You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
“It’s like now that I’m looking for inequality, I’m seeing it everywhere, categorizing a thousand great and small unfairnesses everywhere I go. Why didn’t I really see this before?”
This book was so amazing!! It dealt with some really heavy topics and I felt they were handled really well. I liked how it showed Marin finally noticing all the inequalities around her that she had been ignoring for a long time. I loved that in Marin becoming a feminist she still made mistakes and was called out for it. As a disabled woman I appreciated that ableism was brought up briefly in this book (though I do wish it was discussed a little more). Ableism a lot of the time is left out of the conversation so it was nice to see it included. Gray was a great character. (I love me some feminist guys.) The situation with Bex was done well and reminded me of some of my own school experiences. It made me think of those experiences in a different way for sure. Overall, this book was really great and I definitely think it is an important read.
This book was so amazing!! It dealt with some really heavy topics and I felt they were handled really well. I liked how it showed Marin finally noticing all the inequalities around her that she had been ignoring for a long time. I loved that in Marin becoming a feminist she still made mistakes and was called out for it. As a disabled woman I appreciated that ableism was brought up briefly in this book (though I do wish it was discussed a little more). Ableism a lot of the time is left out of the conversation so it was nice to see it included. Gray was a great character. (I love me some feminist guys.) The situation with Bex was done well and reminded me of some of my own school experiences. It made me think of those experiences in a different way for sure. Overall, this book was really great and I definitely think it is an important read.
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*
3.5/5 Stars
Marin is working hard during her senior year of high school to get into her dream college. She receives constant support from her English teacher, Mr. Bex. When he takes things a little too far one day, she becomes uncomfortable with his attention. When she reports him, most of her school doesn't believe her story. Now she has to deal with the consequences that came with speaking up for herself.
This was a very fast read that I finished in one sitting. The editorial Marin writes was definitely my favourite part of the book. I loved how her family supported her wholeheartedly, but it made me so angry when people didn't believe her. It was also a bit confusing why no one believed her in the first place based on how the story ended and the events that took place... The book was very predictable, which was a bit boring, but I loved the message behind the story.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
Marin is working hard during her senior year of high school to get into her dream college. She receives constant support from her English teacher, Mr. Bex. When he takes things a little too far one day, she becomes uncomfortable with his attention. When she reports him, most of her school doesn't believe her story. Now she has to deal with the consequences that came with speaking up for herself.
This was a very fast read that I finished in one sitting. The editorial Marin writes was definitely my favourite part of the book. I loved how her family supported her wholeheartedly, but it made me so angry when people didn't believe her. It was also a bit confusing why no one believed her in the first place based on how the story ended and the events that took place... The book was very predictable, which was a bit boring, but I loved the message behind the story.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Almost gave five stars, but I was almost categorized under the 2 ⭐️ bracket at first. Reason being that in the first couple chapters it name dropped to many popular brands and celebrities. Kind of made it feel too immature 🤷🏽♀️
I’m so glad I pushed through, because the book is amazing! Reading Marin’s struggle with the Beck situation and how it opened her eyes to other injustices definitely made this a worthy read. The whole journey and the obstacles she faced is very relatable and realistic.
Highly recommend ✨
I’m so glad I pushed through, because the book is amazing! Reading Marin’s struggle with the Beck situation and how it opened her eyes to other injustices definitely made this a worthy read. The whole journey and the obstacles she faced is very relatable and realistic.
Highly recommend ✨
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I chose this because it was narrated by Julia Whelan, was written by Candace Bushnell, was listed as a “romance”, and was around a 6 hour listen. Thought it was going to be a light, breezy listen. It was not what I was expecting AT ALL, but was un…pauseable? nonetheless. Strikes me as a realistic portrayal of this kind of situation, one that has most certainly played out over and over. Already recommended to a few young women in my life.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I *loved* this! The subject matter made it hard to read in a way, and at points I was absolutely furious because of the sexism the main character was facing. But overall it was such a good story about a very real thing that happens to young girls far too often. The chapters were short and fairly fast-paced, so it was a quick read.
The thing keeping it from being a five-star is that I didn't personally, like, fall in love with the writing style. It was one of those books where the writing is solid, conveys emotion and action well, and never bothers me in any way, but it also doesn't *wow* me, you know? Solid, but not my absolute favorite.
The way the difficult subject matter was handled and the main character's emotional journey were definitely the highlights of this book!
The thing keeping it from being a five-star is that I didn't personally, like, fall in love with the writing style. It was one of those books where the writing is solid, conveys emotion and action well, and never bothers me in any way, but it also doesn't *wow* me, you know? Solid, but not my absolute favorite.
The way the difficult subject matter was handled and the main character's emotional journey were definitely the highlights of this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Sexual assault
Marin’s senior year is turned upside down when an encounter with Bex, the young and popular English teacher at her school, alienates her from her best friend and boyfriend. The way that Marin is treated by her peers, as well as the administration of Bridgewater Prep, opens her eyes to the sexist behaviors and policies that are perpetuated at her school and the world at large. She begins writing about feminist issues in the school newspaper and even starts a feminist book club. A great admissions interview at Brown, her dream school, gives her hope for the future, but when that dream is threatened, she begins to wonder if she would have been better off following society’s rules for being a girl.
The first few chapters of this book made me very uneasy because I thought it was going to be about an inappropriate relationship between a student and her teacher. I assumed that it would end badly eventually, but that it would take a while to get there. Thankfully, Marin does not allow herself to get drawn too far into Bex’s web. The first time he tries to get physical, she shuts him down although she struggles with whether or not she bears some blame for the situation. Though Marin does all the right things - telling her parents and going to the school administration - Bex is treated as the victim. Marin is repeatedly asked if she was confused and misunderstood the situation or whether she brought on the situation herself by always hanging around Bex and flirting with him. I thought Marin’s character was very well-developed and realistic in vacillating between self-doubt and anger. There was a twist at the end that was pretty predictable, but the conclusion was very satisfying overall. The messages about power dynamics and consent are well-developed and essential for teens (and adults). Highly recommended for teen collections and high school libraries.
The first few chapters of this book made me very uneasy because I thought it was going to be about an inappropriate relationship between a student and her teacher. I assumed that it would end badly eventually, but that it would take a while to get there. Thankfully, Marin does not allow herself to get drawn too far into Bex’s web. The first time he tries to get physical, she shuts him down although she struggles with whether or not she bears some blame for the situation. Though Marin does all the right things - telling her parents and going to the school administration - Bex is treated as the victim. Marin is repeatedly asked if she was confused and misunderstood the situation or whether she brought on the situation herself by always hanging around Bex and flirting with him. I thought Marin’s character was very well-developed and realistic in vacillating between self-doubt and anger. There was a twist at the end that was pretty predictable, but the conclusion was very satisfying overall. The messages about power dynamics and consent are well-developed and essential for teens (and adults). Highly recommended for teen collections and high school libraries.
inspiring
medium-paced