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sadie_g's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
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
As someone who worries about being unlikeable, I totally relate to Eliza. She seemed like a very real and believable character to me.
The romance subplot was fully giving academic rivals-to-lovers as I hoped, but it was still enjoyable and Len and Eliza were very sweet together!
The romance subplot was fully giving academic rivals-to-lovers as I hoped, but it was still enjoyable and Len and Eliza were very sweet together!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
a_ab's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
This book was a very pleasant surprise.
If approached as a definitive manual on how "feminism should be done" (which, based on the reviews, some readers have expected it to be for some reason - why???), it would be judged as a pretty spectacular failure.
But as a book about highschoolers sensing the oppressive weight of misogyny, racism and other forms of harmful discrimination, and trying to figure out how to rise up above and against this unfairness and start building a better and freer future for themselves, this story a roaring success.
The characters try to figure things out as they go and nobody in the book gets it entirely right - stumbling all the time against internalized prejudices, biases and unquestioned societal norms, which is both realistic and sad. But it's the effort and openness to course-correct and do better next time that count and help move us all towards that better future idea[l], and this book illustrated this process perfectly.
I wish I could send this book into the past for my highschooler self to read and discuss with friends at that time.
If approached as a definitive manual on how "feminism should be done" (which, based on the reviews, some readers have expected it to be for some reason - why???), it would be judged as a pretty spectacular failure.
But as a book about highschoolers sensing the oppressive weight of misogyny, racism and other forms of harmful discrimination, and trying to figure out how to rise up above and against this unfairness and start building a better and freer future for themselves, this story a roaring success.
The characters try to figure things out as they go and nobody in the book gets it entirely right - stumbling all the time against internalized prejudices, biases and unquestioned societal norms, which is both realistic and sad. But it's the effort and openness to course-correct and do better next time that count and help move us all towards that better future idea[l], and this book illustrated this process perfectly.
I wish I could send this book into the past for my highschooler self to read and discuss with friends at that time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Racism
juleuxx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
serena_hien's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Sexism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, and War
amethyst_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
0701mango's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
While I see the merits of this book and I can totally understand why someone would love this book, I'm past high school dramas. It was so frustratingly, unendingly dramatic, and I wasn't sold enough on the romance at the end. I wish it were more about things other than the drama and the meanness of fictional high schoolers. I appreciated the diversity of the characters both main and side. It was a headache to read for me, but, if movies like Mean Girls are your thing, like REALLY your thing, then more power to you. You'll probably enjoy this book, so give it a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
lainiereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Such a cute romance read! I read the first 60ish percent of this book in one day (which is very unusual for me) and then finished it that following night. I just couldn't put it down, partially due to the romance, but also because of the conflicts that the main character, Eliza, had to deal with. I just had to keep reading to see what she would do next!
Speaking of Eliza, I love her. Often with angry leads in books, you'll see them go overboard and take their anger too far, but Eliza was able to use her anger in productive ways and realize when she needed to stop fighting and shift gears. She's also great because she didn't stop being angry at the end of the story. Many times, authors will have their characters begin very fiery, but by the end, they learn to not be angry anymore. That always infuriates me because, more often than not, their anger was justified! Michelle Quach avoids this and acknowledges that Eliza's cause is just and she can grow as a person without having to stop fighting for what she believes in.
The other main character, Len, was also great. He fits both the cocky jock stereotype and the thoughtful, quiet guy stereotype, which is the best combination. I think my only critic of him is that I wish he stood up for Eliza more? Like, I know she doesn't need him to defend her, but it just felt weird to me to see people just stand around while she was being bullied- especially when that person is the love interest! He makes up for this by the end though, so I still definitely love him.
This book covers a lot of real issues, such as racism, infidelity (not in the main couple though, don't worry), and a LOT of blatant sexism and slut-shaming. While all of these things are tough to read about, Quach handles them well and makes sure all of the main characters realize how awful these issues are. If you are able to read about topics like these, then I definitely recommend this for a great story and a great romance!
Speaking of Eliza, I love her. Often with angry leads in books, you'll see them go overboard and take their anger too far, but Eliza was able to use her anger in productive ways and realize when she needed to stop fighting and shift gears. She's also great because she didn't stop being angry at the end of the story. Many times, authors will have their characters begin very fiery, but by the end, they learn to not be angry anymore. That always infuriates me because, more often than not, their anger was justified! Michelle Quach avoids this and acknowledges that Eliza's cause is just and she can grow as a person without having to stop fighting for what she believes in.
The other main character, Len, was also great. He fits both the cocky jock stereotype and the thoughtful, quiet guy stereotype, which is the best combination. I think my only critic of him is that I wish he stood up for Eliza more? Like, I know she doesn't need him to defend her, but it just felt weird to me to see people just stand around while she was being bullied- especially when that person is the love interest! He makes up for this by the end though, so I still definitely love him.
This book covers a lot of real issues, such as racism, infidelity (not in the main couple though, don't worry), and a LOT of blatant sexism and slut-shaming. While all of these things are tough to read about, Quach handles them well and makes sure all of the main characters realize how awful these issues are. If you are able to read about topics like these, then I definitely recommend this for a great story and a great romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol