The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

I went into this book not knowing what to think. I had read “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon and absolutely loved it! My opinion of her debut novel was so high that I rea anything could surpass, or even come close to how I felt about the first. While I will admit I do love Everything, Everything more, “The Sun Is Also A Star” came insanely  close.

I personally found it hard to relate to Natasha. She did things I never would have done and she held back on saying things that I would have divulged much earlier on. I feel like she was mean when she didn’t need to be, and her pessimistic attitude rubbed me the wrong way.  I did love when she was outspoken! Tasha is a strong and opinionated young woman who does not give up easily, and I admire that.

I found myself relating much more to Daniel! Daniel is an optimistic dreamer. He’s the nice guy who wants to make others happy.

Oh, and the funny bits!! Actual laugh out loud moments! Two of my absolute favorites (without spoiling anything of course) are 1. Natasha singing Karaoke and 2. Daniels dad and brother meeting Tasha for the first time. I just couldn’t stop laughing! I’m not sure whether it’s because that’s just what I do in awkward  situations…but these moments were highly relatable and incredibly funny moments.

As funny as these moments were, there were moments that were equally heartbreaking as well. With heavy subjects such as Racism, stereotypes, suicide, deportation, first loves and first heartbreaks, this story will give you lots to think about.

A wonderful contemporary romance with some top notch diverse characters! After spending less than one day with Natasha and Daniel, they will seem like old friends.