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tristatereader's Reviews (114)
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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:
No
Let me preface this review with the disclaimer that I am fully immersed in my Becky fan-girl era. I’ve read five of her books in a row and seriously can’t get enough. But The Upside of Unrequited spoke to me and it quickly became my 2nd 5-star read of the year.
Molly and her twin sister Cassie are best friends. While they have very different personalities, they understand one another better than they understand themselves. But when Cassie gets her first girlfriend, things get complicated. Enter Cassie and her girlfriend Mina to meddle in Molly’s love life. When they try to set Molly up with Mina’s bestie, hipster Will, the proverbial pot starts getting stirred. Sweet and introverted Molly begins feeling pressure to fit in with a whole new crowd of people while also remaining true to herself. And while she’s being pushed to form a connection with Will, she can’t stop thinking about her nerdy, funny, and sweet coworker, Reid.
Y’all… this book SPOKE TO ME. Much like Imogen, Obviously, I found myself screaming YES, THIS! Into the abyss on more than one occasion. This is a book about accepting change. And full disclosure, I am terrible with change. I truly resonated with Molly’s emotions as she navigated through so many changing relationships and challenging times. I found her strength and ultimate acceptance of change so admirable.
Also THE DIVERSITY!!! I can’t say enough about the diversity in this book! We saw every race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and body size represented. It was truly a melting pot of characters and I absolutely loved it. Also the mental health rep was👩🏻🍳💋. Yay for normalizing talking about psychiatric medications!
I know this book is several years old, but I highly recommend that it (and the entire Simonverse) be added to your TBR. Or maybe this is a sign that it’s time for a Simonverse re-read? 🔮
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
Fake dating enthusiasts rejoice because THIS 👏🏼 IS 👏🏼 IT. I have been patiently waiting for my library to order and receive this book after I put in my request several weeks ago. It finally came in on Wednesday, I started it at 5PM after work, and I didn’t put it down until I was done. It’s been such a long time since I was so invested in a book that I was able to read it in one sitting. But They Hate Each Other (THEO) grabbed me from the get-go and held on tight. I ended up ordering my own copy approximately 17 seconds after finishing my library copy 😊
Dylan Ramírez (hell yeah Hispanic rep) and Jonah Collins are archenemies. They hate everything about one another and make no attempts to hide their disdain. But Jonah gets wrecked at a homecoming party at Dylan’s house and ends up crashing in his bed, with Dylan. