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The Space Between #1
The Space Between
Everything’s great for Harper Isabelle, the most popular girl in grade nine. That is, until she meets Sarah Jamieson.
Sarah is a reclusive artist, a loner who wears black makeup and doesn’t have any friends, but for some reason, Harper can’t stop thinking about her.
Sarah isn’t used to people looking her way, especially popular girls like Harper Isabelle. Scared, religious, and unsure of herself, when Sarah begins to realize that her feelings for Harper might go beyond friendship, she is afraid to take the plunge and tell Harper how she feels.
Emotions build between these young women until they both reach their breaking points, and they need to make a choice about coming to terms with who they really are, and what they can and cannot live without.
Words: 92,000
Sarah is a reclusive artist, a loner who wears black makeup and doesn’t have any friends, but for some reason, Harper can’t stop thinking about her.
Sarah isn’t used to people looking her way, especially popular girls like Harper Isabelle. Scared, religious, and unsure of herself, when Sarah begins to realize that her feelings for Harper might go beyond friendship, she is afraid to take the plunge and tell Harper how she feels.
Emotions build between these young women until they both reach their breaking points, and they need to make a choice about coming to terms with who they really are, and what they can and cannot live without.
Words: 92,000
298 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2016
72 people are currently reading
6310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
November 25, 2023
There's something so endlessly compelling to me about queer teen romance, especially when it's set in an era or community where being gay isn't fully accepted. The overlapping stories of self discovery and first love, of closets within closets, of kisses stolen. Of strength and defiance—when the adults who mean so much in your life suddenly stand between you and your own heart. Of the courage to abandon your faith—whether that means religion or just the beliefs you've been carrying around about who you are and what your life will be. Of forbidden love that pits mind against heart even as it pits two hearts against the world.
I love watching young people stumble towards themselves, fuck up and make amends, fall in love and blush and squirm and wonder towards longing, jealousy, possessiveness, freedom. Agonize over a kiss. Betray their friends and themselves. Forgive their friends and themselves. I love it because I remember—and also because there’s still a teenager inside me (inside all of us?), thin-skinned and hopeful and anxious and headstrong.
Despite the occasional awkward line of dialogue or contrived moment, The Space Between is a perfectly wonderful example of the genre, with plenty of confused teenagers and all of the tropes and cliches that high school just wouldn’t ring true without. Alas, it falls apart a little at the very end. Teichman seems to have realized that none of her characters had matured enough to say what she wanted them to say—so she just put the words in their mouths. So much hard won characterization sacrificed to so much wishful thinking. I rescued the novel, for myself, by imagining that its last scenes were in fact fantasies—the endings these stumbling teens dreamt of, the supportive teachers and family they so badly wished for.
I love watching young people stumble towards themselves, fuck up and make amends, fall in love and blush and squirm and wonder towards longing, jealousy, possessiveness, freedom. Agonize over a kiss. Betray their friends and themselves. Forgive their friends and themselves. I love it because I remember—and also because there’s still a teenager inside me (inside all of us?), thin-skinned and hopeful and anxious and headstrong.
Despite the occasional awkward line of dialogue or contrived moment, The Space Between is a perfectly wonderful example of the genre, with plenty of confused teenagers and all of the tropes and cliches that high school just wouldn’t ring true without. Alas, it falls apart a little at the very end. Teichman seems to have realized that none of her characters had matured enough to say what she wanted them to say—so she just put the words in their mouths. So much hard won characterization sacrificed to so much wishful thinking. I rescued the novel, for myself, by imagining that its last scenes were in fact fantasies—the endings these stumbling teens dreamt of, the supportive teachers and family they so badly wished for.
August 25, 2019
This is definitely my favourite high school YA book.
Harper is such a lovely character, and the way she treats sarah, the way she behaves with her, the way she comes to terms with her own sexuality... it's all very honest. She doesnt hide from herself. Even when she doesnt fully understand her own feelings, she's not hateful of herself or rejecting of the idea. She's so open and compassionate with herself and with sarah, its wonderful to read a character who is so... uncomplicated in many ways. Theres no self loathing or recrimination that you find in so many ya books of this genre.
That's not to say shes completely ok with everything, and that there arent issues.
But she never compromises her soul. Shes good to herself, and shes good to the person shes in love with.
Even when shes in difficult situations, or doing things she doesnt want to, or agree with, or makes questionable decisions... her soul somehow remains untainted.
She's actually kind of the perfect girlfriend.
Harper is such a lovely character, and the way she treats sarah, the way she behaves with her, the way she comes to terms with her own sexuality... it's all very honest. She doesnt hide from herself. Even when she doesnt fully understand her own feelings, she's not hateful of herself or rejecting of the idea. She's so open and compassionate with herself and with sarah, its wonderful to read a character who is so... uncomplicated in many ways. Theres no self loathing or recrimination that you find in so many ya books of this genre.
That's not to say shes completely ok with everything, and that there arent issues.
But she never compromises her soul. Shes good to herself, and shes good to the person shes in love with.
Even when shes in difficult situations, or doing things she doesnt want to, or agree with, or makes questionable decisions... her soul somehow remains untainted.
She's actually kind of the perfect girlfriend.
July 7, 2017
Full disclaimer, I'm having a hard time writing a review for this. My thoughts are jumbled. That said, here we go...
"The Space Between" is a YA novel that has its issues but there's a lot that it captured that was just right, too. My overall verdict is that it was worth reading, at least for me, because it resonated...
What this book got right is the feeling of being a teenager; the intensity of feeling and the microcosm of high school with the pressures it can entail.
What we get is a love story between two unlikely girls; one being the most popular and the other being the unpopular pariah...and, it's a very specific love story. One in which the two people go into it not yet understanding they are gay and are intrigued by each other for who they are...and that slow, super slow unraveling of day by day excitement and jitters and growing affection and discovery on both of their parts that makes them lead with their feelings not able to say what they are (i.e. "a couple") or what it means.
I know other books have done something similar but the way this author did it just seemed different to me.
So, the angst is off the charts and you'll see the girls hem and haw, going back and forth about what they think the other feels for them or what they should do but, at the same time, they keep plowing forward, escalating their relationship in a really satisfying way. And, that hem and haw often has more to do with what they think is right or wrong in the moment or wondering how a popular girl would actually want to befriend the unpopular girl than a romance does she like me, like me not kind of thing. Some other readers found this repetitious and I had a twinge of that but, hey, this stuff happens.
I really liked all of the interactions between Harper and Sarah and I considered this to be a slow burn romance. The girls have insta-attraction/intrigue but actual love comes way later and, as strong of a feeling as these two have for each other, neither one declares love prematurely.
BUT, there's a complication. Throw in that Harper is technically dating Sarah's twin brother at the same time as they are falling in love, and acting on those true feelings, we have a mess. Infidelity, betrayal...yeah, it's there but, because the girls are SO in the closet (even to themselves) and fear the repercussions of coming out, to the state of panic, I could actually see this play out the way it did...and the brother was getting douchier (yeah, that's a word in my world) by the minute so guilt on my part as the reader rooting for these two girls is less.
Truth be told, this seems like a book that would've taken place 20 or 30 years ago when the concept of lesbian was completely foreign, taboo, and absent from any popular cultural reference or representation. If I had this book when I was fourteen it would've been an oasis in a desert that would've had my profound gratitude not to mention all of the wear on the pages from my likely numerous re-reads...
Nowadays? It depends. It seems strange that, in the day of gay marriage and lesbians now depicted in television, novels, history notes, on the internet, and celebrity personalities that being lesbian in high school would be so completely lonely, isolated, and unidentifiable?
There are small issues about the book that I won't go into...this is already too long as it is...So my personal biggest complaint about the book is that about 90% of the way through suddenly most of the main characters start speaking from this mature place in long monologues that just didn't seem real for the ages or the characters themselves. Chop all of that up and whittle it down to stumbled, rambling, can't quite articulate but getting the point across enough kind of speech...much like this book review...and there you go.
