Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for sending me a digital arc for this book. All opinions are my own.

Actual rating 3.75 stars. (Rounded up to 4)

Set in an skating bubble, this book is perfect for a December read. Too bad it comes out in March, but nevertheless I really liked the book. It is a typical love story, but in this case it was not an overused trope. The aspect of ice skating really mixed well with the love story.

Olivia wants to become a figure skater again even though her parents have absolutely no faith in her. Jonah, on the other hand is being pushed by his parents to be the very best in short track.

Overall the book flowed quite nicely. At some points it became a bit boring. But I pushed through and it was worth it in the end.

I will be buying this book once it comes out!!!! It is something different and I saw that there were plans for a second part, which I want to read like now. Will she ever end up on the olympics?

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

This was a cute read that I would recommend to young adults and those that would like to learn about a new culture.

This was alright but I didn't love it. I found Livy kind of annoying but I dealt with her and I thought her relationship with Jonah was cute, albeit a bit rushed. I really did not like Stuart (Egg). And can I just say - this is the 1st book I've read/reviewed that comes out in 2020 and that is mental! Can't believe we're in the roaring 20s again!

Sometimes the whole fun of reading is: learning about something new. A teen romance set amongst Olympic level ice-skating with a side of roller derby was by far the highlight(s) of this book. These scenes were written well and really enjoyable.

Our leads are Olivia and Jonah. They have a meet cute at Olivia's family ice rink and the rest is history. While I found them cute-ish at times (hotteok-flavoured kisses and all), I cant work out where the title actually came from. I thought it would be ripe with teen angst, but there really wasn't any question about will they wont they. I have to say these two were 15 on the edge of 16 and Olivia's descriptions of 'feels' was a little more mature than you would expect it to be.

Mack, Olivia's bestie was probably the most memorable character for me. The rest of the characters (friends and family) seemed real with some good life 'stuff' to keep things semi intersecting, but I found the plot really waning in the second half.

Many of the cast were of Asian decent - biracial had a big focus. I haven't gone to the trouble of looking up the author but another reviewer mentioned that she wasn't Asian herself. If thats the case, I'm not sure how that translates on to the page for Asian readers, but I cant really judge either way.

(ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

This was so cute! I’m really loving the asian protagonists, I love that they try to balance their worlds, and I like that they’re so supportive of each other! The mom thing was a bit of a spoiler for me, even though I kind of felt like that’s were it was going. Good read!

Eu gostaria de poder dizer que esse livro me surpreendeu. Na verdade, eu até posso dizer isso, mas não pela surpresa ter sido inteiramente positiva. Infelizmente surgiram detalhes no decorrer do livro que por mais que eu tentasse, não pude deixar passar, e que, ao final, prejudicaram realmente minha opinião sobre o livro. No entanto, ele não é uma leitura ruim de fato, e vou explicar agora o que eu gostei e o que me decepcionou na leitura.

Vamos começar falando sobre a primeira coisa que se destacou para mim e que me fez querer ler esse livro logo que me deparei com ele aqui no site: a presença de personagens com background asiático, em especial japonês e coreano. Fiquei ainda mais instigada por esse detalhe quando descobri que a autora tem relação com a cultura japonesa, então me animei mais ainda e, felizmente, esse foi um tópico na leitura que não me decepcionou. Gostei muito da forma como os personagens, desde Olívia e Jonah até os colegas do colégio, Brandon em especial, falam e trazem à tona suas origens das mais variadas formas, seja falando do idioma, das comidas típicas de cada país e afins. Familiarizada com a cultura pelos doramas asiáticos que vejo, gostei muito de reconhecer comidas e receitas citadas, que me deixavam com quase a mesma vontade de experimentá-las como se estivesse assistindo um dorama mesmo.

Apesar disso, sendo eles birraciais, claro que a cultura asiática se mistura à americana no dia-a-dia e se destaca por diversas vezes, mas tudo flui de forma tranquila e bem diversificada. Até então, pontos positivos que me fizeram envolver e aproveitar a história. Mas nem só de referências e comidas sobrevive uma leitura e, principalmente, uma cujo o foco vai bem além do estilo de vida comum de um adolescente americano.

O foco da trama, pela sinopse, se dá a entender ser a patinação no gelo, tanto a artística quanto a de velocidade, respectivamente de Olívia e Jonah. Pelo fato do livro ser em inglês, os primeiros capítulos foram um pouco demorados para eu me envolver com a leitura, devido aos termos constantes sobre patinação, saltos e afins que me distanciavam um pouco da narrativa por não conseguir imaginá-los por completo, mas aos poucos fui me acostumando e isso deixou de ser um "problema". Só que foi seguindo esse caminho que, logo mais, o problema realmente aconteceu e me fez voltar a me distanciar da trama. A impressão que fica no meio da história é que a autora sabia como começar e como terminá-la, mas não sabia bem como desenvolvê-la. Foram vários os capítulos monótonos, que basicamente repetiam uma sucessão de pensamentos e situações dos anteriores com apenas breves variações, e não saia disso, Isso me incomodou muito porque parecia que a leitura avançava, mas ao mesmo tempo eu me sentia como se estivesse no início dela, nada de muito grandioso acontecendo ou sendo uma situação\conflito que me deixasse ansiosa pelas próximas páginas e me fazendo imaginar como tudo terminaria. Em dado ponto da leitura, lá pelos 70%, eu não sabia mais o que esperar, não sabia direito nem mesmo o que eu gostaria que acontecesse, de tão desprendida que eu estava do enredo, e infelizmente isso se seguiu até os dois últimos capítulos.

Digo "até os dois últimos capítulos" especificamente porque nesse ponto, coisas aconteceram e quase me fizeram envolver de novo à leitura. Até o derradeiro último capítulo chegar e terminar de forma tão abrupta, no meio de um diálogo, que eu fiquei sem entender, pensando que meu ebook havia vindo com alguma página faltando, mas aparentemente era assim mesmo que a história terminava. Novamente, o tal sentimento de ainda estar no início de tudo, mesmo após vários capítulos já terem se passado.

E isso tudo é só sobre o enredo em si. Em se tratando dos personagens, que eu torcia para me cativarem, também me decepcionei. Isso porque Olívia, nossa narradora, até tem uma voz bacana e que dá vontade de querer se aproximar e ser amiga dela, mas com o avançar dos capítulos, ela não conseguiu sustentar a trama, principalmente quando as coisas ficaram complicadas para o lado dela e parecia que ninguém a estava dando crédito de fato; eu só queria colocá-la num potinho e proteger, até que finalmente me distanciei de novo desse sentimento pelo andar da história no final e voltei a ficar meio indiferente à ela, infelizmente. Jonah também tinha potencial para me cativar, mas sua personalidade logo ficou tão apagada, principalmente quando o romance aconteceu, que eu só conseguia continuar indiferente à ele. Não que ele fosse uma pá pessoa, nem nada assim. Eu só não sentia vontade de ver mais cenas dele e interações dele com a Olívia, de tão monótono e previsível que as coisas ficaram, tanto para ele em si como na relação dele com a Olívia. No fim das contas, acabei me apegando mais à Mack, melhor amiga da Olívia, cujo background e problemas familiares me interessaram bem mais e fui bem mais cativada pela personalidade brincalhona, mas ainda madura e séria, dela. Gostaria de ler um livro da história dela, provavelmente me cativaria mais do que a história em torno da Olívia.

Enfim, Every Reason We Shouldn't tinha tudo, de acordo com sua sinopse, para ser uma leitura no mínimo envolvente e gostosinha, mas o que antes eu pensava ser um young adult comum envolvendo patinação, se transformou-se em um livro sobre patinação na vida de adolescentes que, por ventura, tinham objetivos e realidades diferentes e é... isso. Queria ter conseguido me envolver mais com a história e seus personagens, e em certos momentos até consegui e no final ainda fez a leitura valer a pena, ainda que não tanto quanto eu esperava. Se você curte uma veia mais dramática e com problemáticas familiares em geral, talvez curta mais do que eu.

dnf @ 41%

Unfortunately, I was not able to finish this book and therefore cannot review it. There was nothing wrong with the writing, which is usually a factor when I don't finish a book despite almost being halfway through. It just wasn't for me, and frankly, while there wasn't anything necessarily wrong with the representation, I wasn't sure how I felt about a (presumably) white woman writing about Asian American struggles...it's 2019, and I'm a bit tired of this. I could've let it slide if some little reference to how Olivia is half-Japanese, or Jonah is 3/4 Korean hadn't been brought up almost every scene. I'm not biracial, so I can't speak to that representation however.

Overall, it wasn't a bad book. I just don't have the time to slog through a book I'm not really enjoying.

I'm not even sure what to say about this book. It's wonderful. There is something about Sara Fujimura's writing that draws you in from the first page. Yes, from that first page that is only half full of words. I'm serious. I've read all of this author's books, and would read her shopping lists if she published them.

Maybe it's the Young Adult genre that lends itself to just being plopped into the heart of the story? I'm not sure, but I really can't recommend this book enough.

The characters are lovely and genuine, and you feel like you want to be their friends. The settings are modern and relatable. My only complaint is that I want more from these characters. Are they going to wear an Olympic Medal? I must know!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC.

I was given an e-ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was attracted to this book on NetGalley because of the cover and the concept. An ice skater and a speed skater try to balance being normal teenagers and being Olympic level athletes. I love all winter sports so this really called to me. And now that all of the formalities are out of the way, let’s get into the review.

The positives-

-the characters all seem realistic and they all have depth. Every one of them has their own problems and their own goals. I think it says a lot when you can love a side character just as much as a main character.
-the ice skating and Ice Dreams rink. I think this author has to have some experience around winter sports because she writes about it all so well. It gives the book so much character.
-the real world emotions. The author portrays being an outside and feeling completely abnormal so well. She also does a good job of showing that everyone can have their own normal and that that’s a good thing. I like that she didn’t make her athlete characters change to fit in with a “normal” group of kids at their high school. And there are some poignant moments when the main characters go through heartbreak and the disappointment of not feeling like they have a normal set of parents.

The negatives-

-the plot. Towards the middle of the novel it really feels like the author didn’t know how to go from point a to point b and so we spend a lot of time meandering before getting to the build up to the end of the novel. I have one specific plot point that I’m thinking about here, but don’t want to give away for other readers. I think once you’ve read it the plot point just sticks out like a sore thumb.
-not being enough. I think there’s a chunk just missing from between the last two chapters. We take a leap forward in time but seeing how we got there would have been really impactful in my opinion. Even if there were just a couple of pages it would have added a lot to the story.
-the cover. If I’m incorrect or insensitive here, then please let me know, but I do have some trouble with the cover. I just feel like it’s really whitewashed given that both of the characters on it are supposed to be biracial. Also, the female character on the cover is pretty thin, but the character in the book has some trouble getting back into her usual routine because she has gained some weight, specifically in her hips. It just feels a little messed up to have such a skinny girl on the cover given the story itself.

Every reason we shouldn't is a delightful read featuring two Asian MCs with a connection of an Ice rink to them.

The book is short sweet and amazing if you loved the movie "Ice Princess" or just quiet YA with heartthrob characters.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for granting me with the review copy.

4.5/5
I loved the Asian representation in this book. Very nicely woven themes and developed characters. This is one of those books that I wouldn’t get bored rereading. It’s such a cute teen romance, one of the better ones I’ve read. Many of the situations are relatable too—especially being compared with other people and not thinking you’re enough. A much needed story in the YA genre. I would most definitely recommend it. Critique wise, there was a bit of power and “wow” missing. It was a really good story, just not to the wow effect.

This book was so good! I'm going to be honest, it seemed a little cliche at first, but it really picked up after the first few chapters.

Contemporary teen romance is basically catnip to me, but I was especially engaged by this book. Olivia and Jonah are realistic, dynamic characters, and are surrounded by a host of enjoyable supporting players as well. Having no real interest in skating, I was surprised by how much richer the setting made the story, and can't wait for some of the skaters in my class to get into this one.

I really enjoyed this one. I'm not usually a huge fan of sports books, but I used to love figure skating so this instantly appealed to me.

Olivia's parents were gold medal Olympians, and until recently, Olivia was following in their footsteps. But a disastrous performance at a competition has ended her career as a skater and now she's trying out life as a 'normal' teen. But her normal isn't actually all that normal. Her parents own a skating rink and it's struggling. Olivia's dad has gone out on tour to try and make some money, leaving Olivia and her mother, who is suffering from a back injury, to run the rink. But Olivia's mother's back injury is getting worse and some days she can barely make it to the rink, let alone teach her classes.

Much of the responsibility for running the rink falls to Mack, Olivia's new best friend and a recent single parent dealing with the way having a baby changes all your life-plans. She's also a roller-derby fan, desperate to get good enough to join the team.

When the Choi family comes to town, things start looking up for the rink. Jonah Choi is a speed skater with Olympic potential and his family will spare no expense to get him that gold. Olivia and Jonah recognize something in each other and are soon finding ways to hang out together both on and off the ice. Their relationship is sweet and based very much on their mutual understanding of the competitive skating world.

The characters in this story were interesting and well drawn and their world felt very real. Olivia's self-sufficiency in the face of her parents' absence was heartbreakingly realistic. And the skating world in which both Jonah and Olivia are a part of felt authentic.

So I'd recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a book that realistically portrays what it's like to be a high-performancce athlete and anyone who is looking for a sweet, young romance.

arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this one. I’m a sucker for sports in a book so getting to read about all things to do with skating was great. I really liked the friendship and family dynamics in this one. It was nice to see such great friendships develop and even the romance was super adorable.

I think because of my age I wasn’t as into this as I would’ve been had I been younger because I wasn’t into the high school drama and some of the teen angst but I’m sure someone their age would love this and relate to it!

Overall, this was a fun read and I’m glad I read it! I can totally see this as a movie too.

3/5 ⭐️

TW: there is a scene where it seems there is a school shooter and there is an active intruder drill happening at the high school so be wary of that.

Olivia Kennedy is the daughter of one of the most famous ice-skating former gold medallists couple. She used to be quite a good competitor herself, a junior champion. But when her last competition turns disastrous, she is forced to come back to reality and abandon her Olympic dreams. To add more to the equation, the economic situation of their ice rink is worse than ever, Olivia’s dad is out of town because of work and her mother’s back injury is so bad that most of the time she will be absent from her daughter’s life.

Little did they know that the arrival of gold-material speed skater Jonah Choi, would not only mean a steady income for the family business but his mere presence would also give Olivia the final push she needed to pursue her own dreams.

Reading this book was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. Yeah, it has some of the typical romantic love story but at the same time it is also much more than that. But not everything will spin around the love story of our young protagonist, because being a teenager whose mom is nowhere around when you need her will wound Olivia to the very deep and that will become a heavy weight to carry upon your shoulders, no matter how tough you are.

The story is full of ice-skating references and techniques that are so very well described, that chances of being confused or bored are very slim. In fact, the first thing you will be looking forward after reading this novel is ice-skating. One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned from this story is that the person who loves you, will support and encourage you to achieve your goals, understanding the sacrifices that come with it. This is some thing that most people do not seem to understand, and I loved the way the author portrayed it so perfectly.

Every Reason We Shouldn’t is fun and adorable, with some very strong points about fulfilling your family expectations and your own goals. Family, love and friendship are the keywords for this story, and I hope you will give it a chance because who would say no to a good romance on the ice?

Firstly a huge thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this wonderful ARC.
I loved this story. There's not a single part of this that I didn't enjoy. The gradual chemistry and the friendship that these two competitive and athletic individuals found with each other made this one relatable. I loved the female protagonist. She was cool, smart, a girl with purpose but at the same time her character deal with all the complications and burden that came with her talent. I enjoyed her rise after the fall and loved her group of nerdy friends specially Jonah. I knew it was crush at first sight but I loved the way their friendship developed into something more. I really enjoyed this. I recommend it to the fans of Jenny Han. If you loved Lara Jean you are gonna love Olivia. It was my first book of Sara Fujimura and I will definately love to read more from her in the future.
Happy reading!

A soft, feel good book that left me warm on the inside, the kind of f/f fiction I love to indulge myself in! Unsure if this was Sara's debut but I absolutely adored it.

Every Reason We Shouldn't was such a delightful read that drew me out from my reading slump. It was the perfectly fluffy YA book that I needed to get me diving back into stories again.

What I loved:

Every Reason We Shouldn't hooked me right from the first chapter. Olivia Kennedy was such a down-to-earth character, and while I may not have related to her love for skating, I certainly understood her struggles to pursue her passion. I loved the main cast of characters, like Jonah (of course), Mack, and Olivia's parents. Brandon, Naomi, and Erika were also great side characters who challenged Olivia and pushed her to develop her character arc ;)

I liked the romance. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and the fact that it was between two mixed Asian kids sold me from the start. It was cute and I shipped it so much. Also the fist bump thing. Totally nerdy and totally adorable.

Also, I actually found the jokes funny, so I applaud the author for that.

What I didn't like:

Honestly, there isn't much from this book that I can pick on. There were a couple of typos near the end, but I'm sure it's because this is an e-ARC and the book needs to go through another round of edits. The other thing that nagged at me was all the kissing. Look, I like a kissing scene here and there, but if there's too much of it, the scenes start to lose their meaning and it gets repetitive.

Conclusion: Every Reason We Shouldn't was a sweet and cozy read that also gave me a new appreciation for ice skating.

Overall rating: 4 stars

I couldn't finish this book. What I was hoping to be a cute rom/com book turned out to be dull. The main character, Olivia, was angsty and frankly annoying. She lacked depth, and it was upsetting to see her tie up her self worth with a boy. The parent drama wasn't compelling, and she just came off as whiny with it all when there were other characters with real life strife (Mack). The other characters weren't interesting either and it felt like just stereotypes and judgement from Olivia. Jonah was also not well developed, making the romance not worth it. I was hoping the athlete plot would be compelling and inspiring, but it didn't feel like the author did enough research to really feel that come through. 1.5 stars.