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allysbookshoparoundthecorner's review
4.0
4.5 stars!!! An adorable book that is perfect for movie buffs like me :))
Review to come
Review to come
wanda16's review
5.0
It took me awhile to begin reading the book, but once I began, I could not put it down. Overall, I loved it. I found it to be light, free, and fun, with the feel-good romance and happy endings. I loved the bond of friendship that formed between Marijke and Lily, and I loved the entire concept of taking the romance movies with the happy endings and trying to incorporate it into their own lives. While the plan did not completely work, they learned how to take risks and other useful life lessons. Even Tommy, who seems very self-centered throughout the book, turns out to be not such a bad guy, after all. If you are looking for a quick, light, fun, warm, and entertaining story, this is definitely a must-read!
readingundertheradar's review
2.0
My full review will be posted on my blog.
I was skeptical about this one even though I adored Kelly's first book, Taste Test. I felt like the cover didn't really look professional, and it looked like it was trying too hard. But, since I loved her debut, I still kept it on my radar, and a lot of positive reviews started coming in, so I decided to give it a go. But from the very beginning, it didn't go well. It was all extremely circumstantial and incredibly opportunistic. The point of view changes with each chapter, which isn't my favorite, but I can deal with it if it's done well. And if a book was going to revolve around movies, I wanted it to be big monumental classic movies. Not Pitch Perfect. I mean, it's a fun movie, and I really like it, but really? Titanic was in there, but that was it up until then, and then the girls start setting up this whole scheme and it got to be so ridiculous and unbelievable that it wasn't even fun to read about anymore. I just got bored and irritated.
I was skeptical about this one even though I adored Kelly's first book, Taste Test. I felt like the cover didn't really look professional, and it looked like it was trying too hard. But, since I loved her debut, I still kept it on my radar, and a lot of positive reviews started coming in, so I decided to give it a go. But from the very beginning, it didn't go well. It was all extremely circumstantial and incredibly opportunistic. The point of view changes with each chapter, which isn't my favorite, but I can deal with it if it's done well. And if a book was going to revolve around movies, I wanted it to be big monumental classic movies. Not Pitch Perfect. I mean, it's a fun movie, and I really like it, but really? Titanic was in there, but that was it up until then, and then the girls start setting up this whole scheme and it got to be so ridiculous and unbelievable that it wasn't even fun to read about anymore. I just got bored and irritated.
siobhan27's review
3.0
I picked this book up because is sounded like a really cute and fun read. And I was right. It was very cute and fun, but ultimately i felt like this book lacked depth and characterization.
When I first picked u this book I knew I wanted to read it because I thought the concept was really interesting. One: having old movies be a focus point grabbed me because I love old romantic comedies. and Two: because having thee two girls share a frustration with the opposite sex through these movies made me think of a great friendship evolving from it. But sadly I didn't have that connection while reading. What I really wanted was for these two characters to forma great friendship through their mutual interests, but instead I felt like they were just going through the motions and were just in the friendship for what the other person had to offer them.
To be honest I really didn't connect with any of the characters in this book, but especially Marijke. I found that er character was the least likable of the two. Her problem was that she did not trust her boyfriend. She kept thinking he was cheating when in reality he wasn't. I think her jealousy and distrust was very naive of her character, especially one that was going off to college soon. It didn't seem like she was as old as we were told she was. Lily on the other hand I did enjoy reading about. I just thought her story was more fun and flirty. But there were times were I questioned her judgement and did not really understand why she was acting so young.
The end was very clean and tied up in a nice bow, and honestly I was hoping for a little more drama. I wanted Marijke to have more backbone when it came to her boyfriend and the way he treated her. We saw a glimpse of it near the end but I thought her reaction to getting her back was too easy. I liked lily's ending because I liked her character more and cared about what she was going through. Overall I thought this book was fun and a fast read but sadly it wasn't my cup of tea.
When I first picked u this book I knew I wanted to read it because I thought the concept was really interesting. One: having old movies be a focus point grabbed me because I love old romantic comedies. and Two: because having thee two girls share a frustration with the opposite sex through these movies made me think of a great friendship evolving from it. But sadly I didn't have that connection while reading. What I really wanted was for these two characters to forma great friendship through their mutual interests, but instead I felt like they were just going through the motions and were just in the friendship for what the other person had to offer them.
To be honest I really didn't connect with any of the characters in this book, but especially Marijke. I found that er character was the least likable of the two. Her problem was that she did not trust her boyfriend. She kept thinking he was cheating when in reality he wasn't. I think her jealousy and distrust was very naive of her character, especially one that was going off to college soon. It didn't seem like she was as old as we were told she was. Lily on the other hand I did enjoy reading about. I just thought her story was more fun and flirty. But there were times were I questioned her judgement and did not really understand why she was acting so young.
The end was very clean and tied up in a nice bow, and honestly I was hoping for a little more drama. I wanted Marijke to have more backbone when it came to her boyfriend and the way he treated her. We saw a glimpse of it near the end but I thought her reaction to getting her back was too easy. I liked lily's ending because I liked her character more and cared about what she was going through. Overall I thought this book was fun and a fast read but sadly it wasn't my cup of tea.
lauroberge's review
4.0
I'm really happy that I randomly bought this novel! It's such a cute one. I loved the friendship between the two main characters and I wish that it had been even more important in the novel.
hazelstaybookish's review
4.0
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Books like Just Like The Movies are meant for me to read, I swear. As expected, I had so much fun reading this book. From the plot summary alone, I kind of knew that already and I’m so glad that the story delivered exactly what I was hoping for. About two girls who decide to make their lives as cinematic and romantic as the movies, Just Like The Movies was an enjoyable contemporary YA story from start to finish!
‘Have you ever wished you could fall in love like they do on screen?’
While the story plays an important role for a book to catch my attention and make me want to turn pages, it is the characters that can really anchor me and truly captivate me. Nothing beats solid protagonists that are realistic and dynamic. Just Like The Movies offered just that. We get a duo of awesome female MCs: Lily and Marijke. The two each get their own POVs in the book and I liked even more that their voices, not to mention their personalities, were very distinct.
‘Falling in love means two, not one. You can’t get someone to love you through sheer effort or desire.’
Marijke has everything a girl could want: she’s popular, good-looking, the star of her track team, has parents who support her at every meet and the hottest guy in school is her boyfriend. Despite her perfect image, Marijke fears that she loves her boyfriend, Tommy, more than he loves her. Pressured by her parents’ own perfect romance and by the challenge it takes to keep Tommy, she tries to rekindle the fire in their relationship by huge gestures of love inspired by the movies, an idea of Lily’s.
‘It’s kind of weird to be a big part of things but not a part of things at all. At least not enough to be recognized. Most of the time, I just try to convince myself that I don’t care.’
Lily is pretty much my favorite character in this book. She’s sarcastic and snarky but is quite the hopeless romantic, deep inside. She’s crushed on Joe Lombardi forever, but he’s never noticed her. For most of high school, Lily has stayed invisible to everyone. She’s the girl whose name most people don’t know, the girl without a clique she belongs to. I understood her character a lot because of this as she reminded me of myself. However, when she meets Marijke at a movie theater by chance, things start to look up as they uphold their promise to help each other make their lives like the movies.
‘The last aspect of the perfect movie romance: chemistry. It’s the one thing that movies capture that real life has in common. It’s the one thing you can’t fake, because it’s as certain as science.’
Marijke helps Lily to get noticed by Joe and Lily helps Marijke with her plans to romance Tommy. No matter how cheesy (and a little bit cliché) the romantic plot was, I still liked it a lot. As for the love interest, Joe was my favorite. I pretty much crushed on him the way Lily did too. Sa-woon. Tommy, however, failed to charm me until the last part. His and Marijke’s relationship was a little bit frustrating but I wouldn’t change a thing since their problems as a couple helped me understand Marijke, who I couldn’t really connect to at first. Anyway, the romance, especially Joe and Lily’s, was so delightful.
‘They say you can fall in love at first sight. What about falling into friendship? Can you become BFFs over the course of a few short weeks?’
Having said that, what I really liked about the Just Like The Movies, aside from the characters, was the fact that the friendship Lily and Marijke form was given much importance. It was lovely watching their friendship grow, with Marijke being comfortable confiding in Lily and Lily learning to just be herself (her smartass, funny self) around Marijke. I just love books with positive female friendships and I was fond of seeing it in this book.
‘Life isn’t predictable like a movie. There isn’t a formula to follow.’
If this book were a movie, it would totally be my favorite kind. Quick to devour, absolutely sweet and a completely fun read, I definitely recommend Just Like The Movies for fans of rom-coms!
Books like Just Like The Movies are meant for me to read, I swear. As expected, I had so much fun reading this book. From the plot summary alone, I kind of knew that already and I’m so glad that the story delivered exactly what I was hoping for. About two girls who decide to make their lives as cinematic and romantic as the movies, Just Like The Movies was an enjoyable contemporary YA story from start to finish!
‘Have you ever wished you could fall in love like they do on screen?’
While the story plays an important role for a book to catch my attention and make me want to turn pages, it is the characters that can really anchor me and truly captivate me. Nothing beats solid protagonists that are realistic and dynamic. Just Like The Movies offered just that. We get a duo of awesome female MCs: Lily and Marijke. The two each get their own POVs in the book and I liked even more that their voices, not to mention their personalities, were very distinct.
‘Falling in love means two, not one. You can’t get someone to love you through sheer effort or desire.’
Marijke has everything a girl could want: she’s popular, good-looking, the star of her track team, has parents who support her at every meet and the hottest guy in school is her boyfriend. Despite her perfect image, Marijke fears that she loves her boyfriend, Tommy, more than he loves her. Pressured by her parents’ own perfect romance and by the challenge it takes to keep Tommy, she tries to rekindle the fire in their relationship by huge gestures of love inspired by the movies, an idea of Lily’s.
‘It’s kind of weird to be a big part of things but not a part of things at all. At least not enough to be recognized. Most of the time, I just try to convince myself that I don’t care.’
Lily is pretty much my favorite character in this book. She’s sarcastic and snarky but is quite the hopeless romantic, deep inside. She’s crushed on Joe Lombardi forever, but he’s never noticed her. For most of high school, Lily has stayed invisible to everyone. She’s the girl whose name most people don’t know, the girl without a clique she belongs to. I understood her character a lot because of this as she reminded me of myself. However, when she meets Marijke at a movie theater by chance, things start to look up as they uphold their promise to help each other make their lives like the movies.
‘The last aspect of the perfect movie romance: chemistry. It’s the one thing that movies capture that real life has in common. It’s the one thing you can’t fake, because it’s as certain as science.’
Marijke helps Lily to get noticed by Joe and Lily helps Marijke with her plans to romance Tommy. No matter how cheesy (and a little bit cliché) the romantic plot was, I still liked it a lot. As for the love interest, Joe was my favorite. I pretty much crushed on him the way Lily did too. Sa-woon. Tommy, however, failed to charm me until the last part. His and Marijke’s relationship was a little bit frustrating but I wouldn’t change a thing since their problems as a couple helped me understand Marijke, who I couldn’t really connect to at first. Anyway, the romance, especially Joe and Lily’s, was so delightful.
‘They say you can fall in love at first sight. What about falling into friendship? Can you become BFFs over the course of a few short weeks?’
Having said that, what I really liked about the Just Like The Movies, aside from the characters, was the fact that the friendship Lily and Marijke form was given much importance. It was lovely watching their friendship grow, with Marijke being comfortable confiding in Lily and Lily learning to just be herself (her smartass, funny self) around Marijke. I just love books with positive female friendships and I was fond of seeing it in this book.
‘Life isn’t predictable like a movie. There isn’t a formula to follow.’
If this book were a movie, it would totally be my favorite kind. Quick to devour, absolutely sweet and a completely fun read, I definitely recommend Just Like The Movies for fans of rom-coms!
tashiea's review
3.0
"Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover." You remember that saying? Well, in all honesty... I'm one to judge. Most of the books I read, or have on my book shelf are, in fact, chosen because of their beautiful cover. So I love a good cover. And this cover I liked. The picture was pretty, although I would have chosen a different font.
Now, my rating. I rated this 3/5 because it was a nice book, although it seemed a little boring at times. I like the cover, and the idea, and some parts in the story, but I feel like there was potential that was never achieved. I'm not saying it's a bad book, because it is good, but if you're wanting a book that you can really lose yourself in, this isn't it.
Anyway, this is about two girls who are from completely different social circles, and have either a failing love life, or no love life. Meet Marijke, and Lily. In terms of characters, they were developed nicely, right between the line of round and flat. They could be better, but they're good for the story. I feel like Marijke having her hurdling was great, but she seemed to be really dependent on her relationship with her boyfriend. I wished she was a little more independent, and maybe at the end would realize that. Speaking of Tommy, Marijke's boyfriend, I really didn't like his character. He seemed either really bratty or ignorant. I felt like he really didn't care for Marijke at time, and their actual romantic moments seemed like it was a one time thing, not that he actually care. Lily, is a lot like me, and I enjoy reading her point of view, but in the beginning I didn't really like how she was portrayed. At times in the beginning she seemed whiny, and was bland. She changed a bit, becoming less shy. Her crush on Joe seemed a little obsessive, and I feel like it's a little hard to go straight from strangers to friends, I would have figured that would take time.
The story's plot, was a decent idea, but I feel we lost it halfway through. There were really quick, unrealistic friendships, and the whole movie idea disappeared. I liked the light, clean romance, but it wasn't my favorite romance ever. The characters weren't ship-able, which is one of my favorite things to do. The book itself was cute, and light hearted. If you're looking for a cute read, go get this book.
I feel like this was a really short review! Woah! Well, I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and Christmas
Now, my rating. I rated this 3/5 because it was a nice book, although it seemed a little boring at times. I like the cover, and the idea, and some parts in the story, but I feel like there was potential that was never achieved. I'm not saying it's a bad book, because it is good, but if you're wanting a book that you can really lose yourself in, this isn't it.
Anyway, this is about two girls who are from completely different social circles, and have either a failing love life, or no love life. Meet Marijke, and Lily. In terms of characters, they were developed nicely, right between the line of round and flat. They could be better, but they're good for the story. I feel like Marijke having her hurdling was great, but she seemed to be really dependent on her relationship with her boyfriend. I wished she was a little more independent, and maybe at the end would realize that. Speaking of Tommy, Marijke's boyfriend, I really didn't like his character. He seemed either really bratty or ignorant. I felt like he really didn't care for Marijke at time, and their actual romantic moments seemed like it was a one time thing, not that he actually care. Lily, is a lot like me, and I enjoy reading her point of view, but in the beginning I didn't really like how she was portrayed. At times in the beginning she seemed whiny, and was bland. She changed a bit, becoming less shy. Her crush on Joe seemed a little obsessive, and I feel like it's a little hard to go straight from strangers to friends, I would have figured that would take time.
The story's plot, was a decent idea, but I feel we lost it halfway through. There were really quick, unrealistic friendships, and the whole movie idea disappeared. I liked the light, clean romance, but it wasn't my favorite romance ever. The characters weren't ship-able, which is one of my favorite things to do. The book itself was cute, and light hearted. If you're looking for a cute read, go get this book.
I feel like this was a really short review! Woah! Well, I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and Christmas
crystalm17's review
3.0
Note: I received a free copy of "Just Like the Movies" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And this review will contain spoilers because the only thing keeping me from giving this book a higher review would be the ending.
"Just Like the Movies" by Kelly Fiore was certainly exactly what the title and the brief blurb would lead you to expect: a story that reads exactly like how a romantic comedy would play out on the screen. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you like cheesy romantic comedies, which I do. But, unfortunately, there wasn't necessarily anymore substance than there is in a 90 minute movie.
The gist of the story is that, after a series of random events, the studious and underappreciated Lily and the track star with the hot boyfriend, Marijke end up forging a friendship after running away from a viewing of Titanic. You see Lily has an unrequited crush on a boy who doesn't even really know she exists while Marijke's boyfriend is wanted by every hot blooded female in the school and he seems to like that. So the two girls decide on a plan, to recreate scenes from popular romantic comedies and use them to get Lily's crush to notice her and to get Marijke's boyfriend to finally return those three little words.
