ellie_klemm's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
kerasalwaysreading's review
5.0
I was approved for this arc on NetGalley so long ago and I stupidly waited to read it. Well, I’m kicking myself now.
This book has found its way onto my absolute favorites of 2022 because every single thing about it was perfect!
If you want a book with female empowerment, strong, diverse friend groups, great writing, funny banter, a rivalry, and the most adorable fake relationship situation, THIS MAY END BADLY is something you will need to pick up for yourself!
Doe and her besties are entering their senior year as Weston girls. And their rivals, the boys across the street at the Winfield school are the target of their shenanigans. These two private schools have participated in a generations-long prank war that Doe has now taken into her own hands.
Her arch nemesis, Three is one of the most prominent students from Winfield. And he is an insufferable jerk that she is desperate to put in his place. When the opportunity arises to best him come is the form of a proposition from Three’s cousin Wells, Doe finds herself unable to resist.
What starts as a fake relationship between Doe and Wells l, begins to form into something more… but Doe has trouble seeing past her hatred for Three and her dire need to keep Weston’s reputation strong. And this causes her to basically implode her whole life.
I loved this because it was so relatable. I know what it’s like to be so hyper focused on something that you lose sight of what is really important; what it was that it ever started for. And Doe was incredible. She was strong and kind and so compassionate. But she was stubborn and bull headed and, at time, could be her own worst enemy.
The characters that make up the rest of this book, like her group of friends, some of her foes (both in the all boys school and even some within her own school) and Wells (oh how I loved him) were all fantastic!! This book as a whole was something I enjoyed reading so much!!
This book also talks a great deal about needing safe spaces and the very real and very scary element of predators in schools who find themselves in a place where they can easily prey on young students. That was an aspect of the book that I didn’t see coming but loved how it was done so much.
This book has found its way onto my absolute favorites of 2022 because every single thing about it was perfect!
If you want a book with female empowerment, strong, diverse friend groups, great writing, funny banter, a rivalry, and the most adorable fake relationship situation, THIS MAY END BADLY is something you will need to pick up for yourself!
Doe and her besties are entering their senior year as Weston girls. And their rivals, the boys across the street at the Winfield school are the target of their shenanigans. These two private schools have participated in a generations-long prank war that Doe has now taken into her own hands.
Her arch nemesis, Three is one of the most prominent students from Winfield. And he is an insufferable jerk that she is desperate to put in his place. When the opportunity arises to best him come is the form of a proposition from Three’s cousin Wells, Doe finds herself unable to resist.
What starts as a fake relationship between Doe and Wells l, begins to form into something more… but Doe has trouble seeing past her hatred for Three and her dire need to keep Weston’s reputation strong. And this causes her to basically implode her whole life.
I loved this because it was so relatable. I know what it’s like to be so hyper focused on something that you lose sight of what is really important; what it was that it ever started for. And Doe was incredible. She was strong and kind and so compassionate. But she was stubborn and bull headed and, at time, could be her own worst enemy.
The characters that make up the rest of this book, like her group of friends, some of her foes (both in the all boys school and even some within her own school) and Wells (oh how I loved him) were all fantastic!! This book as a whole was something I enjoyed reading so much!!
This book also talks a great deal about needing safe spaces and the very real and very scary element of predators in schools who find themselves in a place where they can easily prey on young students. That was an aspect of the book that I didn’t see coming but loved how it was done so much.
syndi3's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Yup! Not for me. The writing style is too jumble (that is the best way I can descripe). I am sure the story is funny and light hearted but I can not connect with either characters.
The rivalry between schools is told in fun way. Sadly, not for me.
Moving on
The rivalry between schools is told in fun way. Sadly, not for me.
Moving on
chasingholden's review
4.0
This May End Badly is a strong debut from author Samantha Markum that combines fake-dating, boarding schools, and friendship. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of Markum's future work.
Follow along with Doe, a senior at an all-girls boarding school, along with her motley group of friends whose lives have revolved around a century-long rivalry with the boy's school across the street ever since they met.
But when Doe embarks on a fake-dating scheme to get under her worst enemy's skin, she must contend with the lies she's told, as well as the future of her beloved friendships and school.
wildly entertaining and easy to devour prepare to stay up all night just to stay engrossed in Doe's world for as long as you can before returning to reality.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my review. All statements are my own thoughts and beliefs and I can't wait to speak with everyone wise enough to mark your Calander and consume this story as soon as possible!
Follow along with Doe, a senior at an all-girls boarding school, along with her motley group of friends whose lives have revolved around a century-long rivalry with the boy's school across the street ever since they met.
But when Doe embarks on a fake-dating scheme to get under her worst enemy's skin, she must contend with the lies she's told, as well as the future of her beloved friendships and school.
wildly entertaining and easy to devour prepare to stay up all night just to stay engrossed in Doe's world for as long as you can before returning to reality.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my review. All statements are my own thoughts and beliefs and I can't wait to speak with everyone wise enough to mark your Calander and consume this story as soon as possible!
solnyshko's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
happilywilted's review
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? Yes
4.0
The second half of this book annoyed me so bad. It was the second coming of The Edge of Seventeen where everyone does the main character so dirty, and they have to have an apology tour and apologize to everyone else when the best friend themselves does the worst friendship crime, but it's forgotten because the small thing that the main character did is supposed to be worse.
I'm sorry, the main character wants to stop the merger and fake dates someone, but that's worse than what Shawn does? I think not. It's literally foul and I wanted to rip the pages out the friend characters were annoying me so bad. I didn't want Doe to apologize, she didn't have much to apologize for. Sorry she can't read everyone's minds when they want the merger. They literally didn't even tell her.
Despite all of this, I did enjoy the read. I really liked Wells. It was enjoyable to read besides the apology portion. Only things I like could bring this much wrath out of me. It's because I care.
Despite all of this, I did enjoy the read. I really liked Wells. It was enjoyable to read besides the apology portion. Only things I like could bring this much wrath out of me. It's because I care.
marmar_16's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I had a lot of fun reading this! The only reason it isn’t a 5 star is because I wasn’t too keen on one of the side plots.
I had a lot of fun reading this! The only reason it isn’t a 5 star is because I wasn’t too keen on one of the side plots.
bibliotequeish's review
4.0
I love a good fake dating, cutesy, fluffy book. And this was that!
A school rivalry between the Weston girls and the Winfield boys, has a way of getting out of hand. Senior Doe and her closest friends are determined to win the war before their time at Weston is over.
A super fast read filled with fun characters, witty dialogue, and great relationships, this book helped pass the time at 4am when my newborn was insistent that I hold him while he slept.
A school rivalry between the Weston girls and the Winfield boys, has a way of getting out of hand. Senior Doe and her closest friends are determined to win the war before their time at Weston is over.
A super fast read filled with fun characters, witty dialogue, and great relationships, this book helped pass the time at 4am when my newborn was insistent that I hold him while he slept.