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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
"I mean how can you actually describe the first semester to anyone? How can you possibly express the confusion and awkwardness and freedom and fun and terror and just general batshit insanity of it all? You can't. You just have to live through it."
I've never read a YA book about college before. This one takes place in the UK, but other than being able to drink legally & some other random things, everything felt very relatable to me. Very enjoyable as a little time machine back to freshmen year in the form a story that rings true.
I've never read a YA book about college before. This one takes place in the UK, but other than being able to drink legally & some other random things, everything felt very relatable to me. Very enjoyable as a little time machine back to freshmen year in the form a story that rings true.
Absolutely brilliant!
I read this in one day - and that's rare for me, the world's slowest reader - and I found it hard to put down.
This book is SO BRITISH. If you've been to university, you'll relate, if you haven't, you'll experience it with this book.
The characters are a lot of fun, the story was pretty much just a few people trying to survive their first term of uni but that's always entertaining, and it ended on a good yet realistic note. Very satisfied with this read.
I personally think this book is an NA book, although I found it in the teens/YA section but that's my humble opinion.
I find that the New Adult genre is awful, full of the same irritating near-erotica plain-girl-meets-manwhore crap, and I'm definitely sick of it. Freshers, however, is a hell of a lot more New Adult than them as it deals with an actual realistic couple of characters who ARE new adults and discovering life. The genre is definitely coming back to life, thank god!
Very much enjoyed it! Also, it's absolutely bloody hilarious. Like, snort-your-tea-out-your-nose funny!
And Harry Potter fans will be happy with this read too. Many references and a Quidditch society. And I love how someone is offered tea on nearly every page! (okay, not EVERY page but a lot)
Highly recommended. I'm already a fan of these two authors so naturally when I saw this was out, I HAD to buy it.
I read this in one day - and that's rare for me, the world's slowest reader - and I found it hard to put down.
This book is SO BRITISH. If you've been to university, you'll relate, if you haven't, you'll experience it with this book.
The characters are a lot of fun, the story was pretty much just a few people trying to survive their first term of uni but that's always entertaining, and it ended on a good yet realistic note. Very satisfied with this read.
I personally think this book is an NA book, although I found it in the teens/YA section but that's my humble opinion.
I find that the New Adult genre is awful, full of the same irritating near-erotica plain-girl-meets-manwhore crap, and I'm definitely sick of it. Freshers, however, is a hell of a lot more New Adult than them as it deals with an actual realistic couple of characters who ARE new adults and discovering life. The genre is definitely coming back to life, thank god!
Very much enjoyed it! Also, it's absolutely bloody hilarious. Like, snort-your-tea-out-your-nose funny!
And Harry Potter fans will be happy with this read too. Many references and a Quidditch society. And I love how someone is offered tea on nearly every page! (okay, not EVERY page but a lot)
Highly recommended. I'm already a fan of these two authors so naturally when I saw this was out, I HAD to buy it.
*This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.*
Freshmen follows Phoebe and Luke through their freshman year of college. While they went to the same high school, they didn't run with the same crowds. But in college, their lives continue to intertwine. The most commendable aspect of Freshmen is its realistic approach to YA issues like growing apart from a HS sweetheart, having positive and not-so positive sexual experiences, toxic masculinity, and overall confusion about relationships. The A-Plot of Freshman is its romantic story line, which, unfortunately, leaves the B-Plot of the soccer team drama somewhat underdeveloped. The story is told in first-person from the interchanging viewpoints of Phoebe and Luke.
Freshmen follows Phoebe and Luke through their freshman year of college. While they went to the same high school, they didn't run with the same crowds. But in college, their lives continue to intertwine. The most commendable aspect of Freshmen is its realistic approach to YA issues like growing apart from a HS sweetheart, having positive and not-so positive sexual experiences, toxic masculinity, and overall confusion about relationships. The A-Plot of Freshman is its romantic story line, which, unfortunately, leaves the B-Plot of the soccer team drama somewhat underdeveloped. The story is told in first-person from the interchanging viewpoints of Phoebe and Luke.
