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sbloom's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? No
4.5
gracelynnreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
heidz's review against another edition
This was a DNF for me. I was looking forward to this because I haven't come across many books with asexual representation. I couldn't get past the lack a maturity of the characters and the fighting online over relationship advise accounts. These are suppose to be college students at a more prestigious school and they felts like caddy high schoolers. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all. This was a disappointment.
who_knows_anymore_honestly_6's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although I didn’t particularly enjoy this book, it is one of those books that might’ve helped me when I was younger and figuring out my identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia and Dysphoria
thereadingchallengechallenge's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you've ever wanted a YA friends-to-lovers novel where instead of lovers they end up in a queer platonic partnership, this is the book for you.
Even though this book is set at college, it still felt very YA which did grate on me for a bit in the beginning but once Jo and Sophie's personalities came out a bit more, I began to enjoy myself. They have great chemistry, bringing out the best in each other, and it was just so lovely to read a story that put friendship front and centre.
And I really enjoyed all the discussions about being aroace and how that affects people in different ways: how it interacts with race, with gender, with how people relate to the wider queer community. There was a glaring lack of disabled or masc perspectives but I guess one book can't cover it all.
If you like contemporary YA that's a little chaotic, you'll probably enjoy Dear Wendy.
Even though this book is set at college, it still felt very YA which did grate on me for a bit in the beginning but once Jo and Sophie's personalities came out a bit more, I began to enjoy myself. They have great chemistry, bringing out the best in each other, and it was just so lovely to read a story that put friendship front and centre.
And I really enjoyed all the discussions about being aroace and how that affects people in different ways: how it interacts with race, with gender, with how people relate to the wider queer community. There was a glaring lack of disabled or masc perspectives but I guess one book can't cover it all.
If you like contemporary YA that's a little chaotic, you'll probably enjoy Dear Wendy.
vypham's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.0
I think a 3 is generous but it’s a cute book. Very lighthearted but it reads TOO YA for me. I think the book could’ve been better in a HS setting.
Some parts were really cringey but overall the message was cute. I did feel like it could’ve ended 50 pages earlier though.
Some parts were really cringey but overall the message was cute. I did feel like it could’ve ended 50 pages earlier though.
fuguballoon's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
I was so excited for this book, but the execution did not do justice to the excellent premise.
Dear Wendy is slow. There is no character development from beginning to end. Sophie is incredibly immature, even for an eighteen-year-old, and her nuanceless black-and-white thinking is never addressed. (Tbh, she felt like a self-insert, which is always awkward to read.) For being written in the first person, I didn't get a sense of the inner worlds of either of the main characters. It was really hard to keep reading with such a slow-moving plot and no character development.
Dear Wendy is slow. There is no character development from beginning to end. Sophie is incredibly immature, even for an eighteen-year-old, and her nuanceless black-and-white thinking is never addressed. (Tbh, she felt like a self-insert, which is always awkward to read.) For being written in the first person, I didn't get a sense of the inner worlds of either of the main characters. It was really hard to keep reading with such a slow-moving plot and no character development.
alcoraca's review against another edition
Not in the rightood for this and had to return to Library. May return to at some point.
snarkycrafter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
A cute aro-ace love story. I learned a lot about the aromantic and asexual spectrum experience. The fear of being lonely, doubting your sexuality, feeling the need to be liked and for external validation…all relatable college experiences.
That said, Sophie and Jo were both annoying and somewhat toxic in their own way. Sophie acts like life (and everything) is a competition and has a superiority complex or need to be right for a large part of the book. Jo not wanting any of her friends to be in relationships? 🙄😒 This was so flippin’ unhealthy and codependent.
That said, it’s a cute and enjoyable read.
That said, Sophie and Jo were both annoying and somewhat toxic in their own way. Sophie acts like life (and everything) is a competition and has a superiority complex or need to be right for a large part of the book. Jo not wanting any of her friends to be in relationships? 🙄😒 This was so flippin’ unhealthy and codependent.
That said, it’s a cute and enjoyable read.