vitomartineztarigo's review against another edition
5.0
NO ME DAN LAS CINCO ESTRELLAS PARA ESTE LIBRO. Es precioso a más no poder.
kafkatina's review against another edition
2.0
sure the ending was cute but not worth having to experience this awful book for
also Simon sucks . I cant stand him
also Simon sucks . I cant stand him
heyjudebyejude's review against another edition
3.0
i've had this in my tbr since it came out but yesterday i saw the trailer for the movie and it looked SO GOOD that I just bought the kindle and read it at night. Yup, i stayed up until 5 am reading when I had to wake up at 6am for class, naturally overslept and now I'm contemplating my life decisions but hey, it's my fucking birthday so fuck it.
But anyway, the fact that I stayed up all night reading it says a lot about the book. It's by no means perfect, it's funny but I found the mc sometimes a bit pretentious and also there's quite a lot of girl-on-girl hate which is... not fun. And yeah, not completely realistic, ends up with everything tied up in a pretty bow and downplaying some pretty shitty shit (that is ilegal but whatevs)
With that said, it's definitely a fun book that open up conversations and has fucking lgbtq representation that is GOING TO BE A MOVIE OMG THIS IS SO COOL I HOPE THE MOVIE FIXES UP THOSE PROBLEMATIC BITS BECAUSE FUCK THIS BOOK WASN'T PERFECT BUT I AM A SUCKER FOR COMING OF AGE SARCASTIC LGBTQ BOOKS
But anyway, the fact that I stayed up all night reading it says a lot about the book. It's by no means perfect, it's funny but I found the mc sometimes a bit pretentious and also there's quite a lot of girl-on-girl hate which is... not fun. And yeah, not completely realistic, ends up with everything tied up in a pretty bow and downplaying some pretty shitty shit (that is ilegal but whatevs)
With that said, it's definitely a fun book that open up conversations and has fucking lgbtq representation that is GOING TO BE A MOVIE OMG THIS IS SO COOL I HOPE THE MOVIE FIXES UP THOSE PROBLEMATIC BITS BECAUSE FUCK THIS BOOK WASN'T PERFECT BUT I AM A SUCKER FOR COMING OF AGE SARCASTIC LGBTQ BOOKS
sapphicmacbeth's review against another edition
5.0
Okay. I have read so, so many reviews saying this is fabulous and adorable and thought "Okay. This look like a great book - maybe all of these hyperbolic reviews are a bit true". DAMMIT THEY ARE SO TRUE. THEY WERE NOT HYPERBOLES. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
Lemme break it down:
Characterisation:
This has actual realistic characters. Simon is a very well written character. I feel like in a book like this, it would be so easy to create a stereotypical Nerd or Theatre Kid protagonist with little to say - but he was actually more than all of that. Albertalli wrote a character with REALISTIC RELATIONSHIPS TO PEOPLE.
Blue is adorable and pure and wholesome.
Leah, Nick and Abby all have personalities, instead of being cardboard cutout Best Friends.
Emoji might be my favourite thing ever.
Also: kind of a sidenote, but I'm really glad to have a book that has a weirdish protagonist's family with weirdish traditions that actually make sense. Every time something like this happens in other novels, it's all "I guess this used to be entertaining, but now I can't understand the appeal" with whiny MCs. This One Made Sense. The Family Was Realistic. and there wasn't much "THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!".
Writing Style:
The little segments with the emails helped bring the whole thing to life.
It was funny and engaging and easy and comfortable to read.
Plot:
The whole thing is adorable. I approve.
Conclusion:
THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY ACTUAL HAPPY TEARS AND IS SO BOLD AND ENTERTAINING AND CUTE AND READ IT.
Lemme break it down:
Characterisation:
This has actual realistic characters. Simon is a very well written character. I feel like in a book like this, it would be so easy to create a stereotypical Nerd or Theatre Kid protagonist with little to say - but he was actually more than all of that. Albertalli wrote a character with REALISTIC RELATIONSHIPS TO PEOPLE.
Blue is adorable and pure and wholesome.
Leah, Nick and Abby all have personalities, instead of being cardboard cutout Best Friends.
Emoji might be my favourite thing ever.
Also: kind of a sidenote, but I'm really glad to have a book that has a weirdish protagonist's family with weirdish traditions that actually make sense. Every time something like this happens in other novels, it's all "I guess this used to be entertaining, but now I can't understand the appeal" with whiny MCs. This One Made Sense. The Family Was Realistic. and there wasn't much "THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!".
Writing Style:
The little segments with the emails helped bring the whole thing to life.
It was funny and engaging and easy and comfortable to read.
Plot:
The whole thing is adorable. I approve.
Conclusion:
THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY ACTUAL HAPPY TEARS AND IS SO BOLD AND ENTERTAINING AND CUTE AND READ IT.
l_e_lavalle's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.25
emosucculents's review against another edition
4.0
my official rating: 4.5
this was the cutest book ever. everyone needs to read it. it started off a bit slow for me, but after about 70ish pages i really started loving it and i finished it all in one night.
this was the cutest book ever. everyone needs to read it. it started off a bit slow for me, but after about 70ish pages i really started loving it and i finished it all in one night.
swim559's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
misterintensity's review against another edition
5.0
When closeted Simon is caught exchanging flirtatious emails with "Blue" by Martin, he gets blackmailed into playing matchmaker. As the correspondence continues he wants to learn Blue's identity. The reason why this book is so successful is because it is a good look at contemporary suburban teen life. Between his ongoing correspondence with "Blue," the blackmail, and navigating what's going on with his friends there's a lot happening. Yet surprisingly there's a lot of focus on Simon's interior life. Albertalli allows readers to observe how Simon's thoughts and actions contribute to his understanding of how he sees himself and his world rather than long, tedious soliloquies. Readers come to know the roles his friends, family, and teachers play in his life, making his world fully realized beyond plot mechanics. Simon himself has an understanding of who is, yet is unsure how to find space for himself within the world which contributes to why he hasn't "come out." Albertalli does a great job capturing Simon's voice and capturing the people in his life through his eyes. Beyond the characterization, Albertalli delves into such topics like homophobia, toxic masculinity, changing family and friendship dynamics, white as default, etc. without coming across as an "issue book." Recommended for readers of John Green and David Levithan.