“College, cookies, capers, Oh my!Daisy Payton has everything.Exceptional grades.Impeccable clothes.Model family.But perfection comes at a high cost, and Daisy is wilting. Determined to use college as her chance to bloom anew, she’s focused on only one thing, leaving the Payton name behind and forging her own path—even if she has to tell the teeniest of fibs to do it. Trevor Boone has nothing.…
Trevor Boone has nothing.
Abandoned as a child.
Raised by distant relatives.
Constantly reminded he’s a burden.
Trevor’s lived at the edges of opulence for years, having all he’s ever desired dangled just out of reach. But his ambition is finally about to pay off and nothing will distract him from his goal—finishing college top of his class and starting life, on his own terms.
When Daisy and Trevor meet it’s clear from the start that they’ll tempt each other to distraction, can they learn to put their ambitions aside and fall or will they lose it all?
‘Upsy Daisy’ is a full-length romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the Higher Learning series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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Upsy Daisy is the first book in Smartypantsromance Higher Learning series, and also the first not set in present day. Instead it tells the story of how Daisy Payton met her husband Trevor Boone at Fisk University in 1975.
This is Chelsie Edwards’ debut novel, but you’d never guess it. Her writing is fantastic and she created relatable and interesting characters. I felt as if I were there and experiencing everything right along with Daisy and Trevor. I also loved all the secondary characters just as much as I did Daisy and Trevor. She set up each of their stories in ways that made me really curious to read them, but it never took away from the main plot.
I cannot wait for the more books in the series, but I will be reading whatever the author writes next!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
I had no idea this would be set in the 70s when Daisy was in College and loved it! It was such a change from all the others and by the end I was trying to remember hints at Daisy’s later life we learn from other books. It was more of a coming of age than a romance, it was full of strong female friendship but also friendship during college years. Daisy and her friends learn to be more themselves and what that all means through love, dating, failing, baking cookies, and gaining and learning more about family and friends. There was a little romance in it as well.
This was a fun story but also dealt with racism, trauma, and sexism. The one issue I had with the book was the money totals- numbers were way off. Books prices were set as today’s not 70s. Edwards does a wonderful job with some of the details of the book with Daisy’s clothes!!! and of course the girls getting ready, fighting, and coming together again! I can’t wait to see more of this series!
Overall, I give it 4 stars and 2 steams.
Favorite Quotes:
They moved like a pair of homonyms—the same kind of fine, sounding two different ways, and it was patently unfair to every female in observation distance.
“I’d ask about you, Mr. Marshall, but I’m sure that tale would be short.” She looked down at his groin pointedly. “And unsatisfying.”
I noted from my place on the floor how utterly unfair it was that she looked like a magazine cover model even when she had just woken up. I was sure I looked like feral rats had performed a mating ritual in my hair as I slept.
We had this talk, Daisy, Mommy covered the birds and the bees, and I covered the teeth and the tongue… No sister of mine is going out into the world unprepared. Mommy just gave you the basics, I’m going to give you notes on the advanced study, including the DIY version.
Daisy, yours might be the first relationship to ever died because Cupid just gave up and decided to shoot himself in the face with an arrow.
Dolly was not known for her magnanimity, she was president, CEO, and lead talent recruiter for Grudge Holders, Inc.
My sister once told me that forgiving people is choosing the relationship you want over the relationship you have.
My Review:
I was stunned and rather awestruck to notice after reading this well-crafted missive, that this was the author’s debut publication. She has struck gold with the first swing, as a well-seasoned author could not have done better. I had three pages of marked notes, which were rather painful to pare down. I adored the premise as well as the engaging and emotive storylines, insightful and perceptive observations and inner musings, intriguing and enticing characters, every perfectly chosen and well-honed word, and the conundrum of Daisy and Trevor.
Oh, Daisy – you foolish girl – I have been you! Of course, also having entered college the same year as Daisy may have biased my opinion, but I doubt it. The lavish praise and kudos Ms. Edwards has and will amass from this cleverly penned tale are well deserved. I reveled in her excellent item choices to elicit the nostalgia and flavor of the mid-’70s including hot pants; cassettes; 8-tracks; The Temptations, and The Stylistics; and even I had an afro in my blonde hair, although mine came from a bottle as I’m such a pale white girl I’m practically albino. Sigh, another amazing new author to add to my watch list, I’m eager to see what she does next but it will be hard to top this one.
An interesting story, if you’ve read Dr. Strange Beard, then you’ll realize that this is about Simone’s parents Trevor and Daisy. I liked the chemistry that was between them, and while on the surface they couldn’t have been more different, underneath they each wanted to be accepted for who they are. Trevor didn’t have an easy life growing up and is doing what he can to make sure that he won’t be a burden on anyone now that he’s grown, and Daisy is trying to live life out of the shadow of the family name.
There’s plenty of growing to do for both Trevor and Daisy, introspection and all that. Theirs isn’t an easy road to a HEA, but it was a pleasure to see them finally make it past the turmoil and come out the way they did.
3.5 Stars!
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I couldn’t wait to pick it up! This story pulled me in. Once I started it, I had to finish reading it in one sitting. I enjoyed Upsy Daisy!
Daisy and Trevor’s journey was one that made me feel so much from start to finish! I really liked these two and how they were brought together. I enjoyed getting to dig deeper with both of them and through that, I connected with them more.
With Upsy Daisy, Ms.Edwards has created a great debut! I’m looking forward to more of her words!
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Smartypants Romance / the author*
This book was everything that I didn’t expect in all the best way. I always thought about Daisy and Trevor after meeting them in one of the Winston brothers books and this is their story.
A story full of love at first sight, college moments with all the ups, downs and upside down moments, relationship and friendship over the years. Although it’s set in 1975 , it feels like not much has changed in the behaviour or expectations of nowadays society.
I loved how true to themselves Daisy and Trevor are and how their story blooms with every page.
It’s a beautiful debut that makes me want to read more by the author.
This is first book in the series and the debut for Chelsie Edwards. First off can I just tell you how much I love the cover of this book. I’m not gonna lie that’s what drew me to to this book. I love a good college romance so that had me. This is a book that’s going to easily draw you right in. This book was educational for me too in ways because it gave me a look in a world before me. It’s rather enlightening. That’s a favorite part of this book. Then add in the great characters. They have different personalities that shine through. This is a time for Daisy to experience life that’s not tied to her family name. She’s going to experience the ups and downs of being an adult. You can see the expectations of what going to college means to the characters had the responsibility of what that demands of them. I really liked Trevor and Daisy. I would recommend this one.
For More book Reviews , Recommendations , interviews , visit my blog ( Bibliomedico) : https://bibliomedico.wordpress.com/
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Thanks to the publisher and the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy for my review .
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” I think your voice sounds like home ”
This book was an awesome and very interesting read .
I loved how it discussed the problems and struggles each one of us face while trying to change the circumstances and communities we were born into .
Daisy is one of the characters that was mentioned regularly in the ” Winston Brothers ” series by Penny Reid and the other Smarty Pants Romance releases . I loved reading about her life before opening her business .
” It seems like you’ve found your life’s calling ”
I really loved the writing style .
So far , This is my favorite book from the second release of the Smarty Pants Romance novels .
” Folks who feel like they aren’t enough , so they spend their time making everyone around them feel like less ”
Highly recommended for romance lovers .
” That’s right . She didn’t do anything . Sometimes doing nothing is what’s wrong , Daisy . If something wrong is happening to someone , and you do nothing to help or to stop it when it’s within your power to do so , then what you are doing is wrong “
If you are a fan of the Winston Brothers series, then you know how much of a role Daisy Payton has played in the series. When it was announced that Daisy would have her own book in the Green Valley world of books, I couldn’t wait to uncover what layers Daisy’s story would add to this saga. It seems Daisy’s story dropped us back into the world of the 70’s in a time when women were paving their way in the world. Daisy was no exception.
When diving headfirst in the story, I found myself growing bored very easily. With such high expectations for one single character, the lack of connection really threw me for a loop. I have always pictured Daisy of a pillar of strength and individuality in the Winston Brothers series, but I feel Daisy’s journey with Trevor lacked the impact I was looking for. What transpired was two individuals trying to live up to family legacies but leaving me feeling a bit ‘empty’.
There were things throughout the story that nit picked at me. When writing during a different age in history, I expect the author to correctly write about the signs of the time. Little things like having a juice fountain in an era where that wasn’t really a ‘thing’ drove me nuts. I hope going forward, Edwards can find a nice balance with allowing her storyline to be reflective of the time period.
While this was a ‘sweet’ story, it just missed the mark on what I expect for a character that has captivated me throughout the Winston Brothers world. Therefore – an ‘okay’ story is ranking middle of the road for me.
This is the story of Daisy Payton and Trevor Boone (yes, Simone’s parents from Winston Brothers!). It’s set in the ’70s in Fisk University, a historically black college/university.
Daisy has the chance to be a different person—one that doesn’t live under her family’s shadow. Growing up she was treated differently because of her family name.
Trevor didn’t have a lot growing up. He was abandoned by his parents and raised by his other relatives but they kind of neglected him. He’s working hard in college to achieve his dreams and so he can finally live his life on his own terms without feeling like a burden.
There’s this instant connection between them when they meet and it gets even better once they actually start getting to know each other. Trevor is the sweetest guy! Their cute moments had me grinning so hard. However, they do have bad timing and other personal things to work out which prevented their relationship to go forward. There is longing, mutual pining, and a bit of angst in the romance aspect of this book.
I do feel like this is more of a coming-of-age story for Daisy and Trevor. I’m glad there is a focus on their growth and that their character development was handled so well. There is definitely some romance but I do wish we had more scenes of just the two of them towards the end.
The side characters are sooo amazing. I love their personalities and what they brought into the story. It warms my heart seeing such a good female friendship dynamic among Daisy, James, and Odie especially after knowing how Daisy’s peers treated her back in Green Valley.
There’s also the AMAZING family dynamics as seen with the Paytons (Daisy’s family) & Trevor, Jules, and Elodie. To be honest, as much as my heart feels so much for the main couple, Daisy and Trevor, I also felt so many emotions with the other couples (and potential couples) being mentioned.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! I have grown to love the characters immensely. Chelsie Edwards did a great job with Daisy and Trevor’s backstory. I can’t wait to read more from this series and the author!
Upsy Daisy is Chelsie Edwards’ debut and she did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about the famous Daisy. This is set in the 70’s at Fisk University. Daisy as a teen is smart, funny and determined. Trevor is awkward but the insta love is there between the two. They have to learn to trust each other with their secrets and grow not only as a couple but as individuals. I enjoyed seeing characters I’ve fallen in love with (Bethany ) and as always visiting Green Valley.
I don’t even know how to express how much I absolutely adored this book! The writing, the feels, the storytelling were so perfect I dove into the story and just never wanted to come up for air.
“They moved like a pair of homonyms—the same kind of fine, sounding two different ways, and it was patently unfair to every female in observation distance.”
The story takes place at Nashville’s Fisk University and I loved that it was set in the 1970’s when I was a teen myself.
I was so excited to read that Daisy Payton’s was getting a story in the Smartypants series, but a little worried that the characters were so young. As an older reader, I’m not a huge fan of college romance as a rule but this story has none of that immature juvenile feel.
“She was a manic kind of beauty.
The kind of beautiful that stole a man’s breath and sanity all at once. The kind of beauty that made men warriors, that made them fools. This girl was dangerous.”
I can’t wait to read more stories in this series and really look forward to more books by this author. I’m definitely a fan now.
-6 Stars!!-
This is the debut story from this author and she truly pulled me into her world with her way with words !A beautiful story of love at first sight, college romance and it is set in the 1970’s at Fisk University. This is the story of Daisy and Trevor ….Simone’s parents. We are pulled into Daisy and Trevor’s world and are up front and personnel watching their initial attraction bloom from friendship, to mentorship to first time lasting love! Yes they have crazy ups and downs but that is all part of the journey! Great story!
I am truly in love with this Smartypants romance crew and all of the wonderful characters that have grown and developed from this world !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Upsy Daisy
“Upsy Daisy” is the college origin story of Daisy Payton and Trevor Boone. While succinct, I feel that is much to plain a way to convey the sheer depth of their story. I laughed a lot and I shed quite a few tears, which was absolutely unexpected. I felt a whole gamut of emotions and I know this is one that will stick with me. It was an unexpected coming of age story. Deep and heartbreaking, uplifting and beautiful.
Families and friendships are huge in this novel, and I loved what each character dynamic brought to the table. I was constantly wondering where something would go, and I hope we get more of Daisy and Trevor’s friends and family in the future.
I’ll be honest, I thought Chelsie Edwards must have tatas of steel to take on such a beloved Green Valley family. And it absolutely paid off. Not only that, but she embraced sensitive racial issues head on. Things that were prevalent in the 1970’s but most dejectedly are present still in the current day. She approached racial matters with grace and humor, not belittling, but informing the reader.
I loved the little insights on how the current day Winston Brother’s Series Payton family came to be. Chelsie did a great job taking what we know about them and fleshing out the why. There were little mottos and words of wisdom readers have read in regards to the Payton’s; whether from Billy working at the Mill, or Daisy wisdom from her donut shop, Simone and her siblings around the dinner table, things mentioned about her family in “Dr Strange Beard” and moments Roscoe remembered. Little nuggets of Payton family wisdom tucked away in “The Winston Brothers” series have been included and expanded upon. One particular (unexpected) cameo warmed my heart. I loved that the nuggets of info are nestled in this story and you’re like “that’s where that came from!”
“Upsy Daisy” contained phrases and insight that a Penny Reid fan could *squee* over and I am that fan and squee I did! On the flip side, a reader who has never heard of Green Valley could easily pick this book, read and enjoy it, and be none the wiser, it stands alone.
“Upsy Daisy” was a fantastic addition to the Smartypants Romance umbrella and I cannot wait to see what Chelsie Edwards comes up with next.
What a fantastic debut!
“The second we touched, I felt a tingle in my toes that zipped up through my spine. My stomach burst with butterflies and my thighs clenched.”
Daisy Payton has arrived at college as a freshman determined to make a new start. She wants to shed the old Daisy from Green Valley – the one that comes with so many expectations – and be a new Daisy of Fisk University who will be accepted for herself and not because of her last name. When she meets the gorgeous Trevor, it feels like her adventures have only just begun. Unfortunately, she never foresees the consequences of her decisions and actions.
“Everything had been uncomplicated. Until Daisy.”
Trevor Boone is in his final year. Intelligent, polished and respected, he has goals. He never expected a beautiful freshman to knock him off his feet and have him behaving completely out of character. However, his actions versus his good intentions has his relationship with Daisy over before it ever really starts, and he’s at a loss as to how to make things right.
“I want to belong to her. I want her to belong to me.”
Oh my goodness! Daisy and Trevor had a thrilling chemistry but they were a train wreck waiting to happen. The tension between them was taut and electric but they made such an unholy mess of things with the secrets that they kept, and the way they went about things. However, I loved them because they were both cut from noble cloth. Steadfast, loyal, and would do anything for their best friends – even to their own personal detriment. They both bottled up their personal issues and my heart ached for them as they struggled with their feelings and emotions. Their lives became so complicated in a matter of weeks but I was rooting for them all the way to their HEA. I also loved the beginnings of the stories about their friends, and I’m so looking forward to seeing more from this author.
