Reviews with content warning for Violence - Annähernd Alex

I feel like I saw this book marketed as a YA romance, and definitely don’t feel like that should be the case. Like yes, that’s on the forefront, but there are plot points of violence and trauma, and drug abuse of minors. (So just be warned) With that being said, weirdly enough I VERY much enjoyed this book. I’ve been in a horrible reading slump for months and flew through this one in 2 nights. The characters are funny, and the concept is new and fun. I loved the movie influence and the summer setting. I also live really close to where this book (basically) takes place, so it was fun imagining basically where I live. For me, the darker plot points I mentioned felt a bit random and unnecessary. But overall the characters were well written and that’s always my main thing. Gonna look into picking up her other books!

Content Warnings

theespressoedition's review against another edition

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challenging tense fast-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

1.5

After just a day or two of thinking about this book, I felt it necessary to lower the rating from 2.5 to 1.5 stars. This book made me so uncomfortable that even as I write this review, I can feel my shoulders begin to rise up around my ears in an unpleasant way.

First and foremost: this book should not be YA. If you aged up the female protagonist just a year and a half, it would've been NA or adult and that would've been much more suitable. Seeing as it is YA, my rating should hopefully make a bit more sense once I get into the details.

The content in this book is heavy. It's under the guise of being a cute, You've Got Mail kind of thing. Online friends who meet IRL but don't realize who the other person is. You know the drill. But now that you're imagining the kind of adorable confusion and mystery, add in the fact that the love interest was attacked by a shark as a kid and has the scars to prove it (both physically and emotionally) and the MC was kidnapped and shot as a child, giving her severe PTSD. OH, and the best friend of the love interest is a major drug addict who likes to just take a shotgun places and scare the crap out of people while high. YEAH. Not a cute, YA romcom.

As someone with my own fears of gun violence, I felt on edge the entire time I read this book. There were scenes I had to skim entirely just because of the discomfort. This is written for a younger audience and at nearly 30, I could barely handle it. Again I say, this should not be YA.

If you're looking for something fun, summer-y, and cute, look the other way. This isn't it.

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dianaschmidty's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

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nicolesreadingbooks's review against another edition

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funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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oliviabrcka's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

Alex, Approximately follows Bailey "Mink" Rydell as she moves across the country to live with her dad in California. Her plans for the summer are to work at a local museum and spend her free time searching for Alex, her online friend who lives in the same town as her dad. Her plans get changed when she begins to develop a relationship with Porter Roth, her archenemy-turned-friend-turned-crush, but not everything is quite as it seems... Alex is closer than she thinks. I picked this book up after seeing in recommended by Hailey in Bookland, and it is a great, fluffy summer romance!
As a first time Jenn Bennett reader, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to her writing, but I did enjoy it once I got in the groove! Her style is a little all over the place, but it fits well in the context of the story, since our main character is a teenage girl riddled with anxiety. This was a pretty medium paced story, but I will say that I'm confused as to why the book's summary gives away the fact that Porter and Alex are the same person?? I mean, it's obvious throughout the whole book so I get why she wasn't making it a huge secret but I feel like that takes away so much of the mystery and magic of actually getting to the last few chapters. That totally gives away the conflict and resolution that actually happens! Makes no sense to me, but I hope Bennett had a good reason in mind when she made that particular creative choice. (Again, the fact that I'm writing this isn't a spoiler because it's literally IN THE BOOK SUMMARY. WEIRD.)
Bailey is our main protagonist, and I personally liked her. She's one of the most realistic and relatable main YA characters I've read in a while, although her actual life situation isn't all that realistic or relatable (that probably makes no sense, sorry). She's got some trauma, some anxiety, and family drama, but the main focus of her story is her relationship with (the dreamy surfer dude) Porter Roth. They start as (sort of) enemies, move to (sort of) friends (who flirt a lot) to lovers. Porter is a great love interest in my opinion, because Bailey describes how complex of a person he is. He is a simp, a loving family man, an overprotective idiot, and a raging a$$ all in one (smoking hot) package. We love that for him. I also LOVE Grace and wish that she had some more page time, her spunk and attitude totally stole all the attention.
So, let's be honest, this book isn't meant to make you stop and truly contemplate your life decisions. There are some small themes here and there, but for the most part, we are just having a good time falling in love with Porter and Bailey. I see no problem with that.
If you are looking for a little vacation read, beach read, summer read, or escape from a dreadfully cold winter, this is for you! If you love a cute romance, this is for you! If you want a pretty quick read that will rescue you from your reading slump, THIS IS FOR YOU! Alex, Approximately is written to please the masses, so enjoy!

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abbbymyles's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny 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

4.25

A great summer read that will keep you roped in! I’m a big fan of Jenn Bennett’s writing style, and it made it really easy to read and follow.
Porter’s character development is *chef’s kiss* and I get big ENTP vibes from him, which just makes me love him more.

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ifersinklings's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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