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A review by hooliaquoolia
Analee, in Real Life by Janelle Milanes
3.0
I can predict that a lot of criticism of this book is essentially that it's a ripoff of [b:To All the Boys I've Loved Before|15749186|To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)|Jenny Han|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1372086100s/15749186.jpg|21442106]. Main character is an introverted teen girl whose mother has passed, and winds up faux-dating the hot popular boy at school. And that criticism is valid, because now that the Netflix film has permeated the YA media world, it's simply not possible that this book was not influenced by it.
However, what this book has going for it is that the writing is far better than TATBILB, the main character is smarter and more realistic, and the ending is simply better. There is a sincere examination of grief and the aftermath of trauma, which is so, so important for teenagers. And I loved that the main character finally put her own health and growth first, instead of placing both in the hands of some teenage boy. It's a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it for teens over TATBILB.
However, what this book has going for it is that the writing is far better than TATBILB, the main character is smarter and more realistic, and the ending is simply better. There is a sincere examination of grief and the aftermath of trauma, which is so, so important for teenagers. And I loved that the main character finally put her own health and growth first, instead of placing both in the hands of some teenage boy. It's a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it for teens over TATBILB.