karagee's review against another edition
3.0
Co-written by 2 high school friends who had their own past romantic entanglements, Freshmen is the story of Phoebe and Luke, who end up at the same college. Phoebe has harbored a massive crush on Luke since they were 11, but Luke barely knows who Phoebe is. They become entwined when Luke breaks up with his high school girlfriend over the phone the first night of college orientation after their relationship had been floundering all summer. The book covers their [mostly disastrous] first semester at York College, bumbling through new friendships and love lives and a whole lot of drinking.
There was a comparison to Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging on the cover and that comparison is apt, as Phoebe is a bit manic and boy-obsessed like Georgia Nicholson (and it's also very English, though I'll admit there were times that I felt thrown because the authors used language I thought only Americans used, like college instead of University, or ER instead of A&E, but then maybe I just don't know British slang well enough).
There are way too many characters for even someone like me to keep track of, but most of them are defined by only 1 or 2 traits anyway. Frankie is an absolute hoot (though as an introvert, she is also someone who would probably wear me out quick!). Mostly the book focuses on the back and forth inner dialogues of scatter-brained Phoebe and indecisive Luke.
I know I'm supposed to let it go because they are 18 and 18 year olds can be really stupid and emotionally stunted but I frequently found myself irritated with Phoebe and Luke's inability to have a conversation even remotely bordering on 'adult.' So many things could have been averted if they'd just come clean and talked things out like normal people and not kids hyped up on sugar and alcohol.
I grew to really hate Luke throughout the book. I kept hoping for him to make better choices to redeem himself and he kept making progressively dumber ones. I was pleased when Phoebe decided she just wanted to be friends because, as manic and self-centered as she is, she obviously deserves better in a boyfriend. I kind of wonder how closely this adheres to the authors' relationship...
Overall, Freshmen is a really funny book and a quick read and kept me entertained for ~300 pages. It also made me think fondly of my own college friends from long ago, though we were never as crazy as this bunch.
There was a comparison to Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging on the cover and that comparison is apt, as Phoebe is a bit manic and boy-obsessed like Georgia Nicholson (and it's also very English, though I'll admit there were times that I felt thrown because the authors used language I thought only Americans used, like college instead of University, or ER instead of A&E, but then maybe I just don't know British slang well enough).
There are way too many characters for even someone like me to keep track of, but most of them are defined by only 1 or 2 traits anyway. Frankie is an absolute hoot (though as an introvert, she is also someone who would probably wear me out quick!). Mostly the book focuses on the back and forth inner dialogues of scatter-brained Phoebe and indecisive Luke.
I know I'm supposed to let it go because they are 18 and 18 year olds can be really stupid and emotionally stunted but I frequently found myself irritated with Phoebe and Luke's inability to have a conversation even remotely bordering on 'adult.' So many things could have been averted if they'd just come clean and talked things out like normal people and not kids hyped up on sugar and alcohol.
I grew to really hate Luke throughout the book. I kept hoping for him to make better choices to redeem himself and he kept making progressively dumber ones. I was pleased when Phoebe decided she just wanted to be friends because, as manic and self-centered as she is, she obviously deserves better in a boyfriend. I kind of wonder how closely this adheres to the authors' relationship...
Overall, Freshmen is a really funny book and a quick read and kept me entertained for ~300 pages. It also made me think fondly of my own college friends from long ago, though we were never as crazy as this bunch.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This one is about two students in their freshman year of college. Phoebe has had a huge crush on Luke for years and now they're at the same college. As Phoebe's dreams become somewhat reality, she and Luke start to interact. The story is told from both of their perspectives as they navigate college and their (sort of) relationship. I liked this one, but I also was left wanting more. One of the subplots of this one is about a group text that the soccer team has. There was so much more than could and should have been covered around the problematic nature of this, the repercussions and the missteps. I felt like this was kind of skimmed over, and that was a lost moment. I did appreciate the reality of the relationship between Phoebe and Luke outside of this part of the story. This wasn't a sweet, romantic happy ending type book, rather it was more about the complexities of figuring out what two people might be and all that this can entail.
brinkley's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on Undeniably Book Nerdy book blog and reviewed by Leslie:
Mr. Tom Ellen and Ms. Lucy Ivison's novel, Freshmen, follows Phoebe and Luke during their first semester of college, stopping at nothing to deliver the drama, the humor, and the trying-to-be-adults-but-failing-miserably angst. Reading it was a rollercoaster of sympathy, frustration, and reminiscence. Freshmen was a fun read that I enjoyed overall.