I’m a huge fan of all things in the Smartypants Romance universe, and I love an intelligently-written romance. Upsy Daisy fits right into this universe and leaves you so satisfied!
This is the story of Daisy and Trevor, Simone’s parents from Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Read. It’s a historical romance, set in college in the 1970s.
Daisy is trying to get away from the expectations of her family, and Trevor didn’t have a family that truly cared for him – so they come from opposite ends of the spectrum. They form an instant connection, and they are the absolute sweetest to read as they fall in love. But timing is bad, and they just aren’t at the right spot to move forward.
This is part romance novel, part historical fiction, part coming-of-age, and it is a magical tale that gives us the backstory we need for the owners of Daisy’s Nut House, which means so much to everyone in Green Valley. As always with these novels, the side characters become such an integral part of the story, and you feel like there are so man people invested in the relationship besides just the two main characters.
I was really excited to read Daisy and Trevor’s story. The book started out promising! The writing and the overall story line was good! However the story kinda stalled out for me. I found myself getting distracted easily and putting it down. I thought that there were parts of the story that were just dragged out. There would be peaks where it would catch back my attention but then lose me again. In certain parts of the book it gave me the feels.This one just didn’t connect for me. I would still recommend this book because I do know people who would really enjoy it!! So overall opinion great writing, great story line….just to much was dragged out for me.
Received an arc for an honest opinion.
Overall Grade: 1/2
If you have read Penny Reid’s The Winston Brothers’ series, then you know Daisy’s Nut House. As Reid’s universe has expanded, the SmartyPants Romance authors have developed stories in Green Valley, Tennessee (the home of the Winston Brothers), and these stories also find themselves, at times, as patrons of Daisy’s Nut House. We know (1) that it’s a Green Valley staple, (2) it serves the best doughnuts anywhere, (3) each resident has their favorite Daisy doughnut, and (4) Daisy’s family (including her extended family members) are Green Valley prestige. What we don’t know, what many readers want to know, is Daisy’s origin story. And, thankfully Chelsie Edwards has crafted the perfect origin story for Green Valley’s Queen of Doughnuts in her book, Upsy Daisy.
Don’t let that title fool you, though. One might think that this story is a romantic comedy, something soft and funny to lighten your day. It isn’t. However, it isn’t a story replete with angst that seeks to break you emotionally. What you find in Upsy Daisy is a perfect blend of light and dark; serious and light. Once I began to read this book, I simply didn’t want to stop, and it wasn’t because I’m a huge fan of Reid and the SmartyPants Romance authors (although that is part of it). No. This story has a depth to it that seems essential in discussions about equity, accessibility of education, privilege, race, and sex. Even though this story is set during the 70s, this story is a reflection of our own time.
The story follows Daisy Payton as she starts her first year at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Daisy is bursting to find a new place and new identity at Fisk. Coming from a wealthy family in Green Valley, she has lived her life with two identities: private and public, and the challenge of balancing these two, especially during some traumatic experiences in her family, has left her friend-less and wanting more. On her first day at Fisk, she meets the incredibly handsome Trevor Boone. From their first meeting, these two feel a connection. As they continue to cross each other’s paths, it becomes clear that they are fated for each other except that there are complications in their lives. These complications cause Trevor and Daisy to fall apart and come together. In the end, though, will Trevor and Daisy find their happy ending?
