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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I love the characters so much sometimes I feel like I know them personally. I wish I was part of their squad
From this book I loved how it gave more depth to more characters!! I really loved how you see a different side of Leah and a different side of Abby and more of Garrett, Bram, Anna and Morgan!!
The ending felt a bit rushed, but in general it was a very fun read ♥ Creekwood books are my comfort books
From this book I loved how it gave more depth to more characters!! I really loved how you see a different side of Leah and a different side of Abby and more of Garrett, Bram, Anna and Morgan!!
The ending felt a bit rushed, but in general it was a very fun read ♥ Creekwood books are my comfort books
Boricuan Bookworms - Book Reviews
So… Leah on the Offbeat. I initially rated this book 4 stars on Goodreads and talked about how it was so cute and how I enjoyed it, and to some extent that was true. However, something about it kept bugging me and I just couldn’t pinpoint why... until I looked through my annotations.
Let me start with LOTO’s good points, because despite my low rating of this book now, I still found enjoyable things worth mentioning. Becky’s writing is as wonderful and engaging as it’s always been, and in that aspect the book was easy to read. There was lots of humor and snark, and I have to say that I cackled out loud at the “American Grill” scene.
Leah as a protagonist was snarky and abrasive, but I saw myself in her a lot. I saw myself in the way she would lash out or push away people to not get hurt, or how she would use her sarcasm as a front. Leah’s awkwardness and self doubt, and even the fact that she wasn’t rich like her friends really resonated with me.
I loved that this book like its predecessors included diversity seamlessly and effortlessly; Leah being fat and bi, lots of characters of color, mention of an enby character, etc. This was all great to see and I enjoyed reading these parts.
I really wish I could keep these points with me forever because the rest of the book however was disappointing and one particular part was so hurtful that basically overshadowed my overall enjoyment of it.
I guess I should get it over with and mention this scene, and because I haven’t seen any people mention in their reviews who the love interest is, I’ll be calling this character “Violet” (get it? Like Simon & Blue, now Leah & Violet… moving on).
SO, Leah and Violet have had many interactions by this point, and while Leah has feelings for her, she thinks Violet is straight. Violet herself had mentioned previously she only liked guys. However, in this scene Violet comes out to Leah as “low-key bi”. This is the whole scene:
So… I had to read this scene a couple of times, because… I couldn’t quite comprehend why Leah, a bisexual character, was policing another bisexual character’s sexuality. Violet tells Leah that she came out a few days ago to some of her family members, but that she’s still figuring things out. However, Leah completely shuts down Violet and makes her feel bad about her sexuality; makes her feel bad about questioning whether she's straight or not. From the summary of LOTO we know that Leah has been out as bi to her mom for a while and she is sure about her identity. Good for her, really. But Leah’s outright refusal to let Violet choose how to find the words to identify herself? That really hurt me for a lot of reasons.
Violet herself says: “You don’t get to decide my label” and Leah immediately shuts her down with “It’s not a real label”. But, it’s real for Violet.
This just seems like Leah is saying that being “lowkey bi”, that not knowing what your sexuality is, is wrong. It feels like Leah is calling Violet Not Queer Enough, and that is really not what I expected from this book at all.
This especially hurts coming from a non own-voices perspective, as Leah never apologizes or retracts what she tells Violet, even when V is visibly upset and crying. There is no other mention of this scene and the book could have well done without this part completely.
The only thing we see at the end of the scene is this:
After Leah basically ruins Violet’s coming out by making this about herself, she says a few cursory things and then leaves.
This scene made me flinch and I had to put down the book for a while, because I just couldn’t believe it. I understand Leah’s personality is “harsh” but to this extent? Especially when Leah herself is bi? Why did we need a scene where a bisexual girl polices another bisexual girl’s identity and makes her cry for not knowing what it was?
For days I told myself I was overreacting, and even tried to put aside my concerns and just celebrate the fact that a f/f queer book was having so much hype, but this kept nagging and nagging at me. I know there are other people who feel the same but haven’t been able to voice it, which really sucks as a community that is supposed to be open for everyone.
This scene aside I have to say I wish I had seen more romantic moments between Leah/Violet than the ones we saw. Half of them were one sided because Leah didn’t know that Violet was bisexual, the other half would end in Leah either getting mad at her and storming off, or some misunderstanding that would cut them off (I really do not want to think about that first kiss scene at all because I still get heartbroken thinking about it). I wanted all the cute and swoony moments I saw in Simon vs or Upside of Unrequited, but here I just didn't see as many.
This review is almost at a thousand words so I think I’m going to leave it here. I love Becky’s other books, and Becky as a person is really sweet and kind. It kind of pains me that she might/will see this review but I just can’t keep quiet about it anymore. If you related to LOTO, that’s good for you, truly. I don’t wish any ill will on Becky or on any of the people who have read and genuinely enjoyed this book.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
So… Leah on the Offbeat. I initially rated this book 4 stars on Goodreads and talked about how it was so cute and how I enjoyed it, and to some extent that was true. However, something about it kept bugging me and I just couldn’t pinpoint why... until I looked through my annotations.
Let me start with LOTO’s good points, because despite my low rating of this book now, I still found enjoyable things worth mentioning. Becky’s writing is as wonderful and engaging as it’s always been, and in that aspect the book was easy to read. There was lots of humor and snark, and I have to say that I cackled out loud at the “American Grill” scene.
Leah as a protagonist was snarky and abrasive, but I saw myself in her a lot. I saw myself in the way she would lash out or push away people to not get hurt, or how she would use her sarcasm as a front. Leah’s awkwardness and self doubt, and even the fact that she wasn’t rich like her friends really resonated with me.
I loved that this book like its predecessors included diversity seamlessly and effortlessly; Leah being fat and bi, lots of characters of color, mention of an enby character, etc. This was all great to see and I enjoyed reading these parts.
I really wish I could keep these points with me forever because the rest of the book however was disappointing and one particular part was so hurtful that basically overshadowed my overall enjoyment of it.
I guess I should get it over with and mention this scene, and because I haven’t seen any people mention in their reviews who the love interest is, I’ll be calling this character “Violet” (get it? Like Simon & Blue, now Leah & Violet… moving on).
SO, Leah and Violet have had many interactions by this point, and while Leah has feelings for her, she thinks Violet is straight. Violet herself had mentioned previously she only liked guys. However, in this scene Violet comes out to Leah as “low-key bi”. This is the whole scene:
V: “I don’t think I’m straight,” she says, and my heart almost stops. “I don’t know,” she adds finally. “I guess I’m like lowkey bisexual?”
L: “I don’t think that’s a thing.”
V: “What? It totally is.” She pokes my arm. “Lowkey bi.”
L: “You’re either bi or you’re not. That’s like being a little bit pregnant.”
V: “Well, I’m a little bit bi, and I’m sticking with that.”
L: I sit up. “I don’t get you.”
V: “What?”
L: I shake my head. “Lowkey bi, a little bit bi. Just be bi. Like, come on.”
V: “What? No.” She draws herself up. “You don’t get to decide my label.”
L: “It’s not a real label!”
V: “Well, it’s real for me.”
So… I had to read this scene a couple of times, because… I couldn’t quite comprehend why Leah, a bisexual character, was policing another bisexual character’s sexuality. Violet tells Leah that she came out a few days ago to some of her family members, but that she’s still figuring things out. However, Leah completely shuts down Violet and makes her feel bad about her sexuality; makes her feel bad about questioning whether she's straight or not. From the summary of LOTO we know that Leah has been out as bi to her mom for a while and she is sure about her identity. Good for her, really. But Leah’s outright refusal to let Violet choose how to find the words to identify herself? That really hurt me for a lot of reasons.
Violet herself says: “You don’t get to decide my label” and Leah immediately shuts her down with “It’s not a real label”. But, it’s real for Violet.
This just seems like Leah is saying that being “lowkey bi”, that not knowing what your sexuality is, is wrong. It feels like Leah is calling Violet Not Queer Enough, and that is really not what I expected from this book at all.
This especially hurts coming from a non own-voices perspective, as Leah never apologizes or retracts what she tells Violet, even when V is visibly upset and crying. There is no other mention of this scene and the book could have well done without this part completely.
The only thing we see at the end of the scene is this:
L: “Look, I’m fine,” I say finally. “Okay? You’ll figure this out. You’ve got this. I’m happy for you. You don’t owe me anything.” I exhale, shrugging.
V: “That’s not—”
L: “Everything’s fine. We’re friends. I’ll see you at prom.”
After Leah basically ruins Violet’s coming out by making this about herself, she says a few cursory things and then leaves.
This scene made me flinch and I had to put down the book for a while, because I just couldn’t believe it. I understand Leah’s personality is “harsh” but to this extent? Especially when Leah herself is bi? Why did we need a scene where a bisexual girl polices another bisexual girl’s identity and makes her cry for not knowing what it was?
For days I told myself I was overreacting, and even tried to put aside my concerns and just celebrate the fact that a f/f queer book was having so much hype, but this kept nagging and nagging at me. I know there are other people who feel the same but haven’t been able to voice it, which really sucks as a community that is supposed to be open for everyone.
This scene aside I have to say I wish I had seen more romantic moments between Leah/Violet than the ones we saw. Half of them were one sided because Leah didn’t know that Violet was bisexual, the other half would end in Leah either getting mad at her and storming off, or some misunderstanding that would cut them off (I really do not want to think about that first kiss scene at all because I still get heartbroken thinking about it). I wanted all the cute and swoony moments I saw in Simon vs or Upside of Unrequited, but here I just didn't see as many.
This review is almost at a thousand words so I think I’m going to leave it here. I love Becky’s other books, and Becky as a person is really sweet and kind. It kind of pains me that she might/will see this review but I just can’t keep quiet about it anymore. If you related to LOTO, that’s good for you, truly. I don’t wish any ill will on Becky or on any of the people who have read and genuinely enjoyed this book.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to love this author's work, but I feel like the ones I've read have been progressively less appealing to me. I think Leah is quite an unlikeable character: her attitude towards other people really made me a lot less interested in her journey, and I certainly wasn't rooting for her.
I still really like some of the side characters from this series, but part of me wonders if that is just because they are side characters - if they were more developed, I might find them equally irritating!
I'm happy and thankful for bi representation, and this book was a quick and easy read.
I still really like some of the side characters from this series, but part of me wonders if that is just because they are side characters - if they were more developed, I might find them equally irritating!
I'm happy and thankful for bi representation, and this book was a quick and easy read.
Is it okay for a secondary character to be the only real saving grace of a book?
I don't want it to rain rotten tomatoes on my porch and white plaster of my house's walls though (if someone manages to track me down) so I've given up on the idea of giving it an actual 1 star of dislike. Haha. Nah. I'm being tad dramatic, it wasn't THAT bad. Facts remain though that it didn't enjoy it all that much either.
I don't know what it is with Becky Albertalli's characters (it happened with Cassie but on a much smaller scale) but it's some sort of a pattern that they are awfully judgemental. I swear to god, what is up with their self-righteous, holier-than-thou annoying ways? I could hardly get past the first 30% of this book because of it all!
Leah was driving me nuts. I wanted her to shut the heck up, remove the solid concrete stick from up her ass and just be a freakin' PERSON for once! One that wouldn't spew judgement and dirty looks because she was jealous or she didn't understand her feelings so instead she was acting positively INFURIATING.
All in all, Simon Spier saved that book. And Leah's mum too because she put up with her (which, in my book, is a proud accomplishment) because upon meeting a Leah, I would probably slap her and that would be that.
I know what you're going to say though: high school kids with massive insecurities are like that though. You're right, they are. It doesn't mean I have to like this particular brand of a teenager or applaud their poor choices that mostly consist of pissing on everyone's good mood.
...yikes. I am bracing myself for them tomatoes.
;)
I don't want it to rain rotten tomatoes on my porch and white plaster of my house's walls though (if someone manages to track me down) so I've given up on the idea of giving it an actual 1 star of dislike. Haha. Nah. I'm being tad dramatic, it wasn't THAT bad. Facts remain though that it didn't enjoy it all that much either.
I don't know what it is with Becky Albertalli's characters (it happened with Cassie but on a much smaller scale) but it's some sort of a pattern that they are awfully judgemental. I swear to god, what is up with their self-righteous, holier-than-thou annoying ways? I could hardly get past the first 30% of this book because of it all!
Leah was driving me nuts. I wanted her to shut the heck up, remove the solid concrete stick from up her ass and just be a freakin' PERSON for once! One that wouldn't spew judgement and dirty looks because she was jealous or she didn't understand her feelings so instead she was acting positively INFURIATING.
All in all, Simon Spier saved that book. And Leah's mum too because she put up with her (which, in my book, is a proud accomplishment) because upon meeting a Leah, I would probably slap her and that would be that.
I know what you're going to say though: high school kids with massive insecurities are like that though. You're right, they are. It doesn't mean I have to like this particular brand of a teenager or applaud their poor choices that mostly consist of pissing on everyone's good mood.
...yikes. I am bracing myself for them tomatoes.
;)
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Becky can do no wrong! Another great book by her! I really like Leah and her crew. The book was shot of fun despite having some pretty serious topics in it.
Ehhhh. I adored [b:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|19547856|Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood, #1)|Becky Albertalli|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678s/19547856.jpg|27679579] (solid 4 stars read from me), so I was really excited about this one: more queer ladies! More bisexual representation! More non-standard body types, since Leah is a plus-size girl (not that you'd know it from the movie, alas)! I was looking forward to seeing more of her and getting even more attached to her, but... instead I came away from this kinda disliking her instead. She is relentlessly, constantly, defensively cruel to people around her, using that chip on her shoulder to lash out at others; she does try to get mildly better (because, yanno, character development), but by the end instead it feels like an abrupt 180 swing with a personality transplant, rather than steady development.
