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The Black Notebook
Fans of Becky Albertalli and Rainbow Rowell are lining up to get The Black Notebook!
Trust is a funny thing isn’t it? It’s great to be trusted by your friends, but when practically the entire school - even the popular kids - are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with you...that’s when things get messy.
Seven Warrilow has been keeping everybody’s secrets for as long as she can remember. She knows who likes who, who hates who, and all the hot gossip. But you know what? She’s sick of it! With all that classified info jumbling around in her head it’s hard to think straight, so Seven decides to write down every secret she’s ever been told into a small black notebook that she carries around for safekeeping. There, now she can breath a little.
OR NOT!? Things take a turn to Disasterville when her notebook goes missing, and when it finds it’s way into the hands of notorious prankster, Colin Stillman, the trouble really begins. Seven’s going to have to use everything she’s got to keep her classmates secrets safe, but Colin isn’t going to make that easy. Afterall...where would the fun be in that?
Trust is a funny thing isn’t it? It’s great to be trusted by your friends, but when practically the entire school - even the popular kids - are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with you...that’s when things get messy.
Seven Warrilow has been keeping everybody’s secrets for as long as she can remember. She knows who likes who, who hates who, and all the hot gossip. But you know what? She’s sick of it! With all that classified info jumbling around in her head it’s hard to think straight, so Seven decides to write down every secret she’s ever been told into a small black notebook that she carries around for safekeeping. There, now she can breath a little.
OR NOT!? Things take a turn to Disasterville when her notebook goes missing, and when it finds it’s way into the hands of notorious prankster, Colin Stillman, the trouble really begins. Seven’s going to have to use everything she’s got to keep her classmates secrets safe, but Colin isn’t going to make that easy. Afterall...where would the fun be in that?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 10, 2018
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Every so often, I'm pleasantly surprised by high-school romances. This is one of those rare books that melts my jaded, post-grad heart.
Seven Warrilow is a precocious high schooler. A loner but not disliked, a bookworm but not anti-social, she's kind of drifting through high school without leaving many footprints. The one thing that makes her days unique is that she's basically the school therapist. She has some sort of magnetic draw that makes everyone ask her for advice on their deepest secrets. Overwhelmed by so many details, she starts writing them down in a notebook, but a notebook is very stealable, or so thinks Seven's class clown of a crush.
This book stood out to me because there was a plot behind the romantic tension. Seven has had a crush on Colin for ages without doing anything, but having her notebook of secrets stolen gives her a reason to essentially stalk him, daily chasing him down to get the precious book back. They start spending time together--a lot of time--so of course there's high school gossip and hi-jinks, not to mention their own sabotaging of each other that even drags their families into the mess.
But like I said, the why-don't-they-get-together-for-300-pages actually makes sense! They both doubt their own right to happiness and they spend so much time second guessing themselves and sacrificing for others. Yeah, it's a romance, but it's a coming of age story for both of them, too.
The book wasn't exactly deep, but it was fun, cute, and well-written. Seven was a great narrator while Colin was a dreamboat (a little *too* perfect to be real, but hey, an author can dream). All-in-all, a great novel for the author's debut!
Every so often, I'm pleasantly surprised by high-school romances. This is one of those rare books that melts my jaded, post-grad heart.
Seven Warrilow is a precocious high schooler. A loner but not disliked, a bookworm but not anti-social, she's kind of drifting through high school without leaving many footprints. The one thing that makes her days unique is that she's basically the school therapist. She has some sort of magnetic draw that makes everyone ask her for advice on their deepest secrets. Overwhelmed by so many details, she starts writing them down in a notebook, but a notebook is very stealable, or so thinks Seven's class clown of a crush.
This book stood out to me because there was a plot behind the romantic tension. Seven has had a crush on Colin for ages without doing anything, but having her notebook of secrets stolen gives her a reason to essentially stalk him, daily chasing him down to get the precious book back. They start spending time together--a lot of time--so of course there's high school gossip and hi-jinks, not to mention their own sabotaging of each other that even drags their families into the mess.
But like I said, the why-don't-they-get-together-for-300-pages actually makes sense! They both doubt their own right to happiness and they spend so much time second guessing themselves and sacrificing for others. Yeah, it's a romance, but it's a coming of age story for both of them, too.
The book wasn't exactly deep, but it was fun, cute, and well-written. Seven was a great narrator while Colin was a dreamboat (a little *too* perfect to be real, but hey, an author can dream). All-in-all, a great novel for the author's debut!
January 25, 2018
[READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL. May contain spoiler]
Seven was the confidante to her school-mate. But, after a while and pile of secrets later, she couldn't keep up with it. She either forgot some secrets or mixed it up. And so she decided the best way was to write it all down in a notebook. And here was the part that I don't get. She had a smartphone. Wasn't there any app she could use for that purpose? For the sake of the plot, I'm letting it go. Apart from the notebook she had for the secrets, she also had an identical notebook for her personal use, mostly about her crush on a school-mate.
Everything was going well for her until she realized she had lost the black notebook that contained all the secrets. She backtrack her steps and collided with Colin who happened to have her notebook. If it was any other person, Seven might be able to get her notebook back. But this was Colin, the school prankster we're talking about. I don't have any other word to describe Colin so I'm sticking with prankster.
And so that was the day a game of cat and mouse started. At first I was annoyed with Colin that I decided I rather DNF but, I wanted to know if Seven had it in her for this game. So what do a bookworm do in a situation like this? Yes, she went home and scour her books for war tactics. I'm impressed because Snow utilize Seven's characteristic into an action. Seven was not just a bookworm. She use it to her advantages. With so many books lying around, there're bound to be some plan right.
There were so many things that I wanted to ask about this book. And just like Seven's secrets that kept on piling, my questions continue to to fill the page. In short, there were plot-holes that bother me. I ignored all that because this was an easy read. I couldn't put it down. I like Seven so much that I wanted to know what happen. There wasn't many author out there who could write a heroine that didn't annoyed me.
