raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book for free from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Happy Saturdayyyyy! Today ya'll get to read me dish about Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. It's a YA contemporary romance about a streamer who gets targeted by a bunch of GamerGaters and a boy who writes game stories while they explore new planets in Reclaim the Sun.
Content Warning: Harassment, Attacks. PTSD, Anxiety,
I was so hyped for Don't Read the Comments for many reasons. It lives up to the hype, for so many reasons. Let's start, shall we?
One is the author, Eric Smith. I follow him on Twitter and adore him in my feed. He's such a positive force in the community, supporting authors and readers. Hopefully, he comes down to Phoenix, especially with Changing Hands, my favorite local indie.
Two, GEEK LOVE. They SOOOO geeky and pure and sweet. I WUVS THEM SO MUCH. They have great banter and chemistry.
Divya Sharma is the streamer who help support her and her newly single mom with her gaming. She's caring and supportive of her BFF, and her mom while being a positive role model with her Angst Armada.
Aaron Jericho writes stories for a local indie game developer who went to his high school. His immigrant parents are worried about his future and getting taken advantage of, pushing him towards medical school and away from gaming.
Three, Amazing Support People! Divya and Aaron have amazing support people in their friends and family. They talk about trauma and give advice and joke around. Aaron has such an adorable little sister with such a great cute relationship.
Four, it culminates in a gaming convention! ~The Showdown~. They mention how BS it is to have a panel about women in gaming with only ONE woman.
Five, it immediately grabbed me, it's a quick fun read. The pacing is great. There's no obvious miscommunications or stupid moments. AND the other character's actually react the way WE do to the situations and say it. It's the best thing. Finally someone said it!!
Six, GIRLS SUPPORTING GIRLS. GIRLS SAVING THEMSELVES.
There's a giveaway over on Goodreads:
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
About Don't Read The Comments:
Excerpt from Don't Read The Comments:
IMHO: Don't Read The Comments
Content Warning: Harassment, Attacks. PTSD, Anxiety,
I was so hyped for Don't Read the Comments for many reasons. It lives up to the hype, for so many reasons. Let's start, shall we?
One is the author, Eric Smith. I follow him on Twitter and adore him in my feed. He's such a positive force in the community, supporting authors and readers. Hopefully, he comes down to Phoenix, especially with Changing Hands, my favorite local indie.
Two, GEEK LOVE. They SOOOO geeky and pure and sweet. I WUVS THEM SO MUCH. They have great banter and chemistry.
Divya Sharma is the streamer who help support her and her newly single mom with her gaming. She's caring and supportive of her BFF, and her mom while being a positive role model with her Angst Armada.
Aaron Jericho writes stories for a local indie game developer who went to his high school. His immigrant parents are worried about his future and getting taken advantage of, pushing him towards medical school and away from gaming.
Three, Amazing Support People! Divya and Aaron have amazing support people in their friends and family. They talk about trauma and give advice and joke around. Aaron has such an adorable little sister with such a great cute relationship.
Four, it culminates in a gaming convention! ~The Showdown~. They mention how BS it is to have a panel about women in gaming with only ONE woman.
Five, it immediately grabbed me, it's a quick fun read. The pacing is great. There's no obvious miscommunications or stupid moments. AND the other character's actually react the way WE do to the situations and say it. It's the best thing. Finally someone said it!!
Six, GIRLS SUPPORTING GIRLS. GIRLS SAVING THEMSELVES.
Don't Read The Comments is a perfect YA contemporary romance fans that appreciate the geeky nerd fun. It's relevant, and I don't think it'll show its age for awhile.
Like Geekerella, The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You and Highly Illogical Behavior.
About the Author:
Giveaway:
There's a giveaway over on Goodreads:
Tour Schedule:
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
musingsbynitika's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
Sweet YA romcom with really loveable & diverse characters. A quick & fun read. Bonus: Palestinian author!
monkeysbecausewhynot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emilychau's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
2.75
dawnie1712's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Good book - but the gaming setting wasn’t it for me :(
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Setting a sweet relationship narrative in the lion's den of online (and real world) harassment can be a tricky endeavor, and this story winningly uses the flirty romance as an oasis amidst the darker issues.
The detail of the gaming and streaming worlds is thick, which begs a bit of a question of balance. Those who already know these spheres may be impatient, and those who aren't already fans will drown in more information than they need or want. It's difficult to please dual audiences, so the plus is the extreme likability of both Divya and Aaron that makes the reader not mind too much, and this extends beyond their budding connection to the life challenges each navigates apart from each other. Some plot developments are directly transported from '80s teen flicks (complete with obvious villainy), and whether that's a plus or a minus to the reader is a good indicator of how satisfying the journey will be.
Bonus points for personal empowerment, but the real draw is characters with whom you enjoy spending time.
The detail of the gaming and streaming worlds is thick, which begs a bit of a question of balance. Those who already know these spheres may be impatient, and those who aren't already fans will drown in more information than they need or want. It's difficult to please dual audiences, so the plus is the extreme likability of both Divya and Aaron that makes the reader not mind too much, and this extends beyond their budding connection to the life challenges each navigates apart from each other. Some plot developments are directly transported from '80s teen flicks (complete with obvious villainy), and whether that's a plus or a minus to the reader is a good indicator of how satisfying the journey will be.
Bonus points for personal empowerment, but the real draw is characters with whom you enjoy spending time.
thechronicknitter's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Cute, powerful messages and entertaining. What more could you ask for?
nerolireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
I adored this nerdy YA romance that also manages to address issues such as racism, classism, misogony and cyberbullying. The misogony and gatekeeping in the gamer world, especially in masculine dominated games is huge. I loved how the book addressed this.
Divya and Aaron are both so adorable and relatable. The blossoming romance between the two is adorable yet awkward, which led to plenty of humorous scenes.
This is definitely one I'd recommend, especially to fellow gamers.
Divya and Aaron are both so adorable and relatable. The blossoming romance between the two is adorable yet awkward, which led to plenty of humorous scenes.
This is definitely one I'd recommend, especially to fellow gamers.
courtney_kelley's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5