Review: One Way or Another by Kara McDowell
I had seen One Way or Another floating around with some negative reviews so I was wary going into it. Honestly though, I really liked it! I read it in a day and had a great time. Is it perfect? No. But for a YA holiday story that tackles the very real and personal issue of anxiety, I thought it was enjoyable. I didn’t love the time travel/alternate reality aspect and kind of thought it was unnecessary, but overall, I thought it was a super solid read!
Synopsis: “The average person makes 35,000 decisions every single day. That's about 34,999 too many for Paige Collins, who lives in debilitating fear of making the wrong choice. The simple act of picking an art elective is enough to send her into a spiral of what-ifs. What if she's destined to be a famous ceramicist but wastes her talent in drama club? What if there's a carbon monoxide leak in the ceramics studio and everyone drops dead? (Grim, but possible!) That's why when Paige is presented with two last-minute options for Christmas vacation, she's paralyzed by indecision. Should she go with her best friend (and longtime crush) Fitz to his family's romantic mountain cabin? Or should she accompany her mom to New York, a city Paige has spent her whole life dreaming about? Just when it seems like Paige will crack from the pressure of choosing, fate steps in -- in the form of a slippery grocery store floor -- and Paige's life splits into two very different parallel paths. One path leads to New York where Paige falls for the city . . . and the charms of her unexpected tour guide. The other leads to the mountains where Paige might finally get her chance with Fitz . . . until her anxiety threatens to ruin everything. However, before Paige gets her happy ending in either destiny, she'll have to face the truth about her struggle with anxiety -- and learn that you don't have to be "perfect" to deserve true love.”—From the publisher
What I Liked:
The Romance—I have come to really love friends to lover romance! I think I especially in YA and It can feel very relatable and attainable. I will say, I am definitely #TeamFitz. I didn’t care for the Harrison chapters.
The Discussion on Anxiety—As someone who just thought she was “crazy” for most of her life, I really appreciated the discussion on anxiety and mental health in this book. I loved seeing a supportive friend, the discussion without shame, and tactics to help tackle anxiety!
The Setting—I love New York at Christmas (obviously) and I love a snowy cabin. I was partial to the cabin in this book but I think both were equally festive and magical.
What Didn’t Work:
The Time Travel/Alternate Reality—While I think this was a cool idea, I didn’t find it to be super necessary. I was way more attached to one reality anyway, so I wish we could have just spent more time there.
This might be a bit of a spoiler, but Clover’s Engagement—I just found this storyline to be unnecessary and kind of weird? Anyone else?
TW/CW: Anxiety, panic attacks, snowstorm, hypothermia, car accident, chronic illness (MS), mention of infidelity
Character Authenticity: 3.5/5 Steam Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 4/5