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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
A truly original YA - a great look at friendship and how painful it can be when one splits apart.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a HUGE Sophie Gonzales fan - I've read all of her books, and own multiple editions - so I had high expectations going into this. And - no surprise - she blew me away completely. Another incredible book by one of my favourite LGBTQ authors.
I don't know what else to say because I have nothing but glowing praise to offer. So many authors have tried to incorporate fanfiction into their traditionally published novels, but Sophie's take is so fresh, and so different. You can tell that she has actually spent time in online fan spaces, and that she respects readers who engage there, which is SO special. Speculative fanfiction world aside, the romance between Mack and Ivy was absolutely the star. They are adorable and tender and perfect. I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading because they were just that cute. I love them, I love them, I love them.
Lastly, in typical (but amazing) Sophie Gonzales fashion, this book touches on difficult and beautiful moments in friendship, reminding you of why platonic love is just as important to fight for as romantic love.
Thank you to Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this eArc. And thank you to Sophie Gonzales for writing yet another BANGER. I can't wait to buy every copy and every edition imaginable.
I don't know what else to say because I have nothing but glowing praise to offer. So many authors have tried to incorporate fanfiction into their traditionally published novels, but Sophie's take is so fresh, and so different. You can tell that she has actually spent time in online fan spaces, and that she respects readers who engage there, which is SO special. Speculative fanfiction world aside, the romance between Mack and Ivy was absolutely the star. They are adorable and tender and perfect. I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading because they were just that cute. I love them, I love them, I love them.
Lastly, in typical (but amazing) Sophie Gonzales fashion, this book touches on difficult and beautiful moments in friendship, reminding you of why platonic love is just as important to fight for as romantic love.
Thank you to Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this eArc. And thank you to Sophie Gonzales for writing yet another BANGER. I can't wait to buy every copy and every edition imaginable.
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
This book follows Ivy, a fangirl who literally wishes her favourite fictional character (Weston) into existence, and ends up having to deal with all of the problems that arise from that. The story is just so much fun! I really enjoyed seeing Ivy, her best friend Henry, and her ex-best-friend/crush Mack trying to figure out what happened, and how to keep Weston hidden. It was silly, but so charming and fun!
Additionally, this book is very meta and self-aware. Sophie Gonzales has clearly been in the fandom world for a long time, so this book is filled with nods to fan culture, little quips at cheesy fanfic scenarios, and jokes about ridiculous tropes. If you’ve been in a fandom or read fanfiction growing up you’ll definitely find the references amusing.
I really liked the characters! The MC, Ivy, is very anxious and stubborn, and deeply afraid of loneliness. But she is also very funny and caring and, deep down, she just wants to be loved. Ivy is such a realistic and well-balanced character, and her flaws never felt annoying; they felt real. The LI Mack was also very flawed, but very nice, too. It was so easy to see both Ivy and Mack’s sides, and the reason for their friendship to end was very understandable. I applaud Sophie Gonzales for writing a friendship-ending conflict that feels realistic, but also makes you sympathize with both sides!
I will say: unfortunately, I didn’t really care about their romance. 🫤 The basis for the whole romance was the fact that Ivy already liked Mack before the book started, but since WE never really got to see that crush develop, it was hard for me to fully care about the romance. That’s not to say it was bad! Not at all! I still enjoyed their tension and their moments together, but I just never fully fell in love with their love. However, the romance wasn’t really the main thing in this story, so it was all good! 🙂
Ivy’s bff Henry was just a delight (and also aroace!!!!!!! aroace rep LET’S GOOOOOOOO)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weston was mostly a plot device (his personality literally changed depending on what Ivy had written in her fanfics lol) BUT I think he was really well implemented into the story! I liked seeing his dynamic with the other characters, and I enjoyed how he inadvertently helped Ivy grow. And I think the message of this book is really well implemented, and very positive for the target audience.
Regarding the writing: I was scared that the dual timeline wouldn’t be a good choice, but Sophie Gonzales did a great job weaving them together. The chapters were just the right length and I was never bored; this story just flows really well! I’m also very thankful that the author didn’t leave the reveal of Ivy and Mack’s fight until the very end. I mean, we only SEE it at the end, but we find out what happened early on in the book. I think if she’d only revealed it in the end it would’ve built up too much anticipation and it would’ve fallen flat. But since it was all revealed early on, the “Past” chapters let us see Ivy and Mack’s tension growing, without being annoyed that the reasoning for their friendship ending wasn’t clear. 10/10 for not making us wait, Sophie!
Long story short: this is a really enjoyable book with a very fun plot, and realistic and relatable characters. If you’re looking specifically for romance, I’d recommend Sophie’s other books, as they focus a bit more on the romantic relationships, when compared to this one. But this was still a super fun story that I’d definitely recommend!
This book follows Ivy, a fangirl who literally wishes her favourite fictional character (Weston) into existence, and ends up having to deal with all of the problems that arise from that. The story is just so much fun! I really enjoyed seeing Ivy, her best friend Henry, and her ex-best-friend/crush Mack trying to figure out what happened, and how to keep Weston hidden. It was silly, but so charming and fun!
