Scan barcode
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
When I saw the concept for this book, I couldn’t decide if virtual reality dating was a completely crazy idea or a highly likely one. Or maybe both? Either way, it was definitely intriguing, and I knew I wanted to read this book.
I loved the focus that this book had on the adjustment from high school to college—a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. This book is actually less about the romance and more about Mariam finding herself apart from her boyfriend (and her home and family). But, of course, I was invested in the romance as well. There is a definite love triangle here, so if you really can’t stand those, you might need to stay away, but honestly, I thought it was incredibly well-drawn, and I completely understood Mariam’s struggle to decide where her heart should lead her. I was also a fan of the friendship between Mariam and her roommate (and the roommate’s girlfriend). There were a few moments with the virtual reality itself that had me scratching my head (Why would they have a VR environment when you sit in a chair and move around by “walking” with your fingers?? And would kissing via VR be at all pleasant??), and Mariam makes some bad choices when it comes to Caleb. Still, overall, I found myself really enjoying this sweet story of self-discovery. (And I was happy that Tash gave me the ending I was hoping for!!)
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
When I saw the concept for this book, I couldn’t decide if virtual reality dating was a completely crazy idea or a highly likely one. Or maybe both? Either way, it was definitely intriguing, and I knew I wanted to read this book.
I loved the focus that this book had on the adjustment from high school to college—a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. This book is actually less about the romance and more about Mariam finding herself apart from her boyfriend (and her home and family). But, of course, I was invested in the romance as well. There is a definite love triangle here, so if you really can’t stand those, you might need to stay away, but honestly, I thought it was incredibly well-drawn, and I completely understood Mariam’s struggle to decide where her heart should lead her. I was also a fan of the friendship between Mariam and her roommate (and the roommate’s girlfriend). There were a few moments with the virtual reality itself that had me scratching my head (Why would they have a VR environment when you sit in a chair and move around by “walking” with your fingers?? And would kissing via VR be at all pleasant??), and Mariam makes some bad choices when it comes to Caleb. Still, overall, I found myself really enjoying this sweet story of self-discovery. (And I was happy that Tash gave me the ending I was hoping for!!)
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
_camk_'s review against another edition
2.0
+Jeremy. I liked Jeremy and how he admitted both his feelings and to the
Spoiler
the virtual date+Side characters. Hedy and Rose may have pretty much soundboards to help Mariam with the problems but at least they weren't annoying.
-Story. The story was bland and fizzled out after the first few chapters.
-The ease at which the catfishing was forgiven and moved past. At least Marian felt guilty for it...most of the time.
holliehocks's review against another edition
4.0
This book immediately had me hooked and kept my attention the entire way. I absolutely loved Mariam's voice and her interactions with the other characters in this book. She was so optimistic, and it was easy to relate to the decisions she made, even if they seemed like the completely wrong thing to do. This was a really quick, cute contemporary romance with Mariam spending a lot of time trying to figure out who exactly she was and what it was she really wanted. Full review found on my blog
here.
here.
indra23's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Jeremy, I loved Hedy and Genevieve and I really liked Mariam. She was relatable, even tho I really wanted her to get over Caleb quicker.
dpham's review against another edition
2.0
i think this book could've cut out the whole VR dating angle and just focused on the main character trying to navigate college and grow up. now i did find the VR idea very interesting but mixed in with the catfishing and the overall ethical issues, i think it would be left explored to some darker, Black Mirror-style book and not in a young adult book.
it was nice that mariam had a good relationship with her friends and siblings but it also felt so unrealistic. like if my roommate or sister or friend told me she was catfishing her ex to try to get back together with them, i would've told her she was CRAZY.
Spoiler
i was kind of annoyed that the book spends so much time focusing on her relationship with caleb and we aren't really given any good reasons to think they should get back together or like them as a couple. the 2nd time they broke up just felt so anti-climatic and abrupt and personally i would've been pissed if i was caleb and i took my catfishing ex back, only for them to break up with me again lmaoit was nice that mariam had a good relationship with her friends and siblings but it also felt so unrealistic. like if my roommate or sister or friend told me she was catfishing her ex to try to get back together with them, i would've told her she was CRAZY.
modrallj's review against another edition
2.0
Bleh. I feel like there wasn’t enough character development for many of the semi-main characters. And how many times can you read about someone awkwardly dating virtually before you just need something, ANYTHING to happen.
rosiethespy's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of interesting, relevant, thought provoking stuff, but it all felt too crammed in. There were so many important topics addressed in a very shallow way--it would have been way more satisfying to dig deeper into two or three of them. But the break up feelings were so real, and these kids did feel like 18 year olds trying to figure big things out. I love that they're honest, and trusting, and understanding, and never act jealous or possessive.
Personally, I love the NYU details. I've been to that gym, and those dorms!
Personally, I love the NYU details. I've been to that gym, and those dorms!