Scan barcode
maddysbooks_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
it’s 6 in the morning as i’m writing this because i stayed up all night to finish this book in one sitting. it was so so good. it was funny and entertaining, i loved the relationship with the girls and also the antagonistic relationship with doe and three was hilarious.
the relationship between doe and wells was as good as i hoped it would be and i loved everything about them.
the relationship between doe and wells was as good as i hoped it would be and i loved everything about them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
stephstbr's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Samantha Markum delivers a fun fake dating YA romance in This May End Badly.
Tropes: Fake Dating, Rivalry, Working Together
Plot at a glance: With a merger between the all-girls Weston School and all-boys Winfield Academy on the horizon, Doe rallies her best friends to take their pranking to the next level and win the century-long war against the all-boys school once and for all. She decides there’s no better way to knock her rival Three off his pranking game than by fake dating his cousin Wells. It’s all fun and games until Doe starts developing real feelings for her fake boyfriend. Soon her lies get out of hand and an incident with a long-rumoured predatory teacher comes to light, making Doe question whether there’s a greater cause she could be fighting for than the prank war.
Review: Samantha Markum perfectly captured the intense emotions and complexity of growing up in This May End Badly. Doe navigates rocky relationships with her friends, parents, first love and even faulty members with rash decision making and a quick-changing spectrum of emotions. Kudos to Samantha Markum for instilling her heroine with such authenticity. Doe is a bit prickly and immature, but she has a good heart that ultimately makes you root for her.
I really liked the colourful cast of characters. Doe’s friends are the kind of ride-or-die friends you instantly admire. The Wellborn boys, especially Wells and Three, seem one -dimensional at first but are slowly revealed to be quite multi-faceted. Wells is a hero after my own heart – voracious reader, intelligent, sarcastic, and protective of the ones he loves. Even Three won me over by the end of the novel.
Your mileage may vary with the predatory teacher storyline. It was handled fairly well but may be triggering for some readers.
Overall, This May End Badly is a YA romance that will keep you turning the pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the chance to read this digital ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
libertyreads789's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Before I get into the review, I want to say a quick thank you to both the publishers over at Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This May End Badly is about two rival schools with a long history of prank wars. Senior Doe, chief prankster at Weston, is thrown for a loop when she finds out that the Weston School for Girls and Winfield Academy for Boys are merging next year. In order to get under her rival(Three)’s skin, she convinces his cousin to fake date her. Will everything go to plan--will they be able to stop this merger--or will this all end badly? This May End Badly releases on April 12th and is available for preorder now.
I have to start the review by saying that this book did something that very few contemporary novels do which is make it hard for me to put the book down. I was so invested in this fake dating/prank war scenario that I read two thirds of this book in a day. If anyone has been following my blog lately, they know that this year has been hard for me on the reading front, so reading anything two thirds of the way through in one day is such an achievement. I found these characters so compelling and so realistic. Even the enemy’s extended family felt grounded in reality which I loved. This book also does a good job handling tough topics well--sexual harassment, inclusion, bullying, family issues. It was also a fun world to just be in and explore. I guess it’s true that I will never get enough boarding school stories in my life.
The ways this story struggled for me were mostly pacing/time management. I felt like we had such a heavy topic to deal with at the end of the story that I wish we had done more with it in the beginning. It is mentioned briefly at first, but the story is so centered around the fake dating and the scheming up pranks that it kind of gets lost. So, the pace feels a little disjointed. Also, as someone who has admitted to being a complete masochist, I wanted more angst out of the fake dating scenario. I felt like the author had some great scenes for the couple that were fake dating, but I wish there was more mutual pining. God I love me some mutual pining. The last real note that I have for the novel is that I wanted more from the family drama Three and his cousins are dealing with throughout the novel. Maybe this one goes back to pacing. I just wish that I had a better understanding of their family and the drama.
Overall, this is a great contemporary/romance for anyone who enjoys young adult or fake dating or seeing a cute couple in a bookstore once in a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Biphobia
emmasbookishself's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the ending. I loved that the Weston girls achieved their goal of dismissing a predator from their school.
