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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was such an unexpected cute read that got me an academic rivals to lovers, read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely one that will take you away, give you a good time and both relate and grow to love these two way overachievers that almost missed out on something great.
So glad I too, took a chance, dove in and had a great, heartwarming time.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an unexpected cute read that got me an academic rivals to lovers, read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely one that will take you away, give you a good time and both relate and grow to love these two way overachievers that almost missed out on something great.
So glad I too, took a chance, dove in and had a great, heartwarming time.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
maria8664m's review against another edition
4.0
anything alexene/olivie writes, i will read and i will love. it’s as simple as that.
withlovejoy'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
3.0
↳ ˗ˏˋ 3 / 5 ˊˎ˗ ↴
⋆｡°✩ "I wrote this for us, for the girls that we are and the ones that we were. For the women we will be; for the many who will come after us and find, if we do our job right, that there is room for them here.“
Let me start this review by saying that 3 stars for me personally does not equal bad! I really liked parts of the book and also the topics that were being discussed, especially how they were being handled. However, there were also a fair share of things that didn't vibe with me at all, but let's start this with a positive note, shall we?
⋆｡°✩ "Take up your own space, Bel. Don't let other people tread over it."
One thing I absolutely adored about this book was the whole feminism aspect. Even though I haven't experienced sexism in STEM - simply because I'm a little bit too stupid for science related stuff - I felt with our protagonist, Bel. I was mad at all the men in this book, the teacher, the students from rival schools but mostly at their ignorance in general. On the other hand, I loved seeing all the girl power moments and absolutely adored how there was no real rivalry between the only two girls in robotics, even though they too had their ups and downs.
⋆｡°✩ "Like . . . you're new, you know? You're this new color I didn't know existed and now I see it everywhere and I'm like, thank god I can see it now."
I also really enjoyed all the female relationships portrayed in this book. Be it the friendship between Jamie, Lora and Bel or the student-teacher bond that connected Mrs. Voss and Bel. I absolutely loved them all. Also fun fact on the side, Mrs. Voss (the literal teacher) was one of my favorite characters. I also appreciated how the author did not add the stereotypical jealousy between two girls in a group of guys trope between Neelam and Bel, although they too had their ups and downs. I have to say though, that I loved Neelam's speech and how her storyline got tied up.
Another thing I loved was the whole robotics storyline and I honestly have to say that there were moments in which I was more invested in that part of the story than the whole romance between Teo and Bel. Even though I didn't understand a single thing about the mechanisms, physics and calculations that were being talked about, I was still genuinely interested in seeing how all of it would work out.
⋆｡°✩ "I've never seen eyes that make me think about the mysteries of the universe the way hers do."
Now let's talk about the main aspect of this book, the romance. It was cute. Bel and Teo had their moments and let's be real, him trying to memorize the lyrics of all Taylor Swift songs just so he can sing them to her when she's not smiling is the standard. I have to say, however, that as someone who lovessss romance and is a lovergirl at heart, this was a bit underwhelming. It felt like everything was going way too fast and also, who told me that this was an academic rivals to lovers?? Because it certainly did not feel like one. Sometimes, when I started a new chapter, I had to make sure I didn't skip a few pages. There were these, at times, insane time jumps which made the whole story feel a bit rushed. The moments between Bel and Teo that we did get however were really cute and I gotta say that I shed some teeny tiny tears of joy when I read the Holi chapter.
To wrap this up, I have to say that in the case of this book, I was more interested in the side plots than in the relationship between Teo and Bel and part of me even thought that they wouldn't be together by the end of the book. I'm still not so sure if they will make it past college, but whatever. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt!
This was a solid 3 star read for me which took longer than it should have. And with that bye bye :)
⋆｡°✩ "I wrote this for us, for the girls that we are and the ones that we were. For the women we will be; for the many who will come after us and find, if we do our job right, that there is room for them here.“
Let me start this review by saying that 3 stars for me personally does not equal bad! I really liked parts of the book and also the topics that were being discussed, especially how they were being handled. However, there were also a fair share of things that didn't vibe with me at all, but let's start this with a positive note, shall we?
⋆｡°✩ "Take up your own space, Bel. Don't let other people tread over it."
One thing I absolutely adored about this book was the whole feminism aspect. Even though I haven't experienced sexism in STEM - simply because I'm a little bit too stupid for science related stuff - I felt with our protagonist, Bel. I was mad at all the men in this book, the teacher, the students from rival schools but mostly at their ignorance in general. On the other hand, I loved seeing all the girl power moments and absolutely adored how there was no real rivalry between the only two girls in robotics, even though they too had their ups and downs.
⋆｡°✩ "Like . . . you're new, you know? You're this new color I didn't know existed and now I see it everywhere and I'm like, thank god I can see it now."
I also really enjoyed all the female relationships portrayed in this book. Be it the friendship between Jamie, Lora and Bel or the student-teacher bond that connected Mrs. Voss and Bel. I absolutely loved them all. Also fun fact on the side, Mrs. Voss (the literal teacher) was one of my favorite characters. I also appreciated how the author did not add the stereotypical jealousy between two girls in a group of guys trope between Neelam and Bel, although they too had their ups and downs. I have to say though, that I loved Neelam's speech and how her storyline got tied up.
Another thing I loved was the whole robotics storyline and I honestly have to say that there were moments in which I was more invested in that part of the story than the whole romance between Teo and Bel. Even though I didn't understand a single thing about the mechanisms, physics and calculations that were being talked about, I was still genuinely interested in seeing how all of it would work out.
⋆｡°✩ "I've never seen eyes that make me think about the mysteries of the universe the way hers do."
Now let's talk about the main aspect of this book, the romance. It was cute. Bel and Teo had their moments and let's be real, him trying to memorize the lyrics of all Taylor Swift songs just so he can sing them to her when she's not smiling is the standard. I have to say, however, that as someone who lovessss romance and is a lovergirl at heart, this was a bit underwhelming. It felt like everything was going way too fast and also, who told me that this was an academic rivals to lovers?? Because it certainly did not feel like one. Sometimes, when I started a new chapter, I had to make sure I didn't skip a few pages. There were these, at times, insane time jumps which made the whole story feel a bit rushed. The moments between Bel and Teo that we did get however were really cute and I gotta say that I shed some teeny tiny tears of joy when I read the Holi chapter.
To wrap this up, I have to say that in the case of this book, I was more interested in the side plots than in the relationship between Teo and Bel and part of me even thought that they wouldn't be together by the end of the book. I'm still not so sure if they will make it past college, but whatever. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt!
This was a solid 3 star read for me which took longer than it should have. And with that bye bye :)
kacyreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
skan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
jinxei's review against another edition
5.0
If Alexene Farol Follmuth/Olivie Blake is tied to anything, it is an instant buy for me.
Add in enemies to lovers in the STEM field? I knew I needed it immediately. So, shout out of 1000 thank yous to Holiday House for this advanced copy!
Bel Maier has recently transferred to an elite private school, but is struggling for what her future should look like. Unable to decide what she even wants to study, the thought of college applications or extracurriculars is far from her mind. When her talent for engineering is discovered, Bel is sent to join the robotics team. Worse than being thrust into a path she didn't ask for is the blatant dislike of her by the other students in the club.
Teo, club captain, recognizes her talent, though, and attempts to set aside their clashing personalities in an effort to help her.
As someone that relates to Bel so incredibly hard, I was in love by the first page. The banter between her and Teo was just the icing on the cake, and Alexene knows how to write some AMAZING banter. The side characters weren't lost to the background and carried their own personalities and weight. Ms. Voss was an absolute favorite and I only wish everyone could have someone like her in their life.
However, the thing that I enjoyed most, being a woman in the STEM field, was the portrayal of women in the male dominated field. Her frustrations at the treatment and favoritism had me rooting for her harder than I have any other character this year. The messages of finding your passion, the future you want for yourself, and that it won't always be easy to journey that path is incredibly important.
Add in enemies to lovers in the STEM field? I knew I needed it immediately. So, shout out of 1000 thank yous to Holiday House for this advanced copy!
Bel Maier has recently transferred to an elite private school, but is struggling for what her future should look like. Unable to decide what she even wants to study, the thought of college applications or extracurriculars is far from her mind. When her talent for engineering is discovered, Bel is sent to join the robotics team. Worse than being thrust into a path she didn't ask for is the blatant dislike of her by the other students in the club.
Teo, club captain, recognizes her talent, though, and attempts to set aside their clashing personalities in an effort to help her.
As someone that relates to Bel so incredibly hard, I was in love by the first page. The banter between her and Teo was just the icing on the cake, and Alexene knows how to write some AMAZING banter. The side characters weren't lost to the background and carried their own personalities and weight. Ms. Voss was an absolute favorite and I only wish everyone could have someone like her in their life.
However, the thing that I enjoyed most, being a woman in the STEM field, was the portrayal of women in the male dominated field. Her frustrations at the treatment and favoritism had me rooting for her harder than I have any other character this year. The messages of finding your passion, the future you want for yourself, and that it won't always be easy to journey that path is incredibly important.
elizann98's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
lobotomyzeina's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
my favorite contemporary😭
iyaa's review against another edition
4.0
This was so soo cute! Finally being able to read a YA romance where the characters aren’t immature is so refreshing (unlike Better Than The Movies).
Every girl deserves a place in STEM fields, any field, really. This book proved just that.
Every girl deserves a place in STEM fields, any field, really. This book proved just that.