purechaos's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Outing, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Bullying, and Alcohol
genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.75
Honestly, I loved this book! I decided to read it primarily because I’ve enjoyed Becky Albertalli’s previous work and I knew there was some pansexual/panromantic representation. But, I ended up being blown away by how much I liked this book. The cast of characters is realistic, relatable, and fun to read about. The story itself is touching, funny, and great all around. The primary romance was compelling and I loved the dynamics. I loved this book and would highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
vixenreader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The politics can be hammered in a little too hard at times, the themes of allowing a safe space for a variety of queer-identifying individuals is essential, especially when someone tries to gate-keep queerness. Also, it is super cute, and has a sweet love story at the centre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Vomit
Be aware of queer gate-keeping, public embarrassments in public spaces, and characters using past traumas to be cruel to others.wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ok first- I NEED ALL THE BI BOOKS. I am so insanely obsessed with this book!!! This ranks with RWRB for me- and that is a hell of a task, lemme tell you. My heart literally felt sooo much reading this book.
Spoiler
second- I hate Gretchen and everything that comes out of her mouth and she’s awful and terrible and uses trauma to defend her narcy bs and I hate her.Spoiler
if you are a person who is bi/pan- this book explores it in ways I never knew I needed! Just like RWRB I feel *seen*. There is so much truth in the confusion and identity anxiety for so many queer folks, and the way Imogen navigates that is both infuriating and beautiful. I love how the idea of belonging, the idea of deserving community, is explored too. Not all experiences are the same, even within spaces where the people wear the same labels. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this book. Literally my favorite read this year so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
braveprincess11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I wanted to like it. I really, really wanted to like it. Instead, by the end, I wish I DNF’ed.
This was my first Becky Albertalli, and unfortunately, it will also be my last.
I understand that the point of this book was for Imogen to struggle through figuring out her own identity, and I also know that it was loosely based on Albertalli’s own journey, but the amount of internalized biphobia was honestly unbearable at times.
I know that Gretchen exists to be the villain, and that this is about Imogen’s journey to self discovery and self acceptance in a complicated social media based world. But Gretchen was so clearly terminally online, and projecting her own trauma onto others, in particular onto Imogen, and the way that Immy absorbed Gretchen’s opinions as fact made it so that not only was Gretchen unlikeable, so was Imogen at times.
Characters aside, the pacing of this book is also… bad. The entire book takes place over 9 days, and is 62 chapters, which is fine. The issue that I have with the pacing is that, Chapter 51, which takes place ON DAY 9, Imogen still says to herself
Later that SAME DAY, she’s kissing Tessa in front of the World’s Largest Griddle, and asking to be girlfriends? It’s entirely unrealistic.
I understand that this is supposed to be a “labels aren’t strict, and you’re still queer if you didn’t grow up knowing that!” kind of book, but it’s also absolutely rife with the same stereotypes that its message professing to subvert?
This was my first Becky Albertalli, and unfortunately, it will also be my last.
I understand that the point of this book was for Imogen to struggle through figuring out her own identity, and I also know that it was loosely based on Albertalli’s own journey, but the amount of internalized biphobia was honestly unbearable at times.
I know that Gretchen exists to be the villain, and that this is about Imogen’s journey to self discovery and self acceptance in a complicated social media based world. But Gretchen was so clearly terminally online, and projecting her own trauma onto others, in particular onto Imogen, and the way that Immy absorbed Gretchen’s opinions as fact made it so that not only was Gretchen unlikeable, so was Imogen at times.
Characters aside, the pacing of this book is also… bad. The entire book takes place over 9 days, and is 62 chapters, which is fine. The issue that I have with the pacing is that, Chapter 51, which takes place ON DAY 9, Imogen still says to herself
Spoiler
“Really, the only question is whether or not Tessa has pieced together that I’m straight.”Later that SAME DAY, she’s kissing Tessa in front of the World’s Largest Griddle, and asking to be girlfriends?
I understand that this is supposed to be a “labels aren’t strict, and you’re still queer if you didn’t grow up knowing that!” kind of book, but it’s also absolutely rife with the same stereotypes that its message professing to subvert?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Biphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
imjustbeinghumble's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
Moderate: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Toxic friendship
jackietanori's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
Okay, I liked it so don’t let the 3.75 fool you. Imogen was a great main character; she was cute and sweet and just all around a nice mc to read about. The book included a lot of diverse characters and some necessary evils.
I did have a couple of points that made me not like the book as much and one was the insane amount of pop culture references. I love pop culture as much as the next guy (my obsession with The Princes Diaries books is strong) but this was full on. Every other page was a pop culture reference and I just think it was a little too much.
Another one was.
Overall the book is pretty good, but I just wish some things were different.
Crying score: No, but I would see why someone would.
