Reviews - You Started It | The StoryGraph

212 reviews for:

You Started It

Jackie Khalilieh

4.15 AVERAGE

mysticbooksandmae's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This book is such a breath of fresh air- filled with fake dating, self-discovery, and acceptance!!

Jamie has a plan for senior year, a very well thought out plan, which was all set and ready to go. Except her long term boyfriend returns from his summer away and everything shifts. Suddenly Jamie is single and unsure of what to do next. That is until she runs over Betty White (a bike) and Axel enters the stage. Her ex has seemingly already moved on and Jamie knows what she has to do to get him back. Set in her new plan, she and Axel agree to be in a fake relationship. Jamie will help pay to fix his bike, drive him to school, and help film his viral dancing TikToks. In exchange Axel will pretend to be her boyfriend. Only how long can it really stay pretend when they are spending every moment together and quickly learning more and more about one another??

I loved the story so much!! The character growth and chemistry between Axel and Jamie was so cute!! I couldn't put their story down!! A wonderful YA romance- it's nostalgic and reminiscent of my high school years! You really feel for and connect with Khalilieh's wonderful characters! I highly recommend You Started It!!

starshynebrite's review against another edition

4.5

medium-paced

ashlee_erin's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny hopeful 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: Complicated

maddie_245's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

faith_la_'s review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Here’s my 5-star review of YOU STARTED IT by Jackie Khalilieh. Jamie Taher-Foster made me feel like anxiety was less frightening, that I am not alone in having panic attacks, and there will be someone I can ask for support. She’s seventeen, Palestinian-Canadian, and autistic.

Jamie is SO relatable. I connect with how she interacts with people and how she doesn’t understand why she might’ve said something that could be offensive. I also related to her feeling disconnect from her Arab heritage. I love what Axel Dahini, the boy whose bicycle she ran over, says about identity and heritage, and that changed how I perceived my own. I don’t need to say “half” or quantify my heritage, as he says.

The relationship between Jamie and her mother made me feel like my chest caved in, in a good way. It was well-written and I understood why Jamie felt that certain actions or events was the cause for things that brought immense pain onto her heart and body. I also appreciated the representation of IBS and how it affects planning one’s day, and how places need more accessibility for people with IBS. I related so much to Jamie planning literally everything.

This novel made me tear up especially in the latter half. It’s honest, real, and deep.

The romance between Jamie and Axel is swoon-worthy and sweet. I enjoyed them growing closer and as you can see in the slides, those are some of my fav moments between them. I LOVED how conflict played out and had “oh no!!!” and “what!?” moments—this is such a fun read and I highly recommend it. It’s especially great for people who like YA contemporary and rom-coms!

helencantread's review against another edition

4.5

hopeful inspiring 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

theboricuabookworm's review against another edition

4.75

A delightful and messy teen romcom! Give me realistic teens, who have anxiety, trouble communicating, and love just as deeply, if not more so, than adults! I loved the conversations around identity, and change and acceptance. I'll never be led astray by a Jackie Khalilieh book.