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alreadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i think for the first time, going in blind to a book was a disadvantage bc i got irrationally angry over something i would have known had i read the synopsis
the ending of this book raised the star rating, i will say
the ending of this book raised the star rating, i will say
nibui's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
paigereitz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This was a good YA story, at its heart about the struggle to find love and validation and a teen who makes poor choices to obtain that - but also the story of recognizing those choices and reckoning with the consequences. Fat queer brown MC, making it even better.
djkirsikirs's review
3.0
Main character Kat is going through a lot of heavy stuff. Her family is fractured due to a decision made when she was an infant, her friends don't get her, her photography isn't appreciated, she's questioning her sexuality,....and she's not famous on social media. Most of the first half of the book is all about the social media part of Kat's life leading up to her creating a fake profile.
I really liked all of the diversity in the story. There are people of all races, sizes, sexuality, and genders throughout the whole book and they are never made to seem like throwaway characters just there for diversity's sake. I also really liked this book dissected the reality of how certain types people (skinny, white, rich, straight etc) get more views on social media than others That's not something talked about in many novels even though it's so prevalent in our society.
The reason this book just didn't work for me was that there was so much more focus on social media than on the other parts of Kat's life that she was struggling with. Her family situation was a mystery that I spent most of the book hoping to learn more about, but at the end it was a pretty dull reason her parents gave her up. I think that piece of the story was so compelling but it resolved pretty quickly. I also wanted to see a little more of Kat realizing her sexuality but it was literally just "huh, i like how this girl makes me feel. Must be bi!" Maybe that's some people's experience but I was hoping for just a little more narration on that. Figuring out a whole new piece of yourself, I feel, is more interesting than Instagram.
Overall, this was a good book with fantastically diverse and fun characters but I was hoping for a little more substance.
**Side note: Did anyone else think that Kat would kick ass if she was on 'The Circle'?*
I really liked all of the diversity in the story. There are people of all races, sizes, sexuality, and genders throughout the whole book and they are never made to seem like throwaway characters just there for diversity's sake. I also really liked this book dissected the reality of how certain types people (skinny, white, rich, straight etc) get more views on social media than others That's not something talked about in many novels even though it's so prevalent in our society.
The reason this book just didn't work for me was that there was so much more focus on social media than on the other parts of Kat's life that she was struggling with. Her family situation was a mystery that I spent most of the book hoping to learn more about, but at the end it was a pretty dull reason her parents gave her up. I think that piece of the story was so compelling but it resolved pretty quickly. I also wanted to see a little more of Kat realizing her sexuality but it was literally just "huh, i like how this girl makes me feel. Must be bi!" Maybe that's some people's experience but I was hoping for just a little more narration on that. Figuring out a whole new piece of yourself, I feel, is more interesting than Instagram.
Overall, this was a good book with fantastically diverse and fun characters but I was hoping for a little more substance.
**Side note: Did anyone else think that Kat would kick ass if she was on 'The Circle'?*
micahslibrary's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book stressed me out! it was really well written and i felt like i was trapped in the same cyclone of lies that Kat was. i really like that the main character is able to make really bad mistakes, face the consequences of her actions, and grow from it! it’s a great message especially for the teen audience of this book.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this latest book by Crystal Maldonado. Her debut, Fat chance, Charlie Vega was one of my favorite YA reads last year and this newest did not disappoint! Kat Sanchez is a fat, bisexual Puerto Rican American teen who loves photography and volunteering at the animal shelter. Raised by her grandparents, she comes from a complicated, dysfunctional family. Her parents live in town too with her younger brother but she constantly feels left out and neglected. In an attempt to find validation and adoration, Kat becomes very invested in growing her social media accounts and gaining more followers. The lengths she goes to achieve this though end up costing her some important friendships. Full of heart, found family and body positivity, this book is very relatable and I just loved Kat and her friends so much!! Highly recommended and great on audio!
skye_era_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don’t know what to say that won’t be a spoiler so I’m just 🤐🤐🤐 but I have SO many thoughts
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
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