Scan barcode
pinkreverie's review against another edition
5.0
This was an awesome follow-up to my favorite book ever!
milla_lebouton's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
bookswitheleni's review against another edition
4.0
4
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first book, and so much more than I thought.
I didn’t realise ‘The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big around Things’ was published in 2003, which explains some of the outdated themes.
This book however addressed so many important topics in a much more relevant way than the first book, while also remaining cute and light.
Virginia was much more likeable in this book. The moody teenage angst was gone, and replaced with an awareness and acceptance of herself and her body. She embraced who she was and it was a much more enlightening and enjoyable perspective compared to the first book.
The family dynamic in this is so intricate in interesting. On one hand, Virginia loves her family, but she can see how utterly flawed and imperfect they are.
I found it very frustrating when her parents were in scenes as they really pissed me off, but I think that was the purpose of their roles. Additionally, Byron made me want to punch something, but I loved how Virginia approached his situation, and put the blame on him and his actions. There is no excuse for rape.
The romance element of this book was again, so much better than the first book. Sebastian was 10 000 better than Froggy Welsh the Forth. He was such a cutie and he was so genuine and caring. I also loved that him and Virginia hardly fought. While they did disagree, there were very few miscommunications or over-reactions.
One thing I didn’t really connect with in this book was Virginia’s age. In this instalment, she’s 16 and 3 months. I’m 16 and 5 months and I don’t think she cared the same age as me.
I couldn’t fathom running off with a boy and being so cam about it at this age. Although maybe that’s just me. Additionally, sometimes I felt she acted like a 10 year old, so it was a bit disconnected for me.
But overall, this book was such a pleasant surprise, and even if you didn’t love the first book, I’d highly recommend giving this one a go. Such a quick easy YA contemporary romance.
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first book, and so much more than I thought.
I didn’t realise ‘The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big around Things’ was published in 2003, which explains some of the outdated themes.
This book however addressed so many important topics in a much more relevant way than the first book, while also remaining cute and light.
Virginia was much more likeable in this book. The moody teenage angst was gone, and replaced with an awareness and acceptance of herself and her body. She embraced who she was and it was a much more enlightening and enjoyable perspective compared to the first book.
The family dynamic in this is so intricate in interesting. On one hand, Virginia loves her family, but she can see how utterly flawed and imperfect they are.
I found it very frustrating when her parents were in scenes as they really pissed me off, but I think that was the purpose of their roles. Additionally, Byron made me want to punch something, but I loved how Virginia approached his situation, and put the blame on him and his actions. There is no excuse for rape.
The romance element of this book was again, so much better than the first book. Sebastian was 10 000 better than Froggy Welsh the Forth. He was such a cutie and he was so genuine and caring. I also loved that him and Virginia hardly fought. While they did disagree, there were very few miscommunications or over-reactions.
One thing I didn’t really connect with in this book was Virginia’s age. In this instalment, she’s 16 and 3 months. I’m 16 and 5 months and I don’t think she cared the same age as me.
I couldn’t fathom running off with a boy and being so cam about it at this age. Although maybe that’s just me. Additionally, sometimes I felt she acted like a 10 year old, so it was a bit disconnected for me.
But overall, this book was such a pleasant surprise, and even if you didn’t love the first book, I’d highly recommend giving this one a go. Such a quick easy YA contemporary romance.
magicalbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised. And even more surprised to find out this is the second book in a series, but it works so well as a standalone.
This book was so light and didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I love the messages it sends about relationships and self-love and self-acceptance and diversity and body positivity. There is always a benefit to seeing the positive/improvable aspect of things and this book delivers so well.
This book was so light and didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I love the messages it sends about relationships and self-love and self-acceptance and diversity and body positivity. There is always a benefit to seeing the positive/improvable aspect of things and this book delivers so well.
_rowenaravenclaw_'s review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars
"What happens when your happily ever after turns out to be less than perfect..."
This was an absolutely wonderful sequel and I didn't want it to end. Virginia is extremely relatable in the way that she sees things and the way that she wants to handle things. One can easily see from the story that she is struggling to be able to understand why things are going the way that they are and how she can possibly learn to be comfortable within her own skin. However, as the story is nearing the end, it is easy to see that the reader is going to get the happy ending that they always want in a story.
This is a book that makes me believe that this series should be something that is read by everyone, boy and girl, since it addresses body image issues in such a way that it is very relatable. Carolyn Mackler has delivered the perfect sequel that we often do not get when reading a book that comes out so long after the first one, and she has wrapped it up in a way that will leave the reader feeling comfortable that they got a solid ending to such a beautifully written story.
"What happens when your happily ever after turns out to be less than perfect..."
This was an absolutely wonderful sequel and I didn't want it to end. Virginia is extremely relatable in the way that she sees things and the way that she wants to handle things. One can easily see from the story that she is struggling to be able to understand why things are going the way that they are and how she can possibly learn to be comfortable within her own skin. However, as the story is nearing the end, it is easy to see that the reader is going to get the happy ending that they always want in a story.
This is a book that makes me believe that this series should be something that is read by everyone, boy and girl, since it addresses body image issues in such a way that it is very relatable. Carolyn Mackler has delivered the perfect sequel that we often do not get when reading a book that comes out so long after the first one, and she has wrapped it up in a way that will leave the reader feeling comfortable that they got a solid ending to such a beautifully written story.
kmcdonell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
More nuanced and modern than the first, in a good way. Things have changed a lot in the almost 20 years since it was published, and it shows. Still think Byron got off lightly. But at least the family is encouraging him to take responsibility for his actions. And glad that Virginia found someone who truly gets her and loves her, rather than settling for less than she deserves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
itszainab's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Main Character’s brother is being tried for Sexual Assaultgileslibrarian6's review against another edition
3.0
I cannot believe this book was written 15 years after The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. This book takes place five months after it’s predecessor. Virginia is falling of like with Froggy who is officially her boyfriend, the family is still dealing with Bryon’s date rape case when he was accused of date raping Annie Mills in the fall, and Virginia falls for the new kid in town-an artsy type named Sebastian. They try to keep things cool and leave their drama for somewhere else. But soon Virginia learns that love is more nuanced than she originally anticipated as things get complicated.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
mimkarer's review against another edition
3.0
I did nit enjoy this book. It was the kind of book that was just a money-grabber sequel.