The connections to Sixteen Candles are cute and funny but for the most part this book was just way too much "tell me" instead of "show me".

Davie is a great character but some (most?) of the people she is surrounded by are cartoons. ( )

2/2/2019: saw this marked down to 1.99 today if anyone's interested.

4 stars..

I'm no fan of John Hughes movies, never really was, but I can also understand the fairy tale endings and romantic appeal in a big way. And Davidia Jones just thinks she deserves her Molly Ringwald ending. 16 Candles is her favorite movie, and her movies are essential for her. She quickly finds her Jake Ryan in James, a new boy at school who is as sweet as he is beautiful.

This book had far more layers than that (this review won't even scratch the surface), though, from concepts of beauty in an all-black town , self-loathing, abuse, and class divides, finally to choosing your own family and making your own way against all odds. It even features easy-to-fall-into relationships that are, at their core, complacent, and how to heal and move on with someone you care deeply about. (This is one book where centralizing the story on Davie, as she's later known, and her relationships wasn't distracting--it was just her book) The beginning of this book is not gentle, much in the same way her idol's life is at the beginning of 16 candles, Davidia's is in shambles. Far worse off than Sam, though, Davidia chooses not to speak due to prior trauma with her abusive mother. James is extraordinarily warm and kind but Davie's life are quickly set about a different path through necessity, heartbreak, and desperation.

But we don't see all of the 16 years between 15-31 as clearly--and warning here--Davie edits for us too. We learn that Davie has made some terrible, awful, hurtful choices herself. I wondered if I would ever come around on her again.

I need to mention though, because I see others reviews say this isn't romance, I believe it is at its core. James eventual pursuit of Davie is clearly entitled, won't take no for an answer (see where he reminds me of Hardy Cates), but in a much less threatening way. However, this bit is a pretty big hang up for me--it was a little too persistent for me to love their courtship at the beginning. The meat of that romance is where this wonderfully grounded novel shine, along with its humor and sneaky social observations. I also have to say another highlight is the end, where we begin to see Davie as a protagonist making her own way and dealing with her choices-maybe in a miraculous way, but I love good endings.

There's an awful lot of growth. James isn't as fully fleshed as he is 'perfect' but the surrounding secondary characters with all their flaws, love, mistakes, loyalty, along with Davie's absolutely stunning journey more than make up for it.

I do warn, if it's not clear, this book isn't always easy to stomach. It didn't have me weeping, but it is certainly not fluff. It is a novel that is centrally about redemption, surviving,thriving in hostile environments through loyalty, luck, and love-and yep that romance too. ( )

First of all, I am glad that I didn't read the book summary here on goodreads before I bought this book. Whoever wrote the summary, I assume not the author, basically posted an opinionated review instead of just a summary, and along with giving out too much information it gives misinformation! I feel like the editor or random person that was allowed to write the summary on GR skimmed parts of the book. Same with the blurbs on Amazon that made it seem like JUST a rom-com; 32 Candles is so much more than a lighthearted comedy.

This novel was not what I expected, but I loved it so much. My heart broke so many times for Davie as she suffered through most of her childhood and adolescence in silence. The story continues as she finally finds her voice and moves forward with her life. Then she gets a second chance at her "Molly Ringwald Ending" but you know, as does Davie, that it can't possibly turn out the way it does in the movies. Ultimately the novel is redemptive for many of the characters and at last heartwarming. ( )

32 Candles is funny, touching, saucy at times, and very well written. It deals with some of my favorite things: Molly Ringwald movies, legendary singers, high school crushes reappearing 15 years later, and getting over the past once and for all.

In Ernessa T. Carter‘s delightful novel, Davida is a high school freshman who looks forward to the smallest glimpse of her crush as he walks through the hallway between classes. The feelings she has are hardly based on anything substantial. But, she dares to take quick peeks when she thinks he can’t see her and has the unnerving sense that they belong together; he seems far more than just a handsome jock with a nice side. Her crush on James and her yearning for the world she discovers in movies like Sixteen Candles gives her hope that there is far more to her life than dealing with a cruel mother who’d rather spend her nights drinking and hanging out with strange men than spending time with her own daughter.

Years later, long after she has left her abusive childhood behind, she finds herself still thinking about golden boy James. A mean-spirited prank played on her by James’ sister should have put a stop to that, but there are often days when she wonders whatever happened to him. But, her present self is no longer the "ugly duckling" who once faced daily taunts from her classmates. She is a lovely and talented singer, but inside still questions her feelings and her past. Shouldn’t a successful and stable career as a lounge singer be more than enough for a someone who once danced to Tina Turner songs with a hairbrush in hand? What happens when she accidentally bumps into James one day? These questions and more are what make this read impossible to put down!!
( )

I didn't know what to expect with this book club pick, but I loved it! What a fun book! I read it in one sitting, staying up way later than my bedtime, lol. Now I need to see the movie Sixteen Candles again. I loved all the characters and I loved the story. This would make a great movie! ( )