Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura seemed like the perfect book for me since I am a big fan of any story about skating. While I did enjoy this concept, I had many issues with the book, including the immature main character and the lack of discussion around the sensitive topics presented. I didn’t hate this book, but it was not what I was expecting.
Title: Every Reason We Shouldn'tSeries: Every Reason We Shouldn't #1
Author: Sara Fujimura
Also by this author: Faking Reality
Publisher: Tor Teen
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Rating:
Series Rating:
Warning: Contains family expectations, delightful banter, great romantic tension, skating (all kinds!), Korean pastries, and all the feels.
Fifteen-year-old, biracial figure skater Olivia Kennedy’s Olympic dreams have ended. She's bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of an athlete... until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink. Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying… and totally gorgeous. Between teasing Jonah, helping her best friend try out for roller derby, figuring out life as a normal teen and keeping the family business running, Olivia's got her hands full. But will rivalry bring her closer to Jonah, or drive them apart?
Every Reason We Shouldn't by Sara Fujimura is a charming multicultural romance perfect for the many fans of Jenny Han and Rainbow Rowell.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimara
❀ A Skating Story
This book tells the story of Olivia, a figure skater adjusting to life outside the rink and trying to save her family’s business. When speed skater Jonah Choi starts training at her family’s rink, Olivia finds herself falling for him. I love any book about skating, and it was nice to see two different types of skating (as well as roller derby) represented in the book. I also found it interesting how the story talks about being “washed up” at 15 and the difficulties that come with coming back to sports after taking a break. This adds some depth to the book and makes it more than just a romance.
❀ Main Character is Immature
One of my biggest issues with the book was the main character. I found Olivia to be selfish and immature, and she almost disregards the problems in everyone else’s life and sees her own as more important. I did like how passionate she is about skating and how she perseveres to get her dream back, but I couldn’t get past how whiny she is. Jonah is not as annoying as Olivia, but the two of them have this whole “we aren’t like everyone else” mentality, and the way they isolate themselves is a bit elitist and off-putting.
❀ Serious Topics aren’t Handled Well
Another aspect of the book that I didn’t love was the writing itself. While I did appreciate the discussion of more serious topics, I feel that there are a couple of topics that are not handled properly. For instance, there is a school lockdown scene that comes across as an excuse for Jonah to say “I love you” for the first time. It is an incredibly sensitive topic and clearly disturbing for Olivia, but it is never brought up again or truly unpacked. As well, the main characters’ unhealthy relationship with food is never really commented on, and this could be triggering to some readers. Along with these jarring moments, I also had issues with the way the characters speak. It comes across as though the author is trying way too hard to sound like a teenager with her excessive use of slang like, “extra” and “that’s the tea, sis.” I appreciate the effort to relate to a younger audience, but in this case, it went overboard.
❀ A Fantastic Premise, But a Bit Unsatisfying
Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura has a fantastic premise, but other than that, much of the book didn’t satisfy me. The main character is selfish, and sensitive topics are not handled as well they should be. In my eyes, I definitely don’t think this book needs a sequel.
About Sara Fujimura
SARA FUJIMURA is an award-winning young adult author and creative writing teacher. She is the American half of her Japanese-American family, and has written about Japanese culture and raising bicultural children for such magazines as Appleseeds, Learning Through History, East West, and Mothering, as well as travel-related articles for To Japan With Love. Her self-published young adult novels include Tanabata Wish and Breathe. She lives in Phoenix with her husband and children.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I don’t think I ever read a book about any type of skating but I really can’t stand selfish and immature characters. I think that Olivia would bother me as well.
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Yes. The premise really excited me, but I have to have a character that is relatable. 😉
I wish you had liked this one more. I read the blurb yesterday and got a little excited about it since it involved skating and the Olympics. It sort of gave me a From Lukov with Love vibe. (If you haven’t read that one, you need to!!!) Thanks for such an honest review.
I will have to look for that one! If you do give this one a try, I hope that it is enjoyable for you. 🙂
Thanks for your review, I would struggle with the same things in the characters.
It really makes for a disappointing read. 😉
I’m sorry this was a disappointment! Immature and Whiny Characters are the worst!!! I hope you’re enjoying your current read! Great honest review! 😊
Right?! Thanks, Raven! 🙂
Really immature characters can be tough to enjoy. And it definitely sounds like the sensitive topics weren’t really handled and addressed properly, so that alone would deter me from reading this one. I’m glad you liked aspects of it though.
-Lauren
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It does have some great aspects, for sure! 😉
I liked this one a bit more than you. Olivia was a bit selfish, but I thought she grew over the course of the story, and by the end, she came to terms with many things and even improved her relationship with her parents.
I am glad that you found it enjoyable! 🙂
Doesn’t sound like the book for me! Too bad, because I had The Cutting Edge vibes when I read the summary.
Oooh! I am going to have to watch for that one! 🙂
Like the cute cover. Good review.
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The cover art is really cute! 🙂
Neat concept, sounds like it could’ve been a lot better though.
I love how honest your reviews are. I don’t think I would like this book either.
This sounds like an excellent read.