charlottewie's review against another edition
3.0
This is such a hard book to rate tbh. I did definitely enjoy it way more than All the Rage by Courtney Summers, but it obviously can’t top Sadie. But it was still very interesting and entertaining, although pretty depressing at times.
One thing that kind of bothers me now that I come to think of it, I really wish there was more character development on Parker’s part. It’s not until the very end (like, last chapter) that we get to see some of that, which makes the whole story seem kinda stagnant. On the other hand I do understand why it is that way, so maybe that’s not a point I can make.
On a different note, something I really loved was Chris and his relationship to Parker. I just think it is so beautiful how he still just wants the best for her, and is just trying to be there for her, even though she’s being the way she is.
One thing that kind of bothers me now that I come to think of it, I really wish there was more character development on Parker’s part. It’s not until the very end (like, last chapter) that we get to see some of that, which makes the whole story seem kinda stagnant. On the other hand I do understand why it is that way, so maybe that’s not a point I can make.
On a different note, something I really loved was Chris and his relationship to Parker. I just think it is so beautiful how he still just wants the best for her, and is just trying to be there for her, even though she’s being the way she is.
carlyroth10's review against another edition
5.0
Phew... I need a breather after that one. Goddamn it hit.
Courtney Summers can’t go wrong. She knows the female psyche and knows just how to write a disturbing story. The story was of two parts mixed together: before and after. The way Summers did this was perfect to emphasize the ptsd of it all. She also wrote the anxiety in a real way that didn’t prove to be superficial and made up.
Parker was a perfect main character. She was a bitch and unlikeable, but you found a way to empathize with her. You understood why everyone stuck around her. Every side character was amazing and likeable.... except Becky.
I held my breath during the entire book until the last word. Everything that unraveled at the end was done in a fast pace that was also executed to perfection. It was a satisfying ending even if it was a little uplifting.
Courtney Summers can’t go wrong. She knows the female psyche and knows just how to write a disturbing story. The story was of two parts mixed together: before and after. The way Summers did this was perfect to emphasize the ptsd of it all. She also wrote the anxiety in a real way that didn’t prove to be superficial and made up.
Parker was a perfect main character. She was a bitch and unlikeable, but you found a way to empathize with her. You understood why everyone stuck around her. Every side character was amazing and likeable.... except Becky.
I held my breath during the entire book until the last word. Everything that unraveled at the end was done in a fast pace that was also executed to perfection. It was a satisfying ending even if it was a little uplifting.
pamelaaaa's review against another edition
5.0
It is my absolute favorite book. I read it, expecting it to be some cheesy, cream puff material, where some girl doesn't get what she always wants. It was just a random buy one day and I'm so happy I got it. It's so different, and truthful and real. It was the first book I ever read that didn't suggest that the world was all happiness and sunshine, and I was kind of happy for that, because when you read all these happy books you can't help but wonder why can't you have that perfect life. Why can't you have that perfect boy. It gave a really good insight into someone who was dealing with actual problems, and that worked through things. It's not a book that everybody would like, but I think a lot of people should check it out. It's truly a great book.
prettykill's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
Honestly Parker was such a bitch in the beginning I almost DNF'd this, but I read the blurb on the back and it said something happened, so I was curious and kept reading. A very short book at 214 pages for my edition, so I figured it would be a quick easy read, and it was!
By the end, I found Parker super relatable. Her commentary on high school reminded me why I was glad to leave high school.
Spoilers below:
I was rooting for her and Jake the whole time, so I am glad that ended on a hopeful high note.
It is really sad the entire chain of events that lead up to the disappearance and death of Jessie. If everyone knew this girl was Parker's best friend and she was missing, I don't know why they didn't get her to counseling earlier. Not guidance counselor but a real therapist. But this was 10 years ago so maybe things were different back then. But her family seems well off enough they could easily afford something like that.
Something interesting in the book was that there was almost no commentary on people's ethnicity. No hair color or skin color. Other than the white girl on the cover, you really have no idea. Jake, Chris, and Becky could literally be any ethnicity. I prefer it this way. It feels better to me to have it all be a mystery then to have it be forced diversity.
Honestly Parker was such a bitch in the beginning I almost DNF'd this, but I read the blurb on the back and it said something happened, so I was curious and kept reading. A very short book at 214 pages for my edition, so I figured it would be a quick easy read, and it was!
By the end, I found Parker super relatable. Her commentary on high school reminded me why I was glad to leave high school.
Spoilers below:
I was rooting for her and Jake the whole time, so I am glad that ended on a hopeful high note.
It is really sad the entire chain of events that lead up to the disappearance and death of Jessie. If everyone knew this girl was Parker's best friend and she was missing, I don't know why they didn't get her to counseling earlier. Not guidance counselor but a real therapist. But this was 10 years ago so maybe things were different back then. But her family seems well off enough they could easily afford something like that.
