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demiotubaga's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving this book a 4 and I thought it was a great read overall. I do though low-key think that the Bok Tok Girlies were overhyping the academic rivals-lovers aspect of the book the rest of it was very good.
Feminism
I really did enjoy the feminism discussions in the book and how we had a flawed main character who wasn't completely despicable (because yes it is possible to have a flawed main character who isn't just straight-up evil other authors should take note of that) and I really enjoyed her journey with feminism and the complexities that come with the topic. I guess for me it was kind of refreshing to read a book that centred on a romance that didn't center on straight white women and completely ignore intersectionality. While its portrayal of feminism isn't perfect by any means I do still think young girls could learn from this book about how to critically think about feminism and not really take things at face value. I kinda wished they didn't brush over what could have happened to Natalie a the party, to me that was a really striking moment, Eliza saving Natalie from what could have happened to her but I felt as though they kind of brushed past it. There was definitely an opportunity to talk about SA in a high school setting but I understand if that's not the vibe that Quach was going for.
Romance
Now, for the romance aspects of this book. First of all, I would not categorize this book as romance because to me the feminism aspect is really what the book is all about and the romance kind of takes a back seat in the plot to highlight other things in the story and of course I didn't mind that at all I really liked Quach was doing but that's just not how I heard other people describing the book. Second of all, I'm sure if I like completely buy the relationship between Len and Eliza. Like yeah I know it's a high school romance and teenagers are really shallow but really you couldn't add just like a little more development on the blooming of their romance. However, I did think there were some cute moments between Len and Eliza like the scene at the baseball game when she just kisses him out of nowhere like I was genuinely surprised when she did that and I loved it so much. Third of all, the book is also really funny to me like there were so many moments where I would laugh out loud because what was going on was so funny to me. One of my favourite Eliza moments is when she dumps out her backpack full of tampons in front of the whole school during morning announcements like the girl has a lot of guts and I really liked her.
Overall, I thought this book was pretty great while there was room for improvement (there usually is) I definitely recommend picking up this book!
Feminism
I really did enjoy the feminism discussions in the book and how we had a flawed main character who wasn't completely despicable (because yes it is possible to have a flawed main character who isn't just straight-up evil other authors should take note of that) and I really enjoyed her journey with feminism and the complexities that come with the topic. I guess for me it was kind of refreshing to read a book that centred on a romance that didn't center on straight white women and completely ignore intersectionality. While its portrayal of feminism isn't perfect by any means I do still think young girls could learn from this book about how to critically think about feminism and not really take things at face value. I kinda wished they didn't brush over what could have happened to Natalie a the party, to me that was a really striking moment, Eliza saving Natalie from what could have happened to her but I felt as though they kind of brushed past it. There was definitely an opportunity to talk about SA in a high school setting but I understand if that's not the vibe that Quach was going for.
Romance
Now, for the romance aspects of this book. First of all, I would not categorize this book as romance because to me the feminism aspect is really what the book is all about and the romance kind of takes a back seat in the plot to highlight other things in the story and of course I didn't mind that at all I really liked Quach was doing but that's just not how I heard other people describing the book. Second of all, I'm sure if I like completely buy the relationship between Len and Eliza. Like yeah I know it's a high school romance and teenagers are really shallow but really you couldn't add just like a little more development on the blooming of their romance. However, I did think there were some cute moments between Len and Eliza like the scene at the baseball game when she just kisses him out of nowhere like I was genuinely surprised when she did that and I loved it so much. Third of all, the book is also really funny to me like there were so many moments where I would laugh out loud because what was going on was so funny to me. One of my favourite Eliza moments is when she dumps out her backpack full of tampons in front of the whole school during morning announcements like the girl has a lot of guts and I really liked her.
Overall, I thought this book was pretty great while there was room for improvement (there usually is) I definitely recommend picking up this book!
ashction's review against another edition
4.0
What I liked: Thoughtful and interesting conversations on feminism, played out real time by teenagers who are normal and messy and learning; an "unlikable" protagonist with ambition who knows what she wants; the start of a reckoning towards how women are perceived
What I didn't like: I was never sold on the romance, and truthfully didn't need it. I would have liked it more without Len being involved; the female friendships were weakly portrayed and not very nuanced. And personally, felt like a real lack of conclusion. Obviously feminism can't be disseminated in one fiction book, but I felt friendship and family storylines wrapped without much fanfare or follow-up
Even so, this was a great read and definitely a good introductory story to young readers looking to explore the grayness of their ideals and morals, and to get them thinking about their own behaviors and actions.
What I didn't like: I was never sold on the romance, and truthfully didn't need it. I would have liked it more without Len being involved; the female friendships were weakly portrayed and not very nuanced. And personally, felt like a real lack of conclusion. Obviously feminism can't be disseminated in one fiction book, but I felt friendship and family storylines wrapped without much fanfare or follow-up
Even so, this was a great read and definitely a good introductory story to young readers looking to explore the grayness of their ideals and morals, and to get them thinking about their own behaviors and actions.
terrypixee's review against another edition
2.0
dnf!!! found the characters annoying and the plot was mehh
jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the first third of the book but, in the end, it felt like the story didn't really go anywhere. The only character who showed any real growth is Serena.
sxtoru's review against another edition
2.0
2.O ☆
⚠ spoiler alert
The main character was actually so insufferable, the secondhand embarrassment of her actions killed me every other page. It tried too hard to be too woke with its take on feminism but never actually make meaningful expansions on them that was tasteful and just ruined it for me.
I came into it thinking I would love it seeing that the troupe was academic rivals romance and the leads were Asian (Viet rep!), in theory, it hit all the marks for me but in execution, I didn't really enjoy it. At least the male lead is likable and so were most of the side characters, there were some scenes where I was kicking my feet and giggling lol but overall when the main character is that unlikable, I simply can't rate it that high.
xoxo,
vivi
⚠ spoiler alert
The main character was actually so insufferable, the secondhand embarrassment of her actions killed me every other page. It tried too hard to be too woke with its take on feminism but never actually make meaningful expansions on them that was tasteful and just ruined it for me.
I came into it thinking I would love it seeing that the troupe was academic rivals romance and the leads were Asian (Viet rep!), in theory, it hit all the marks for me but in execution, I didn't really enjoy it. At least the male lead is likable and so were most of the side characters, there were some scenes where I was kicking my feet and giggling lol but overall when the main character is that unlikable, I simply can't rate it that high.
xoxo,
vivi
shadeyc's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
kubra28's review against another edition
3.0
3,5☆
I liked the idea but there was missing something. Everything just kinda happend too fast
I liked the idea but there was missing something. Everything just kinda happend too fast
annalin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nakaawang's review against another edition
1.0
*1.75*
unfortunately, i didn't develop much of a connection with eliza & len, which meant for most of the book it felt like i existed outside of the story instead of being immersed in it. also didn't appreciate how feminism as a concept was discussed here (i know they end up understanding it in the end but still, hated it hated it hated it). i wish there was more of a development between eliza and her mother and sister bc the way the tension between them was resolved lacked depth. still a cute book, overall! but if you're tackling feminism, at least be better at it
unfortunately, i didn't develop much of a connection with eliza & len, which meant for most of the book it felt like i existed outside of the story instead of being immersed in it. also didn't appreciate how feminism as a concept was discussed here (i know they end up understanding it in the end but still, hated it hated it hated it). i wish there was more of a development between eliza and her mother and sister bc the way the tension between them was resolved lacked depth. still a cute book, overall! but if you're tackling feminism, at least be better at it