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puddleshoes's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Sexual harassment
legalplanner's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
All opinions are my own, I want to thank HarperTeen, NetGalley, and Kelsey Rodkey for giving me an advanced copy of this for an honest review.
I found myself really relating to Lahey on her journey to find a date for her cousin's sweet sixteen. What I foundmsyelf so angry with was her behavior to everyone else along the way.
Lahey is everything someone who is terminally single, and curvy wishes to be-Confident, stylish, and well liked. Those things come with their own set of problems. As the middle child she's overlooked often, she's never gotten the guys attention, and she has felt as if she was just there. When she receives an invitation to her cousin's party, she promises to have a date even though her cousin says she was doing her a favor and not embarrassing her. This was the point where some of my issues came up. She's talking about how her cousin is so mean and hateful but in reality, if she paid attention to anyone else, she would have realized why. I realized why right there in the beginning, so it just felt like she was a super blind main lead who didn't want to see what was in front of her.
I found her woes as being single, over looked, and generally catching feelings for the uninterested and unavailable so relatable. I too have been terminally single and it gets frustrating not getting the plus one to events, not being the person asked on dates etc. I found her reaction to that problem relatable and realistic. Her reaction I did not find relatable.
Overall, It was a good book, taking place over a week in Lahey's life so we quickly learn about who she is as a sister, neighbor, and friend. I found myself crying at the end because I was so frustrated with Lahey but so proud of her finally pulling her head out of the clouds to realize her mistakes. Another great read from Rodkey.
I found myself really relating to Lahey on her journey to find a date for her cousin's sweet sixteen. What I foundmsyelf so angry with was her behavior to everyone else along the way.
Lahey is everything someone who is terminally single, and curvy wishes to be-Confident, stylish, and well liked. Those things come with their own set of problems. As the middle child she's overlooked often, she's never gotten the guys attention, and she has felt as if she was just there. When she receives an invitation to her cousin's party, she promises to have a date even though her cousin says she was doing her a favor and not embarrassing her. This was the point where some of my issues came up. She's talking about how her cousin is so mean and hateful but in reality, if she paid attention to anyone else, she would have realized why. I realized why right there in the beginning, so it just felt like she was a super blind main lead who didn't want to see what was in front of her.
I found her woes as being single, over looked, and generally catching feelings for the uninterested and unavailable so relatable. I too have been terminally single and it gets frustrating not getting the plus one to events, not being the person asked on dates etc. I found her reaction to that problem relatable and realistic. Her reaction I did not find relatable.
Overall, It was a good book, taking place over a week in Lahey's life so we quickly learn about who she is as a sister, neighbor, and friend. I found myself crying at the end because I was so frustrated with Lahey but so proud of her finally pulling her head out of the clouds to realize her mistakes. Another great read from Rodkey.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Toxic friendship
natashaleighton_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a fun and thoroughly entertaining YA Rom-com that follows the chaotic life of plus-sized teen matchmaker, Lahey as she searches for a last minute date to her nemesis/cousin’s lavish birthday party.
Full of disastrous dates, stray cats and teen drama, Lahey’s whirlwind week sees her embark on a satisfying journey to self acceptance and a rather sweet, slow-burn romance that I really enjoyed.
This is actually the first book by Kelsey Rodney I’ve ever read but, given how much I loved her witty and heartfelt portrayal of the peaks and pitfalls of teenage life—it’s definitely not going to be the last!
I really liked Lahey, our matchmaking protagonist, who’s as flawed and complex as she is compelling. I enjoyed seeing her navigate the typical teenage struggles of self esteem and jealousy that most experience at that age, and was impressed with the amount of growth we see not just from Lahey (as she takes responsibility for her mistakes and attempts to make amends) but also from several of the characters around her.
Particularly Summer (Lahey’s Cousin) who, despite being built up as the main antagonist was a surprisingly easy character to sympathise with as we get slowly get to know her and her own personal struggles.
I do have to admit my fave character had to be Adler, best friend to Lahey’s big sister Liberty and literal cinnamon roll boy next door. His chemistry and banter with Lahey was amazing—I honestly cannot believe how long it took her to realise he was a catch!
The only thing that disappointed me was that the romance wasn’t nearly long enough and I’d love to see more of Lahey’s blossoming relationship—maybe in a sequel of some kind, as I’d love to see more of Liberty, Sophia and Lily.
Overall, Plus One is a definite must read for YA rom-com lovers, Kelsey Rodkey fans or anyone looking for coming of age, plus-size centred stories.
Also, a huge thank you Harper360ya for the proof
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Car accident
bookishmillennial's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
General disclaimer if you've read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You're correct that I don't really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don't like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn't indicate that the book wasn't worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I'm a ho for the smut, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone's reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
Quick Premise:
Lahey is *the* matchmaker for her friends and classmates -- the classic "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" but for 17-year-olds haha. When her snobby cousin Summer tells Lahey that she didn't give Lahey a "plus one" for her sweet sixteen the next weekend, Lahey is determined to find a date to prove her cousin wrong. Lahey has dates with six potential dates but her sister's bestie Adler constantly shows up on her dates, seemingly having fun with this front-row seat. Lahey also grapples with both internalized and societal fatphobia, which contributes to her own mini coming-of-age journey.
Thoughts:
Maybe I'm a romance expert by now but without revisiting the premise, I knew immediately who Lahey would end up with! Anyway, each of the six dates were actually quite entertaining! It reminded me a bit of the movie Hitch with Will Smith and how he coaches his clients to become whatever their love interest wants. Lahey does the same for her friends and herself -- in Taylor Swift terms, she is a "mastermind" and basically plays to the things she knows about her dates. However, I appreciated her journey towards shedding all of that and just being confident enough in herself and finding someone who wants her authentic self too!
Again, the romance between Lahey and ______ was pretty obvious to me from the start (if it's not playful banter, I don't want it!) but maybe it won't be for others? It didn't necessarily spoil or ruin the book for me but it made me much less invested in any of the other interactions haha.
This was an easy and enjoyable enough read, and I really appreciated the covertly and overtly fatphobic comments or behavior, because I really don't think many people recognize their own bias as much as we'd like to think so! I hope this illuminates that bias for young adult readers, and if anything, it's a good primer for what NOT to say about others' bodies. Let's stop commenting on each others' bodies, yeah?
Quick Premise:
Lahey is *the* matchmaker for her friends and classmates -- the classic "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" but for 17-year-olds haha. When her snobby cousin Summer tells Lahey that she didn't give Lahey a "plus one" for her sweet sixteen the next weekend, Lahey is determined to find a date to prove her cousin wrong. Lahey has dates with six potential dates but her sister's bestie Adler constantly shows up on her dates, seemingly having fun with this front-row seat. Lahey also grapples with both internalized and societal fatphobia, which contributes to her own mini coming-of-age journey.
Thoughts:
Maybe I'm a romance expert by now but without revisiting the premise, I knew immediately who Lahey would end up with! Anyway, each of the six dates were actually quite entertaining! It reminded me a bit of the movie Hitch with Will Smith and how he coaches his clients to become whatever their love interest wants. Lahey does the same for her friends and herself -- in Taylor Swift terms, she is a "mastermind" and basically plays to the things she knows about her dates. However, I appreciated her journey towards shedding all of that and just being confident enough in herself and finding someone who wants her authentic self too!
Again, the romance between Lahey and ______ was pretty obvious to me from the start (if it's not playful banter, I don't want it!) but maybe it won't be for others? It didn't necessarily spoil or ruin the book for me but it made me much less invested in any of the other interactions haha.
This was an easy and enjoyable enough read, and I really appreciated the covertly and overtly fatphobic comments or behavior, because I really don't think many people recognize their own bias as much as we'd like to think so! I hope this illuminates that bias for young adult readers, and if anything, it's a good primer for what NOT to say about others' bodies. Let's stop commenting on each others' bodies, yeah?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
bookwormbullet's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Fatphobia
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