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A review by jillianelis_
Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl by Brianna R. Shrum, Sara Waxelbaum
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this title.
As another reviewer said, this book was a cute Disney Channel Movie romp of a book. I liked that the main characters faced very real issues in their lives at home, at school, and in their friend groups, and it gave the book some extra depth.
That said, the pacing and the reveals of information and characters felt scattered. Like, the introduction of Jamal, Mendel's sexuality, and the introduction of the main plot all felt like they were unfolding too fast and too slow at the same time. I guess that's just a roundabout way of saying that the pacing felt off. Not to mention that the aftermath of the party that kicks off the whole book is NEVER mentioned again, and I felt like the inciting incident for Margo discovering her gayness got swept away too quickly.
Finally, the dialogue. Much of it felt like it was pulled directly off TikTok, and being in my mid-twenties and not on TikTok, it really took me out of the story.
Again, I'll echo other reviewers by saying the sex scene really felt like a LOT for a YA book. I was honestly surprised at how explicit it was. If that's not your jam, just be aware.
Overall, this was fun. Glad I read it and I think teens will enjoy it, but not one I'll reach for again anytime soon.
As another reviewer said, this book was a cute Disney Channel Movie romp of a book. I liked that the main characters faced very real issues in their lives at home, at school, and in their friend groups, and it gave the book some extra depth.
That said, the pacing and the reveals of information and characters felt scattered. Like, the introduction of Jamal, Mendel's sexuality, and the introduction of the main plot all felt like they were unfolding too fast and too slow at the same time. I guess that's just a roundabout way of saying that the pacing felt off. Not to mention that the aftermath of the party that kicks off the whole book is NEVER mentioned again, and I felt like the inciting incident for Margo discovering her gayness got swept away too quickly.
Finally, the dialogue. Much of it felt like it was pulled directly off TikTok, and being in my mid-twenties and not on TikTok, it really took me out of the story.
Again, I'll echo other reviewers by saying the sex scene really felt like a LOT for a YA book. I was honestly surprised at how explicit it was. If that's not your jam, just be aware.
Overall, this was fun. Glad I read it and I think teens will enjoy it, but not one I'll reach for again anytime soon.