On the cover of Freshmen Mr. Ellen and Ms. Ivison's novel, there is the blurb "College is fun. Love is complicated," and this novel does well to iterate this piece of wisdom. From beginning to end—and especially toward the end—Phoebe and Luke are catapulted into the "fun" (quote, unquote) of college. They struggle to cope with the challenges of living away from their family and old friends; meeting new people and making new friends; balancing school with their social life; and figuring out as gracefully as possible who they are and how they want to be seen. There were many times, while reading, when I was rolling my eyes at the two of them or wanting to reach in and shake them for their poor decisions. But then there were many other times when I laughed with them or wanted to pull them into a hug.
For instance, Luke, who opens up the story, was a character I had difficulty getting on board with. I was so frustrated by his back-and-forth between his ex-girlfriend and Phoebe as well as his submissiveness toward the inappropriate behavior of his soccer teammates. Throughout the novel, I saw him make decisions and then bail on those obligations; acknowledge the best course of action but not actually do it. I was coming to a point where I was going to dismiss him as a flat, unsympathetic character, YET. Yet. I couldn't hold these flaws against him. He came as a freshmen who had just gotten out of a three-year relationship (i.e., a relationship that defined his high school career) and was now forced to figure out who he was as his own, not as someone's boyfriend. Relationship or no, college challenges people's identity of their selves. It is the four years after high school that forces people to see and acknowledge their uglier parts, and Luke had the misfortune to experience that self-identification crisis tenfold with his recent break-up. In hindsight, his string of blunders (and, believe me, it was a long string) was a mark of his sincere effort to do good and be his best. He was a character—a human—I learned to love and respect.
Phoebe was less of a difficult character to love but difficult nonetheless. My frustrations with her were equal to the number of times she acted naive or emotional, and there were a few times. From nearly hooking up with a jerk to forgetting about her friends, I looked at her and wondered whether I would yell at her or cry with her. In the end, I decided I'd do both. I sympathized with her; I saw myself in her. She had this idealistic view of college until it proved to be delusional. She had a sureness in herself until others threatened her confidence. Reading about her, I reflected on my own mistakes, the times when I acted naively or let my emotions get ahead of me, and I am so proud of how gracefully Phoebe came out of her struggles. Reaching the end was scary because she and Luke were facing drama after drama after drama, and I didn't think Luke was going to right everything, so I hoped hoped hoped that Phoebe would. She did, and I love her all the more for it.
The authenticity that Freshmen poses on the college experience is not to be missed. It is both profound and entertaining as it weaves discussions of self-identity, memory, and growing up with humor and wit. I recommend this book to individuals about to enter college, are in college, have recently completed college, or are in general need of a pick-me-up. Freshmen will remind you that, no matter how many mistakes and failures you've made, really, you are doing just fine and, honestly, take your time. You'll get there one day.
Mr. Tom Ellen and Ms. Lucy Ivison's novel, Freshmen, follows Phoebe and Luke during their first semester of college, stopping at nothing to deliver the drama, the humor, and the trying-to-be-adults-but-failing-miserably angst. Reading it was a rollercoaster of sympathy, frustration, and reminiscence. Freshmen was a fun read that I enjoyed overall.
On the cover of Freshmen Mr. Ellen and Ms. Ivison's novel, there is the blurb "College is fun. Love is complicated," and this novel does well to iterate this piece of wisdom. From beginning to end—and especially toward the end—Phoebe and Luke are catapulted into the "fun" (quote, unquote) of college. They struggle to cope with the challenges of living away from their family and old friends; meeting new people and making new friends; balancing school with their social life; and figuring out as gracefully as possible who they are and how they want to be seen. There were many times, while reading, when I was rolling my eyes at the two of them or wanting to reach in and shake them for their poor decisions. But then there were many other times when I laughed with them or wanted to pull them into a hug.
For instance, Luke, who opens up the story, was a character I had difficulty getting on board with. I was so frustrated by his back-and-forth between his ex-girlfriend and Phoebe as well as his submissiveness toward the inappropriate behavior of his soccer teammates. Throughout the novel, I saw him make decisions and then bail on those obligations; acknowledge the best course of action but not actually do it. I was coming to a point where I was going to dismiss him as a flat, unsympathetic character, YET. Yet. I couldn't hold these flaws against him. He came as a freshmen who had just gotten out of a three-year relationship (i.e., a relationship that defined his high school career) and was now forced to figure out who he was as his own, not as someone's boyfriend. Relationship or no, college challenges people's identity of their selves. It is the four years after high school that forces people to see and acknowledge their uglier parts, and Luke had the misfortune to experience that self-identification crisis tenfold with his recent break-up. In hindsight, his string of blunders (and, believe me, it was a long string) was a mark of his sincere effort to do good and be his best. He was a character—a human—I learned to love and respect.
