chrissireads's review
4.0
I have been meaning to get around to this book for ages, so I made sure I had time for it recently. Holly Bourne is a terrific YA writer and I highly recommend reading her books if you haven’t done so already. I devoured It Only Happens In The Movies and I’m going to make it my mission to read the books I haven’t read of Holly’s by the end of the year.
It Only Happens in the Movies centres around the main character named Audrey. She has a summer job at the local, fancy cinema. Audrey has always been into drama, but when her own personal drama got too much with her ex boyfriend, she decided to not audition for the school musical and throw herself into her job. Her job was also an escape from her home life. She’s dealing with the aftermath of a messy divorce in her family. She’s concerned about her mum’s mental health after the divorce. Audrey has so much going on in her life, that her job helps her concentrate on something else. The trouble is, Audrey has become so jaded about love. She scoffs at romance movies and believes love like that only happens in the movies. Audrey meets Harry, a film maker, at her job and their relationship goes from strength to strength. Drama follows Audrey though and it’s not long before secrets begin to affect their relationship.
Romance does play a huge part in this story, but it was an interesting take because I felt it was more focused on how the relationships developed despite the struggles that both Audrey and Harry had in their own lives. They were both facing struggles but somehow managed to get together despite their own family drama. I thought I was going to predict where this book went, but I didn’t. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s not your typical romance ending and I bow down to Holly because of that. It’s real and raw and that’s what I want from my books.
Holly is also one of my favourites because she talks about issues that are often neglected in many YA reads. I loved how it addressed how movies have unrealistic expectations about romance. So many romance movies have either unhealthy or controlling relationships and they put this out as something ‘normal.’ That’s a big no.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are some laugh out loud moments alongside some very poignant and heart-breaking moments.
It Only Happens in the Movies centres around the main character named Audrey. She has a summer job at the local, fancy cinema. Audrey has always been into drama, but when her own personal drama got too much with her ex boyfriend, she decided to not audition for the school musical and throw herself into her job. Her job was also an escape from her home life. She’s dealing with the aftermath of a messy divorce in her family. She’s concerned about her mum’s mental health after the divorce. Audrey has so much going on in her life, that her job helps her concentrate on something else. The trouble is, Audrey has become so jaded about love. She scoffs at romance movies and believes love like that only happens in the movies. Audrey meets Harry, a film maker, at her job and their relationship goes from strength to strength. Drama follows Audrey though and it’s not long before secrets begin to affect their relationship.
Romance does play a huge part in this story, but it was an interesting take because I felt it was more focused on how the relationships developed despite the struggles that both Audrey and Harry had in their own lives. They were both facing struggles but somehow managed to get together despite their own family drama. I thought I was going to predict where this book went, but I didn’t. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s not your typical romance ending and I bow down to Holly because of that. It’s real and raw and that’s what I want from my books.
Holly is also one of my favourites because she talks about issues that are often neglected in many YA reads. I loved how it addressed how movies have unrealistic expectations about romance. So many romance movies have either unhealthy or controlling relationships and they put this out as something ‘normal.’ That’s a big no.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are some laugh out loud moments alongside some very poignant and heart-breaking moments.
mandykwisthout's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lazygal's review
3.0
Decent YA romcom with zombies. Why not? There's the usual BFFs and ex-drama/trauma, plus movies. Nothing incredibly special, nothing wrong, just decent romance.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
cazallen's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
redhead_bookeater's review
3.0
It was going to be 5 stars right till the end. I really liked this book. But the end ruined it for me, it was problematic and confusing.
SPOILER
If a girl gets really really drunk at a party and ends up having almost unconscious intercourse - it's rape, she gets called a victim.
If a guy gets really really drunk at a party and ends up having almost unconscious intercourse - he's a cheater, he gets dumped.
It's not okay
Sexual assault is sexual assault, regardless of the sex
SPOILER
If a girl gets really really drunk at a party and ends up having almost unconscious intercourse - it's rape, she gets called a victim.
If a guy gets really really drunk at a party and ends up having almost unconscious intercourse - he's a cheater, he gets dumped.
It's not okay
Sexual assault is sexual assault, regardless of the sex
sophss's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rosierosereads's review against another edition
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
4.5
mashpotato_gurl's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Omg that ending is one of the best endings of a book/movie ever as
Spoiler
SHE DOESNT END UP WITH THE GUY!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
gillywallflower's review
4.0
I am pro-love is a choice. I like how the story touches on reality. The only thing I hated is how Audrey's mother acted, I meant, I get it, your husband left you, and that's devastatingly heartbreaking. But what about your children? Aren't they feeling the same thing? Their father left them for another family. I don't want to compare their feelings, but it was just unfair to Audrey. She was hurt too, you know. I just felt like what Audrey felt wasn't acknowledged enough and was somehow invalidated. After the traumatic incident in their house, I was glad that her brother acknowledges his mistakes, but I can't grasp how her mother just said sorry like what happened wasn't that big. IT WAS BAD AND IT WAS HELLA TRAUMATIZING. Having to witness all that was traumatizing. I applaud how brave Audrey is, with her family and even in her relationship. I love it, I love her.
"The only love affair I needed to invest in right now was one with myself. Spend some time with me. Figuring out myself and why I picked the relationships I did. I was holding out my heart to me. Because I’d realized I was the only person who could give me a happily-ever-after."
"The only love affair I needed to invest in right now was one with myself. Spend some time with me. Figuring out myself and why I picked the relationships I did. I was holding out my heart to me. Because I’d realized I was the only person who could give me a happily-ever-after."