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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
inspiring
lighthearted
Jackie Khalilieh has once again knocked it out of the park. These characters are so relatable and deliciously complex that you'll forget you're reading fiction. Laugh out loud funny jokes balanced perfectly with heartfelt moments, You Started It is fast-paced and enjoyable from cover to cover.
funny
lighthearted
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I flew through this adorable rom-com!
When Jamie's longtime boyfriend, Ben, dumps her for their classmate Olivia, Jamie hatches a fake-dating scheme with newcomer Axel to make Ben jealous. Spending time with Axel challenges Jamie to step outside her comfort zone - fulfilling bucket list items, reconnecting with her Arab roots and discovering who she is outside of a relationship. Even though miscommunications are are staple of rom-coms, I was never overly frustrated with the miscommunications that happen between our quartet of young lovers. Jamie and Axel's romance blossomed naturally and their care for each other was evident despite their past traumas. I also really enjoyed how Jamie's familial relationships were explored in this book, from her supportive Amo Eli to her strained relations with her mom and to her absentee dad.
You Started It is for fans of sweet, but swoony romances, funny characters and complicated family dynamics in addition to some great presentation for mental health (anxiety) and Arab characters!
When Jamie's longtime boyfriend, Ben, dumps her for their classmate Olivia, Jamie hatches a fake-dating scheme with newcomer Axel to make Ben jealous. Spending time with Axel challenges Jamie to step outside her comfort zone - fulfilling bucket list items, reconnecting with her Arab roots and discovering who she is outside of a relationship. Even though miscommunications are are staple of rom-coms, I was never overly frustrated with the miscommunications that happen between our quartet of young lovers. Jamie and Axel's romance blossomed naturally and their care for each other was evident despite their past traumas. I also really enjoyed how Jamie's familial relationships were explored in this book, from her supportive Amo Eli to her strained relations with her mom and to her absentee dad.
You Started It is for fans of sweet, but swoony romances, funny characters and complicated family dynamics in addition to some great presentation for mental health (anxiety) and Arab characters!
This was stinkin CUTEEEEE
First of all I knew that this is Olivia Rodrigo’s “get him back!” in book form. When I was reading chapter 1 I was concerned bc the guy who dumped the MC was NOT it and I couldn’t entertain the idea of them getting back together. Then I realized that that shitty guy isn’t the actual love interest in this book, so I relaxed a bit. AND THEN when the actual love interest entered the pages… omg I immediately liked him, so much that I couldn’t stop grinning when he’s around lol.
This book generally gave me similar feelings of when I read Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce which is my fav YA romcom ever. And I couldn’t help that they’re having similar pattern: fake dating that has something to do with the ex, the MC & LI is a pair of outgoing performer x reserved dork, full of cute banters, and flirty in a playful way. Guess I have a type for YA romcom now lol. These adorable kids I can’ttttttt.
I love the characters with all of their flaws and confusions, I mean yes nobody’s perfect because they’re still kids! It’s realistic because literally no one has their teenage life neat and in order. The peak conflict was so messy and not gonna lie it frustrated a bit but I totally got it, you know? Also I felt bad for Olivia, for how those boys treated her and I hope she eventually get her real happy ending someday. But I’m happy with how this story turned out.
I felt like Jackie’s writing has matured and improved so much in this even though this is only her 2nd book, and I thought back then Something More was pretty good already! So I’m really excited to read more of her books in the future <3
First of all I knew that this is Olivia Rodrigo’s “get him back!” in book form. When I was reading chapter 1 I was concerned bc the guy who dumped the MC was NOT it and I couldn’t entertain the idea of them getting back together. Then I realized that that shitty guy isn’t the actual love interest in this book, so I relaxed a bit. AND THEN when the actual love interest entered the pages… omg I immediately liked him, so much that I couldn’t stop grinning when he’s around lol.
This book generally gave me similar feelings of when I read Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce which is my fav YA romcom ever. And I couldn’t help that they’re having similar pattern: fake dating that has something to do with the ex, the MC & LI is a pair of outgoing performer x reserved dork, full of cute banters, and flirty in a playful way. Guess I have a type for YA romcom now lol. These adorable kids I can’ttttttt.
I love the characters with all of their flaws and confusions, I mean yes nobody’s perfect because they’re still kids! It’s realistic because literally no one has their teenage life neat and in order. The peak conflict was so messy and not gonna lie it frustrated a bit but I totally got it, you know? Also I felt bad for Olivia, for how those boys treated her and I hope she eventually get her real happy ending someday. But I’m happy with how this story turned out.
I felt like Jackie’s writing has matured and improved so much in this even though this is only her 2nd book, and I thought back then Something More was pretty good already! So I’m really excited to read more of her books in the future <3
Thank you to Tundra Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly this would make a perfect YA rom com movie!! If it were available, I’d watch it right now.
Almost immediately, you can see just how much Jamie has structured her life around her long term relationship with Ben. It’s almost cringe-worthy, but a lot of us have been there with trying to make someone our entire life. When Ben abruptly breaks up with her, she seemingly loses most of her stability that she’s created for herself these past 3 years.
Jamie and Axel - yes yes yes. I love them. Axel is such a golden retriever, and I love the instant connection Jamie has with him. He is so confident and funny, and Jamie needed a bit of chaotic, unpredictable fun in her life. I love when the MC realizes that the love interest really brings out the best in them, and that’s what Axel does for Jamie. I also want to touch on how they champion each other and their passions and heritages. Axel is an incredible dancer of Lebanese background—as Jamie spends time with him and his family, she begins to embrace and wants to learn more about her Arab background and culture (her family is Palestinian). And this also helps challenge and heal parts of her relationship between her and her mother.
Khalilieh did a great job giving complexity to the Ben-Olivia-Jamie-Axel situation. As the reader, you’re routing for Jamie to drop her feelings for Ben immediately after forming a friendship/relationship with Axel, but it’s never that simple. I enjoyed watching Jamie truly make these realizations and decisions, when she’s given the opportunity to sit with her thoughts and think about what she really wants.
CW: panic attacks/disorders, abandonment, infidelity, alcoholism, gaslighting
Honestly this would make a perfect YA rom com movie!! If it were available, I’d watch it right now.
Almost immediately, you can see just how much Jamie has structured her life around her long term relationship with Ben. It’s almost cringe-worthy, but a lot of us have been there with trying to make someone our entire life. When Ben abruptly breaks up with her, she seemingly loses most of her stability that she’s created for herself these past 3 years.
Jamie and Axel - yes yes yes. I love them. Axel is such a golden retriever, and I love the instant connection Jamie has with him. He is so confident and funny, and Jamie needed a bit of chaotic, unpredictable fun in her life. I love when the MC realizes that the love interest really brings out the best in them, and that’s what Axel does for Jamie. I also want to touch on how they champion each other and their passions and heritages. Axel is an incredible dancer of Lebanese background—as Jamie spends time with him and his family, she begins to embrace and wants to learn more about her Arab background and culture (her family is Palestinian). And this also helps challenge and heal parts of her relationship between her and her mother.
Khalilieh did a great job giving complexity to the Ben-Olivia-Jamie-Axel situation. As the reader, you’re routing for Jamie to drop her feelings for Ben immediately after forming a friendship/relationship with Axel, but it’s never that simple. I enjoyed watching Jamie truly make these realizations and decisions, when she’s given the opportunity to sit with her thoughts and think about what she really wants.
CW: panic attacks/disorders, abandonment, infidelity, alcoholism, gaslighting
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
funny
lighthearted
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
The pacing of this book was fast and i was loving it. It never felt like it was dragging along.
The characters were great and the love interest was written really well and i was constantly rooting for him. I hated how much the FMC lingers on the ex and it felt like he just kept coming up somehow and by the end of it i really disliked him.
This was such a fun read. The banter and dialogue had me cracking up. I loved it. Its definitely cheesy but cute.
The representation of anxiety and living with it was written well and it was very relatable and it was nice to read about a character that i could relate with and understand what they are going through.
This definitely showcased young love, heartbreak and drama and realistic solutions.
The characters were great and the love interest was written really well and i was constantly rooting for him. I hated how much the FMC lingers on the ex and it felt like he just kept coming up somehow and by the end of it i really disliked him.
This was such a fun read. The banter and dialogue had me cracking up. I loved it. Its definitely cheesy but cute.
The representation of anxiety and living with it was written well and it was very relatable and it was nice to read about a character that i could relate with and understand what they are going through.
This definitely showcased young love, heartbreak and drama and realistic solutions.
emotional
funny
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
This book was such a joy to read. The narrator, Laila Kharouba, did a fantastic job in her performance. Uncle Eli, you will always be one of my top side characters, hands down.
Axel Dahini - sweet angel baby. I loved him the moment he appeared on the page. It was so easy to see that he brought out a side of Jamie that Ben never could. Ben 120% sucked for how he ended his relationship with Jamie, but he was absolutely correct in that the two of them needed to branch out from one other. Both of them needed friends outside of themselves and both needed to spend time doing their own things. I love how Axel pushed Jamie out of her comfort zone but never too far out of it.
I love the way Jackie depicted Jamie's anxiety in the story. I love how the background of Jamie's family slowly unfolds throughout the story. I love all the bits and pieces we hear about both Jamie and Axel's connection to their Arab heritage.
As YA, our characters make very stupid choices and mistakes, but the plot and character development were both so appropriate and realistic (imo).
Axel Dahini - sweet angel baby. I loved him the moment he appeared on the page. It was so easy to see that he brought out a side of Jamie that Ben never could. Ben 120% sucked for how he ended his relationship with Jamie, but he was absolutely correct in that the two of them needed to branch out from one other. Both of them needed friends outside of themselves and both needed to spend time doing their own things. I love how Axel pushed Jamie out of her comfort zone but never too far out of it.
I love the way Jackie depicted Jamie's anxiety in the story. I love how the background of Jamie's family slowly unfolds throughout the story. I love all the bits and pieces we hear about both Jamie and Axel's connection to their Arab heritage.
As YA, our characters make very stupid choices and mistakes, but the plot and character development were both so appropriate and realistic (imo).