What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Year of Maybe
From the author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone comes a stunning contemporary novel that examines the complicated aftermath of a kidney transplant between best friends.Aspiring choreographer Sophie Orenstein would do anything for Peter Rosenthal-Porter, who’s been on the kidney transplant list as long as she’s known him. Peter, a gifted pianist, is everything to best friend, musical collaborator, secret crush. When she learns she’s a match, donating a kidney is an easy, obvious choice. She can’t help wondering if after the transplant, he’ll love her back the way she’s always wanted. But Peter’s life post-transplant isn’t what either of them expected. Though he once had feelings for Sophie, too, he’s now drawn to Chase, the guitarist in a band that happens to be looking for a keyboardist. And while neglected parts of Sophie’s world are calling to her—dance opportunities, new friends, a sister and niece she barely knows—she longs for a now-distant Peter more than ever, growing increasingly bitter he doesn’t seem to feel the same connection. Peter fears he’ll forever be indebted to her. Sophie isn’t sure who she is without him. Then one heartbreaking night twists their relationship into something neither of them recognizes, leading them to question their past, their future, and whether their friendship is even worth fighting for.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
108 people are currently reading
9316 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lynn Solomon
15 books8,443 followersRachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages and optioned for film. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 485 reviews
Read
October 14, 20191/15/19: Welcome to the world, OUR YEAR OF MAYBE!!
6/7/18: And we have a cover! Some facts about OUR YEAR OF MAYBE:
- It's dual POV.
- Sophie is Jewish.
- Peter is half Jewish and grappling with what that means when he feels more connected to Judaism than to anything else.
- Peter identifies as bisexual on-page from the beginning.
- This isn't a spoiler, but given there's a bit of a love triangle, I feel it's important to know: there is NO CHEATING in this book.
You might enjoy OUR YEAR OF MAYBE if you like:
- dancer girls who are confident onstage but still figuring out real-life relationships
- soft boys who play piano
- yearning
- self-discovery
- the agony of unrequited love between best friends
- Jewish characters having feelings about Judaism
- bands that aren't very good but are really trying
- first kisses in bookstores
- jokes about Seattle
- a chinchilla named Mark
6/7/18: And we have a cover! Some facts about OUR YEAR OF MAYBE:
- It's dual POV.
- Sophie is Jewish.
- Peter is half Jewish and grappling with what that means when he feels more connected to Judaism than to anything else.
- Peter identifies as bisexual on-page from the beginning.
- This isn't a spoiler, but given there's a bit of a love triangle, I feel it's important to know: there is NO CHEATING in this book.
You might enjoy OUR YEAR OF MAYBE if you like:
- dancer girls who are confident onstage but still figuring out real-life relationships
- soft boys who play piano
- yearning
- self-discovery
- the agony of unrequited love between best friends
- Jewish characters having feelings about Judaism
- bands that aren't very good but are really trying
- first kisses in bookstores
- jokes about Seattle
- a chinchilla named Mark
January 4, 2019
Solomon has a way of writing beautifully, sad books. I adored this one!
January 2, 2023
Oh man, what I love about both books I’ve read now by the amazing RLS is the way she creates these really complicated, sticky, uncomfortable, emotionally messy scenarios where there really aren’t any bad guys, but still you can end up with a LOT of hurt feelings. And ooohhh I could tell this was going to be so juicy from chapter one. Sophie and Peter are best friends. Peter has been chronically ill his entire life because of a kidney problem. Sophie has a thing for Peter which is sort of brewing below the surface, but they’re 18 now and with all her hinting around, Peter has never really acted on it. Sophie is a donor match, and offers a kidney to Peter. You can guess where this is going. Where do those lines blur between doing something purely from the goodness of your heart for a friend versus because there is some sort of expectation attached? Especially when that something is HUGE and impossible to take back.
This was seriously heartbreaking to read, from both perspectives. Codependence is brought up here, and absolutely fits. Well written. Also, bonus points for ADORABLE CHINCHILLA 😊.
This was seriously heartbreaking to read, from both perspectives. Codependence is brought up here, and absolutely fits. Well written. Also, bonus points for ADORABLE CHINCHILLA 😊.
May 11, 2020
Luscious, poignant, and another stunner from Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone. It’s safe to say that Our Year of Maybe was just as moving and well-written and finely crafted as Solomon’s debut, and I could not be more excited.
Sophie and Peter are such different and dynamic main characters–they change so much in this novel, but not in a rushed way. They’re dynamic and they learn and they find out new things and they grow and it’s really great story-wise seeing this, but it’s also great for teens to see this coming of age happen.
If anything, this whole book felt so natural, which is honestly one of the things that I like the most about Solomon’s novels. Natural in the way that although Solomon writes about specific situations with specific people and specific hobbies, they’re all fitting together and you wouldn’t think twice if these people were real and this actually happened in real life.
Not only is it natural, but it also keeps it real and Solomon talks about so many things not commonly represented in YA–Judaism, masturbation, bisexuality, sex, toxic friendships, and so much more. It’s the little things that counts, and some of the smallest scenes are still things that are so rarely portrayed in YA and it really feels like Solomon knows teenagers and just how big the struggle is.
It’s just so refreshing to read her books, and Our Year of Maybe did not disappoint plot-wise. With books that are very friendship/family focused, it can be scary in case things become slow, but I’m really glad to say that Solomon does an amazing job of keeping things interesting and happening and progressing in the story and letting it flow, even though the plot is very intangible in the way that it’s not a physical force.
And the exploration of toxic friendship was amazing, of course. It wouldn’t be rated this highly if it wasn’t. I really loved how in the beginning, I was kinda shipping Peter and Sophie (I mean they’re childhood best friends and I love that trope), but by the middle, I was definitely just wanting them to be happy as possible, even if it meant separating.
Plus, the ending scene was just wow. I am not ashamed to say that I cried during it and was feeling all the feels as it happened. Whew.
I admit that Our Year of Maybe was slightly less poignant for me than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone (and when I say slightly, I mean very slightly) just because I resonated more with Tovah and Adina’s story more than Sophie and Peter’s.
This is why I took off a half star (so you know which one is my slightly more favorite), but also understand that this is by no means saying that Our Year of Maybe was written worse–just that I personally didn’t enjoy the subject matter as much as You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone.
If anything, I think Our Year of Maybe is written and developed better than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, but the topic itself wasn’t something I was as connected to.
Overall, Our Year of Maybe was just as good, if not better, than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone–and both of them are amazing. I definitely recommend if you want a real contemporary that explores so many themes and lessons teens will need.
Plus, check out some more things I’ve written about Rachel Lynn Solomon’s works you might want to see!
- My review of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone.
- My mini post about Our Year of Maybe in the Barnes and Noble teen blog!
Sophie and Peter are such different and dynamic main characters–they change so much in this novel, but not in a rushed way. They’re dynamic and they learn and they find out new things and they grow and it’s really great story-wise seeing this, but it’s also great for teens to see this coming of age happen.
If anything, this whole book felt so natural, which is honestly one of the things that I like the most about Solomon’s novels. Natural in the way that although Solomon writes about specific situations with specific people and specific hobbies, they’re all fitting together and you wouldn’t think twice if these people were real and this actually happened in real life.
Not only is it natural, but it also keeps it real and Solomon talks about so many things not commonly represented in YA–Judaism, masturbation, bisexuality, sex, toxic friendships, and so much more. It’s the little things that counts, and some of the smallest scenes are still things that are so rarely portrayed in YA and it really feels like Solomon knows teenagers and just how big the struggle is.
