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velvetpoison's review against another edition
4.0
Find more reviews at Lost In Wonderland
Kasie west is by far one of my favourite contemporary authors. While the fill-in boyfriend was not my favourite book by her (nothing can beat ‘On the Fence’). The Fill in Boyfriend provided all the delightful entertainment and mishaps I was hoping for.
When Gia’s College boyfriend Bradley dumps her outside the doors of her senior high school prom, she’s at a loss. All her friends were expecting to meet him, some even doubting his existence at all. So walking in empty handed is out of the question. Enter Fill-in Bradley who is minding his own business after dropping off his younger sister to the prom. Suddenly he’s swept into a blur of lies and pretending to be Gia’s boyfriend for the night. But will their whirlwind end after just one night….not likely.
Gia is a hard character to like at the start, she places far too much importance on what her friends think. Even going to the extent of ‘hiring’ a guy to be her prom date for the evening in an effort to save face. (The irony being that she was dumped for the exact reason that she cared too much about her friends opinion). Personally, I feel like real friendship shouldn’t be based on such superficial elements. But that is what makes this book so good. Gia starts to realise this, her character grows and so in turn dawns the realization that she may have outgrown her friends.
Of course, there is also the light romance between the two protagonists to look forward to. With Gia being instigated to repay the favour of pretend girlfriend for the evening when Fill in Bradley is invited to his ex’s party.
Fill in Bradley was the perfect mix of sweet and funny. Not only is he willing to help a girl in need out on prom night, little questions asked. But when you find out his back story, you wonder how a guy can be so nice after the shit he’s been through.
Romance aside, this story has a lot of good messages around friendships and growing up. Learning to be happy with who you are is probably the one thing that most people struggle with growing up, usually seeking the acceptance and approval of others as a way of self-validation… Even in my 20’s I’m still learning this lesson.
Kasie west is by far one of my favourite contemporary authors. While the fill-in boyfriend was not my favourite book by her (nothing can beat ‘On the Fence’). The Fill in Boyfriend provided all the delightful entertainment and mishaps I was hoping for.
When Gia’s College boyfriend Bradley dumps her outside the doors of her senior high school prom, she’s at a loss. All her friends were expecting to meet him, some even doubting his existence at all. So walking in empty handed is out of the question. Enter Fill-in Bradley who is minding his own business after dropping off his younger sister to the prom. Suddenly he’s swept into a blur of lies and pretending to be Gia’s boyfriend for the night. But will their whirlwind end after just one night….not likely.
Gia is a hard character to like at the start, she places far too much importance on what her friends think. Even going to the extent of ‘hiring’ a guy to be her prom date for the evening in an effort to save face. (The irony being that she was dumped for the exact reason that she cared too much about her friends opinion). Personally, I feel like real friendship shouldn’t be based on such superficial elements. But that is what makes this book so good. Gia starts to realise this, her character grows and so in turn dawns the realization that she may have outgrown her friends.
Of course, there is also the light romance between the two protagonists to look forward to. With Gia being instigated to repay the favour of pretend girlfriend for the evening when Fill in Bradley is invited to his ex’s party.
Fill in Bradley was the perfect mix of sweet and funny. Not only is he willing to help a girl in need out on prom night, little questions asked. But when you find out his back story, you wonder how a guy can be so nice after the shit he’s been through.
Romance aside, this story has a lot of good messages around friendships and growing up. Learning to be happy with who you are is probably the one thing that most people struggle with growing up, usually seeking the acceptance and approval of others as a way of self-validation… Even in my 20’s I’m still learning this lesson.
thesuraya's review against another edition
4.0
wow I actually enjoyed this ! I finished this in one sitting so I totally got sucked in right from the start.
ive read katie west's [b: The Distance Between Us|15283043|The Distance Between Us|Kasie West|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358144875s/15283043.jpg|20938637] before and i dont like it that much. So whn i saw her new book on Goodreads and bookstagram, I thought 'nah this would be just the same'. BUT NO ITS NOT.
This book is pretty cute and pretty cliche but the cute part outweights the cliche part for me,mEveryone can pretty much predict how the plot goes with this type of books but its the littlest things and details that actually counts. I can't believe i got all jittery while reading this but I did. (I personally think that the books that caused me the jitters/tingles are the best kind of books)
one thing though. If i could strangle fictional characters, i swear i would ! God, everyone around Gia is frustrating the shit out of me. Cant they give Gia a break ?! From her parents, her brother to her best friends. Especially Jules. Ive already killed her in 643 ways already in my mind. Shes THAT annoying.
A fun, light and enjoyable read, overall.
kelly97mc's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute! I docked a star because I thought it ended a little abruptly, but I'm really enjoying Kasie West's books so far.
me10lee83's review against another edition
4.0
This is a quick, fun read. Even though I'm well above the intended age group I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a light read, wish I could know what happened to Gia and all the other characters! I read this in probably about 4 hours.
jonezeemcgee's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
This is a book about a shitty girl and her incredibly shitty friends struggle with emotional maturity in the wake of playing games with one another. There was definitely the most growth in our main protagonist, though the growth came a bit quick. I did appreciate she had real flaws though and did recognize them. Unfortunately, it took...a boy. Why? Because don't almost all of these contemporaries tell girls they can't grow, move or change without the notice of a particular guy? Ugh.
There are some pluses. Amongst all of this was a cute love story (I won't deny that) and it definitely was a page turner. I can give it to West for making any story readable and relatable on some level, but overall I just couldn't give it 3 stars. I had too much trouble liking the majority of the characters, and even our protagonist wasn't an exception, regardless of her growth. Why?
*spoiler*
In the end they continued to fall back on those games. I would say it's because I'm too old to appreciate this book, but honestly, even 14 or 15 year old Joni would have found them all petty and immature.
This is a book about a shitty girl and her incredibly shitty friends struggle with emotional maturity in the wake of playing games with one another. There was definitely the most growth in our main protagonist, though the growth came a bit quick. I did appreciate she had real flaws though and did recognize them. Unfortunately, it took...a boy. Why? Because don't almost all of these contemporaries tell girls they can't grow, move or change without the notice of a particular guy? Ugh.
There are some pluses. Amongst all of this was a cute love story (I won't deny that) and it definitely was a page turner. I can give it to West for making any story readable and relatable on some level, but overall I just couldn't give it 3 stars. I had too much trouble liking the majority of the characters, and even our protagonist wasn't an exception, regardless of her growth. Why?
*spoiler*
In the end they continued to fall back on those games. I would say it's because I'm too old to appreciate this book, but honestly, even 14 or 15 year old Joni would have found them all petty and immature.
vivivivitoria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
randiwiig's review against another edition
5.0
This bok was really good. It was real, like a book you can really relate to:) And i really liked the way the book ended. It was a good ending, but not an obvious ending.
Thank u:) Kasie West
Thank u:) Kasie West
lezenmetwillemijn's review against another edition
5.0
I buddy read this book with Fleurine and I really liked it!
First of, I really liked the concept. I think it’s original and very funny. Gia’s friends actually didn’t believe Gia that she had a boyfriend, so she had to bring Bradley with her to prom. There’s only one but.. Bradley breaks up with her in the parking lot. Gia knows that if she comes alone everyone will say she lied and made it all up, so she decides to find a ‘fill-in Bradley’ and who else is better than the first guy you see in the parking lot? Exactly. This concept is just really funny and I loved reading about it.
I loved Gia. She was a popular girl, but not the mean kind and I think that’s a good thing, everything hasn’t always have to go according to stereotypes. I loved that she secretly has a crush on Fill-in Bradley (I’m not gonna tell his name because it’s a big mystery in the book) and I even loved her more at the ending. Gia really grows in this story and it’s beautiful to see this.
I also loved Fill-in Bradley! He was so charming and loyal, he was absolutely goals. Everybody needs a Fill-in Bradley in their life.
But there aren’t only things to love about this book, there are also some things I hate. Or let’s say, characters I hate. Jules is literally the most childish teenage girl I’ve ever met. Like literally. It’s like her biggest dream is to destroy Gia’s life, and when she does, what’s the benefit? Exactly. Ugh, I can’t explain. Jules was so annoying and it was making me very mad that Jules never believed Gia and never stopped questioning Gia and it was kind of upsetting.
And I really don’t know what else I have to say about this book. It was a perfect contemporary read with a cute romantic story in it and it definitely deserves all my five stars.
First of, I really liked the concept. I think it’s original and very funny. Gia’s friends actually didn’t believe Gia that she had a boyfriend, so she had to bring Bradley with her to prom. There’s only one but.. Bradley breaks up with her in the parking lot. Gia knows that if she comes alone everyone will say she lied and made it all up, so she decides to find a ‘fill-in Bradley’ and who else is better than the first guy you see in the parking lot? Exactly. This concept is just really funny and I loved reading about it.
I loved Gia. She was a popular girl, but not the mean kind and I think that’s a good thing, everything hasn’t always have to go according to stereotypes. I loved that she secretly has a crush on Fill-in Bradley (I’m not gonna tell his name because it’s a big mystery in the book) and I even loved her more at the ending. Gia really grows in this story and it’s beautiful to see this.
I also loved Fill-in Bradley! He was so charming and loyal, he was absolutely goals. Everybody needs a Fill-in Bradley in their life.
But there aren’t only things to love about this book, there are also some things I hate. Or let’s say, characters I hate. Jules is literally the most childish teenage girl I’ve ever met. Like literally. It’s like her biggest dream is to destroy Gia’s life, and when she does, what’s the benefit? Exactly. Ugh, I can’t explain. Jules was so annoying and it was making me very mad that Jules never believed Gia and never stopped questioning Gia and it was kind of upsetting.
And I really don’t know what else I have to say about this book. It was a perfect contemporary read with a cute romantic story in it and it definitely deserves all my five stars.