I hate the cover. The title saved it though. It sounded mysterious. I think it's the word Black.
"Black Color Psychology and Meaning. Associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. A mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown (black holes). Usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humor, 'black death')."
Seven was the confidante to her school-mate. But, after a while and pile of secrets later, she couldn't keep up with it. She either forgot some secrets or mixed it up. And so she decided the best way was to write it all down in a notebook. And here was the part that I don't get. She had a smartphone. Wasn't there any app she could use for that purpose? For the sake of the plot, I'm letting it go. Apart from the notebook she had for the secrets, she also had an identical notebook for her personal use, mostly about her crush on a school-mate.
Everything was going well for her until she realized she had lost the black notebook that contained all the secrets. She backtrack her steps and collided with Colin who happened to have her notebook. If it was any other person, Seven might be able to get her notebook back. But this was Colin, the school prankster we're talking about. I don't have any other word to describe Colin so I'm sticking with prankster.
And so that was the day a game of cat and mouse started. At first I was annoyed with Colin that I decided I rather DNF but, I wanted to know if Seven had it in her for this game. So what do a bookworm do in a situation like this? Yes, she went home and scour her books for war tactics. I'm impressed because Snow utilize Seven's characteristic into an action. Seven was not just a bookworm. She use it to her advantages. With so many books lying around, there're bound to be some plan right.
There were so many things that I wanted to ask about this book. And just like Seven's secrets that kept on piling, my questions continue to to fill the page. In short, there were plot-holes that bother me. I ignored all that because this was an easy read. I couldn't put it down. I like Seven so much that I wanted to know what happen. There wasn't many author out there who could write a heroine that didn't annoyed me.
I hate the cover. The title saved it though. It sounded mysterious. I think it's the word Black.
"Black Color Psychology and Meaning. Associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. A mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown (black holes). Usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humor, 'black death')."
April 6, 2020
I both hated this book and loved this book so this review is going to be... interesting.
What I did like:
- Isabelle Snow has a great writing style and I would read another book from her.
- The characters were fun.
- It was an entertaining book that had me laughing and screaming when things were going wrong.
- For a book from Inkitt, the quality was A LOT better than I expected.
What I didn't like:
- The girl's name was Seven.
- Colin was a complete jerk yet she still fell for him?
- How hard is it to get your notebook back? If it means that much to you... tell your parents, tell his parents, tell your cousins who would be willing to help you... just, like, get it back? THE FACT THAT SHE FELT BAD ABOUT TAKING IT AND 'HURT' COLIN MADE ME SO ANGRY.
So yeah, I think that this book was fun but also slightly toxic and for that reason I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it. If you love fun, quick YA contemporary than this is a perfect book for you.
What I did like:
- Isabelle Snow has a great writing style and I would read another book from her.
- The characters were fun.
- It was an entertaining book that had me laughing and screaming when things were going wrong.
- For a book from Inkitt, the quality was A LOT better than I expected.
What I didn't like:
- The girl's name was Seven.
- Colin was a complete jerk yet she still fell for him?
- How hard is it to get your notebook back? If it means that much to you... tell your parents, tell his parents, tell your cousins who would be willing to help you... just, like, get it back? THE FACT THAT SHE FELT BAD ABOUT TAKING IT AND 'HURT' COLIN MADE ME SO ANGRY.
So yeah, I think that this book was fun but also slightly toxic and for that reason I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it. If you love fun, quick YA contemporary than this is a perfect book for you.
December 13, 2017
Seven is the type of person that you can tell your secrets. Everyone was sharing their secrets with her, and it was becoming difficult for her to keep track of them all. As a writer and a reader, she decided to store these secrets in a notebook. At last, she was able to keep them straight.
Seven also kept a diary in which she writes about her self-doubts and her high school crush, Colin. Colin was a prankster. After Seven had written in her notebooks, she carried them in her book bag with her school books. One day Colin bumps into Seven. Her books were scattered. She managed to gather them all up, except for one - the book that contained all of the secrets.
Seven begged Colin to return the notebook to her. Being the prankster, he decided to tease her relentlessly instead. Seven devised several plans to get this notebook back. What happened next was a tale of absolute hilarity. The book takes the reader on a journey of two high school students trying to fit in.
This book is perfect for the young adult audience. The storyline is well constructed, and the characters have terrific personalities. Well worth the read.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Seven also kept a diary in which she writes about her self-doubts and her high school crush, Colin. Colin was a prankster. After Seven had written in her notebooks, she carried them in her book bag with her school books. One day Colin bumps into Seven. Her books were scattered. She managed to gather them all up, except for one - the book that contained all of the secrets.
Seven begged Colin to return the notebook to her. Being the prankster, he decided to tease her relentlessly instead. Seven devised several plans to get this notebook back. What happened next was a tale of absolute hilarity. The book takes the reader on a journey of two high school students trying to fit in.
This book is perfect for the young adult audience. The storyline is well constructed, and the characters have terrific personalities. Well worth the read.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
June 26, 2021
'You can’t love someone without the inevitable possibility of getting hurt.'
'We make mistakes, things happen and they don’t necessarily go our way, but maybe the reason we didn’t get the gold was because we were supposed to get the platinum...'
'...in the end, it’s only when you’ve confronted your broken parts that you can gradually piece them back together.'
'Sometimes when you’ve been pushed too far by life, it gets harder and harder to believe that anything good will happen to you. You think that it’s foolish to hope and you’re stuck in suspension, stranded between the lines of waiting for things to get worse and desperately wishing that your circumstances were different.'
________
Seven listened to almost everyone's problem, secret, insecurity and feeling, to an extent that she couldn't remember whose secret is which one. So she decided to write down each of everyone's secret in a black notebook, where she has one for her own personal use too.
Until one day she lost the black notebook, that then found by Colin -- Seven's long time crush. Thinking all she had to do was ask Colin to return the notebook, but no, this had ended up to a mouse and cat chase up for weeks, and also the only way Seven could become any closer to Colin.
Though she hated that the possibility of everyone's secret -- that she had written down in the notebook -- getting exposed the longer Colin has it in his possession, but she kind of loved it too, how through this all she had finally gotten the opportunity to be in Colin's circle, to be really be part of this boy's life -- the boy she had loved so much -- to know more of Colin's personal life that she never had thought would be the kind of life Colin had, and perhaps even more than just that.
________
This is almost the typical YA high school romance. Only that I think Seven wasn't that kind of typical character so much. She's the introvert and nerdy girl who really loves reading, and I could almost have expected that she would be the type that utterly shy, have low self-esteem, but Seven was different, she had a better relationship among her peers -- wasn't an 'outcast' but wasn't that outstanding heroic-like character too much. Although I do find it quite fascinating how everyone in her school went to her for advices or just sharing their worries, I mean, how and when does that start; that's I kind of find it lacking in the creating her character, because I don't think being a good listener alone is enough. It's for me a bit unrealistic that people just come to you and start telling their problems because they heard from someone that you are a good listener and seem always able to solve their problem. Yet I understand it, that this is the bottom line for how the storyline will then go. Which then I think why Colin was one of a unique character too, though still maintaining the good-looking male MC, I find that his goofiness and temperament is attractive yet at the same time tiring and really gets into your nerves. And I think the only reason that this quest of recovering the black notebook had been a far longer process than it could have been -- because imagine Colin just return Seven's notebook the day she lost it, how this story will end at that very exact moment.
This is then how we will go through the hard work of planning and execution Seven had to do, in order to get her notebook back, that will only turn into no avail -- because of her passiveness I think, because of how easy for Colin to overturn all of her action. I find it really frustrating going through all of this process, but still I love the interaction between Seven and Colin, and perhaps that's the only reason I can bear this along my reading.
Therefore, I must say this book is a light read with no heavy conflicts. A romantic story fine for my liking. Family oriented, and almost if not, quite relatable to us, unless you say you never had a crush on somebody. With the hint of twist I couldn't foresee -- overall I enjoyed it.
'We make mistakes, things happen and they don’t necessarily go our way, but maybe the reason we didn’t get the gold was because we were supposed to get the platinum...'
'...in the end, it’s only when you’ve confronted your broken parts that you can gradually piece them back together.'
'Sometimes when you’ve been pushed too far by life, it gets harder and harder to believe that anything good will happen to you. You think that it’s foolish to hope and you’re stuck in suspension, stranded between the lines of waiting for things to get worse and desperately wishing that your circumstances were different.'
________
Seven listened to almost everyone's problem, secret, insecurity and feeling, to an extent that she couldn't remember whose secret is which one. So she decided to write down each of everyone's secret in a black notebook, where she has one for her own personal use too.
Until one day she lost the black notebook, that then found by Colin -- Seven's long time crush. Thinking all she had to do was ask Colin to return the notebook, but no, this had ended up to a mouse and cat chase up for weeks, and also the only way Seven could become any closer to Colin.
Though she hated that the possibility of everyone's secret -- that she had written down in the notebook -- getting exposed the longer Colin has it in his possession, but she kind of loved it too, how through this all she had finally gotten the opportunity to be in Colin's circle, to be really be part of this boy's life -- the boy she had loved so much -- to know more of Colin's personal life that she never had thought would be the kind of life Colin had, and perhaps even more than just that.
________
This is almost the typical YA high school romance. Only that I think Seven wasn't that kind of typical character so much. She's the introvert and nerdy girl who really loves reading, and I could almost have expected that she would be the type that utterly shy, have low self-esteem, but Seven was different, she had a better relationship among her peers -- wasn't an 'outcast' but wasn't that outstanding heroic-like character too much. Although I do find it quite fascinating how everyone in her school went to her for advices or just sharing their worries, I mean, how and when does that start; that's I kind of find it lacking in the creating her character, because I don't think being a good listener alone is enough. It's for me a bit unrealistic that people just come to you and start telling their problems because they heard from someone that you are a good listener and seem always able to solve their problem. Yet I understand it, that this is the bottom line for how the storyline will then go. Which then I think why Colin was one of a unique character too, though still maintaining the good-looking male MC, I find that his goofiness and temperament is attractive yet at the same time tiring and really gets into your nerves. And I think the only reason that this quest of recovering the black notebook had been a far longer process than it could have been -- because imagine Colin just return Seven's notebook the day she lost it, how this story will end at that very exact moment.
This is then how we will go through the hard work of planning and execution Seven had to do, in order to get her notebook back, that will only turn into no avail -- because of her passiveness I think, because of how easy for Colin to overturn all of her action. I find it really frustrating going through all of this process, but still I love the interaction between Seven and Colin, and perhaps that's the only reason I can bear this along my reading.
Therefore, I must say this book is a light read with no heavy conflicts. A romantic story fine for my liking. Family oriented, and almost if not, quite relatable to us, unless you say you never had a crush on somebody. With the hint of twist I couldn't foresee -- overall I enjoyed it.
January 5, 2018
This was a cute, cheesy boy meets girl love story. I have to remember to read these every now and then so I can roll my eyes and laugh at youth.
January 3, 2018
High 4 star rating for me, This is the 1st book I have read by Isabelle Snow, loved Isabelle's style of writing, cute cover, makes me think of notebooks I did write in as a kid, burnt a bunch of those 2, due 2 the thought of prying eyes. great for the YA crowd, nothing inappropriate, no foul language, well written, great plot, strong characters, light quick read for me, the author does keep you guessing and I enjoy the twist at that end. this is a book that is tough for me to pick a favorite character? glad to have a chance to read this beauty and I do look forward to seeing what the author writes in the near future. ( ;
April 28, 2018
The ending was lacking...
The ending needed to be more for me. Give me a epilogue in 10 years to see where their love went. I loved the whole book, but the ending just left me so unsatisfied and that is the only reason I gave this book a 3.
The ending needed to be more for me. Give me a epilogue in 10 years to see where their love went. I loved the whole book, but the ending just left me so unsatisfied and that is the only reason I gave this book a 3.
January 13, 2018
I received a copy of this book through Inkitt Exclusive in exchange for an honest review.
This book falls into the category of 'I should have known better'. Cheesy romance stories have never been my thing, and I did know that this was what it was going into it. But at the same time, I got the impression somehow that this book was going to involve more of the secrets and that sort of stuff getting out that purely a love story, so I figured I would give it a go.
But it is very much a cute, little love story. And don't get me wrong, it's not a bad one or anything like that. It's actually fairly well done. It's just not my taste, hence the lower rating.
The Good Points of The Black Notebook:
The progression of the romance in this story is done very well. If you're looking for instalove, this isn't the place, which is great for the rest of us. The two characters come together and fall apart in a natural way for teenagers, and it doesn't feel overly rushed or dragged out at any part of the story.
Though this book does contain some of the weird formatting and not great editing that I've come to accept with Inkitt books, the writing is actually very good. And better yet, it reads like a teenager wrote it, which works great for the first person writing. It's not often that those two things come together, and I really enjoyed it.
I thought Seven was a great character. She's well developed, and got a great personality that comes through throughout the book, and she's unique without her being quirky being a huge thing throughout the book. I loved seeing a normalized bookworm in a story!
The Downsides of The Black Notebook:
Because romance is not my cup of tea, I did find it slow to read. Others probably won't have this issue, but it was for me.
I continually forgot that these characters were supposed to be in grade 11 and 12. While I know high schoolers can act silly and childish like this, they felt more like they were 14-15. I think I would have reviewed differently if they had been that age.
I wanted something unique from this love story (once I realized what it was), but it just didn't happen. It was good, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing new being brought to the table here. Some cute moments that I liked, but some of these could have been played up so much more and played a bigger role.
All in all, The Black Notebook is a cute, YA love story, and I can totally see where they get the Rainbow Rowell and Becky Albertalli vibes. If you like those sorts of love stories, great female characters, and have a thing for notebooks and the secrets they hold, you'll likely really enjoy The Black Notebook.
This book falls into the category of 'I should have known better'. Cheesy romance stories have never been my thing, and I did know that this was what it was going into it. But at the same time, I got the impression somehow that this book was going to involve more of the secrets and that sort of stuff getting out that purely a love story, so I figured I would give it a go.
But it is very much a cute, little love story. And don't get me wrong, it's not a bad one or anything like that. It's actually fairly well done. It's just not my taste, hence the lower rating.
The Good Points of The Black Notebook:
The progression of the romance in this story is done very well. If you're looking for instalove, this isn't the place, which is great for the rest of us. The two characters come together and fall apart in a natural way for teenagers, and it doesn't feel overly rushed or dragged out at any part of the story.
Though this book does contain some of the weird formatting and not great editing that I've come to accept with Inkitt books, the writing is actually very good. And better yet, it reads like a teenager wrote it, which works great for the first person writing. It's not often that those two things come together, and I really enjoyed it.
I thought Seven was a great character. She's well developed, and got a great personality that comes through throughout the book, and she's unique without her being quirky being a huge thing throughout the book. I loved seeing a normalized bookworm in a story!
The Downsides of The Black Notebook:
Because romance is not my cup of tea, I did find it slow to read. Others probably won't have this issue, but it was for me.
I continually forgot that these characters were supposed to be in grade 11 and 12. While I know high schoolers can act silly and childish like this, they felt more like they were 14-15. I think I would have reviewed differently if they had been that age.
I wanted something unique from this love story (once I realized what it was), but it just didn't happen. It was good, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing new being brought to the table here. Some cute moments that I liked, but some of these could have been played up so much more and played a bigger role.
All in all, The Black Notebook is a cute, YA love story, and I can totally see where they get the Rainbow Rowell and Becky Albertalli vibes. If you like those sorts of love stories, great female characters, and have a thing for notebooks and the secrets they hold, you'll likely really enjoy The Black Notebook.
January 9, 2018
Title: The Black Notebook
Author: Isabelle Snow
Publisher: Inkitt
ISBN: B078MSRF5L
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Notebook...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Fans of Becky Albertalli and Rainbow Rowell are lining up to get The Black Notebook!
Trust is a funny thing isn’t it? It’s great to be trusted by your friends, but when practically the entire school - even the popular kids - are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with you...that’s when things get messy.
Seven Warrilow has been keeping everybody’s secrets for as long as she can remember. She knows who likes who, who hates who, and all the hot gossip. But you know what? She’s sick of it! With all that classified info jumbling around in her head it’s hard to think straight, so Seven decides to write down every secret she’s ever been told into a small black notebook that she carries around for safekeeping. There, now she can breath a little.
OR NOT!? Things take a turn to Disasterville when her notebook goes missing, and when it finds it’s way into the hands of notorious prankster, Colin Stillman, the trouble really begins. Seven’s going to have to use everything she’s got to keep her classmates secrets safe, but Colin isn’t going to make that easy. Afterall...where would the fun be in that?
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Received for an honest review.
Seven may be the secret keeper for the entire school, but no one ever considers how it effects her. While she enjoys helping others it is a heavy load for her to carry. She thought that writing everything down would and it did until she made the mistake of bringing the notebook to school. Things quickly went downhill when she looses it and it is found by the school's most popular jokester Colin Stillman, and her secret crush. Never to miss an opportunity, Colin continuously bates Seven trying to be funny, but it is not a game to her. After trying many times to get the notebook back, including stealing his car, she decides to become his fake girlfriend which unknowingly sets things into motion that no one ever expected.
