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robin2006's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
elinoramelie's review
3.0
Basically the definition of a trashy queer romance novel- Pretty enjoyable, very trope-y, not much substance there
bentenuala's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
loved it while reading it! i do have to say that soooommmmeeee kinks in the plot line were a bit? Sudden? But overall a really good book to start of with wlw books for the younger audience! loved the characters, but the plot line wasn’t all that original (apart from the last 30-40ish pages?), writing was flowy and the pace was good!!
originsofstars's review
2.0
Honestly, I would rate this 2.5 stars- max. I feel hesitant to go any lower knowing that the author wrote this when she was 15.
This is written as though its a dual narrative book, however Evelyn’s POV dominates the book, while Seth has some chapters sprinkled in. Evelyn’s try to explore her character, while Seth’s is mostly focused on Jasper - but from the limited chapters in this POV, we don’t even learn much about him.
Evelyn, Seth and Jasper all seem to be the same character at heart. They’re soft, cuddly characters, that have had a bit of trauma added to each of them so they can confess their secrets during a romantic scene. The only character who wasn’t like this… still was. Noelle was introduced as an intimidating, brooding, angry, cigarette-smoking, basketball player. Overlooking the fact that a) this is a horrible stereotype of black woman and b) Noelle is one of two black characters in the book (and the other - the headteacher - has a handful of mentions), Noelle ends up being the same character as Evelyn, Seth and Jasper deep down - she just acts the way she does because of her trauma. But, of course, you can’t overlook the racist stereotypes. There’s one quote from this book that I had to have a bit of a laugh at: "The play you have written and directed with the drama club this year is the perfect embodiment of all that this school tries to be: tolerant, open, and diverse. I want to thank you for reminding all of us that this is what truly matters".
While this book is diverse - The core 4 characters are LGBT (Jasper is Pan, Seth and Noelle are Bi, and Evelyn is a Lesbian), but the way in which Noelle’s character is written - and the lack of ANY other POC characters (apart from aforementioned headteacher) does ruin this. Harms’ attempts to have some mental health representation also, but this is never developed all too well.
I’ll leave Noelle’s depiction to POC - as I can’t speak on this too well, as a white person. Look at the 1 and 2 star reviews, you’ll find them.
Harms’ novel falls flat. I loved the idea of it - a cute, sapphic boarding school romance, but The Chit Chatter plot should have just been left out in the end, as it wasn’t incorporated enough for it to be the final conflict in the book. There were maybe three or four passing mentions of it throughout. This could’ve been done well (Gossip Girl? Ace of Spades?), but is another reason that this book isn’t one I plan to revisit anytime soon. The identity of “The Watcher” is incredibly obvious, and I had it figured out from the first mention.
One thing that could make this book slightly better? If Harms’ had actually done research before writing this. As an American author, its pretty clear that she doesn’t know a thing about the school system in England. Evelyn’s exact age isn’t mentioned (as far as I can remember), though Seth makes a comment about how she “looks seventeen”, so based on the fact that he’s the same age as her, and I’m sure that he thought they were the same age at this point too, I’m saying Evelyn is seventeen. Meaning Evelyn and Seth are either in Year 12 or 13. Theres comments about them doing their GCSEs this year (which is unlikely, unless they’ve both been held back a year (or two?), as you tend to do these at the age of 15/16.), when they should be onto a-levels. There’s also a comment about how they would simply “stay at the school an extra year” if they didn’t get what they needed from the GCSEs that theyre supposedly taking.
Now, I know some people may do their GCSEs late - but all of them? I’m extremely doubtful about this, especially when Evelyn is portrayed as this smart girl, Seth equally so, Noelle is only portrayed this way in maths - however, she doesn’t seem to struggle with other classes, she just doesn’t actively speak up due to her dyslexia. Jasper’s academics arent really talked about - but he’s a favourite of his English teacher, who loves his writing.
