Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
funny
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:
Yes
If Jackie Khalilieh writes it, I'm gonna eat it up. She is quickly becoming a favorite YA writer of mine, especially now that I've read You Started It! YSI is the story of Jamie trying to get her boyfriend Ben back after he dumps her. Lucky for her, she accidentally smashes up newcomer Axel's bike, and gets herself involved in a fun fake dating situation that will hopefully grab Ben's attention. But, you know, Axel's kind of a bit more fun than Ben ever was.
I enjoyed Jamie's character, even though she was hard to handle sometimes. She is stubborn, has some family issues that she needs to work through, sometimes full of herself, is going through adolescence hard, just got dumped, and has IBS. She felt like a real person, flawed and frustrating, but real, and learning and trying. She does go through a lot of growth by the end and I was proud of her! Axel is a perfect little tootie and I loved his character.
In conclusion, loved. I really love Khalilieh's writing style and the things she chooses to put in her books. (Mini spoiler) Girl gets trapped in an elevator while trying to tackle her fear of elevators? Relatable, happened to me my freshman year of college.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra Books for the e-ARC!
I enjoyed Jamie's character, even though she was hard to handle sometimes. She is stubborn, has some family issues that she needs to work through, sometimes full of herself, is going through adolescence hard, just got dumped, and has IBS. She felt like a real person, flawed and frustrating, but real, and learning and trying. She does go through a lot of growth by the end and I was proud of her! Axel is a perfect little tootie and I loved his character.
In conclusion, loved. I really love Khalilieh's writing style and the things she chooses to put in her books. (Mini spoiler) Girl gets trapped in an elevator while trying to tackle her fear of elevators? Relatable, happened to me my freshman year of college.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra Books for the e-ARC!
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 🌟
In "You Started It" Jamie gets dumped by her long term boyfriend, Ben, right before their senior year. In order to win him back, she starts fake dating the new boy in town, Axel. While they go through her detailed plans to get Ben back, Axel and Jamie grow closer despite being literal opposites. But you know what they say, opposites attract!
This was a cute YA, angsty, rom-com that had great anxiety rep that expresses itself in physical symptoms. It was messy and frustrating, just like being a teenager!
Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
In "You Started It" Jamie gets dumped by her long term boyfriend, Ben, right before their senior year. In order to win him back, she starts fake dating the new boy in town, Axel. While they go through her detailed plans to get Ben back, Axel and Jamie grow closer despite being literal opposites. But you know what they say, opposites attract!
This was a cute YA, angsty, rom-com that had great anxiety rep that expresses itself in physical symptoms. It was messy and frustrating, just like being a teenager!
Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You Started It is a cute story that still broaches deeper topics with a lot of tact. You get all the beautiful bubbly moments but also emotional ones and it makes it such a fascinating story.
Read if you like:
Fake dating
Bucket list
Arab rep
Anxiety rep
High-school setting
I did read this one in 2 days, which for me is super fast. I did get a bit of mixed feelings though while reading because I couldn't seem to put it down but at the same time I was angry at a lot of things that were happening. So even though the story was keeping me invested, there are some things that got on my nerves if it makes sense.
The first thing was that I can't say I was a big fan of any characters except my sweet golden retriever boy Axel. In my eyes he was absolutely perfect, and I adored him from start to finish. So really, he did have this whole book on his shoulder for me. I would have loved to get his POV, it would have probably helped me a bit because Jamie was a hard one to love sometimes even though I enjoyed some sides of her.
I so loved the Toronto setting! I rarely read books with a setup near where I live (near like 9 hours away but for Canada it's near okay), and I loved knowing about everything that was mentioned. Even if it was the Leafs losing yet another game, I could definitely relate to it all HAHAHA.
I particularly enjoyed the fake dating part. The way it all started was so funny, and I loved the moments between Axel and Jamie. It was great to see how Axel was able to get her out of her little bubble while always being so respectful and open about her anxiety and all. Which brings me to the fact that the anxiety representation was spot on. It was relatable, and I truly liked seeing how Jamie was navigating it and all. Well done.
While Jamie is a teenager and I needed to put myself back to that time a bit to try and understand some of her actions, it was hard for me to get on with how she treated Axel. I get that she was stuck on Ben, it was her first love and safe space and all, but after a while it doesn't excuse how she was treating Axel. I would have wished she acted better A LOT of times. The evolution was too slow for me and I hate seeing characters I like being poorly treated like that so it got frustrating to be honest.
The ending was pretty satisfying though on all sides. I loved the new friendships, the way our main characters talked through things and got to a good place together. It was a nice and hopeful end to this story.
Last thing I'll say is I sometimes had trouble with the timing in this story, like it would say weeks went by multiple times... but suddenly it was only Halloween, and it made no sense to me. I also loved that Jamie was a book lover but because we didn't actually hear about her enjoying books or anything relating to her actually reading, it really felt like a forced thing to me, and I wasn't a fan.
