Unfortunately, I chose to mark this book as DNF (did not finish) very quickly after starting it. For some reason, the synopsis does not mention the relationship (or perceived one) between the MC and one of her teacher's, and while she is rejected, it still feels odd to leave this part out of the synopsis. Had I known this aspect of the story, I probably would not have requested/chosen to read this book. While I understand from the synopsis and other reviews of this book that this is not the main focus, and another relationship comes to the forefront of the story, I already did not like how this part of the story was written and handled, and the main character's reaction to being rejected by her teacher (or well, finding out he's dating someone else), already made me realize this narrator and story aren't for me. She felt over the top/dramatic, and some of the insults she slung at the teacher's fiancé were ridiculous and disgusting. Maybe she grows throughout the book, but this set up just did not draw me in at all, it just repelled me instead.

Considering the mixed reviews on this one, I ended up liking it much more than I expected, especially because there was much not to like about the main character and there was so much to like about poor Wade. But I'm glad I gave it a chance and continued reading to the end because it was worth spending time and getting to the end. It honestly felt very realistic to me, and those who complained about her behavior with her teacher have to remember that she had a rather sketchy upbringing with both her parents and she was 15, which is really not that old. And the bottom line is that her teacher never behaved inappropriately with her and although her mind conflated the attention the teacher gave her to be so much more, I could see that happening in a teen who has had a really unstable upbringing. I was surprised by how much I sympathized with her because Grace was NOT a likable person and definitely made a lot of bad choices. But the fault of their relationship was not entirely due to her actions (egregious though she was), although I wouldn't go so far as to say it was partly Wade's fault either. Yeah, okay, I really liked Wade. Also, Anju was not a big character, but I really liked her and although she was in some ways used as a plot element, I felt like she was given her own space to be who she was, and ultimately Grace had to decide what she wanted to do with it.

There is definitely bad language, but it's nothing worse than what I've heard among the teens today. The teachers generally correct the students, so again, nothing unusual. Sex is a topic as well, but umm...they're teens. So yeah, there's going to be some sex, although I daresay there is a lot more talk than there is action much of the time, lol. Overall, I ended up really liking this one; for me, the author made me respect and feel sympathy for Grace as a person in her own right and yes, I was definitely cheering her on as she started making more mature decisions. I also liked what became of her and Derek. As for the thing with Wade's family--well, that part was pretty predictable (the signs were all there), I like how that ended up being resolved--without revealing any spoilers, I liked Grace's role in it and how it ended up affecting how she saw her own family.

One other thing--I've heard comparisons to other great authors, but I tend to ignore those comparisons because people see what they want to see. Personally, I just enjoyed this book about an unlikable girl who, in my opinion, becomes more likable at the end. Not necessarily because she's changed in a fundamental way (which would be unrealistic) but because she's started maturing. I'm glad I ended up giving this book a chance, even with the negative reviews.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4 1/2

Slingshot by Mercedes Helnwein is probably one of the most, if not the most, complicated young adult novel I’ve read this year and certainly in recent memory. And I mean that in the best possible way as Helnwein has created characters in Grace and Wade who are having to deal with secret, harsh pains in a world where different is ridiculed and bullied. The plot is, at first glance, simple but as the reader moves forward through the novel, we understand that nothing is simple in the world of Slingshot.

I imagine that the first obstacle for many readers of ya novels with their typical either perfect or sullen main characters will be the character of Grace who is frequently jarring. Oh, yeah, Grace can be hard to take even with a lump of sugar. But. But, she grows on you as much as she makes you cringe. She’s high strung, emotional, and walking on a proverbial tight-rope. And the things she says and does can sometimes make you want to crawl into yourself.

And then she falls in first love with Wade, a boy who is sweet, respectful, smart, and hiding his own painful secret, until an event occurs that makes Grace backtrack.

Slingshot is very much a character-driven novel, and these characters, especially Grace, are not the ones we typically expect from ya, even hard-edged ya. That, for me, is what makes this novel work so well. Grace’s reactions are real. They arise from that deep animal passion we have inside ourselves that we either let out to play or hide away. She does the things we sometimes think about but would never do. Enacts the revenge we considered on a dark day and then wishes she hadn’t, but one can never take back the actions that one has performed. One must live with the consequences and hope for better.

This is one of the few ya novels that I’ve thought I would like to see a sequel to, perhaps in about ten years, to see where Grace and Wade wind up, who they become. One of the things I love about ya novels is that we see young people on the cusp of great decisions that will forever change their lives, regardless of whether they make the huge decisions or not. And with the better written ya novels where the characters matter and not just the plot, I want to know where they end up in their 20s.

While I sometimes had difficulties with Grace and understand why and why she was written the way she was, I do recommend Slingshot with the caveat that if you are used to reading typical ya novels, that you store your preconceived notions and conventions away for this one. I think by doing that, you will have a greater appreciation of this complex novel.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

This story was both good and middle of the road. This is a coming of age story for sure. I did not enjoy the teenage angst but if you do, you will enjoy this. I was not expecting this to be a romance but it was very calculated. I would recommend if you want a good quick read.

dnf at 100 pages

I have not being having the best luck with my arcs recently. First Down Comes the Night and now this? Unfortunately, its been a lot harder to capture my attention recently so this might even be no fault of the book itself. But at the same time, I feel like even without my reading slump this book is just not for me.

I won't go into a full review of why I didn't love it, because that doesn't feel fair considering I didn't give it a full chance to redeem itself. However, I am pretty sure that I wouldn't have enjoyed it even then for a few reasons.

The book started with the protagonist being angry that her teacher, who she thought was her soulmate, had a fiancée. Yeah... not my thing. Then the characters who were meant to be 15 were acting like they were 18 and I was turned off even more. I personally am not a fan of reading about excessive smoking, drinking, swearing etc. I therefore was not a fan of the protagonist.

I have also seen some sock puppet reviews of this book which lessens my respect for this book and its author.

I would recommend reading reviews from other people who finished it to get a better picture of the entire story. There will probably be some people who will enjoy this book, but I can't help but think that it will be a very niche audience.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for this ARC

Release Date: 27 April 2021

There are parts of this book I liked and parts I didn't. The storyline was good, but wasn't a romance as much as a coming of age story. Grace is the outsider at a low-tier boarding school in Florida, her single mother is still somehow involved with her father, who has a first family in Beverly Hills, but pays for Grace's tuition and is somewhat present on his own terms. She meets Wade when he is being bullied and she pulls out her slingshot and hits the bully, Derek, and they become fast friends.

And then spring break happens and most of the students leave school, but not everyone. Grace decides to take cool-kid Beth's advice and makes a choice that she has to have known would not go over well.

Grace's super smart, super sarcastic personality was a little much at times, as was Wade's also super smart, but also amazingly open and kind, character. Everyone was a little too. Too much. Too clever. Too honest about their feelings in ways I don't think people are.

And, honestly, I'm not sure how Beth's character even became a thing. She is there to give Grace cigarettes and bad advice and then later admits to not knowing what she's talking about. And then she sort of disappears.

So, this book gets a 3-star meh rating from me. It's not terrible, but it's nothing to write home about. I can see a lot of readers not liking the ending, even if they love everything else (and I know a lot of readers will revel in Grace's snarkiness).

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really tried to get through this one, but I could not STAND the main character.

At the beginning I was really confused about her age because some of the thoughts she had felt literally like a middle schooler thought them? Then I realized she was a senior(?) in high school and wow. It just felt really off to me.

I am unfortunately DNFing this one. I've basically been in a year-long reading slump and can't get myself to reading anything unless I'm absolutely in love with it.

Normally unlikable characters really don't bother me much, but something about her attitude really irked me.

Regardless, won't be finishing this one. If you're interested in reading this, def give it a try! It just didn't work for me.

I really, really wanted to like this book. It had all the elements that I usually love – boarding school setting, a good love interest that genuinely felt three dimensional, and a strong MC narrator. I had hopes for this book going in, and was pretty disappointed in what I found.

First off, we’re introduced to the MC and narrator, Gracie. It’s immediately established from page 1 that this fifteen/sixteen year old girl (I was stunned to find out later she’s only 15 at the beginning) is “in love” with her biology teacher. The voice seemed immature and condescending to all the other students, calling them a “raging hormonal bloodbath that was the majority of life at school”. Now, I’ve never been to a boarding school, but I was recently a teenager, and I definitely wouldn’t call it that. Another time she says she considers the students “juvenile and moronic in their pursuit of amusement,” which sounds especially harsher when you realize she’s simply talking about the dormitory common room crowded with students. Gracie seemed to take the “I’m not like other girls” trope to the extremes. She trashes on girls who eat more than salads and talks about “always eating the wrong meal.” Basically, it felt like reading some giant high school stereotype.

