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nnise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hopeglow's review against another edition
3.0
i expected more tbh
It's hard not to not compare this book to Simonvs. but this book lacks so much and it wasn't what I was expecting at all.
The romance was cute. The representations were nice. But that was it. I wanted a more in depth sibling bond between the girls. I wanted more characterization for Molly. I didn't want on-the-surface things, I want depth, I want connection. I didn't want it to feel like a typical YA novel and it ended up feeling exactly that.
If it was up to me, Molly would've learn how to accept herself (be okay with her body- even if she still struggle from time to time, realize that she can go 17 years without being with a boy or kissing a boy or needing a boyfriend and accept that it's okay, and that she can go a few years more without one. She will stop wishing for a boyfriend, she will stop comparing herself to her sister and her experiences and instead come to terms with the fact that maybe she will date later in life or never at all and there's nothing wrong with that). So what is the upside of unrequited you asked? Finding a boy after unexpectedly going your whole life not being with one. I came in expecting a different message from the book and the author and I guess that's the main reason why I'm so disappointed. I would have end with Molly listing all the upside of unrequited (liking someone that doesn't like her back/being single) and ending the book right there.
Spoiler
It's hard not to not compare this book to Simonvs. but this book lacks so much and it wasn't what I was expecting at all.
The romance was cute. The representations were nice. But that was it. I wanted a more in depth sibling bond between the girls. I wanted more characterization for Molly. I didn't want on-the-surface things, I want depth, I want connection. I didn't want it to feel like a typical YA novel and it ended up feeling exactly that.
If it was up to me, Molly would've learn how to accept herself (be okay with her body- even if she still struggle from time to time, realize that she can go 17 years without being with a boy or kissing a boy or needing a boyfriend and accept that it's okay, and that she can go a few years more without one. She will stop wishing for a boyfriend, she will stop comparing herself to her sister and her experiences and instead come to terms with the fact that maybe she will date later in life or never at all and there's nothing wrong with that). So what is the upside of unrequited you asked? Finding a boy after unexpectedly going your whole life not being with one. I came in expecting a different message from the book and the author and I guess that's the main reason why I'm so disappointed. I would have end with Molly listing all the upside of unrequited (liking someone that doesn't like her back/being single) and ending the book right there.
chiara_pio's review against another edition
3.0
it made me smile a lot.
i suspect because of its simplicity yet charming nature.
i suspect because of its simplicity yet charming nature.
true14216's review against another edition
5.0
This book did a few things I don't think I see very often YA contemporary and that's why I think I like as much as I do. As it goes for many contemporary books with sort of style it could have fallen easily to cliches like insta-love which I do not think happens in this book at all. The main character Molly isn't someone to me at least I see in the usual ya books of girl who not very in the very least and seems to have a thousand crushes. Just those facts alone made me love Molly. I felt so close to Molly because I am not skinny whatsoever I am fat, overweight, curvy, or chubby however you might put it and when you look or feel like this it's hard to think about how others might see you . I think Molly thinks about that a lot like I do. Another thing her crushes I will admit I'm 19 and have never had a boyfriend so I feel in a way like Molly does when she sees her sister get a girlfriend and this past summer my best got a boyfriend. I like the way the author described those feelings about this.
I love the relationships between Molly and her twin, to their other best Olivia. It was new to me to read in a story of a kid with two moms although this really shouldn't be anything new I've read it in a ya book before.
Overall I really enjoyed this book about a girl realizing she likes someone and coming to terms with who she is and her feelings.
I love the relationships between Molly and her twin, to their other best Olivia. It was new to me to read in a story of a kid with two moms although this really shouldn't be anything new I've read it in a ya book before.
Overall I really enjoyed this book about a girl realizing she likes someone and coming to terms with who she is and her feelings.
rhanebowreads's review against another edition
5.0
Molly is so cute! Totally the definition of a shy, funny teenager. This was one of my favourite light hearted contemporary books this year.
sambamfam's review against another edition
2.0
I’m actually really disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed SVTHA. I just wasn’t immersed in this world and I didn’t care about any of the characters. I found Molly to be quite whiny all the time and Idk, it just didn’t do it for me. Which makes me sad 😩 but o well
littlelifewrecker's review against another edition
4.0
So basically I'm Molly. If this was written when I was in high school I would just about die at how relatable her character would have been to my life. This is a diverse book which on the surface may appear as a coming of age story, but it's deeper than that. There are meaty themes weaved throughout such as mental illness, bi-phobia (really homophobia in general), friendship, family, racism, body postivity, etc. It was predictable at times and I feel it could have done without the love triangle trope. Overall, The Upside of Unrequited is an adorable read with unexpected depth, and a ton of heart.
georgiaoliver19's review against another edition
5.0
I related to Molly's character a lot which made reading this book rather personal and emtional. Highly recommend.
erinpaige1995's review against another edition
4.0
This book really spoke to me.
I've been overweight for a majority of my life. In high school, my self confidence was so low that I literally could not believe any one would want to be around me, including friends. All because I was fat. The idea of a boyfriend or girlfriend was foreign to me--I just COULD NOT imagine ugly, fat me with a significant other. Now, I'm 21, and comfortable enough in my skin to feel beautiful regardless of my extra pounds.
I related to Molly. Every thought she had I found myself remembering when I used to have those exact same thoughts. In addition, as a pansexual woman with several LGBT friends, I really appreciated the plethora of diverse characters within this novel. ESPECIALLY the CANON PANSEXUAL CHARACTER!!!! BLESS!!!!! The only reason I took a star off was because sometimes I found the fluency of conversation a little forced. Overally, thumbs up!
I've been overweight for a majority of my life. In high school, my self confidence was so low that I literally could not believe any one would want to be around me, including friends. All because I was fat. The idea of a boyfriend or girlfriend was foreign to me--I just COULD NOT imagine ugly, fat me with a significant other. Now, I'm 21, and comfortable enough in my skin to feel beautiful regardless of my extra pounds.
I related to Molly. Every thought she had I found myself remembering when I used to have those exact same thoughts. In addition, as a pansexual woman with several LGBT friends, I really appreciated the plethora of diverse characters within this novel. ESPECIALLY the CANON PANSEXUAL CHARACTER!!!! BLESS!!!!! The only reason I took a star off was because sometimes I found the fluency of conversation a little forced. Overally, thumbs up!