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ahpotts's review
3.0
I was drawn to the premise of this novel - who writes from Mary Bennet's point of view? - but ultimately underwhelmed. I don't want to write too much criticism of this first-time novelist who clearly loves literature and who will likely write more good YA in the future, but I did find this both predictable and, ultimately, unbelievable in the sense that this is not how high school works. Sigh. Still, great idea for a book.
brandypainter's review
3.0
This book was trying to do way too much and therefore failed to be truly excellent. It was an entertaining evening's read though.
missmary98's review
4.0
This was not quite what I was expecting, and like the last book I read, started out a tad meh, but I ended up really enjoying it (especially all the references to my favourite books!!!). It's been quite some time since I've read a book with young love being a main genre, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Mary is not the most likable Bennet, and Marnie really is a Mary in the beginning. She is not very likable. Until she realises that she is Mary Bennet! And who wants to be Mary!? So she decides to try ger best and become someone else.
She has sisters that equals the Bennet sisters and she is jealous of them, she is also the one overlooked. And now she is competing for an award that her older sister once won. It is not taking out the best in her.
Her father is always busy, her sisters have each other, her mother only wants high society.
Luckily for Marnie her roommate Adhira does not give up on her, and at times she sure do not deserve a friend like that. She also has a crush on a friend of the family (a total asshat, it takes her a LONG time to see that.) But she will also meet someone nice, (even if it takes a long time for things to happen). But then this book is about Marnie finding herself and grabbing life by both hands.
I enjoyed it. It was so much more, it even got dark and sad. And lessons will be learned and she will have this epic stand off at one time.
Good narration. She could take the high and low times in Marnie's life
She has sisters that equals the Bennet sisters and she is jealous of them, she is also the one overlooked. And now she is competing for an award that her older sister once won. It is not taking out the best in her.
Her father is always busy, her sisters have each other, her mother only wants high society.
Luckily for Marnie her roommate Adhira does not give up on her, and at times she sure do not deserve a friend like that. She also has a crush on a friend of the family (a total asshat, it takes her a LONG time to see that.) But she will also meet someone nice, (even if it takes a long time for things to happen). But then this book is about Marnie finding herself and grabbing life by both hands.
I enjoyed it. It was so much more, it even got dark and sad. And lessons will be learned and she will have this epic stand off at one time.
Good narration. She could take the high and low times in Marnie's life
neglet's review
A fun rom-com that’s has more emphasis on the personal development of the protagonist rather than the romance. I enjoyed the Austen angle, even if I might have preferred it to lean a little harder on it—I guess I need to seek out that P&P sequel that focuses on Mary. Anyway: fun and enjoyable!
zbrarian's review
4.0
How not to be a Mary Bennett should have been the title. I really enjoyed this story. Marnie is tired of being the middle child, the one no one pays attention too. She’s also tired of being negative and alone. When she allows her new roommate Adhira to become her friend, she’s able to see what life should really be like. She learns to rewrite her life, learning that the one she obsessed over for years truly was a creep and that the boy who helps her to achieve her goal of being a finalist for the Hunt Prize, is the one who catches her heart. She also realizes that her sisters/family were always there supporting her but her “pride” wouldn’t allow her to see it. She was more of a Lizzy Bennett than a Mary Bennett, but truly just Marnie. At first I thought the character of Marnie was way to stubborn and whiny to change, but with the help of her best friend and her connection with her older sister Lindy, she was able to break out of the Mary mold and truly discover who she could be.
adamrbrooks's review
4.0
I picked this up -- not knowing much about it -- because a friend's wife wrote it.
For a while, I thought it might not be for me, what with spending a lot of time in an anxious teen's head. But the more I read, the more I appreciated what a vivid picture it was painting. I became more charmed. The story got deeper, including a gut-punch tragedy in the middle. The protagonist grew and changed and gained more perspective on herself and others.
Just enjoyed it more and more as it went a long, and felt very satisfied by the ending.
For a while, I thought it might not be for me, what with spending a lot of time in an anxious teen's head. But the more I read, the more I appreciated what a vivid picture it was painting. I became more charmed. The story got deeper, including a gut-punch tragedy in the middle. The protagonist grew and changed and gained more perspective on herself and others.
Just enjoyed it more and more as it went a long, and felt very satisfied by the ending.
caylieratzlaff's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.
I'm gonna be honest, I did not like this at the beginning. I was really annoyed with the writing style (or the protagonist) but it slowly grew on me as the internal monologue of Marnie and her anxiety also grew on me. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down after I got into it. Marnie is truly a character of my own heart, obsessed with books and academics, and never feeling like the protagonist in her own story. While Marnie is a wealthy Californian at an academy (dad is a tech guru, mom is a socialite) the vibes she gives are NOT of that. She's very down to earth and the literary references are SO good.
The plot revolves around Marnie aiming toward the Hunt Prize -- one that her older sister won -- since she feels like she needs to win it; however, she realizes SO much about herself in the process. And yes, it's a rom-com and there are dogs. I wouldn't say it's a BIG rom-com though like it's advertised, a lot of it is Marnie coming to terms with herself, making a friend with Adhira (who I love), and building a relationship with her family (who also realizes how they treat Marnie).
4/5 stars though because 1) I hated the plot with Hayes and it made me feel icky, which I know was the point, but I don't think it should have been connected to Whit and Marnie. and 2) I don't think the toxicity of Marnie's family and how it made her feel was addressed enough. Why all of a sudden are they treating Marnie okay? A whole lot of it should have been addressed.
I'm gonna be honest, I did not like this at the beginning. I was really annoyed with the writing style (or the protagonist) but it slowly grew on me as the internal monologue of Marnie and her anxiety also grew on me. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down after I got into it. Marnie is truly a character of my own heart, obsessed with books and academics, and never feeling like the protagonist in her own story. While Marnie is a wealthy Californian at an academy (dad is a tech guru, mom is a socialite) the vibes she gives are NOT of that. She's very down to earth and the literary references are SO good.
The plot revolves around Marnie aiming toward the Hunt Prize -- one that her older sister won -- since she feels like she needs to win it; however, she realizes SO much about herself in the process. And yes, it's a rom-com and there are dogs. I wouldn't say it's a BIG rom-com though like it's advertised, a lot of it is Marnie coming to terms with herself, making a friend with Adhira (who I love), and building a relationship with her family (who also realizes how they treat Marnie).
4/5 stars though because 1) I hated the plot with Hayes and it made me feel icky, which I know was the point, but I don't think it should have been connected to Whit and Marnie. and 2) I don't think the toxicity of Marnie's family and how it made her feel was addressed enough. Why all of a sudden are they treating Marnie okay? A whole lot of it should have been addressed.