This review was done in conjunction with my blog mate, Christina over at the Book Hookup!! 
 Initial Thoughts and Rating 
 Ana: 5 *bright and shiny* stars!! This book had the perfect balance of angst, romance and hope! I loved this storyline and the character interactions kept me glued to the pages. The writing was wonderful and I absolutely could not put it down. This is one of those stories that manages to grab your attention from the beginning and hold on until the very last page. 
 Christina: 5 my-heart-feels-so-full stars! I seriously adored this. Like, honest to goodness, I want to literally push this book into strangers' hands. With characters that I latched onto immediately, a love that felt effortless and swoony, and story that had me pinging between emotions from start to finish, I couldn't recommend this one enough. Get it people and come and flail with me when you fall hopelessly in love with it. 
 Characters 
 Ana: I absolutely loved Sage and Shane. There was a depth to both of these characters. They had been through a lot in their lives but both were courageous and faced situations as best they could. Of course, they still had secrets to keep. Sage was kind and smart and fierce. She was a good friend even to those who weren't actually her friends. She may have been a bit too trusting at times but it came from her huge heart. I loved that she wasn't a mat to be walked on...she desperately wanted to be a good person but was willing to fight for those who needed it. Shane was troubled, alone and lonely. His music is what got him through the tough times and he just wanted to move his life forward without any additional trouble. He was not expecting Sage. She was a force of nature that interrupted his plans and grabbed his heart. Oh...and he burrowed himself into my heart as well. These characters were well written and I was rooting from them from the very beginning. 
 Christina: There's times when I read books and I'm missing that spark of interest because I never connect with the characters for whatever reason, and that usually kills the book for me. I don't have to feel anchored to them, but I like that sense of investment in them and their life. I'm more than thrilled to say that I chained myself to Sage and Shane from the very first pages. There was something about Sage's voice, the vulnerability tinged with hope and lingering shadows that drew me in with ease, and as the pages progressed, I only gripped onto her tighter. Then there's Shane. I just wanted to pick him up and put him in my pocket for safekeeping. And these two together? Fuhgetaboutit. If you're a hopeless romantic, then you'll be hanging on their every interaction, their every conversation, their every expression of love leading up to the actual words. But more than that, I loved seeing them grow as people together and as individuals. Their development was handled beautifully and with a realism that I really appreciated, from big flaws to even the tiniest ones. 
 I'd be remiss if I didn't also make note of the many wonderful, clearly crafted secondary characters that surrounded our lovely duo. They ranged from random school mates in passing to best friends to family, and I just wanted to scoop up almost all of them and squeeze the stuffing out of them. They were just as multifaceted as our MC's, with clear voices and matching personalities. It was a thing of beauty and a feat to marvel. 
 Plot, Pacing, Setting 
 Ana: Ultimately, this was a story about relationships and, because of that, it wasn't fast moving...but it was perfectly done. Getting to know these characters well, and following them as they got to know each other, was exactly what I was hoping to find when I opened the cover of this book. I learned their secrets and followed their thoughts. I felt their emotions as if they were mine...all the happiness...all the sadness...all the romance...all the confusion and fear! And let's not forget the angst. Absolutely perfect! As a YA story it's set in a high school for the most part and I have to admit that it took me back, reminding me of times both good and bad. The setting felt so real. I enjoyed the secondary characters. I loved the relationship Sage had with her aunt and how the big topic of trust became a subplot in the book. Trust is not easy to build, even when you know it should be and as the book progressed I saw both Sage and Shane struggling to build trust not only with each other but with others as well. 
 Christina: Perfectly paced and exceptionally delivered, this was a book that I wanted to cradle to my chest and love forever upon reaching the end. This story took me back to my high school days and the awkwardness of that time, of the fears of people learning your secrets and the people that could light you up with a simple glance or a sweet word in passing. But mostly, it reminded me of the the tender moments of first love and the quiet contentedness of a loving family and best friends, and how it's a little easier to find yourself when you're surrounded with the best of them. 
 I also loved this snippet of conversation between Shane and Sage, and thought it kind of captured the giant undertone of the book. 
 "They're fooling themselves," I say. "It's better to deal with your shit head on. Life doesn't get better if you look away." 
 Shane swivels his head sharply toward me. "No joke. Sometimes you absolutely have to stare it down." But he seems astonished I know that. 
 Yeah, I'm full of surprises. 
 ~quote taken from the eARC of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things at 15% 
 What We Loved 
 Ana: Is it wrong to say everything? I loved the story and the emotions. I thought the characters were well developed, smart and strong. I loved the setting and the progression of the relationships. And I adored the angst and romance. So, ya...I guess I'll have to say everything! 
 Christina: Seriously, I'm not trying to inflate Ms. Aguirre's ego or toot this book's horn, but... *gets an air pump and sounds a foghorn.* I pretty much loved every single thing about this book. My very favorite thing was probably the Valentine's Day love song. Not even going to try and lie, I turned into a full-on crybaby while clutching my chest. It was the sweetest, swooniest book moment I've read in a while. *sigh* 
 Also, let's be honest, you guys know I'm here for the swoons and this book had plenty sprinkled throughout. Want a teaser? 
 You really have no idea, do you? His voice holds a wondering note. 
 I'm wary. "Of what?" 
 "How incredible you are." 
 ~quote taken from the eARC of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things at 64% 
 What We Could Have Loved More 
 Ana: I'm not sure there's much I can point to that I didn't like. I guess I could complain that the author had me worried towards the end and that she made me misty on more than one occasion. I'll point out that I wanted the book to be longer because I already miss Shane and Sage. But I guess those aren't really legitimate complaints. So, I'll have to go with "I've got nothing"! :) 
 Christina: I may have been pissing my pants by the end because I thought it was going to be one of those super open-ended books, but luckily we got closure. If I had to be a sullen baby and protest about something, though, I would've loved a little more time with them. Epilogue outtake, please and thank you? 
 Rec It? 
 Ana: YES YES YES!!! This book is fantastic. The characters, the plot, the emotions...everything spoke to me and I couldn't read fast enough. So, get that one-click finger ready...you need to read this book!! 
 Christina: Yes! Sometimes there's a book that speaks to your soul and fangirl heart, and this book was one of those for me. I read it all in one sitting and I was sad that it was over. I could've read about these characters and felt all of the feels because of them forever and ever. 
 Thank you, Ms. Aguirre, for giving us their story and sharing such magical words that left my heart puffy with glitter and sparkly feels. I look forward to more of your words.