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crosswarrior7's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first published YA romance story I've ever read. Why? Because honesty, I prefer other aspects going on with my romance. But I figured I would at least try it, and honestly... I don't expect anything in this genre to get over three stars but dang, the gushy fluff can be fun xD
Let me put this simply: I've always been one to enjoy silly Disney Channel rom-coms and Hallmark Christmas movies. I live for that adorable, silly fluff. And yes, I did enjoy this book mostly because it delivered so much of what those have. It calls itself a cheesy love story, and not for a second does it try to pretend to be anything else.
I always enjoy stories where the character is caught up by two parts of themselves, and that is very true with Beck. Definitely a lot of self-discovery going on between her dorky self and the person she thinks her "normal" friends want her to be. As someone who struggled a lot as a tomboy who also liked some girly things, I can relate (look, I denied liking Hannah Montana purely because I thought it was too girly for me despite actually liking it). So it was a fun dynamic to watch be explored, and it ended up a lot less toxic than I feared.
Yay for not tearing down one group to lift up another group!
The romance admittedly felt like it started just for the sake of "hey, you guys need to start liking each other" without any real rhyme or reason why. Still, cute enough, and I don't have too much expectations for the romance claiming itself to be cheesy. The romance almost felt more like a tool to the character growth, so I was good just having cheese be the main driving factor.
Overall, a cute tale with likable characters and the good ole cheesy but enjoyable message of "be yourself."
Let me put this simply: I've always been one to enjoy silly Disney Channel rom-coms and Hallmark Christmas movies. I live for that adorable, silly fluff. And yes, I did enjoy this book mostly because it delivered so much of what those have. It calls itself a cheesy love story, and not for a second does it try to pretend to be anything else.
I always enjoy stories where the character is caught up by two parts of themselves, and that is very true with Beck. Definitely a lot of self-discovery going on between her dorky self and the person she thinks her "normal" friends want her to be. As someone who struggled a lot as a tomboy who also liked some girly things, I can relate (look, I denied liking Hannah Montana purely because I thought it was too girly for me despite actually liking it). So it was a fun dynamic to watch be explored, and it ended up a lot less toxic than I feared.
Yay for not tearing down one group to lift up another group!
The romance admittedly felt like it started just for the sake of "hey, you guys need to start liking each other" without any real rhyme or reason why. Still, cute enough, and I don't have too much expectations for the romance claiming itself to be cheesy. The romance almost felt more like a tool to the character growth, so I was good just having cheese be the main driving factor.
Overall, a cute tale with likable characters and the good ole cheesy but enjoyable message of "be yourself."
mbaa8e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
It's right there in the title; this is a cheesy, trope filled novel. But like pizza, it's the good kind of cheesy, the one you consume even though you know exactly how it's going to turn out.
Beck was born in the bathroom of a local, not so great pizza joint. The owner leaned into it, giving her a party every year, free pizza and a job as soon as she turned sixteen. Beck hated her mild fame but took the job because she needed the money.
Beck's a strange character. She hates being judged for one thing, but judges everyone else on one thing. She finds that she actually likes her coworkers, but avoids them in school because they aren't cool, even though she doesn't like them as much. I'm surprised they didn't ditch her, to be honest.
Think of a contemporary YA romcom trope and it's probably in here, but that's what makes it good. It's comfort food, no deep meaning, but it doesn't need one. It's a perfectly good YA romcom and I really enjoyed it.
Do be aware, the disaster referenced in the blurb happens almost right at the very end. Don't, like me, worry that maybe you've missed it somehow when you get to three quarters of the way through and it hasn't happened yet.
Lovely tone, funny, cute, sweet. A great read.
Beck was born in the bathroom of a local, not so great pizza joint. The owner leaned into it, giving her a party every year, free pizza and a job as soon as she turned sixteen. Beck hated her mild fame but took the job because she needed the money.
Beck's a strange character. She hates being judged for one thing, but judges everyone else on one thing. She finds that she actually likes her coworkers, but avoids them in school because they aren't cool, even though she doesn't like them as much. I'm surprised they didn't ditch her, to be honest.
Think of a contemporary YA romcom trope and it's probably in here, but that's what makes it good. It's comfort food, no deep meaning, but it doesn't need one. It's a perfectly good YA romcom and I really enjoyed it.
Do be aware, the disaster referenced in the blurb happens almost right at the very end. Don't, like me, worry that maybe you've missed it somehow when you get to three quarters of the way through and it hasn't happened yet.
Lovely tone, funny, cute, sweet. A great read.
mfumarolo's review
4.0
Well that was adorable and just what I needed in the midst of this ongoing 2020-ness.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
This book has definite pacing issues. A little too much time is spent on minute details at the beginning and therefore a lot is packed into the last 1/3 of the book. However, it's getting four stars because I love Beck's character arc. I also adored the relationship between all the girls. As a high school teacher, one thing I think Morrill nailed with this book is how HARD friendship is at this age, and it isn't because all girls are mean and catty. If you talk to individual teenagers, every single one of them is struggling with the same feelings of being left out, not having "true" friends, and being lonely. Every. Single. One. (In my experience with those I work with.) I love how this book has them all on a journey to realize they maybe need to BE the friend they want to have the friends they want. I also love how involved Beck's parents are. It's a great story about community and family. The romance is cute too.
kcmmp13's review
4.0
What a fun and at times heart-warming book.
Beck had the unfortunate/fortunate luck of being born in the local pizza restaurant HnC. Due to this she's gotten free pizza for life, has her birthday there every year, and has a job promised to her if she wants it. She's always felt an aversion to HnC, but after taking the part-time job she was ensured Beck finds that HnC and the staff are more like a second family to her.
I enjoyed going along with Beck on her journey of finding who she is besides the "pizza princess" and seeing how her relationships changed and formed. Her struggles with her pre-job friends and her aversion to letting them know about her job friends is so very real. The addition of the pizza crew added so much joy, I loved Julianne and Tristan (honestly I love any character with that name). I think they pushed her to see her true self.
I highly recommend this feel good book.
Beck had the unfortunate/fortunate luck of being born in the local pizza restaurant HnC. Due to this she's gotten free pizza for life, has her birthday there every year, and has a job promised to her if she wants it. She's always felt an aversion to HnC, but after taking the part-time job she was ensured Beck finds that HnC and the staff are more like a second family to her.
I enjoyed going along with Beck on her journey of finding who she is besides the "pizza princess" and seeing how her relationships changed and formed. Her struggles with her pre-job friends and her aversion to letting them know about her job friends is so very real. The addition of the pizza crew added so much joy, I loved Julianne and Tristan (honestly I love any character with that name). I think they pushed her to see her true self.
I highly recommend this feel good book.
lauren_eggyolk's review against another edition
4.0
A main character who actually listens when people call her out on her toxic traits and change for the better?!! And healthy high school relationships development?! Noice.
erniez's review against another edition
2.0
Started strong. Fair amount of youthful confusion and emotions. It all fizzled out by the end. Terrible character descriptions.