Overall still a super fun one with awesome representations, super cute scenes, quirky characters and if you enjoy young adult books you'll want to read it.
Thanks to the author, TundraBooks and ColoredPagesBookTour for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read if you like:
Fake dating
Bucket list
Arab rep
Anxiety rep
High-school setting
I did read this one in 2 days, which for me is super fast. I did get a bit of mixed feelings though while reading because I couldn't seem to put it down but at the same time I was angry at a lot of things that were happening. So even though the story was keeping me invested, there are some things that got on my nerves if it makes sense.
The first thing was that I can't say I was a big fan of any characters except my sweet golden retriever boy Axel. In my eyes he was absolutely perfect, and I adored him from start to finish. So really, he did have this whole book on his shoulder for me. I would have loved to get his POV, it would have probably helped me a bit because Jamie was a hard one to love sometimes even though I enjoyed some sides of her.
I so loved the Toronto setting! I rarely read books with a setup near where I live (near like 9 hours away but for Canada it's near okay), and I loved knowing about everything that was mentioned. Even if it was the Leafs losing yet another game, I could definitely relate to it all HAHAHA.
I particularly enjoyed the fake dating part. The way it all started was so funny, and I loved the moments between Axel and Jamie. It was great to see how Axel was able to get her out of her little bubble while always being so respectful and open about her anxiety and all. Which brings me to the fact that the anxiety representation was spot on. It was relatable, and I truly liked seeing how Jamie was navigating it and all. Well done.
While Jamie is a teenager and I needed to put myself back to that time a bit to try and understand some of her actions, it was hard for me to get on with how she treated Axel. I get that she was stuck on Ben, it was her first love and safe space and all, but after a while it doesn't excuse how she was treating Axel. I would have wished she acted better A LOT of times. The evolution was too slow for me and I hate seeing characters I like being poorly treated like that so it got frustrating to be honest.
The ending was pretty satisfying though on all sides. I loved the new friendships, the way our main characters talked through things and got to a good place together. It was a nice and hopeful end to this story.
Last thing I'll say is I sometimes had trouble with the timing in this story, like it would say weeks went by multiple times... but suddenly it was only Halloween, and it made no sense to me. I also loved that Jamie was a book lover but because we didn't actually hear about her enjoying books or anything relating to her actually reading, it really felt like a forced thing to me, and I wasn't a fan.
Overall still a super fun one with awesome representations, super cute scenes, quirky characters and if you enjoy young adult books you'll want to read it.
Thanks to the author, TundraBooks and ColoredPagesBookTour for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
thank you colored pages book tours for the arc!
i haven't read a young adult book in quite a while but this one had such a real emotion behind it that i really feel like i could understand while reading. jamie's character embodies these strong emotions of a messy teenage girl's life and she underwent lots of growth through the span of the book. jamie's interactions with those around her were interesting to read about and shows that no relationship is ever perfect. i liked that the book explored her relationship with her parents and family, making jamie's character more rounded and realistic. i also enjoyed reading about her and axel, they were quite cute and their romance played out like an old romcom movie with big gestures and loud emotions. this book was nicely paced so i got through it fairly quickly (i read like 50% of it during my lunch period like hello??) and while it's mainly character driven, the plot was interesting enough to keep my attention. overall, it was a nice book and i look forward to the author's upcoming books!
i haven't read a young adult book in quite a while but this one had such a real emotion behind it that i really feel like i could understand while reading. jamie's character embodies these strong emotions of a messy teenage girl's life and she underwent lots of growth through the span of the book. jamie's interactions with those around her were interesting to read about and shows that no relationship is ever perfect. i liked that the book explored her relationship with her parents and family, making jamie's character more rounded and realistic. i also enjoyed reading about her and axel, they were quite cute and their romance played out like an old romcom movie with big gestures and loud emotions. this book was nicely paced so i got through it fairly quickly (i read like 50% of it during my lunch period like hello??) and while it's mainly character driven, the plot was interesting enough to keep my attention. overall, it was a nice book and i look forward to the author's upcoming books!
Many thanks to Libro.fm and Tundra Books for the Audiobook Listening Copy!
Give me a coming of age story with an anxious main character wanting to climb out of her shell, give me fake dating, give me a bucket list to check off, and give me sunshine personified as a love interest, and I will absolutely devour the book. You Started It combines so many of the tropes and story elements I love in my favourite YA romances, but more importantly, Jackie Khalilieh expertly brings them to life in a story filled with heart, growth, and empathy. Jamie is a main character to root for and relate to, and seeing her healing journey and her falling in love with Axel, one of my favourite YA love interests in a while, felt healing for me as a reader as well. These characters will stay with me long after finishing their book, I'm certain of it.
