A review by cakt1991
It's Kind of a Cheesy Love Story by Lauren Morrill

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

It’s Kind of a Cheesy Love Story is straightforward, in that it’s exactly what you see on the tin: it’s a cheesy love story (with some semblance of a self-discovery narrative), but it also involves literal cheese, because pizza. It’s cute, it’s fun, and it makes use of its premise without delving in too deep. 

I did like the overall narrative of Beck having to figure out how to be herself when she’s split between two very different groups of people, and having to reckon with the fact that she does need to work because of familial financial struggles, even though her parents are very supportive of her emotionally. 

And the romance with Tristan is cute. It’s not epic or anything, but I think it’s nice to have a teen romance that is just normal and allowed to have all the awkwardness mixed with the good moments, as suits a YA contemporary. 

I did feel that the story lacked real depth to the characters. I was able to finish the book quickly, but in spite of the issues it attempts to deal with, I just felt very detached from everyone and like it felt fairly superficial. 

I enjoyed this book, but I do think this was a case where I’m outside the target demographic, and perhaps someone it was more suited for would appreciate it more.