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amethyst_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Racism
0701mango's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
While I see the merits of this book and I can totally understand why someone would love this book, I'm past high school dramas. It was so frustratingly, unendingly dramatic, and I wasn't sold enough on the romance at the end. I wish it were more about things other than the drama and the meanness of fictional high schoolers. I appreciated the diversity of the characters both main and side. It was a headache to read for me, but, if movies like Mean Girls are your thing, like REALLY your thing, then more power to you. You'll probably enjoy this book, so give it a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
afnaan's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
lainiereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Such a cute romance read! I read the first 60ish percent of this book in one day (which is very unusual for me) and then finished it that following night. I just couldn't put it down, partially due to the romance, but also because of the conflicts that the main character, Eliza, had to deal with. I just had to keep reading to see what she would do next!
Speaking of Eliza, I love her. Often with angry leads in books, you'll see them go overboard and take their anger too far, but Eliza was able to use her anger in productive ways and realize when she needed to stop fighting and shift gears. She's also great because she didn't stop being angry at the end of the story. Many times, authors will have their characters begin very fiery, but by the end, they learn to not be angry anymore. That always infuriates me because, more often than not, their anger was justified! Michelle Quach avoids this and acknowledges that Eliza's cause is just and she can grow as a person without having to stop fighting for what she believes in.
The other main character, Len, was also great. He fits both the cocky jock stereotype and the thoughtful, quiet guy stereotype, which is the best combination. I think my only critic of him is that I wish he stood up for Eliza more? Like, I know she doesn't need him to defend her, but it just felt weird to me to see people just stand around while she was being bullied- especially when that person is the love interest! He makes up for this by the end though, so I still definitely love him.
This book covers a lot of real issues, such as racism, infidelity (not in the main couple though, don't worry), and a LOT of blatant sexism and slut-shaming. While all of these things are tough to read about, Quach handles them well and makes sure all of the main characters realize how awful these issues are. If you are able to read about topics like these, then I definitely recommend this for a great story and a great romance!
Speaking of Eliza, I love her. Often with angry leads in books, you'll see them go overboard and take their anger too far, but Eliza was able to use her anger in productive ways and realize when she needed to stop fighting and shift gears. She's also great because she didn't stop being angry at the end of the story. Many times, authors will have their characters begin very fiery, but by the end, they learn to not be angry anymore. That always infuriates me because, more often than not, their anger was justified! Michelle Quach avoids this and acknowledges that Eliza's cause is just and she can grow as a person without having to stop fighting for what she believes in.
The other main character, Len, was also great. He fits both the cocky jock stereotype and the thoughtful, quiet guy stereotype, which is the best combination. I think my only critic of him is that I wish he stood up for Eliza more? Like, I know she doesn't need him to defend her, but it just felt weird to me to see people just stand around while she was being bullied- especially when that person is the love interest! He makes up for this by the end though, so I still definitely love him.
This book covers a lot of real issues, such as racism, infidelity (not in the main couple though, don't worry), and a LOT of blatant sexism and slut-shaming. While all of these things are tough to read about, Quach handles them well and makes sure all of the main characters realize how awful these issues are. If you are able to read about topics like these, then I definitely recommend this for a great story and a great romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
melody_trubibliomaniac's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
nisha_nee's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
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
3.75
A recommended read for youths and teenagers today. This has not the most groundbreaking idea about feminism, but it would be a good place to start for teens to gain awareness and start thinking critically. The romance was just fine and an okay addition to the plot. Keep in mind there was a "making-out" scene, not too fully detailed but just in case, if you are looking to give this book to your kid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
217cms's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
i was promised a good book with rivals to lovers and good representation of feminism, but i did not receive any of that. in fact, i am incredibly disappointed with this book not just with the hype it got on booktok but with all the 4-star reviews it got. here's why:
1. wrong portrayal of feminism
a lot of the actions caused by eliza in the name of "feminism" were definitely questionable. in fact, a lot of the acts caused by characters were questionable because they had questionable intentions in the first place. while i do understand where eliza comes from with feeling as if her losing was due to the misogyny present, you can definitely argue that eliza lost because she isn't a fitting leader. why? because she is managing editor (?) of the bugle already. people already have a taste of how it would be to be under eliza's supervision in a more authoritative position.
sure, you can also argue that it is misogynistic because they chose to favor "possibility" by voting len who has less credentials and less experience instead of "credibility" which eliza clearly had. however, being credible in that specific school setting does not cover if you are a good leader. if the people in the bugle did not like how they were being treated and felt that len could provide better comments that would not only aid them but uplift them, then it makes perfect sense why eliza did not win.
obviously credibility is everything especially in the socio-political context. i mean, its so important to choose people who have more experience when it comes to more nationwide or even schoolwide positions. but i do believe there is nothing wrong with len winning because giving someone the chance to lead despite little experience but with the passion to do so is still as valuable. which is why if the situation were different, i would be able to empathise with eliza better. if it were for the student council position or if len turned out to actually have a bad record from the start, then i would have fully agreed with her. but we cannot deny that her choosing to blame it on misogyny was petty in the sense that it was just actual anger towards len being the editor-in-chief.
this was heavily seen when eliza had mentioned the walkout. the purpose of the walkout was to make sure len would resign from being editor-in-chief, and i felt as if that was performative in itself. there are better ways to tackle misogyny, and i do believe walkouts do have ways to do it. but it is the intention that made the whole reading so upsetting.
obviously, there were still really good points. feminism in the point of view of bipoc people especially those in different generations was a good way to tackle the idea of it. not only that, i can definitely see where misogyny was actually present (such as the school's principal arguing that tampons is an inappopriate topic to discuss in school or when the school found out that eliza and len hooked up, eliza suffered the most). however, i still think the book can send out the wrong message especially with how it was ordered, the intentions, etc.
2. the characters were just overall annoying
i don't know if the intention was to make characters walking cliches or just soooooo annoying but they had no personality. i felt like the only character i really liked was winona. eliza was just so unlikable and len was so. i cant even begin to describe him. his personality trait was just being a washedup athlete LOL! eliza was just so misguided but she did have her sort of redemption arc in some cases. i don't know but its so hard to enjoy this book if everyone was just ANNOYING.
overall, this book could have been better. i'm not even kidding. maybe if the context was changed or the intention or whatever were different, maybe i would've liked this book. people can disagree with me because i will acknowledge that this book still had good points. however, i will still stick by the fact that it could send out the wrong message. as this is a YA book, i hope people who have read this understand that this isn't what feminism or misogyny is all about. please make sure to do your research on what the two are. hopefully this book only helps you in wanting to do proper research on these concepts especially in the views of bipoc people.
1. wrong portrayal of feminism
a lot of the actions caused by eliza in the name of "feminism" were definitely questionable. in fact, a lot of the acts caused by characters were questionable because they had questionable intentions in the first place. while i do understand where eliza comes from with feeling as if her losing was due to the misogyny present, you can definitely argue that eliza lost because she isn't a fitting leader. why? because she is managing editor (?) of the bugle already. people already have a taste of how it would be to be under eliza's supervision in a more authoritative position.
sure, you can also argue that it is misogynistic because they chose to favor "possibility" by voting len who has less credentials and less experience instead of "credibility" which eliza clearly had. however, being credible in that specific school setting does not cover if you are a good leader. if the people in the bugle did not like how they were being treated and felt that len could provide better comments that would not only aid them but uplift them, then it makes perfect sense why eliza did not win.
obviously credibility is everything especially in the socio-political context. i mean, its so important to choose people who have more experience when it comes to more nationwide or even schoolwide positions. but i do believe there is nothing wrong with len winning because giving someone the chance to lead despite little experience but with the passion to do so is still as valuable. which is why if the situation were different, i would be able to empathise with eliza better. if it were for the student council position or if len turned out to actually have a bad record from the start, then i would have fully agreed with her. but we cannot deny that her choosing to blame it on misogyny was petty in the sense that it was just actual anger towards len being the editor-in-chief.
this was heavily seen when eliza had mentioned the walkout. the purpose of the walkout was to make sure len would resign from being editor-in-chief, and i felt as if that was performative in itself. there are better ways to tackle misogyny, and i do believe walkouts do have ways to do it. but it is the intention that made the whole reading so upsetting.
obviously, there were still really good points. feminism in the point of view of bipoc people especially those in different generations was a good way to tackle the idea of it. not only that, i can definitely see where misogyny was actually present (such as the school's principal arguing that tampons is an inappopriate topic to discuss in school or when the school found out that eliza and len hooked up, eliza suffered the most). however, i still think the book can send out the wrong message especially with how it was ordered, the intentions, etc.
2. the characters were just overall annoying
i don't know if the intention was to make characters walking cliches or just soooooo annoying but they had no personality. i felt like the only character i really liked was winona. eliza was just so unlikable and len was so. i cant even begin to describe him. his personality trait was just being a washedup athlete LOL! eliza was just so misguided but she did have her sort of redemption arc in some cases. i don't know but its so hard to enjoy this book if everyone was just ANNOYING.
overall, this book could have been better. i'm not even kidding. maybe if the context was changed or the intention or whatever were different, maybe i would've liked this book. people can disagree with me because i will acknowledge that this book still had good points. however, i will still stick by the fact that it could send out the wrong message. as this is a YA book, i hope people who have read this understand that this isn't what feminism or misogyny is all about. please make sure to do your research on what the two are. hopefully this book only helps you in wanting to do proper research on these concepts especially in the views of bipoc people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Sexism
alonlyfangirl's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
elderflower's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
ribs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism