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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The narrator was amazing! I loved all the voices. This story was cute and funny, but still had great statements on life, high school, and friendship. I love an enemies-to-lovers story. The characters were amazing, and I loved the mystery mixed with romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia
kathleencoughlin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was a bit disappointed to find out this is more YA than NA which was one of the things I'd enjoyed about McQuiston in the past, but overall I had fun reading the book and liked how it played with a lot of the classic high school coming of age situations. I see a lot of my flaws and insecurities from high school in Chloe so I enjoyed watching her work through those and come out the other side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
cozyreadsandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think this book fell short of what I know Casey Mcquiston can do.
I think Chloe was almost too whiny and superficial to enjoy her journey. [Don't get me started on her valedictorian speech] I think I would have enjoyed this more if given the perspectives of Rory and Smith because having it from just Chloe's viewpoint became almost superficial.
I think also being in a small town, the seriousness of kids getting outed to their families was not as much as it should have been. It just seemed there wasn't much on this topic as I thought there would be.
I think Chloe was almost too whiny and superficial to enjoy her journey. [Don't get me started on her valedictorian speech] I think I would have enjoyed this more if given the perspectives of Rory and Smith because having it from just Chloe's viewpoint became almost superficial.
I think also being in a small town, the seriousness of kids getting outed to their families was not as much as it should have been. It just seemed there wasn't much on this topic as I thought there would be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Transphobia, Abandonment, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Alcohol, Racism, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Outing, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Racism, Infidelity, and Cancer
esme_t's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexism
abbymatch12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Sexism
bronteide's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
I really like that Chloe feels confident in herself and in her sexuality even though she's never dated anyone, that makes me feel a bit more confident in these things too.
Like, the *aesthetic* - pink and green and yellow! That's so cute and just pretty!!!
I love Rory and Smith's love story! That scene in the bookshop... And just Rory in general, writing music for his loved one since he was 13! Definitly Jess Mariano vibes.
I'm glad I read this book now, finishing my last year of high school, I think that's part of what made this experience so special to me.
There's so many wonderful scenes, I just can't ahhh
The queer found family trope! Hope I'll get to experience it haha.
Also I really like CMQ's writing. It's so detailed, I love it.
All the references to books and films and musicals! FANTHOM! I'd love to see Chloe perform Think of Me!
Overall, one of the best YA I've ever read!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
bookcrushin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Outing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Minor: Classism and Sexual harassment
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books for an arc of this one!
Casey McQuiston has done it again with this sapphic academic-rivals-to-lovers romcom about an absolute disaster of a girl and her journey to prove that Shara Wheeler is not who she claims to be.
I am not going to lie and pretend I don't identify at least a little with Chloe Greene. She's an absolute disaster and so determined and really reminds me of myself when I was younger. Shara is also so interesting and complicated and I love how well this dove beneath the surface of the perfect dream girl and really got to the root of her.
The best part about this book is the side characters! Smith is truly the MVP for me. I love him so much and would pay a lot of money for McQuiston to write a book about him!
You will love this book. I don't care who you are or what you like, there will be something for you!
Casey McQuiston has done it again with this sapphic academic-rivals-to-lovers romcom about an absolute disaster of a girl and her journey to prove that Shara Wheeler is not who she claims to be.
I am not going to lie and pretend I don't identify at least a little with Chloe Greene. She's an absolute disaster and so determined and really reminds me of myself when I was younger. Shara is also so interesting and complicated and I love how well this dove beneath the surface of the perfect dream girl and really got to the root of her.
The best part about this book is the side characters! Smith is truly the MVP for me. I love him so much and would pay a lot of money for McQuiston to write a book about him!
You will love this book. I don't care who you are or what you like, there will be something for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Biphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Infidelity, Outing, and Toxic friendship
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of the digital audiobook.
As always, the narration from Natalie Naudus is immaculate and the audio was so clean -- no awkward pauses, or breaths, or weird swallowing noises you often hear from other narrators. For the book itself, the pacing was a little slow, but that's probably my preference for fast-paced books, rather than a short falling of this book. It was a really fun story with wonderful characters. Another win from Casey McQuiston and Natalie Naudus!
As always, the narration from Natalie Naudus is immaculate and the audio was so clean -- no awkward pauses, or breaths, or weird swallowing noises you often hear from other narrators. For the book itself, the pacing was a little slow, but that's probably my preference for fast-paced books, rather than a short falling of this book. It was a really fun story with wonderful characters. Another win from Casey McQuiston and Natalie Naudus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Bullying, Homophobia, Sexism, and Sexual harassment