The book started off a little bit slow, but quickly picked up as the clashes between Seven and Colin were both irreverent and hysterical. This book takes the reader back to high school with all of the drama and fun, not to forget angst and heartbreak.
Author: Isabelle Snow
Publisher: Inkitt
ISBN: B078MSRF5L
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Notebook...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Fans of Becky Albertalli and Rainbow Rowell are lining up to get The Black Notebook!
Trust is a funny thing isn’t it? It’s great to be trusted by your friends, but when practically the entire school - even the popular kids - are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with you...that’s when things get messy.
Seven Warrilow has been keeping everybody’s secrets for as long as she can remember. She knows who likes who, who hates who, and all the hot gossip. But you know what? She’s sick of it! With all that classified info jumbling around in her head it’s hard to think straight, so Seven decides to write down every secret she’s ever been told into a small black notebook that she carries around for safekeeping. There, now she can breath a little.
OR NOT!? Things take a turn to Disasterville when her notebook goes missing, and when it finds it’s way into the hands of notorious prankster, Colin Stillman, the trouble really begins. Seven’s going to have to use everything she’s got to keep her classmates secrets safe, but Colin isn’t going to make that easy. Afterall...where would the fun be in that?
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Received for an honest review.
Seven may be the secret keeper for the entire school, but no one ever considers how it effects her. While she enjoys helping others it is a heavy load for her to carry. She thought that writing everything down would and it did until she made the mistake of bringing the notebook to school. Things quickly went downhill when she looses it and it is found by the school's most popular jokester Colin Stillman, and her secret crush. Never to miss an opportunity, Colin continuously bates Seven trying to be funny, but it is not a game to her. After trying many times to get the notebook back, including stealing his car, she decides to become his fake girlfriend which unknowingly sets things into motion that no one ever expected.
The book started off a little bit slow, but quickly picked up as the clashes between Seven and Colin were both irreverent and hysterical. This book takes the reader back to high school with all of the drama and fun, not to forget angst and heartbreak.
August 10, 2021
POV: Writing this review mere seconds after finishing the book. And by finishing, I mean skipping paragraphs near the end, which I'd usually regard those evil practices as an avid reader in equal standing with CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR!!! Yeah, I take my job seriously and for me to resort to those methods mean something! As you'll guess, I have mixed feelings. Yeah, mixed not outright dislike, I'll get to the good parts of this novel later, 'kay? Anyway, mixed feelings that began to blossom only today after reading this for hours on end for several days in a row like an addict with what I thought would be another hit-and-bullseye romance novel. After all, it has all the components I look for in books I read to feel all thumpa-thumpa inside. Cute, likable characters that both lead interesting lives and the anticipated events leading to their relationship. Steady pacing and patient immersion giving you time to fall into place with the world and its characters. A few cliches here and there, but a simple problem-and-solution for our reader to focus on and the lovely character dynamic between Seven and Colin. I just noticed it STILL pencil-pokes me how his name is spelled with only one L, ugh! ANYWHO, see how I gave it compliments! But, in the end its downfall was how it was once sweet and consistent in the pacing, but all the sudden became rushed and cheap. Like a nice bottle of Windex with the power to clean yo windows up good, but the nozzle gets flippin' broken midway. Their romance had such a delectable build up, then all the sudden I was thrust into the too-many-chapters-long falling point after the climax. Seriously, seven chapters away from the end the plot became riddled with misunderstandings and problems poofing into existence to give it some last second dilemmas ruining the good plot pacing I fell in love with in the first place! I really liked where it was going, perhaps if I'd only read 15 chapters and the moment I sensed things going bad, had dropped it and left the ending to my imagination, I wouldn't have been fare welled with this bitter aftertaste shrouding all the good things I went through while reading this. If you know any cute romance novels worth recommending slide me a comment, cause be aware its a never ending search for us romance novel enthusiasts! Now I should get some sleep...
January 9, 2018
Sixteen-year-old Seven is likeable, the one everyone shares their secrets with and seeks advice from. Her advice is so insightful because of those very secrets. Sometimes, she struggles to keep track of all the dilemmas. And while she provides sophisticated, pragmatic advice to her peers, she doesn’t use the same wisdom when it comes to her own relationships. She decides to keep a diary of all these secrets to stay organized, better able to help all of her friends. But by page 20, it’s gone missing and complicates her longtime crush on Colin.
The light, conversational style of this book genuinely feels like a teen relaying their latest dramas. Moments sometimes escalate to melodrama balanced with wisdom and funny responses with only a dash of snark. Sometimes, the excess adverbs or indulgent descriptors were distracting (“a bedazzling smile”), but the story moves right along. Occasionally, there’s awkward phrasing that an editor would have caught, like “a few ways away” or “I fisted my hands”. Better to say “I clenched my fists” or “I squeezed my hands into fists”, but it doesn’t ruin the story.
Most of the book is in first person, but switches to third person for the occasional chapter from Colin’s point of view. The middle drags a bit with a dinner scene including parents that feels more melodramatic than how real adult parents interact. This stretch of the book also relies too much on a convoluted uncertainty about a relationship status. It’s true that new relationships can begin with a lack of direct communication, but this plot device felt like that second-to-last season of your favorite tv show where they’ve got airtime to fill, but not storyline to fill it.
Overall, this is a fun read for young to middle teens looking for a soft romance. It has the vibe of a teen soap opera and a quirky diary with a happy ending. This author has an authentic voice that will have young fans eagerly awaiting her next book.
