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b_readss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Medical trauma
oliviabrcka's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Alex, Approximately follows Bailey "Mink" Rydell as she moves across the country to live with her dad in California. Her plans for the summer are to work at a local museum and spend her free time searching for Alex, her online friend who lives in the same town as her dad. Her plans get changed when she begins to develop a relationship with Porter Roth, her archenemy-turned-friend-turned-crush, but not everything is quite as it seems... Alex is closer than she thinks. I picked this book up after seeing in recommended by Hailey in Bookland, and it is a great, fluffy summer romance!
As a first time Jenn Bennett reader, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to her writing, but I did enjoy it once I got in the groove! Her style is a little all over the place, but it fits well in the context of the story, since our main character is a teenage girl riddled with anxiety. This was a pretty medium paced story, but I will say that I'm confused as to why the book's summary gives away the fact that Porter and Alex are the same person?? I mean, it's obvious throughout the whole book so I get why she wasn't making it a huge secret but I feel like that takes away so much of the mystery and magic of actually getting to the last few chapters. That totally gives away the conflict and resolution that actually happens! Makes no sense to me, but I hope Bennett had a good reason in mind when she made that particular creative choice. (Again, the fact that I'm writing this isn't a spoiler because it's literally IN THE BOOK SUMMARY. WEIRD.)
Bailey is our main protagonist, and I personally liked her. She's one of the most realistic and relatable main YA characters I've read in a while, although her actual life situation isn't all that realistic or relatable (that probably makes no sense, sorry). She's got some trauma, some anxiety, and family drama, but the main focus of her story is her relationship with (the dreamy surfer dude) Porter Roth. They start as (sort of) enemies, move to (sort of) friends (who flirt a lot) to lovers. Porter is a great love interest in my opinion, because Bailey describes how complex of a person he is. He is a simp, a loving family man, an overprotective idiot, and a raging a$$ all in one (smoking hot) package. We love that for him. I also LOVE Grace and wish that she had some more page time, her spunk and attitude totally stole all the attention.
So, let's be honest, this book isn't meant to make you stop and truly contemplate your life decisions. There are some small themes here and there, but for the most part, we are just having a good time falling in love with Porter and Bailey. I see no problem with that.
If you are looking for a little vacation read, beach read, summer read, or escape from a dreadfully cold winter, this is for you! If you love a cute romance, this is for you! If you want a pretty quick read that will rescue you from your reading slump, THIS IS FOR YOU! Alex, Approximately is written to please the masses, so enjoy!
As a first time Jenn Bennett reader, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to her writing, but I did enjoy it once I got in the groove! Her style is a little all over the place, but it fits well in the context of the story, since our main character is a teenage girl riddled with anxiety. This was a pretty medium paced story, but I will say that I'm confused as to why the book's summary gives away the fact that Porter and Alex are the same person?? I mean, it's obvious throughout the whole book so I get why she wasn't making it a huge secret but I feel like that takes away so much of the mystery and magic of actually getting to the last few chapters. That totally gives away the conflict and resolution that actually happens! Makes no sense to me, but I hope Bennett had a good reason in mind when she made that particular creative choice. (Again, the fact that I'm writing this isn't a spoiler because it's literally IN THE BOOK SUMMARY. WEIRD.)
Bailey is our main protagonist, and I personally liked her. She's one of the most realistic and relatable main YA characters I've read in a while, although her actual life situation isn't all that realistic or relatable (that probably makes no sense, sorry). She's got some trauma, some anxiety, and family drama, but the main focus of her story is her relationship with (the dreamy surfer dude) Porter Roth. They start as (sort of) enemies, move to (sort of) friends (who flirt a lot) to lovers. Porter is a great love interest in my opinion, because Bailey describes how complex of a person he is. He is a simp, a loving family man, an overprotective idiot, and a raging a$$ all in one (smoking hot) package. We love that for him. I also LOVE Grace and wish that she had some more page time, her spunk and attitude totally stole all the attention.
So, let's be honest, this book isn't meant to make you stop and truly contemplate your life decisions. There are some small themes here and there, but for the most part, we are just having a good time falling in love with Porter and Bailey. I see no problem with that.
If you are looking for a little vacation read, beach read, summer read, or escape from a dreadfully cold winter, this is for you! If you love a cute romance, this is for you! If you want a pretty quick read that will rescue you from your reading slump, THIS IS FOR YOU! Alex, Approximately is written to please the masses, so enjoy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Violence
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