nolemdaer's review
2.0
I can't say this book was excellent, or even great as a story, but it was definitely a light and quick read if you're looking for such a book for summer.
A lot of it felt very unrealistic and not in a fun way. The MC gets an intern job at a hit show, days later meets some famous YouTubers, models, and actors, and goes up against a cartoon villain like the harbringer of gay rights.
The entire book felt very shallow, filled with random infodumps and conflicts or fights that were resolved all too quickly—not because the characters were able to control themselves and think logically, but because the writing and scenes were rushed out in a matter of paragraphs.
The romance was nice, and I really love wlw stories. It did feel quite fast, and I don't feel like the characters connected very much as the romance played out.
All in all, as I said, the entire conflict and most villains felt very shallow. Instead of a profound look into what goes on behind the camera it read like a juvenile story.
A lot of it felt very unrealistic and not in a fun way. The MC gets an intern job at a hit show, days later meets some famous YouTubers, models, and actors, and goes up against a cartoon villain like the harbringer of gay rights.
The entire book felt very shallow, filled with random infodumps and conflicts or fights that were resolved all too quickly—not because the characters were able to control themselves and think logically, but because the writing and scenes were rushed out in a matter of paragraphs.
The romance was nice, and I really love wlw stories. It did feel quite fast, and I don't feel like the characters connected very much as the romance played out.
All in all, as I said, the entire conflict and most villains felt very shallow. Instead of a profound look into what goes on behind the camera it read like a juvenile story.
brinotbrie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
helecturas's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this eARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Finally, Bex has graduated and is getting out of her unfortunate hometown. She is leaving behind the high school bullies and going to Hollywood for an writing internship on her favorite tv show. Bex wants to be her true self, even with her cousin Parker, who she is reuniting with in Hollywood. While he has been out for years, Bex is also gay, but she finds it difficult coming out of the closet because she doesn't want it to seem like is constantly following in his footsteps.
Bex quickly learns that the tv set isn't going to be a walk in the park. The show runner, Malcolm, is a complete jerk who treats Bex like crap. He even steals an episode she wrote and acted like it was his. In the episode, Bex created one of the first canonical queer romances in the show's history and she will stop at nothing to keep this much needed romance. Bex quickly finds sparks flying between her and the actress, Shurpty. Bex is going to need to stand up for herself and speak her truths if she is going to survive Hollywood.
Overall, interesting premise. I felt that Bex was more passive than I really hoped for, though the ending did allow her to shine. However, the last fourth of the book was problematic for me because it wasn't realistic in that, everything that Bex needed/wanted to happen somehow magically (though not through actual magic) happened. It was solid fluffy book. It could easily stand with the many other books that have the same premise.
Finally, Bex has graduated and is getting out of her unfortunate hometown. She is leaving behind the high school bullies and going to Hollywood for an writing internship on her favorite tv show. Bex wants to be her true self, even with her cousin Parker, who she is reuniting with in Hollywood. While he has been out for years, Bex is also gay, but she finds it difficult coming out of the closet because she doesn't want it to seem like is constantly following in his footsteps.
Bex quickly learns that the tv set isn't going to be a walk in the park. The show runner, Malcolm, is a complete jerk who treats Bex like crap. He even steals an episode she wrote and acted like it was his. In the episode, Bex created one of the first canonical queer romances in the show's history and she will stop at nothing to keep this much needed romance. Bex quickly finds sparks flying between her and the actress, Shurpty. Bex is going to need to stand up for herself and speak her truths if she is going to survive Hollywood.
Overall, interesting premise. I felt that Bex was more passive than I really hoped for, though the ending did allow her to shine. However, the last fourth of the book was problematic for me because it wasn't realistic in that, everything that Bex needed/wanted to happen somehow magically (though not through actual magic) happened. It was solid fluffy book. It could easily stand with the many other books that have the same premise.
mora55's review against another edition
This book was... fine? There was nothing inherently wrong with it, and there was a LOT of excellent commentary about diversity in media and amongst those creating mainstream media. It just also didn't do anything for me.
The writing was very simple, and while there's nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't for me. I think it was fine for Bex's particular voice. it didn't do a lot for the story, but it got its point across.
I didn't really get to form a connection to any of the characters, and I don't see how Bex and Shrupty managed to become so in love so fast? Again, the standard disclaimer, that could just be me and this could be normal.
I did appreciate the discussions of discrimination and queer representation and coming out (and how you have to do it over and over). Bex talks a lot about how the NT cis straight white men make all the decisions and ugh I wish that weren't so true. The scene at the end
and also! Bex is questioning her gender identity! Which I think is cool! It was just casually out there and not a big deal I liked that! Actually, I liked how so much was just part of the person without being a huge source of attention, like Bex taking meds. And this took place the summer after graduating high school, which you don't see and at the end of it which was also different and a nice change.
The plot seemed to be really slow at first, and then it sped up and rushed by super quickly and I was skeptical of how a good number of these events managed to happen. However, short book, I have no idea how Hollywood works or how rich people like that function and am willing to believe anything, essentially, so it was fine.
In summary: good commentary, quick read, but didn't really do anything for me (especially the writing style)
The writing was very simple, and while there's nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't for me. I think it was fine for Bex's particular voice. it didn't do a lot for the story, but it got its point across.
I didn't really get to form a connection to any of the characters, and I don't see how Bex and Shrupty managed to become so in love so fast? Again, the standard disclaimer, that could just be me and this could be normal.
I did appreciate the discussions of discrimination and queer representation and coming out (and how you have to do it over and over). Bex talks a lot about how the NT cis straight white men make all the decisions and ugh I wish that weren't so true. The scene at the end
Spoiler
with the board of Important Show People (i don't remember what they were actually called whoops) where they were all defending Malcolm and were reluctant to indict him at the end really hit with, uh, a lot that's been going on recently in not necessarily arts and media but more in politics, oof. (Honestly I thought it was unrealistic that the reluctant men at the end still raised their hands to fire Malcolm, which is really sad if you think about it)and also! Bex is questioning her gender identity! Which I think is cool! It was just casually out there and not a big deal I liked that! Actually, I liked how so much was just part of the person without being a huge source of attention, like Bex taking meds. And this took place the summer after graduating high school, which you don't see and at the end of it
Spoiler
Bex just got a job instead of going to college,The plot seemed to be really slow at first, and then it sped up and rushed by super quickly and I was skeptical of how a good number of these events managed to happen. However, short book, I have no idea how Hollywood works or how rich people like that function and am willing to believe anything, essentially, so it was fine.
In summary: good commentary, quick read, but didn't really do anything for me (especially the writing style)
sofi_sticada1's review against another edition
5.0
La historia sobre una salida del armario con muchas implicaciones con una protagonista con la que se puede empatizar fácilmente. Es así. Me gusta mucho como se liga cada personaje con la historia y toca el tema de la representación LGBTIAQ+ en los medios de comunicación (en series, que después del chasco de Frist Kill es como esta novela pero con un final triste) y todas las barreras que se encuentran para simplemente aparecer. El heterowashing, que se llama, está presente en todo momento.
Lo único que me parece que le falta a esta novela es una razón de ser al villano, Malcolm, que es malo porque sí y cuando se soluciona la historia no sabemos qué demonios pasa con él a ningún nivel.
Lo único que me parece que le falta a esta novela es una razón de ser al villano, Malcolm, que es malo porque sí y cuando se soluciona la historia no sabemos qué demonios pasa con él a ningún nivel.
skswiha's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so cute and such a nice read!!! It really fulfilled my desire to see queer ppl take down the homophobic white men of Hollywood!!! Also, the romance is so sweet, and just the escape I needed in the current Chaos Time. Plus we love an mc with mental illness that's not a major issue or plot point, just part of her life!!! I haven't read anything like that in a while if ever!!!
flaviaaalouise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.5
This was fun romp.
mariecantread's review
3.0
3.5/5
It was very cute and I liked the characters but everything felt very rushed?? It was still a cute queer romance and if that's what you're looking for, read it !
It was very cute and I liked the characters but everything felt very rushed?? It was still a cute queer romance and if that's what you're looking for, read it !