Also, things wrap up a little too tidy but I'd rather have a happy ending in my romance books that seems too pat than be left bereft.
This is the first novel I've read by Michelle L. Teichman and I was impressed enough with how she captured this specific experience to want to read more from this author. Yes, recommend.
Here are a couple of quotes I remembered liking:
"If Sarah thought her stomach had been active on the weekend, it was trying out for the Olympics now."
"As Harper walked ahead of her, that invisible tether between them pulled her forward. She followed, the space between their two hearts growing smaller every day."
"The Space Between" is a YA novel that has its issues but there's a lot that it captured that was just right, too. My overall verdict is that it was worth reading, at least for me, because it resonated...
What this book got right is the feeling of being a teenager; the intensity of feeling and the microcosm of high school with the pressures it can entail.
What we get is a love story between two unlikely girls; one being the most popular and the other being the unpopular pariah...and, it's a very specific love story. One in which the two people go into it not yet understanding they are gay and are intrigued by each other for who they are...and that slow, super slow unraveling of day by day excitement and jitters and growing affection and discovery on both of their parts that makes them lead with their feelings not able to say what they are (i.e. "a couple") or what it means.
I know other books have done something similar but the way this author did it just seemed different to me.
So, the angst is off the charts and you'll see the girls hem and haw, going back and forth about what they think the other feels for them or what they should do but, at the same time, they keep plowing forward, escalating their relationship in a really satisfying way. And, that hem and haw often has more to do with what they think is right or wrong in the moment or wondering how a popular girl would actually want to befriend the unpopular girl than a romance does she like me, like me not kind of thing. Some other readers found this repetitious and I had a twinge of that but, hey, this stuff happens.
I really liked all of the interactions between Harper and Sarah and I considered this to be a slow burn romance. The girls have insta-attraction/intrigue but actual love comes way later and, as strong of a feeling as these two have for each other, neither one declares love prematurely.
BUT, there's a complication. Throw in that Harper is technically dating Sarah's twin brother at the same time as they are falling in love, and acting on those true feelings, we have a mess. Infidelity, betrayal...yeah, it's there but, because the girls are SO in the closet (even to themselves) and fear the repercussions of coming out, to the state of panic, I could actually see this play out the way it did...and the brother was getting douchier (yeah, that's a word in my world) by the minute so guilt on my part as the reader rooting for these two girls is less.
Truth be told, this seems like a book that would've taken place 20 or 30 years ago when the concept of lesbian was completely foreign, taboo, and absent from any popular cultural reference or representation. If I had this book when I was fourteen it would've been an oasis in a desert that would've had my profound gratitude not to mention all of the wear on the pages from my likely numerous re-reads...
Nowadays? It depends. It seems strange that, in the day of gay marriage and lesbians now depicted in television, novels, history notes, on the internet, and celebrity personalities that being lesbian in high school would be so completely lonely, isolated, and unidentifiable?
There are small issues about the book that I won't go into...this is already too long as it is...So my personal biggest complaint about the book is that about 90% of the way through suddenly most of the main characters start speaking from this mature place in long monologues that just didn't seem real for the ages or the characters themselves. Chop all of that up and whittle it down to stumbled, rambling, can't quite articulate but getting the point across enough kind of speech...much like this book review...and there you go.
Also, things wrap up a little too tidy but I'd rather have a happy ending in my romance books that seems too pat than be left bereft.
This is the first novel I've read by Michelle L. Teichman and I was impressed enough with how she captured this specific experience to want to read more from this author. Yes, recommend.
Here are a couple of quotes I remembered liking:
"If Sarah thought her stomach had been active on the weekend, it was trying out for the Olympics now."
"As Harper walked ahead of her, that invisible tether between them pulled her forward. She followed, the space between their two hearts growing smaller every day."
May 9, 2017
Still so good, it might be YA but it is so well written and the relationship between Sarah and Harper is so intense that you find yourself rooting for them throughout.
July 17, 2016
This is a young adult novel in every way. I'm not the target audience for it, but from time to time some YA/NA attracts my attention. Nothing new in this one -- one of the most popular girls in high school surrounded by her escort of friends and an outcast with no friends at all. The strong and strange pull between them is there from the beginning, but they have to admit to themselves what was going on and skip all the obstacles (friends, family, religion...) to be together.
Nothing new, but regardless of the unorginality, what is there is written well. The book is easy to read, the protagonists are very likable, the atmosphere at the school is shown convincingly. There is some angst, some teenage insecurities, and gentle young love.
I recommend this book for all YA lovers, but also for those who just occasionally want to read something well-written in this genre.
4 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
Nothing new, but regardless of the unorginality, what is there is written well. The book is easy to read, the protagonists are very likable, the atmosphere at the school is shown convincingly. There is some angst, some teenage insecurities, and gentle young love.
I recommend this book for all YA lovers, but also for those who just occasionally want to read something well-written in this genre.
4 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
July 19, 2017
:: 4 Pretty Little Stars ::
When I first saw the cover for this book I was intrigued. Then I read the blurb and knew this is a book I had to read. It’s a young adult (high school) coming of age story about two girls who are trying to navigate through high school in very different ways while also trying to understand their feelings for one another. Like a lot of YA books, this one has some clichés; one popular girl that is loved by all, and one girl who is a bit of a loner, gets bullied a lot, and lives in the shadow of her twin brother. Thankfully, this is really as far as clichés go for this book. Overall, this is a very enjoyable, slightly emotional, and uplifting novel. The struggles that the characters Harper and Sarah were dealing with really came through the pages. What I mean is, they had realistic qualities to them that honestly took me back to my high school days as everyone struggles with something at this age. Unfortunately for these two, the struggles were amplified by holding in secrets. More about this book…
I enjoyed both Harper and Sarah’s characters. Harper is the popular girl that everyone loves. She has an older sister that has taken her under her wing and turned her into the type of girl that she is. However, Harper has some secrets of her own. For one, her family problems really put strain on her and you can tell that she doesn’t feel entirely normal because of it. Even more, her relationships with boys has always been limited. Sure she has kissed boys and had relationships but they have never given her the butterflies that one is supposed to feel when they are with someone they truly like or love. Sarah on the other hand lives a drastically different life than Harper. Her parents are strict and extremely religious. Perhaps being brought up in this type of environment made Sarah a little more withdrawn. This is my take from the story anyway. In addition to this, Sarah has a twin brother and she essentially lives in his shadow. Her brother though is not a bad guy and instead is always there for Sarah- he invites her out to parties and is essentially always there for her when she needs it. However, even though he is also extremely popular like Harper, Sarah does get any of his limelight like one may think because they are twins. Instead, she is bullied, tormented, and totally ignored by his friends.
The plot in this book is great. Knowing a bit of the backstory on the characters shows just how more complicated it is for Harper and Sarah when the two start to develop feelings for one another. As we go through the story their relationship develops at a steady pace. The two don’t just jump into this relationship quickly rather, they take their time because both are afraid of their feelings. But they can’t deny them. And the struggles they face when they finally come out bring quite a bit more problems into their lives.
Overall, this is a really great book and I read it in a day because it’s a pretty fast paced read. Along with this the plot is interesting enough to hold your attention long enough to finish it in a few hours. The writing style in this book flows and the author tells her story like a pro. I had no problem with how the story was written and was happy to see that the book is told in both Sarah and Harpers POV. The drama in this book is just right and I am happy to say that we get out HEA in the end. In the future, I would definitely read more books by the author.
BOOK DETAILS
Published: March 2, 2016
Genre: YA F/F (lesbian) romance & coming of age
Type: Standalone
Recommendation: YES
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
You can find more reviews, sales, recommendations, and upcoming releases on my blog at www.prettylittlebookreviews.com
When I first saw the cover for this book I was intrigued. Then I read the blurb and knew this is a book I had to read. It’s a young adult (high school) coming of age story about two girls who are trying to navigate through high school in very different ways while also trying to understand their feelings for one another. Like a lot of YA books, this one has some clichés; one popular girl that is loved by all, and one girl who is a bit of a loner, gets bullied a lot, and lives in the shadow of her twin brother. Thankfully, this is really as far as clichés go for this book. Overall, this is a very enjoyable, slightly emotional, and uplifting novel. The struggles that the characters Harper and Sarah were dealing with really came through the pages. What I mean is, they had realistic qualities to them that honestly took me back to my high school days as everyone struggles with something at this age. Unfortunately for these two, the struggles were amplified by holding in secrets. More about this book…
I enjoyed both Harper and Sarah’s characters. Harper is the popular girl that everyone loves. She has an older sister that has taken her under her wing and turned her into the type of girl that she is. However, Harper has some secrets of her own. For one, her family problems really put strain on her and you can tell that she doesn’t feel entirely normal because of it. Even more, her relationships with boys has always been limited. Sure she has kissed boys and had relationships but they have never given her the butterflies that one is supposed to feel when they are with someone they truly like or love. Sarah on the other hand lives a drastically different life than Harper. Her parents are strict and extremely religious. Perhaps being brought up in this type of environment made Sarah a little more withdrawn. This is my take from the story anyway. In addition to this, Sarah has a twin brother and she essentially lives in his shadow. Her brother though is not a bad guy and instead is always there for Sarah- he invites her out to parties and is essentially always there for her when she needs it. However, even though he is also extremely popular like Harper, Sarah does get any of his limelight like one may think because they are twins. Instead, she is bullied, tormented, and totally ignored by his friends.
The plot in this book is great. Knowing a bit of the backstory on the characters shows just how more complicated it is for Harper and Sarah when the two start to develop feelings for one another. As we go through the story their relationship develops at a steady pace. The two don’t just jump into this relationship quickly rather, they take their time because both are afraid of their feelings. But they can’t deny them. And the struggles they face when they finally come out bring quite a bit more problems into their lives.
Overall, this is a really great book and I read it in a day because it’s a pretty fast paced read. Along with this the plot is interesting enough to hold your attention long enough to finish it in a few hours. The writing style in this book flows and the author tells her story like a pro. I had no problem with how the story was written and was happy to see that the book is told in both Sarah and Harpers POV. The drama in this book is just right and I am happy to say that we get out HEA in the end. In the future, I would definitely read more books by the author.
BOOK DETAILS
Published: March 2, 2016
Genre: YA F/F (lesbian) romance & coming of age
Type: Standalone
Recommendation: YES
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
You can find more reviews, sales, recommendations, and upcoming releases on my blog at www.prettylittlebookreviews.com
October 12, 2016
“If you only get one chance at happiness, you have to decide what you're willing to live with, and what you can live without.”This was... Wow. So much more than what I'd expected. It's a beautiful coming of age story about two different girls who find in each other something they weren't expecting.
First we have Harper, the most popular girl in her grade. Through her big sister's (the most popular girl in school) advices and guidance she knows what she needs to do to maintain her popularity. She knows how to act, who to hang out with, and who to date. So why does she feel this pull towards Sarah?
Then there's Sarah, an outcast, a loner who stutters, wears black makeup and is ostracized by pretty much everyone in school. She's used to it, so she definitely doesn't expect to gain any attention from the popular kids, especially not from someone like Harper.
“What do you do when something you always thought was wrong suddenly feels right?”After they meet on their first day of high school, neither can get the other off her mind, and what follows is a touching, exciting and also scary journey of self-discovery. They'll have to deal with their beliefs, fears and insecurities; with the pressure of fitting in, of needing their family's and friend's acceptance... And decide what they want for themselves and how much they'd be willing to risk to get it.
Shifting (third-person, which worked really well) narrative perspectives from chapter to chapter, the author effectively gives us an in-depth look into Harper's and Sarah's thoughts and emotions, often describing the same event from each girl's point of view.
I don't think I can name anything I didn't like about it, to be honest. It was fun at times, at others sad, exciting, sweet... I have read a few similar stories, yes, but I still greatly enjoyed this one. It just felt so real, so honest, with well-written, relatable and likable (or unlikable) main and secondary characters to make me love it even more.
I just recently came across the word unputdownable, and that's definitely an adjective I'd also use to describe this book! I woke up at 2:40 a.m. (having slept for less than 3 hours), and unable to get back to sleep, I started reading the first chapter thinking, you know, I'd get sleepy at some point... Spoiler alert: That did not happen. It just couldn't stop reading, quickly losing any hope of falling asleep again, haha. So yeah, that's a pretty accurate word for me.
Book provided by Ylva Publishing (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2016
Well written
I found the story told the lives of so many not just it's characters. The different groups of students trying to either fit in or not be seen, resonates with so many GLBQT people around the world even in this age and time when you would think the world was more advanced and accepting of our differences. Harper and Sarah's discovery of their emotions and their struggles to make the right choices is probably one of the hardest and harshest things young GLBQT people need to experience to find themselves. Unfortunately not everyone has a happy ending but life is not always happy. Great story, great characters.
I found the story told the lives of so many not just it's characters. The different groups of students trying to either fit in or not be seen, resonates with so many GLBQT people around the world even in this age and time when you would think the world was more advanced and accepting of our differences. Harper and Sarah's discovery of their emotions and their struggles to make the right choices is probably one of the hardest and harshest things young GLBQT people need to experience to find themselves. Unfortunately not everyone has a happy ending but life is not always happy. Great story, great characters.
March 24, 2016
The Space Between by Michelle L. Teichman is a young adult coming of age story. It follows the lives of two 9th grade girls that have different experiences entering high school. The journey is sweet, goofy and sometimes agonizing as they both venture into uncharted territory.
Harper Isabelle has been groomed for high school popularity. Her sister Bronte has paved the way for her to be the top female in her class. She knows how to act, what to wear, and what parties to attend to make sure everyone knows she in charge.
Sarah Jamieson is the high school loner, virtually speaking to no one besides her twin brother Tyler. For some reason this kid can’t catch a break. She hides behind makeup and purple tinged hair, to in a sense put up armor to protect herself from the barrage of insults hurled her way on a daily basis. Sarah is an artist who lives inside herself because facing the realities of high school are pretty awful.
The one thing I will tell you about reading this book if you are living with me in Grownupville, you must throw yourself back to being a 9th grader again. This is a true young adult book. If you are reading with the wisdom of age, you are going to struggle, but if you can relate to a high school freshman you will see the Teichman has written a brilliant YA story.
High school is easy for some kids, and devastating for others. For Harper being popular is at times a lot to manage. You have carefully built a house of cards that you must mange to stay on top of. While Harper struggles internally with how she really feels, she has it easy compared to Sarah. How such a sweet soul, could have zero friends is beyond me. Sarah’s being shy has virtually no one in her corner till she meets Harper. Their friendship is sweet and fun, but the transition into more than friends isn’t easy.
The only thing I really struggled with in this book is the dating threesome we had. I find it hard to believe that Sarah would double-cross her sibling to secretly date Harper. These siblings were very close, so for Sarah to betray, Tyler so deceptively was an issue that I got hung up on. Overall I thought this story was really remarkable and brilliantly written by Teichman.
Harper Isabelle has been groomed for high school popularity. Her sister Bronte has paved the way for her to be the top female in her class. She knows how to act, what to wear, and what parties to attend to make sure everyone knows she in charge.
Sarah Jamieson is the high school loner, virtually speaking to no one besides her twin brother Tyler. For some reason this kid can’t catch a break. She hides behind makeup and purple tinged hair, to in a sense put up armor to protect herself from the barrage of insults hurled her way on a daily basis. Sarah is an artist who lives inside herself because facing the realities of high school are pretty awful.
The one thing I will tell you about reading this book if you are living with me in Grownupville, you must throw yourself back to being a 9th grader again. This is a true young adult book. If you are reading with the wisdom of age, you are going to struggle, but if you can relate to a high school freshman you will see the Teichman has written a brilliant YA story.
High school is easy for some kids, and devastating for others. For Harper being popular is at times a lot to manage. You have carefully built a house of cards that you must mange to stay on top of. While Harper struggles internally with how she really feels, she has it easy compared to Sarah. How such a sweet soul, could have zero friends is beyond me. Sarah’s being shy has virtually no one in her corner till she meets Harper. Their friendship is sweet and fun, but the transition into more than friends isn’t easy.
The only thing I really struggled with in this book is the dating threesome we had. I find it hard to believe that Sarah would double-cross her sibling to secretly date Harper. These siblings were very close, so for Sarah to betray, Tyler so deceptively was an issue that I got hung up on. Overall I thought this story was really remarkable and brilliantly written by Teichman.
April 11, 2016
This brought me right back to highschool! This story really captures what it's like to be a teenager. As I read I remembered all the feelings and emotions I went through and felt like I was going through them all over again. The characters are so well fleshed out and the story has a great pace to it. I also liked how too much time wasn't spent on the secondary characters. I was worried when Tyler was introduced, but I liked how the writer didn't dwell on him and how we knew from the start that Harper never had feelings for him. I'm tired of reading about girls who always go back to guys or can't decide how they feel. This was a realistic coming of age story that dealt with real problems kids deal with at that age and it had a great ending! I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a real YA.
April 12, 2016
Everything’s great for Harper Isabelle, the most popular girl in grade nine. That is, until she meets Sarah Jamieson. Sarah is a reclusive artist, a loner who wears black makeup and doesn’t have any friends, but for some reason, Harper can’t stop thinking about her.
Sarah isn’t used to people looking her way, especially popular girls like Harper Isabelle. Scared, religious, and unsure of herself, when Sarah begins to realize that her feelings for Harper might go beyond friendship, she is afraid to take the plunge and tell Harper how she feels.
Emotions build between these young women until they both reach their breaking points, and they need to make a choice about coming to terms with who they really are, and what they can and cannot live without.
*I received digital copy from publisher through Netgalley, in exchange of review*
A heartbreaking, breathtaking novel of love, friendship and acceptance.
When I first came across novel, it was the cover and title that captured my attention. Cover is absolutely stunning and you can’t help but be curious about the story as well. Just look at it, the cover itself is as beautiful as the story was. Once I read summary for THE SPACE BETWEEN I had a feeling that it was going to end up a book that I was going to enjoy, but it was so much more. I have read GLBT novels before, but this was not what I had expected it to be, it turned out to be so much better than I expected it to be. It wasn’t long before I was hooked into Harper and Sarah’s story, and I felt that by mid of the book I knew them like they were my friends, and I found myself rooting for both of them. I thought that the first couple chapters started bit slow, like they were dragging a bit, but it picked up fast after that and once that it did, I did not want to put the book down. It’s not like I wanted what was going to happen next, with Sarah and Harper but I needed to find out what happens, I was hooked.
Sarah and Harper’s relationship was real, it felt realistic to me, the type of relationship that two of them is one I can see happening in real life, with someone who is not sure of their sexuality. That was the case for both of them. From moment that Sarah and Harper met, you could see that there was some sort of bond between the two of them, even if the two of them didn’t realize it at first. It didn’t even seem to Harper that Sarah wasn’t popular and that she was picked on, it didn’t stop Harper from wanting to be around her. I felt bad for Sarah, fact the she was bullied just because she looked, acted differently. Despite my mixed feelings about Tyler, I felt bad for him for what Sarah and Harper did to him, especially Sarah, considering how close they were. Though what Tyler did, was horrible as well. What Sarah and Harper had, that was love, most of all way they acted around each other. I wanted for them to end up together, and when they did, I was happy that they family got their happily after.
Everything that happened in THE SPACE BETWEEN was realistic or at least it felt realistic. That’s what teens go through most of time, in high school. Bullying, acceptance, popularity and some of them just like Sarah and Harper, struggle with their sexuality which keeps them from being with the person that they love. All through book, I wanted to see if Sarah would finally come to her senses, because I knew that Harper is the one that she wants to be with. I couldn’t get enough of the story, the characters. I am grateful that I had received this copy, for review. This was a first novel that I read by MICHELLE L.TEICHMAN and it won’t be the last one, I want to see what other adventures she has come up with. A novel that deserves more than 5 stars.
An astonishing, unique love story that you won’t forget.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2017
http://literary-lion.tumblr.com/ & https://aliterarylion.wordpress.com/!
Disclaimer: A free copy of this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Harper Isabelle has always been popular thanks to her big sister Bronte. Her life’s always been perfectly planned. That is until she meets Sarah Jamieson a weird loner with dark make-up who loves art. Sarah is used to being the outcast, she doesn’t need any friends. Despite their paths being set, both girls start to find something entirely new within each other.
The romance - which was what drew me to the book - is beautiful. It’s cheesy and over the top, but there’s definitely moments that touch the right tones. It goes from fluffy to steamy, but it’s got a tad more angst than I can appreciate. The dual POV also robbed the book of any suspense and made the book sort of frustrating because the reader could brush off each girls doubts immediately.
The characters themselves don’t really hold their own, Harper and Sarah have a bit of development but everyone else is bare bones. The popular girls are cruel, the boys want to get laid, and the older sister is bossy but loving. The characters are all pretty par for the course. Harper’s friendships are barely written in, we’re told she has friends and then they barely act it. Even Sarah and Harper, despite being the main couple, have relatively little characterization. Their love for each other is their defining trait. Sarah has a few interests but the girls never feel distinct.
The characters become a bigger issue when they fail to stay themselves within the vague boxes Teichman has established. Tyler becomes pushy and vicious whenever someone is needed to make waves in Sarah and Harper’s relationship. Bronte goes from sweet big sister to a monster in moments, and then after a stern five minute talk both Tyler and Bronte are good again. It just doesn’t feel realistic to have a character go from loving to trying to tear someone down and back to loving in such a short time span.
When it isn’t Tyler, something else is going wrong with Sarah and Harper. Literally everything you can imagine going wrong goes wrong. The behavior of the parents and other students makes the book feel dated at best and wildly hyperbolic at worst. It’s easy to believe that some people would react this way to two lesbians but the idea of an entire school - in 2016 - behaving this way is a little ridiculous. It felt like an exaggeration of the worst parts of high school. It felt like everything had to go wrong for Harper and Sarah just to move the story along, even if making things go wrong meant distorting characters entirely.
The ending was what dropped the rating for me. Sarah and Harper, both fourteen, get several pages of monologue each. The monologues don’t feel like something teenagers would say, or any person for that matter. It was preachy and the cheapest way to write the ending. The characters touch on all the themes of the story, and recite what they’ve learned. The author also feels the need to include a time skip which felt very unnecessary especially because it would have skipped over a lot of potential hurdles. An open ending would have served better.
The romance was good, representation is good, the story was not. Aside from a few moments it was an angst-filled drama-fest with bland characters and a weak resolution.
Disclaimer: A free copy of this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Harper Isabelle has always been popular thanks to her big sister Bronte. Her life’s always been perfectly planned. That is until she meets Sarah Jamieson a weird loner with dark make-up who loves art. Sarah is used to being the outcast, she doesn’t need any friends. Despite their paths being set, both girls start to find something entirely new within each other.
The romance - which was what drew me to the book - is beautiful. It’s cheesy and over the top, but there’s definitely moments that touch the right tones. It goes from fluffy to steamy, but it’s got a tad more angst than I can appreciate. The dual POV also robbed the book of any suspense and made the book sort of frustrating because the reader could brush off each girls doubts immediately.
The characters themselves don’t really hold their own, Harper and Sarah have a bit of development but everyone else is bare bones. The popular girls are cruel, the boys want to get laid, and the older sister is bossy but loving. The characters are all pretty par for the course. Harper’s friendships are barely written in, we’re told she has friends and then they barely act it. Even Sarah and Harper, despite being the main couple, have relatively little characterization. Their love for each other is their defining trait. Sarah has a few interests but the girls never feel distinct.
The characters become a bigger issue when they fail to stay themselves within the vague boxes Teichman has established. Tyler becomes pushy and vicious whenever someone is needed to make waves in Sarah and Harper’s relationship. Bronte goes from sweet big sister to a monster in moments, and then after a stern five minute talk both Tyler and Bronte are good again. It just doesn’t feel realistic to have a character go from loving to trying to tear someone down and back to loving in such a short time span.
When it isn’t Tyler, something else is going wrong with Sarah and Harper. Literally everything you can imagine going wrong goes wrong. The behavior of the parents and other students makes the book feel dated at best and wildly hyperbolic at worst. It’s easy to believe that some people would react this way to two lesbians but the idea of an entire school - in 2016 - behaving this way is a little ridiculous. It felt like an exaggeration of the worst parts of high school. It felt like everything had to go wrong for Harper and Sarah just to move the story along, even if making things go wrong meant distorting characters entirely.
The ending was what dropped the rating for me. Sarah and Harper, both fourteen, get several pages of monologue each. The monologues don’t feel like something teenagers would say, or any person for that matter. It was preachy and the cheapest way to write the ending. The characters touch on all the themes of the story, and recite what they’ve learned. The author also feels the need to include a time skip which felt very unnecessary especially because it would have skipped over a lot of potential hurdles. An open ending would have served better.
The romance was good, representation is good, the story was not. Aside from a few moments it was an angst-filled drama-fest with bland characters and a weak resolution.
July 5, 2016
A sweet YA romance. I particularly identified with Sarah because I grew up in exactly that kind of Ontario Evangelical church. I don't think YA is generally for me, but I'm glad I read this one.
Read my full joint review with Brooklyn here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/space...
Read my full joint review with Brooklyn here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/space...
March 22, 2016
First off: yes, it is nearly four in the morning. "Wow, Miriam. You must have really liked this book to stay up so late reading it?" Nah. It's more that I came off my meds this week and now I'm dealing with insomnia and nausea as well as the usual anxiety attacks, and not sleeping was making me panic more, so I decided to read. Which you should bear in mind. I read this book between 2am and 4am while feeling horrendous. My response may have been affected by this. I may be nocturnal but a lack of sleep still makes me grouchy.
And now for my response. I'm going to come right out and say it.
I'm officially an Old Fogey. I am too old to suspend my disbelief regarding YA novels. I cannot take a fifteen-year-old seriously when they claim that they're in love. I'm not entirely sure I ever could, but now, as an Old Person looking back on my teenagers from the other side of the big 20 (sarcasm: I'm not a real adult), I can't do it. I can't even pretend to believe it. I don't like the same music or fashions that I liked when I was that age, let alone any of the people I thought I would still be interested in five years later. Sure, I still have some of those friends. Any romantic interests, though... well, I don't even KNOW those people anymore. Half of them we haven't spoken since I was about seventeen. So I can't do it. I can't read about fifteen-year-olds in love because I don't believe it. I've only met one couple who stayed together through their teenage years (they're now engaged), and they have an adorable, domestic, visibly drama-free relationship that is the total opposite of YA romance.
Also I felt the urge to mumfriend everyone in this book. Ninth graders shouldn't be drinking and smoking and having sex all over the place. I don't care if it happens, it's a miserable state of affairs and I hate that this is the world we live in. I hate that girls who haven't even settled on a bra size yet feel pressured into have sex. I hate that the in-crowd of high school is a thing, although I fortunately avoided that after the age of about thirteen. I hate that this happens and I hated having to sit there and read about it happening.
The only saving grace of this book was the queer relationship and even that made me uncomfortable because as I said, fifteen-year-old girls declaring eternal love and feeling 'complete' for the first time because they've finally had an orgasm is NOT COOL WITH ME, okay?
This book wasn't subtle, in feelings, in behaviour, in dialogue. That isn't always a bad thing. I wasn't exactly in a position to appreciate subtle while fighting off ANOTHER 3am panic attack. But it just felt... clumsy. Heavy handed. Over the top, just like the declarations of love.
It was a welcome distraction from the inside of my own head and emotional enough to get me invested so that I could forget about how crappy I feel right now, emotionally-speaking, but that's probably all I can say for this one.
And now for my response. I'm going to come right out and say it.
I'm officially an Old Fogey. I am too old to suspend my disbelief regarding YA novels. I cannot take a fifteen-year-old seriously when they claim that they're in love. I'm not entirely sure I ever could, but now, as an Old Person looking back on my teenagers from the other side of the big 20 (sarcasm: I'm not a real adult), I can't do it. I can't even pretend to believe it. I don't like the same music or fashions that I liked when I was that age, let alone any of the people I thought I would still be interested in five years later. Sure, I still have some of those friends. Any romantic interests, though... well, I don't even KNOW those people anymore. Half of them we haven't spoken since I was about seventeen. So I can't do it. I can't read about fifteen-year-olds in love because I don't believe it. I've only met one couple who stayed together through their teenage years (they're now engaged), and they have an adorable, domestic, visibly drama-free relationship that is the total opposite of YA romance.
Also I felt the urge to mumfriend everyone in this book. Ninth graders shouldn't be drinking and smoking and having sex all over the place. I don't care if it happens, it's a miserable state of affairs and I hate that this is the world we live in. I hate that girls who haven't even settled on a bra size yet feel pressured into have sex. I hate that the in-crowd of high school is a thing, although I fortunately avoided that after the age of about thirteen. I hate that this happens and I hated having to sit there and read about it happening.
The only saving grace of this book was the queer relationship and even that made me uncomfortable because as I said, fifteen-year-old girls declaring eternal love and feeling 'complete' for the first time because they've finally had an orgasm is NOT COOL WITH ME, okay?
This book wasn't subtle, in feelings, in behaviour, in dialogue. That isn't always a bad thing. I wasn't exactly in a position to appreciate subtle while fighting off ANOTHER 3am panic attack. But it just felt... clumsy. Heavy handed. Over the top, just like the declarations of love.
It was a welcome distraction from the inside of my own head and emotional enough to get me invested so that I could forget about how crappy I feel right now, emotionally-speaking, but that's probably all I can say for this one.
March 1, 2017
Wow. I've had this book in my library TBR for a while when and I suddenly felt the need to go through my short contemporary reads. I wanted to start with this one as it seemed the least interesting to me. I had not read the back of the book so I didn't remember why I picked it up in the first place but the cover was beautiful. I had every intention of reading it in one day but as I started I quickly started to wonder how that was going to happen.
This book started out very slowly. So much so it came off as generic and uninteresting. It actually reminded me of No One Needs to Know. Both these books have the same premise but unlike the latter, The Space Between really captured the love and tragedy of this type of situation. 'No One Needs to Know' focused a lot more on the family dynamic between the siblings instead of the feelings the sister was developing for her brother's girlfriend. Because of that, I felt the friendship in that story was unbelievable and so the heartbreak you were meant to feel was just not there. Here the slow buildup actually worked in the author's favour. It solidified and built your understanding of the struggles with identity that both Harper and Sarah faced before anything ever happened between them. You grew as the story went with the characters and once things got more complicated, you were more invested in the outcomes then ever before. The books momentum picks up midway and it is beautiful and tragic. It properly explores the consequences of their secret when it gets out which 'No One Need to Know' didn't really do. Since this book addressed it better, I felt a bigger impact was made when the bill was due on all the lying and sneaking around. When it isn't done right, everything comes off as fake.
I have to mention that the next biggest thing that I loved about this book was that this story took place in Canada. More specifically in Toronto. I've not read any YA with Toronto as a setting and I think that is sad. This city has so much to offer and is so culturally diverse that I am surprised that it is not always a place of interests in book. Its like the New York of the north. Either way learning that the author is Canadian and that the places they discussed in the book were relevant to me was an added bonus. I loved that the characters were ones you were able to watch grow in places Ive actually travelled too.
The most beautiful quote is at the end of this book and it literally brought me to tears. I hope every one takes the chance to read this book. I know that I will probably have to go out and find a copy right after I finish this review because when a book goes from a possible DNF to a 4 star rating, it deserves a place on my shelf.
Happy Reading everyone.
This book started out very slowly. So much so it came off as generic and uninteresting. It actually reminded me of No One Needs to Know. Both these books have the same premise but unlike the latter, The Space Between really captured the love and tragedy of this type of situation. 'No One Needs to Know' focused a lot more on the family dynamic between the siblings instead of the feelings the sister was developing for her brother's girlfriend. Because of that, I felt the friendship in that story was unbelievable and so the heartbreak you were meant to feel was just not there. Here the slow buildup actually worked in the author's favour. It solidified and built your understanding of the struggles with identity that both Harper and Sarah faced before anything ever happened between them. You grew as the story went with the characters and once things got more complicated, you were more invested in the outcomes then ever before. The books momentum picks up midway and it is beautiful and tragic. It properly explores the consequences of their secret when it gets out which 'No One Need to Know' didn't really do. Since this book addressed it better, I felt a bigger impact was made when the bill was due on all the lying and sneaking around. When it isn't done right, everything comes off as fake.
I have to mention that the next biggest thing that I loved about this book was that this story took place in Canada. More specifically in Toronto. I've not read any YA with Toronto as a setting and I think that is sad. This city has so much to offer and is so culturally diverse that I am surprised that it is not always a place of interests in book. Its like the New York of the north. Either way learning that the author is Canadian and that the places they discussed in the book were relevant to me was an added bonus. I loved that the characters were ones you were able to watch grow in places Ive actually travelled too.
The most beautiful quote is at the end of this book and it literally brought me to tears. I hope every one takes the chance to read this book. I know that I will probably have to go out and find a copy right after I finish this review because when a book goes from a possible DNF to a 4 star rating, it deserves a place on my shelf.
Happy Reading everyone.
May 15, 2017
I absolutely adored this young adult book were unpopular girl meets popular girl and they both struggle to figure out just exactly what this new thing between them is. The realization that they are gay is well fleshed out, and a lot of aspects in this book is easily relate-able about coming out while still in school and under your parents roof. My heart ached it's way through this book, it may just be because I'm a colossal wimp, but I found it tear jerking and sweet, oh so sweet. A side note is that there is a bit of telling in the beginning, but once it starts it's just way too good to pass up, especially for the young reader. There is some very good life lessons between the binds!
April 29, 2016
Loved it
This book reminded me of high school and my first love. It was written so well and with so much feeling it was hard to put down. If you are thinking of passing on this book because it's about high school kids please reconsider. You won't regret reading this book.
This book reminded me of high school and my first love. It was written so well and with so much feeling it was hard to put down. If you are thinking of passing on this book because it's about high school kids please reconsider. You won't regret reading this book.
April 21, 2016
With the help of her older sister, Harper Isabelle becomes the most popular girl in grade nine. Meanwhile, Sarah Jamieson is the complete opposite of Harper. For some reason, she can't get Sarah off her mind and vice versa. The two become friends and develop feelings for each other beyond friendship. The problem is they keep their relationship a secret and Harper starts to date Sarah's twin brother, Tyler.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely and getting to know its characters. The author touches on a myriad of topics such as bullying, religion, peer pressure and love. We find out that there is more to Harper than just the popular girl and that she never felt much attraction to the boys she dated. Then there is Sarah, who's been quite the loner since she was in school and is extremely religious because it's the way she's been brought up. Tyler has a few nice qualities about him but for most of the book, I didn't like him.
Harper and Sarah's love story and struggles were well-written in a non-boring way. I'm glad that the author didn't really delve too much into the religion aspect. Overall, it was a nice read and I am looking forward to more books from this author.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-g5
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely and getting to know its characters. The author touches on a myriad of topics such as bullying, religion, peer pressure and love. We find out that there is more to Harper than just the popular girl and that she never felt much attraction to the boys she dated. Then there is Sarah, who's been quite the loner since she was in school and is extremely religious because it's the way she's been brought up. Tyler has a few nice qualities about him but for most of the book, I didn't like him.
Harper and Sarah's love story and struggles were well-written in a non-boring way. I'm glad that the author didn't really delve too much into the religion aspect. Overall, it was a nice read and I am looking forward to more books from this author.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-g5
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2016
When I first read the description of this book, I thought to myself that I had read a similar premise somewhere before. The writing is awkwardly tacky, I think the author did this on purpose so that her target audiences (aka teenagers) could easily find a relatable route. Don't get me wrong, there is no problem with the editing, the writing isn't bad, the dialogues, the description, they are all easy to read. The writing simply has a juvenile feel to them.
If I am a few years younger than I am now, I think I would immensely enjoy this book. Yet, I don't think my high school life would be as exciting as the high schools in these types of fiction. I never experience nor witness the idea of belonged in a group where everyone follow the most popular person in school, nor do I know of a school where smoking, drinking, and doing drug would be such a common thing. My high school year is so peaceful that it's borderline boring, that or I am simply ignorance of all the drama around me. That would be a shame since I missed out on all the fun.
Amazingly enough, despite knowing exactly where the story is gonna head, I spent most of my time reading the book continuously day and night; I basically finished it in one go. I definitely recommend this to young readers.
My only negative remark about the story is the idea of dragging out their love for so long (It's understandable, they're young, and all these feelings are new). They are so afraid to tell, to feel, to experience, to be honest, they are such cowards. In those kinds of situation, as a reader, I want to scream at the top of my lung (especially at Sarah) to hurry up and make up her mind already. I think that is the only reason why I tend to avoid YA, because they are just so frustratingly frustrated (is that even a word?).
The whole book is a 3.5 stars for me, but I rounded it up because the story deserved it.
If I am a few years younger than I am now, I think I would immensely enjoy this book. Yet, I don't think my high school life would be as exciting as the high schools in these types of fiction. I never experience nor witness the idea of belonged in a group where everyone follow the most popular person in school, nor do I know of a school where smoking, drinking, and doing drug would be such a common thing. My high school year is so peaceful that it's borderline boring, that or I am simply ignorance of all the drama around me. That would be a shame since I missed out on all the fun.
Amazingly enough, despite knowing exactly where the story is gonna head, I spent most of my time reading the book continuously day and night; I basically finished it in one go. I definitely recommend this to young readers.
My only negative remark about the story is the idea of dragging out their love for so long (It's understandable, they're young, and all these feelings are new). They are so afraid to tell, to feel, to experience, to be honest, they are such cowards. In those kinds of situation, as a reader, I want to scream at the top of my lung (especially at Sarah) to hurry up and make up her mind already. I think that is the only reason why I tend to avoid YA, because they are just so frustratingly frustrated (is that even a word?).
The whole book is a 3.5 stars for me, but I rounded it up because the story deserved it.
May 12, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day. I just couldn't wait to find out what would happen to the characters. It reminded me so much of my own high school experience, and of the people who walk in and out of our lives that for those few years, seem like the most important people in the world, and it is all but impossible to imagine a life beyond high school. Every embarrassment, every accomplishment, and every bit of anguished torment that the characters feel was so real that you really felt like you were in the moment and along on their journey with them. Michelle has a funny way of describing every day situations that makes you laugh, and then two minutes later you're holding back tears for the same characters, which is so true of real life. This story is a must-read for LGBT teens and young adults going through the same thoughts and feelings as our heroine, Harper. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew the characters so intimately, and I love that the author included an epilogue, so that her readers know how it all turns out. Just like real life, there is anguish, joy, heartache, and the unexpected around every turn, and this book captured that absolutely. I can't wait for her next book!
March 1, 2016
I think the writer captures very well the different dynamics in high school; the cool kids, the not so cool kids, and she really gives a good grasp of how each person feels. The characters’ emotions were very strong, not just how they feel for each other but about themselves and their lives. The writer did a great job of showing their insecurities, which made them very relatable. Reading this book made me feel young again. I thoroughly enjoyed how the curriculum they were leaning in school related to the characters’ journey. I have a crush on Harper, she was such a real and wonderful character. I think this book is helpful to youth, not just LGBT because of how well it covers the social standings, it truly speaks to everyone in that age bracket.
