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dsnyder23 's review for:
You Started It
by Jackie Khalilieh
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Tundra Books and NetGalley for the arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Jamie Taher-Foster and Ben Cameron are going into their senior year with each other and a detailed bucket list. At least, that's what Jamie, a super Type A anxiety-ridden girl, thinks. However, when Ben returns from summer camp and breaks up with her for another girl he worked with, Jamie devises a plan to get him back. Jamie convinces the new guy Axel Dahini to be her fake boyfriend in exchange for money to fix his bike. Of course, it's hard to pretend to be in a relationship without catching feelings, so Jamie finds herself with quite the entanglement.
I think this book had a lot of potential, but did not completely follow through for me personally. Jamie was an awful FMC. She is very selfish, judgmental, lacks self awareness, and complains about everything. I did not connect with her at all, and wish there would've been duel POV with Axel. I do appreciate her character arc and the growth she did have, as she was much more likable once she chilled TF out.
With that being said, Jackie's writing is quick and easy to read and I liked it overall. Aside from the FMC, she had some great characters such as Jamie's uncle and of course Axel. The book cover is beautiful and what originally piqued my interest. This is a cute, zero spice slow burn YA romance. I look forward to reading more of Jackie's work in the future.
Jamie Taher-Foster and Ben Cameron are going into their senior year with each other and a detailed bucket list. At least, that's what Jamie, a super Type A anxiety-ridden girl, thinks. However, when Ben returns from summer camp and breaks up with her for another girl he worked with, Jamie devises a plan to get him back. Jamie convinces the new guy Axel Dahini to be her fake boyfriend in exchange for money to fix his bike. Of course, it's hard to pretend to be in a relationship without catching feelings, so Jamie finds herself with quite the entanglement.
I think this book had a lot of potential, but did not completely follow through for me personally. Jamie was an awful FMC. She is very selfish, judgmental, lacks self awareness, and complains about everything. I did not connect with her at all, and wish there would've been duel POV with Axel. I do appreciate her character arc and the growth she did have, as she was much more likable once she chilled TF out.
With that being said, Jackie's writing is quick and easy to read and I liked it overall. Aside from the FMC, she had some great characters such as Jamie's uncle and of course Axel. The book cover is beautiful and what originally piqued my interest. This is a cute, zero spice slow burn YA romance. I look forward to reading more of Jackie's work in the future.