A review by opalmars
10 Things I Hate About Prom by Elle Gonzalez Rose

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 Really sweet book!

✘ I really enjoyed Ivelisse and Quin’s friendship, and I liked seeing them slowly realizing and admitting they were in love with each other. I especially appreciate that this was a slow-burn!
The “I sent you a letter” / “What letter?” trope was a bit cheesy, but I really enjoyed it haha. Quin’s letter was SO SWEET! 🥺


✘ I appreciate that the LI was really kind and sweet. I despise those rude, cocky, arrogant men in m/f romances. Bless Quin!

✘ Ivelisse was MESSYYYYYY!!! Don’t get me wrong: she was a nice girl and I liked her as a MC, but omgggggg, sometimes it was hard to root for her! Her jealousy and fear were so intense that she kept sabotaging her best friend. Girl, naurrrr 🤒! I do think her actions were really well explained, though! 
Her feelings for Quin making her overly jealous made sense, especially since Quin kind of started ignoring her to pay more attention to Tessa (the “homewrecker” of Ivelisse’s previous relationship); I’m glad they explained and apologized for their behaviours at the end. I’m also glad Tessa apologized to Ivelisse, and cleared things up regarding Danny, and I like that Ivelisse immediately realized that she was probably just being insecure, and that Tessa was probably never to blame at all. Seeing Ivelisse make peace with her mum was also very nice.
 

✘ There were some things that I wish had been explained and showed a bit more. For example, Tessa’s popularity (it’s weird that everyone in that school was obsessed with Tessa even though she never gave them the time of day. I wish we saw more reasons for her popularity and the overwhelming adoration everyone felt for her); as well as Ivelisse and Quin’s “class difference” (it’s mentioned multiple times that he is the popular guy and she’s just a drama-tech girl, but I honestly never felt their “class difference”).

✘ The humour in this book was fine, but I didn’t love it. I think it’s the type of humour that would 10000% translate better on screen. I REALLY hope to see this being adapted into a movie at some point! I think it’d be incredible!

✘ Overall, this was a sweet book, and I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy YA romcoms! I’m super excited for Elle’s next book! 🤩