facility, even if she doesn't want to believe it. This book is so easy to read, understand and to just feel.
What Libby goes through gave me all the feels and it wasn't only because of some love interest, but because of her relationship with her parents and friends. By the way I would definitely read her parent's story. Just saying wink wink
I'm so glad that this book didn't disappoint me. I loved this story so much because the beginning was strong and the end was also so good. However I can't lie and say I didn't wish it were longer. Maybe a sequel ? pretty pretty please. I need more of their story in my life, although knowing this was a standalone was one of the things that interested me the most.
“you should know… Me not loving you might not be the end of your world, but it sure as hell would feel like the end of mine.”
Dear Lindsey Ouimet, this was the first book I ever read by you and I thank you immensely, because it was exactly what I needed to read at the time. This is one I will definitely re-read soon.
*** Re-read july 2019***
A little bit more than 4 stars.
I really liked this story, I loved that I didn't remember anything so I could enjoy the book better, I liked the characters and I'm surprise with how much I loved Libby. I'm definitely sending strong signals for my sister to read this book.
I like everything but again I definitely think it should have been longer. Plus, there were somethings by the end that didn't make any sense, but I was willing to overlook them since I enjoyed them.
What's a Soulmate? tells the story of a black and white world that fills with color once you meet your soulmate. Which is what happens to Libby, when she sees a guy in handcuffs being transfer to a juvenile detention facility, even if she doesn't want to believe it. This book is so easy to read, understand and to just feel.
What Libby goes through gave me all the feels and it wasn't only because of some love interest, but because of her relationship with her parents and friends. By the way I would definitely read her parent's story. Just saying wink wink
I'm so glad that this book didn't disappoint me. I loved this story so much because the beginning was strong and the end was also so good. However I can't lie and say I didn't wish it were longer. Maybe a sequel ? pretty pretty please. I need more of their story in my life, although knowing this was a standalone was one of the things that interested me the most.
“you should know… Me not loving you might not be the end of your world, but it sure as hell would feel like the end of mine.”
Dear Lindsey Ouimet, this was the first book I ever read by you and I thank you immensely, because it was exactly what I needed to read at the time. This is one I will definitely re-read soon.
*** Re-read july 2019***
A little bit more than 4 stars.
I really liked this story, I loved that I didn't remember anything so I could enjoy the book better, I liked the characters and I'm surprise with how much I loved Libby. I'm definitely sending strong signals for my sister to read this book.
I like everything but again I definitely think it should have been longer. Plus, there were somethings by the end that didn't make any sense, but I was willing to overlook them since I enjoyed them.
November 4, 2018
You can see my full review here!
I was expecting something light, a lot bit tropey and cliched and overall cute. Yet surprisingly enough, this wasn’t as tropey or angsty as anticipated and had quite a few… darker themes? Even though it was the gorgeous cover that drew me in, the premise is unique and caught my eye… but I had some issues.
I was… just hit with a lot of things I wan’t expecting. I mean, I guess I should have seen something coming— the love interest is in jail for committing a violent crime, but it made up a large amount of the plot… and it would have been fine if I cared. The story dragged… A LOT. I sped through it, but it was kind of a struggle; we’re in Libby’s head listening to her inner dialogue for the majority of this story and that kind of added to the slow pacing.
I liked the characters enough. Libby was relatable for me— she was a pessimist, I’m a pessimist and she reacted the way I would if I had found my soulmate so abruptly. I liked her. She didn’t really have much depth to her character, but again, relatable. However, her relationship with her family— specifically her father, was my favorite thing in a long time. Her parents love story and how he ended up being Libby’s soulmate (again, non-romantic, it was really sweet and gave me a toothache); their relationship was open and loving and my heart okay?
There’s even an emphasis on a strong female friendship and they were honestly great. But, not to reiterate, I don’t think anyone had much depth? They were kind of 2-dimensional.
I guess my biggest issue was the romance. There's no chemistry between them... at all. And I respect how it’s stated that soulmates aren’t always romantic and such, but… it’s hellbent on the connection Drew and Libby have and romantic feelings. They were cute objectively, but I still don’t see how they got together.
I know I sound like I’m griping a lot, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this. It was a decent palate cleaner.
11/01--For a story about soulmates... chemistry was let on read
I was expecting something light, a lot bit tropey and cliched and overall cute. Yet surprisingly enough, this wasn’t as tropey or angsty as anticipated and had quite a few… darker themes? Even though it was the gorgeous cover that drew me in, the premise is unique and caught my eye… but I had some issues.
I was… just hit with a lot of things I wan’t expecting. I mean, I guess I should have seen something coming— the love interest is in jail for committing a violent crime, but it made up a large amount of the plot… and it would have been fine if I cared. The story dragged… A LOT. I sped through it, but it was kind of a struggle; we’re in Libby’s head listening to her inner dialogue for the majority of this story and that kind of added to the slow pacing.
I liked the characters enough. Libby was relatable for me— she was a pessimist, I’m a pessimist and she reacted the way I would if I had found my soulmate so abruptly. I liked her. She didn’t really have much depth to her character, but again, relatable. However, her relationship with her family— specifically her father, was my favorite thing in a long time. Her parents love story and how he ended up being Libby’s soulmate (again, non-romantic, it was really sweet and gave me a toothache); their relationship was open and loving and my heart okay?
There’s even an emphasis on a strong female friendship and they were honestly great. But, not to reiterate, I don’t think anyone had much depth? They were kind of 2-dimensional.
I guess my biggest issue was the romance. There's no chemistry between them... at all. And I respect how it’s stated that soulmates aren’t always romantic and such, but… it’s hellbent on the connection Drew and Libby have and romantic feelings. They were cute objectively, but I still don’t see how they got together.
I know I sound like I’m griping a lot, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this. It was a decent palate cleaner.
11/01--For a story about soulmates... chemistry was let on read
November 5, 2016
Note: I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
If I could rate this book more than a mere 5 stars believe me I would because I don't remember when was the last time I truly felt this way about a book before. No really I don't remember making those weird happy dances or random screams of joy or frustration. I've never heard of this author before but believe me I will now read any book published from now on.
Now to actually discuss the book, the readers follow Libby who lives in a world where in order to see in color you must first come in contact with your soulmate and only then there was a 60/40% chance of that actually happening to someone.
But when she goes to have lunch with her dad at his Job at the juvenile correction facility it is the last place she expects to see the first glimpses of color when she sees her soulmate Andrew aka Drew.
The concept of colors and soulmates really infatuated me because I've never read a book involving this concept before and applaud if for its originality as far as I'm aware. I also applaud the book for being as realistic as it was written because if someone who lived in that world was put into that same predicament Libby was put in, there was no way they would experience what she was feeling. The feelings and actions she took was something that I just believed to be held realistically for that world and the characters in the book was just all amazing and colorful (personality wise) despite the world being black and white.
Drew was very stubborn but a 17 year old boy who is the prime protector of his family? It's hard not believe that he would be. He was an idiot when it came to Libby but then again his actions were definitely backed up with good reasoning.
Really all I could say is that this book really was such a beautifully written book that deserves recognition. Even if I have the book for free I will be purchasing a physical copy as soon as it is released because I need to have it in my shelves displayed front and center. I can proudly say this is one of my favorite books I've read and already recommended this book to more than three people in person.
If I could rate this book more than a mere 5 stars believe me I would because I don't remember when was the last time I truly felt this way about a book before. No really I don't remember making those weird happy dances or random screams of joy or frustration. I've never heard of this author before but believe me I will now read any book published from now on.
Now to actually discuss the book, the readers follow Libby who lives in a world where in order to see in color you must first come in contact with your soulmate and only then there was a 60/40% chance of that actually happening to someone.
But when she goes to have lunch with her dad at his Job at the juvenile correction facility it is the last place she expects to see the first glimpses of color when she sees her soulmate Andrew aka Drew.
