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fuelingmyexpectationswbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
darryn_gray's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While this book isn't my favorite in the Simonverse, it doesn't mean I don't love it; this book is great. The characters are memorable, and the main family's dynamic is something you rarely see in books and I loved to see it. Though the plot is a little basic, with a lovesick character who's never been in a relationship, the way it's done in this book is a fun take on it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for something light hearted, fun, bit teenage dramary then I would highly recommend this.
There was so much to like about this book. It was one of those I didn’t have to think too hard about which is exactly what I needed.
Things I loved
- The characters: Molly our main character I felt was very relatable. While I can’t personally speak to the fat, I feel the author did a wonderful job at portraying scenarios that may happen in real life and though this included fat shaming it was definitely challenged. The love interests were also distinguishable and had their own personalities which I appreciated as they weren’t carbon copies of each other with different appearances.
- The relationships: the friendship and family dynamics in this were really sweet. This book had a blended family that worked so well together and were fully accepting of each other. I love books with close family bonds it makes me wish my family were closer.
- The romance: if I didn’t like the romance that would be very concerning as 80% of the book is romance in one way or another. This was very much a slow burn which I absolutely love. I love the building of tension. I makes me more invested in the relationship.
Things I didn’t love
There nothing I particularly hated. I think there were some unnecessary chapters but that’s about it.
Overall I loved it. It’s not quite a 5 star but contemporaries rarely get 5 stars
Representation
Plus Size and Anxiety (main character), Lesbian (side character), Pansexual and Asian (side character), POC (side character), Bisexual (side character)
Content Warning
Underage drinking, fat shaming, homophobic comments
If you’re in the mood for something light hearted, fun, bit teenage dramary then I would highly recommend this.
There was so much to like about this book. It was one of those I didn’t have to think too hard about which is exactly what I needed.
Things I loved
- The characters: Molly our main character I felt was very relatable. While I can’t personally speak to the fat, I feel the author did a wonderful job at portraying scenarios that may happen in real life and though this included fat shaming it was definitely challenged. The love interests were also distinguishable and had their own personalities which I appreciated as they weren’t carbon copies of each other with different appearances.
- The relationships: the friendship and family dynamics in this were really sweet. This book had a blended family that worked so well together and were fully accepting of each other. I love books with close family bonds it makes me wish my family were closer.
- The romance: if I didn’t like the romance that would be very concerning as 80% of the book is romance in one way or another. This was very much a slow burn which I absolutely love. I love the building of tension. I makes me more invested in the relationship.
Things I didn’t love
There nothing I particularly hated. I think there were some unnecessary chapters but that’s about it.
Overall I loved it. It’s not quite a 5 star but contemporaries rarely get 5 stars
Representation
Plus Size and Anxiety (main character), Lesbian (side character), Pansexual and Asian (side character), POC (side character), Bisexual (side character)
Content Warning
Underage drinking, fat shaming, homophobic comments
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
baponthecob's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, and Fatphobia
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual content
jenpinbowling's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
heytherekaity's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, and Fatphobia
Minor: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, and Vomit
shelleyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
ravensandlace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Find this review and others like it at aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com
I am just going to dive right into this review because I have a lot of things to say. I’m not saying I didn’t like the book because I did but there’s a lot to unpack in this book and I have a lot of feelings about this book. So hold on because what I have to say might be a tad on the unpopular side but I wouldn’t be a good reviewer if I didn’t say exactly how I felt about a book.
Alright. So let’s just start with the main character, Molly. There were good and bad things about her. Let’s start with the good. Molly has anxiety and takes meds for it. I love that. Not that she has anxiety but how accurate the anxiety rep was. There were racing thoughts and the obsession about certain things. It was just really well done. Not to mention, the normalization of taking medication to help with the anxiety. It was just so casual and there was no medication shaming. There needs to be more of that in YA books. Overall, in terms of anxiety rep, I loved it.
However, that was the only good that I enjoyed about Molly. She was incredibly fixated on boys, kissing, sex and her body. It got to be very annoying very quickly. I get it. She’s 17 years old and when you’re 17 all those things mentioned are a pretty big deal but Molly based her entire self worth on it. That isn't the kind of message young and impressionable girls should be seeing. I know that if I had read this book when I was that young, it would have affected me quite a bit.
I would just love a book where a MC is fat and proud. I am sure there are some books out there that have this message. I know that I need to look further into it. It’s just frustrating that Molly only thought she was beautiful once she got a boy. Ladies, y'all are beautiful no matter what a guy says. Don’t base your entire self worth upon the opinion of a dude (or a girl). Because in the end, you are responsible for your own happiness. A significant other should enhance the happiness, not just be happy. I wish that could have been the message.
Moving on from Molly, one thing this book does well is capture the messy and complicated relationship that is sisterhood. As you all might know, I have a sister. She is my very best friend and my mini me. But our relationship isn’t always smooth. Sometimes, there are fights and cattiness but in the end, I know I can rely on her. This book captures that dynamic well and it was my favorite part of this book.
The amount of diversity, especially LBGTQIA+, was incredible. Molly herself was straight but her sister was gay. They have two moms, one being bi. There was another character who was pansexual as well. It was very refreshing to see this and it made me very happy.
One last point before I wrap this up. While this book has many positives and negatives, the thing that bothered me was how slightly unrealistic this book was. I don’t want to sound awful but everything was so chill. There weren't any real world problems besides one family member that was homophobic. Everything was just happy go lucky. Which, don’t get me wrong, is always nice to read but it didn’t quite work with the story.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. It had great diversity, accurate anxiety rep and more. While the MC was a bit much for me, I think a lot of ladies can relate to her as long as they dont retain the message that you are only viable when someone wants you. Overall, I’m happy I read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
readandfindout's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Style/writing: 3.5 stars
Themes: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Themes: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia