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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
I was really looking forward to reading this book, because look at that cover!! Also, I was even more excited to read this because the author did a Twitter giveaway only for Brazillian readers!! I didn't win, but still!! It was nice to see since most giveaways tend to be only for the US or the UK.
Meet Cute Diary follows Noah. He’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, the only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks in, and the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary. Which makes him realizes that dating in real life isn’t quite the same as finding love on the page.
I see so many negative reviews saying how they didn't like this book because Noah was immature . And I really disagree with those reviews. In YA contemporary, we don't see enough imperfect characters. But Noah really gets to be a real teenager in this book, and I think that's so important. Even though he is a little selfish and a little self-absorbed at times. I feel like he has a great character arc and learns to grow as a person.
I loved all of the representation here! We've got a trans triracial main character, a non-binary side-character who changes pronouns throughout the book and uses neopronouns!!
Probably what I enjoyed the most about this book was how much it surprised me. Usually, YA romance goes as you expect from reading the synopsis. But Meet Cute Diary does something different and unique that I did not expect!!
Meet Cute Diary follows Noah. He’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, the only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks in, and the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary. Which makes him realizes that dating in real life isn’t quite the same as finding love on the page.
I see so many negative reviews saying how they didn't like this book because Noah was immature . And I really disagree with those reviews. In YA contemporary, we don't see enough imperfect characters. But Noah really gets to be a real teenager in this book, and I think that's so important. Even though he is a little selfish and a little self-absorbed at times. I feel like he has a great character arc and learns to grow as a person.
I loved all of the representation here! We've got a trans triracial main character, a non-binary side-character who changes pronouns throughout the book and uses neopronouns!!
Probably what I enjoyed the most about this book was how much it surprised me. Usually, YA romance goes as you expect from reading the synopsis. But Meet Cute Diary does something different and unique that I did not expect!!
I’m not the demographic for this book. I was ridiculously annoyed by Noah the entire time, he was bratty and selfish, but somehow incredibly self aware, and hyper critical of everything. To me, a greatly unlikeable character. I loved the people around him though, many complex and thoughtful characters in his world. Noah felt very one sided though, too much of a caricature of a teen. Storyline was a little fantastical with this wildly popular tumblr, but maybe that’s a feesible reality that I’m just not familiar with? Ultimately, I enjoyed a lot of the storyline, appreciated the normalization of neopronouns, loved the conversations on gender, and would love to see a rendition of this with the characters a little more complex. The only real gripe I have with the book is that the 16 year old was one dimensional and the relationship between a 16 and 18 year old made me horribly uncomfortable (which isn’t a negative in this review).
The biggest problem with this book is its main character. Noah is insufferable. He comes across as extremely self-centered as he takes advantage of the kindness and support from his best friend and family.
Examples:
-Noah is SO annoyed that his parents expect him to get a job and cut off his credit card for a bit because he keeps using it for rides when he lives in a walkable town.
-Demanding his best friend pick up at all times when he calls, but never once asking how she is doing (even when she shares she is going through some stuff- he's just annoyed she's not listening to him).
-Being annoyed at his brother for waking him up early (so he won't be late for work) or hanging out with people he doesn't like when his brother is being extremely supportive of Noah as a trans boy (even cutting people out of his life that don't respect Noah for who he is).
-Noah gets pissed off at a boy his age who throws up on him and then tries to apologize by bringing him coffee the next day. Like he HATES this kid and only tries to tolerate him so he doesn't get fired at work. He keeps focusing on his own embarrassment, and I'm like- what about how embarrassing it is for the kid who got sick???
Ughhhhhhh. Even by the end when Noah has grown up a little, I still felt like he didn't really do anything to make amends for how he treated people in the past. Good job picking loyal friends because I feel like all his friends and family deserved a lot better.
The last maybe 25% of this book was ok. Devin saves it from having nothing redeemable, but he comes a little too late and once again- deserves better.
I really wanted to like this and it was just a big disappointment. I want to root for the main character, not wish he crashes and burns harder because I feel like he deserves it.
*Also on a side note, not ALL of Florida is bad and hateful. I say this as a Floridian and LGBTQ+ ally. I feel like the book just described Florida as the worst place ever for an LGBTQ+ teen, and it kind of sucked thinking of all the wonderful people I know in that community locally. There's love and hate everywhere, and I felt like this book just wrote off the entire state completely.
Examples:
-Noah is SO annoyed that his parents expect him to get a job and cut off his credit card for a bit because he keeps using it for rides when he lives in a walkable town.
-Demanding his best friend pick up at all times when he calls, but never once asking how she is doing (even when she shares she is going through some stuff- he's just annoyed she's not listening to him).
-Being annoyed at his brother for waking him up early (so he won't be late for work) or hanging out with people he doesn't like when his brother is being extremely supportive of Noah as a trans boy (even cutting people out of his life that don't respect Noah for who he is).
-Noah gets pissed off at a boy his age who throws up on him and then tries to apologize by bringing him coffee the next day. Like he HATES this kid and only tries to tolerate him so he doesn't get fired at work. He keeps focusing on his own embarrassment, and I'm like- what about how embarrassing it is for the kid who got sick???
Ughhhhhhh. Even by the end when Noah has grown up a little, I still felt like he didn't really do anything to make amends for how he treated people in the past. Good job picking loyal friends because I feel like all his friends and family deserved a lot better.
The last maybe 25% of this book was ok. Devin saves it from having nothing redeemable, but he comes a little too late and once again- deserves better.
I really wanted to like this and it was just a big disappointment. I want to root for the main character, not wish he crashes and burns harder because I feel like he deserves it.
*Also on a side note, not ALL of Florida is bad and hateful. I say this as a Floridian and LGBTQ+ ally. I feel like the book just described Florida as the worst place ever for an LGBTQ+ teen, and it kind of sucked thinking of all the wonderful people I know in that community locally. There's love and hate everywhere, and I felt like this book just wrote off the entire state completely.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice story liked the trans rep. changing of pronouns non binary character was very relatable. I liked how it showcased different stories. I liked the meet chute Idea. I'm on Tumblr a lot so the comments seemed relistic. I liked the discovery that love can't be like they are in the books and I do think there was self imorovment. he understand he has to be less elf centered and he there for his brother but I do agree that his response about his brothers girlfriend being a jerk was upsetting but I get he's 16 people are being way to harsh to a fictional 16 year old like I relate to this feeling judgmental. this book has a lot of agest remarks I don't love. I like the ace rep ifs not typical which it's important to show the typical but also the non typical for proper rep. just because it's stereotypical doesn't mean it's better just we need more and not just the typical. I didn't relaxis that Denver is a walking distance from what we get he's able bodied so idk how he got to 400 a week. it can definitely get up there but dam there is proviloahe there. I also think the parents should have had a vovno with him he's still under their care. I don't think he's a bad human but I agree he needs therapy. I loved the terf storylinem very relistic like play I don't like that but beca didn't turn out to be this horrible transphobic person. seems realisti. I also see how he's like the one that always vents expecting help which can be draining! it got kinda boring but I enjoyed reading it reminded me of when I was in middle school reaing romcoms and I think this is a pretty good book I do wish the MC was less judgy or at least one call out on that like one thing to judgw in your head but theres a lack of awareness thats not addressed so i understand why people are mad but they need to chill. 3/5 5/10
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
It’s not bad, it’s just not for me. Noah annoyed me too often, but that’s probably because he’s a high schooler. I did love Devin, e was so cute and must be protected at all costs.
I loved having trans main characters, and getting to read about characters using neopronouns.
I would have liked to understand Drew a bit: he seemed like a total jerk and I wonder why. Was he only dating Noah because he wanted the spotlight of the Diary? Was he genuinely interested in Noah, and he was also dealing with a ton of stuff of his own? I’m still unsure.
I loved having trans main characters, and getting to read about characters using neopronouns.
I would have liked to understand Drew a bit: he seemed like a total jerk and I wonder why. Was he only dating Noah because he wanted the spotlight of the Diary? Was he genuinely interested in Noah, and he was also dealing with a ton of stuff of his own? I’m still unsure.
emotional
funny
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
I LOVED this book. All the characters were incredibly well-written, and had reasons behind their actions, justifiable to them. I love how Noah's relationships with Devon and Becca broke down and blossomed as the characters grew; I feel like that's how relationships (please note, by relationship I mean any relationship: platonic, romantic, familial, queerplatonic, etc) usually work, and I think Lee did a good job illustrating that.
There were so many moments that I just had to cackle or squeal or yell at a wall (in lieu of Noah, as he wasn't present to yell at lol).
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and would recommend it for somebody who loves lighthearted romances with fake dating gone wrong.
There were so many moments that I just had to cackle or squeal or yell at a wall (in lieu of Noah, as he wasn't present to yell at lol).
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and would recommend it for somebody who loves lighthearted romances with fake dating gone wrong.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Transphobia