This isn’t anything spectacular, with writing that feels clunky and unfinished at times, and a plot that is inconsistent throughout. Philline has talent - she wrote a book at 15 years old and someone thought it was good enough to publish - but honestly, this could’ve been way better.
This is written as though its a dual narrative book, however Evelyn’s POV dominates the book, while Seth has some chapters sprinkled in. Evelyn’s try to explore her character, while Seth’s is mostly focused on Jasper - but from the limited chapters in this POV, we don’t even learn much about him.
Evelyn, Seth and Jasper all seem to be the same character at heart. They’re soft, cuddly characters, that have had a bit of trauma added to each of them so they can confess their secrets during a romantic scene. The only character who wasn’t like this… still was. Noelle was introduced as an intimidating, brooding, angry, cigarette-smoking, basketball player. Overlooking the fact that a) this is a horrible stereotype of black woman and b) Noelle is one of two black characters in the book (and the other - the headteacher - has a handful of mentions), Noelle ends up being the same character as Evelyn, Seth and Jasper deep down - she just acts the way she does because of her trauma. But, of course, you can’t overlook the racist stereotypes. There’s one quote from this book that I had to have a bit of a laugh at: "The play you have written and directed with the drama club this year is the perfect embodiment of all that this school tries to be: tolerant, open, and diverse. I want to thank you for reminding all of us that this is what truly matters".
While this book is diverse - The core 4 characters are LGBT (Jasper is Pan, Seth and Noelle are Bi, and Evelyn is a Lesbian), but the way in which Noelle’s character is written - and the lack of ANY other POC characters (apart from aforementioned headteacher) does ruin this. Harms’ attempts to have some mental health representation also, but this is never developed all too well.
I’ll leave Noelle’s depiction to POC - as I can’t speak on this too well, as a white person. Look at the 1 and 2 star reviews, you’ll find them.
Harms’ novel falls flat. I loved the idea of it - a cute, sapphic boarding school romance, but The Chit Chatter plot should have just been left out in the end, as it wasn’t incorporated enough for it to be the final conflict in the book. There were maybe three or four passing mentions of it throughout. This could’ve been done well (Gossip Girl? Ace of Spades?), but is another reason that this book isn’t one I plan to revisit anytime soon. The identity of “The Watcher” is incredibly obvious, and I had it figured out from the first mention.
One thing that could make this book slightly better? If Harms’ had actually done research before writing this. As an American author, its pretty clear that she doesn’t know a thing about the school system in England. Evelyn’s exact age isn’t mentioned (as far as I can remember), though Seth makes a comment about how she “looks seventeen”, so based on the fact that he’s the same age as her, and I’m sure that he thought they were the same age at this point too, I’m saying Evelyn is seventeen. Meaning Evelyn and Seth are either in Year 12 or 13. Theres comments about them doing their GCSEs this year (which is unlikely, unless they’ve both been held back a year (or two?), as you tend to do these at the age of 15/16.), when they should be onto a-levels. There’s also a comment about how they would simply “stay at the school an extra year” if they didn’t get what they needed from the GCSEs that theyre supposedly taking.
Now, I know some people may do their GCSEs late - but all of them? I’m extremely doubtful about this, especially when Evelyn is portrayed as this smart girl, Seth equally so, Noelle is only portrayed this way in maths - however, she doesn’t seem to struggle with other classes, she just doesn’t actively speak up due to her dyslexia. Jasper’s academics arent really talked about - but he’s a favourite of his English teacher, who loves his writing.
This isn’t anything spectacular, with writing that feels clunky and unfinished at times, and a plot that is inconsistent throughout. Philline has talent - she wrote a book at 15 years old and someone thought it was good enough to publish - but honestly, this could’ve been way better.
viljaaandersen's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
tatumraes's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
lb_books's review
emotional
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
3.0
xanthecoote's review
5.0
Super wholesome book with actual character development. I really enjoyed this one, although I was very apprehensive at first. A nice, diverse and interesting group of characters, without feeling forced. I don't think I would change anything.