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kjeanne's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
museofnightmares's review against another edition
3.0
The Reading Rush (2020) prompt: Read the first book you touch.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
So this is the first book by this author that I've read. I know now that I'll have to keep trying more of her books in the future, and maybe go back and try some of her past stories. First off I totally connected with this main characters awkwardness. I get it so much! There was a lot that happened in this, and so much to keep me turning the pages quickly. I also totally clicked with her obsession with horror movies, and I really want to know if the one that Elm-Jake recommended, The Haunting of Sophia Blaine, is a real movie. I can't find it anywhere unfortunately. Of course while I think she had a perfect way to get out of sending the wrong picture, much earlier than she did, I know that was part of the drama of the whole story. A great summer read, and I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!
This review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
This review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
kitsbookishcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Amulet books, Abrams & Chronicle and Leah Konen for sending me this copy for review. All thought are honest and my own.
When I picked this book up, I really wanted to have something fresh, light, super sweet and fun after reading a lot of fantasy and this is exactly what I had from this book!
We follow Olivia who is a shy girl who wants to write horror movies as her career, she tries to get into a film school for the summer but her motivation isn't quite there and she does not get in. The only time she can be herself is talking to her friend Elm online, they talk about their favourite movies and recommend films to eachother bonding their friendship. One day Olivia sends a photo of her friend to Elm as she was too nervous to send her own picture.
As Olivia does not have a job over the summer, her mother contacts her friend and get her a summer job where she meets Elm and a lot of drama ensues
I liked the story, I liked how we see Olivia grow as a person and really come in to herself through the summer. I didn't love how much Olivia lied, I understand why but I wish she could have just said the truth about her identity sooner and I didn't understand whether Elm liked Olivia or her friend at times; it confused me a little.
But overall, I really enjoyed this super sweet summer read. It was really fast paced and I liked the outdoor setting partnered with a love of films, which we usually don't see.
When I picked this book up, I really wanted to have something fresh, light, super sweet and fun after reading a lot of fantasy and this is exactly what I had from this book!
We follow Olivia who is a shy girl who wants to write horror movies as her career, she tries to get into a film school for the summer but her motivation isn't quite there and she does not get in. The only time she can be herself is talking to her friend Elm online, they talk about their favourite movies and recommend films to eachother bonding their friendship. One day Olivia sends a photo of her friend to Elm as she was too nervous to send her own picture.
As Olivia does not have a job over the summer, her mother contacts her friend and get her a summer job where she meets Elm and a lot of drama ensues
I liked the story, I liked how we see Olivia grow as a person and really come in to herself through the summer. I didn't love how much Olivia lied, I understand why but I wish she could have just said the truth about her identity sooner and I didn't understand whether Elm liked Olivia or her friend at times; it confused me a little.
But overall, I really enjoyed this super sweet summer read. It was really fast paced and I liked the outdoor setting partnered with a love of films, which we usually don't see.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just everything I needed to read right now. A YA contemporary about two horror movie loving teenagers!
Olivia is a budding horror screenwriter who moonlights on Reddit as CarriesRevenge. She has been talking to Elm for months when he ask to exchange pictures. After he sends his, she panics and thinking she will never meet him in real life she sends one of her best friend instead. Like what could go wrong....
Flash forward a few days to her starting her new summer job, and who else works there but Elm, whose name is actually Jake. She knows who he is but he doesn’t know she’s Carrie, what does she do now. Does she tell the truth or does she live a double life just for the summer?
This book was so good! I loved the horror movie elements mixed in, it keep the story from getting too mushy. Olivia is such a realistic character faced with a tough decision, and ultimately she makes the wrong choice and it blows up in her face. Which I found very true to real life.
My only criticism is that this book needed to be like 50 pages longer because I felt that Olivia and Jake reconciled way to quickly. After being dragged along and lied to I don’t feel like he would have forgiven her as soon as he did. Otherwise this book was excellent, solid 4 stars!
Olivia is a budding horror screenwriter who moonlights on Reddit as CarriesRevenge. She has been talking to Elm for months when he ask to exchange pictures. After he sends his, she panics and thinking she will never meet him in real life she sends one of her best friend instead. Like what could go wrong....
Flash forward a few days to her starting her new summer job, and who else works there but Elm, whose name is actually Jake. She knows who he is but he doesn’t know she’s Carrie, what does she do now. Does she tell the truth or does she live a double life just for the summer?
This book was so good! I loved the horror movie elements mixed in, it keep the story from getting too mushy. Olivia is such a realistic character faced with a tough decision, and ultimately she makes the wrong choice and it blows up in her face. Which I found very true to real life.
My only criticism is that this book needed to be like 50 pages longer because I felt that Olivia and Jake reconciled way to quickly. After being dragged along and lied to I don’t feel like he would have forgiven her as soon as he did. Otherwise this book was excellent, solid 4 stars!
lydiahephzibah's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 16%. I'm bored and the characters seem younger than 17 - it almost reads like middle grade. Also the main character, Olivia, is just SO annoying. Idgaf what your reasoning is, it's shady as hell to pretend to be your best friend just because you have a pimple and feel too ugly to send a photo. No.
ferra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m kinda biased but i love horror movies, i love zip lining and i would love to write a script someday. The MC is insecure about herself, just like what normal teenager is. Even though she keep talking about it like every 3 chapter, but I didn’t find it annoying because i also feel the same way during my teen days. This book is totally young adult and very lighthearted. Totally recommend to people who want to take a break from heavy read.
shelovestoread's review against another edition
1.0
I have some very hot and cold feelings about this book.
At one end is that i did indeed have to force myself to finish it. But the other end, i did relate to a few things.
The whole plot is based upon, a lie, that just turn bigger by each page and its just so ridiculous that i wanna beat the mc and ask what do you see it going on to, other than being a big fat disaster?
I kinda did relate to her not being able to believe in herself, but than she constantly let her self be bullied by people around her and turned the shitty things into excuses by telling herself how she wasn't good enough.
Idkw the cat fishing plots even exist they are disgusting, demeaning and a huge violation of privacy. It just didn't sit well for me.
I would like to say it might to well for younger reader. But they shouldn't be reading this toxic ness anyway since they might think this behavior is right.
And the main character still doesn't get much self believe and love for herself by the end which is sad! Because love yourself honey!
Anyway yeah didnt sit well with me.
1.5 *
At one end is that i did indeed have to force myself to finish it. But the other end, i did relate to a few things.
The whole plot is based upon, a lie, that just turn bigger by each page and its just so ridiculous that i wanna beat the mc and ask what do you see it going on to, other than being a big fat disaster?
I kinda did relate to her not being able to believe in herself, but than she constantly let her self be bullied by people around her and turned the shitty things into excuses by telling herself how she wasn't good enough.
Idkw the cat fishing plots even exist they are disgusting, demeaning and a huge violation of privacy. It just didn't sit well for me.
I would like to say it might to well for younger reader. But they shouldn't be reading this toxic ness anyway since they might think this behavior is right.
And the main character still doesn't get much self believe and love for herself by the end which is sad! Because love yourself honey!
Anyway yeah didnt sit well with me.
1.5 *
cicigemi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
brittanya's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.75