I found Doe to be a character kind of hard to like initially, but she grew on me as the book unfolded. I felt like this is a very YA read- I found it a bit repetitive and childish at times.
I found Doe to be a character kind of hard to like initially, but she grew on me as the book unfolded. I felt like this is a very YA read- I found it a bit repetitive and childish at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
theshelfaroundthecorner's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
clearingthebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!
.
I really really enjoyed this debut novel by Samantha Markum! This is a coming-of-age young adult novel, mixed with a prank war between two rival boarding schools, a fake-dating plot, and whispers of sexual harassment from a teacher at the all-girls school. Markum created a diverse group of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, looking to life beyond high school, but struggling with the legacy that they will leave behind. Doe and her friends definitely do not want to merge their school with the all-boys school across the street, even if it's after their graduation, but there are bigger things at play that may change the goal line.
.
The harassment storyline did not really come into play until the final third of the book, and while I don't necessarily agree with everything the characters did, I do think that it read true to what teenagers might do when faced with those circumstances. I would have liked to have spent more time with Wells and Three, or some of Doe's friends, along with a fuller picture of the Headmistress, but ultimately, this is Doe's story and the reader is limited to understanding the world through the lens that she views it from. I imagine for many young adults, they will see parts of themselves in this book.
.
I really really enjoyed this debut novel by Samantha Markum! This is a coming-of-age young adult novel, mixed with a prank war between two rival boarding schools, a fake-dating plot, and whispers of sexual harassment from a teacher at the all-girls school. Markum created a diverse group of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, looking to life beyond high school, but struggling with the legacy that they will leave behind. Doe and her friends definitely do not want to merge their school with the all-boys school across the street, even if it's after their graduation, but there are bigger things at play that may change the goal line.
.
The harassment storyline did not really come into play until the final third of the book, and while I don't necessarily agree with everything the characters did, I do think that it read true to what teenagers might do when faced with those circumstances. I would have liked to have spent more time with Wells and Three, or some of Doe's friends, along with a fuller picture of the Headmistress, but ultimately, this is Doe's story and the reader is limited to understanding the world through the lens that she views it from. I imagine for many young adults, they will see parts of themselves in this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
starshynebrite's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book because from the beginning, I could just tell it was one of the classic high school stories about high school being the best time ever and not wanting to move on from it. Now, I didn’t factor that into my rating since that’s just because I’m old enough to not care about tit and therefore, I’m not the target audience.
I do think, however, that the main character was flawed in a way that it was hard to deal with her at times even though I knew she was going to grow. It was so frustrating to read and while I appreciated her character growth, at times is was just excruciating.
What really made the book fun for me was the fake dating aspect. I LOVED the relationship! I was so scared it was going to take a different route and become a love triangle and I’m so glad that it didn’t! The banter and tension between Wells and Doe was just absolutely iconic and what made me continue reading.
I do respect the discussion about sexual harassment and the predatorily teacher, though there were moments where it felt like a really random plot point without reason and I’m glad that it had some importance near the end.
While I didn’t really care about the pranks as much as I hoped, they were still interesting enough and I liked the forced proximity and all the things that came with fake dating that this plot allowed!
I think the friends were really interesting and I’m glad that they actually disagreed with Doe when she was being frustrating! I don’t think I would have liked the book as much if no one was ever holding her accountable!
I would recommend this if you like a bit of school rivalry and elaborate pranks, fake dating to get back at a common enemy, a flawed but extremely caring and passionate main character that makes a really good leader but has a hard time being a good friend, and some really REALLY fun tension! Like, Wells REALLY made some MOVES.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
achay91's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
paxyshia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars! I have some back and forth with YA books but this one, I was able to let it grow on me and understand its characters.
Definitely for you if you enjoy:
- Stealthy rivalry pranks
- Fun friend groups
- The power of friendship
Doe is a Weston girl and what comes with being a Weston girl? Hating and pranking the Winfield boys. Naturally. Doe is the mastermind behind all their greatest pranks for the last 2 years and she is toe to toe with Winfield’s leader, Three. She’ll do anything to take him down including (fake) dating his cousin, Wells. Wells doesn’t care for much but when Doe brings it up, she assures him he’ll get two great things out of it: getting under Three’s skin and getting a family heirloom that rightfully belongs to him. He agrees.
When both private schools announce a merger next year, Doe is hellbent on stopping it from happening and saving the one place that saved her from a rough time back home. After taking each prank up a level higher than the last as well as lying to her friends and family, Doe is at the end of the line and everything is on the verge of eruption. Despite all of this, light is shed on a teacher rumored to have inappropriate behavior with students and it’s up to Doe and her gang to (hopefully) come together to set aside years worth of rivalry to protect the people in the place she loves.
📚
Okay so! I liked this one though it was hard to get into a little bit but I’m always like that. The pace in the beginning lingered a little for me and although more was happening in the book, that pace stayed pretty constant. With more happening later in the book I didn’t mind too much.
Doe wasn’t an incredibly lovable character for me. Wells and Doe’s friends were though! I’ve said this on previous reviews though, I think it’s often hard for me to read YA books and love the MC’s. I often wanna just shake them and tell them how easy their problems could be solved but alas, being a teenage is tough so I get it. Also I’m not gonna be mad at a fictional teenager lol. I think Doe’s consequences academically and interpersonally were well deserved and I appreciated that.
I liked the power of friendship and community that was displayed in this book. Doe’s group of friends were incredibly loyal and the sense of community they built and how they showed up in the end was something that really touched me. But I’ll admit the sexual misconduct was hard to read and I would warn for a medium amount of description in this book. If that is hard for you to read through, I wouldn’t suggest this one for you.
Thank you to the author and Wednesday Books for sending this ARC! It was a wonderful read and I look forward to Samantha Markum’s future reads!
Definitely for you if you enjoy:
- Stealthy rivalry pranks
- Fun friend groups
- The power of friendship
Doe is a Weston girl and what comes with being a Weston girl? Hating and pranking the Winfield boys. Naturally. Doe is the mastermind behind all their greatest pranks for the last 2 years and she is toe to toe with Winfield’s leader, Three. She’ll do anything to take him down including (fake) dating his cousin, Wells. Wells doesn’t care for much but when Doe brings it up, she assures him he’ll get two great things out of it: getting under Three’s skin and getting a family heirloom that rightfully belongs to him. He agrees.
When both private schools announce a merger next year, Doe is hellbent on stopping it from happening and saving the one place that saved her from a rough time back home. After taking each prank up a level higher than the last as well as lying to her friends and family, Doe is at the end of the line and everything is on the verge of eruption. Despite all of this, light is shed on a teacher rumored to have inappropriate behavior with students and it’s up to Doe and her gang to (hopefully) come together to set aside years worth of rivalry to protect the people in the place she loves.
📚
Okay so! I liked this one though it was hard to get into a little bit but I’m always like that. The pace in the beginning lingered a little for me and although more was happening in the book, that pace stayed pretty constant. With more happening later in the book I didn’t mind too much.
Doe wasn’t an incredibly lovable character for me. Wells and Doe’s friends were though! I’ve said this on previous reviews though, I think it’s often hard for me to read YA books and love the MC’s. I often wanna just shake them and tell them how easy their problems could be solved but alas, being a teenage is tough so I get it. Also I’m not gonna be mad at a fictional teenager lol. I think Doe’s consequences academically and interpersonally were well deserved and I appreciated that.
I liked the power of friendship and community that was displayed in this book. Doe’s group of friends were incredibly loyal and the sense of community they built and how they showed up in the end was something that really touched me. But I’ll admit the sexual misconduct was hard to read and I would warn for a medium amount of description in this book. If that is hard for you to read through, I wouldn’t suggest this one for you.
Thank you to the author and Wednesday Books for sending this ARC! It was a wonderful read and I look forward to Samantha Markum’s future reads!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment