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A review by greatexpectations77
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The amount of rage that this book made me feel is such a feat. The INJUSTICE. The REALISM. The AMOUNT THAT I WAS THINKING MURDEROUS THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS. It was so incredibly, horribly spot-on about how lonely sexual harassment can feel. Mila was failed in a hundred different ways by the adults in her life that she needed to be keeping an eye out for her. The only thing that I didn't love was that I felt like the ending was a little faster than the build-up, and I, to be honest, wanted everyone to have to more harshly understand their roles in Mila's hurt. But I guess it's also important to understand the culture that shaped these boys' actions and that they didn't invent harassment. But god was I ready to just explode of anger. Also a huge example of parentification of Mila on her mom's part.
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Grief