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nicolecraswell 's review for:
Something Real
by Heather Demetrios
This was a book that I found myself constantly having to put down because I was getting too worked up. It wasn't anything wrong with the book that was frustrating me, it intentionally frustrating, it was the shitty situations the MC was forced into that were frustrating. I felt connected to Chloe almost immediately because we were angry in solidarity at how shitty everything from her mother to MetaReel was.
Character-wise, I am so jealous of Chloe for getting to surround herself with her friends. Tessa and Mer were amazing. Benny was perfect (I don't know if I'd rather have him be my brother or my best friend). And Patrick... Patrick was just a dreamboat. I really appreciated that there wasn't that much friend drama in this. There have been hordes of contemporaries where once one aspect of the MC's life falls apart, so does everything else. Not that those books aren't great or don't have their place, but I really loved that throughout the entire book Chloe had Tessa, Mer, Patrick, Benny, and Matt behind her, supporting her and reminding her that they were there for her (regardless of whether or not she would take their help). I do wish we'd gotten to see a little bit more of Benny and Matt's relationship, but that's mostly just cause what we DID see of them was absolutely adorable.
I'm torn as to whether or not I wish we'd gotten to get to know Chloe's siblings more. On one hand they're clearly extremely important to her and a big part of her life. On the other hand... that's A LOT of characters to remember and care about. The one sibling we did get to know fairly well (apart from Benny of course) was Lex. Oh Lex... I started the book not quite hating Lex... but I wasn't exactly her biggest fan. I ended the book with Lex being one of my favorite characters. I don't know if I would want to be her friend, but I definitely respect her. I was a little worried in the beginning of the book about Chloe's slut-shaming of Lex, and while there were a number of times that I felt like were kind of cringy in that respect, for the most part it didn't feel like it ever got too bad. And her behavior was definitely explained and justified in a subtle, yet effective way.
My one issue was that I felt like there were a number of plot points that weren't quite wrapped up. I don't mean that in the "everything's left open ended cause life goes on" kind of way. The end felt like a very distinct ending/new beginning, but there were just some strands that didn't quite get tied off (mainly the plot lines with Melinda Greenberg and Chuck's threats).
Overall I loved this book. Tbh part of that is definitely because I may or may not kind of enjoy getting really fired about about things that make me angry... But overall this had a really good balance of characters you can't help but love, characters you love to hate, and a compelling plot that gives a sneak peak behind the scenes of a world that's so good at faking being real.
(Update: I just found out that there's a sequel/spin off and it focuses on Lexie and it's on Wattpad and I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS)
Character-wise, I am so jealous of Chloe for getting to surround herself with her friends. Tessa and Mer were amazing. Benny was perfect (I don't know if I'd rather have him be my brother or my best friend). And Patrick... Patrick was just a dreamboat. I really appreciated that there wasn't that much friend drama in this. There have been hordes of contemporaries where once one aspect of the MC's life falls apart, so does everything else. Not that those books aren't great or don't have their place, but I really loved that throughout the entire book Chloe had Tessa, Mer, Patrick, Benny, and Matt behind her, supporting her and reminding her that they were there for her (regardless of whether or not she would take their help). I do wish we'd gotten to see a little bit more of Benny and Matt's relationship, but that's mostly just cause what we DID see of them was absolutely adorable.
I'm torn as to whether or not I wish we'd gotten to get to know Chloe's siblings more. On one hand they're clearly extremely important to her and a big part of her life. On the other hand... that's A LOT of characters to remember and care about. The one sibling we did get to know fairly well (apart from Benny of course) was Lex. Oh Lex... I started the book not quite hating Lex... but I wasn't exactly her biggest fan. I ended the book with Lex being one of my favorite characters. I don't know if I would want to be her friend, but I definitely respect her. I was a little worried in the beginning of the book about Chloe's slut-shaming of Lex, and while there were a number of times that I felt like were kind of cringy in that respect, for the most part it didn't feel like it ever got too bad. And her behavior was definitely explained and justified in a subtle, yet effective way.
My one issue was that I felt like there were a number of plot points that weren't quite wrapped up. I don't mean that in the "everything's left open ended cause life goes on" kind of way. The end felt like a very distinct ending/new beginning, but there were just some strands that didn't quite get tied off (mainly the plot lines with Melinda Greenberg and Chuck's threats).
Overall I loved this book. Tbh part of that is definitely because I may or may not kind of enjoy getting really fired about about things that make me angry... But overall this had a really good balance of characters you can't help but love, characters you love to hate, and a compelling plot that gives a sneak peak behind the scenes of a world that's so good at faking being real.
(Update: I just found out that there's a sequel/spin off and it focuses on Lexie and it's on Wattpad and I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS)