Week 33 Reviews: This Winter, Solitaire

From Goodreads:

A short story, based on characters from Solitaire – praised as 'The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age' — The Times

I used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now …

I'm not going to think about the past few months, about Charlie and me, and all of the sad. I'm going to block it all out. Just for today.

"Happy Christmas," I say.

The festive season isn't always happy for Tori and her brother Charlie. And this year's going to be harder than most.

From Goodreads:
In Solitaire, Alice Oseman has brought to life a vivid, clever, and heartfelt portrayal of what it's like to be a teenager today. This stunning debut novel—which the Times (London) called "The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age"—is perfect for fans of Melina Marchetta, Stephen Chbosky, and Rainbow Rowell.

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year—before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of exams and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people—I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now.

Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don't know what Solitaire is trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't.

My Review:
I had a really great time reading these! I recently read Heartstopper, and I finally realized that I had Solitaire downloaded as an ARC from ages ago, I had to read it! And of course read This Winter, because it exists! 

Honestly This Winter was such a sad read. It's the Christmas right after Charlie got back from the mental hospital, and things are still tense in the family. I loved that we got all 3 Spring siblings' perspectives throughout the night! 

Tori was really easy character to relate to for me. The internet, the friend/people thing, yeah, that resonates with me. Reading her story was like seeing a different version of me, one that lived in England, and had 2 brothers, which was such a weird experience, but I loved it! 

The mystery of who was behind Solitaire was really interesting to read. I loved watching her and Michael look into it, as well as their interactions. This book had everything going for it, excellent writing, and with amazing characters to read about and follow their story, and I just loved reading it! 

These were such great reads, and I can't wait to read more by Alice Oseman! 

Author: Alice Oseman

Series: Solitaire #0.5, 1
Read: August 12th, 13th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike, Edelweiss
Reason Why: It sounded really great, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books, and Solitaire is a DAC Book! 
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, Harper Teen
Published: November 5th 2015, March 31st 2015

This Winter:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Solitaire: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars