Reviews

Epically Earnest by Molly Horan

wambura_k's review

Written like a Wattpad 

jonokmitchell's review against another edition

My memories of high school come in waves. Incomplete moments in time. Quick flashes of events. Just the important parts. My time with Janey and Algie and Gwen and Cecil felt the same. It felt like a memory or a story you tell when you’re old sharing only what’s necessary and it gave me such an earnest (pun intended) sense of familiarity for Janey’s story and nostalgia for my own.

The characters are depicted with such authenticity and depth, and the dialogue written by Molly Horan is both relatable and hilarious. It's no wonder they feel so real. There are some threads I wish weren’t so open-ended, but as a reader I’m happy to create those in-between moments for myself.

Over the last few years we’ve seen such importance placed on appreciation for chosen family especially in the YA space and when I look past all of Janey’s dilemmas and idiosyncrasies I see the start to a beautiful journey centered not the family we choose, but the family who chooses us.

foleyzac's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

zuz_pas's review against another edition

3.0

It was an alright read but i think due to the limited length there was lack of any real plot setup amd resolution. It's basically just couples getting together almost immediately with bits focused on rhe main character's identity issues (which i did enjoy). However, I'd have liked to see a more thoughtout plot and perhaps multiple povs.

daniisrevding's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

kejuka's review

emotional funny 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

3.25

hidingincorners's review against another edition

5.0

An absolutely delightful, witty, lovely adaptation! So refreshing and earnest!

gingerbread_void's review

1.0

There was something about this book that just didn't sit right with me. Several scenes made me very uncomfortable and actually made my skin crawl which is obviously not something a contemperary romance should be doing.
I also found the characters to be unrealistic. They all felt like pick me girls which was extremely annoying to read. I was really bummed cause I wanted to enjoy this book but I just couldn't get passed the unsettling scenes and the "lol so random" characters. It made the whole book just feel so very fake.

kaedmopo's review

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

esabetta's review against another edition

3.0

I was hoping for more from this. But at the same time, it was the fluffy, no stakes book I really needed. I was hoping for more because it's not very Improtance of Being Earnest. I was expecting lies and drama and hidden identities. I got, my cousin is dating my best friend and my best friend's cousin is dating me (but its gay). I did love the no stakes though. It took me a second to get used to it, as I was waiting for conflict to jump at me out of nowhere. It was nice to read a book with a quick happily ever after (as quick as 295 pages) it was a nice brain break, but nothing special.