One thing I was glad of with this book, the fact that I had watched all but one of the movies they mentioned (and that was one I'd seen recreated on other shows). The references were probably enough that it would have taken away from my enjoyment of the book if I hadn't seen them so that might be a deterrent to some readers. To appeal to more readers perhaps the movie tropes could have been used but without mention of specific titles and movie characters? That way it would have been a need little inside joke if you knew the movie but you wouldn't feel excluded if you hadn't. There are plenty of romantic comedy situations that are used over and over again and would have gotten the same points across.
I figured with the title of the movie and the plot that there would be happily ever afters for both couples involved but I was honestly hoping for something else. The turn around of Lily's love interest was too quick and she accepted it to easily. Marijke and her boyfriends relationship bothered me the whole way through because, as she cited when she finally did break up with him, their love was unequal. She was basically obsessed with him (which rubbed me the wrong way...shouldn't we have more stories where the relationship is healthy?) while he didn't seem to care much for her, only when she got mad and he needed to apologize. I was glad when they broke up and she was able to become her own person. But then they, of course, got back together right before prom. Just in time to be named prom king and queen. Sigh.
I had hoped, and would have given more stars, if the book had broken some of the whole romantic comedy plot lines. By the middle of it I was hoping Lily and Marijke would realize the guys were holding them back and they'd decide to go to prom together, as friends and be very happy with their decision. But that didn't happen and the book became one big, girl depends on guy cliche.
But it was cute and it was a quick read so all in all I did enjoy it.
"Just Like the Movies" by Kelly Fiore was certainly exactly what the title and the brief blurb would lead you to expect: a story that reads exactly like how a romantic comedy would play out on the screen. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you like cheesy romantic comedies, which I do. But, unfortunately, there wasn't necessarily anymore substance than there is in a 90 minute movie.
The gist of the story is that, after a series of random events, the studious and underappreciated Lily and the track star with the hot boyfriend, Marijke end up forging a friendship after running away from a viewing of Titanic. You see Lily has an unrequited crush on a boy who doesn't even really know she exists while Marijke's boyfriend is wanted by every hot blooded female in the school and he seems to like that. So the two girls decide on a plan, to recreate scenes from popular romantic comedies and use them to get Lily's crush to notice her and to get Marijke's boyfriend to finally return those three little words.
One thing I was glad of with this book, the fact that I had watched all but one of the movies they mentioned (and that was one I'd seen recreated on other shows). The references were probably enough that it would have taken away from my enjoyment of the book if I hadn't seen them so that might be a deterrent to some readers. To appeal to more readers perhaps the movie tropes could have been used but without mention of specific titles and movie characters? That way it would have been a need little inside joke if you knew the movie but you wouldn't feel excluded if you hadn't. There are plenty of romantic comedy situations that are used over and over again and would have gotten the same points across.
I figured with the title of the movie and the plot that there would be happily ever afters for both couples involved but I was honestly hoping for something else. The turn around of Lily's love interest was too quick and she accepted it to easily. Marijke and her boyfriends relationship bothered me the whole way through because, as she cited when she finally did break up with him, their love was unequal. She was basically obsessed with him (which rubbed me the wrong way...shouldn't we have more stories where the relationship is healthy?) while he didn't seem to care much for her, only when she got mad and he needed to apologize. I was glad when they broke up and she was able to become her own person. But then they, of course, got back together right before prom. Just in time to be named prom king and queen. Sigh.
I had hoped, and would have given more stars, if the book had broken some of the whole romantic comedy plot lines. By the middle of it I was hoping Lily and Marijke would realize the guys were holding them back and they'd decide to go to prom together, as friends and be very happy with their decision. But that didn't happen and the book became one big, girl depends on guy cliche.
But it was cute and it was a quick read so all in all I did enjoy it.
ellacoelhomack's review
4.0
I loved this book and it was a great concept. I always think that I wish that my life was like a movie, who doesn't? There is always a happy ending. Finally a book in which someone tries to have a movie ending. Fiore writes about various romantic comedies and throughout the book we see how life could be if everything is really like a movie. Marijke and Lily's friendship is a model of what true friendship really is. If you're looking for a light and fluffy quick read, this is the book for you!