November 1, 2024
i just finished this today. (audio) and wow. this was not what i expected. it was seriously adorable and the longing and angst and gave me so many feels. if you had your first love at such a young age and had to go through dealing with coming out in high school. this is a great read! and Abby Craden took this to another level. i FELT these girls so much. i got choked up so many times. i wanted to hug them both so hard. i fucking adore this story.
March 1, 2016
I simply could not put this captivating book down; I felt so immersed in the emotions of the characters that I just had to finish it quickly. Like other reviewers, I felt like I was back in high school. The characters were well developed and the plot was both realistic and entertaining. Much like actual high school events, I was never certain where the story would go, and as it twisted through the ups and downs I found myself thinking "Ok, I'll just read one more chapter." This was the first of Teichman's books I have read and I'm very eager to read both her previous book as well as whatever comes next!
February 4, 2019
This is everything I ever wanted.
I've read countless heterosexual romances involving high school, drama, popularity, and everything in-between. They're everywhere. Don't believe me? Look at every high-read Wattpad story ever. Don't get me wrong, I love that stuff too, but I've never read a high-school based girl x girl romance contemporary. And I need more. Desperately. I think we all agree that the focus on heterosexual couples and, to some degree, boy x boy romances are too much. If you look on popular Goodreads books in the LGBTQ+ category, almost all of them feature a gay romance. C'mon guys, I just want more lesbian goodness okay? Is that too much to ask?
I've read countless heterosexual romances involving high school, drama, popularity, and everything in-between. They're everywhere. Don't believe me? Look at every high-read Wattpad story ever. Don't get me wrong, I love that stuff too, but I've never read a high-school based girl x girl romance contemporary. And I need more. Desperately. I think we all agree that the focus on heterosexual couples and, to some degree, boy x boy romances are too much. If you look on popular Goodreads books in the LGBTQ+ category, almost all of them feature a gay romance. C'mon guys, I just want more lesbian goodness okay? Is that too much to ask?
March 1, 2016
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down - I had to know where Harper and Sarah's journey would take them! And like any great love story you won't be disappointed. The author's ability to write real characters was definitely a stand out point for me. I think she did an amazing job of capturing characters that were flawed, yet likable and relatable. Both Harper and Sarah's inner struggles to overcome their fear and lead an authentic life is something teenagers, and even adults, can all relate to. I can't wait to read more from Michelle Teichman!
May 6, 2016
I loved this book! As soon as I started reading I was hooked. I wanted to know more about Harper and Sarah’s story. The author is such an amazing storyteller, I found myself staying up late because I just could not put this book down. I don’t want to say much about the story because I truly think readers need to experience this great book on their own. But I will tell you this, The Space Between is a MUST read!
March 26, 2016
Welcome to Ylva Publishing's newest lesbian YA contemporary. The Space Between is basically your quintessential "high school is hell" YA novel, with a cruel Popular Crowd, the Uncool Girl who the Super Popular One finds themselves strangely drawn to and eventually falls for, the inevitable lying to the rest of the Crowd, the Super's downfall, and the happy ending because True Love is Cooler than All That High School Court Bullshit. EXCEPT! The Super in this is played by Daisy Ridley instead of... oh, Lord, I don't even know any boy actors to put here. Leo? That's who it was back in my day (and I didn't like him that way until this year! Whatever, y'all know I have a type.)
WHAT WAS I SAYING. Anyway: my point is that this takes a pretty common YA-and-teen-movie trope and does it thoroughly and with nuance in f/f (set in Toronto), and personally I think there won't be balance in the force until every single happy ending trope of all time has been done repeatedly with two women -- lots of different types of women. Over and over. Because every worn trope with straight people is just one more gated garden women-loving women just haven't gotten to step inside.
The two girls in this book--the Popular Girl and the Uncool Girl--make a lot of mistakes while trying to figure out how the hell to love each other or even make friends in the first place, but they get there eventually. Canadian author Michelle L. Teichman did a great job of depicting a popular high school clique as a vicious, competitive trap, and if indeed things are really like that I'm grateful I was always just one of the orchestra nerds. You may find this book frustrating if characters not believing each other grates on you, but I promise everything works out.
The Uncool Girl's father is a Protestant minister, and her family are serious Christians, although the Christian presence in the book is somewhat mild and her self esteem issues loom larger than her worries about homosexuality being a sin. I appreciated how the voice of reason at the end came from within faith rather than suggesting that only abandoning it would bring her peace, although I completely understand how some other people may have found that meaningful and resonant instead. Trigger warning for some homophobic babble from the Uncool Girl's father during one of his sermons--honestly, that was our fucking book, first, so please put it down and back away slowly with your hands where I can see them if that's all you can think to do with it. *Southern Belle flounce*
Maybe this is a dipshit compliment but I like the fact that Cool Girl was the brunette and the goth-dressing Uncool Girl had blonde hair, because I feel like so many people assume all popular girls are blonde and nobody who's blonde could ever possibly be an outcast. As a blonde, thin middle school outcast: kids are just weird and sometimes they just do what they do for no reason. Also I really, really like the way some of the messier loose ends got tied up in this one while still leaving enough ragged bits to be realistic.
I was in this book once, in the sense that I had a really hard time coming out "all the way" when I was younger. I was out to most of my friends and online but not to my family, and that was stressful as hell and insulting to the person who is now my spouse. So every time the Uncool Girl was like "I need more time" I totally got it. I also got how hard that was for Cool Girl. I hope kids who are still wrestling with that find validation in this kind of representation. (And you know what? I don't think the book makes it clear whether or not Uncool Girl has come out to her parents even three years later as the girls are about to leave for college together, and that's good because coming out is not safe for everyone and it's important for those kids to be validated, heard, and represented, too.)
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
WHAT WAS I SAYING. Anyway: my point is that this takes a pretty common YA-and-teen-movie trope and does it thoroughly and with nuance in f/f (set in Toronto), and personally I think there won't be balance in the force until every single happy ending trope of all time has been done repeatedly with two women -- lots of different types of women. Over and over. Because every worn trope with straight people is just one more gated garden women-loving women just haven't gotten to step inside.
The two girls in this book--the Popular Girl and the Uncool Girl--make a lot of mistakes while trying to figure out how the hell to love each other or even make friends in the first place, but they get there eventually. Canadian author Michelle L. Teichman did a great job of depicting a popular high school clique as a vicious, competitive trap, and if indeed things are really like that I'm grateful I was always just one of the orchestra nerds. You may find this book frustrating if characters not believing each other grates on you, but I promise everything works out.
The Uncool Girl's father is a Protestant minister, and her family are serious Christians, although the Christian presence in the book is somewhat mild and her self esteem issues loom larger than her worries about homosexuality being a sin. I appreciated how the voice of reason at the end came from within faith rather than suggesting that only abandoning it would bring her peace, although I completely understand how some other people may have found that meaningful and resonant instead. Trigger warning for some homophobic babble from the Uncool Girl's father during one of his sermons--honestly, that was our fucking book, first, so please put it down and back away slowly with your hands where I can see them if that's all you can think to do with it. *Southern Belle flounce*
Maybe this is a dipshit compliment but I like the fact that Cool Girl was the brunette and the goth-dressing Uncool Girl had blonde hair, because I feel like so many people assume all popular girls are blonde and nobody who's blonde could ever possibly be an outcast. As a blonde, thin middle school outcast: kids are just weird and sometimes they just do what they do for no reason. Also I really, really like the way some of the messier loose ends got tied up in this one while still leaving enough ragged bits to be realistic.
I was in this book once, in the sense that I had a really hard time coming out "all the way" when I was younger. I was out to most of my friends and online but not to my family, and that was stressful as hell and insulting to the person who is now my spouse. So every time the Uncool Girl was like "I need more time" I totally got it. I also got how hard that was for Cool Girl. I hope kids who are still wrestling with that find validation in this kind of representation. (And you know what? I don't think the book makes it clear whether or not Uncool Girl has come out to her parents even three years later as the girls are about to leave for college together, and that's good because coming out is not safe for everyone and it's important for those kids to be validated, heard, and represented, too.)
