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A review by chloe_liese
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
Girl Gone Viral does a lot of things well: portrays historically underrepresented backgrounds and nationalities with (as far as my knowledge extends) sensitivity, authenticity, and nuance, placing them in main character prominence, showing their beauty and desirability. Both Katrina's and Jas' lives involve a good bit of coping; they both carry baggage and scars from their past. I appreciated again how complex psychological and emotional challenges were portrayed: thoughtfully, intelligently and sensitively. I also appreciated how the main characters empathize deeply with each other and make each other feel safe. In complementary ways, Katrina and Jas love each other in such a pure, giving, manner. They support each others' growth and healing. That's a true love story right there.
For me, this started off and stayed quite slow well into the book. Pacing was not the book's strong suit. Not until at least 50% was I invested and drawn in and if I hadn't felt a sense of obligation and a desire to push through since having been given an advance copy, I may well have shelved this book before I hit the point that finally drew me in. I'm a firm believer that a book needs to hook you, and I would say Girl Gone Viral spent too much time laying the background for the viral situation, as well as explaining Katrina's anxiety.
All in all, while I felt this story lacked somewhat in its structure and pacing, it makes a solid contribution to the romance genre; portraying diversity and mental health issues with sensitivity, intelligence, and nuance. The world needs books that show us bodies and backgrounds beyond Western and white and never a personal problem. I love how Rai writes delightful, original and diverse characters. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my complimentary advance copy. All opinions are my own.
For me, this started off and stayed quite slow well into the book. Pacing was not the book's strong suit. Not until at least 50% was I invested and drawn in and if I hadn't felt a sense of obligation and a desire to push through since having been given an advance copy, I may well have shelved this book before I hit the point that finally drew me in. I'm a firm believer that a book needs to hook you, and I would say Girl Gone Viral spent too much time laying the background for the viral situation, as well as explaining Katrina's anxiety.
All in all, while I felt this story lacked somewhat in its structure and pacing, it makes a solid contribution to the romance genre; portraying diversity and mental health issues with sensitivity, intelligence, and nuance. The world needs books that show us bodies and backgrounds beyond Western and white and never a personal problem. I love how Rai writes delightful, original and diverse characters. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my complimentary advance copy. All opinions are my own.