I was ready to be won over by Girl in the Blue Coat, as I typically enjoy "WWII/Holocaust" novels, and I was satisfied by it. It was plot-twisty enough to be unique in its character development, and it seemed more a mystery that happened to be set during WWII where politics took a bit of a background to the central mystery. Hanneke did frustrate me as she waxed melancholic from time to time or, alternatively, seemed reluctant to help others, but I did warm up to her as she warmed up to saving a girl she had never met. I also enjoy reading anything having to do with the resistance movements of the time so I liked the history that was portrayed through the characters she encountered.
That said, I chose to read it first knowing I would prefer it - only to be bowled over by Holding Up the Universe. I'm not a "romance" reader on a good day, so teen romance makes my palms sweat and I feel carsick. Usually. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed meeting Libby and Jack, and how much I was rooting for both of them as they worked through their own struggles, yet found each other and ended up being the extra bit of strength the other needed. I liked the book - go figure!
So, my vote goes to Holding Up the Universe, even though I will put Girl in the Blue Coat in a book club for students, because I truly enjoyed the characters. They were warm, funny, and resilient, and they had a humanity that I just didn't feel with Hanneke.
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