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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
I want to give everyone a copy of this book and have them read it. When Claudia accidentally ease-drops on Iris and Paige (her school's It couple) break-up, its awkward. It's even more awkward when Claudia and Iris are paired together for a paper. And when they fail miserably because they don't work together their teacher has them join the the school play for extra credit. As the play Claudia manages to break down Iris' tough exterior by bonding over their love of boy bands. As they become friends Claudia's horizons expand as she befriends Gideon, and his best friend Noah.
It's true, and honest oh so very real. This book made my heart happy and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good realistic fiction ensemble read.
It's true, and honest oh so very real. This book made my heart happy and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good realistic fiction ensemble read.
I received this book last month with my OwlCrate, but I just got around to reading it this month. And wow! I’m so glad I did. It’s so adorable and light. It deals with real issues, normal life, but in a unique and authentic way. Even though it’s a cute, fluffy read- it still kept me up late into the night because I just loved the characters and their world.
I absolutely loved Claudia. She’s snarky and intelligent. I like that she doesn’t have friends at the beginning of the book, other than Zoe. I think a lot of books are about characters who have these ready-made friend groups, but the honest truth is that sometimes people don’t. I liked that Claudia makes friends her senior year of high school, showing that it’s never too late to discover a new part of yourself or to open yourself up to new friendships.
I really loved a lot of the details that formed the characters as well. Claudia and her family all play Battle Quest. Iris is obsessed with a boy band. Gideon is full of quirks. None of the characters are perfect, but they all really grow on you and that really warmed my heart. I also loved the dynamics of the small, private school and the fact that they were in Brit lit class. As a Brit lit teacher at a small, private school, I weirdly liked that detail.
If you liked Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda, I feel like this book would be up your ally. There are LGBT characters, but the book isn’t about coming out or dealing with LGBT issues in the way that Simon is. Theater and family do feature prominently in it, which I really liked. Emma Mills does a really great job capturing high school theater culture in all its happy quirkiness!
I absolutely loved Claudia. She’s snarky and intelligent. I like that she doesn’t have friends at the beginning of the book, other than Zoe. I think a lot of books are about characters who have these ready-made friend groups, but the honest truth is that sometimes people don’t. I liked that Claudia makes friends her senior year of high school, showing that it’s never too late to discover a new part of yourself or to open yourself up to new friendships.
I really loved a lot of the details that formed the characters as well. Claudia and her family all play Battle Quest. Iris is obsessed with a boy band. Gideon is full of quirks. None of the characters are perfect, but they all really grow on you and that really warmed my heart. I also loved the dynamics of the small, private school and the fact that they were in Brit lit class. As a Brit lit teacher at a small, private school, I weirdly liked that detail.
If you liked Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda, I feel like this book would be up your ally. There are LGBT characters, but the book isn’t about coming out or dealing with LGBT issues in the way that Simon is. Theater and family do feature prominently in it, which I really liked. Emma Mills does a really great job capturing high school theater culture in all its happy quirkiness!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this book was so fucking cute oh my god. i devoured it in a day which is an incredible feat bc 1) im not that into ya writing styles or books with high schooler protags anymore 2) i thought the main character was supposed to be gay and she wasn’t so i felt bamboozled. BUT EVEN THEN this was absolutely so fucking cute and it’s so simple but it’s so well written and the characters are all phenomenal and i love them all. i really wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as i did but i did and i do. i love it!!!
A wonderful story about friendship, love, and family, with a touch of Shakespeare, gaming and fangirling over a boyband. The characters were so relatable. I loved every minute of it.
The fictional boyband is totally a kpop group. No one tell me otherwise.
Emma Mills completely gets what it's like to love your bias:
“I want him to be happy, and healthy, and to be with people he cares about, and do things that he loves. I want him to know how much he’s appreciated and how much he’s changed people’s lives by … just being who he is. And by helping us be who we are.”
And how to pick a bias: “Look at them. Your heart will tell you your favorite.”
The fictional boyband is totally a kpop group. No one tell me otherwise.
Emma Mills completely gets what it's like to love your bias:
“I want him to be happy, and healthy, and to be with people he cares about, and do things that he loves. I want him to know how much he’s appreciated and how much he’s changed people’s lives by … just being who he is. And by helping us be who we are.”
And how to pick a bias: “Look at them. Your heart will tell you your favorite.”
unexpectedly incredibly charming ????? i knew i would like it but wowwwww i loved this book. it was actually so funny ????? i feel like it’s rare for people to write teenagers and have them be biblically accurate to how they actually talk and it felt very realistic ??? i want to crush them all like bugs in a really affectionate manner.
there’s so much warmth in this story it made me really emotional. life is beautiful.
there’s so much warmth in this story it made me really emotional. life is beautiful.
3.5/5
This never really breaks the precipice of greatness. I love Emma Mills' writing and stories but when it comes to deeper issues I feel like she holds back and plays it safe.
This never really breaks the precipice of greatness. I love Emma Mills' writing and stories but when it comes to deeper issues I feel like she holds back and plays it safe.
Start to finish, I loved this story. it was adorable and quirky and well-written. The characters struggle internally and remind me a lot of the average teenager trying to deal with life's stress and drama. Super cute and fun read :)