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leonifoster's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the messages of grief and loss that the author was able to incorporate into this novel. I have a hard time giving it a higher rating because I feel like the end was too abrupt for me. Also, throughout the story, Analee continues to talk about about a boy named Harris yet she doesn't meet him to the very end. I feel like the author could have added a little more to develop their friendship in the real life. Overall, I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it people who like teen romance and stories of hardship.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
4.0
So satisfying, a highly enjoyable read. I read it in one day, and I am a slow reader.
maddieg's review against another edition
4.0
This book took a little bit to get started for me, but once I made it past the first few chapters, I was totally entranced in the story. Analee was so developed and I saw some of myself in her and I love the way she interacted with Seb. I also thought there was more to this book than just the romantic relationship with Seb and I actually enjoyed exploring that. Analee’s relationship with her new family and then her relationship with Lily were both so in-depth that it made the entire story come together. While I wish the story had ended differently than it did, I think the ending made sense and now I would love it if a sequel came out to continue Seb and Analee’s relationship and whatever it may bring.
Favorite Quote: “There are no rules for happiness. You’ll be happy, then you’ll be sad, then you’ll be happy again. Enjoy the happiness when you have it. When you don’t have it, remember: It will come again. You just have to be open to it.”
Favorite Quote: “There are no rules for happiness. You’ll be happy, then you’ll be sad, then you’ll be happy again. Enjoy the happiness when you have it. When you don’t have it, remember: It will come again. You just have to be open to it.”
lisamparkin's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it all - the complications of blended families, the loss of a loved one, the acceptance of yourself as you are.
Another great YA contemporary I highly recommend!
Another great YA contemporary I highly recommend!
itsmytuberculosis's review against another edition
3.0
what i think this book does best is set up not the story we were all hoping for, but the story that occurs far more often. you don't get the boy. your crush isn't the love of your life. and sometimes you just have to put yourself first.
this book isn't about analee falling in love with a boy, its about her falling in love with herself and understand her own body dysmorphia -- all without her or the reader ever realizing it.
this book isn't about analee falling in love with a boy, its about her falling in love with herself and understand her own body dysmorphia -- all without her or the reader ever realizing it.
amarylissw's review against another edition
4.0
Cliche, but fun. My only issues are that I didn’t get enough of video game Analee and that for all her profession of being shy . . . she wasn’t, really. The ending is a bit inconclusive, but it’s also fairly realistic.
cgreens's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this!
I loved Analee as a character and like that it both had some typical cliche YA tropes--the most popular boy in school and social outcast Analee "fake date" to make others jealous--along with more serious issues, such as Analee's heartbreak and trauma from losing her mom and insulting ways her white, lifestyle guru stepmom-to-be attempts to participate in Cuban culture and Analee's family.
I honestly hated the Harris storyline and kept waiting for him to be a creepy pedophile who gets arrested. I enjoyed the Seb storyline a lot and actually didn't find the end to be ambiguous. I loved the ending and thought it was very fitting.
I loved Harlow and Avery as well. I love that, unlike a lot of YA authors, Milanes fleshed out the family members and made them dynamic, interesting characters. I didn't like Raf as much--I did think it was pretty shitty of him to let Harlow move in within a year of dating, change everything in the house, take over the guest room, dictate what they eat, etc., plus if Harlow had Avery at 19 that makes her all of 27 while Raf says he's 47.
I loved Analee as a character and like that it both had some typical cliche YA tropes--the most popular boy in school and social outcast Analee "fake date" to make others jealous--along with more serious issues, such as Analee's heartbreak and trauma from losing her mom and insulting ways her white, lifestyle guru stepmom-to-be attempts to participate in Cuban culture and Analee's family.
I honestly hated the Harris storyline and kept waiting for him to be a creepy pedophile who gets arrested. I enjoyed the Seb storyline a lot and actually didn't find the end to be ambiguous. I loved the ending and thought it was very fitting.
I loved Harlow and Avery as well. I love that, unlike a lot of YA authors, Milanes fleshed out the family members and made them dynamic, interesting characters. I didn't like Raf as much--I did think it was pretty shitty of him to let Harlow move in within a year of dating, change everything in the house, take over the guest room, dictate what they eat, etc., plus if Harlow had Avery at 19 that makes her all of 27 while Raf says he's 47.
kaleyb25's review against another edition
4.0
This one snuck up on me. Its been a while since I wanted to finish a book so much I stay up late to do so, but it happened here. The first quarter was slow but once it kept going I was interested. I saw so much of my teenage self in Analee and I know that probably affected how I saw her, but separating that I really enjoyed her perspective. Seeing her slowly warm up to people (like her dad's girlfriend and Seb) and learning more how to bond with them warm my heart. The ending didn't land completely for me, and while I can deeply appreciate the different pace that you wouldn't expect from a contemporary, it wasn't perfect and its hard to overlook certain elements. Also I kinda wish we got more of the online gaming.
hooliaquoolia's review against another edition
3.0
I can predict that a lot of criticism of this book is essentially that it's a ripoff of [b:To All the Boys I've Loved Before|15749186|To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)|Jenny Han|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1372086100s/15749186.jpg|21442106]. Main character is an introverted teen girl whose mother has passed, and winds up faux-dating the hot popular boy at school. And that criticism is valid, because now that the Netflix film has permeated the YA media world, it's simply not possible that this book was not influenced by it.
However, what this book has going for it is that the writing is far better than TATBILB, the main character is smarter and more realistic, and the ending is simply better. There is a sincere examination of grief and the aftermath of trauma, which is so, so important for teenagers. And I loved that the main character finally put her own health and growth first, instead of placing both in the hands of some teenage boy. It's a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it for teens over TATBILB.
However, what this book has going for it is that the writing is far better than TATBILB, the main character is smarter and more realistic, and the ending is simply better. There is a sincere examination of grief and the aftermath of trauma, which is so, so important for teenagers. And I loved that the main character finally put her own health and growth first, instead of placing both in the hands of some teenage boy. It's a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it for teens over TATBILB.
missprint_'s review against another edition
4.0
Analee Echevarria knows she doesn't come across that great in real life. Her mom died three years ago and it feels like it's never going to stop hurting. Her father is marrying a yogi who drives Analee crazy--don't even get her started on her soon-to-be stepsister. Then there's Analee's best friend who isn't her best friend, or really any friend at all, anymore.
All in all, Analee is much happier spending her time playing her favorite online game where she can be Kiri--the night elf hunter who never struggles to say or do the right thing. It doesn't hurt that her in-game sidekick Xolxar (played by a boy named Harris) has quickly become her best friend even though Analee and Harris have never met in person.
High school is just something to get through, and Analee knows she can do that if she just keeps her head down and stays out of the way of the popular kids. The only problem is that Seb Matias--undisputed school heartthrob and jerk--wants Analee to pose as his girlfriend while he tries to make is ex jealous.
Much to his surprise, and Analee's, she agrees hoping the fake relationship can help her practice real connections and work up the nerve to finally meet Harris. But as their fake relationship threatens to turn into a real friendship, Analee has to wonder if she's ready to connect with anyone in the real world--especially herself in Analee in Real Life (2018) by Janelle Milanes.
Analee in Real Life is equal parts thoughtful and funny as Analee navigates grief, friend breakups, and her future step-mother's nightmare diet schemes (kale chips, anyone?).
Analee is a no-nonsense narrator. She knows she has work to do and she knows she is one hundred percent terrified of putting in that work when it means doing scary things. As much as this novel explores romance and friendship, it's really a story about Analee learning how to start to like herself and understand her place in a family that has irrevocably changed.
Analee in Real Life is an empowering and sometimes painfully realistic story about a girl who realizes that the most challenging role she has to play is herself. Recommended for readers who like their characters sharp, their humor sardonic, and their romances to toe the line between reality and hoax.
Possible Pairings: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi, 500 Words or Less by Juleah del Rosario., To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart, In Real Life by Jessica Love, From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon, Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills, Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt
All in all, Analee is much happier spending her time playing her favorite online game where she can be Kiri--the night elf hunter who never struggles to say or do the right thing. It doesn't hurt that her in-game sidekick Xolxar (played by a boy named Harris) has quickly become her best friend even though Analee and Harris have never met in person.
High school is just something to get through, and Analee knows she can do that if she just keeps her head down and stays out of the way of the popular kids. The only problem is that Seb Matias--undisputed school heartthrob and jerk--wants Analee to pose as his girlfriend while he tries to make is ex jealous.
Much to his surprise, and Analee's, she agrees hoping the fake relationship can help her practice real connections and work up the nerve to finally meet Harris. But as their fake relationship threatens to turn into a real friendship, Analee has to wonder if she's ready to connect with anyone in the real world--especially herself in Analee in Real Life (2018) by Janelle Milanes.
Analee in Real Life is equal parts thoughtful and funny as Analee navigates grief, friend breakups, and her future step-mother's nightmare diet schemes (kale chips, anyone?).
Analee is a no-nonsense narrator. She knows she has work to do and she knows she is one hundred percent terrified of putting in that work when it means doing scary things. As much as this novel explores romance and friendship, it's really a story about Analee learning how to start to like herself and understand her place in a family that has irrevocably changed.
Analee in Real Life is an empowering and sometimes painfully realistic story about a girl who realizes that the most challenging role she has to play is herself. Recommended for readers who like their characters sharp, their humor sardonic, and their romances to toe the line between reality and hoax.
Possible Pairings: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi, 500 Words or Less by Juleah del Rosario., To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart, In Real Life by Jessica Love, From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon, Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills, Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt