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spencer0o7's review
2.0
I have such mixed feelings on this book like i dont even know if i can truly sum it up. I think Kasim should’ve been the main character tho. I loved this book but had a lot of issues with it. Definitely still good tho
nightlight_reader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
If I learned anything in middle school, it’s that gays and theys love writing classes, so that’s all very normal.
This book is somehow the biggest opposite of the miscommunication trope, it is over-communication in the best way possible. Yes, there are lies, but all stories need some conflict.
My favorite part was how meta it all was. Commenting that writers shouldn’t write characters who are writers. While Callender is a writer who is writing a character who is a writer who is writing a character who is a writer… I loved these bits that were clearly jokes and comments on the writing process and how writers do things and Lark thinking if they were a character in a book, this would happen, it always caught me a little off guard and made me laugh. I loved it.
This book is somehow the biggest opposite of the miscommunication trope, it is over-communication in the best way possible. Yes, there are lies, but all stories need some conflict.
My favorite part was how meta it all was. Commenting that writers shouldn’t write characters who are writers. While Callender is a writer who is writing a character who is a writer who is writing a character who is a writer… I loved these bits that were clearly jokes and comments on the writing process and how writers do things and Lark thinking if they were a character in a book, this would happen, it always caught me a little off guard and made me laugh. I loved it.
somebodynobody's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
lark and i would be besties ngl
dreamgirlhunt's review against another edition
4.0
Lark is a Black queer neurodivergent teenage writer living in West Philly. It’s summer of 2021 and Lark is struggling trying to write their first novel, wondering where their relationship with their ex best friend Kasim stands, and generally just trying to find their self and place in the world. With a past of being bullied, Lark is a people pleaser and unsure of themselves. Even though they preach so much love of everyone, they’ve forgotten to save any for themselves. But Lark soon has a journey of vulnerability when one of their tweets about unrequited love goes viral. Only problem is Lark didn’t write the tweet, Kasim did. Suddenly they are getting so much attention that they hope will land them a book deal for their work in progress, but instead procures online bullies, real life consequences of lies, and a slew of drama within their friends and acquaintances. Lark is forced to take a deep look at themselves and decide who they want to be (Not to mention freaking out about the possibility that Kasim is in love with them). This novel touches on so many subjects like racism, transphobia, mental health, pandemic living, friendship, polyamory, accountability, judgment, social media, and more. Ultimately to me, it was a sweet enemies-to-friends-to-lovers happyily ever after that I really enjoyed and am so happy is out in the world. I also enjoyed Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender and I think they are great at writing teenagers in a raw, humanizing, and beautiful way.
briz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
I binged this book because it was so good. Watching Lar scramble to hold onto their positive online reputation while protecting their 'ex-friend' had me flipping the pages.
We follow Lark who runs a social media account where they are hyper focused on building the account and maintaining a good rep, in hopes that they will be able to get a writing contract with a publisher. Lark dreams of becoming a published author. But these dreams might be vaporising as Lark gets rejection after rejection. Lark posts vary from their thoughts on social justice to mental health within the Black community, as they have experience being bullied and had suicidal ideation in the past. So when Lark wakes up to find that someone had posted a love confession via their account, they are embroil in a farce that soon gets out of hand. To protect Kasim, Lark ex-friends who had made the post, Lark lies to protect him.
Rumours start to build that Lark was only doing it for attention and the pressure of which starts to get to Lark. Larks also stats to wonder who Kasim was talking about in his tweet. Spoiler, he was referring to Lark. They are both so cute.
Anyways, I really loved how mental health, ageism, societal expectations and the power of youth and social media were explored in this book, I really loved Lark's relationship with their mum. You could see the immerse role Lark's mum constant love and communication encouraged Lark to seek and accept love. It is the kind of environment that kids and teens need to grow by making mistakes, learning and growing into a more rounded person.
.
Highly recommend. I have really toned down a lot of the 'social revolution' part of it because I WILL SPOIL THE BOOK.
We follow Lark who runs a social media account where they are hyper focused on building the account and maintaining a good rep, in hopes that they will be able to get a writing contract with a publisher. Lark dreams of becoming a published author. But these dreams might be vaporising as Lark gets rejection after rejection. Lark posts vary from their thoughts on social justice to mental health within the Black community, as they have experience being bullied and had suicidal ideation in the past. So when Lark wakes up to find that someone had posted a love confession via their account, they are embroil in a farce that soon gets out of hand. To protect Kasim, Lark ex-friends who had made the post, Lark lies to protect him.
Rumours start to build that Lark was only doing it for attention and the pressure of which starts to get to Lark. Larks also stats to wonder who Kasim was talking about in his tweet. Spoiler, he was referring to Lark. They are both so cute.
Anyways, I really loved how mental health, ageism, societal expectations and the power of youth and social media were explored in this book, I really loved Lark's relationship with their mum. You could see the immerse role Lark's mum constant love and communication encouraged Lark to seek and accept love. It is the kind of environment that kids and teens need to grow by making mistakes, learning and growing into a more rounded person.
.
Highly recommend. I have really toned down a lot of the 'social revolution' part of it because I WILL SPOIL THE BOOK.
verovivaldi9's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Abandonment
jazin95's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a great book. I really related to Lark and loved that it showed real Autistic representation (even undiagnosed, which is extremely common in AFAB people). It showed how hard it really is to navigate life as a teen, how hard it is to understand changes in friendships when you’re autistic. It was hard reading how they were treated by their peers, how tone policing and online cancelling actually failed disabled people online.
emikateb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infidelity, Chronic illness, Addiction, Classism, and Panic attacks/disorders
moreadsnrambles's review
emotional
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book right from the beginning. Kacen is such a fantastic storyteller and makes me feel so connected to the characters and their emotions! This is definitely another book that I wish I had as a young adult but even now I was able to connect and feel so much of it.