Phoebe was less of a difficult character to love but difficult nonetheless. My frustrations with her were equal to the number of times she acted naive or emotional, and there were a few times. From nearly hooking up with a jerk to forgetting about her friends, I looked at her and wondered whether I would yell at her or cry with her. In the end, I decided I'd do both. I sympathized with her; I saw myself in her. She had this idealistic view of college until it proved to be delusional. She had a sureness in herself until others threatened her confidence. Reading about her, I reflected on my own mistakes, the times when I acted naively or let my emotions get ahead of me, and I am so proud of how gracefully Phoebe came out of her struggles. Reaching the end was scary because she and Luke were facing drama after drama after drama, and I didn't think Luke was going to right everything, so I hoped hoped hoped that Phoebe would. She did, and I love her all the more for it.
The authenticity that Freshmen poses on the college experience is not to be missed. It is both profound and entertaining as it weaves discussions of self-identity, memory, and growing up with humor and wit. I recommend this book to individuals about to enter college, are in college, have recently completed college, or are in general need of a pick-me-up. Freshmen will remind you that, no matter how many mistakes and failures you've made, really, you are doing just fine and, honestly, take your time. You'll get there one day.
bookedbylinds's review against another edition
2.0
I usually don't rate books below 3 star but I had to with this one. I wasn't invested in the story or the characters, something about it was so boring and lacked life. Phoebe was annoying and Luke was so back and forth and just had no personality. There was so much back and forth that I couldn't actually enjoy what was going on. The ending was also awful. There was so much build up for NOTHING. Literally nothing happened. I can imagine that if I read this book in middle school I probably would have loved it, but reading it in college just had me annoyed and disappointed.
percyflies's review against another edition
3.75
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Made me feel nostalgic/wish I could do over my own college days. Was hoping it’d end in the way that it did so found that satisfying as well.
Overall it felt really realistic and the various quirks and twists and turns would be at home with the sorts of things that happened to me and my friends at uni.
Overall it felt really realistic and the various quirks and twists and turns would be at home with the sorts of things that happened to me and my friends at uni.
kiara_reyes1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Phoebe and Luke are two of the many students beginning college this year. While they attended high school together, they never really knew each other. Luke was half of the perfect high school couple and Phoebe crushed on him from afar. The high intensity of the drunken parties of orientation week lead Luke to break up with his high school girlfriend and starting finding a new interest in Phoebe. Luke has trouble committing to anything and really following through on anything…he is pretty much a dick, but somehow you still end up liking him. His friendship with his dorm-mates and his adorable thoughts on life, make you love this completely imperfect character. Phoebe cannot pin Luke down, maybe she has fallen in love with how she idolizes him, as opposed to who he really is. Phoebe makes some great friends who help support her through the ups and downs of her interactions with Luke, which include an unintentional stray text, soccer guys posting creepy photos of girls they hooked up with, and perhaps not so ex girlfriends. How are these two going to survive their first semester of freshmen year!?
It took some time for me to get into this novel. In the beginning I thought it was boring and shallow, but I am so glad I hung around because this book made me laugh my butt off. I was reading it late at night and was worried that I was going to wake my neighbors, especially after reading the condom scene. I loved the secondary characters, Arthur, Negin, and Frankie, to name a few. I wouldn’t mind reading more about these characters in a sequel.
Phoebe and Luke are two of the many students beginning college this year. While they attended high school together, they never really knew each other. Luke was half of the perfect high school couple and Phoebe crushed on him from afar. The high intensity of the drunken parties of orientation week lead Luke to break up with his high school girlfriend and starting finding a new interest in Phoebe. Luke has trouble committing to anything and really following through on anything…he is pretty much a dick, but somehow you still end up liking him. His friendship with his dorm-mates and his adorable thoughts on life, make you love this completely imperfect character. Phoebe cannot pin Luke down, maybe she has fallen in love with how she idolizes him, as opposed to who he really is. Phoebe makes some great friends who help support her through the ups and downs of her interactions with Luke, which include an unintentional stray text, soccer guys posting creepy photos of girls they hooked up with, and perhaps not so ex girlfriends. How are these two going to survive their first semester of freshmen year!?
It took some time for me to get into this novel. In the beginning I thought it was boring and shallow, but I am so glad I hung around because this book made me laugh my butt off. I was reading it late at night and was worried that I was going to wake my neighbors, especially after reading the condom scene. I loved the secondary characters, Arthur, Negin, and Frankie, to name a few. I wouldn’t mind reading more about these characters in a sequel.
corinza's review against another edition
4.0
Ok! First off, this is THE FUNNIEST book I have ever read in my natural born life. This is the closest book to my college experience that it was kind of scary. Everything felt extremely relatable and normal and real. I’m just...wow. I didn’t care for Luke and I think that was the point of the story? But another GREAT thing they got right is the essence of female friendship between the girls. I loved reading about everything they did even down to the most mundane things because it’s exactly what I would do with my girl friends. AND FINALLY the ending was perfect to me and honest and realistic. Really surprised this doesn’t have a higher rating. Official the best fiction book about college I’ve read. A solid 4 stars.