It’s just so refreshing to read her books, and Our Year of Maybe did not disappoint plot-wise. With books that are very friendship/family focused, it can be scary in case things become slow, but I’m really glad to say that Solomon does an amazing job of keeping things interesting and happening and progressing in the story and letting it flow, even though the plot is very intangible in the way that it’s not a physical force.
And the exploration of toxic friendship was amazing, of course. It wouldn’t be rated this highly if it wasn’t. I really loved how in the beginning, I was kinda shipping Peter and Sophie (I mean they’re childhood best friends and I love that trope), but by the middle, I was definitely just wanting them to be happy as possible, even if it meant separating.
Plus, the ending scene was just wow. I am not ashamed to say that I cried during it and was feeling all the feels as it happened. Whew.
I admit that Our Year of Maybe was slightly less poignant for me than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone (and when I say slightly, I mean very slightly) just because I resonated more with Tovah and Adina’s story more than Sophie and Peter’s.
This is why I took off a half star (so you know which one is my slightly more favorite), but also understand that this is by no means saying that Our Year of Maybe was written worse–just that I personally didn’t enjoy the subject matter as much as You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone.
If anything, I think Our Year of Maybe is written and developed better than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, but the topic itself wasn’t something I was as connected to.
Overall, Our Year of Maybe was just as good, if not better, than You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone–and both of them are amazing. I definitely recommend if you want a real contemporary that explores so many themes and lessons teens will need.
Plus, check out some more things I’ve written about Rachel Lynn Solomon’s works you might want to see!
- My review of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone.
- My mini post about Our Year of Maybe in the Barnes and Noble teen blog!
December 30, 2018
***Actual rating: 4/5 Lovin’-So-Hard Stars***
Peter and Sophie have been best friends since childhood; growing up together, Peter’s feeling for Sophie is always nothing more than F.R.I.E.N.D.S. whereas Sophie starts having undeniable crush on him day by day. When Sophie realizes Peter never feels the same as she does, her secret crush morphs into a much more dangerous obsession, which has totally taken its toll on their friendship. There’s only one goal Sophie’s determined to achieve: Getting Peter to love her back, even if it meant giving him her kidney when he’s so desperately in need of one.
Just when Sophie thinks Peter will change his feeling about her after gratefully accepting her kidney, she’s proven completely wrong. Peter finds the keyboardist in his newly joined band, Chase, so attractive that the more time they spend with each other, the more often they’re aware of the chemistry between them.
Torn between not wanting to let Sophie down and following his heart to be with Chase, Peter makes some good and bad decisions along the way. Good decisions? He does eventually pluck up the courage and tell Sophie where his heart belongs in all honesty. Bad ones? Well, under the most frustrating circumstances, Peter does something unforgivable (in my opinion) to Sophie and shatters her heart as a consequence.
What I appreciate most in this book is the character development. Both Peter and Sophie grow so much throughout the story and I love all the experiences shaping into who they are today. From Peter and Sophie’s self exploration, they show me that people indeed change all the time. During different phases in life, one will be affected by people they meet, people they befriend, and things they encounter with. Even if the friends around you may turn into someone you barely recognize, just bear in mind there’s still innocence in their characters and that their true essence still remains unchanged.
Moreover, the best part of this book to me is the ending. The story’s wrapped up flawlessly and beautifully because Peter and Sophie finally figure out who they are and whom they’re destined to be this entire time. Seriously, I can’t think of a better way to sum up the book and *sigh* even recalling the perfect ending to Peter and Sophie’s story puts a goofy smile on my face!
Unfortunately, despite the fact that I thoroughly enjoy almost 90% of the book, there are still plot designs and concepts I don’t fully agree upon. For example, Sophie’s younger sister gets pregnant, becomes a mother, and grows her own family with her teenage boyfriend at such a young age as 16. The whole story makes this incident look like the most normal thing ever. As if teenagers nowadays can do whatever they want without having to take the responsibility/consequences seriously.
Aside from the premarital sex reference, I find the mention of sex toys (*cough* vibrators *cough*) quite disturbing as well. I don’t mind if people use them to satisfy their carnal desire but I personally think it’s utterly unnecessary and irrelevant to highlight something so private in a young adult novel. I mean, don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate for younger readers? *shrugs*
All in all, Our Year of Maybe is a coming-of-age, contemporary, diverse story featuring bisexual characters and focusing on self-explorations. Even though the book’s not 100% my cup of tea, I can easily foresee its success once published officially since it’ll certainly be an overnight sensation in the LGBTQ+ community as well as diverse readers/advocates/supporters. Besides, because of the wonderfully written character development, readers can resonate with the protagonists without doubt ; hence, I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks about Our Year of Maybe, and I of course will RECOMMEND this book to those who’re uncertain of themselves or those who’re still in search of their questionable existence (like me before reading this book).
***Thanks to the author and the publisher for kindly sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
And then I let go of him first, this boy who never belonged to me.
I
let
go
first.
Peter and Sophie have been best friends since childhood; growing up together, Peter’s feeling for Sophie is always nothing more than F.R.I.E.N.D.S. whereas Sophie starts having undeniable crush on him day by day. When Sophie realizes Peter never feels the same as she does, her secret crush morphs into a much more dangerous obsession, which has totally taken its toll on their friendship. There’s only one goal Sophie’s determined to achieve: Getting Peter to love her back, even if it meant giving him her kidney when he’s so desperately in need of one.
Just when Sophie thinks Peter will change his feeling about her after gratefully accepting her kidney, she’s proven completely wrong. Peter finds the keyboardist in his newly joined band, Chase, so attractive that the more time they spend with each other, the more often they’re aware of the chemistry between them.
We hold each other in my bed for a while, because there’s no rush to leave this room. He drums a melody on my back while I play an accompaniment on his rib cage.
Torn between not wanting to let Sophie down and following his heart to be with Chase, Peter makes some good and bad decisions along the way. Good decisions? He does eventually pluck up the courage and tell Sophie where his heart belongs in all honesty. Bad ones? Well, under the most frustrating circumstances, Peter does something unforgivable (in my opinion) to Sophie and shatters her heart as a consequence.
What I appreciate most in this book is the character development. Both Peter and Sophie grow so much throughout the story and I love all the experiences shaping into who they are today. From Peter and Sophie’s self exploration, they show me that people indeed change all the time. During different phases in life, one will be affected by people they meet, people they befriend, and things they encounter with. Even if the friends around you may turn into someone you barely recognize, just bear in mind there’s still innocence in their characters and that their true essence still remains unchanged.
Moreover, the best part of this book to me is the ending. The story’s wrapped up flawlessly and beautifully because Peter and Sophie finally figure out who they are and whom they’re destined to be this entire time. Seriously, I can’t think of a better way to sum up the book and *sigh* even recalling the perfect ending to Peter and Sophie’s story puts a goofy smile on my face!
Unfortunately, despite the fact that I thoroughly enjoy almost 90% of the book, there are still plot designs and concepts I don’t fully agree upon. For example, Sophie’s younger sister gets pregnant, becomes a mother, and grows her own family with her teenage boyfriend at such a young age as 16. The whole story makes this incident look like the most normal thing ever. As if teenagers nowadays can do whatever they want without having to take the responsibility/consequences seriously.
It’s strange, my younger sister growing this family of her own. While Tabby and Josh have been together since they were fourteen, I didn’t know they were having sex until Tabby told us she was pregnant. She’d advanced to level forty, and I was still trying to beat level one.
Aside from the premarital sex reference, I find the mention of sex toys (*cough* vibrators *cough*) quite disturbing as well. I don’t mind if people use them to satisfy their carnal desire but I personally think it’s utterly unnecessary and irrelevant to highlight something so private in a young adult novel. I mean, don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate for younger readers? *shrugs*
All in all, Our Year of Maybe is a coming-of-age, contemporary, diverse story featuring bisexual characters and focusing on self-explorations. Even though the book’s not 100% my cup of tea, I can easily foresee its success once published officially since it’ll certainly be an overnight sensation in the LGBTQ+ community as well as diverse readers/advocates/supporters. Besides, because of the wonderfully written character development, readers can resonate with the protagonists without doubt ; hence, I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks about Our Year of Maybe, and I of course will RECOMMEND this book to those who’re uncertain of themselves or those who’re still in search of their questionable existence (like me before reading this book).
***Thanks to the author and the publisher for kindly sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
October 9, 2020
“He has a part of me, and I'm the one with a gaping hole that can't be fixed.”
Our Year of Maybe is an incredibly well done book about unrequited love and friendship break-ups, a topic that I think way too little YA books focus on.
This book has many layers to it. One of the core events of it is Sophie donating her kidney to her best friend Peter, who she is also in love with. They grew up together and are basically each other's only friends, but we realize throughout the book that their friendship is not perfect and both of them struggle with what they give and want out of it.
Sophie is dyslexic and Jewish. Peter's dad is Jewish and Peter is trying to connect more with Judaism. He is also bisexual and chronically ill.
“Our lives have revolved around Peter always. He is the earth, and I am the moon. There was never enough I could do to get him to love me the way I wanted, to see me as more than just a moon. I have never been enough, and he has always been too much.”
I was first and foremost interested in this book because I really enjoy books that focus on music and so having a main character who plays piano and another who is a dancer was an incredibly intriguing concept to me.
But as I was getting into this book, I absolutely stayed for the friendship dynamic. While I wouldn't necessarily say the music aspect fell flat, it completely took a backseat with all of the other stuff going on in this novel.
“And that’s the horrible truth of it all, isn’t it? Peter could slash me open and steal my other kidney, and I would let him. If it would keep him alive, I’d dig it out for him myself.”
The feelings both of these characters have for each other are messy and I loved every second of reading about them trying to figure things out. What really works about this book is that both fuck up and both say mean things to each other. But it doesn't feel wrong but more like everything they say and do is inevitable and rather like something that needed to be said for a long time, even if it might hurt.
Especially Sophie's thoughts were always brutally honest and it was so interesting to see her grapple with the hopes she had of the kidney donation bringing her closer to Peter.
Sophie's unrequited love was unbelievably well written and it really made me question if I have ever read it as such a main theme in a book. While I love romances in books, my own teenage experience came far closer to what Sophie was experiencing and I know that this is a book that I absolutely would've needed.
I definitely wish that this was something that would become much more common in YA.
“I love you,” I whisper to him before we’re taken into the operating room. “Me too,” he whispers back, and my last thought before I surrender to the anesthesia is: You have no idea how much.”
But this book is not only about how the relationship between them changes but also them reflecting on their friendship in general, and recognizing that it hasn't been very healthy for a long time.
They realize how they depended on only each other for so long, that they never looked outside to see if there are other people they wanna be close with. Both Sophie and Peter come out of their shell with other friend groups and it is great to see them develop and really understand themselves for the first time.
There was also a very cute m/m romance in Peter's storyline. While the relationship between Sophie and Peter is definitely the main focus of this book, the romance between Peter and his other love interest was super well developed and very lovely to read about.
And for anyone that is now wondering – no, this book has no cheating! There is definitely some slightly questionable behaviour but for me personally everything got talked about and resolved in such a way, that it made sense for the story line.
“That's why uncertainty is so safe: I can wrap myself in this potentially unrequited love and never risk getting shut down.”
I feel like YA is more and more featuring sex scenes that are not fade-to-black and still manage to be absolutely YA appropriate and I think that this book knocked it out of the park with that.
It had a male/female and a male/male sex scene and in both consent was a really important factor and especially in the male/female sex scene there was a focus on asking your partner what they enjoy.
It also talked about the female main character owning a vibrator and masturbating AND the male main character masturbating and how this had previously been affected by him being chronically ill. I was truly impressed by these aspects being included as I find it really important to normalize these things.
“It’s easy to fall in love with someone who’s a master of their craft. Peter at the piano has an intensity I’ve always admired. An electricity, like if I touched him in the middle of a Rufus Wainwright song, he’d burn my hand.”
We also have Sophie's sister, who is a teen mum and not only did I enjoy her as a character a lot, it was also great to see her relationship with Sophie and how they grew much closer and understood that they both individually have completely different struggles to deal with that are each valid in their own right.
In general both Sophie and Peter had super interesting family dynamics as well and the parents were very present in both of their point of views.
“He didn’t owe me his love, and I didn’t deserve it because of the sacrifices I made. That’s not a friendship. Peter and I were unbalanced for a long time.”
Overall, I am so very happy that this book exists and I definitely would want more recommendations for these kinds of stories.
This book portrays a super messy and unbalanced relationship but the issue is talked about and resolved in a way that does not make it questionable or problematic but simply an important addition to all the Contemporary Happily Ever Afters out there.
I definitely highly recommend this for anyone that loves strong relationship, friendship and family dynamics!
Instagram | Blog | Booktube Channel | Twitter
I received an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
Read
October 14, 2018This was a really, really lovely exploration of codependent friendship and at what point it becomes toxic and whether there's a point at which it can be saved. I think my heart wanted to see more from the end but not in a "this book did it poorly" way; I just really liked the discussions they were opening and I wanted more. Probably not realistic IRL, but as someone who had a male best friend with whom she was very close in a way that made relationships tricky and okay also maybe she was in unrequited love with him, this hit me in some very familiar ways <3
May 1, 2019
You know what, I loved this so much.
The childhood friends trope, my heart, my feelings, how realistic everything felt, how three -dimensional these characters were, the sisters relationship, the families, MY FEELINGS.
My heart is very happy right now. I loved this. Really, really did.
Read my full review of Our Year of Maybe on the blog.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
The childhood friends trope, my heart, my feelings, how realistic everything felt, how three -dimensional these characters were, the sisters relationship, the families, MY FEELINGS.
My heart is very happy right now. I loved this. Really, really did.
Read my full review of Our Year of Maybe on the blog.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
October 31, 2018
Rachel Lynn Solomon is slowly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors, I’m waiting on her third book that sounds even more painful and full of angst than this one and You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone to make it official. But so far, she is amazing. This book is about co-dependence in friendship, about unrequited love, the consequences of a transplant between friends (how does Rachel come with those bold ideas and execute them so well?? I will never understand). I liked everything about this book and I’d totally recommend it.
January 10, 2019
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
This is probably going to be one of "those" reviews that just amounts to incoherent gushing, and I am not sorry. When I heard there was a new Rachel Lynn Solomon book coming out, I had no doubt I'd like it. I loved You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone , but more than that I could just kind of tell that the author had a certain... specialness to her writing.
And right I was. This book was absolutely everything I had hoped and expected, but then somehow, it was even more. In YMMWIG, while I related to the characters quite deeply on a human level, I never went through many of the things they had gone through. This one... well, it was different. Because it spoke to me. Told me things I needed to hear. And honestly, it's pretty damn powerful when a book has that ability.
And sure, I will tell you about all its positives from a more objective angle! The characters are incredibly relatable, whether you have been through any of the junk they have or none at all. Just like YMMWIG, it has the uncanny ability to make you love and care for these characters. They are flawed, and messy, and at their cores just good, decent people trying to navigate the world. The world with all its unwanted feelings and harshness and ups and downs.
You need more? Sure! It has funny moments, charming moments, heartwarming moments, and yeah, heartbreaking moments. The stories-within-stories make the pages fly by. You'll learn so much about all the relationships, beyond just their friendship-turned-mess. You'll see them coming of age, and dealing with all the highs and lows it encompasses.
And yes, maybe you'll learn something about yourself, or about relationships of all sorts. Maybe this book will help you process some of your own bullshitty life stuff. Maybe it'll tell you stuff you had to hear, had to hear in the way Rachel Lynn Solomon tells it. Maybe, if you're really lucky, it'll be exactly what you need.
Bottom Line: This book is beautiful and honest and relatable, and quite frankly, flawless.
"Because I was in love with him— the kind of love that made my throat ache with all the things I couldn’t say."
This is probably going to be one of "those" reviews that just amounts to incoherent gushing, and I am not sorry. When I heard there was a new Rachel Lynn Solomon book coming out, I had no doubt I'd like it. I loved You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone , but more than that I could just kind of tell that the author had a certain... specialness to her writing.
"The only regrets I have when it comes to Peter are things I don’t do. Things I don’t say."
And right I was. This book was absolutely everything I had hoped and expected, but then somehow, it was even more. In YMMWIG, while I related to the characters quite deeply on a human level, I never went through many of the things they had gone through. This one... well, it was different. Because it spoke to me. Told me things I needed to hear. And honestly, it's pretty damn powerful when a book has that ability.
"It takes a lot of energy to love someone this much without being loved back the way you want. It drains you."
And sure, I will tell you about all its positives from a more objective angle! The characters are incredibly relatable, whether you have been through any of the junk they have or none at all. Just like YMMWIG, it has the uncanny ability to make you love and care for these characters. They are flawed, and messy, and at their cores just good, decent people trying to navigate the world. The world with all its unwanted feelings and harshness and ups and downs.
You need more? Sure! It has funny moments, charming moments, heartwarming moments, and yeah, heartbreaking moments. The stories-within-stories make the pages fly by. You'll learn so much about all the relationships, beyond just their friendship-turned-mess. You'll see them coming of age, and dealing with all the highs and lows it encompasses.
"Sometimes you hurt, and sometimes you ache, but the worst pain is one you can’t put a name to and can’t swallow a pill to fix."
And yes, maybe you'll learn something about yourself, or about relationships of all sorts. Maybe this book will help you process some of your own bullshitty life stuff. Maybe it'll tell you stuff you had to hear, had to hear in the way Rachel Lynn Solomon tells it. Maybe, if you're really lucky, it'll be exactly what you need.
Bottom Line: This book is beautiful and honest and relatable, and quite frankly, flawless.
June 21, 2019
”He is the earth, and I am the moon. There was never enough I could do to get him to love me that way I wanted, to see me as more than just a moon. I have never been enough, and he has always been too much”
MY HEART IS BROKEN. Oh my god. This book. THIS FUCKING BOOK JUST SHATTERED MY HEART.
Here I am still awake at six am in the morning, heartbroken from reading this
Their story killed me, the ending was just.... brb crying again. I’m just at loss for words for this beautiful, beautiful book. I can’t even describe how I’m feeling right now ugh bye I need a cigarette
MY HEART IS BROKEN. Oh my god. This book. THIS FUCKING BOOK JUST SHATTERED MY HEART.
Here I am still awake at six am in the morning, heartbroken from reading this
Their story killed me, the ending was just.... brb crying again. I’m just at loss for words for this beautiful, beautiful book. I can’t even describe how I’m feeling right now ugh bye I need a cigarette
August 1, 2021
2.5 stars. It did what it supposed to do well. Showing a friendship that didn't work whatsoever and the friends trying to make it work. However it wasn't my thing and I didn't enjoy the characters enough to get invested. Was about to DNF it a few times
April 24, 2024
this book was so sweet and lovely and like everything else rls writes, was amazing!
i loved the poetic descriptions of music and how music impacts these two (probably coz im a music kid for life)
‘when im at the piano, i have eighty-eight keys and three pedals to create an infinite number of sounds. it’s a special kind of power.’
also, the music recs in this book were amazing (i mean there was a lot of rufus wainwright but i think he’s great so)
shoutout to my grandparents for getting this book for me even though i told them i was on a book buying ban <3
i loved the poetic descriptions of music and how music impacts these two (probably coz im a music kid for life)
‘when im at the piano, i have eighty-eight keys and three pedals to create an infinite number of sounds. it’s a special kind of power.’
also, the music recs in this book were amazing (i mean there was a lot of rufus wainwright but i think he’s great so)
shoutout to my grandparents for getting this book for me even though i told them i was on a book buying ban <3
November 21, 2020
I so approve of a YA story that deals with "life after love". Sophie and Peter loved each other, but never at the same time!!! Sophie becomes so wrapped up in Peter that she gives him one of her kidneys so that he can live a more normal life. Peter is grateful, but his love for Sophie has changed. Peter realizes that he has feelings for Chase, a member of his band. Sophie feels betrayed by Peter. Too late she realizes that she was usually the giver and he the taker in their friendship. In many relationships, this is often the case. Resentment eventually starts to errode the relationship. Sophie has to learn to live without Peter's friendship. At first, it seems impossible, but then she realizes that her focus on Peter had such a negative effect on her own life choices. Thanks goodness it was not too late for Sophie to learn this very difficult lesson. Don't sacrifice everything for a relationship. Be your own person and make sure you have goals and aspirations outside of the relationship.
Too many young people think that love will last unchanged. The hard truth is that WE change as we get older. Life brings us challenges, puts demands in our way, duties and obligations, bill payments and maybe even an unexpected health crisis: in short, life teaches us so many lessons and you have to be strong enough to endure all of these growing pains. It is not all hearts and roses and many relationships don't survive as a result.
While browsing through a fanfiction site, a young girl posted that she wished she could find a love like Edward and Bella's, from that famous vampire trilogy. Seriously? Men like Edward don't exist. He is an idealized fictional character. No human is so self-sacrificing, so unremittingly kind and committed. Passion, adoration and youthful love are hard qualities to sustain day in and day out. In fact, laziness, complacency or a fear of loneliness will often keep a couple together long after the passion has fizzled away, and yes, it does inevitably wain after a while.
This is why I so approve of this story. It is real life. It brings hope to those young adults who are struggling with grief over a break up. Life goes on, and you will meet someone new if you stay open to that. This was really well written and I encourage everyone to read it!
Too many young people think that love will last unchanged. The hard truth is that WE change as we get older. Life brings us challenges, puts demands in our way, duties and obligations, bill payments and maybe even an unexpected health crisis: in short, life teaches us so many lessons and you have to be strong enough to endure all of these growing pains. It is not all hearts and roses and many relationships don't survive as a result.
While browsing through a fanfiction site, a young girl posted that she wished she could find a love like Edward and Bella's, from that famous vampire trilogy. Seriously? Men like Edward don't exist. He is an idealized fictional character. No human is so self-sacrificing, so unremittingly kind and committed. Passion, adoration and youthful love are hard qualities to sustain day in and day out. In fact, laziness, complacency or a fear of loneliness will often keep a couple together long after the passion has fizzled away, and yes, it does inevitably wain after a while.
This is why I so approve of this story. It is real life. It brings hope to those young adults who are struggling with grief over a break up. Life goes on, and you will meet someone new if you stay open to that. This was really well written and I encourage everyone to read it!
January 26, 2019
5 stars.
My first five-star read of 2019, yay!!
It was so easy to rate Our Year of Maybe five stars. I love this book so much.
- Rachel Lynn Solomon's writing is so easy and fun to read. Not once did I feel bored while reading this, the plot & pacing were great!
- THE CHARACTERS, oh my gosh. Peter and Sophie's relationship was so complex and intriguing to read about, and my heart hurt so much for Sophie at times.
- I LOVE PETER AND CHASE. They're so cute and ahhh I absolutely loved their friendship and romance 😭💕 I smiled and squealed so much while reading their scenes, hahah.
- I'm so happy for Sophie and the person she grew to be by the end of the book. She deserves the world and I love the way the book ended for her.
- The character development & dynamics was A+!!
- I loved the side characters as well: Sophie's dance team friends - Montana, Liz (SHE WAS A BOOKWORM AND I LOOOOVED THAT), and Peter's band friends - Aziza, Dylan, and Kat.
- Oh and it was so interesting to read about Sophie's sister Tabby, who's a teen mom.
- Both Sophie and Peter's parents were so great and supportive.
- Great LGBTQ+ representation!! (Especially bi rep) <3
- I've never read a book about a kidney transplant before, and it was extremely fascinating to read about the post-transplant life for both Peter and Sophie and the complexity - guilt, regret, bitterness, and heartbreak - that came with it.
- This book was so emotional yet engaging & fun to read!!
I have so much love for this book, I'll never stop screaming about Our Year of Maybe. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read it for its complex characters, emotional scenes, adorable and smile-inducing romance, and lots & lots of music and dancing!! 💖
My first five-star read of 2019, yay!!
It was so easy to rate Our Year of Maybe five stars. I love this book so much.
- Rachel Lynn Solomon's writing is so easy and fun to read. Not once did I feel bored while reading this, the plot & pacing were great!
- THE CHARACTERS, oh my gosh. Peter and Sophie's relationship was so complex and intriguing to read about, and my heart hurt so much for Sophie at times.
- I LOVE PETER AND CHASE. They're so cute and ahhh I absolutely loved their friendship and romance 😭💕 I smiled and squealed so much while reading their scenes, hahah.
- I'm so happy for Sophie and the person she grew to be by the end of the book. She deserves the world and I love the way the book ended for her.
- The character development & dynamics was A+!!
- I loved the side characters as well: Sophie's dance team friends - Montana, Liz (SHE WAS A BOOKWORM AND I LOOOOVED THAT), and Peter's band friends - Aziza, Dylan, and Kat.
- Oh and it was so interesting to read about Sophie's sister Tabby, who's a teen mom.
- Both Sophie and Peter's parents were so great and supportive.
- Great LGBTQ+ representation!! (Especially bi rep) <3
- I've never read a book about a kidney transplant before, and it was extremely fascinating to read about the post-transplant life for both Peter and Sophie and the complexity - guilt, regret, bitterness, and heartbreak - that came with it.
- This book was so emotional yet engaging & fun to read!!
I have so much love for this book, I'll never stop screaming about Our Year of Maybe. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read it for its complex characters, emotional scenes, adorable and smile-inducing romance, and lots & lots of music and dancing!! 💖
"I let go first.
December 2, 2018
Any book that makes snot stream down my face deserves all the stars
August 22, 2020
1.5/5
What a disappointment, really.
After You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, I was expecting much better from this one. And that blurb promised so much.
Ugh... The writing's really good, as always with Rachel Lynn Solomon--beautiful, poetic, freckled with lines that I want to write on my arm and show to people. But besides that, Our Year of Maybe doesn't offer much.
It's supposed to be about a very close relationship between friends that falls apart because of the toxicity that's always been underlying, which is tipped over by almost-romantic tensions that go wrong. This book really could have broken my heart the way You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone did. There were definitely times while reading this that I felt heartbreak coming, and there were moments that should have been heartbreaking, but weren't.
The problem with all this is that I didn't care for the characters. Both Sophie and Peter were annoying in an actually irritating way. Annoying characters can be fine--I can definitely care for them--but Sophie and Peter? I put this book aside for a few days because I didn't want to read about them. They were that irritating. The only reason I read the book so quickly was because I was on a long road trip and I didn't have anything else to do.
This was just so much wasted potential. Secondary characters could have been more well-developed. Sophie's friendship with Liz and Montana felt rushed. It had to be part of the plot, so there it was, out of the blue. Peter's friendship with Chase was much more well done, though their romance was... bare to say the least. Considering that this book is about these relationships, I thought they would have been written much more solidly.
What a disappointment, really.
After You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, I was expecting much better from this one. And that blurb promised so much.
Ugh... The writing's really good, as always with Rachel Lynn Solomon--beautiful, poetic, freckled with lines that I want to write on my arm and show to people. But besides that, Our Year of Maybe doesn't offer much.
It's supposed to be about a very close relationship between friends that falls apart because of the toxicity that's always been underlying, which is tipped over by almost-romantic tensions that go wrong. This book really could have broken my heart the way You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone did. There were definitely times while reading this that I felt heartbreak coming, and there were moments that should have been heartbreaking, but weren't.
The problem with all this is that I didn't care for the characters. Both Sophie and Peter were annoying in an actually irritating way. Annoying characters can be fine--I can definitely care for them--but Sophie and Peter? I put this book aside for a few days because I didn't want to read about them. They were that irritating. The only reason I read the book so quickly was because I was on a long road trip and I didn't have anything else to do.
This was just so much wasted potential. Secondary characters could have been more well-developed. Sophie's friendship with Liz and Montana felt rushed. It had to be part of the plot, so there it was, out of the blue. Peter's friendship with Chase was much more well done, though their romance was... bare to say the least. Considering that this book is about these relationships, I thought they would have been written much more solidly.
March 24, 2022
This took such an honest and genuine look at friendship and unrequited love. It was messy but it was real.
The characters were written so well and the dual perspective added a lot to the story.
The characters were written so well and the dual perspective added a lot to the story.
January 14, 2019
I jumped at the opportunity to read this book based on all the amazing things I had heard about Solomon's debut, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, and let me tell you, it was a great decision. This book was a painfully beautiful exploration of a friendship, and how quickly something so seemingly solid can deteriorate.
Sophie and Peter shared a friendship, which worked well in a bubble, but post-transplant, a lot of cracks begin to become more prominent, and I know I struggled with being both happy for and frustrated with Peter.
What could be more amazing, than to be given a chance to actually live? Peter had made peace with the idea that he would not have a long life. His world was pretty much his parents, his doctors, piano, and Sophie. He never really took the opportunity to figure out who he was or what he wanted out of life, and therefore, I was overjoyed that the transplant worked. Peter had the opportunity to go to school, make new friends, and explore his identity. He was rushing forward, but he wasn't taking Sophie with him, and that pained me.
