Title: Maybe This Time

Author: abihaatif22

Reviewer: ScarredHeroes

Description + Book Cover: 2.5/5

Considering your book lies on the YA genre, the book cover seemed good. But I would suggest you work just a little more on that, using alternate fonts and backgrounds.

As for your description, it was... very blunt and bleak. You're basically giving a character preview of your characters and that's not what your description needs to be. Your description must be a preview of what your story contains, in a summarised, crisp version. In this case, you can casually hint about the events of their flourishing romance or something on the lines of the moral of your story.

The point is, it has to be interesting. Vague, but clear enough for readers to want to read more.

Sarah Evans, a shy, quiet and introverted high schooler, after a fateful accident starts to develop a close friendship with Daniel Flint, a handsome, outgoing and caring guy. Both had gone through unhealthy relationships in the past and had promised to never fall in love. Will they be able to move on and give love another chance? Or will they fulfil their promises to themselves and lose each other? For a lot of people one year is a lot but for them will it be enough?

A story about love and friendship, family and struggles. Will these two be able to get through thick and thin without losing each other?

I'm not saying this is wrong. It's fine. But here, you're announcing everything- who Sarah Evans is, who Daniel Flint is, the very obvious failed relationship that makes them closed off, the question of moving on... nothing is here for me to guess.

An uneventful accident brings an eventful friendship and something a little close to the hearts of two teens who still have their demons when it comes to love.

Sarah Evans and Daniel Flint may not be the same in every way, but when it comes to love, they're just the same- hesitant and distrustful. As their lives are entwined in more than one form and love comes knocking the promises they vowed to prevent their heart from breaking, Will they let go of the past?

Or will they hold onto the vows that ironically will cost another heartbreak?

A story about love and friendship, family and struggles.

This isn't the best description either, because I don't know anything apart from the facts you give me. You're the writer, you know the cliffhangers, twists and events that will occur. All I'm saying is, make it interesting. YA novels might be the same teenagers, same problems, but the way you weave the normal stories with your storytelling capacity, is what allows your novel to shine.

Plot + Writing Style: 3/5

Plot- The first few chapters seemed bleak and too short. It would be more nice if you slowed down and described more. It feels rushed, too fast paced for an emotional story. The plot, as a whole, seems nice and something worth reading.

I feel like you lack a skeletal base for your plot. This base is a complete must for every author, which includes- character intel(pet peeves, flaws, likes/dislikes), chapter overviews and development as a whole chapter wise.

This base allows you to define your character with more depth and allow you to put their abilities and weaknesses to test as you stack the odds against them.

So, I highly advise you to plan that out- on paper, three pages: one for characters, one for chapter wise story movement, and the third mixing both the characters and story development.

Writing Style - Again, here I felt like you could invest in some kind of description because I was very lost, I was unable to imagine the scenario or even empathise with Sarah's incredulity when she was called 'friend' by Daniel.

It was not a total lack of description, rather not enough of words for me to comprehend precisely.

Grammar + Punctuation: 4/5

The formatting of your text was good and I found your punctuation to be flawless. Minor errors are bound to happen, no apart from that I was pleased and happy to see that your writing is polished.

On the lines of grammar, I would advise to extend your range of vocabulary, especially if you're beginning to add more descriptive phrases, the usage of aesthetic but not too complex words must be done.

Character Arc: 3.5/5

Your character arc was formidable in the sense that it was not underdeveloped. But until you have your skeletal base created, your characters will appear to be cliche and will be judged without your story progressing.

I feel like you haven't really thought through about your characters. Get to know them like real people, bring a unique from for them, give them quirks and flaws, make them drive crazy! You should have fun when you're creating them.

Originality: 3/5

To be candid, there are stories very similar out there. YA is extremely vast and has improved drastically. The only way to combat the title of falling into the lines of cliche can be only done as your story progresses in a way that is unique; something that only you could think of, the characters and their actions.

I think every story is normal, but the way you write it matters a lot. So give it all you got, take breaks and inspiration from every place and don't be afraid if you find yourself failing. It's part of the process.

I hope this helped you!

OVERALL SCORE: 16/25