We’re supposed to root for her and the love interest, but I just could not get behind her decisions. I won’t spoil anything, but the choices she makes had me so annoyed I almost felt that the love interest deserved someone more respectful of his time.

NOW, this being said, I did read the entire book because the love interest, Wade, was written very well. He had a tragic backstory that slowly revealed and seemed like a genuine person that I was rooting for more than the actual MC. I loved his character and needed to find out what happened in the end.

Overall, I feel like the synopsis of this story was a tad misleading. Some of the events mentioned are glossed over, and a big part of the synopsis only happens at the very end. I was let down by the ending and felt slightly betrayed in where it had been leading to. The witty banter and Wade’s character were the key points of this novel, thus my 1 star.

I enjoyed this book. It was a lot of fun even if I got super frustrated with the characters. I think most fans of YA would like this one.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the digital arc. THIS BOOK IS BRILLIANT. If I had only had this book as a teen— but I enjoyed it now as an adult. The writing is top-notch. The characterization is not easy. But it is heart-breaking, funny, well-observed, relevant, and poignant. There are kids out there who need this book. John Green meets Sally Rooney. I don’t think the cover does this any favors, as it makes it seem a lot lighter than it is, when this is just so real, tear your heart out, visceral, teen need. This book!

This was a really interesting read. I don't usually pick up YA but this book just blew the genre out of the water because it was so unexpected. It heeds to the thoughts running through our heads and what we think at certain times even if they are weird or unexpected to other people.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the earc in return for an honest review.

Not what I expected, but not in a bad way. I love a good contemporary filled with romance and this is definitely all that and more. In addition to an emotion-filled romance story, there is plenty of other drama in Grace's life that brings about twists and turns in this story.

One this I have to mention is about the ending. It's no cliffhanger but be warned because not all the strings are tied up and though I know it can be meaningful to leave it somewhat open-ended, I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

So what kind of story is this? If you're looking for a coming-of-age novel with romance, drama, and heart-clenching emotions of someone experiencing life, this is the one.

First, I do think this book is very relatable. I had a real hard time with a few things like Graces character and wades characters. One is very rude and the other is an angel that deserves the whole world.

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. If you loved Holden Caulfield’s crabbiness as a youth but wished there were a less misogynistic version, Gracie Welles is exactly what you need in your life. She gives no fucks, she behaves *atrociously,* she’s obsessed with the Smashing Pumpkins, she’s hilarious, AND she learns a lot about vulnerability and friendship and love.

This book was definitely not for me. Gracie who is 15 attends boarding school. She has no friends and a major crush on her teacher. Which is gross and I did not want to read about it. So I dnf’d this book.

I feel like maybe Helnwein is trying too hard to establish Grace as an outsider. It wants to be like a John Green novel, a charming group of outsiders having adventures and establishing a life apart from the mainstream, but it falls short of that. The characters are flawed but perhaps going too far, to grating or obnoxious.

This book has made me feel all the feels and then some. The characters are all beautifully flawed and real and the situations they find themselves in are so relatable. The ending completely broke my heart and honestly, a part of me wants to really dislike it for that but I just can’t because it is just so honest and realistic.

I enjoyed this book. It’s your average YA contemporary. Nice character development throughout but the plot was slow at times.

I got through about 25% of this book, but I just couldn't get into it. The protagonist was just SO salty I had a difficult time relating to her. We were introduced to and were describing a lot of side characters that I got lost in why they mattered.
The pace was too slow for me, and the language was too descriptive. There wasn't enough dialogue to keep the pace adequate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

Slingshot is about a boarding school where almost outcast Gracie Welles falls in love with her science teacher and all the angst when she finds out that he doesn’t return her interest and is engaged to be married. She finally finds herself when she saves new student Wade Scholfield from getting beat up with her slingshot. Wade forces her to finally become his sort of friend and then the romance begins.

While this is a typical teenage love story, everything is overblown and overly dramatic, it was a quick, fun read and I enjoyed the book, being my first read from this Author Mercedes Helnwein.