Something interesting in the book was that there was almost no commentary on people's ethnicity. No hair color or skin color. Other than the white girl on the cover, you really have no idea. Jake, Chris, and Becky could literally be any ethnicity. I prefer it this way. It feels better to me to have it all be a mystery then to have it be forced diversity.
dannycakez8808's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I always really enjoy the writing and the characters from this author. I feel like this story was very important to hear and Courtney really has a way with words. She truly makes you feel emotion with every sentence. Since this book is not very long I dont want to give away too much with my review but I will say I very much enjoyed my experience and will continue to pick up this authors writing! I also love the rereleased cover! ARC provided by Netgalley
I always really enjoy the writing and the characters from this author. I feel like this story was very important to hear and Courtney really has a way with words. She truly makes you feel emotion with every sentence. Since this book is not very long I dont want to give away too much with my review but I will say I very much enjoyed my experience and will continue to pick up this authors writing! I also love the rereleased cover! ARC provided by Netgalley
sleeprunreadrepeat's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
theinkdoe's review against another edition
3.0
Cracked up to be
Following Sadie and All the rage, I picked up "Cracked up to be" with great expectations. It was a pretty good read but I felt it lacked the depth I had bgrown to expect from Courtney. The book deals with the mental response and how the main character Parker internalize and respond to a traumatizing event. The normal cliches of high school characters are broken down. I felt that a negative character who is supposed to be hated is kind of justified. Then a conventional main plotline is side tracked. But that is also what sets this story apart. It was an overall engaging book but I really couldn't figure out if I liked it or not.
Following Sadie and All the rage, I picked up "Cracked up to be" with great expectations. It was a pretty good read but I felt it lacked the depth I had bgrown to expect from Courtney. The book deals with the mental response and how the main character Parker internalize and respond to a traumatizing event. The normal cliches of high school characters are broken down. I felt that a negative character who is supposed to be hated is kind of justified. Then a conventional main plotline is side tracked. But that is also what sets this story apart. It was an overall engaging book but I really couldn't figure out if I liked it or not.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
CRACKED UP TO BE was my first Courtney Summers experience and I really loved it. Former perfect girl Parker spends her time pushing people away and running from her past, from her secrets and guilt. I really liked Chris and Jake in this book--two really decent guys and swoon worthy. Parker was prickly to say the least and Summers pegged her voice "perfectly." I liked how we only got a little bit of Parker's history at a time--that being said, I did eventually reach a point where I was frustrated with the covert ops. I just wanted to know what happened so that Parker could deal with it. Overall, a great, gritty read with a razor sharp teen voice!
somarostam's review against another edition
3.0
So, I was searching through my collection of e-books, and I found two books by Courtney Summers: Cracked Up To Be and This Is Not a Test. I decided to start with the older one, Cracked Up To Be, which wasn't what I expected at all.
Parker is perfectly screwed-up high school student, she is mean to everyone who comes here way. The only people who put up with her are ( or were) her now-missing best friend, Jessie. Her ex-boyfriend, Chris. Her rival and supposed-to-be best friend, Becky and the new kid in school, Jake.
Parker is the fallen-princess of the high school. She was the head cheerleader and she had the perfect boyfriend. But one day, she gave up cheerleading and broke up with her boyfriend. Nobody knows why but we will find out toward the end of the book.
Will Parker stop acting like a total *bitch*? Will she get over her emotional breakdowns? Who will she choose: the lovable Chris or the caring Jake? Find out when you read this YA contemporary romantic drama, Cracked Up To Be.
First of all, let me say that I was disappointed with this book. Even when I finished it, I still didn't get the point of it! The characters are pretty messed up and superficial. They are mostly one-dimensional.
I didn't like Parker, I hated how she treated other people. Even if you have been been through this much, you shouldn't treat people like that. She treated her parents like they were her servants or something!
And she didn't deserve any of the love the two boys gave her. Even though she is the one who broke up with Chris whom still loved her like hell, he is still taking care of her, but she always snaps back his every word. Jake has the same situation, he openly confesses that he cares about her, she still doesn't give him a God-damn chance.
When I reached the end, I was like " That's it?.... Oh, okay" I am so sorry, I don't want to act like I totally hated the book, there were some parts that I liked. I liked how the author didn't give away the reason Parker was so messed up until the end. And the reason was so unpredictable and unexpected. I loved it!
Throughout, this book will very very enjoyable if you are a contemporary lover. Although it has a few minor flaws, it is still a very enjoyable and compelling read, You should definitely try it!
Parker is perfectly screwed-up high school student, she is mean to everyone who comes here way. The only people who put up with her are ( or were) her now-missing best friend, Jessie. Her ex-boyfriend, Chris. Her rival and supposed-to-be best friend, Becky and the new kid in school, Jake.
Parker is the fallen-princess of the high school. She was the head cheerleader and she had the perfect boyfriend. But one day, she gave up cheerleading and broke up with her boyfriend. Nobody knows why but we will find out toward the end of the book.
Will Parker stop acting like a total *bitch*? Will she get over her emotional breakdowns? Who will she choose: the lovable Chris or the caring Jake? Find out when you read this YA contemporary romantic drama, Cracked Up To Be.
First of all, let me say that I was disappointed with this book. Even when I finished it, I still didn't get the point of it! The characters are pretty messed up and superficial. They are mostly one-dimensional.
I didn't like Parker, I hated how she treated other people. Even if you have been been through this much, you shouldn't treat people like that. She treated her parents like they were her servants or something!
And she didn't deserve any of the love the two boys gave her. Even though she is the one who broke up with Chris whom still loved her like hell, he is still taking care of her, but she always snaps back his every word. Jake has the same situation, he openly confesses that he cares about her, she still doesn't give him a God-damn chance.
When I reached the end, I was like " That's it?.... Oh, okay" I am so sorry, I don't want to act like I totally hated the book, there were some parts that I liked. I liked how the author didn't give away the reason Parker was so messed up until the end. And the reason was so unpredictable and unexpected. I loved it!
Throughout, this book will very very enjoyable if you are a contemporary lover. Although it has a few minor flaws, it is still a very enjoyable and compelling read, You should definitely try it!
madisonsbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0