At first glance, this story is a slow-burn romance. In fact, while the romance is the seeming driving force for this story, it really isn’t. While it is set during the course of a school year, to a certain extent, this story is a coming-of-age romance where both Trevor and Daisy must first come to terms with their own personal struggles before they can accept their relationship. This causes them to be apart for quite a bit of Upsy Daisy. Yet, I loved Trevor and Daisy apart as much as I liked them together because their personal growth is necessary to allow their eventual coupling. Additionally, their struggle against each other drives the story. It is the reason I didn’t want to put the book down because I wanted the pleasure of knowing Trevor and Daisy could find their way back to each other. This suggests Edwards’s skill in developing her plot and finding the right pacing to both interest and build emotion in her readers.
Additionally, underpinning Trevor and Daisy’s romance are several themes. In very basic terms, Upsy Daisy illustrates the complexities (at least in the 70s, but I would argue, even now) of color (is there such thing as skin color that is too dark?), race, privilege (this is a major issue for Daisy as she comes from an affluent family and she tends to be judged for her family’s wealth. It is the reason that she assumes a “new” identity immediately on entering Fisk.), sex and sexuality power dynamics, and accessibility to education (these last two still find purchase in our current society). There is a social justice to engaging with Upsy Daisy. This social justice is packaged beautifully in Daisy and Trevor’s journey, but Edwards is challenging her reader to be aware and thoughtful about these issues. The foundation of them creates the gravity of this romance.
Intertwined in the romance and the issues the story details is a bit of suspense. In her blurbs on social media, Edwards notes the “caper” of this story. And yes, that exists too. There isn’t a mystery to be solved; instead, there is a reckoning to be had when poor choices seek to derail Daisy’s time at Fisk. This conspires with all of the qualities I’ve noted above to create a story that compels its readers forward, keeping them captive to the very end.
Finally, and I don’t know if Chelsie Edwards will read my review, but I really, really wanted a better ending for this story. Warning: yes, there is a happy ending, but there is still more that I would love to read about this couple. Even more, Upsy Daisy is a slow-burn romance. The chemistry builds through to the end. This story is rich with other characters whose stories are BEGGING to be told. I’ve already reached out to Edwards trying to exact a promise from her that their stories will be told, and she’s remaining quiet about it thus far. Why is this important? Because (1) I want more Trevor and Daisy and (2) it’s clear that Edwards is well on her way to becoming a master storyteller. In Upsy Daisy, she has crafted compelling characters whose stories reflect the values of the society of the time but also mirror the values and struggles of our own. We need more romances for POC. They are necessary for identifying the ways that we are the same and different so that we learn to respect and love our differences. As far as this reader is concerned, Edwards’s Upsy Daisy has cemented its place in SmartyPants Romance lore, and we NEED (and want) more from this world that Edwards has beautifully created.
A tender novel that had me believing in love at first sight and the power of friendship from a debut author that I cannot wait to read from again!
Chelsie Edwards knocked my socks off with her debut writing. I loved reading Daisy Payton’s story in Upsy Daisy and hope to read many, many more books from Edwards. She can start with the rest of the characters in this book because I NEED THEM ALL! But I’m getting ahead of myself…
In Upsy Daisy, Daisy Payton is a freshman at college ready to start a new chapter in her life, on her own and away from the pressures associated with the family name Payton. On move in day she meets Trevor Boone, a senior who’s biding his time until he graduates and can unload the burdens that have been weighing on him. Neither Daisy or Trevor expected or anticipated their instant attraction but barriers ultimately arise that try to block their potential start at something more.
This book takes you back to the 1970s! I should have known this since we are reading about Daisy Payton in college after having already met her as a mom and business owner later in life in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, but it took me by surprise none the less when I first started reading. It’s probably the first romance book that I’ve read set in this time period and it was glorious, especially due to the clothes references. Can I have Daisy wardrobe please? Amazing.
I fell in love with the clothes because Edwards writing was so descriptive that you felt like you were right there in the dorm room or outside the frat party or literally feeling all the feels that these characters were going through. And boy were there feelings going on!