The concept of colors and soulmates really infatuated me because I've never read a book involving this concept before and applaud if for its originality as far as I'm aware. I also applaud the book for being as realistic as it was written because if someone who lived in that world was put into that same predicament Libby was put in, there was no way they would experience what she was feeling. The feelings and actions she took was something that I just believed to be held realistically for that world and the characters in the book was just all amazing and colorful (personality wise) despite the world being black and white.
Drew was very stubborn but a 17 year old boy who is the prime protector of his family? It's hard not believe that he would be. He was an idiot when it came to Libby but then again his actions were definitely backed up with good reasoning.
Really all I could say is that this book really was such a beautifully written book that deserves recognition. Even if I have the book for free I will be purchasing a physical copy as soon as it is released because I need to have it in my shelves displayed front and center. I can proudly say this is one of my favorite books I've read and already recommended this book to more than three people in person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2016
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
What must it be like to finally meet your soul mate, the one who brings colour into your black and white life, and then have to book appointments to visit him because he’s behind bars? Well, that’s what happened to Libby. And I don’t think that it helped that she didn’t tell her parents or her best friend or that her father was a member of the police.
When Libby first went to see Drew, I didn’t feel sorry for him at all. He was completely ignoring her and wasn’t letting her help him. But when he revealed who the man was that he had sent to the hospital, I did start to feel for him and his little brother.
I think the first time I started to like Drew was when he asked about Libby’s hair colour. Living in a grey building with grey walls and floors must have been so hard when all he wanted was to see some colour. I thought it was so sweet of Libby when she took her mother's bracelet to show him the colours on it and to teach him them.
Drew was if you haven’t already figured out, my favourite character and he was so protective over his little brother that the eight-year-old idolised him. It must have been so hard for the young boy when his older brother wound up in prison, and his mother cared more for the man that her son had put in the hospital. She cared for that man more than she did for her son who was spending his days behind bars, unable to talk to his little brother to explain what happened and why he did what he did.
I loved this book. I Highly Recommend this book to young adult readers and hope that everyone else loves this book as much as I do.
What must it be like to finally meet your soul mate, the one who brings colour into your black and white life, and then have to book appointments to visit him because he’s behind bars? Well, that’s what happened to Libby. And I don’t think that it helped that she didn’t tell her parents or her best friend or that her father was a member of the police.
When Libby first went to see Drew, I didn’t feel sorry for him at all. He was completely ignoring her and wasn’t letting her help him. But when he revealed who the man was that he had sent to the hospital, I did start to feel for him and his little brother.
I think the first time I started to like Drew was when he asked about Libby’s hair colour. Living in a grey building with grey walls and floors must have been so hard when all he wanted was to see some colour. I thought it was so sweet of Libby when she took her mother's bracelet to show him the colours on it and to teach him them.
Drew was if you haven’t already figured out, my favourite character and he was so protective over his little brother that the eight-year-old idolised him. It must have been so hard for the young boy when his older brother wound up in prison, and his mother cared more for the man that her son had put in the hospital. She cared for that man more than she did for her son who was spending his days behind bars, unable to talk to his little brother to explain what happened and why he did what he did.
I loved this book. I Highly Recommend this book to young adult readers and hope that everyone else loves this book as much as I do.
June 22, 2017
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great read. The story was a unique take on what a soulmate is. I found the book to be refreshing as it looks at soulmate viewpoint is a different way than other books. Also, the characters were great. Libby was a strong female character. I loved how she did detective work to find out the truth. Andrew was close off, but I thought he was a great male lead. Their relationship was not the love at first sight type of story. Instead, their relationship was awkward. I thought it was cute. The ending was great. I am glad Libby got her soulmate. Overall, a nice romantic story.
This was a great read. The story was a unique take on what a soulmate is. I found the book to be refreshing as it looks at soulmate viewpoint is a different way than other books. Also, the characters were great. Libby was a strong female character. I loved how she did detective work to find out the truth. Andrew was close off, but I thought he was a great male lead. Their relationship was not the love at first sight type of story. Instead, their relationship was awkward. I thought it was cute. The ending was great. I am glad Libby got her soulmate. Overall, a nice romantic story.
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