Give me a coming of age story with an anxious main character wanting to climb out of her shell, give me fake dating, give me a bucket list to check off, and give me sunshine personified as a love interest, and I will absolutely devour the book. You Started It combines so many of the tropes and story elements I love in my favourite YA romances, but more importantly, Jackie Khalilieh expertly brings them to life in a story filled with heart, growth, and empathy. Jamie is a main character to root for and relate to, and seeing her healing journey and her falling in love with Axel, one of my favourite YA love interests in a while, felt healing for me as a reader as well. These characters will stay with me long after finishing their book, I'm certain of it.
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship
”Because every kiss with Axel has been the best kiss of my life. Feeling his arms around me, the warmth of his body, his scent fills me back up. This moment is not something I could have ever put on a list. It’s not something that can be contrived. It’s spontaneous. It’s unpredictable. It’s real. It’s now. It’s love. And no check mark can compete with that feeling.”
This was a pretty decent book, but not one I would re-read. I do love the character growth and building as well as the cute moments between Axel and Jamie. However, this book just felt a little too high school romance for me.
I also loved the Arab representation and learning a bit more about the culture. In addition, it was so nice that Jamie was able to learn more about the culture through her relationship with Axel.
Tropes:
📝 Arab representation
📝 Fake dating
📝 Lots of drama
📝 High school romance
📝 Topics of anxiety, alcoholism, panic attacks and cheating
Pros:
- Quick read and pretty entertaining
- Loved Eli’s character. He’s Jamie’s uncle who is gay and he adds so much to this book even though he is a side character
- Axel is such a sweetie and really brings out a different side to Jamie that Ben never could
Cons:
- would have been cool to have Dual POV to see Axel’s thoughts
- Not a fan of the high school romances where the characters just make so many immature decisions
- The book was so focused on Ben (Jamie’s ex) and not focused enough on Axel and Jamie
- Ben—
how dare he cheat on our sweet Jamie
Thank you NetGalley, Tundra Books and the author Jackie Khalilieh for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
・₊✧ Quotes ・₊✧
”Despite what some people might think, it’s not weak to do things for others. It’s how I show love.”
”Okay,” he says with a slight shrug. He pinches his fingers together. “I may have a tiny crush on you.”
“Good.” I mirror his fingers with my own. “Because I may have a tiny crush on you too. Purely physical.”
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
💖🎢 You Started It Review 💖🎢
Highlights:
💖YA romance
🎢 Fake dating
💖 IBS & anxiety rep
🎢 Arab Canadian teens
💖 Introvert/extrovert
🎢 Dancer x bibliophile
💖 Coming of age
🎢 Bucket list
Thanks to @tundrabooks and @netgalley for the eARC!
You Started It is a sweet YA rom-com that starts with fake, revenge dating to make an ex jealous, but turns into something unexpectedly real. Jamie is an introverted bibliophile who constantly breaks her book bans, and Axel is an outgoing TikTok dancer and star. They’re seemingly total opposites on the surface, but share a cultural connection and a growing emotional one.
I appreciated the IBS, anxiety, and claustrophobia rep, which was handled with care and woven naturally into Jamie’s perspective. The introvert/extrovert dynamic added to the opposites attract charm and trope, and the bucket list subplot gave their relationship structure and momentum.
I appreciated this book’s emotional honesty, character development, and exploration of identity and connection. It’s an excellent pick for readers who are in the mood for a heartwarming story with fake dating, bucket lists, and slow-burn chemistry.
CW: alcoholism, abandonment, divorce, past teen pregnancy
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
#YouStartedIt #JackieKhalilieh #YARomCom #NetGalley #FakeDating #ComingOfAge
Highlights:
💖YA romance
🎢 Fake dating
💖 IBS & anxiety rep
🎢 Arab Canadian teens
💖 Introvert/extrovert
🎢 Dancer x bibliophile
💖 Coming of age
🎢 Bucket list
Thanks to @tundrabooks and @netgalley for the eARC!
You Started It is a sweet YA rom-com that starts with fake, revenge dating to make an ex jealous, but turns into something unexpectedly real. Jamie is an introverted bibliophile who constantly breaks her book bans, and Axel is an outgoing TikTok dancer and star. They’re seemingly total opposites on the surface, but share a cultural connection and a growing emotional one.
I appreciated the IBS, anxiety, and claustrophobia rep, which was handled with care and woven naturally into Jamie’s perspective. The introvert/extrovert dynamic added to the opposites attract charm and trope, and the bucket list subplot gave their relationship structure and momentum.
I appreciated this book’s emotional honesty, character development, and exploration of identity and connection. It’s an excellent pick for readers who are in the mood for a heartwarming story with fake dating, bucket lists, and slow-burn chemistry.
CW: alcoholism, abandonment, divorce, past teen pregnancy
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
#YouStartedIt #JackieKhalilieh #YARomCom #NetGalley #FakeDating #ComingOfAge