This book was not your “typical” romance book. It was really so much more. Yes, it centered around Daisy Payton and Trevor Boone and their instant attraction and growing fascination with one another, but this book really had so many engaging themes within it. It delved into friendship, the bonds of family, the importance of loyalty, honesty, forgiveness and grace. It also peered into the different social stratas, familial expectations and grief. Now that is A LOT to cover in one book but Edwards does it so brilliantly that I didn’t want the book to end.
There were just so many heart wrenching and heartwarming conversations between characters that I highlighted like mad because they all really spoke to me.
This book was ultimately about so many relationships in the book. Of course there was Daisy and Trevor and the attraction that jumped from the page just from them getting to know one another. But there was also the friendships Daisy forged with her two best girlfriends, James and Odie, and the brotherhood Trevor had with his cousin Jules. I also loved what we learned about Daisy and her relationship with her older sister Dolly and her father. I seriously need some follow ups to this book pronto. There are so many stories just simmering at the surface that I really, really need including James and Jules, Odie and Charlie and Dolly and the preacher.
It must be so daunting to put words to the page as a new author and then let them out in the world, but kudos and thanks to Edwards for taking the leap because this book brought me such joy. I cannot wait to read her next one!
Check out this review and all my romance book reviews and romance book lists on my book blog, She Reads Romance Books: http://www.shereadsromancebooks.com
1. The story starts in 1975 when Daisy is a freshman at Fisk university where on her first day she meets Trevor who is a senior there. We learn a bit more about Daisy in the beginning chapters. She is an innocent, smart, confident, kind, beautiful and walled up kind of girl who has a hard time dealing with her emotions and prefers to lock them down rather than talk about them. She is also tired of being a ‘Payton’ and for once just wants to be ‘Daisy’, to be herself, who isn’t the daughter of a rich, powerful and influential man. To do that she decides to change her name in college so that no one discovers who she actually she.
2. Trevor has lived a complete opposite life from Daisy. His parents had a financial crisis which forced them to send Trevor to live with their distant relatives, the Marshalls, who were anything but kind to him. Growing up thinking his own parents didn’t want him, the ones who raised him thought of him as a burden, he grew up with a lot of emotional baggage. Now his one and only goal is to study hard and worked harder so that he never has to depend on anyone else. Trevor, despite growing up in worst conditions had a heart of gold. He was helpful, compassionate, caring, loyal to a fault, understanding and intelligent. His friendship with Jules and Elodie highlighted all of his qualities and how supportive and loving he was towards both of them.
3. The first 10% of the book was taken by the back story of both the characters which I think was a bit of an overshare. I like characters who are mysterious and as story progresses you get little glimpses of them and get to know them slowly rather than characters who are open books from the start. After chapter two I felt like I knew all there was to know about Daisy and Trevor.
4. As story progresses Daisy and Trevor become good friends despite the secrets they were keeping from each other. I liked the chemistry between them. It wasn’t a story of instant love though there definitely was an instant attraction and pull on both the sides. I liked how they had so many things in common yet were still opposite at times. The author did a good job writing their love story as I highly enjoyed all parts of their interactions that were in the book.
5. I also loved the side characters and the beautiful and true friendships displayed in the book. Jules was a true friend to Trevor, the kind who was there for you without asking him to be and his character was the one I liked most. He made an effort to understand Trevor and to find out what was going on with him even though he was being reclusive and not sharing his troubles with him. Daisy’s friends were a solid team too. I liked how there was mention of their love story here and there. I definitely wished for more of Odie and Charlie.
6. Book also gave great detail on the education system in the west, college life and life at Fisk University. If you are one for details and knowing as much as you can about the world where the story is set, this one is for you. The world building was done well as I didn’t at any point doubt the story was based in 1975 with the way everything was described.
7. One thing that disappointed me was that the story was more focused on Daisy and her quest to be herself and live freely than their love story. I like a well constructed plot where there is more than just romance going on but here the story was more on sidetrack. Daisy and Trevor were at odds with each other almost half of the book if not more.