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beatslooseleaf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
This book was so charming and relatable that I read it in almost our day. Jenna Miller is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more from her.
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours and the author for providing me with an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
You can see my stop for the HOV Tour here, which includes some of my favorite quotes from this book!
Out of Character is a love letter to the internet and fandom. It is full of flawed characters, drama, and borderline obsession.
And I loved it.
Although I’ve never been on the roleplay side of the online world like Cass, I’ve had my fair share of internet access since I was, oh, probably twelve. I think those who relate to finding solace in online communities will especially appreciate this book. As I’ve gotten older (because maybe I shouldn’t have been talking to grown adults when I was twelve?), I’ve come to appreciate the internet even more—I’ve made real friends that I talk to every day and have met in person and have spent actual time with. Like, literal multiple-days-in-a-row sleepovers with my online friends!! Who would have thought that would be the highlight of my 20s!! Little me would have never imagined that as a reality. (And as a side note, I loved the Chicago visit because I too had an online friend visit me in Chicago and we did the same touristy things!)
It’s certainly reads like a young adult book (which is good because it is a young adult book!), which means that there was some naivety that some readers probably could live without, but I think it has its purpose. There were some rather annoying decisions and character traits, but I’m choosing to appreciate them because I get it. There’s a smaller theme of distinguishing fiction and reality, which seems like common sense when navigating online spaces, but unfortunately isn’t always. I don’t think this aspect will be for everyone, but again, I understanding.
The representation was also fantastic. There were genuine conversations on body image and sexuality without using pain and shame as a crutch for eliciting emotions. Overall, I thought this was an entertaining read about internet culture, friendship, and passion!
•••
I also wanted to acknowledge a couple lovely people who that I wouldn’t have ever had the privilege of interacting with if it wasn’t for online spheres: Krys, who I’ve been talking to since middle school, and finally got the privilege to meet. Molly, the first person I met from Twitter. Max, for being one of the first people I stumbled into while getting back into read. Gaby, who made life so much easier and much more fun while we were in lockdown. Mori, who I bug every day and got to meet on a very, very impromptu solo trip (also my first time flying alone!). Kaylee, who I also bug every day and will eventually meet because we live so close… Anja, with the best book recs (I’ll meet you some day!). Syd, for indulging me in wild plans that end up working (and for driving waaaay too many hours to see me). Isabella, who was once just an online person and now I see at least every week. Nicol, for meeting me at concerts. Dimitri, thanks for putting up with timezones, because it’s always worth it. Matt, you count too because I technically met you online. And Raquel, if you’re out there, I still think about you frequently and I hope you’re doing well.
You can see my stop for the HOV Tour here, which includes some of my favorite quotes from this book!
Out of Character is a love letter to the internet and fandom. It is full of flawed characters, drama, and borderline obsession.
And I loved it.
Although I’ve never been on the roleplay side of the online world like Cass, I’ve had my fair share of internet access since I was, oh, probably twelve. I think those who relate to finding solace in online communities will especially appreciate this book. As I’ve gotten older (because maybe I shouldn’t have been talking to grown adults when I was twelve?), I’ve come to appreciate the internet even more—I’ve made real friends that I talk to every day and have met in person and have spent actual time with. Like, literal multiple-days-in-a-row sleepovers with my online friends!! Who would have thought that would be the highlight of my 20s!! Little me would have never imagined that as a reality. (And as a side note, I loved the Chicago visit because I too had an online friend visit me in Chicago and we did the same touristy things!)
It’s certainly reads like a young adult book (which is good because it is a young adult book!), which means that there was some naivety that some readers probably could live without, but I think it has its purpose. There were some rather annoying decisions and character traits, but I’m choosing to appreciate them because I get it. There’s a smaller theme of distinguishing fiction and reality, which seems like common sense when navigating online spaces, but unfortunately isn’t always. I don’t think this aspect will be for everyone, but again, I understanding.
The representation was also fantastic. There were genuine conversations on body image and sexuality without using pain and shame as a crutch for eliciting emotions. Overall, I thought this was an entertaining read about internet culture, friendship, and passion!
•••
I also wanted to acknowledge a couple lovely people who that I wouldn’t have ever had the privilege of interacting with if it wasn’t for online spheres: Krys, who I’ve been talking to since middle school, and finally got the privilege to meet. Molly, the first person I met from Twitter. Max, for being one of the first people I stumbled into while getting back into read. Gaby, who made life so much easier and much more fun while we were in lockdown. Mori, who I bug every day and got to meet on a very, very impromptu solo trip (also my first time flying alone!). Kaylee, who I also bug every day and will eventually meet because we live so close… Anja, with the best book recs (I’ll meet you some day!). Syd, for indulging me in wild plans that end up working (and for driving waaaay too many hours to see me). Isabella, who was once just an online person and now I see at least every week. Nicol, for meeting me at concerts. Dimitri, thanks for putting up with timezones, because it’s always worth it. Matt, you count too because I technically met you online. And Raquel, if you’re out there, I still think about you frequently and I hope you’re doing well.
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I adored Jenna Miller’s other book “We Got The Beat,” and I highly recommend it. A friend let me borrow the physical copy of this book, and I am so delighted I read this too. Jenna Miller is easily becoming a favorite YA contemporary author for me!!!!
This book follows Cass, a fat lesbian teenager who navigates her mom’s abandonment, and begins to dive deep into her online role playing game and community. Cass is carrying a lot in this book (teenagers carry a lot, I will die on this hill):
I adored Jenna Miller’s other book “We Got The Beat,” and I highly recommend it. A friend let me borrow the physical copy of this book, and I am so delighted I read this too. Jenna Miller is easily becoming a favorite YA contemporary author for me!!!!
This book follows Cass, a fat lesbian teenager who navigates her mom’s abandonment, and begins to dive deep into her online role playing game and community. Cass is carrying a lot in this book (teenagers carry a lot, I will die on this hill):
- Classwork and grades
- College applications
- The book series she is fixated on, which translates into finding fandom and found family online
- Online friendships (which I can attest to, just like offline relationships, it takes a lot of effort to maintain sometimes)
- A new girlfriend/romance!
- The aftermath of her mom up and leaving, and ghosting Cass & her dad for a few months (like, not even a phone call, wtf)
- ^^^ the above is what I would say is a huge mindfuck & would rock anyone’s world (my world at sixteen or seventeen would have absolutely been rocked, so I am not speaking for everyone, but holy shit)
I appreciated that Cass made selfish, messy decisions. I think we all do, and I think it’s authentic to how we would have handled things as a young adult too. I can’t say for certain I would’ve made different choices than her, and I appreciate this vulnerability in showing this fallibility.
Overall, I knew who Cass would end up with, but I enjoyed the journey to get there! :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Abandonment, and Addiction
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Grief
elizabethkore's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sedatedbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a delightful read! I loved reading about a queer girl who uses Discord and is a complete nerd while having divorced parents, almost too relatable. I think my only criticisms of this book are that it's kind of obvious of who Cass ends up and what friendships have a falling-out and which ones don't. But I understand why the book is written the way it is. I loved all the friendships that Cass has too, and I feel like I got to know every character really well and nobody was forgotten about either. Would love to read this author's future work!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
I found it to be alright. The writing in the book felt off to me though, like it wasn’t someone in high school so to say.
I found it to be alright. The writing in the book felt off to me though, like it wasn’t someone in high school so to say.
emmaroot's review
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
I really liked it! I didn’t put it down for awhile so that’s always a good sign. I liked the queer fatness nerdiness of it all, of situations I’ve felt I’ve almost been in. Except I think I made all the opposite decisions as the main character? Which made it interested and frustrating and good.
I struggled when Carina came off as a villain for ghosting then coming back a little defensive/ rude when everyone was annoyed at her (and in my opinion being rude too, though maybe I’m in the wrong?) I feel like there’s just a lot of hurt feelings there, and since I apparently relate to Carina more than them that stung a little, mostly cause she doesn’t get a redemption when the middle school ex boyfriend and the mom sorta do. Maybe that’s just life? You don’t always see other people’s redemptions and they can happen much later? But also I wish she got some attention at the end because it would have made the theme stronger of not avoiding your problems. I’m 10 years older than these characters and only just starting to learn that . But overall I’d recommend!
cassie_books8's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75