Freshman Year Bucket List
My Rating: 4.5
Genre: Fiction, YA (upper)
Format: eArc
Publication Date: August 15, 2022
Author: Kaliyah Nicole
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Freshman Year Bucket List Blurb
Keilani’s entire summer was haunted by memories of Carter. Which was almost as annoying as her relatives acting surprised when she told them she was going to be pre-med in college. Just because she designed her senior prom dress, doesn’t mean her love for fashion is more than a hobby. Besides, pre-med has always been the plan for college so her parents can ultimately get a “return on their investment”. This means that once she starts her freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, there will be no time for doubts or distractions of not-so-distant memories with Carter. Everything needs to be perfect, and it will be as long as she checks off everything on her Freshman Year Bucket List.
Freshman Year Bucket List Review
As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:
- 1 star: Did not finish
- 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
- 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
- 4 Stars: Loved this book!
- 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.
My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.
I’m human.
Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.
This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂
My Thoughts
I was so impressed by how much this book reminded me of my first year in college. The uncertainty, the random times of loneliness. Beginning to feel like you are an adult but not quite. Kaliyah Nicole’s writing seemed to effortlessly express the feeling of this journey. I was transported back in time from page one.
I really enjoyed how Kelani’s story, especially since it didn’t focus on romance. There were romantic elements to be sure, but romance is only a small part of the first year college experience. That’s probably why Freshman Year Bucket List felt so realistic.
In telling Kelani’s story, Kaliyah Nicole did not shy away from any of the difficult choices and situations girls inevitably face while attending university. While we would love to believe college to be a safe bubble to send our newly minted adults, it isn’t for most women. It’s a harrowing social and intellectual experience that can be dangerous, overwhelming, but also life changing. I honestly can’t believe one young adult book hit on all of these topics without feeling scattered.
This is Kelani’s story, through and through. This is about a girl becoming a woman, finding herself, and loving that person. Kelani struggles to find her path and her truth, and her journey will keep you turning page after page.
Conclusion
Freshman Year Bucket List makes you want to hope and dream again.
Special thanks to TKP Books and Kaliyah Nicole for my copy of Freshman Year Bucket List in exchange for an honest review.
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