tjalexandernyc's review
5.0
A very sweet, gentle YA romance. Bethany and Jacob agree to "practice date" each other for a set amount of time because they're both inexperienced and want to get better at having a girlfriend/boyfriend. Oops they're actually great together! There are stakes, but the kind of stakes you want a teenager in 2023 to have: just figuring out who they are and what they want AND (!!!) finding the support to get it. Bethany is so, so dear and Jacob--they didn't have boys like Jacob when I was growing up! This is a top tier boy! This book made my curmudgeonly heart grow three teenage sizes.
laurenlimabean's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
xeniba's review
hopeful
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
4.25
Could Bethany and Jacob be any cuter?? I’ve enjoyed Rebekah Weatherspoon’s adult novels and really liked this YA debut.
Books where the main issue could be resolved with a single conversation usually bother me, but it felt somewhat realistic here. I loved that Jacob saw Bethany and was able to truly capture her and show her what he sees.
Books where the main issue could be resolved with a single conversation usually bother me, but it felt somewhat realistic here. I loved that Jacob saw Bethany and was able to truly capture her and show her what he sees.
theawkwardbookw's review
5.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
16 year old Bethany Greene has never had a boyfriend, let alone been kissed by a boy. When Bethany is turned down by her crush for Homecoming, and all her other options turn into dead-ends, Bethany reluctantly agrees to attend the dance with her best friend's new boyfriend, Jacob. When Saylor breaks up with Jacob unexpectedly, he starts to question if there is something wrong with him. Bethany and Jacob hatch a plan to fake date, and use one another to gain experience. But, as they spend more time together, they start to realize that their feelings may not be so fake.
I loved this way more than I originally thought I would. This was so cute and brought me such good vibes the entire time I read it. This was told in dual POV between Jacob and Bethany, which I enjoyed being in both of their heads. I loved how much both of these characters grew not only together, but as individuals as well. They both learned how to speak up for themselves, and go for what they want, rather than what people expect of them. I'm a sucker for the fake dating trope, so I was definitely intrigued to see how this was going to play out in the end. This was definitely a slow burn romance since Jacob is dating Saylor for a good chunk of the book. I love how much Jacob and Bethany cared for one another, as friends at first, but slowly becoming more. I loved the banter they had with one another. Both were so supportive of each other's hopes and dreams, and really pushed each other to reach for them. Also, big fan of Bethany's moms, they were so fun and I loved how supportive they were of Bethany and her dreams. I also loved how Bethany was a plus sized character that loved her body and embraced her curviness. She refused to let people shame her for her size or her passion when it came to food and I really liked that.
I'm definitely interested in checking out more of this author's work sometime in the near future!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
16 year old Bethany Greene has never had a boyfriend, let alone been kissed by a boy. When Bethany is turned down by her crush for Homecoming, and all her other options turn into dead-ends, Bethany reluctantly agrees to attend the dance with her best friend's new boyfriend, Jacob. When Saylor breaks up with Jacob unexpectedly, he starts to question if there is something wrong with him. Bethany and Jacob hatch a plan to fake date, and use one another to gain experience. But, as they spend more time together, they start to realize that their feelings may not be so fake.
I loved this way more than I originally thought I would. This was so cute and brought me such good vibes the entire time I read it. This was told in dual POV between Jacob and Bethany, which I enjoyed being in both of their heads. I loved how much both of these characters grew not only together, but as individuals as well. They both learned how to speak up for themselves, and go for what they want, rather than what people expect of them. I'm a sucker for the fake dating trope, so I was definitely intrigued to see how this was going to play out in the end. This was definitely a slow burn romance since Jacob is dating Saylor for a good chunk of the book. I love how much Jacob and Bethany cared for one another, as friends at first, but slowly becoming more. I loved the banter they had with one another. Both were so supportive of each other's hopes and dreams, and really pushed each other to reach for them. Also, big fan of Bethany's moms, they were so fun and I loved how supportive they were of Bethany and her dreams. I also loved how Bethany was a plus sized character that loved her body and embraced her curviness. She refused to let people shame her for her size or her passion when it came to food and I really liked that.
I'm definitely interested in checking out more of this author's work sometime in the near future!
0ri's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
anacereading's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
babyskillet's review against another edition
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
4.0
I liked this book! It wasn't my favorite at first but once I got into it I couldn't stop thinking about it. I liked the narration and I liked the subtle inclusion of queer people (nb's and other queer folk) without making it a big deal. I liked the characters and it was just a nice sweet romance book. Always love a fake dating trope. :)