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justforqueerbooks's review
5.0
This book was so good. I’m gonna start with that and I might repeat that a few times because it was so good.
First of all, I am so grateful to this book and this author for writing about fat characters and not making it a big deal. I’ve read books where the character is fat and that’s the entire story which, don’t get me wrong, its great that there’s all kinds of representation out there for people because it’s not a “one size fits all” situation. But, in this story, the mc was fat but that wasn’t what she was focused on through the book. She was comfortable with herself and that made me so comfortable.
(Secondly, the photography aspect: I just love photography, it’s something I do for fun, and I really loved seeing that in this book.)
Now onto everything else:
This book was a slow burning ember that grew into a full fledged fire. It starts off slow, but it picked up speed so quickly. I read it in one sitting because I absolutely could not put it down. Kat has such a gripping personality and it binds you to the book. This book dealt with familial problems, social media, lies, sexuality and dogs and it was all done just so wonderfully!
The main thing to me was the dogs: I love dogs more than anything and having a no-kill shelter in this book just warmed my heart. I loved seeing everything Kat did for the doggies, how they all helped find the dogs a home and just overall, it was such a great story.
All in all, this book is packed with emotions and shows the impact social media can have on people.
First of all, I am so grateful to this book and this author for writing about fat characters and not making it a big deal. I’ve read books where the character is fat and that’s the entire story which, don’t get me wrong, its great that there’s all kinds of representation out there for people because it’s not a “one size fits all” situation. But, in this story, the mc was fat but that wasn’t what she was focused on through the book. She was comfortable with herself and that made me so comfortable.
(Secondly, the photography aspect: I just love photography, it’s something I do for fun, and I really loved seeing that in this book.)
Now onto everything else:
This book was a slow burning ember that grew into a full fledged fire. It starts off slow, but it picked up speed so quickly. I read it in one sitting because I absolutely could not put it down. Kat has such a gripping personality and it binds you to the book. This book dealt with familial problems, social media, lies, sexuality and dogs and it was all done just so wonderfully!
The main thing to me was the dogs: I love dogs more than anything and having a no-kill shelter in this book just warmed my heart. I loved seeing everything Kat did for the doggies, how they all helped find the dogs a home and just overall, it was such a great story.
All in all, this book is packed with emotions and shows the impact social media can have on people.
moreadsnrambles's review
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
3.75
jale_sellards's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
sicilianobrianna's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I'm torn on this one. I really loved Fat Chance, Charlie Vega and I LIVE for fat representation. And, as a fat girl growing up in the age of social media, I can understand the appeal of catfishing. But, I found it cringey and hard to read some of the things Kat did in this story. I enjoyed the relationship between her and her grandparents, her and her friends, and her and the animals at the shelter, and couldn't read those sections fast enough. But when it came time for Kat and Becca and/or Elena to interact and to act like everything was fine - that was hard to read because I knew something would go bad soon, and the anticipation was driving me mad.
I enjoyed the development of Kat's relationship with Leo, the ways that her character grew in her relationship with her friends to become more truthful and herself. And, I appreciated the ways that she didn't hate her body, and the ways she confronted her friends to not refer to her as fat.
I enjoyed the development of Kat's relationship with Leo, the ways that her character grew in her relationship with her friends to become more truthful and herself. And, I appreciated the ways that she didn't hate her body, and the ways she confronted her friends to not refer to her as fat.
ngreader's review
2.0
Okay.
So, this book is not a book I would've read if it wasn't for the fact that I had to for another project. Mainly because it's full of tropes I hate - the biggest being lying. I appreciate the end and how Kat has to take a lot of consequences because of her (massive) mistake and that it wasn't downplayed nor was it treated as something that was okay.
HOWEVER, Kat was not a great character. The constant joke about Kat *kat*fishing was not cool nor did it seem like she was actually learning something. The way that she jerked around her friend Hani as she tried to figure out whether she wanted to be friends or wanted to date him was not cool. The way Luis treated Kat - calling her out for not being Pueto Rican enough because she didn't speak Spanish or that she was "too white" for liking dogs was VERY not cool. Also the way Luis treated Kat just in general - - NOT at all cool.
The friendships - specifically Kat and Luis - seemed more toxic than anything. While there were some redeeming factors behind this book - exploration of family, the exploration of lying on social media and the effects of lying on relationships - were great, overall, it did not redeem this book. Kat was called out as being very self-focused and I would agree with that assessment. To the end, she remained very self-centered and while I think this book has some great exploration for teenagers (helping them learn about the dangers of lying on social media to allow them to see long-term consequences without actually having to live it), I don't plan on recommending it anytime soon.
So, this book is not a book I would've read if it wasn't for the fact that I had to for another project. Mainly because it's full of tropes I hate - the biggest being lying. I appreciate the end and how Kat has to take a lot of consequences because of her (massive) mistake and that it wasn't downplayed nor was it treated as something that was okay.
HOWEVER, Kat was not a great character. The constant joke about Kat *kat*fishing was not cool nor did it seem like she was actually learning something. The way that she jerked around her friend Hani as she tried to figure out whether she wanted to be friends or wanted to date him was not cool. The way Luis treated Kat - calling her out for not being Pueto Rican enough because she didn't speak Spanish or that she was "too white" for liking dogs was VERY not cool. Also the way Luis treated Kat just in general -
Spoiler
acting as if her coming out as bi made her "cool"The friendships - specifically Kat and Luis - seemed more toxic than anything. While there were some redeeming factors behind this book - exploration of family, the exploration of lying on social media and the effects of lying on relationships - were great, overall, it did not redeem this book. Kat was called out as being very self-focused and I would agree with that assessment. To the end, she remained very self-centered and while I think this book has some great exploration for teenagers (helping them learn about the dangers of lying on social media to allow them to see long-term consequences without actually having to live it), I don't plan on recommending it anytime soon.
Spoiler
CATFISHING, bisexual protagonist, underage drinking, kissing, mentions of teens almost having sex, slight violence, toxic parentsktcarden21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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