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readingwithtemperance's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
This book fully encapsulated the high school experience. There was so much nostalgia and drama throughout. I love how real these teenagers are.
I definitely felt for our MC. Friends/relationships and all of the social confusion that comes along with them can be hard to navigate, let alone on top of trying to keep your grades up AND your family happy.
It made me happy that Jessie found her people in the end though.
I absolutely saw my younger self in her. And this book really helped heal my inner teen a bit.
I definitely felt for our MC. Friends/relationships and all of the social confusion that comes along with them can be hard to navigate, let alone on top of trying to keep your grades up AND your family happy.
It made me happy that Jessie found her people in the end though.
I absolutely saw my younger self in her. And this book really helped heal my inner teen a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Drug use, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
looseleafellie's review against another edition
5.0
This YA contemporary novel follows Jessie, a ‘90s-obsessed Palestinian-Canadian teen who receives an autism diagnosis shortly before starting high school. Determined to fit in with her classmates, Jessie creates a list of goals for the school year, but the attentions of two boys make her go off script.
I’m usually a reader who needs a high concept to get interested in a contemporary novel, and I’m also not a big fan of love triangles. So imagine my surprise when this book pulled me in, made me feel every emotion under the Sun, and ultimately left me wishing I could create a time vortex back to 2015 and give this book to my younger self!
A huge reason I couldn’t stop reading was Jessie herself. She’s one of the most charming, charismatic, relatable characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. The plot itself held my interest, but I’d read a book about her going grocery shopping.
This book joins the very short list of love triangle stories that don’t annoy me, and it’s largely cause it fits the themes so well. Plus, it was fun to see Griffin and Levi embarrass themselves over Jessie. I won’t spoil who Jessie ends up with, but it was who I hoped she’d choose in the end!
Fun fact: I read the last few chapters of this book on my local library’s patio, and I was so engrossed in finding out where Jessie’s story would go that I forgot the patio closed at 5pm, so I had to vault unceremoniously over a large planter in order to get free. So if that doesn’t tell you how gripping this story is, I don’t know what does.
Long story short, if you’re interested in a YA novel full of authentic teenage feelings, an engaging protagonist, and two boys being embarrassingly pathetic over said protagonist, you need to check this out!
CWs: Anti-Arab racism, ableism, toxic relationships and friendships, bullying, cheating, relationship between a minor and an adult, death of a family member, and underage alcohol and cannabis use.
I’m usually a reader who needs a high concept to get interested in a contemporary novel, and I’m also not a big fan of love triangles. So imagine my surprise when this book pulled me in, made me feel every emotion under the Sun, and ultimately left me wishing I could create a time vortex back to 2015 and give this book to my younger self!
A huge reason I couldn’t stop reading was Jessie herself. She’s one of the most charming, charismatic, relatable characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. The plot itself held my interest, but I’d read a book about her going grocery shopping.
This book joins the very short list of love triangle stories that don’t annoy me, and it’s largely cause it fits the themes so well. Plus, it was fun to see Griffin and Levi embarrass themselves over Jessie. I won’t spoil who Jessie ends up with, but it was who I hoped she’d choose in the end!
Fun fact: I read the last few chapters of this book on my local library’s patio, and I was so engrossed in finding out where Jessie’s story would go that I forgot the patio closed at 5pm, so I had to vault unceremoniously over a large planter in order to get free. So if that doesn’t tell you how gripping this story is, I don’t know what does.
Long story short, if you’re interested in a YA novel full of authentic teenage feelings, an engaging protagonist, and two boys being embarrassingly pathetic over said protagonist, you need to check this out!
CWs: Anti-Arab racism, ableism, toxic relationships and friendships, bullying, cheating, relationship between a minor and an adult, death of a family member, and underage alcohol and cannabis use.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death
ghostingarden's review against another edition
5.0
Jackie Khalilieh you are such a star!!!!
This is the kind of book that makes me wish time machines existed so that I could go back in time and let 15 year old me read this because she would've really needed it. I can't truly put into words how much Jessie means to me as a character but it's a lot!! Also, I'm not usually a fan of love triangles but this one didn't make me want to rage throw my phone at a wall so that's a win for sure!!! Khalilieh wrote such a beautifully sweet and honest story and I hope everyone who reads this book loves it as much as I did.
This is the kind of book that makes me wish time machines existed so that I could go back in time and let 15 year old me read this because she would've really needed it. I can't truly put into words how much Jessie means to me as a character but it's a lot!! Also, I'm not usually a fan of love triangles but this one didn't make me want to rage throw my phone at a wall so that's a win for sure!!! Khalilieh wrote such a beautifully sweet and honest story and I hope everyone who reads this book loves it as much as I did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death, Racism, and Ableism
kylosten's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Racism
hnagarne's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.25
this one is hard for me to rate because i didn't love it, but i also recognize this is extremely YA. the main character and her friends are all freshmen in high school, and they act like it (props to the author for that). i think this was a bit too romance-y for my tastes; there isn't too much going on in this book aside from the romance, and at times i thought the book dragged on unnecessarily.
however, there was still a lot in this i enjoyed. i loved the protagonist and her friendships with mel & odelia. i loved her talking about autism and masking. i loved her friendship with griffin, and how unabashedly teenager-y she was about her love for levi. the author did a great job, in my opinion, of depicting teenagers.
cw: ableism, racism, bullying, cheating, adult/minor relationship (not depicted), underage drinking/substance use, death of a grandparent
however, there was still a lot in this i enjoyed. i loved the protagonist and her friendships with mel & odelia. i loved her talking about autism and masking. i loved her friendship with griffin, and how unabashedly teenager-y she was about her love for levi. the author did a great job, in my opinion, of depicting teenagers.
cw: ableism, racism, bullying, cheating, adult/minor relationship (not depicted), underage drinking/substance use, death of a grandparent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
nadiamasood's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Jessie is a 15-year-old Palestinian-American diagnosed as autistic just weeks before starting high school. She’s excited, scared, and wants to keep the diagnosis a secret.
As you can tell from the cover, this book is mostly about awkward teenage romances. It was a quick read and I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did (I’m not a fan of love triangles). Jessie is an endearing character that I can’t help but root for. The story is sweet, funny, and has so much heart. We find Jessie struggle to feel confident with her autism diagnosis, hiding it from her new friends. But eventually, she learns to own it.
I also loved Jessie’s Arab family. I wish there was more about them (and less boy drama) in the story.
This book not only helps neurotypical readers understand Jessie in a deep and meaningful way, learning how to live with someone with autism, but it’s also where neurodivergent readers will feel seen and understood.
It’s an easy read, funny, and relatable. teenagers are going to enjoy this book.
As you can tell from the cover, this book is mostly about awkward teenage romances. It was a quick read and I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did (I’m not a fan of love triangles). Jessie is an endearing character that I can’t help but root for. The story is sweet, funny, and has so much heart. We find Jessie struggle to feel confident with her autism diagnosis, hiding it from her new friends. But eventually, she learns to own it.
I also loved Jessie’s Arab family. I wish there was more about them (and less boy drama) in the story.
This book not only helps neurotypical readers understand Jessie in a deep and meaningful way, learning how to live with someone with autism, but it’s also where neurodivergent readers will feel seen and understood.
It’s an easy read, funny, and relatable. teenagers are going to enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
elizlizabeth's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Light read for when you need to turn off youe brain for a bit. It was interesting and I'm glad autistic rep is picking up, buzzwords askde. I do worry that the core message of this is a bit misguided, as Jessie's autism keeps being treated as something she has to admit (or unmask) to people to really be herself. People's treatment and manners shouldn't depend on whether or not you justify your "weirdness".
Aside from that it was a fun and engaging read so I would recommend it if you're on the hunt for a romance.
Aside from that it was a fun and engaging read so I would recommend it if you're on the hunt for a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Drug use, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Racism
jelkebooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This was such an enjoyable read. Honestly, I couldn't put this book down at all. Jessie was a great character to follow, and I loved seeing her growth throughout the novel. It felt very organic, and realistic. I also really liked the friend group. I mean, there's one not that great friend in the group but I liked her part in the story. I feel like she was a great and real example of semi toxic friends, and I think it's great that it was portrayed in a story like this because I can imagine several teenagers reading this book, seeing that side plot, and realising their friend migth not be worth the trouble anymore. The two other girls in the friend group are absolutely incredible as well.
This book is extremely high school though. I know, it's a YA book, and it definitely reads like it. There's a lot of high drama about things that don't matter that much. A lot of focus on things that don't actually matter, but as a teenager are your entire world and more. It did get on my nerves a little bit at times, and I wanted to scream at the characters because they couldn't see the easy solution to their problems. That being said, that's all very realistic behaviour for a group of 15 year olds, just starting high school. I also know I would have absolutely ADORED this book, and related to so much of it if I read this when I was 15. It's just my experience as a 22 year old right now.
The romance was quite decent as well. It's actually one of the best love triangles I have ever read. It definitely felt very believable and real. There were some small icks in the two romances though, that I wish would have gotten a bit better adressed throughout the novel, but for the rest I did quite like it. Love triangles are so easy to do wrong, and I truly think this book did a really well, and knocked it out of the park. So yeah, I really enjoyed this book but had some small issues with it, but I definitely recommend it, especially for readers around the same age as our main character here.
This was such an enjoyable read. Honestly, I couldn't put this book down at all. Jessie was a great character to follow, and I loved seeing her growth throughout the novel. It felt very organic, and realistic. I also really liked the friend group. I mean, there's one not that great friend in the group but I liked her part in the story. I feel like she was a great and real example of semi toxic friends, and I think it's great that it was portrayed in a story like this because I can imagine several teenagers reading this book, seeing that side plot, and realising their friend migth not be worth the trouble anymore. The two other girls in the friend group are absolutely incredible as well.
This book is extremely high school though. I know, it's a YA book, and it definitely reads like it. There's a lot of high drama about things that don't matter that much. A lot of focus on things that don't actually matter, but as a teenager are your entire world and more. It did get on my nerves a little bit at times, and I wanted to scream at the characters because they couldn't see the easy solution to their problems. That being said, that's all very realistic behaviour for a group of 15 year olds, just starting high school. I also know I would have absolutely ADORED this book, and related to so much of it if I read this when I was 15. It's just my experience as a 22 year old right now.
The romance was quite decent as well. It's actually one of the best love triangles I have ever read. It definitely felt very believable and real. There were some small icks in the two romances though, that I wish would have gotten a bit better adressed throughout the novel, but for the rest I did quite like it. Love triangles are so easy to do wrong, and I truly think this book did a really well, and knocked it out of the park. So yeah, I really enjoyed this book but had some small issues with it, but I definitely recommend it, especially for readers around the same age as our main character here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Ableism
Moderate: Misogyny, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
An overall wonderful book full of heart and laughs alongside tough conversations!
Jessie is a perfect protagonist— you root for her and want her to succeed even when she makes mistakes or does things that are super frustrating! As an allistic (non-autistic) person, it was really interesting to get to see the world from Jessie’s point of view and see how she navigates the world. I loved the conversations around masking and in particular highlighting how girls struggle to get a diagnosis because they don’t fit the stereotypical model of what autism looks like.
I loved watching Jessie grow throughout the year and not only come to terms with being autistic but also embracing her identity and the things that make her special. I loved that the 90s were her special interest and enjoyed the pop culture references. I found it so refreshing that an autistic Palestinian-Canadian girl could be seen as having not just one but two romantic interests, and felt that the handling of those relationships was done really well!
I found the depiction of high school life in the Greater Toronto Area painfully accurate and deeply relatable. The characters felt very real and lifelike, and all of their backstories and complicated drama gave a busy realness to the story that I really liked.
I have seen some reviews saying that they wished there was more racial diversity in the cast of characters, and I agree with that, however I also think it highlighted how isolating it can be as an student of colour in Canada outside of major metropolitan areas. On the note of diversity, I do also wish that even one character in Jessie’s circle had been queer or trans!
My only other notes would be that I found there to be some unnecessary comments around weight / body appearance (such as Jessie’s mom “stuffing herself into shapewear”). I think there’s a way to appropriately address concerns like this in a YA book, but the moments felt more like unconscious anti-fat bias than actually trying to make commentary on body image issues!
I think fans of YA romance will love this book: if you love messy teens, coming of age, girls learning how to stand up for themselves, complicated family dynamics, and a heartwarming happy ending, then I’d definitely recommend Something More!
Jessie is a perfect protagonist— you root for her and want her to succeed even when she makes mistakes or does things that are super frustrating! As an allistic (non-autistic) person, it was really interesting to get to see the world from Jessie’s point of view and see how she navigates the world. I loved the conversations around masking and in particular highlighting how girls struggle to get a diagnosis because they don’t fit the stereotypical model of what autism looks like.
I loved watching Jessie grow throughout the year and not only come to terms with being autistic but also embracing her identity and the things that make her special. I loved that the 90s were her special interest and enjoyed the pop culture references. I found it so refreshing that an autistic Palestinian-Canadian girl could be seen as having not just one but two romantic interests, and felt that the handling of those relationships was done really well!
I found the depiction of high school life in the Greater Toronto Area painfully accurate and deeply relatable. The characters felt very real and lifelike, and all of their backstories and complicated drama gave a busy realness to the story that I really liked.
I have seen some reviews saying that they wished there was more racial diversity in the cast of characters, and I agree with that, however I also think it highlighted how isolating it can be as an student of colour in Canada outside of major metropolitan areas. On the note of diversity, I do also wish that even one character in Jessie’s circle had been queer or trans!
My only other notes would be that I found there to be some unnecessary comments around weight / body appearance (such as Jessie’s mom “stuffing herself into shapewear”). I think there’s a way to appropriately address concerns like this in a YA book, but the moments felt more like unconscious anti-fat bias than actually trying to make commentary on body image issues!
I think fans of YA romance will love this book: if you love messy teens, coming of age, girls learning how to stand up for themselves, complicated family dynamics, and a heartwarming happy ending, then I’d definitely recommend Something More!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, and Body shaming
borrowedbyaudrey's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Ableism, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Xenophobia, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Death