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A review by eiie
Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson
5.0
Loved it! A fun fast read (I finished it in two sittings), that I definitely recommend.
First, I need to say how exciting it is to see a demisexual teen in a novel figuring out how she relates socially and romantically with her peers. Where was lit like this when I was a teen? Life would have made so much more sense! Particularly spot on were the sections where the main character discusses how she loves reading kissing books and watching Korean drama but has never actually wanted to kiss a guy . . . but she's wanted to want to. SPOT ON! This quandary is totally accurate to my teen experience as a demisexual who didn't yet have a name for what I felt.
Second, this is an epistolary novel, it is told entirely in text messages. But not text messages like "R u there:)?" no, no, these are erudite, well punctuated messages sent between two quirky teens in a gifted/talented program. It's eminently readable while still being "teen enough" that it never broke my suspension of disbelief that this was a couple of teens.
While there is nothing about the characters or premise that specifically reminds me of Gilmore Girls -- and I would in no way say the main character is a Rory Gilmore -- I would say that I could see these teens being among the super smart classmates/friends of Rory's, shooting back and forth oddball factoids, and having running jokes while engaging in deep, quirky, anxiety and occasional soul baring.
First, I need to say how exciting it is to see a demisexual teen in a novel figuring out how she relates socially and romantically with her peers. Where was lit like this when I was a teen? Life would have made so much more sense! Particularly spot on were the sections where the main character discusses how she loves reading kissing books and watching Korean drama but has never actually wanted to kiss a guy . . . but she's wanted to want to. SPOT ON! This quandary is totally accurate to my teen experience as a demisexual who didn't yet have a name for what I felt.
Second, this is an epistolary novel, it is told entirely in text messages. But not text messages like "R u there:)?" no, no, these are erudite, well punctuated messages sent between two quirky teens in a gifted/talented program. It's eminently readable while still being "teen enough" that it never broke my suspension of disbelief that this was a couple of teens.
While there is nothing about the characters or premise that specifically reminds me of Gilmore Girls -- and I would in no way say the main character is a Rory Gilmore -- I would say that I could see these teens being among the super smart classmates/friends of Rory's, shooting back and forth oddball factoids, and having running jokes while engaging in deep, quirky, anxiety and occasional soul baring.