raeanne's review
4.0
Very pleasantly surprised how much I liked this. Once it hit the "Oh NO! What's he going to do?" point I couldn't put it down.
Emma, mean girl with depth and explanation. I felt so bad for her given her situation and it's clear why she did went the way she did. She's an antagonist for the later half of the book, but the sympathy never went away and it's much better than most mean girl depictions. That said, I do wish it reflected more on how even "the good guy" Kyle boiled her down to her "hotness" and she's pigeonholed.
I really liked Mo. At first I wasn't sure why her and Rachel were friends given how much Rachel ragged on her and they were at odds. But Rachel finally listens and Mo gets to say her piece and it makes sense. Mo is totally the pushy supportive friend looking out for your best, even if it scares the piss out of you.
I will sheepishly admit, I really, really identified with Rachel. I was on the verge of tears in public when the whole pity date thing when down. OUCH! I am really glad the narrative got changed and things worked out for the best. But I still think she should've written that feminist piece on the death threats and hate from women she received and Mo keeping her from White Feminist territory.
I was not aware of the Alex from Target story until reading other reviews of the book.
Emma, mean girl with depth and explanation. I felt so bad for her given her situation and it's clear why she did went the way she did. She's an antagonist for the later half of the book, but the sympathy never went away and it's much better than most mean girl depictions. That said, I do wish it reflected more on how even "the good guy" Kyle boiled her down to her "hotness" and she's pigeonholed.
I really liked Mo. At first I wasn't sure why her and Rachel were friends given how much Rachel ragged on her and they were at odds. But Rachel finally listens and Mo gets to say her piece and it makes sense. Mo is totally the pushy supportive friend looking out for your best, even if it scares the piss out of you.
I will sheepishly admit, I really, really identified with Rachel. I was on the verge of tears in public when the whole pity date thing when down. OUCH! I am really glad the narrative got changed and things worked out for the best. But I still think she should've written that feminist piece on the death threats and hate from women she received and Mo keeping her from White Feminist territory.
I was not aware of the Alex from Target story until reading other reviews of the book.
mehsi's review against another edition
No. Just no. I am stopping with this book, I just can't see how this book will continue for 40% more. I can't imagine that the homecoming or all the dramarama needs that much time in the spotlight.
I already started to notice it around 30% in, I was wondering how in heaven's name this story would continue, for me it felt pretty much like it was almost done. Sure, there were some points that still had to be solved, but I could see that being finished in 10-20%. So yeah, the story dragged on. The same stuff over and over again. It just got boring. *yawns*
I also couldn't see why anyone would like Kyle. He is such, as his friend said, a tool. OMG I am famous, let me do stupid things that hurt Rachel, who already feels crappy (and yes, on the one hand it is her own fault, who the hell makes a picture of a hot guy and posts it online, did she not get a social media course at school or something? But on the other hand no one deserves what comes over her). Everyone was telling him that Rachel was having a hard time, that she was being bullied, being threatened, and it wasn't until 57% that he finally opened his eyes and started to check out what was going on. 57% people. 57 PERCENT. I was just rolling my eyes so hard at this stupidity. I get that he might not want to check stuff, but if your friends, and others tell you shit is going down, I would check.
I really didn't get why he couldn't see she was hurting, how blind are you?
I also found him quite bland. I guess he is just mostly pretty and nothing else? Which is just a shame, if he was a bit more rounded, or a bit more interested, but oh no, he is the gorgeous guy and other than that it isn't important.
Rachel. Sometimes I really doubt teenagers these days, I know this is mean, but who the hell thinks it is a good idea to post a picture of someone else on the internet and doesn't expect that it might just blow up. It is the internet, come on. An older person who didn't grow up with the net I can imagine making such a mistake, but a teenager? A girl whose whole life is about internet, about connectivity? No.
I also frankly got really tired of her constant OMG I am not pretty, OMG I am fat, OMG I don't deserve such a cute guy routine. I get it. I know the feeling, but really, do we need to get it over and over again, it is not giving me a pretty picture for the girl.
I also wished she would grow a pair of balls and just said something to Kyle. But I guess the OMG I still love him (even though I couldn't still why) feeling just took the focus and she forgot about everything else.
Mo, my lord, I hated that girl from the start and she didn't get any better. The way she reacted, and acted towards Rachel and her problems? What the hell is wrong with you that, when your best friend comes to you feeling crappy, your first option is that this might be a good thing because now you might get that prestigious place? And she kept on talking about that place, ALL THE TIME. It just felt highly inappropriate and I wondered if she could understand how Rachel felt (according to her, yes because of her colour and the fact she was also bullied, but I am sorry, but I don't think you know, otherwise you wouldn't keep on pushing your friend like this all the time).
Then there is Emma. At times she seemed OK, but I never could get a feel on what she really was. Is she mean? Is she nice? Is she in this for the fame? Is she in for Kyle? What is going on with this girl? She kept popping up all the time.
What more? I am just terribly sad, I was really looking forward to this book, and the first chapters were pretty great, and I was thinking this would become a favourite. But it turned out to be a dud. :(
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I already started to notice it around 30% in, I was wondering how in heaven's name this story would continue, for me it felt pretty much like it was almost done. Sure, there were some points that still had to be solved, but I could see that being finished in 10-20%. So yeah, the story dragged on. The same stuff over and over again. It just got boring. *yawns*
I also couldn't see why anyone would like Kyle. He is such, as his friend said, a tool. OMG I am famous, let me do stupid things that hurt Rachel, who already feels crappy (and yes, on the one hand it is her own fault, who the hell makes a picture of a hot guy and posts it online, did she not get a social media course at school or something? But on the other hand no one deserves what comes over her). Everyone was telling him that Rachel was having a hard time, that she was being bullied, being threatened, and it wasn't until 57% that he finally opened his eyes and started to check out what was going on. 57% people. 57 PERCENT. I was just rolling my eyes so hard at this stupidity. I get that he might not want to check stuff, but if your friends, and others tell you shit is going down, I would check.
I really didn't get why he couldn't see she was hurting, how blind are you?
I also found him quite bland. I guess he is just mostly pretty and nothing else? Which is just a shame, if he was a bit more rounded, or a bit more interested, but oh no, he is the gorgeous guy and other than that it isn't important.
Rachel. Sometimes I really doubt teenagers these days, I know this is mean, but who the hell thinks it is a good idea to post a picture of someone else on the internet and doesn't expect that it might just blow up. It is the internet, come on. An older person who didn't grow up with the net I can imagine making such a mistake, but a teenager? A girl whose whole life is about internet, about connectivity? No.
I also frankly got really tired of her constant OMG I am not pretty, OMG I am fat, OMG I don't deserve such a cute guy routine. I get it. I know the feeling, but really, do we need to get it over and over again, it is not giving me a pretty picture for the girl.
I also wished she would grow a pair of balls and just said something to Kyle. But I guess the OMG I still love him (even though I couldn't still why) feeling just took the focus and she forgot about everything else.
Mo, my lord, I hated that girl from the start and she didn't get any better. The way she reacted, and acted towards Rachel and her problems? What the hell is wrong with you that, when your best friend comes to you feeling crappy, your first option is that this might be a good thing because now you might get that prestigious place? And she kept on talking about that place, ALL THE TIME. It just felt highly inappropriate and I wondered if she could understand how Rachel felt (according to her, yes because of her colour and the fact she was also bullied, but I am sorry, but I don't think you know, otherwise you wouldn't keep on pushing your friend like this all the time).
Then there is Emma. At times she seemed OK, but I never could get a feel on what she really was. Is she mean? Is she nice? Is she in this for the fame? Is she in for Kyle? What is going on with this girl? She kept popping up all the time.
What more? I am just terribly sad, I was really looking forward to this book, and the first chapters were pretty great, and I was thinking this would become a favourite. But it turned out to be a dud. :(
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
girlreading's review
3.0
3.5* This was essentially a novelisation of the 'Alex from Target' story but it was a cute little contemporary nonetheless.