The light, conversational style of this book genuinely feels like a teen relaying their latest dramas. Moments sometimes escalate to melodrama balanced with wisdom and funny responses with only a dash of snark. Sometimes, the excess adverbs or indulgent descriptors were distracting (“a bedazzling smile”), but the story moves right along. Occasionally, there’s awkward phrasing that an editor would have caught, like “a few ways away” or “I fisted my hands”. Better to say “I clenched my fists” or “I squeezed my hands into fists”, but it doesn’t ruin the story.
Most of the book is in first person, but switches to third person for the occasional chapter from Colin’s point of view. The middle drags a bit with a dinner scene including parents that feels more melodramatic than how real adult parents interact. This stretch of the book also relies too much on a convoluted uncertainty about a relationship status. It’s true that new relationships can begin with a lack of direct communication, but this plot device felt like that second-to-last season of your favorite tv show where they’ve got airtime to fill, but not storyline to fill it.
Overall, this is a fun read for young to middle teens looking for a soft romance. It has the vibe of a teen soap opera and a quirky diary with a happy ending. This author has an authentic voice that will have young fans eagerly awaiting her next book.
May 6, 2018
Seven is the queen of giving advice and keeping secrets. Everyone at school comes to her with their secrets and, although she loves that people trust her, she struggles to remember who told her what. In order to keep track, Seven starts writing down all the secrets in a little black notebook. But things take a disastrous turn when the notebook falls into the hands of prankster, Colin Stillman. Seven does everything she can think of to get the notebook back, but Colin won’t give it up.
Genuine, sweet high-school romance stories are hard to find. For the most part, they’re cliched and irritating. The Black Notebook is one of the few that drew me in and made me wish I was a teenager again. I really enjoyed the relationship between Seven and Colin. It felt organic and realistic, completely believable and not at all forced. Although, it still has the usual will-they-won’t-they relationship build up, it actually makes sense to the plot and isn’t just plain annoying.
The only aspect of this book that I didn’t get was Seven’s obsession with getting the notebook back. Colin had a hold of the notebook for months and he never spilled a single secret. He actually comes across as very trustworthy and I didn’t understand why Seven was so determined to get in back, rather than realising that he wasn’t going to tell anyone anything.
Nicely written and very engaging, The Black Notebook is a sweet and enjoyable teen romance.
I received a copy of this book via Inkitt in exchange for an honest review.
Genuine, sweet high-school romance stories are hard to find. For the most part, they’re cliched and irritating. The Black Notebook is one of the few that drew me in and made me wish I was a teenager again. I really enjoyed the relationship between Seven and Colin. It felt organic and realistic, completely believable and not at all forced. Although, it still has the usual will-they-won’t-they relationship build up, it actually makes sense to the plot and isn’t just plain annoying.
The only aspect of this book that I didn’t get was Seven’s obsession with getting the notebook back. Colin had a hold of the notebook for months and he never spilled a single secret. He actually comes across as very trustworthy and I didn’t understand why Seven was so determined to get in back, rather than realising that he wasn’t going to tell anyone anything.
Nicely written and very engaging, The Black Notebook is a sweet and enjoyable teen romance.
I received a copy of this book via Inkitt in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
A really good book for young adults and even those who left our youth behind.
Who would have thunk it? Here I am at almost 60 Reading about high school and thinking back on those days like it was just yesterday. Author, Isbelle Snow takes us on a little journey between Seven ( gosh I loved her name and the fact that we are never told why she is named that odd name makes it can better) and Colin during part of their junior/senior year.
Seven is one of those people that folks "open up"to. Only problem is everyone tells her all their problems. Poor girl.... Reaches the point she writes it down. See where this is going? Well , Seven herself has no phone to tell her secrets too.... But we the reader know that she as a thing for fun loving Colin. And we get the heart nd the soul of the book. Funny how there was some things in the book like my own family,others not so much.
This book was well written and can be read by both young adults and those of us who left our youth behind ages ago. I hope our author will grace had with more Seven and Colin's life in second book....
Who would have thunk it? Here I am at almost 60 Reading about high school and thinking back on those days like it was just yesterday. Author, Isbelle Snow takes us on a little journey between Seven ( gosh I loved her name and the fact that we are never told why she is named that odd name makes it can better) and Colin during part of their junior/senior year.
Seven is one of those people that folks "open up"to. Only problem is everyone tells her all their problems. Poor girl.... Reaches the point she writes it down. See where this is going? Well , Seven herself has no phone to tell her secrets too.... But we the reader know that she as a thing for fun loving Colin. And we get the heart nd the soul of the book. Funny how there was some things in the book like my own family,others not so much.
This book was well written and can be read by both young adults and those of us who left our youth behind ages ago. I hope our author will grace had with more Seven and Colin's life in second book....
January 2, 2018
This is the kind of book that I only pick to read once in a while. I'm not much of a comtemporary fan, unless it involves a cute romance with some laughs along and this book fits a bit in that. There are moments more serious and the book certain points out that sometimes we see people everyday but don't really know who they really are when they aren't around other people. This book it's not overly dramatic (thank god, cant' stand too many "I want to talk to him but I'll do the oppost to get a reaction") and i'm thankful that of how the book played out and how even though Seven had a crush Colin for years, she didn't let that make her an idiot that can't speak up. So that made their enemies, friends to finally admitting their feelings quite cute and well timed. Though I did feel the urge to smack Colin a few times if I was in Seven's shoes xD
It's not a super short book and not suuper long neither so it makes a good read if you want a break from your usual type of book or if you like this kind of book too =3
I asked for a review copy and I'm giving my honest opinion on it.
It's not a super short book and not suuper long neither so it makes a good read if you want a break from your usual type of book or if you like this kind of book too =3
I asked for a review copy and I'm giving my honest opinion on it.
