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hello_lovely13's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
This had a particular charm and enduring quality. Was a good amount of it because my queen Anne Hathaway was narrating the audiobook? Quite possibly. I picked this up partially because of that fact, partly because I love the movies, and partly because Gavin Reads It All is reading all of these books this month for a video (the fact that Anne Hathaway narrated the audiobook definitely pushed my decision to read this over the edge, though). This was lighthearted, with a good amount of humor, however, the fact that this was released in the early 2000s is quite clear. I enjoyed a majority of this, but there were a good amount of throwaway lines that were either insensitive or borderline offensive (or outright offensive), which made me uncomfortable. Mia is 14, so of course she is not the most self-aware or empathetic person in the entire world. All in all, she is relatively open-minded, but there are definitely some blindspots. Just like with the movie, I am not a fan of Lilly. She is rude and mean, and, in the book, sometimes encourages Mia to be so as well. She also often gives off the vibe of a typical white person enraged at the injustices of the world, while also lacking the understanding of them (she's, again, is 14, so there is some leeway, but it still annoyed me). Mia's grandmother is quite rude and has some problematic views that I wasn't a fan of, though this is kind of made fun of and pointed out to be outrageous and wrong, so at least there was that (this type of thing happens a good deal, and I'm not the biggest fan of it, but it doesn't completely ruin the book for me). The fact that Mia somewhat has to parent her mom in terms of responsibilities (i.e.: making sure to pay bills on time) made me a bit sad. Her dad (who was alive in this one) was unobtrusive in regards to my enjoyment. Mia's bodyguard (due to his name) reminded me of Rhys Larsen. Mia is delightfully (and a bit exasperatingly) naive and clueless in regards to Michael's crush on her. Mia's random opinions are usually humorous and interesting, though sometimes includes the problematic throwaway lines. Why is there so much sexual harassment in this? There's literally so much for a story about a 14 year old. It matches the vibe of the time period, but it's really strange how much is included. Overall, this was a relatively enjoyable read (though I suspect a good amount of my enjoyment is because of Anne Hathaway's delivery), but the problematic aspects definitely tampered down my enjoyment. I'm not entirely sure whether I'll continue the series. I might just leave it off here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual harassment, and Body shaming
Moderate: Fatphobia, Ableism, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Cancer, and Stalking
nglidk's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Stalking
r slurjasmineehare's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I loved these books when I was younger, and while rereading it, I was pretty surprised to see the casual racism, ableism, transphobia etc. throughout. I guess it’s very indicative of the time that they were written, but I wouldn’t want to put it in the hands of a young person today. I still liked the plot and characters, but it was disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Ableism, and Eating disorder
valeriabee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I mean, it's definitely a book of it's time. Very adolescent in a way that is only mildly irritating, but that is to be expected. I don't see why Mia would want to be Lily's friend, but I have definitely seen friendships like this one in real life. I appreciate why Mia wouldn't want to be a princess, but I know that at 14 I would have liked to be told I was a secret princess (and at 22, I still kind of wish I was).
It's definitely fun to read Mia's diary, especially because her tone is very dramatic -- which I love. I also kind of like that the Michael situation is getting more time in the books. I do want to know that the age difference between Mia and her love interests is kind of creepy, at no fault of her own, but theres no reason that a boy who is about to go to college should be into a girl who has gotten through puberty. It's not much of a difference when you're in your thirties and have similar life experiences, but at that stage in your life, four years is a big difference in maturity, development, and experience.
I don't think it helps my experience that I watched the movies before I even knew these were books, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's always fun to read something lighthearted.
It was a little bit annoying to read through the ignorant privilege of a rich white girl (like she really went to France every summer and had her dad - who she wasnt living with - pay her mothers bills). Of course, she's fourteen, so I don't hate Mia. I just hope she grows to appreciate her privilege and do some good with it. I'm not really in the mood for white feminism ever.
It's definitely fun to read Mia's diary, especially because her tone is very dramatic -- which I love. I also kind of like that the Michael situation is getting more time in the books. I do want to know that the age difference between Mia and her love interests is kind of creepy, at no fault of her own, but theres no reason that a boy who is about to go to college should be into a girl who has gotten through puberty. It's not much of a difference when you're in your thirties and have similar life experiences, but at that stage in your life, four years is a big difference in maturity, development, and experience.
I don't think it helps my experience that I watched the movies before I even knew these were books, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's always fun to read something lighthearted.
It was a little bit annoying to read through the ignorant privilege of a rich white girl (like she really went to France every summer and had her dad - who she wasnt living with - pay her mothers bills). Of course, she's fourteen, so I don't hate Mia. I just hope she grows to appreciate her privilege and do some good with it. I'm not really in the mood for white feminism ever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Sexual assault, and Infertility
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
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