Love Times Infinity delivers the emotional feels. Talk about a contemporary YA about family and love. Clarke’s debut isn’t afraid to delve into the messiness of our emotions, our guilt, and our family. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: sexism, mentions of rape, panic attacks
Immediately I loved Michie’s internal narration voice. The way we can hear the doubts we keep to ourselves. The fears we voice when no one can hear us. Right afterwards, I fell in love with her friendship with Jojo and the ways in which friends can see us in a way no one else can. They’re true friendship goals! Love Times Infinity is a moving story about acceptance. About not predicting our own doom before it happens and about changing the ways we see ourselves.
It can be difficult to filter out what we think others think about ourselves. But ultimately all we have control over is ourselves. The thoughts and perceptions we hold. Love Times Infinity is a story about family and people which choose us. Who make us realize that family is about who is there for us, not necessarily the ones we think we should have. Throughout the book, Michie is struggling with her own feelings. The guilt we feel and choices which began before us.
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For Michie, she believes that loving people, being loved, can mean hurting. Because we have this idea of people who are supposed to love us forever – family or parents – and when they don’t, it makes a mark. As someone who is adopted, this particular theme resonated deeply. But Love Times Infinity is about believing we are worthy of love. Worthy of time, of opportunities, of living life to the fullest. Find Love Times Infinity on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.