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 18, 2016
Okay.. real talk, I was drawn to this book initially because of the cover. I know that's horrible and you aren't suppose to "judge a book by its cover" but I just thought it was beautiful and so different.
But then I read the description of this book and I was super excited to read it. Yes it's YA (young adult) but I am actually a reader who loves most any genre and sometimes I NEED a good YA book to "cleanse my palate" after too many sexy adult reads.
"...appearances can be deceiving, and people aren't always what we assume them to be."
The Space Between is about the journey that is 'high school'- popularity, being accepted, and then the most important thing when you are that age, being different. In this case, being different includes sticking up for the "unpopular kids" and exploring your sexuality even if that attraction leads you to the same sex.
"Popularity was a kill or be killed sport, and for the first time she was tired of the game."
Harper is nervous, like most teenagers, for her first day of school. Thankfully she has her older, popular sister Bronte to help her (I gotta say I LOVE the names in this book) adjust and tell her the ins and outs of high school.
Harper meets Sarah on the first day of school and although she isn't in the "popular crowd," and she gets made fun of for the way she dresses and her slight stutter, Harper can't help but be drawn to her.
Sarah usually hates girls like Harper; their instant popularity and the fact that they seem to get everything they want in life. She has a pretty big chip on her shoulder, dealing with the fact that her twin brother is also instantly popular and that genetically he "got all the good, leaving her with shit." But the more time she is thrown together with Harper the more she realizes that she isn't like all the other rude and obnoxious kids she has grown up around.
"What if we don't have a choice in who we love."
This is a beautiful coming of age story about first love and dealing with the realization that you are gay and then coming out to your friends and family. This was my first book by Michelle L. Teichman, but I really enjoyed her writing and the flow of this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
"Love is never wrong."
But then I read the description of this book and I was super excited to read it. Yes it's YA (young adult) but I am actually a reader who loves most any genre and sometimes I NEED a good YA book to "cleanse my palate" after too many sexy adult reads.
"...appearances can be deceiving, and people aren't always what we assume them to be."
The Space Between is about the journey that is 'high school'- popularity, being accepted, and then the most important thing when you are that age, being different. In this case, being different includes sticking up for the "unpopular kids" and exploring your sexuality even if that attraction leads you to the same sex.
"Popularity was a kill or be killed sport, and for the first time she was tired of the game."
Harper is nervous, like most teenagers, for her first day of school. Thankfully she has her older, popular sister Bronte to help her (I gotta say I LOVE the names in this book) adjust and tell her the ins and outs of high school.
Harper meets Sarah on the first day of school and although she isn't in the "popular crowd," and she gets made fun of for the way she dresses and her slight stutter, Harper can't help but be drawn to her.
Sarah usually hates girls like Harper; their instant popularity and the fact that they seem to get everything they want in life. She has a pretty big chip on her shoulder, dealing with the fact that her twin brother is also instantly popular and that genetically he "got all the good, leaving her with shit." But the more time she is thrown together with Harper the more she realizes that she isn't like all the other rude and obnoxious kids she has grown up around.
"What if we don't have a choice in who we love."
This is a beautiful coming of age story about first love and dealing with the realization that you are gay and then coming out to your friends and family. This was my first book by Michelle L. Teichman, but I really enjoyed her writing and the flow of this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
"Love is never wrong."
March 25, 2016
The Space Between had everything to be the kind of book I love. A popular girl falls in love with a punk girl and secretly start to date and be super cute together? I was so into this when I first read the summary.
Unfortunately, halfway through the book I realized this was definitely not the book I was hoping for. Maybe someone who doesn't read LGBT books all the time would like this, but I'm exhausted of the same tropes being used over and over again in F/F YA books. Stop making lesbians date guys just because society is forcing them to do that. I don't want to read about that, it makes me uncomfortable and I've read this trope a hundred times already.
Another thing that bothered me was how in the end the characters started to feel flat and not talk like their age anymore. Especially in the last pages we had this full on declarations of love and how they understood so much more of life now that just sounded too forced. No 14/15 years old thinks and talks like that.
I also wished we had more of Jen and Bronte in the story. It would have added so much more interesting scenes to have Harper receiving support from the people she loved. But no, let's spend so many pages with Tyler being an asshole. Honestly, he pratically tried to get his girlfriend drunk to sleep with her. This is gross.
The good parts were all more in the beginning when Harper and Sarah were first falling in love and it was so cute. Why can't we focus more on that instead of so many pages of forcing Harper to be with a guy she didn't want to?
This book had a good promise that could have worked so much better if it was done in a different direction from where the writer was trying to take the story.
Unfortunately, halfway through the book I realized this was definitely not the book I was hoping for. Maybe someone who doesn't read LGBT books all the time would like this, but I'm exhausted of the same tropes being used over and over again in F/F YA books. Stop making lesbians date guys just because society is forcing them to do that. I don't want to read about that, it makes me uncomfortable and I've read this trope a hundred times already.
Another thing that bothered me was how in the end the characters started to feel flat and not talk like their age anymore. Especially in the last pages we had this full on declarations of love and how they understood so much more of life now that just sounded too forced. No 14/15 years old thinks and talks like that.
I also wished we had more of Jen and Bronte in the story. It would have added so much more interesting scenes to have Harper receiving support from the people she loved. But no, let's spend so many pages with Tyler being an asshole. Honestly, he pratically tried to get his girlfriend drunk to sleep with her. This is gross.
The good parts were all more in the beginning when Harper and Sarah were first falling in love and it was so cute. Why can't we focus more on that instead of so many pages of forcing Harper to be with a guy she didn't want to?
This book had a good promise that could have worked so much better if it was done in a different direction from where the writer was trying to take the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
⭐ 3,5 stars ⭐
"That's where I'll be waiting for you then. In the space between what's wrong and right."
My heart hurts thinking about how people around the world struggle with not being able to (openly) love the same sex. It hurts even more to think about young people and their struggles with this just because of the anxiety regarding their family, friends or school friends. I strive for a world, where it's considered normal for loving the same sex because it is!!!!
I liked the book, I couldn't stop reading it but I felt awkward that the protagonists are so young, like they are 14/15 years old and doing so many... stuff - I don't mean that they get to know themselves, their body and sexual orientation better, but while reading I sometimes forgot that they were so young because of their behaviour and way of thinking. Maybe I'm too old and don't know how the newest generation is thinking or what they are doing.
What I didn't like is how the story started and ended. The beginning reminded me of love at the first sight and well... I don't know. Regarding the ending, I have so many questions like what is with their parents? How was their school years? What did they experience there and with their "friends"? How did school handled everything?? Where did they get the money to buy their home???
Nevertheless this book is important. In so many ways. It also covers topics like religion, bullying, toxic friendships and fitting in, especially being the way your family and friends want while forgetting yourself.
"They'd been able to find each other over and over again, until finally, the space between them was no more."
"That's where I'll be waiting for you then. In the space between what's wrong and right."
My heart hurts thinking about how people around the world struggle with not being able to (openly) love the same sex. It hurts even more to think about young people and their struggles with this just because of the anxiety regarding their family, friends or school friends. I strive for a world, where it's considered normal for loving the same sex because it is!!!!
I liked the book, I couldn't stop reading it but I felt awkward that the protagonists are so young, like they are 14/15 years old and doing so many... stuff - I don't mean that they get to know themselves, their body and sexual orientation better, but while reading I sometimes forgot that they were so young because of their behaviour and way of thinking. Maybe I'm too old and don't know how the newest generation is thinking or what they are doing.
What I didn't like is how the story started and ended. The beginning reminded me of love at the first sight and well... I don't know. Regarding the ending, I have so many questions like what is with their parents? How was their school years? What did they experience there and with their "friends"? How did school handled everything?? Where did they get the money to buy their home???
Nevertheless this book is important. In so many ways. It also covers topics like religion, bullying, toxic friendships and fitting in, especially being the way your family and friends want while forgetting yourself.
"They'd been able to find each other over and over again, until finally, the space between them was no more."
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