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amyicable's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachiem's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Josie was the star of all her high school musicals, but after failing to crack Broadway, she’s now a nanny in Missoula, Montana. When she starts reading books recommended to her by the dishy bookstore clerk, she finds herself getting sucked into the plots. Literally.
There’s a lot of meta fun with the tropes of bodice-ripping romances, post-apocalyptic dystopias, superhero comic books, and even YA high school dramas and Josie enjoys the escape from all her actual problems: credit card debt, her transgender best friend and boyfriend moving on without her, and her not entirely-connected-to-reality mother.
When she gets rejected by the local community theater, she decides the only way to live out her dreams is through a theater novel. But will she ever want to leave?
As Josie finally understands she has to deal with life in the real world, she realizes she’s way more than being "kind of a big deal” in high school. The author keeps the tone light and sweet while dealing sensitively with the upheaval from school to the real world. All major characters are white.
Josie was the star of all her high school musicals, but after failing to crack Broadway, she’s now a nanny in Missoula, Montana. When she starts reading books recommended to her by the dishy bookstore clerk, she finds herself getting sucked into the plots. Literally.
There’s a lot of meta fun with the tropes of bodice-ripping romances, post-apocalyptic dystopias, superhero comic books, and even YA high school dramas and Josie enjoys the escape from all her actual problems: credit card debt, her transgender best friend and boyfriend moving on without her, and her not entirely-connected-to-reality mother.
When she gets rejected by the local community theater, she decides the only way to live out her dreams is through a theater novel. But will she ever want to leave?
As Josie finally understands she has to deal with life in the real world, she realizes she’s way more than being "kind of a big deal” in high school. The author keeps the tone light and sweet while dealing sensitively with the upheaval from school to the real world. All major characters are white.
lyoungthebookfae's review
3.0
Mostly just okay. I didn’t feel completely invested in it, despite the intriguing premise. I would recommend to anyone looking for a light, fluffy and not heavy read.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy to read!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy to read!
redheadlibrarian979's review
3.0
I wanted this book to be so much better than it was. The plot description had me hooked, and I was really looking forward to reading this one. However, the character fell flat and I was somewhat annoyed with her by the time I reached the halfway point. A book about being pulled into stories should have pulled me in, but I had to force myself to finish it. Even the climax, the "big fight scene" seemed somewhat lacking..
cathyatratedreads's review
3.0
Shannon Hale is definitely a big deal. And I love so much of what she writes, so much empowering and wise and simply fun. But this book fell flat for me. It read too much like a middle-grade book, though it's about an 18-year-old, and main character Josie is mostly annoying and immature.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy Kind of a Big Deal, though I got to appreciate it and understand where Hale was going with it in the last 40 or 50 pages. In that case, I think our generally talented author had some wise things to say, befitting what I would expect from her. Overall, though, the book is not really a big deal.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/kind-big-deal-young-adult-clean-book-review/
Overall, I didn’t enjoy Kind of a Big Deal, though I got to appreciate it and understand where Hale was going with it in the last 40 or 50 pages. In that case, I think our generally talented author had some wise things to say, befitting what I would expect from her. Overall, though, the book is not really a big deal.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/kind-big-deal-young-adult-clean-book-review/
readerspeak's review against another edition
4.0
(ARC provided for an honest review)
This was silly, for sure. And it was just the kind of light read that I was looking for today.
Although Josie is really hard to like in the beginning, she does grow as the story continues. I can relate to her desire to perform, the thrill she experiences from being on stage. And although she is very self absorbed (and she knows it), I appreciated how much she genuinely loves Mia, the young girl who misses her own mom and who seems wise for her age.
I loved the eye-roll humor. Hale knew just how to use puns, social commentary, and literary tropes to make me chuckle. The voice reminded me of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill or Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging.
Finally, the last third of the book actually sucked me in, which was a fun surprise.
This was a nice change from what YA usually offers. I recommend this to readers who want something light and funny, for readers who don't take themselves (or reading) too seriously. Recognize this story for the escape read it is and just enjoy the ride.
This was silly, for sure. And it was just the kind of light read that I was looking for today.
Although Josie is really hard to like in the beginning, she does grow as the story continues. I can relate to her desire to perform, the thrill she experiences from being on stage. And although she is very self absorbed (and she knows it), I appreciated how much she genuinely loves Mia, the young girl who misses her own mom and who seems wise for her age.
I loved the eye-roll humor. Hale knew just how to use puns, social commentary, and literary tropes to make me chuckle. The voice reminded me of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill or Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging.
Finally, the last third of the book actually sucked me in, which was a fun surprise.
This was a nice change from what YA usually offers. I recommend this to readers who want something light and funny, for readers who don't take themselves (or reading) too seriously. Recognize this story for the escape read it is and just enjoy the ride.
aposthuma's review
2.0
I hate writing bad reviews...but i saw a review that said this would have been better as more of a middle grade and I think that's accurate. If I had read it when I was 12, I would have eaten it up. As it stands, this book is a fever dream. The set-up is cute but rather than landing the plane, the plot up and flies away like the car at the end of Grease.
bubblybing's review
I’m sorry, Shannon Hale. You’re my girl. My love of reading started with reading Princess Academy. But I have my “There-are-too-many-books-out-there-to-waste-time-reading-a-book-you-don’t-like” rule for a reason. And I tried. I really did. I didn’t hate it, so it’s not a 1, but I also didn’t finish it. Maybe I’ll attempt to finish it eventually... probably not.
mbrandmaier's review
2.0
Josie Pie peaked in high school, and has now found herself as a nanny in Montana. She is used to being the star and can’t understand that her high school boyfriend and best friend are no longer always at her beck and call.
While reading a book, she finds herself getting sucked into the story-literally. It happens again and again, where Josie can live out her fantasies of stardom. But is a fake fantasy life the one she really wants?
While reading a book, she finds herself getting sucked into the story-literally. It happens again and again, where Josie can live out her fantasies of stardom. But is a fake fantasy life the one she really wants?