About the Book:
Title: :Love Times Infinity
Author: Lane Clarke
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Publisher: Poppy
Synopsis: High school junior Michie is struggling to define who she is for her scholarship essays, her big shot at making it into Brown as a first-generation college student. The prompts would be hard for anyone, but Michie’s been estranged from her mother since she was seven and her concept of family has long felt murky.
Enter new kid and basketball superstar Derek de la Rosa. He is very cute, very talented, and very much has his eye on Michie, no matter how invisible she believes herself to be.
When Michie’s mother unexpectedly reaches out to make amends, and with her scholarship deadlines looming, Michie must choose whether to reopen old wounds or close the door on her past. And as she spends more time with Derek, she’ll have to decide how much of her heart she is willing to share. Because while Michie may not know who she is, she’s starting to realize who she wants to become, if only she can take a chance on Derek, on herself, and on her future.
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My Review:
Love Times Infinity is a deeply moving and poignant story. It’s difficult to put into words how much I enjoyed this powerful and engrossing read, and I fear I won’t do the book justice. The characters, especially Michie, are layered and compelling, and I enjoyed each of their stories. Michie goes on such a journey, and I love how she grows and changes and learns from her experiences. Burdened by the rejection of her mother and the knowledge that she is the product of sexual assault, Michie feels so much guilt and anger and resentment. She faces a lot of complicated and difficult realities and really struggles to accept herself and feel like she’s worthy.
Michie has a great support system in her grandmother and many others she is close too, which helps Michie tremendously on her journey to self-acceptance and love. I particularly like the relationship Michie has with her grandmother. They are a team, and her grandmother is a wonderful support to Michie. She is a constant in Michie’s life, and their unwavering love and respect for each other are pivotal in Michie’s emotional success. They have some powerful and moving conversations, and their bond is beautiful and strong.
Michie’s relationship with her best friend is another bright spot in her life, as is her growing relationship with Derek. They have such a sweet romance, and their blossoming relationship is a bright spot in Michie’s life. Michie’s support group of teens is another source of comfort and understanding for Michie. This group helps each other so much, and they feel more like family than friends. Their stories are complicated and heartbreaking, and though their journeys are different, their connection, support, and encouragement remain strong. I love that the story highlights finding your people – the people who will love you unconditionally through the tough times. It also shows how beneficial therapy and support groups are, and I love that too. Mental health is so important and something that is often difficult for teens. Michie and her friends are going through such a confusing, stressful, and emotionally chaotic time of their lives, and having the proper people in place to help makes such a difference.
A deep and meaningful coming-of-age story, the book explores many relatable themes and issues. Michie’s journey is filled with life-impacting events. Choosing colleges, deciding whether she wants to see the mother who abandoned her, struggling with her identity and the guilt she feels, facing her fears and her past, starting a new relationship, and dealing with her mental health are just some of the experiences she faces. My son is the same age as Michie, and he hopes to attend the same school Michie wants to attend, so I very much relate to many of the realistic pressures, emotions, and situations she faces. Though the story tackles a lot of heavy subjects, they are balanced nicely with messages of hope, resilience, friendship, and love. It’s the kind of read that makes you laugh and cry and feel all the feelings in between.
I would definitely recommend Love Times Infinity to readers who enjoy upper YA contemporary fiction or romance, and I am so grateful to the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The layered characters.
- The powerful themes and messages.
- The sweet love story.
Favorite Lines:
People think being best friends means being open and exposed all the time. I think it means being able to hide in a safe place.
Sometimes you don’t need calm to keep you centered; you need a storm even more destructive than you are.
Honesty is not truth. Truth is honesty plus heart.
Recommendations:
I would recommend checking out the content warnings before starting the book. There are many subjects that could trigger readers.
I already knew I was going to read this, but you have me so much more excited to pick it up! So glad I already have it sitting on my shelf. 🙂
Nice! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. 🙂 It’s a powerful read!