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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
3.5 stars; quick and easy to read.
The book is quite an accurate portrayal of life in your early 30s; anything that anyone posts to social media is so carefully curated that no one really knows what difficulties anyone else might be facing.
The book brought up quite a few interesting points but the main character Tori was not particularly likeable, however I’m not sure she’s supposed to be. She behaves in ways that many of us will have done at some time or other and accurately portrays how women are pitched against each other, by each other, daily.
The book is quite an accurate portrayal of life in your early 30s; anything that anyone posts to social media is so carefully curated that no one really knows what difficulties anyone else might be facing.
The book brought up quite a few interesting points but the main character Tori was not particularly likeable, however I’m not sure she’s supposed to be. She behaves in ways that many of us will have done at some time or other and accurately portrays how women are pitched against each other, by each other, daily.
TW: Ugh please don't read this book (coming from a massive Holly Bourne fan). This book discusses self-harm (mentioned a couple of times for dramatic effect) and eating disorders (constantly mentioned yet given a 1 dimensional portrayal - think 'all it is is shyly skipping meals in an effort to stay slim' not the harsher realities further than food). The main character is bitter and self-centered and this book is not nearly as nuanced as you may think - all of the abusive boyfriend's behaviour is obvious red-flags (and the mc knows it) not the sort of subtle portrayal that I thought it would be. As well as this I really hated the Facebook format some of the book was in - complete with stock photos and all!
HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK WAS TOO REAL.
If I had read this 5 years ago I might not have liked it. But I turned 30 this past summer and GOOD LORD this book perfectly captures what it's like to be a woman in your 30s.
I am so so so so excited to read more of Holly Bourne's adult work. Absolutely stunning and emotionally wrenching.
If I had read this 5 years ago I might not have liked it. But I turned 30 this past summer and GOOD LORD this book perfectly captures what it's like to be a woman in your 30s.
I am so so so so excited to read more of Holly Bourne's adult work. Absolutely stunning and emotionally wrenching.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘How Do You Like Me Now?’ by Holly Bourne is a raw, emotional and at times downright bleak novel about Tori - a woman in her early thirties. The novel chronicles nine months of her life as she strives to write a sequel to her bestselling memoir / self-help book about navigating and loving your 20s while not exactly thriving herself in her 30s. Childless and in an unfulfilling relationship with a long-term boyfriend who avoids the topic of marriage like the plague, Tori feels like she’s falling behind, especially when her best friend Dee falls pregnant from a whirlwind romance…
This book is viscerally real, capturing Tori’s innermost thoughts and chronicling the social media posts of her and her friends. While she isn’t always the most likeable, Tori is absolutely relatable and probably no more flawed than every other 32 year old trying to navigate societal expectations, ticking clocks and relationships in a world where women are expected to “have it all”.
While it didn’t have as much of a narrative hook and so didn’t grip me as much as ‘So Thrilled For You’ by the same author, which was one of my absolute favourite 2024 reads, it was still a very memorable experience. Giving this four stars to start 2025!
This book is viscerally real, capturing Tori’s innermost thoughts and chronicling the social media posts of her and her friends. While she isn’t always the most likeable, Tori is absolutely relatable and probably no more flawed than every other 32 year old trying to navigate societal expectations, ticking clocks and relationships in a world where women are expected to “have it all”.
While it didn’t have as much of a narrative hook and so didn’t grip me as much as ‘So Thrilled For You’ by the same author, which was one of my absolute favourite 2024 reads, it was still a very memorable experience. Giving this four stars to start 2025!
I used to read a lot books similar to this one - books about women in their late twenties or early thirties who are feeling the pressure from society in one way or another; 'chic-lit' that's easy to read but that brings up important and current issues. I haven't picked up those books in a while though, and I probably should as I throughoutly enjoyed Bourne's creation. How Do You Like Me Now is an excellent commentary on social media and what is expected of thirty-year-old women. The latter I can't really relate to myself, but the social media side offered such an important reminder to be extremely critical to what people post online. I feel like that message can't be emphasized too much. Sometimes things seemed slightly too exaggerated and there were a few too many side characters that I found hard to keep track of, but other than that, this is a prime example of 'chic-lit' (I do hate that term but don't know what to replace it with) that's actually good and empowering, that makes you laugh and feel entertained.
Hurjan mukaansatempaava ihmissuhdeviihdekirja feministisellä (joskin varsin pintatasoisen sellaisella) twistillä. Tykkäsin tästä paljon, se sanoitti tätä aikaa ja tämän ajan pinnallisia ilmiöitä ja ihmissuhdetuskia varsin hyvin. Chick lit toimii parhaiten näin, ympäri käännettynä ja yhtä ja samaa narratiivia kyseenalaistavana, ja siksikin tämä on yksi parhaita viihdekirjoja, joita olen aikoihin lukenut.
I really really really do love a Holly Bourne novel. She never fails to nail it. This was truly amazing and, I think, a much needed reminder that what we see is often a façade and not reality. We get so caught up in comparing ourselves to the highlight reels of other people’s lives that we hardly stop to check in with ourselves. Amazing as always.
I’m not going to lie, I did have a few issues with this book; mainly the main character but I soon realised that was because I could see myself in her and past experiences/ mistakes. In the end, I really loved this book. Holly is a brilliant writer who’s not afraid to talk about the big and serious issues.
I could not relate with the main character in this book at all.
I never sat there panicking that I was going to end up single and thinking that I would need to "settle".
I adored Tori's best friend Dee and when reading about some of their escapades really reminded me of nights out with my oldest friend too.
I enjoyed the feminism aspect of the book. and how Tori wasn't afraid of calling people out on their behaviour. Also, the way that social networking was so important to Tori. I'm sure that there are people out there who rely on their posts and photos getting the all important "like" as some kind of affirmation that you are of course the funniest, prettiest, slimmest and most popular person out there and that yes, your life is perfect - but thankfully, I'm not aware of any of my friends being like this - although, of course, how would I know?
Tori is also far too self-obsessed for my liking. I couldn't possibly have a decent relationship with her. I can't be doing with people who are such hard work. Everything had to revolve around her and that's just exhausting.
I gave this book 2 stars on Goodreads.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I never sat there panicking that I was going to end up single and thinking that I would need to "settle".
I adored Tori's best friend Dee and when reading about some of their escapades really reminded me of nights out with my oldest friend too.
I enjoyed the feminism aspect of the book. and how Tori wasn't afraid of calling people out on their behaviour. Also, the way that social networking was so important to Tori. I'm sure that there are people out there who rely on their posts and photos getting the all important "like" as some kind of affirmation that you are of course the funniest, prettiest, slimmest and most popular person out there and that yes, your life is perfect - but thankfully, I'm not aware of any of my friends being like this - although, of course, how would I know?
Tori is also far too self-obsessed for my liking. I couldn't possibly have a decent relationship with her. I can't be doing with people who are such hard work. Everything had to revolve around her and that's just exhausting.
I gave this book 2 stars on Goodreads.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes