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madkat320's review
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
resslesa's review
5.0
An awesome book that totally doesn’t preach but shows the dangers of obsessing on social media. Pointed out several truths in authentic ways, especially that Kat’s mom lies on social media through curating the perfect family. This would be an awesome book for a family bookclub as well as great reading for everyone. Kat makes one bad decision that we know as readers is terrible, but it’s done in an authentic way and the consequences are real and not everything works out in the end because her her mistakes. Soo well done and great narration by Frankie Corzo. I liked how everything wasn’t predictable in the end. Also so cool to know that Crystal the author is friends with Olivia Abtahi, one of my favorite new YA writers!
tiffanyturnedtotext's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
5.0
cupcates's review
4.0
what kat does is pretty horrible to everyone involved so i'm glad no one really tries to sugarcoat it or make it seem like a lesser deal and that she's held accountable and has to actually face the consequences of what she did. on the other hand, the way she acts and thinks and her reasons to do what she did are explained (not justified tho) and it makes sense according to what she's gone through and the way she sees and processes the world. overall, good character arc
what i didn't like: i still think it's kinda dumb that becca is repeatedly stated to have been Big And Viral back in her beauty youtuber days, so i'm still kinda on the fence about believing absolutely no one would recognize her face in the photos lol
what i didn't like: i still think it's kinda dumb that becca is repeatedly stated to have been Big And Viral back in her beauty youtuber days, so i'm still kinda on the fence about believing absolutely no one would recognize her face in the photos lol
bigdreamsandwildthings's review
5.0
"You should know, right now, that I'm a liar.
They're usually little lies.
Tiny lies.
Barely lies.
Not so much lies as lie-adjacent."
There is something about Crystal Maldonado's writing that absolutely sends me every time. I LOVED THIS.
Kat Sanchez lives an ordinary life. She lives with her grandparents, and has a group of friends that she loves, though Hari, her best friend, wants more with her. She loves photography, and she loves her job working at a dog shelter, helping to find homes for the pups that need it the most. In short, nothing is wrong with Kat's life, except...she lies. Small lies, bigger lies, every kind of lie in between. When a split second decision that results in a new Instagram account and a fake persona lead Kat to more with a girl she really likes, though, Kat is forced to confront those lies - and she might lose everything because of them.
Just like in Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, this book has the best characters. Kat is so funny, so dry with her sense of humour and so weirdly relatable, despite having almost nothing in common with her outside her love of dogs. This is a girl who is making not great decisions, but who remains so sympathetic regardless; when she chooses to steal her acquaintance's face and create a new account, your stomach turns for her, as a reader, but at the same time...you get it, also as a reader.
The synopsis of this one is detrimental to it, I think. This isn't a story about going viral on Insta. It's a story about breaking free from the examples of your parents, finding what you want in your life, and figuring out who you want to be. It's a rough road getting there, but that element of "Instagram fame" isn't really present here. If that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you.
However, this is a sapphic romance!! I had no idea going into it that that would be the case. Anytime I'm not expecting a F/F relationship and I get it, I'm always the happiest. It's such a genuine, sweet part of this one too, full of bittersweet emotions.
What you will get instead is an emotional story of lessons learned with characters that will get you straight in the heart. I loved Kat, I loved Elena, I swooned at their scenes, but even more than that, I just felt for Kat so, so much. Her story is expertly written, tender, and engrossing.
They're usually little lies.
Tiny lies.
Barely lies.
Not so much lies as lie-adjacent."
There is something about Crystal Maldonado's writing that absolutely sends me every time. I LOVED THIS.
Kat Sanchez lives an ordinary life. She lives with her grandparents, and has a group of friends that she loves, though Hari, her best friend, wants more with her. She loves photography, and she loves her job working at a dog shelter, helping to find homes for the pups that need it the most. In short, nothing is wrong with Kat's life, except...she lies. Small lies, bigger lies, every kind of lie in between. When a split second decision that results in a new Instagram account and a fake persona lead Kat to more with a girl she really likes, though, Kat is forced to confront those lies - and she might lose everything because of them.
Just like in Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, this book has the best characters. Kat is so funny, so dry with her sense of humour and so weirdly relatable, despite having almost nothing in common with her outside her love of dogs. This is a girl who is making not great decisions, but who remains so sympathetic regardless; when she chooses to steal her acquaintance's face and create a new account, your stomach turns for her, as a reader, but at the same time...you get it, also as a reader.
The synopsis of this one is detrimental to it, I think. This isn't a story about going viral on Insta. It's a story about breaking free from the examples of your parents, finding what you want in your life, and figuring out who you want to be. It's a rough road getting there, but that element of "Instagram fame" isn't really present here. If that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you.
However, this is a sapphic romance!! I had no idea going into it that that would be the case. Anytime I'm not expecting a F/F relationship and I get it, I'm always the happiest. It's such a genuine, sweet part of this one too, full of bittersweet emotions.
What you will get instead is an emotional story of lessons learned with characters that will get you straight in the heart. I loved Kat, I loved Elena, I swooned at their scenes, but even more than that, I just felt for Kat so, so much. Her story is expertly written, tender, and engrossing.
tribblesandtbr's review against another edition
I can't with Kat's lies and just all the internal cringing even though the actual catfishing hasn't started yet. The writing and characters are good, but not enough for me to push forward for those two things.