Simon made some mistakes in his book that made me want to shake him, but he was otherwise endearing and lovely; he didn't leave me with this bitter taste in my mouth while reading.
I also just could not identify with most of the ongoing emotional conflict of "oh NOOOO we must all have the PERFECT PROM!!!" and "oh noooo graduation is looming and CHANGE IS COMING", because a) we didn't have prom at my school in Norway, and b) I moved 4500 miles and across oceans and continents and countries for college, calm the heck down everybody. I know that Leah & co's position is probably #relatablecontent for a lot of readers, I guess, but it simply wasn't for me.
Unlike the deep confessional dynamic between Simon & Blue, the core romance here felt, honestly, rushed; instead of a lot of bonding, most of it seemed to be Leah swooning from afar and not even having the courage to text, so they barely interacted. Leah also treated Garrett like garbage -- in ways that I can actually relate to, but she should have dealt with it; instead, there was absolutely no resolution on that end. It's like the book planted all these sources of conflict/character flaws, but Leah never actually processed or dealt with them besides the very bare minimum. So many arcs needed improvement.
This is a tiny nitpick too, but just like how the pop culture references in Simon vs. kinda ground on my nerves a bit because they're instantly going to feel dated, that trend continued here with naming specific bands, Sailor Moon fanfic, etc, all of which I wish had stayed more generic/universal in order to survive the passage of time better.
BUT: it was sweet to see Simon and his boyfriend's relationship a year in. And I really like Abby. And the handling of micro-aggressions and calling out a racist friend was great, great, great. I also like how confident Leah is about her sexuality and (sometimes) her body.
Uh. That's maybe... about it? 2.5 stars.
Simon made some mistakes in his book that made me want to shake him, but he was otherwise endearing and lovely; he didn't leave me with this bitter taste in my mouth while reading.
I also just could not identify with most of the ongoing emotional conflict of "oh NOOOO we must all have the PERFECT PROM!!!" and "oh noooo graduation is looming and CHANGE IS COMING", because a) we didn't have prom at my school in Norway, and b) I moved 4500 miles and across oceans and continents and countries for college, calm the heck down everybody. I know that Leah & co's position is probably #relatablecontent for a lot of readers, I guess, but it simply wasn't for me.
Unlike the deep confessional dynamic between Simon & Blue, the core romance here felt, honestly, rushed; instead of a lot of bonding, most of it seemed to be Leah swooning from afar and not even having the courage to text, so they barely interacted. Leah also treated Garrett like garbage -- in ways that I can actually relate to, but she should have dealt with it; instead, there was absolutely no resolution on that end. It's like the book planted all these sources of conflict/character flaws, but Leah never actually processed or dealt with them besides the very bare minimum. So many arcs needed improvement.
This is a tiny nitpick too, but just like how the pop culture references in Simon vs. kinda ground on my nerves a bit because they're instantly going to feel dated, that trend continued here with naming specific bands, Sailor Moon fanfic, etc, all of which I wish had stayed more generic/universal in order to survive the passage of time better.
BUT: it was sweet to see Simon and his boyfriend's relationship a year in. And I really like Abby. And the handling of micro-aggressions and calling out a racist friend was great, great, great. I also like how confident Leah is about her sexuality and (sometimes) her body.
Uh. That's maybe... about it? 2.5 stars.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
I really liked this one. It took a minute to get into and it look Leah a while to grow on me. She annoyed me during certain parts of the book, but I really liked her overall.
I liked that the book was all about relationships and changes. I found the conflict and character dynamics to be compelling. I also enjoyed the romance. Maybe it was tied up a little too neat at the very end, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Nothing mindblowing, but this was just a cozy and fun read.
I really liked this one. It took a minute to get into and it look Leah a while to grow on me. She annoyed me during certain parts of the book, but I really liked her overall.
I liked that the book was all about relationships and changes. I found the conflict and character dynamics to be compelling. I also enjoyed the romance. Maybe it was tied up a little too neat at the very end, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Nothing mindblowing, but this was just a cozy and fun read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5*
This book was just "okay" to me. I didn't hate it but also didn't love it. All though I think the ending was cute and fun, but Leah's personality was so annoying to me.
I loved Simon as person more and I'm definitely planning on reading his story!
This book was just "okay" to me. I didn't hate it but also didn't love it. All though I think the ending was cute and fun, but Leah's personality was so annoying to me.
I loved Simon as person more and I'm definitely planning on reading his story!