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akookieforyou's review
1.0
*1.5*
I was pretty excited to read this, but it ended up being a let down. I love reading about best friends (especially if one of them suffers from anxiety like me), and I also really love novels that tell parts of the story through emails and texts. The thing is, with a book that has no real plot and is very character driven you need to have interesting and likable characters... but these two were downright insufferable at times. And usually emails help you to understand certain characters and their inner thoughts and so on, but in this specific instance that type of format actually really hindered any real connection I could've had with these people. We hear everything in a weird secondhand way that takes away a lot of the emotion that could've helped me to enjoy this 'story' more, and I ended up not really caring about any of the characters or their problems. Overall this book was pretty boring, with meh characters.
I was pretty excited to read this, but it ended up being a let down. I love reading about best friends (especially if one of them suffers from anxiety like me), and I also really love novels that tell parts of the story through emails and texts. The thing is, with a book that has no real plot and is very character driven you need to have interesting and likable characters... but these two were downright insufferable at times. And usually emails help you to understand certain characters and their inner thoughts and so on, but in this specific instance that type of format actually really hindered any real connection I could've had with these people. We hear everything in a weird secondhand way that takes away a lot of the emotion that could've helped me to enjoy this 'story' more, and I ended up not really caring about any of the characters or their problems. Overall this book was pretty boring, with meh characters.
fluffyskunk's review
4.0
An overall fun, light read. It's hard to tell if some of my annoyances with the characters was because there were flaws with the character dynamics or because I was seeing my own insecurities reflected back at me lol
nickscoby's review
4.0
This book is mostly charming and there are times when I genuinely laughed out loud. But there are also times when I wanted to smack Gen. And sometimes Ava, too. But it's pretty cool that the authors create space for the characters to make some dumb ass mistakes. Having worked on a college campus for over 20 years, many of these situations are quite familiar. I also think this is fairly accurate depiction of young adult social anxiety.
ell_jay_em7's review
4.0
This book was a lot of fun to read. I wish some of the conflicts had had more resolution...for example I wish Ava had done more to educate herself so she wouldn't continue to make ignorant and offensive remarks about LGBTQ folks (Gen always called her out on it, but I wish Ava had done more to address it herself.) I feel unsatisfied with how that was handled, though I like how Gen calling Ava out was itself educational for Ava and for readers. Aside from that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters and conflicts were complex and engaging.
specificity's review
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
the second time around, i thought this book was as charming as the first time i read it, but i guess that after spending another year in college and turning into a boring old junior, i have sliightly less patience for freshman shenanigans. besides,
overall, still an enjoyable read! it's just that the first time i read it was exactly the right time in my life to pick up this book and now with a bit of time and perspective (and 20 year old me recognizing 18 year old me's messes in these characters) it's kind of a weird look in the mirror
the second time around, i thought this book was as charming as the first time i read it, but i guess that after spending another year in college and turning into a boring old junior, i have sliightly less patience for freshman shenanigans. besides,
Spoiler
the ending was the climax of their emotional arcs and since it occured in person it was heavily limited by the epistolary format. it was interesting to see their reactions to things after taking a step back from the emotional blowout but i don't think dunn and raskin quite pulled it off — we needed at least a tiny glimpse of the fallout before seeing these girls (well... mostly ava) work through things.overall, still an enjoyable read! it's just that the first time i read it was exactly the right time in my life to pick up this book and now with a bit of time and perspective (and 20 year old me recognizing 18 year old me's messes in these characters) it's kind of a weird look in the mirror
hilaryelle's review
3.0
I listened to this on audible because I love Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin. It was a little lacklustre consumption as an adult listener, but so, so, so relatable to highschool mini me. These two have really tapped into something special for young girls bridging the gap from highshool to university and I commend their witty banter and insightful commentary on social dynamics. A younger me would have absolutely loved it.
kalliste's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this and it's probably more of a 2.5 star book but I found myself just waiting to get to the end.
I enjoy Gaby and Allison on JBU but was disappointed that this book was pretty much just their characters on JBU but younger... assuming they're even characters and not just how the girls are (I know that there is some reality to the characters they play on JBU skits).
I was hoping for something different from them but then it ended up like the realisation that Michael Cera's character in Arrested Development isn't a character and is just how he is.
I also read this on a kindle. I'm not sure how that compares to the physical copy of the book but it was difficult to see the profile pics when they were messaging each other and emails were written half way across pages. Assuming the actual book isn't like that it made the experience on Kindle less good.
I'll still continue to watch Allison and Gaby on JBU but not sure I'd buy another book of theirs. At least not until seeing the reviews.
I enjoy Gaby and Allison on JBU but was disappointed that this book was pretty much just their characters on JBU but younger... assuming they're even characters and not just how the girls are (I know that there is some reality to the characters they play on JBU skits).
I was hoping for something different from them but then it ended up like the realisation that Michael Cera's character in Arrested Development isn't a character and is just how he is.
I also read this on a kindle. I'm not sure how that compares to the physical copy of the book but it was difficult to see the profile pics when they were messaging each other and emails were written half way across pages. Assuming the actual book isn't like that it made the experience on Kindle less good.
I'll still continue to watch Allison and Gaby on JBU but not sure I'd buy another book of theirs. At least not until seeing the reviews.
steph01924's review
4.0
This is a great book about college friendship, long-distance friendship, and how to grow together while still maintaining that friendship. Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
janetendo's review
3.0
3.5 I liked the format of the storytelling a lot. Sometimes the characters annoyed me, but I honestly think that's the point. A quick and good read that shows some of the anxieties and identity crises of going to college.