January 5, 2018
*I read this ARC to give an honest review*
What a nice read I had, a simple YA book, with no inappropriate scenes or language, well written, and with strong characters, the author kept me guessing and I enjoy the twist at that end, it was a quick and light read as well !!!
let's talk about the romance:
both Seven and Colin grow from the beggining of the story and we got to see this, but I really liked how Seven changed and how she was enjoying life more and more while trying crazy things and ideas to get her notebook back, and I liked how we had some hints about colin's feelings for Seven but when he opened up and told her I was full of joy, it was a cute romance and I could'nt put the book down !!!
I think for a contemporary book, this is a good one, YA and contemporary fans will enjoy it, and I'd like to read more of this author in the futur for sure !!!!
What a nice read I had, a simple YA book, with no inappropriate scenes or language, well written, and with strong characters, the author kept me guessing and I enjoy the twist at that end, it was a quick and light read as well !!!
let's talk about the romance:
both Seven and Colin grow from the beggining of the story and we got to see this, but I really liked how Seven changed and how she was enjoying life more and more while trying crazy things and ideas to get her notebook back, and I liked how we had some hints about colin's feelings for Seven but when he opened up and told her I was full of joy, it was a cute romance and I could'nt put the book down !!!
I think for a contemporary book, this is a good one, YA and contemporary fans will enjoy it, and I'd like to read more of this author in the futur for sure !!!!
January 16, 2018
I'm way, way, waaay outside the target audience of the teen/high school/YA but I had a lot of fun reading this! It took me back to the high drama days of who talked or didn't talk to who, who went to lunch together, who liked who, etc. Crushes and first loves are the hardest but are usually funny to look back on - at least now that I've had a few high school reunions behind me. Haha!
This is a great read for any young girl - or an old lady like me that had a good time being transported back to the 'simpler' times. Overall, it came with a great message and good advice all the way around!
(This book is on the long side, coming in at just under 400 pages. Some places could be edited for content as it sometimes drug on a bit and some parts felt irrelevant in the whole scheme of things.)
*exclusive arc*
This is a great read for any young girl - or an old lady like me that had a good time being transported back to the 'simpler' times. Overall, it came with a great message and good advice all the way around!
(This book is on the long side, coming in at just under 400 pages. Some places could be edited for content as it sometimes drug on a bit and some parts felt irrelevant in the whole scheme of things.)
*exclusive arc*
October 8, 2024
The first book I ever read on Inkitt and it still has a very special place in my heart. Re-read it after almost 5 years and god it still holds its own very well. I'm such a fan of both Colin and Seven. Their dynamic is to die for!!! One of the best high school, teen romance stories. If you are thinking of reading this,GO FOR IT!!! It's got humour that will make you giggle, fluff that will make you squeal and angst that will squeeze your heart. One of the most well written books ever! Also I love how there are multiple characters who are not exactly central to the plot, but they're all fleshed out very well. And the author has done an amazing job making you want to root for the two characters. I must have read hundreds of teen romances on Wattpad and Inkitt but this one has stuck and I'm just so grateful for it being on my recommendations that day!!!
January 3, 2018
Thanks to Ink Monster for the opportunity to read and review The Black Notebook by Isabelle Snow. For some reason, people are compelled to share their secrets with the main character, Seven. She’s kind and wants to be a confidant for others. She’s having trouble trying to remember everyone’s secrets and keeping them straight so she decides to write them in a black notebook. Colin, Seven’s crush, realizes the black notebook is important to her and so he takes it from her as a taunt. Seven goes to great lengths to retrieve her notebook full of other’s secrets, even sneaking into the boys’ locker room and into Colin’s bedroom. Humorous and entertaining, this book is cute and a clean read.
The story comes full circle as Seven and Colin get to know each other better, 4 stars!
The story comes full circle as Seven and Colin get to know each other better, 4 stars!
January 5, 2018
💋💋Absolutely Awesome Book💋💋
I am most genuinely deeply enchanted by this story. The charming characters are made into vivid living people before your eyes, the storyline and dialogue has any one thats not a stone wall chuckling and giggling for hours. The fast pace and surprising turn of events keep the reader unable to put it down even for a second. In a highly skilled way the emotions are lightning fast conveyed straight into the heart. That bargains for a whole lot of swooning and heart pinching as it all unfolds. The title is very inconspicuous, but my oh my what a treasure trove this is. Especially for a reader like me that appreciate skilled and versatile content, high quality storylines and clever witty dialogues instead of explicit content.
I am most genuinely deeply enchanted by this story. The charming characters are made into vivid living people before your eyes, the storyline and dialogue has any one thats not a stone wall chuckling and giggling for hours. The fast pace and surprising turn of events keep the reader unable to put it down even for a second. In a highly skilled way the emotions are lightning fast conveyed straight into the heart. That bargains for a whole lot of swooning and heart pinching as it all unfolds. The title is very inconspicuous, but my oh my what a treasure trove this is. Especially for a reader like me that appreciate skilled and versatile content, high quality storylines and clever witty dialogues instead of explicit content.
January 4, 2018
**This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review**
This is my first book by Isabelle Snow and I absolutely loved it. I loved the growth of the characters and how multi-dimensional they were, and I LOVED the romance. Seven and Colin grow so much from who they were in the beginning of this book and I loved that I got to see it. I really liked Seven’s character in the beginning, but by the end I absolutely loved her. She does some crazy things to try and get her notebook back and it really opened her up to enjoying life more. I also loved that you never knew Colins feelings until Seven finds out. There are definitely hints that he likes her back, but he is such a jokester that you never know until he says it (for real this time). I really hope there is more in store for these characters, but if not I will definitely read more by Isabelle Snow.
This is my first book by Isabelle Snow and I absolutely loved it. I loved the growth of the characters and how multi-dimensional they were, and I LOVED the romance. Seven and Colin grow so much from who they were in the beginning of this book and I loved that I got to see it. I really liked Seven’s character in the beginning, but by the end I absolutely loved her. She does some crazy things to try and get her notebook back and it really opened her up to enjoying life more. I also loved that you never knew Colins feelings until Seven finds out. There are definitely hints that he likes her back, but he is such a jokester that you never know until he says it (for real this time). I really hope there is more in store for these characters, but if not I will definitely read more by Isabelle Snow.
