I'm a bit fan of Aminah Mae Safi, especially since her books go into so much more than just the dynamics of relationships and identity. In this book, her character development was attentive and mindful of difference, holding integrity and sense of self within each person in the story. I enjoyed the perspective chapters alternating, and the sharp dialogue and banter throughout that made every character's voice unique. Also loved that as an Arab writer, Safi doesn't solely focus on the torments and challenges that Arab and Muslim teenagers have to face, which is why her books are amongst my favorites.

God, I love these girls and the bookstore they all work at. I need them to be my friends! Read this book if you want feminism, soft girls, prickly girls, and bookstore love.

This is a great book of giving voices the space they deserve. I enjoyed the full story but some of the plot fell flat for me. I think I just may not have been right for this book but I think a lot of people would really enjoy the read.

I very much appreciated the way more than a few characters from marginalized backgrounds were developed and given voices that reflected their backgrounds but did not artificially focus on them. However, the overall writing of this novel didn't really click for me, and the characters' personalities fell a bit flat. I think this very much a 'me' issue and not the novel's fault, although beginning the novel with an entitled white boy who almost immediately screws up to a mind-boggling degree is an interesting gamble. (I immediately hated this character, so it was great that the majority of the remainder of the novel focused on the young women in the bookstore working to deal with said screwup as well as interpersonal relationships with each other.)

I was not a big fan of this book, but the last 20% definitely helped save it for me. Things that I liked and thought were interesting was the fact that almost the whole story took place over the course of one day, and it was mainly told from the perspectives of the girls that worked at the bookstore. Although their relationships with the guys played a large part in the story between their crushes and doing damage control for Eli, it still revolved around how the girls felt about themselves and each other. 

I didn't really start to like the book until the end though. I had a hard time feeling anything for any of the characters besides Rinn. I liked her optimism and thought her crush on AJ was cute. It was also cool that she was a booktuber. But for some reason, I never felt drawn to the other characters or cared about what they were going through. 

Overall, the concept and plot was interesting, but I don't think the characters drew me in enough to love the story,

I'm going to keep it short. I couldn't connect with the characters. It seems all the cliches were rounded up and portrayed as each character.

Also, one day's events stretched over 500 plus pages! Probably the first book where I wasn't happy reading more pages.

DNF @ 37%
I just couldn't get into this book unfortunately. With the setting being a cozy bookstore I was sure I would love this but I found that I just didn't care about what was happening with the story or with any of the characters and it felt like a chore to push through so I decided to give myself a break and DNF it. I hope others will love it but it just wasn't for me personally.

This book was so much fun to read. I love the bookstore environment, the strong female characters, and how relatable all the characters are. The book was written very well and has a BEAUTIFUL cover!

The book started out slowly, but I liked that it did because it gave me time to get to know the characters and their relationships with one another. The POV switched between Rinn, Daniella, and Imogen which allowed the reader to get a deeper understanding of what was happening and the struggles of the main characters. Everything in the book happens over the span of one day, which made me apprehensive at first but the pacing was really good and it worked for the book. Rinn, Daniella, and Imogen are VERY different characters and I loved seeing their love for the bookstore unite them.

I loved the diversity in the characters in the book. I also appreciated how mental health was represented in This Is All Your Fault. There was a mystery vibe in the book that made it impossible to put down (so I may have stayed up pretty late to finish it, sorry dad🙂 ). This book is one I would put at the top of your TBR list!

I love contemporary novels set during one day. I love books set in bookstores. I loved the author's previous book. So I was so sure I was going to love this book too.

Unfortunately, it really didn't work for me. I found it fell really flat and it just didn't feel developed enough for me to feel invested. I think the main issue was that there were too many characters, all of whom weren't really fleshed out. They were more ideas than people, really, but not in a way that worked.

A lot of the things that happened in this book just felt really random, and they didn't make much sense in the context of any kind of plot.

CWs: harrassment, gun

As someone who has never seen Empire Records, I really enjoyed this book; I am ALWAYS on board for a book with a diverse cast of strong, kick-ass, take-no-shit ladies. Definitely looking forward to recommending to teen patrons!

Three teens of color working for a local indie bookseller discover the shop is about to go out of business. Told from three points of view over the course of one day, the three are determined to find a way to save the shop (of course). Naturally, there's romantic feelings and quirky bookstore customers involved, plus a dose of poetry. While it follows the usual romcom tropes, the bookstore premise and diverse characters give it a fresh narrative (even if the BIPOC references feel a bit forced at times). A thoroughly fun read with a satisfying ending you can enthusiastically hand to book-loving teens of all ages.