Additionally, this book is very meta and self-aware. Sophie Gonzales has clearly been in the fandom world for a long time, so this book is filled with nods to fan culture, little quips at cheesy fanfic scenarios, and jokes about ridiculous tropes. If you’ve been in a fandom or read fanfiction growing up you’ll definitely find the references amusing.
I really liked the characters! The MC, Ivy, is very anxious and stubborn, and deeply afraid of loneliness. But she is also very funny and caring and, deep down, she just wants to be loved. Ivy is such a realistic and well-balanced character, and her flaws never felt annoying; they felt real. The LI Mack was also very flawed, but very nice, too. It was so easy to see both Ivy and Mack’s sides, and the reason for their friendship to end was very understandable. I applaud Sophie Gonzales for writing a friendship-ending conflict that feels realistic, but also makes you sympathize with both sides!
I will say: unfortunately, I didn’t really care about their romance. 🫤 The basis for the whole romance was the fact that Ivy already liked Mack before the book started, but since WE never really got to see that crush develop, it was hard for me to fully care about the romance. That’s not to say it was bad! Not at all! I still enjoyed their tension and their moments together, but I just never fully fell in love with their love. However, the romance wasn’t really the main thing in this story, so it was all good! 🙂
Ivy’s bff Henry was just a delight (and also aroace!!!!!!! aroace rep LET’S GOOOOOOOO)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weston was mostly a plot device (his personality literally changed depending on what Ivy had written in her fanfics lol) BUT I think he was really well implemented into the story! I liked seeing his dynamic with the other characters, and I enjoyed how he inadvertently helped Ivy grow. And I think the message of this book is really well implemented, and very positive for the target audience.
Regarding the writing: I was scared that the dual timeline wouldn’t be a good choice, but Sophie Gonzales did a great job weaving them together. The chapters were just the right length and I was never bored; this story just flows really well! I’m also very thankful that the author didn’t leave the reveal of Ivy and Mack’s fight until the very end. I mean, we only SEE it at the end, but we find out what happened early on in the book. I think if she’d only revealed it in the end it would’ve built up too much anticipation and it would’ve fallen flat. But since it was all revealed early on, the “Past” chapters let us see Ivy and Mack’s tension growing, without being annoyed that the reasoning for their friendship ending wasn’t clear. 10/10 for not making us wait, Sophie!
Long story short: this is a really enjoyable book with a very fun plot, and realistic and relatable characters. If you’re looking specifically for romance, I’d recommend Sophie’s other books, as they focus a bit more on the romantic relationships, when compared to this one. But this was still a super fun story that I’d definitely recommend!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
This book is the perfect young adult romcom with elements of magic, multiple timelines, and an amazing sapphic romance story.
Ivy and Mack were best friends up until an argument ended their friendship. One year later, Ivy has a new best friend Henry. He shares her love for H-MAD, a fantasy TV show. Ivy’s parents leave her alone for a few days while they are out of town and in her panic of being alone she wishes the main character Weston to life. She needs the help of both Henry and Mack to help figure out what happened and what to do with the magical boy that now lives with her.
As the story goes on Ivy starts to realize that her “perfect guy” (originally thought to be Weston) isn't really the perfect guy but the perfect person for her might be closer than she thinks.
The author creates a narrative that has great pacing while she also weaves the timeline of Ivy and Macks friendship breakup with the present. This story is a beautiful look at Ivy’s wants to escape her reality and the loneliness she faces along with the negative consequences of denying our pain. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
think of ur fave romance book. quick! ok, you got it? now imagine ur book bf comes to life and is heads over heels in love with u. all of our dreams, right? but i KNOW some of u girlies were thinking about haunting adeline or penelope douglas. calling all the dark romance readers here. do we ACTUALLY want that love in real life? i mean, maybe
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A cute, chaotic and wonderfully cheesy love letter to fanfiction. Whilst this wasn’t my favourite of Sophie Gonzales’s books so far, it was an incredibly fun, entertaining read and one I enjoyed my time with.
I am so excited for this I can’t wait
Merged review:
I am so excited for this I can’t wait
Merged review:
I am so excited for this I can’t wait
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
4.25/5 Stars
If you've ever wondered what would happen if fanfiction came to life… and you love all the tropes, this is definitely the book for you! I mean if you ever had a fanfiction era in general this book is for you!
We meet Ivy, who writes fanfiction about her favorite TV show (H-MAD), and of course, when her parents leave her to her own devices, somehow, she brings to life one of her favorite characters and madness ensues. Soon Ivy realizes she is in over her head, and she drags BFF Henry, and ex-best friend/old crush Mack, into the problem solving with her and it weaves a fun, intriguing story about growth and what we really want. We get to see how each character faced conflict in the past, and how they can grow their communication skills in the present while also managing all the hijinks the new fanfiction friend comes up with.
If you love sapphic reads, watching characters grow, and all the fun of fanfiction this is an absolute must read book! Sophie Gonzales hits the mark in this YA fantasy meets real life story. Strengths include that these characters are well-developed and feel very genuine. This book knows its audience and it is *chef’s kiss* Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.