January 12, 2018
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review
I found this book to a cute romance but it was a little too cheesy for my taste. Seven is in her junior year of high school and she has a hardcore crush on a hot senior named Colin! Seven somehow turned out to be everyone's confidant telling her their deepest secrets and seeking advice. Seven had so much information stored in her brain that she wrote every body's secrets in a black book.
Colin steals the book from Seven as a joke and maybe with an ulterior motive. I got a little frustrated and bored because it took way too long and too many games to get the notebook back ,however it still kept me reading.
I found this book to a cute romance but it was a little too cheesy for my taste. Seven is in her junior year of high school and she has a hardcore crush on a hot senior named Colin! Seven somehow turned out to be everyone's confidant telling her their deepest secrets and seeking advice. Seven had so much information stored in her brain that she wrote every body's secrets in a black book.
Colin steals the book from Seven as a joke and maybe with an ulterior motive. I got a little frustrated and bored because it took way too long and too many games to get the notebook back ,however it still kept me reading.
February 27, 2018
For a YA love story this was an interesting book. For me it could have been pared down a bit as some of it seemed a bit unnecessary or redundant, but all in all it was not a bad read. My copy of it, being an advanced copy, was a bit difficult as there were quite a few grammatical errors that I can only hope did not make it to the final release.
This was a story that I believe my daughter would enjoy and I might just steer it her way as she will read and review it too. For the author I would say, keep up the work as I believe you have a lot of potential. If you like YA give this one a try as you might be surprised.
This was a story that I believe my daughter would enjoy and I might just steer it her way as she will read and review it too. For the author I would say, keep up the work as I believe you have a lot of potential. If you like YA give this one a try as you might be surprised.
January 6, 2018
Adorable and really fun read
All my pre-conceived notions about how this book will go went right out the window.
Hilarity ensues after Colin, a prankster and Seven's secret crush, snags one of Seven's notebooks - notebooks in which she writes down other people's secrets - and she devises several plans to get this notebook back.
The characters are charming and multi-dimensional, it's fast paced with surprising turn of events, it has high quality story lines and clever witty dialogues, and great romance.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
All my pre-conceived notions about how this book will go went right out the window.
Hilarity ensues after Colin, a prankster and Seven's secret crush, snags one of Seven's notebooks - notebooks in which she writes down other people's secrets - and she devises several plans to get this notebook back.
The characters are charming and multi-dimensional, it's fast paced with surprising turn of events, it has high quality story lines and clever witty dialogues, and great romance.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
February 1, 2018
When I was in HS there was always that one person who always knew what was going on in everyones life. The main character in this book, Seven, is that person. For some reason everyone tells her all their business and she writes it down in this black notebook. Well enter Colin, Seven's long time crush, who can't resist taking the book. Not such a bad thing from Seven's side because now she has a reason to stalk him. She needs the book back, right?!
This is a cute and great book. I felt it did drag a bit when it came to getting the book back. But I know the teenagers will love this book.
This is a cute and great book. I felt it did drag a bit when it came to getting the book back. But I know the teenagers will love this book.
March 17, 2018
Frustrating // internally screaming // ugly crying
I gave this book a 4/5 because I felt like some parts of the book dragged on. It made me cry. I forced myself to finish. It’s 5 am in the morning and I’m just blown away by the turn of events.
I think the relationship between Seven and Colin is cute but ugh frustrating as heck when reading Seven’s thoughts. Internally screaming and shouting, TELL 👏HIM 👏HE 👏HAS 👏TO 👏KNOW👏 ugh same time I was getting frustrating by Colin as well but ugh this book was really good.
I gave this book a 4/5 because I felt like some parts of the book dragged on. It made me cry. I forced myself to finish. It’s 5 am in the morning and I’m just blown away by the turn of events.
I think the relationship between Seven and Colin is cute but ugh frustrating as heck when reading Seven’s thoughts. Internally screaming and shouting, TELL 👏HIM 👏HE 👏HAS 👏TO 👏KNOW👏 ugh same time I was getting frustrating by Colin as well but ugh this book was really good.
January 5, 2018
Despite the public impression that they might give off; Seven Warrilow and Colin Stillman seem to get on in their more private moments. I ended up really liking Seven's character and hope that I'll be reading more about her in the future. The serious conversation that took place between Colin and Seven was quite interesting; and the tiny bits of spark between the two of them was quite touching and romantic. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2018
Loved reading this book! It was really well written and I loved the characters. I was getting happy, frustrated and sad with them and I couldn't put the book down. It was really really well executed, especially the idea of the multiple plans to get the notebook back for each chapter. Really really great, and I strongly encourage people who want a nice, funny and cute high school romance story to pick up this book and read it :)
December 31, 2017
****I voluntarily read this ARC to give an honest review**** What an amazing, enchanting love story. It is filled with laughter and will pull your heartstrings with the sweetest characters. Seven and Colin are two enlightening characters. High school sweethearts that were running a game on their families and actually on themselves. I couldn't put it down! A great read!
February 27, 2018
Where to begin...
Seven....I love the name alone.
Seven loses her black notebook where secrets are kept and Colin (her crush) comes to find it. Never once in a million years would Seven imagine what secrets Colin in fact knew about.
Read the book to know exactly what happens between Seven & Colin, promise you won’t regret it.
Seven....I love the name alone.
Seven loses her black notebook where secrets are kept and Colin (her crush) comes to find it. Never once in a million years would Seven imagine what secrets Colin in fact knew about.
Read the book to know exactly what happens between Seven & Colin, promise you won’t regret it.
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