Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - How You Get The Girl

Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

How You Get The Girl by Anita Kelly

13 reviews

caseythereader'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? No

5.0

Thanks to Forever Publishing for the free copy of this book.

- Anita Kelly continues to be the best with HOW YOU GET THE GIRL. Kelly brings their signature wit and heart to this sapphic sports romance. I swooned, I cried, I cheered.
- Where this book punched me in the heart, though, is Julie’s character. Julie is me and I am Julie. I think I’m ace, but maybe not, because this person has knocked me off my feet? Am I pathetic for being “behind” everyone in terms of experience? Do I need a label? What if I never sort it out? NO, YOU’RE CRYING! (this is me saying thank you for bringing this character into existence, truly.)
- Characters from Kelly’s previous two books feature pretty heavily in this one (I squealed every time), so I would recommend reading those first to get the full background and experience. And you should read them anyway because they’re great!

Content Warnings

annamariem_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Anita Kelly is my favorite romance author and heck, they are probably my favorite author... ever. How You Get the Girl is full of such raw vulnerability and some truly laugh out loud moments. Elle and Julie feel tangible. I wish I could wrap them both up in one big group hug.

Let me just start off by saying this: Julie Parker. Forking! SHORTS! JULIE. PARKER. I truly love this character so, so, SO much. Julie represents the queer person who doesn't feel like they're "queer enough" because they have little to no experience with dating, romance, or sex. Julie and I would become fast friends because I, too, understand how it is to feel like you are "behind" when it comes to romantic relationships and dating.

"Her lack of experience always made her feel like a bit of a freak—an imposter for even wanting to claim a particular queer label in the first place—as she faded into the background each time a discussion veered into friends’ sexual and romantic trials and tribulations. Julie loved giving advice, listening, ever the Supportive Friend. But she always wondered if everyone else thought it was weird. That she was never an actual player in the conversation."

Another quality that I love about Julie is that she has such a big heart for the people she loves and cares about. Her need to reach out to others and make sure they feel welcome and safe with her is so beautiful. Her relationship with the entire Bobcats basketball team and with Vanessa had me grinning from ear to ear.

"How's Vanessa doing?"
"Okay. I mean, she's sad." Julie made herself stop moving, planting her feet by the island opposite Elle. "We played Super Mario Brothers and she talked about her feelings."
Elle slumped onto a stool, blinking. "Huh. Do you think that would work for me, if I learned how to play Super Mario Brothers?"

Then there's Elle. Oh, Elle. Elle fucking Cochrane. I relate to her character as much a Julie's, maybe even a bit more. The way Anita Kelly describes the highs and lows of Elle's depression really is such a feat. It is honestly an incredible thing to read about. Elle thinks that it's easier to push people away then let someone know you are struggling and boy do I get that. I wish I didn't understand how that feels on such a visceral level, but I do. God, do I fucking get it.

"In these rare moments when the chemicals and synapses in Elle's brain fired like they were supposed to, everything always felt right. Even the mistakes, the hard things and the heartaches, felt easier to handle. Everything was brighter, crisper, like Elle spent the rest of her days living in fuzzy darkness, and suddenly blinked and was able to see how colorful everything was, how reassuring, that the world existed. That Elle was able to survive within it."

Once again, Anita Kelly knows how to write a damn good romance story. This book has it all: fake dating, practice kissing, mutual pining, "does she like me? hah! no, that's ridiculous!", and a happily ever after. I won't give too much away about Elle and Julie's romance, but just know that it will leave you feeling giddy and breathless.

"They had been standing a mere inch apart, but Elle leaned in now, pressing her thighs to Julie's, torso to torso. Ran one hand down Julie's shoulder, the fuzzy material of her sweater tickling Elle's palm, while reaching the other into Julie's scalp, underneath her ponytail.

"I like to start slow," Elle said, voice soft. "Part your lips for me, Coach Parker."'

I loved witnessing the friendships between Julie and all the important people in her life. To see her interacting with London, Dahlia, Ben, and Alexei was such a treat and also a perfect way to include Kelly's characters from the previous two books. London and Julie have such a special sibling relationship that I cried more than once while reading their interactions.

"Julie: seriously though, I don’t think I can treat her like a normal parent. I tried and I failed

Julie: what do I do??

London: find a tree

London: sit in it

London: I believe the next part is k-i-s-s-i-n-g

Julie: London I swear to god"

How does one move on from a book that represents so much of who you are? If someone has the answer, please tell me, because I don't know what to do with myself now that I've read my most anticipated book of 2024.

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly hits shelves 2.13.24! Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Content Warnings

annamay1021's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book!!!!!! Finished in under 36 hours for a reason. The slow burn romance, the sports, the mental health and child welfare rep. I felt so seen in this book and I think most readers will! I absolutely loved the author’s balance of the fun romcom while also tackling some tough topics. My favorite of theirs so far! Anita does a queer love story like no one else!

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