Soulmates by Holly Bourne
Every once in a while, someone has a soulmate. But when they meet, the world is in danger... Soulmates by Holly Bourne (not translated), therefore I read it in English with 526 pages. Originally published 2013. Girls, 16 plus.
What if you had a soulmate? And what if that means, the world will end? Poppy Lawson never believed in love. Cynic as can be, she doesn't want to let the guitarist Noah in her life – but he comes in, nevertheless. While the weather around Middletown goes crazy, she begins to fall in love for the very first time... but her love is only an experiment which will end very, very soon...
This seems quite romantic on first glance. And it is, in a way. But do NOT read this if you are a fan of happy endings and love conquers all and stuff. Because this book is basically about finding your soulmate and then letting him go without even putting up a fight. Which, by the way, sucks. Okay, on the one hand it absolutely fits, especially to Poppy. She's the most cynic and anti-love-character I ever read about – which makes the book hilarious from time to time, since she's actually the main character in this love story.
Spoiler:
But on the other hand, Poppy and Noah had the chance to be together, a chance to help others like them to build a life. Depending on what the research would bring, they could have maybe found a way to sidestep this crazy biological stuff. But they didn't even really consider it! Instead of at least asking what that would mean for them, for their daily life, they simply said “no” and agreed to never see each other again. That's... well, that's first of all very strange and second weak. Nothing's perfect and love's never easy. Not at first, there are always things that stand against a relationship, sometimes even big things. But you should at least try to find a way to work it out. What good is love if you don't even try to keep it in your life?
The biological stuff is very well explained – and kind of depressing. Love as a simple chain reaction in the brain, triggered by someone's genetic code? That's pretty unromantic. But the biological consequences were very interesting. I didn't know you had a higher pain tolerance, when you are in love. I think I need a boyfriend. However, one thing doesn't make sense in this whole explanation: If nature creates two people who are the perfect genetic match, why should there be consequences like this weather thing (which was well, done, by the way)? Why? In nature, everything has good reasons, we just don't know everything to really understand them. But, basically, most things are about reproduction and making the next generation as strong as possible. Now, the children of Noah and Poppy would be indeed genetically strong. So the evolution should “like” their relationship on facebook, not have nature separate them through earthquakes. Because you can't actually tell me they would have survived sex when it means an earthquake starts under them.
Spoiler:
What I don't really understand either is that you know Poppy will have two children and be happily married. Not with Noah, but with someone else – probably Frank. But how can she do that to any other person? Act like she loves this man best, even though her heart is and always stays with Noah? That's... well, that's immoral, very, very weird and totally o-o-c. Of course, Noah said they should live their lives. But... well, I don't understand how you can do that to another person. And her standards were high to begin with, but after Noah? Even if she knows no one can replace him, she couldn't even fall in love if she wanted to.
Well. That were the negative aspects.
Apart from that, it's a gorgeous love story. Funny as can be, especially because of Poppy's cynic humour and Noah's reaction to it. What they do for each other is super sweet. Really! Even though I understand it's intimidating for Poppy how much money he has and throws out of the window. I'd probably act like that, too. But it is pretty cute, I'll have to give him that.
As for the side characters, they're all interesting and very different from each other. I like Poppy's father. He's cool. Her mother as well, even though the father is my favourite of the two.
As for her friends: Ruth sucks. Why is Poppy even friends with her? Ruth is a real bitch, she tries to get everything with trousers between her legs, doesn't care whether she hurts someone or not and can't stand it if someone's getting something good. Everyone has had a friend who's like her. But after a while, we usually kick them out. At least I do. Why doesn't Poppy do this, strong and independent as she is?
Her other two friends are cooler, as is Frank. I like them.
As for Rain: I'm sorry for him. That poor, poor man. Working with Anita, disillusioned and forced to do what he knows is wrong? I wouldn't want to trade places.
As for Anita: I get that she was hurt when she had to loose her guy. But Poppy's right: If she still had one, he'd be disgusted with her. Anita is cruel, without scruples and basically without any respect for human life. She's the perfect antagonist, she has a story that makes sense and you can't do anything but hate her.
In brief:
All in all, the book was really good. The ending was disappointing, but it did make sense in a way. However, I give stars for the ideas, which were original, the characters, who were very cool and the style, because the story was well written and tense. Plus a star for the romance minus one for the content, because there are things that aren't explained that well and the ending sucks. Wait, I think I mentioned that... Additionally, I give the SoGH, because it really is a funny book (except for the ending).