Scan barcode
whatchareadingheather's review
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Standard high school rom-com, but I really enjoyed seeing a main character on the spectrum. I also liked that this didn't focus on racism because I feel like that would have taken away from Jessie's growth in regards to her diagnosis.
layab03's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
lilyjoy's review
emotional
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
4.25
cbjgirl23's review against another edition
4.0
really really enjoyed it! love jessie, i felt like i could really see myself in her, as a fellow fem autistic.
ireadthatmovie's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
melimelody's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
moneypenny96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
cboddie's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
8th & up
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
jenyakohnson's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
i picked this book up hoping for something fun and lighthearted to read after finishing two incredibly heavy books. this did not disappoint. it's a story about 15 year old jessie kassis as she navigates her first year in H.S. she's scared that she would struggle to make friends or find romance bc of her intersecting identities (her autism and the fact that she's palestinian) but she really wants to try.
at the heart of this is a story about a teenage girl who desperately wants to fit in which i find incredibly relatable to the general high school experience. its a big life transition and everyone is scared of being an outcast or "weird" for things they can't control and i think the book perfectly encapsulates these feelings. from the extremely petty friendship drama, the exciting yet confusing boy problems, arguments with parents for more independence, and trying to find yourself, this book felt like high school.
although its marketed as a love triangle, i felt like it was pretty clear who jessie was going to end up with from the beginning. one of the guys clearly wasn't a good match for her, but knowing that didnt take away from the story. if anything, i was excited to see how jessie would navigate this relationship knowing she wanted one so desperately and has a huge crush on him.
i really loved all the characters in the story. the relationships jessie has with them (whether it be platonic or romantic) allowed her to figure out the kind of people she wants in her life. i loved how the characters held space for Jessie's identities and how best to show up for her even when she felt ashamed of them. all of the characters had flaws (they’re teenagers of course they're flawed) but they tried their hardest to make amends and be better which i appreciated so much.
overall it was a really fun, hilarious, mushy gusy, YA love triangle romance which was exactly what i needed.
TW for book: death of a family member, cheating, underage drug & alcohol use, adult/minor relationship
at the heart of this is a story about a teenage girl who desperately wants to fit in which i find incredibly relatable to the general high school experience. its a big life transition and everyone is scared of being an outcast or "weird" for things they can't control and i think the book perfectly encapsulates these feelings. from the extremely petty friendship drama, the exciting yet confusing boy problems, arguments with parents for more independence, and trying to find yourself, this book felt like high school.
although its marketed as a love triangle, i felt like it was pretty clear who jessie was going to end up with from the beginning. one of the guys clearly wasn't a good match for her, but knowing that didnt take away from the story. if anything, i was excited to see how jessie would navigate this relationship knowing she wanted one so desperately and has a huge crush on him.
i really loved all the characters in the story. the relationships jessie has with them (whether it be platonic or romantic) allowed her to figure out the kind of people she wants in her life. i loved how the characters held space for Jessie's identities and how best to show up for her even when she felt ashamed of them. all of the characters had flaws (they’re teenagers of course they're flawed) but they tried their hardest to make amends and be better which i appreciated so much.
overall it was a really fun, hilarious, mushy gusy, YA love triangle romance which was exactly what i needed.
TW for book: death of a family member, cheating, underage drug & alcohol use, adult/minor relationship