So Freshers was an experience for me, why? because I never went to University. I was in the undecided path when I left 6th Form, but in a way I'm glad for it as I'm proud of what I've achieved and where I am now. But then sometimes I will always wonder what would have happened if I went to university, would I enjoy it, make friends for life, be more social, enjoy the experience? I don't know, my experience in school and 6th Form wasn't exactly great, but then people always told me that Uni is different.
Freshers takes two very different perspectives of uni life with Phoebe and Luke, they both went to the same high school together. Phoebe has always had a crush on Luke, but I think the years between she hasn't been brave enough to be who she is, to be finally come out of her shell. Phoebe feels now that she's in university it will be different from high school. While she tries to contain her feelings for Luke, both Luke and Phoebe try to fit it, or not fit in as the case maybe, the thrills of nights out, uni societies and occasionally ride on a broomstick and striking a goal. Two weeks of Freshers begs to be the most dramatic, crazy, and compulsive ride of their life that will reveal their true selves at the end of it.
The line ''you can be surrounded by people but be completely alone.'' by Cordelia in BTVS springs to mind with this book. University isn't all sunshine and unicorns, and it can effect everyone in different ways. Take Luke, I really loved him because he had fragility and a vulnerability to him. He was no longer the high school jock with the hot girlfriend prepared to go long distance. Luke changed, he became human, real, by noticing that living in a dorm can be difficult, that it's not home and not your family either. It's about building a life of your own, with you leading it on your own. It's daunting and scary, and freshers isn't getting any easier, it's only a taster for the next 3 years. I fell that Luke grows balls in the end. Phoebe on the other hand, grew out of her crush phase, she valued her friendship, fitting in or not fitting in on occasion, being played by guys and the reality of how ugly they can be (Damn you Will!). But what I loved about her was that she proved to herself that she can do it, she can survive, with or without love, it's focusing on yourself, whilst also embracing uni life for what it really is.
What was thrilling was diving into the unknown of Tom and Lucy's writing. Yes you've heard it, this is my first book by these two geniuses. During the book it was full of laughing-out-loud-to-the-point-of-snorting moments, in public I might like to add. (There is one scene that to this day, still cracks me up but then scares me at the same time.) In the end... I was sad that it was over but also just simply awed by it, and I was like that for a quite a while. I believe that this book was the one that Tom and Lucy have been meaning to write, a story that they needed to write all along. Luke and Phoebe were them, you can see so much of themselves in each of their parts of the book. It felt real, like you were there with them in university, that takes great skill and you can feel the passion in their writing style and I felt that not only with this book but with Lobsters too.
It's obvious that this book is for those who are or have been of 'Freshers age', this is totally the book for you. But from my non Fresher perspective I got from this is that in the end its the making of who you are, coming out of your shell and learning to be the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Also Uni sounds completely bonkers! Haha. Freshers is addictive and the funniest book I've read all year.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Freshers takes two very different perspectives of uni life with Phoebe and Luke, they both went to the same high school together. Phoebe has always had a crush on Luke, but I think the years between she hasn't been brave enough to be who she is, to be finally come out of her shell. Phoebe feels now that she's in university it will be different from high school. While she tries to contain her feelings for Luke, both Luke and Phoebe try to fit it, or not fit in as the case maybe, the thrills of nights out, uni societies and occasionally ride on a broomstick and striking a goal. Two weeks of Freshers begs to be the most dramatic, crazy, and compulsive ride of their life that will reveal their true selves at the end of it.
The line ''you can be surrounded by people but be completely alone.'' by Cordelia in BTVS springs to mind with this book. University isn't all sunshine and unicorns, and it can effect everyone in different ways. Take Luke, I really loved him because he had fragility and a vulnerability to him. He was no longer the high school jock with the hot girlfriend prepared to go long distance. Luke changed, he became human, real, by noticing that living in a dorm can be difficult, that it's not home and not your family either. It's about building a life of your own, with you leading it on your own. It's daunting and scary, and freshers isn't getting any easier, it's only a taster for the next 3 years. I fell that Luke grows balls in the end. Phoebe on the other hand, grew out of her crush phase, she valued her friendship, fitting in or not fitting in on occasion, being played by guys and the reality of how ugly they can be (Damn you Will!). But what I loved about her was that she proved to herself that she can do it, she can survive, with or without love, it's focusing on yourself, whilst also embracing uni life for what it really is.