This book starts out incredibly choppy and seems to scramble to develop the characters. as a result, some characters are better developed than others. The writing quality is solid, however. The story is interesting and will appeal to a YA audience.

In attempt to save their jobs at Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium, a group of misfits stop making assumptions about each other, and start to realize the importance of getting to know one another, which allows for greater accomplishments and fulfillments within self-realization. 

Aminah Mae Safi's "This Is All Your Fault "celebrates the beauty of diversity by spotlighting characters within both BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Unlike many other authors, Safi does not harp on the fact her characters are part of these communities by allowing the reader to naturally figure out who the characters are through their thoughts and actions, and not by their ethnicity and sexuality. Each character had their own unique voice to go along with the own unique journey to self-acceptance. While each chapter were designed as mini scenes that added to the bigger plot, but mainly focused on the specific character that chapter is assigned to. It was like a one take film shot, quickly giving us needed information about the character and the overall plot, leading us to understanding the story’s themes. The age old saying: “Don't judge a book by its cover” was very much applied to this story. The word “assume” and words pertain to that word were used in multiple instances within the text. This was a constant reminder to not make assumptions about someone, but rather get to know them instead. You might find a lasting friendship. I believe what made this story so good is the symbolism of what the closing of Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium represents, which is gentrification. Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium represents a community filled with stories celebrating a plethora of cultures. These diverse characters attempt to save and maintain that within their small community. If not saved, then all that rich history of various cultures would be lost, making way for something new that does not want to celebrate, but rather sell and make profit off the people.

Thanks @hearourvoicestour and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for allowing me to review this arc and start a conversation with those around me about the themes within this novel.

When i read the synopsis of this book i was very intrigued. A bookstore? 3 girls? 1 day? HELLA INTERESTING, right? So when I received an ARC i was very excited. The cover is gorgeous.

The book started off a bit rocky for me, i wasn't really connecting with any of the characters but at some point Rinn really stood out to me. Her character became my favourite and remained throughout the book. I also ended up really liking Daniella, and her whole romance situation was really intriguing. I wasn't able to click with imogen the same way though, which is weird because she is a muslim and so am I. I was really excited to read about her character more but it didn't do that for me. The characters, overall were well rounded and really believeable.

I really liked the representation in the book. Asian, queer, latinx, middle eastern, anxiety and depression. All the representations were presented very thoughtfully. I loved the way the way the book dealt with mental health. It felt raw and real.

At the end of everything the book did, my favourite aspect would have to be the friendship. Three strong and independent girls, who by the way are nothing alike, come together to save a whole bookstore. And in doing so they develop a really pure friendship. I'm a sucker for healthy female friendships and this one DELIVERED.

I've heard alot about how this book is similar to a movie, but i haven't really seen that so my opinion is just on the book and how it made me feel. I liked it. It was a good story.

A story that relatively gnaws you from the inside as a reader. It is inevitable to deny that bookstores have always been offering you your own form of escapism - to strut down those endless aisles and to spend hours on those therapeutic babies is a privilege✋ But, what would you do if they were to close down? 

     Written from the third person omniscient point of view, it is not a mere story about a bunch of employees trying to save their bookstore. It is a devastatingly moving story about how these teenagers trying to overcome their insecurities and embrace their flaws along the way. Everyone has their own problem - being happy on the surface doesn't mean your life is like a bed of roses. Battling with anxiety and depression isn't as easy as you think of. Lying for the sake of your image will slowly devour you in the course of time. Repressing your feelings to yourself is a dangerous one because they will burn anyone once you've lost control. Yet, at the same time, you can't simply unleash those angsty feelings on someone else. That being said, these three girls have their ups and downs. They don't tell you their story, they show you and you will be easily sucked into their world. The common thing they have altogether is how they find the Wild Nights Bookstore a therapeutic place for them to escape from reality. 
 
     Plot-wise, the author just knew how to relate information about each character that the characters might not know each other - through umpteenth times of misunderstandings and miscommunication incurred amongst them until, at one point, they had made me frustrated for I, the only one who knew what's everyone been facing with. But it actually contributes to how the story progresses on. Hands down, this piece is raw and original in its own way, the kind of story that stays with you, and its ending is also satisfying. Bonus, the story itself beautifully written and lyrical. For me, it is worth to experience that when reading a slow-paced story. I would definitely recommend this book for the thrilling part that you'll enjoy seeing yourself as a booklover in one of these characters. *hint, this character does have an account that talks about books too! 

A huge thank you to the Turn The Page Tour for granting me an e-arc of This is All Your Fault.

“Wild Nights is closing down. Top secret. Cover for me until I get to work tomorrow.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

This is my blog tour post for This Is All Your Fault with Hear Our Voices Book Tours! I’m very excited and thankful to be part of this tour!

So this book is about Danny, Rinn, Imogen, and the employees of Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium as they try to save their beloved store from closing down. With little time and a fight everywhere, it looks like it will take a miracle.

So the biggest thing I loved about this book was the premise. Especially now, bookstores are having a really hard time. I really related to the desire to keep safe spaces alive.

I also really loved the characters immediately. The different p.o.v’s made it fun to know what everyone thought of each other. I felt like each character was really well-developed and unique.

Like, yes Danny was probably my fav. But not just because we share a name. I also felt like I used to be similar to her in many ways, especially when I was in high school. Not necessarily what she does, but how she feels about things. Her attitude, I guess.

But also, wow. This book made me very emotional at times. I didn’t expect that going into it at all. This book has a plot where I didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was both more and less dramatic than I expected. I guess, I was worried that this book would be all goofy jokes and hijinks. I’m really glad that this book had a lot to say about people. And how people feel about themselves and each other.

Honestly, this is a book that made me feel so much empathy for other people. It’s a read that makes you laugh and then really makes you think.

I do think that the story takes a while to get going. I almost stopped reading it many times. There is definitely a pacing issue with this book that takes place in basically one day. It’s not something I thought worked for the story at all. Unfortunately, it’s my biggest issue with the book I think. Too much time spent on things that didn’t matter in the long run.

TL;DR: This amazing book is such an emotional journey that will absolutely make you fall in love and laugh a bit too.

ARC provided by Hear Our Voices BT and Macmillan in exchange for an honest review. All quotations and opinions are based off an uncorrected proof.

Have you ever dreamed of working in a bookstore?

There is something so fascinating to me about imagining myself as an employee at a bookstore- talking to book lovers, working with authors and publishers, keeping inventory, working at the register and just.. being surrounded by books daily.

So naturally, I was living vicariously through the characters of This Is All Your Fault, who work at Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium! Danny, Rinn, Imogen, Eli and AJ are all wildly different characters who have their own shit to deal with, when the news spreads. Wild Nights is closing down and they and their manager Jo, are going to be let go without so much as a warning. But Wild Nights is safe haven. Wild Nights saved each one of them and continues to do so. They couldn’t just watch as it dies, could they? No, they won’t.

I say this with as much sincerity as I can muster- I LOVED THIS BOOK. Set over the course of one day, this book didn’t even take that long to win over me. These characters were flawed and perfect. The story was a fun adventure and grounded in hard realities. Yes, I’m speaking in contradictions but it just makes SENSE in the context of this fun, hard-hitting, and wholesome book.

The plot of the story was not seamless and smooth, but I really enjoyed the rocky nature of a bunch of important things happening all at once and honestly, it kept me turning the pages.

I related to Daniella so hard, even though Rinn is the book blogger of the bunch lol! Rinn has an incredible and empowering arc in that short span of time. I really enjoyed her opposing dynamic with Danny and Imogen kind of the buffer in between them. Imogen has some of the most beautiful, lyrically written chapters in this book. Although Danny was the poet, Imogen expressed herself in a way that touched me deeply. This friendship group gave me life, even if they only got together at the very end. 🥺

I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions reading this, which is fitting because a regular day working at Wild Nights turned into a rollercoaster of events happening one after another.

Lastly, there is so much representation in here!!
- Mexican-American, Arab-American, Muslim, Biracial, Depression and Anxiety.

TW: sexual assault, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, panic attack.

The depression and anxiety rep managed to capture the essence of what I feel like it is to be part of this generation quite well in my opinion and I felt really seen in that regard. 🥺

Thank you Hear Our Voices Book Tours for having me on the tour and Feiwel and Friends for the review copy! 💘💘

So, I will say that I think I super hyped myself up for this book for the fact that it takes place in a bookstore and I must say I wasn't let down. All the aspects of being part of a company such as an independent bookstore such as Wild Nights was very eye opening to the world. Bookstores are suffering and especially right now during these crazy times. This is me as a book lover telling you, go out there and support your local bookstores! They need your help now more than ever. Being a person who normally buys all of her stuff from big box and Amazon. I'm now changing the way I spend my money to try and help out more small businesses and independent bookstores.

Let me get myself back on track though, I wanted to point out a character in the book that I loved with all my heart and that I can personally relate to not on just personality levels but, with this being an OwnVoices book, I relate to Rinn Olivera a lot. I may not look it as much as she does but, I was born as a Mexican-American and honest to goodness after going through my DNA stuff we found out I was a little bit German too. 
Rinn Olivera is a very happy go lucky girl. Hence, why she earns her nicknames from Imogen and Danny as "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Little Miss Perfect." You learn further in the book that her happiness and perfectionist personality comes from her bout with anxiety. Personally, I suffer from it as well and I can honestly say, it is the most insufferable thing to deal with and if I could just wish it away, I would already have.
To me, I feel like this book is a mix of Empire Record meets a small bit of Breakfast Club aspect into it. Three girls who can't stand the presence of one another, working in a bookstore that they learn is closing down. No help from Eli at all, he tried his best though at least and they all kind of learn to work together to save something they equally agree is the best thing in their lives. Wild Night isn't just a bookstore but, its a home away from home for a few of them.
While it's definitely not a romance book at all and the minimal amount of romance I feel you can possibly have in a book, it's still cute. Aj is an employee that Rinn can't help but fawn over this boy that I can't really picture in my head. He is an artist of sorts and his art is wonderful (I WANT TO SEE THIS MYSTERY ART)

All in all, this was definitely a 4 star read for me and I'd love to go through it again and read it with some page tabs in my hand for sure. There are parts of the book that are something I would love to go back on and go more in depth with the reading.

When you find yourself intrigued by a blurb - especially when the blurb has diverse characters banding together to save the bookstore where they all work; which has been their saving grace for so long is now on the verge of closing down! 

It took me a while to get into the story; with multiple POVs, it took a while for me start banding together how the individual characters seem to work - they have their own didn’t in the personalities; though it has a diverse set of characters, the focus seemed to be more on the female characters than anyone else. 

In This Is All Your Fault, we have a reformed ex con teenager, an Instagram poet with penchant for disparaging comments, a book tuber with the “perfect” personality, in love with a tortured musician working in the bookstore with her, a young woman struggling with her mental issues - all of whom come together, despite their misconceptions and judgments about each other to save the one place they have found solace in! 
While there are multitude of characters; most of the attention is focused on the three diverse and strong female protagonists, each with their own struggles and vices - Rinn, Imogen and Daniela! 

Inspite of working together in the bookstore, for such a long time, none of the protagonists ever made effort to understand and even take the time to have a pleasant conversation with each other; but it was a wonderful journey that to see them band together to save the one place that binds them together! 

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT by Aminah Mae Safi - is a wonderful celebration of book community and how a bookstore, a place of solace for them, bring them together - passionate personalities, misconstrued judgements, and brilliant and on point mental health representation + Biracial representation - this was a wonderful, feel good feel that took me back to the nostalgic times of the feeling of browsing a bookstore, the peace that gave me that. 

This beautiful contemporary YA novel is a celebration of all things we bookworms love ♥️

I got this ebook for booktour from hear our own voices and I am extremely thankful to them.
First of all, I totally loved this book. It was so good. When the book started where an employee, Eli of a bookstore finds about the fact that it was closing down, I had no idea this book would turn out to n=be one of my favorites. I found Eli to be so stupid like he came up with the solution that was certified failed solution but I can understand that he was trying to help.
I liked it how the employees finally made a bond with each other  at the end of the book. Jo was such a nice manager and the fact that she trusted her team was wonderful. I would love to work with such a cool manager.
I think that the most of the role was played by female characters like, Rinn, Daniella and Imogen etc. The male characters AJ and Eli didn't get much chance except the fact that Eli was the one who initiated all the mess.
I could relate to the characters one way or another way and the best thing about the book was that all characters seemed so real like they were actual people and their mistakes and flaws made them even more relatable.
There are so many lessons/messages in the book about life and that although if people were totally opposite from each other, they could still relate to a place and feel like home together.