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kalin_grace's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence
breereadsalot_'s review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Drug use
Moderate: Cancer and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism
jennwith2ns's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really love Porter and Bailey and this book just made me happy. However, I felt like the Alex storyline ended up falling by the wayside for like half the book and then bam reveal at the end after a ton of TERRIBLE communication between our love interests.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
tkatt20's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a cute book and I did not want to put it down. I thought the characters were really cute and they all had a really cool dynamic with each other and it sort of had an enemies to lovers thing going which is always a plus. I really liked that the main love interest wasn't painted to be perfect in every way like some romance books do, and the main character actually taking responsibility for her actions made it even better. This book also handle trauma and ptsd very well for a YA book and it showed the struggles that the different characters had to deal with
It would have been a 5 star book for me but I wasn't really enamored by the writing style but it was really cute and made me feel like this story was being told to me by a best friend so it wasn't a huge deal to me. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick summer read or someone really into romance.
It would have been a 5 star book for me but I wasn't really enamored by the writing style but it was really cute and made me feel like this story was being told to me by a best friend so it wasn't a huge deal to me. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick summer read or someone really into romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
gabzr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
oliviabrcka's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Alex, Approximately follows Bailey "Mink" Rydell as she moves across the country to live with her dad in California. Her plans for the summer are to work at a local museum and spend her free time searching for Alex, her online friend who lives in the same town as her dad. Her plans get changed when she begins to develop a relationship with Porter Roth, her archenemy-turned-friend-turned-crush, but not everything is quite as it seems... Alex is closer than she thinks. I picked this book up after seeing in recommended by Hailey in Bookland, and it is a great, fluffy summer romance!
As a first time Jenn Bennett reader, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to her writing, but I did enjoy it once I got in the groove! Her style is a little all over the place, but it fits well in the context of the story, since our main character is a teenage girl riddled with anxiety. This was a pretty medium paced story, but I will say that I'm confused as to why the book's summary gives away the fact that Porter and Alex are the same person?? I mean, it's obvious throughout the whole book so I get why she wasn't making it a huge secret but I feel like that takes away so much of the mystery and magic of actually getting to the last few chapters. That totally gives away the conflict and resolution that actually happens! Makes no sense to me, but I hope Bennett had a good reason in mind when she made that particular creative choice. (Again, the fact that I'm writing this isn't a spoiler because it's literally IN THE BOOK SUMMARY. WEIRD.)
Bailey is our main protagonist, and I personally liked her. She's one of the most realistic and relatable main YA characters I've read in a while, although her actual life situation isn't all that realistic or relatable (that probably makes no sense, sorry). She's got some trauma, some anxiety, and family drama, but the main focus of her story is her relationship with (the dreamy surfer dude) Porter Roth. They start as (sort of) enemies, move to (sort of) friends (who flirt a lot) to lovers. Porter is a great love interest in my opinion, because Bailey describes how complex of a person he is. He is a simp, a loving family man, an overprotective idiot, and a raging a$$ all in one (smoking hot) package. We love that for him. I also LOVE Grace and wish that she had some more page time, her spunk and attitude totally stole all the attention.
So, let's be honest, this book isn't meant to make you stop and truly contemplate your life decisions. There are some small themes here and there, but for the most part, we are just having a good time falling in love with Porter and Bailey. I see no problem with that.
If you are looking for a little vacation read, beach read, summer read, or escape from a dreadfully cold winter, this is for you! If you love a cute romance, this is for you! If you want a pretty quick read that will rescue you from your reading slump, THIS IS FOR YOU! Alex, Approximately is written to please the masses, so enjoy!
As a first time Jenn Bennett reader, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to her writing, but I did enjoy it once I got in the groove! Her style is a little all over the place, but it fits well in the context of the story, since our main character is a teenage girl riddled with anxiety. This was a pretty medium paced story, but I will say that I'm confused as to why the book's summary gives away the fact that Porter and Alex are the same person?? I mean, it's obvious throughout the whole book so I get why she wasn't making it a huge secret but I feel like that takes away so much of the mystery and magic of actually getting to the last few chapters. That totally gives away the conflict and resolution that actually happens! Makes no sense to me, but I hope Bennett had a good reason in mind when she made that particular creative choice. (Again, the fact that I'm writing this isn't a spoiler because it's literally IN THE BOOK SUMMARY. WEIRD.)
Bailey is our main protagonist, and I personally liked her. She's one of the most realistic and relatable main YA characters I've read in a while, although her actual life situation isn't all that realistic or relatable (that probably makes no sense, sorry). She's got some trauma, some anxiety, and family drama, but the main focus of her story is her relationship with (the dreamy surfer dude) Porter Roth. They start as (sort of) enemies, move to (sort of) friends (who flirt a lot) to lovers. Porter is a great love interest in my opinion, because Bailey describes how complex of a person he is. He is a simp, a loving family man, an overprotective idiot, and a raging a$$ all in one (smoking hot) package. We love that for him. I also LOVE Grace and wish that she had some more page time, her spunk and attitude totally stole all the attention.
So, let's be honest, this book isn't meant to make you stop and truly contemplate your life decisions. There are some small themes here and there, but for the most part, we are just having a good time falling in love with Porter and Bailey. I see no problem with that.
If you are looking for a little vacation read, beach read, summer read, or escape from a dreadfully cold winter, this is for you! If you love a cute romance, this is for you! If you want a pretty quick read that will rescue you from your reading slump, THIS IS FOR YOU! Alex, Approximately is written to please the masses, so enjoy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Violence
lovesophia's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
was on booktok and saw this recommended
wasn’t sure if I was was going to like this book because it was really similar to “what I like about you” which I rated 2 stars. I end up liking it a bit more the romance was cute but I think the online + irl identify trope is just not for me.
wasn’t sure if I was was going to like this book because it was really similar to “what I like about you” which I rated 2 stars. I end up liking it a bit more the romance was cute but I think the online + irl identify trope is just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
abbbymyles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
4.25
A great summer read that will keep you roped in! I’m a big fan of Jenn Bennett’s writing style, and it made it really easy to read and follow.
Porter’s character development is *chef’s kiss* and I get big ENTP vibes from him, which just makes me love him more.
Porter’s character development is *chef’s kiss* and I get big ENTP vibes from him, which just makes me love him more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Addiction, Gun violence, and Stalking
georgia8's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
gmoneyyyyy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Drug use