What was thrilling was diving into the unknown of Tom and Lucy's writing. Yes you've heard it, this is my first book by these two geniuses. During the book it was full of laughing-out-loud-to-the-point-of-snorting moments, in public I might like to add. (There is one scene that to this day, still cracks me up but then scares me at the same time.) In the end... I was sad that it was over but also just simply awed by it, and I was like that for a quite a while. I believe that this book was the one that Tom and Lucy have been meaning to write, a story that they needed to write all along. Luke and Phoebe were them, you can see so much of themselves in each of their parts of the book. It felt real, like you were there with them in university, that takes great skill and you can feel the passion in their writing style and I felt that not only with this book but with Lobsters too.
It's obvious that this book is for those who are or have been of 'Freshers age', this is totally the book for you. But from my non Fresher perspective I got from this is that in the end its the making of who you are, coming out of your shell and learning to be the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Also Uni sounds completely bonkers! Haha. Freshers is addictive and the funniest book I've read all year.
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Phoebe and Luke are freshman in college and they are seeking to redefine themselves. Phoebe has had a longstanding crush on Luke, and OMG, he goes to her same college now too! Luke is freshly single (sorta) out of a long-distance relationship and he wants to be different now he is in college, playing soccer. Just when they start, sorta, hooking up, there is scandal involving the soccer team and their "Wall of Shame" where they post pictures and rate girls they've slept with.
This is what I assume the Jersey Shore was like, except British? IDK. Lots of drinking, swearing (142 fs alone), drugs, and sex. Needless to say, this wasn't my college experience and I am surprised that any of the characters survived the year considering the messes they got into. I didn't love Phoebe or Luke. I didn't feel like the problem was adequately resolved. I don't think any lessons were learned. There were moments where I could see an interesting discussion on toxic masculinity, or public vs private persona, or anything more, but ultimately, it fell flat.
This is what I assume the Jersey Shore was like, except British? IDK. Lots of drinking, swearing (142 fs alone), drugs, and sex. Needless to say, this wasn't my college experience and I am surprised that any of the characters survived the year considering the messes they got into. I didn't love Phoebe or Luke. I didn't feel like the problem was adequately resolved. I don't think any lessons were learned. There were moments where I could see an interesting discussion on toxic masculinity, or public vs private persona, or anything more, but ultimately, it fell flat.
I feel like I know everyone in this book, I didn’t do much in freshers but I can put myself in every situation. Up until 70% it was so slow to be honest and to me a bit too realistic. Then there was some drama... Luke is such a twat, and I feel like I’ve met so many Luke’s but he also seemed nice. Phoebe is someone I would have fallen out with 100%. Everyone seemed way nicer and less judgemental and insecure and more supportive than literally anyone I met in first term. Except the weird footballers and will was really insane but it doesn’t surprise me completely. My favourite character was Frankie’s mum, the kind of parent I would like to be, was going to say like my own but actually not at all, I’m actually a first generation posh person so my daughter will probably Frankie. Or Negin or Becky to be honest. Either one I would be happy with, they were all so nice. I did enjoy this book and think it would be good to read sooner after freshers but also did give me that I had way less fun than these people in freshers feeling so I’m not sure. I got bored in the middle and it seemed realistic but also everyone was unrealistically nice in general which is why it is 3 stars
I love that this book is set at uni and I liked the alternating perspective, which meant at times we get to see both sides of the story. I wasn't too sure on the ending, I understand why but not sure if I liked it. Overall though a fantastic read!
This book had its highs and lows, but I read it in less than a day so overall, I'd say it's a win. A book about college for young adults? Awesome. We need more post-high school books. And while I didn't drink or party in college because I was a Mormon nerd, so much of this book still managed to hit me in the college feels. It's such a weird time, going from basically having everything structured and controlled for you to.....I make my own choices? What? How? When did this happen? Which, hello, circles back to we need more post-high school books! Finally, I loved the character development and the relationships that developed between everyone. And the humor--I laughed out loud more than once, which I'm sure my husband really enjoyed listening to. My only real complaint is that the story felt choppy at times. It wasn't terrible by any means, but some of the major moments ended up a little jarring because there wasn't much build up or development toward them. Smoothing out the flow of the story would have made it five-star read, for sure.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No