I did have a couple of points that made me not like the book as much and one was the insane amount of pop culture references. I love pop culture as much as the next guy (my obsession with The Princes Diaries books is strong) but this was full on. Every other page was a pop culture reference and I just think it was a little too much.
Another one was
Spoiler
the necessary evil that was Gretchen. I get she is a person that may not be real, but absolutely exists in the real world. She was combative and disrespectful; made everyone in the book and me uncomfortable with her outlooks and her way of engaging in conversation. I could not for the life of me understand why Imogen was friends with her for so long.Overall the book is pretty good, but I just wish some things were different.
Crying score: No, but I would see why someone would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
imstephtacular's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Emotional abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Vomit, Outing, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
novelty_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.25
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
It has been a while since I read a Becky Albertalli book so it was definitely long overdue. Simon vs the Homosapien's Agendawas my favourite book of 2017 when I first read it and I've read it over and over again since. When Imogen, Obviouslywas announced I was sure that I'd love it so I preordered right away and claimed it as (one of, or if not) my most anticipated book of the year.
Imogen Obviously is a light-hearted romcom with very deep themes. The book focuses a lot on discovering and questioning your sexuality and what it means to be queer. There were prominent discussions about queer discourse specifically “what makes a person queer?” “What does a queer person look like?” “What if I’m queer baiting?” “Am I actually queer or am I just influenced by the people around me?” It was interesting to go through Imogen's mind and see her question everything about queer discourse from coming out to queer baiting to stereotypes. There were also discussions surrounding gatekeeping, safe spaces and queer validation which were very prominent throughout the book.
Topics and deep themes aside, this book had a great cast of characters. Imogen was such a sweet, cinnamon roll kind of character who just wanted to be there for her friends and wanted to do the right thing. This book really took you into her thoughts and feelings especially towards her friends, the queer community and with her crush on college friend, Tessa. Another great thing about this book was that it showed different types of friendships and what true ally ship looks like. Lili, Edith and Imogen's new friends were so supportive of her and accepting, embracing Imogen without question and validating her sexuality without judgement. Gretchen on the other hand, was a very passionate member of the LGBTQ+ community yet her treatment of Imogen was inconsiderate even if she thought she had good intentions.
I also loved the cameos we got from Love Victor and Simon vs the Homosapien's Agenda I'm pretty sure the cameos were Nora and Andrew.
The only thing I can think of that could be improved is that it took me a while to get into Imogen’s character and feel that chemistry between her and Tessa. It definitely took more of a build up than with Simon vs (which is one of my favourite books of all time).
Overall, this book was an eye-opener and really opened up that discussion surrounding queer culture, the LGBTQ+ community and stereotypes. I loved how we got glimpses into how each character explores their sexuality from Edith to Gretchen to Lili and how the book showcases that there is no right or wrong way to be queer. You just have to be yourself.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS
It has been a while since I read a Becky Albertalli book so it was definitely long overdue. Simon vs the Homosapien's Agendawas my favourite book of 2017 when I first read it and I've read it over and over again since. When Imogen, Obviouslywas announced I was sure that I'd love it so I preordered right away and claimed it as (one of, or if not) my most anticipated book of the year.
Imogen Obviously is a light-hearted romcom with very deep themes. The book focuses a lot on discovering and questioning your sexuality and what it means to be queer. There were prominent discussions about queer discourse specifically “what makes a person queer?” “What does a queer person look like?” “What if I’m queer baiting?” “Am I actually queer or am I just influenced by the people around me?” It was interesting to go through Imogen's mind and see her question everything about queer discourse from coming out to queer baiting to stereotypes. There were also discussions surrounding gatekeeping, safe spaces and queer validation which were very prominent throughout the book.
Topics and deep themes aside, this book had a great cast of characters. Imogen was such a sweet, cinnamon roll kind of character who just wanted to be there for her friends and wanted to do the right thing. This book really took you into her thoughts and feelings especially towards her friends, the queer community and with her crush on college friend, Tessa. Another great thing about this book was that it showed different types of friendships and what true ally ship looks like. Lili, Edith and Imogen's new friends were so supportive of her and accepting, embracing Imogen without question and validating her sexuality without judgement. Gretchen on the other hand, was a very passionate member of the LGBTQ+ community yet her treatment of Imogen was inconsiderate even if she thought she had good intentions.
I also loved the cameos we got from Love Victor and Simon vs the Homosapien's Agenda I'm pretty sure the cameos were Nora and Andrew.
The only thing I can think of that could be improved is that it took me a while to get into Imogen’s character and feel that chemistry between her and Tessa. It definitely took more of a build up than with Simon vs (which is one of my favourite books of all time).
Overall, this book was an eye-opener and really opened up that discussion surrounding queer culture, the LGBTQ+ community and stereotypes. I loved how we got glimpses into how each character explores their sexuality from Edith to Gretchen to Lili and how the book showcases that there is no right or wrong way to be queer. You just have to be yourself.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Outing, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Biphobia
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