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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Listen, when I read fiction, I want a fictional ending. I don't want what would actually happen. I read in order to escape my reality and if I wanted to be bombarded by real life 24/7, I would just leave the news on all day.
With that said, the book was so cute when it wanted to be. This author is Olivie Blake's real persona and her writing is magnificent. I just think I wasn't actually the targeted audience. I think her audience wants more realism and worldly unfairness. The ending just made me so annoyed and I was over it.
SPOILERS STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED.
SERIOUSLY
STOP
LAST WARNING
OKAY HERE I GO TO SPOIL IT ALL
*
*
*
I'm so mad about the misogyny of this book. Bel is lazy and careless and she can't make a decision to save her life. LITERALLY. She doesn't want to make any choices for her life so she can blame everyone else. Teo even tells her, "If I didn't tell you what to do, you wouldn't move" VERY TRUE. Bel blames Teo for literally everything wrong in the world because he is a guy. I understand that sometimes there is favoritism and sometimes the patriarchy wins, but this book didn't even try to celebrate feminism. instead, it was a bunch of girls complaining 110% of the time and not doing a single thing about it. No one changed the plot. No one even tried. AND THEN Bel applies to this school, this school that so many other people have been dreaming of going to since conception and she thinks because she applied TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE that she'll just magically get in and then when she doesn't it's not her fault?????? It's the PATRIARCHY'S FAULT???????? Bel has her head shoved so far up her butt, she looks normal. But the ending is the cherry on top. So Bel comes to this conclusion that the patriarchy is awful and boys just get to do whatever they want because they are boys. THEN because she knows someone who knows someone, she gets into UC Berklee. GIRL WHAT?!! So the patriarchy just wins again???? Bel didn't even try. She didn't have to try. She just had to be in the right place at the right time and network. So she took the spot of someone who probably was trying really hard to get in. cool. such. great book. amazing.
With that said, the book was so cute when it wanted to be. This author is Olivie Blake's real persona and her writing is magnificent. I just think I wasn't actually the targeted audience. I think her audience wants more realism and worldly unfairness. The ending just made me so annoyed and I was over it.
SPOILERS STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED.
SERIOUSLY
STOP
LAST WARNING
OKAY HERE I GO TO SPOIL IT ALL
*
*
*
I'm so mad about the misogyny of this book. Bel is lazy and careless and she can't make a decision to save her life. LITERALLY. She doesn't want to make any choices for her life so she can blame everyone else. Teo even tells her, "If I didn't tell you what to do, you wouldn't move" VERY TRUE. Bel blames Teo for literally everything wrong in the world because he is a guy. I understand that sometimes there is favoritism and sometimes the patriarchy wins, but this book didn't even try to celebrate feminism. instead, it was a bunch of girls complaining 110% of the time and not doing a single thing about it. No one changed the plot. No one even tried. AND THEN Bel applies to this school, this school that so many other people have been dreaming of going to since conception and she thinks because she applied TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE that she'll just magically get in and then when she doesn't it's not her fault?????? It's the PATRIARCHY'S FAULT???????? Bel has her head shoved so far up her butt, she looks normal. But the ending is the cherry on top. So Bel comes to this conclusion that the patriarchy is awful and boys just get to do whatever they want because they are boys. THEN because she knows someone who knows someone, she gets into UC Berklee. GIRL WHAT?!! So the patriarchy just wins again???? Bel didn't even try. She didn't have to try. She just had to be in the right place at the right time and network. So she took the spot of someone who probably was trying really hard to get in. cool. such. great book. amazing.
Teo and Bel’s romance grows within a wealthy robotics high school team. Gently addresses sexism in STEM, privilege, cultural appropriation, impact of divorce in a rom-com setting where AP science students are smart, cool, and attractive.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
slow-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
lighthearted
I really liked this book a lot a lot. It was so cozy and cute and gave YA Ali Hazelwood which is an obvious win. Plus I normally hate YA now, I don't read it all really but this was the perfect cutesy fluffy teen romance novel. Honestly if I liked teen books more it might be even higher of a rating, it's probably the only thing that is a draw back to me personally. But Bel and Teo were too adorable, the robotics team were the best and such cute friends. I loved how it was focused on Bel finding her own space, and how empowering it was for her to finally earn it!!
Thank you to NetGallery and Holiday House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This light-hearted book shows women finding their passions, pursuing their dreams and defying societal expectations.
The characters have so much personality and are so relatable to people I’ve met during my life. They are flawed but wholesome and true. The relationship between Bel and Teo is adorable, the type of love you want to have. The diversity in this book makes it even better!
This is a book I wish was around when I was growing up. We need more women in STEM and this book proves that girls are just as good as boys, if not better. And they have a better sense of style.
This light-hearted book shows women finding their passions, pursuing their dreams and defying societal expectations.
The characters have so much personality and are so relatable to people I’ve met during my life. They are flawed but wholesome and true. The relationship between Bel and Teo is adorable, the type of love you want to have. The diversity in this book makes it even better!
This is a book I wish was around when I was growing up. We need more women in STEM and this book proves that girls are just as good as boys, if not better. And they have a better sense of style.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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