I am going to tell you right now, there were tears, many tears. I think I cried during each and every one of Sophie's chapters. Sophie was the one I felt was being left behind. Even if I understood the why's, it still broke my heart, because I identified so hard with her. And unrequited love always, ALWAYS causes me heartache. Loving someone, who will never return those feelings is never easy, and Solomon did a fantastic job pulling me into Sophie's emotional wreckage.
The alternating point of view was a nice way to juxtapose the way Sophie and Peter were dealing with their changing dynamic and their new situation. Sophie was struggling with being left behind and not having her feelings reciprocated, while Peter grappled with wanting to explore his options, while feeling so indebted to Sophie. It was not easy for either of them, but I was glad that BOTH were having new and positive experiences.
A quick run-down of things I adored
• Great family dynamics and present parents
• Siblings
• Mark the chinchilla
• Music, music, music!
• Dancing and the dance team
• Books
• The band, Tabby, Luna, Josh, Chase and his family - I loved them all
Overall: A wonderful story of love, family, friendship, and identity, which was messy and packed with emotion.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Sophie and Peter shared a friendship, which worked well in a bubble, but post-transplant, a lot of cracks begin to become more prominent, and I know I struggled with being both happy for and frustrated with Peter.
What could be more amazing, than to be given a chance to actually live? Peter had made peace with the idea that he would not have a long life. His world was pretty much his parents, his doctors, piano, and Sophie. He never really took the opportunity to figure out who he was or what he wanted out of life, and therefore, I was overjoyed that the transplant worked. Peter had the opportunity to go to school, make new friends, and explore his identity. He was rushing forward, but he wasn't taking Sophie with him, and that pained me.
I am going to tell you right now, there were tears, many tears. I think I cried during each and every one of Sophie's chapters. Sophie was the one I felt was being left behind. Even if I understood the why's, it still broke my heart, because I identified so hard with her. And unrequited love always, ALWAYS causes me heartache. Loving someone, who will never return those feelings is never easy, and Solomon did a fantastic job pulling me into Sophie's emotional wreckage.
The alternating point of view was a nice way to juxtapose the way Sophie and Peter were dealing with their changing dynamic and their new situation. Sophie was struggling with being left behind and not having her feelings reciprocated, while Peter grappled with wanting to explore his options, while feeling so indebted to Sophie. It was not easy for either of them, but I was glad that BOTH were having new and positive experiences.
A quick run-down of things I adored
• Great family dynamics and present parents
• Siblings
• Mark the chinchilla
• Music, music, music!
• Dancing and the dance team
• Books
• The band, Tabby, Luna, Josh, Chase and his family - I loved them all
Overall: A wonderful story of love, family, friendship, and identity, which was messy and packed with emotion.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
June 3, 2019
“There are a thousand other reasons I'm doing this, but still, this gesture makes me think what I have only allowed myself to think about on the rarest occasions: that maybe, after the transplant, Peter will want me, too.”
I knew from the very beginning this book was not for me. Why did I continue reading? Every new chapter. Every new event just proves it to me. Sophie and Peter were so codependent it hurt to watch. She was also so in love with him she was willing to die for him. Literally and figuratively.
So many conversations and Sophie did not see it. Petter was stuck with her but she clung to him.
“Do you think it’s time to try?”
“You mean loneliness.”
“No. Independence. That’s different.”
And then it was so long and just dragged for me. It took me months to read. It just wasn’t for me.
I knew from the very beginning this book was not for me. Why did I continue reading? Every new chapter. Every new event just proves it to me. Sophie and Peter were so codependent it hurt to watch. She was also so in love with him she was willing to die for him. Literally and figuratively.
So many conversations and Sophie did not see it. Petter was stuck with her but she clung to him.
“Do you think it’s time to try?”
“You mean loneliness.”
“No. Independence. That’s different.”
And then it was so long and just dragged for me. It took me months to read. It just wasn’t for me.
February 27, 2019
Listen, this book perfectly captured unrequited love for me. How it can be all encompassing, and also incredibly toxic. Wow, just wow. This book hit me hard!
*also Peter is bi. Sophie is dyslexic.
*also Peter is bi. Sophie is dyslexic.
January 12, 2019
Rachel Lynn Solomon blew me away with her debut book, You’ll Miss Me When I am Gone. So, I can’t tell you how excited I was when I found out that her second novel, Our Year of Maybe was to be released soon. I NEEDED this book! I once thought that Solomon could not get any better than her debut, but I was wrong, this book is everything I ever hoped it could be and so much more.
Sophie has been in love with Peter almost her entire life. They are the best of friends. Sophie would do anything for Peter and she does by giving him a kidney he so desperately needs. They share a bond that is unbreakable, but once Peter receives his new kidney their relationship slowly starts to change. Sophie wants more while Peter is finally free to explore life and live for once something he was unable to do while he was sick. Their friendship is tested over and over again, but will their friendship take the ultimate hit one evening when things go to far?
I really fell in love with Sophie and Peter. They are young sometimes impulsive, but they always had each other’s best interest at heart. Their story really made me think of some of the friendships that I had when I was younger. I don’t think I have ever shared so close of a bond with any of my friends at least not like the one Sophie and Peter share. Also, to give my kidney to someone, that is such a hard decision to make, but one that Sophie did wholeheartedly. Sophie is brave and such a wonderful person deep down inside.
Sophie’s love for Peter is so easy to see and feel. But, on the other hand as the story progresses you can see how both Sophie and Peter are codependent on one another each for different reasons. Their lives are both changing and with that comes a sense of independence as they both come to terms with where their friendship is going and even if their friendship can survive. With the new kidney, Peter has this whole world now opening up to him and he is finally able to see and do things he was unable to do prior to the transplant.
Rachel Lynn Solomon really delves deep into teenage life with Sophie and Peter without the unnecessary drama that is often associated with being a teenager. They are fleshed out relatable characters that are three dimensional and I felt like I really got to know the both of them on a personal level which made both Sophie and Peter relatable and loveable all at the same time. Solomon shows how teenage life is sometimes messy and flawed, but on the other hand shows that real bonds can be formed no matter how young or old you are. While Sophie and Peter are both young they do have this level of maturity about them and their characterization just goes to show how much of a fantastic and talented writer Solomon really is.
Our Year of Maybe is absolutely brilliant and breathtaking. Rachel Lynn Solomon writes from the heart and it so easy to see all of the love and passion she puts into her stories and characters. This is one of those books that you instantly know should be on the bestsellers list. It is a timeless story that will be talked about for years to come. This is a five star must read book.
Sophie has been in love with Peter almost her entire life. They are the best of friends. Sophie would do anything for Peter and she does by giving him a kidney he so desperately needs. They share a bond that is unbreakable, but once Peter receives his new kidney their relationship slowly starts to change. Sophie wants more while Peter is finally free to explore life and live for once something he was unable to do while he was sick. Their friendship is tested over and over again, but will their friendship take the ultimate hit one evening when things go to far?
I really fell in love with Sophie and Peter. They are young sometimes impulsive, but they always had each other’s best interest at heart. Their story really made me think of some of the friendships that I had when I was younger. I don’t think I have ever shared so close of a bond with any of my friends at least not like the one Sophie and Peter share. Also, to give my kidney to someone, that is such a hard decision to make, but one that Sophie did wholeheartedly. Sophie is brave and such a wonderful person deep down inside.
Sophie’s love for Peter is so easy to see and feel. But, on the other hand as the story progresses you can see how both Sophie and Peter are codependent on one another each for different reasons. Their lives are both changing and with that comes a sense of independence as they both come to terms with where their friendship is going and even if their friendship can survive. With the new kidney, Peter has this whole world now opening up to him and he is finally able to see and do things he was unable to do prior to the transplant.
Rachel Lynn Solomon really delves deep into teenage life with Sophie and Peter without the unnecessary drama that is often associated with being a teenager. They are fleshed out relatable characters that are three dimensional and I felt like I really got to know the both of them on a personal level which made both Sophie and Peter relatable and loveable all at the same time. Solomon shows how teenage life is sometimes messy and flawed, but on the other hand shows that real bonds can be formed no matter how young or old you are. While Sophie and Peter are both young they do have this level of maturity about them and their characterization just goes to show how much of a fantastic and talented writer Solomon really is.
Our Year of Maybe is absolutely brilliant and breathtaking. Rachel Lynn Solomon writes from the heart and it so easy to see all of the love and passion she puts into her stories and characters. This is one of those books that you instantly know should be on the bestsellers list. It is a timeless story that will be talked about for years to come. This is a five star must read book.
December 17, 2022
No one told me this was so fucking sad? I’m sobbing so hard. Oh my god. Fuck this shit
Here are the notes of what I thought about this book as I was reading it:
-sophie, my baby who deserved better.
-linguistically speaking, this writing is wonderful. but on a narrative level? this structure is so poor, i’m baffled that it made its way past both an editor and a publisher.
-this book has really accurate depictions of friends to lovers and the angst is radiating off the pages
-these characters are so complex, and their story is very chaotic and messy. it feels so truly genuine.
-this has a lot of potential, and i think she should re-write it now that her writing has advanced drastically.
-i loved the dual pov here.
-reader mmc>>> except i hate peter and this is his only redeeming factor
-god i can’t imagine this ending in a way i don’t naturally detest
-why? why, rachel, WHY?
-this ending. the last line. i’ve never been more miserable. the ending was quintessential for the message she attempted to display, but god, why couldn’t it just be unrealistic, stupid, and feel-good? i was caught so off-guard by the way this book went. not your average romance, that’s for sure.
-in conclusion, i love sophie and i hate peter. i know that that’s immature and unjust of me, but do i care? no.
-in dire need of an epilogue where sophie is joyful and in a healthy relationship and a successful choreographer and gets what she deserves. peter didn’t deserve her. she gave him so much while he gave nothing in return and i know he didn’t owe her but i can’t help but resent him. sophie’s a better person than i am fr.
-i will acknowledge the fact that the author has a way of narrating uncomfortable, morally grey situations where no one is genuinely a ‘villain’ but feelings are bound to get hurt. i think that this demonstrates the inevitability of hurting others, whether you want to or not.
-a large criticism i have of this book is that it did not pass the bechdel test. sophie’s entire personality revolved around peter, and they were so unbelievably codependent. i will respect that that was the point but it was so irritating.
-unrequited love hurts like a bitch my god
Here are the notes of what I thought about this book as I was reading it:
-sophie, my baby who deserved better.
-linguistically speaking, this writing is wonderful. but on a narrative level? this structure is so poor, i’m baffled that it made its way past both an editor and a publisher.
-this book has really accurate depictions of friends to lovers and the angst is radiating off the pages
-these characters are so complex, and their story is very chaotic and messy. it feels so truly genuine.
-this has a lot of potential, and i think she should re-write it now that her writing has advanced drastically.
-i loved the dual pov here.
-reader mmc>>> except i hate peter and this is his only redeeming factor
-god i can’t imagine this ending in a way i don’t naturally detest
-why? why, rachel, WHY?
-this ending. the last line. i’ve never been more miserable. the ending was quintessential for the message she attempted to display, but god, why couldn’t it just be unrealistic, stupid, and feel-good? i was caught so off-guard by the way this book went. not your average romance, that’s for sure.
-in conclusion, i love sophie and i hate peter. i know that that’s immature and unjust of me, but do i care? no.
-in dire need of an epilogue where sophie is joyful and in a healthy relationship and a successful choreographer and gets what she deserves. peter didn’t deserve her. she gave him so much while he gave nothing in return and i know he didn’t owe her but i can’t help but resent him. sophie’s a better person than i am fr.
-i will acknowledge the fact that the author has a way of narrating uncomfortable, morally grey situations where no one is genuinely a ‘villain’ but feelings are bound to get hurt. i think that this demonstrates the inevitability of hurting others, whether you want to or not.
-a large criticism i have of this book is that it did not pass the bechdel test. sophie’s entire personality revolved around peter, and they were so unbelievably codependent. i will respect that that was the point but it was so irritating.
-unrequited love hurts like a bitch my god
April 18, 2023
This book talked about chronic kidney illness, codependent relationships, one-sided love and so many other stuffs in such a way that made me feel so sad and also mad at the characters. I really loved the ending and it made me so happy seeing the character development in the last chapter. This was so different from the two books I’ve read from the author and it just made me feel even more excited to pick up her other books (that I haven’t read yet but hoping to do so soon).
January 20, 2019
4.5 STARS
Sophie is in love with her neighbor and best friend. She can’t help hoping Peter will feel the same way after she donates a kidney to him.
Peter is now free, healthy enough to live his life, go back to school and pursue his interests.
If Peter doesn’t return Sophie’s romantic love, can their friendship survive.
Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sophomore book is every bit as engaging and well written her debut, YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE. OUR YEAR OF MAYBE is a complicated, multitiered story about relationships, healthy and dysfunctional. Each major and minor character has layers and a unique personality. I was never confused who was who. I also never wondered whether or not I was reading Sophie’s or Peter’s point of view.
Most of the relationship enmeshment came from Sophie. Throughout her life she chose Peter over the potential for other school friends. Her introversion and shyness probably played part of that. I felt frustrated when she blamed Peter for choices she made. He never asked anything of her. Sophie’s insecurity was a big turn off from me, as well as her clinginess. I rooted against a relationship with Peter. Her younger sister Tabitha, a teen mom, added so much to the story. Seeing Sophie from Tabby’s POV gave even more insight into Sophie. I loved Peter and the way he was finally able to embrace life.
Solomon incorporated so much diversity seamlessly into the story including: dyslexia, bisexuality, race, belief and nonbelief, finding the Jewish religion (in a nonpreachy unobtrusive manner), family, friendship, teen pregnancy. OUR YEAR OF MAYBE sex positive with self and others relying heavily on consent, again in an unobtrusive way. Peter decides not to continue to kiss Sophie, or more, because she’s drunk. In another case two people make love, asking each other if X or Y is okay. The scenes aren’t graphic or overly sexual.
I love Solomon’s books and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Sophie is in love with her neighbor and best friend. She can’t help hoping Peter will feel the same way after she donates a kidney to him.
Peter is now free, healthy enough to live his life, go back to school and pursue his interests.
If Peter doesn’t return Sophie’s romantic love, can their friendship survive.
Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sophomore book is every bit as engaging and well written her debut, YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE. OUR YEAR OF MAYBE is a complicated, multitiered story about relationships, healthy and dysfunctional. Each major and minor character has layers and a unique personality. I was never confused who was who. I also never wondered whether or not I was reading Sophie’s or Peter’s point of view.
Most of the relationship enmeshment came from Sophie. Throughout her life she chose Peter over the potential for other school friends. Her introversion and shyness probably played part of that. I felt frustrated when she blamed Peter for choices she made. He never asked anything of her. Sophie’s insecurity was a big turn off from me, as well as her clinginess. I rooted against a relationship with Peter. Her younger sister Tabitha, a teen mom, added so much to the story. Seeing Sophie from Tabby’s POV gave even more insight into Sophie. I loved Peter and the way he was finally able to embrace life.
Solomon incorporated so much diversity seamlessly into the story including: dyslexia, bisexuality, race, belief and nonbelief, finding the Jewish religion (in a nonpreachy unobtrusive manner), family, friendship, teen pregnancy. OUR YEAR OF MAYBE sex positive with self and others relying heavily on consent, again in an unobtrusive way. Peter decides not to continue to kiss Sophie, or more, because she’s drunk. In another case two people make love, asking each other if X or Y is okay. The scenes aren’t graphic or overly sexual.
I love Solomon’s books and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Read
February 8, 2021An excellent look at how what appears to be a great friendship can have toxic foundations. The cover of the paperback is massively misleading, so take your cues more from the generic hardback cover with the dandelion, it's about moving on to the next phase of life, and how it can feel like falling apart, even though you'll come together into a more cohesive whole.
Our Year of Maybe isn't my usual sort of read, but I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I don't think this is one I personally could reread, but I was really impressed with the voice, the characterization, and the complexity of the emotional arcs. There's so much nuance in here, and it touches on a lot of other great themes: Peter's kidney disease, organ donation, religious curiousity, mixed identity. As a note on rep, Peter is bisexual and half Jewish (on his father's side) and Sophie is Jewish but not particularly observant.
Our Year of Maybe isn't my usual sort of read, but I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I don't think this is one I personally could reread, but I was really impressed with the voice, the characterization, and the complexity of the emotional arcs. There's so much nuance in here, and it touches on a lot of other great themes: Peter's kidney disease, organ donation, religious curiousity, mixed identity. As a note on rep, Peter is bisexual and half Jewish (on his father's side) and Sophie is Jewish but not particularly observant.
November 26, 2020
I don't really know why, but my expectations for this weren't very high. I thought it might be a 3 star read - enjoyable but not too memorable. But this honestly really took me by surprise. It was a much stronger, much more complex book than I was expecting. It dealt with so many different themes and it just felt so incredibly real.
April 20, 2022
I did not finish this book. I liked everything..up until the author went and added birthright trip to the book. Like she literally has her character's parents praising the birthright trip and I'm not here for that. Not when Palestinians are dying..
January 21, 2025
This was interesting. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings, which will be put into a review as soon as I have time to check up on reviews. RTC.
April 24, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
I am one hundred percent certain that, had Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon ended differently, I would have given it a rating of two. I think it safe for me to say that it is the ending that really makes this novel, however that does not mean that I liked it. I actually found this story rather boring and frustrating to read on a personal level. The thing is, Our Year of Maybe is too real for me. While I enjoy reading books that have deeper messages about ideas in our society that are perpetuated and unhealthy, this one, in particular, is just one that I don't find enjoyable to read in any way. So, where other books might keep me engaged and emotionally invested, with Our Year of Maybe I was left feeling bored on occasion and annoyed on others. The truth is, Sophie's situation felt far to close to home for me to feel anything else.
Granted, I've never given my best friend my kidney and there were certainly intricacies to their relationship that I don't relate to, but pieces of the novel reminded me of my own naivete when I was younger and that was somewhat difficult for me to read about. I had to fight fairly hard to get through this book and nearly DNFed on multiple occasions. So why, then, did I give this book a four star rating?
Well, despite my own personal feelings about the novel, I do think it has an important commentary regarding codependency, unrequited love, and the ways in which friendships grow apart. And it was pretty expertly handled. Through the course of the novel, readers are opened up to seeing how potentially damaging it can be to make one person your world and the importance of branching out to know yourself better and to be a part of the world rather than isolated within one part.
The novel follows two characters in alternating points of view as they navigate changes in their friendship when previously sick and isolated to his home, Peter, is finally able to attend high school thanks to his best friend Sophie who, upon turning 18, gave him her kidney. A novel truly about friendship, love, and growing up there were many things that the two of them needed to learn throughout.
I will say that one sticking point I do have that is definitely an issue with the novel is how the situation of the younger sister's teenage pregnancy and subsequent child was handled. The issue was presented as one that is okay and simply worked through rather than something that is a deeply problematic issue within our world and our society. Glossing over the incredible damage that such an event has on young people and their families is not something I appreciated reading about.
For the most part, while I personally didn't love this novel at all, I can definitely see where it has a lot of merit and is worth reading. A lot of the time we push the idea of love at all cost and only ever needing that one person to be complete. But the thing is, that idea is thoroughly unrealistic and as a result it becomes incredibly unhealthy for someone to believe in. And I think this book does a fantastic job of bringing that truth out into discussion, something that's incredibly important for young people to learn.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
I am one hundred percent certain that, had Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon ended differently, I would have given it a rating of two. I think it safe for me to say that it is the ending that really makes this novel, however that does not mean that I liked it. I actually found this story rather boring and frustrating to read on a personal level. The thing is, Our Year of Maybe is too real for me. While I enjoy reading books that have deeper messages about ideas in our society that are perpetuated and unhealthy, this one, in particular, is just one that I don't find enjoyable to read in any way. So, where other books might keep me engaged and emotionally invested, with Our Year of Maybe I was left feeling bored on occasion and annoyed on others. The truth is, Sophie's situation felt far to close to home for me to feel anything else.
Granted, I've never given my best friend my kidney and there were certainly intricacies to their relationship that I don't relate to, but pieces of the novel reminded me of my own naivete when I was younger and that was somewhat difficult for me to read about. I had to fight fairly hard to get through this book and nearly DNFed on multiple occasions. So why, then, did I give this book a four star rating?
Well, despite my own personal feelings about the novel, I do think it has an important commentary regarding codependency, unrequited love, and the ways in which friendships grow apart. And it was pretty expertly handled. Through the course of the novel, readers are opened up to seeing how potentially damaging it can be to make one person your world and the importance of branching out to know yourself better and to be a part of the world rather than isolated within one part.
The novel follows two characters in alternating points of view as they navigate changes in their friendship when previously sick and isolated to his home, Peter, is finally able to attend high school thanks to his best friend Sophie who, upon turning 18, gave him her kidney. A novel truly about friendship, love, and growing up there were many things that the two of them needed to learn throughout.
I will say that one sticking point I do have that is definitely an issue with the novel is how the situation of the younger sister's teenage pregnancy and subsequent child was handled. The issue was presented as one that is okay and simply worked through rather than something that is a deeply problematic issue within our world and our society. Glossing over the incredible damage that such an event has on young people and their families is not something I appreciated reading about.
For the most part, while I personally didn't love this novel at all, I can definitely see where it has a lot of merit and is worth reading. A lot of the time we push the idea of love at all cost and only ever needing that one person to be complete. But the thing is, that idea is thoroughly unrealistic and as a result it becomes incredibly unhealthy for someone to believe in. And I think this book does a fantastic job of bringing that truth out into discussion, something that's incredibly important for young people to learn.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
Displaying 1 - 30 of 485 reviews