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s_c_bookworm 's review for:
Date Me, Bryson Keller
by Kevin van Whye
Spoiler Alert!
Okay. So. Here's my problem with the fake-dating trope. In my opinion, in order for one these to work (fake relationship turned to real relationship), there needs to be a valid and believable reason for the two main characters to be in a fake relationship in the first place. Did I see that in this book? No. So I'm supposed to believe that Kai simply asks Bryson out? Clearly, Kai has a lot on his mind, what with the Romeo and Juliet script and getting a response from his dream school. Why does he ask Bryson out? Isn't Kai described as shy and introverted? How and why would someone like that want to ask a "popular kid" out, even if it's part of a game? (I do believe a "shy" character should show development and not be as shy at the end, but more on that later.) In the book, it says, "I am drunk on anger and disappointment" to justify Kai asking Bryson out. Somehow, this isn't good enough a reason for me.
Characters:
Priya and Donny's entire personality seems to be that they're infatuated with each other. Which is fine, but that shouldn't be the only thing the author writes about them, you know what i'm saying. I get that they are also supportive towards Kai, but again, even if they are supporting characters, some depth to their characters would have been nice.
I am also kind of conflicted about Bryson's character. I think the author wanted to take the stereotypical "jock" and make him not-so-jocky. I'm all for dissolving high school stereotypes. Unfortunately, I think all this did was turn him into the stereotypical "nice guy". Being compassionate, gentle, and kind is great, don't get me wrong, but that is literally all Bryson is. If I remember correctly, the one time he shows traits not like this is when it is insinuated that he is jealous of seeing Issac and Kai together, but that is never explored further. This made Bryson a flat and two dimensional character.
At the beginning, I said that Kai is an introvert, and it doesn't make sense that he is doing not-shy things. I do like when a character is described as shy, but then does contradicting things, but it only makes sense if it shows character development. Kai is oddly upfront towards Shannon whenever they meet, which was weird.
I did enjoy Yasmine's character, I wish she was developed further.
Okay. So. Here's my problem with the fake-dating trope. In my opinion, in order for one these to work (fake relationship turned to real relationship), there needs to be a valid and believable reason for the two main characters to be in a fake relationship in the first place. Did I see that in this book? No. So I'm supposed to believe that Kai simply asks Bryson out? Clearly, Kai has a lot on his mind, what with the Romeo and Juliet script and getting a response from his dream school. Why does he ask Bryson out? Isn't Kai described as shy and introverted? How and why would someone like that want to ask a "popular kid" out, even if it's part of a game? (I do believe a "shy" character should show development and not be as shy at the end, but more on that later.) In the book, it says, "I am drunk on anger and disappointment" to justify Kai asking Bryson out. Somehow, this isn't good enough a reason for me.
Characters:
Priya and Donny's entire personality seems to be that they're infatuated with each other. Which is fine, but that shouldn't be the only thing the author writes about them, you know what i'm saying. I get that they are also supportive towards Kai, but again, even if they are supporting characters, some depth to their characters would have been nice.
I am also kind of conflicted about Bryson's character. I think the author wanted to take the stereotypical "jock" and make him not-so-jocky. I'm all for dissolving high school stereotypes. Unfortunately, I think all this did was turn him into the stereotypical "nice guy". Being compassionate, gentle, and kind is great, don't get me wrong, but that is literally all Bryson is. If I remember correctly, the one time he shows traits not like this is when it is insinuated that he is jealous of seeing Issac and Kai together, but that is never explored further. This made Bryson a flat and two dimensional character.
At the beginning, I said that Kai is an introvert, and it doesn't make sense that he is doing not-shy things. I do like when a character is described as shy, but then does contradicting things, but it only makes sense if it shows character development. Kai is oddly upfront towards Shannon whenever they meet, which was weird.
I did enjoy Yasmine's character, I wish she was developed further.