Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Obožavateljka

I really like this book a lot. It wasn't as fluffy as I thought it would be, but it gives some really great context for the Simon Snow Trilogy. It's definitely going to be a comfort read for me. I like the journey we go on with Kat that is, honestly, mostly in her head. It's nice because there are some big events, but most of them are her developing confidence and self awareness the way that ideally everyone does in college. She fights for herself, and that's pretty kick ass. I do have some issues with the way mental health is portrayed. The twins' dad is bipolar who pretty typically lives unmedicated, in spite of some pretty serious and apparently dangerous periods, currently and previously. The girls support him choosing to go off meds-- and I mean that literally. They provide support for him to do that. And there isn't ever any pushback or time given to learning to manage behavior with meds as a valid tool. I'm not saying everyone has to be medicated, but I feel really strongly that presenting unmedicated as better adds to mental health stigma, and I was disappointed to see that. And I was disappointed in the lack of transparency specifically about meds between Art and his daughters. Like, written into the text- not just as an omission. This review probably says a lot more about me and my state of mind RN than it does about the book, so let me end with this- books about creative process and/or personal growth are my absolute favorite, especially with a fantastic element, and I really do love this one.

Content Warnings

abiggal's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“‘Happily ever after, or even just together ever after, is not cheesy,’ Wren said. ‘It’s the noblest, like, the most courageous thing two people can shoot for.’”

Dang it this book was stinking cute. I really enjoyed the complexity of the plot, it felt more just like someone’s life story than something you would chart. That said, the ending was rather abrupt for a contemporary fiction book over 400 pages, and

Cath really never addresses her abandonment issues outside of Levi

Overall still fun and complex and hard to put down.

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cynosure's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Spoiler warning
I enjoyed this book, it’s not what I usually read however I like Rainbow Rowell’s writing. Some parts are kind of cringe and I really hate how a straight girl writing about a gay relationship is seen as deviant and interesting. It felt kind of mlm fetishy especially coming from a female writer. I really enjoyed how Cath and Levi’s romance bloomed and I loved some of the romantic parts, Rowell writes romance so well :-)

Overall a very interesting but cliché book.

Content Warnings

imaginationindex's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

First and foremost, let’s acknowledge this author is problematic. I really appreciate the feedback some book friends were able to give me as I hadn’t done my own research before diving in and thought this author was not included on those lists. But here we are 😞 Thankfully I had thrifted this book and plan to do so after.

I did not consider the above factor in my rating, though if you plan to read, please borrow from your local library.

The story is somewhat relatable, for all us fans who want to take the characters we love so much and keep them safe and sound in our own worlds. I am surprised there wasn’t more interaction with the fan community, like even some chats for editing her fic or meet ups with other fans, but I guess not every fangirl is like the others. Cath as a character was more accurate to how my first year of uni went, why would I need friends when I have all my fictional ones? 😅 But she’s anxious, she’s young.

Speaking of age, who is this book targeted to? It was almost innocent and then a few f-bombs were thrown in? It’s not exactly a criticism, more so asking for a friend 🤷🏻‍♀️

Getting into it, this story focuses on Cath and her obsession with the Simon Snow series, especially as a popular fan fiction writer (with thousands of hits only I could only dream of) and a cute satire of Harry Potter (which came to fruition in Carry On a few years later). A coming of age story where she navigates college, a touch and go roommate as well as life without her twin (Wren is still alive, she’s just not her built-in roommate). Levi enters the fray, a very cute, older college boy and Cath might have more to focus on than Simon/Baz slash, rather her own romantic plot line.

Things you should stay for:

Creative twin naming conventions
Roommate Reagan: yeah she does call Cath pathetic, but at the end of the day this girl is ride or die. At the expense of a few taunts, I would room with her too!
Sister sister: As someone who knows two sets of twins, the writing was accurate. Trying to be your own person while there is a copy and paste of you walking around (and let’s be honest everyone has a favourite twin)
Harry Potter satire (especially fans of the 4th movie know what I’m talking about)
Fun author professors who are role models and mother figures
The user wannabe author getting what’s coming to them

Things you might not want to stay for:

Unrealistic boyfriends in Contemporary fiction
Outdated 2012 cringe references (TW: K*yne)
Cath is starting her young adult life out, but the mistakes she makes are dumbfounding. P.S. If you are given a second chance at uni, you take it!!
Reading fan fiction aloud. WHO. DOES. THAT.
An assignment done the night before receiving top marks. That is a bunch of BS, professors can tell.

Content Warnings

simonstays5's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

elzibub's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

miszne99's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think I would love it more if it's shorter. Don't get me wrong, I love them but most of the time I'm just waiting for it to end. I don't care about the actual fanfiction, I just want to see more Cath and Levi. Still, a four-star read because the characters are cute and wonderful and I enjoyed the plot.

Content Warnings

skydragxn's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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