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cupcates's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
this book is very, very important and touches on serious, very much still current topics. however, i feel like it tried to tackle way too many things at once, and never went too deep with any of them, so its potential got lost a little bit along the way
this book is very, very important and touches on serious, very much still current topics. however, i feel like it tried to tackle way too many things at once, and never went too deep with any of them, so its potential got lost a little bit along the way
bardo's review against another edition
4.0
Josie loves to write and it's her superpower. This talent will come in handy for her reporter career. But when she is accepted to be a celebrity reporter she uncovers more than glitz and glamour. Off the Record is a searing novel about uncovering the truth and saying your truth. Garrett does an exceptional job of ramping up the suspense and feelings of urgency. Josie is a complex character with many dimensions, fighting anxiety and trying to feel comfortable using her words to get what she needs. While the plot centers on the development of a film and Josie's interview, the romance between her and her subject interrupts the plot. This relationship doesn't really add much depth to the plot and I wish this wasn't how it unfolded. Even though she is a teen and this is her first time left alone, I would have preferred the I fall in love with my subject cliche be left out of the story. At times Josie can be frustrating to follow but in the end, she is a character the will touch many readers.
readingwithrae's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars.
in what is essentially a fictionalized version of the harvey weinstein case, off the record follows josie, a young reporter who wins an opportunity to profile an up-and-coming teenage actor, marius canet. with her sister alice in tow, josie travels across the country, following marius and his castmates on a promotional tour. everything is going great (josie and marius are clicking, she's so excited for this big break, her sister isn't being *totally* obnoxious), but everything turns upside down when one of the actresses on the tour pulls josie aside and asks her to write a tell-all about her sexual assault by an incredibly famous and powerful hollywood director.
okay, so i would throw myself in front of a bus for literally every main character in this book (especially marius like any man who accepts death by thick thighs is a legend). josie? literally the most relatable protagonist. alice? the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is off the charts, love a girl who learns from her mistakes. penny? LITERALLY THE GREATEST and an absolute badass for taking on her abuser. like i want to be friends with all of these girls and protect them from the world.
but what i loved most about this book is the way all of the "big issues" were handled. josie is Black, fat, and has anxiety, which really affects her journey of self-love. as someone who is also fat and has anxiety, i related so much to josie's inner thoughts about existing in a world where skinny is the default, and how knowing you're beautiful and actually believing it are entirely different things. like i know i'm not *ugly*, but it's hard to look in the mirror and think i'm *beautiful* when all i see is a huge stomach and stretch marks for days. reading josie's journey of learning to accept her body and realize she's beautiful at any size really inspired and encouraged me to be kinder to myself, and i hope other people, especially fat teens, can read this book and get the same confidence boost from it.
tl;dr, this is an amazing story and i'd encourage anyone who is looking for a contemporary ya novel that tackles tough issues to read this!
cw: fatphobia, homophobia, sexual assault
in what is essentially a fictionalized version of the harvey weinstein case, off the record follows josie, a young reporter who wins an opportunity to profile an up-and-coming teenage actor, marius canet. with her sister alice in tow, josie travels across the country, following marius and his castmates on a promotional tour. everything is going great (josie and marius are clicking, she's so excited for this big break, her sister isn't being *totally* obnoxious), but everything turns upside down when one of the actresses on the tour pulls josie aside and asks her to write a tell-all about her sexual assault by an incredibly famous and powerful hollywood director.
okay, so i would throw myself in front of a bus for literally every main character in this book (especially marius like any man who accepts death by thick thighs is a legend). josie? literally the most relatable protagonist. alice? the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is off the charts, love a girl who learns from her mistakes. penny? LITERALLY THE GREATEST and an absolute badass for taking on her abuser. like i want to be friends with all of these girls and protect them from the world.
but what i loved most about this book is the way all of the "big issues" were handled. josie is Black, fat, and has anxiety, which really affects her journey of self-love. as someone who is also fat and has anxiety, i related so much to josie's inner thoughts about existing in a world where skinny is the default, and how knowing you're beautiful and actually believing it are entirely different things. like i know i'm not *ugly*, but it's hard to look in the mirror and think i'm *beautiful* when all i see is a huge stomach and stretch marks for days. reading josie's journey of learning to accept her body and realize she's beautiful at any size really inspired and encouraged me to be kinder to myself, and i hope other people, especially fat teens, can read this book and get the same confidence boost from it.
tl;dr, this is an amazing story and i'd encourage anyone who is looking for a contemporary ya novel that tackles tough issues to read this!
cw: fatphobia, homophobia, sexual assault
tarareads517's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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
5.0
Such a beautiful powerful story! Pick this one up!
claudiaslibrarycard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
4.5
A fantastic YA novel about Me Too topics with strong character development and excellent bisexual representation. This was top notch.
ihamster's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexual content and Stalking
eldritchreader's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings:
Off the Record covers a lot in just over 300 pages and tells an incredibly important story. The #metoo movement is something incredibly relevant in current news and Garrett approaches it in an incredibly digestible way for younger readers. Not only does this book explore sexual harassment and assault within the entertainment industry, but it also voices critical commentary on the idea that there is no threshold for assault, and the trauma involved, to be valid. Additionally, the narration on the representation of a fat POC main character was fantastic and natural - they don't solely define the character but still plays a role in many of her feelings and behaviours.
Beyond these points, this was a little slower-paced than contemporaries that I personally enjoy. And while I loved the friendship depiction between Josie and Penny and the tumultuous sibing dynamic with Josie's sister the romance element felt forced and unnecessary.
Garrett has woven a stunning and incredibly vital story for today's younger generation.
Spoiler
sexual assault, sexual harassment, anxiety, body & fat shaming, rape (implied), emesis,toxic diet culture, bimisiaOff the Record covers a lot in just over 300 pages and tells an incredibly important story. The #metoo movement is something incredibly relevant in current news and Garrett approaches it in an incredibly digestible way for younger readers. Not only does this book explore sexual harassment and assault within the entertainment industry, but it also voices critical commentary on the idea that there is no threshold for assault, and the trauma involved, to be valid. Additionally, the narration on the representation of a fat POC main character was fantastic and natural - they don't solely define the character but still plays a role in many of her feelings and behaviours.
Beyond these points, this was a little slower-paced than contemporaries that I personally enjoy. And while I loved the friendship depiction between Josie and Penny and the tumultuous sibing dynamic with Josie's sister the romance element felt forced and unnecessary.
Garrett has woven a stunning and incredibly vital story for today's younger generation.
Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.blog • trigger warning database • more links
Happy reading! ❤
bookishrealm's review against another edition
4.0
Check out my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jlAUgQfLa8
laurarm's review
3.0
Die Story ist in Ordnung, aber sehr oberflächlich erzählt. Die einzige Person die wirklich für Spannung gesorgt hat, war Marius. Die ganze Lovestory war süß. Von dem Rest hätte man sich mehr erwartet. Am Ende schien es doch vor allem eine Teenie Version von she said. Ich denke, das Original wäre allerdings zu bevorzugen.
roeckitcody's review against another edition
5.0
I read an early draft of this! Camryn Garrett is a force to be reckon with y'all and absolutely everything she writes is spectacular. This one specifically is SO special. Just wait until you meet these characters and fall in love like I did - I know you will. It's impossible not to.