I enjoyed the main two characters and reading from their perspectives. Rachel was a fun, witty character, who's humour I really enjoyed. I also liked the fact that she wasn't your classic, cookie cutter protagonist but I would have appreciated it a lot more, had it not been one of her main defining characteristics. It would have been nice to have had a curvy main character, without that having to be a big deal and instead, simply being accepted and normalised. Kyle was the classic 'nice guy' and although I wasn't keen of the constant comparisons he made between Rachel and Emma (his ex girlfriend), I did really appreciate the way he stood up for Rachel. For me though, there was a little too much girl/girl comparison and, for the most part, I'm a little tired of the 'mean girl clique' storyline.
I really enjoyed the transitions and easy flow between the perspectives and I liked each of the characters voices. Another element I really appreciated was the inclusion of social media and its influence in terms of today's society. Considering how important social media is today, I've still rarely seen it used casually but regularly in YA. It was fun to delve into the relevance of social media and the affects of becoming 'virally famous.'
I would have liked a little bit more romance or focus on relationships, whether that be family, friendship or romantic, as I did feel the plot dragged on a little without it and I wasn't the biggest fan of the continuous 'will they, won't they?', 'on and off' plot. It was a little overdone and stretched thin for my taste but other than that, it was definitely a fun read.
If you're looking for a cute, entertaining, quick and easy read, that's relevant and in touch with today's social media society, #famous I'd recommend checking this out!
I enjoyed the main two characters and reading from their perspectives. Rachel was a fun, witty character, who's humour I really enjoyed. I also liked the fact that she wasn't your classic, cookie cutter protagonist but I would have appreciated it a lot more, had it not been one of her main defining characteristics. It would have been nice to have had a curvy main character, without that having to be a big deal and instead, simply being accepted and normalised. Kyle was the classic 'nice guy' and although I wasn't keen of the constant comparisons he made between Rachel and Emma (his ex girlfriend), I did really appreciate the way he stood up for Rachel. For me though, there was a little too much girl/girl comparison and, for the most part, I'm a little tired of the 'mean girl clique' storyline.
I really enjoyed the transitions and easy flow between the perspectives and I liked each of the characters voices. Another element I really appreciated was the inclusion of social media and its influence in terms of today's society. Considering how important social media is today, I've still rarely seen it used casually but regularly in YA. It was fun to delve into the relevance of social media and the affects of becoming 'virally famous.'
I would have liked a little bit more romance or focus on relationships, whether that be family, friendship or romantic, as I did feel the plot dragged on a little without it and I wasn't the biggest fan of the continuous 'will they, won't they?', 'on and off' plot. It was a little overdone and stretched thin for my taste but other than that, it was definitely a fun read.
If you're looking for a cute, entertaining, quick and easy read, that's relevant and in touch with today's social media society, #famous I'd recommend checking this out!
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
Rachel stealthily flits (tweets) a pic of her crush Kyle, while he is working at the mall's burger joint. The pic goes viral and Kyle becomes a celeb for his looks and Rachel starts getting bullied at school. Kyle is scooped up by a daytime television showed modeled after Ellen and he begins a reoccurring homecoming piece, where he and Rachel are set to go to homecoming together. It becomes difficult to know what feelings are real and what are just a result of the fame, especially with Kyle's ex hanging around.
This book and characters read/acted like young teens, but this is not a book appropriate for young teens. I felt that Kyle's reason for celebrity didn't make sense/work for me-he goes on Ellen just because he is cute in his work uniform? (o_O) The best friend acted more like an enemy than friend and the ex scenario could have been fleshed out in a different, but better way. It is a standard cheesy romance novel, but it doesn't take things to the next level.
This book and characters read/acted like young teens, but this is not a book appropriate for young teens. I felt that Kyle's reason for celebrity didn't make sense/work for me-he goes on Ellen just because he is cute in his work uniform? (o_O) The best friend acted more like an enemy than friend and the ex scenario could have been fleshed out in a different, but better way. It is a standard cheesy romance novel, but it doesn't take things to the next level.
tee_dot's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
varishaasim's review against another edition
3.0
This book had me connect to the characters deeply and being able to see the point of views of both of the main characters had me on the edge of my seat. The plot twists were maddening (in a good way) and this book overall was great.
emilyanne3000's review against another edition
3.0
#Famous by Jilly Gargon was a very cute, clever, and quick read. I read it in one sitting and overall enjoyed it! It’s the perfect beach read or book to curl up with when you’re sick.
This story was a twist on the Alex from Target internet sensation from a while ago. Only this time we see from the eyes of the girl who took the viral picture. And, you see, Rachel meant ONLY for her best friend to see her tweet (flit) with a funny hashtag/picture of an attractive boy working at a burger stand at the mall. However, soon the picture has gone majorly viral. And the boy she took a picture of goes to school with her and they are in the same creative writing class. Awkward.
Our other main character, Kyle, was just minding his own business when all of the sudden BOOM he’s famous. He has to leave his shift at the burger place early because he literally sold out all the food to his new, young fans. Hundreds of thousands of girls have followed him on twitter (it was actually the book's version of twitter- Flit). Even though his flits were all pretty lame (I, Emily, can attest to that).
Through the fallout of all this, out two bumbling main characters grow closer. They go on tv shows. They go bowling. It's all very cute! They also have to face the opinions and wrath of their schoolmates. That said, I was kind of disappointed by a lot of the girl hate.
I feel like Jesse Andrew’s blurb on the cover of the book is a perfect summary of my feelings. Go read that blurb! Yes, it did feel a bit young to me, but this was well-written little book that I think many will enjoy. It has humor, romance, and drama. It’s also a great testament to the impact of social media platforms today. A book like #Famous wouldn’t have existed ten years ago. Isn’t that crazy?
*received for free from the publisher*
This story was a twist on the Alex from Target internet sensation from a while ago. Only this time we see from the eyes of the girl who took the viral picture. And, you see, Rachel meant ONLY for her best friend to see her tweet (flit) with a funny hashtag/picture of an attractive boy working at a burger stand at the mall. However, soon the picture has gone majorly viral. And the boy she took a picture of goes to school with her and they are in the same creative writing class. Awkward.
Our other main character, Kyle, was just minding his own business when all of the sudden BOOM he’s famous. He has to leave his shift at the burger place early because he literally sold out all the food to his new, young fans. Hundreds of thousands of girls have followed him on twitter (it was actually the book's version of twitter- Flit). Even though his flits were all pretty lame (I, Emily, can attest to that).
Through the fallout of all this, out two bumbling main characters grow closer. They go on tv shows. They go bowling. It's all very cute! They also have to face the opinions and wrath of their schoolmates. That said, I was kind of disappointed by a lot of the girl hate.
I feel like Jesse Andrew’s blurb on the cover of the book is a perfect summary of my feelings. Go read that blurb! Yes, it did feel a bit young to me, but this was well-written little book that I think many will enjoy. It has humor, romance, and drama. It’s also a great testament to the impact of social media platforms today. A book like #Famous wouldn’t have existed ten years ago. Isn’t that crazy?
*received for free from the publisher*
katielibrarylady's review against another edition
2.0
#famous is a story about a girl who accidentally sends a sneaky photo of a boy she thinks is cute to the whole world instead of just to her best friend, with the hashtag, #idlikefrieswiththat. Almost instantly he becomes internet famous, with girls of all ages coming up to him speaking in an almost secret language of the hashtag. Soon his fame spirals out of control, especially when a talk show crew basically shoves the 2 teens together.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I was unaware that it was basically a novelization of a current trending teenager, who had basically the same experience. Before knowing that I would have given 3 stars, it was a fun, quick read. After knowing it though, I would knock off at least half a star, just for the fact that it isn’t an original idea, not that I don’t see and enjoy reading retellings, or books of similar themes, but the fact that the book was basically written and released right after it happened, so it was literally just writing up the current events. I don’t know why, but it just takes away from it for me. I thought the characters were a bit flat, or stereotypical, making me strike a star off. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone, but I also wouldn’t tell someone they shouldn’t read it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I was unaware that it was basically a novelization of a current trending teenager, who had basically the same experience. Before knowing that I would have given 3 stars, it was a fun, quick read. After knowing it though, I would knock off at least half a star, just for the fact that it isn’t an original idea, not that I don’t see and enjoy reading retellings, or books of similar themes, but the fact that the book was basically written and released right after it happened, so it was literally just writing up the current events. I don’t know why, but it just takes away from it for me. I thought the characters were a bit flat, or stereotypical, making me strike a star off. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone, but I also wouldn’t tell someone they shouldn’t read it.