Reviews

What's Not to Love by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka

bibliorey's review

4.0

”High school holds a unique immortality for everyone. It clings on to your identity the way elementary and middle school don’t, or first boyfriends or first jobs. For whatever reason, high school lingers.”

This was such a quick and cute read. Just like the synopsis, it did remind me of the Netflix show Never Have I Ever. Academia enemies-to-lovers was such a cute concept however I think the story could’ve been more in terms of character development and the plot. I simply think the story was too simple and that it could’ve had more ✨ spice ✨ to it. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story and it was a fun read indeed. It was also very enjoyable to read how relatable it was when Alison is struggling with the fact that high school is coming to an end and that the next step in life, the big step, the college step is going to happen. I could relate to that so much as I was struggling with that issue too last year.

This is a great book for YA beginners too because the writing style was easy to read, the reading process too was a breeze. I feel like YA beginners would really enjoy this. Personally for me, out of all the books written by Emily and Austin, Always Never Yours will always have my heart kept in a locked safe ❤️ Nothing beats that story for me hehehe

ivy's review

slow-paced

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

2.25

kthornette's review

3.0

Come on academic enemies-to-lovers, I’m rooting for you. I loved Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Today, Tonight, Tomorrow so freaking much.

I like how Wibbroka’s books touch upon different themes surrounding the end of high school, having only read 3 of them so far. Also, I see you Time of Our Lives reference, I see you. This book attacked me on many levels, specifically with Allison. I liked that and I like her drive and how she knew what she wanted in life. The only thing I really liked about Ethan was that he didn’t seem to give a crap about the “romanticized high school memories” which is also like me.

But about Ethan and Allison themselves? Yikes…

Since this is a YA enemies-to-lovers, I knew they would end up together. At the start, I wasn’t rooting for them since their “married couple bickering” was immature and toxic at times. I get their whole competing in grades, extra-curricular activities, and Harvard acceptance, but they would go too far in my opinion and they knew that too. It didn’t help that they or other people had to make the comments or jokes that they fit together regardless. At least there were people who pointed out their toxicity. But you know what? They were cute by the end though.

faoduoni's review

4.0

i liked this
but they took the academic rivals/ enemies too far
sabotage is not part of the original plot of the movie!
i actually really liked our main couple tho
very good, so true

maryandherlibrary's review

4.0

3.75✨

rodeorocks13's review against another edition

2.0

I was really looking forward to this story but I felt really let down.
You start off learning about these high school rivals but it really just feels like an immature petty rivalry. Yes, it’s a high school themed novel and there is a lot of drama and angst at that age but this one was just too much of the same dragging on and on. I eventually had to DNF it. The plot and dynamics weren’t doing it for me. I think it will be a better novel for mid teens since its more relatable to that age group. I didn’t really find a lot of good about this novel. I can’t say much about the writing style as this was an audiobook review but I think the author has potential.
Narration review:
The narrators voice suited the character well, however the narrators accent broke through multiple times with certain word pronunciation which kind of took away from the story a bit and how I was picturing the character.  I think I would recommend this novel as book over the audiobook.

I received an audiobook through netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

zbrarian's review

4.0

What starts out as competition and deep loathing for each other turns into a mutual respect and love for two HS students who have competed against each other for 4 years. This story was based upon the authors’ real life competition and how they were able to see past the rivalry and fall in love. I enjoyed how the characters were able to forge a path together, while discovering their own identities….that’s its not always about one-upping each other but bringing out the best in each other.

darenah's review

4.0

-awww this was so cute
-i liked how there was no conflict (unlike 99.999% of the romance books) oh so refreshing
-ngl thought i would love this and i didn't (which was pretty disappointing) but its not a bad book
-also this is my 69th book this year... nice

sassyykassie's review

4.0

This one was pretty fun! A hate to love where our main character Alison is dreaming of Harvard and uses her obsession to one up rival Ethan for valedictorian and top in every class to get there. While i did find myself a little annoyed by the weird need for Harvard and other Ivy League schools to always play a part in the college discussion in YA, overall the hate to love was so fun in this one. I also loved getting to watch our MC realize she in fact doesn’t know everything and can learn from her older sister and parents and other more seasoned people around her.

paigeyyyyelizabeth's review

5.0

reread: genuinely the best academic rivals book ever written

idk how but they eat these little ya books up everytime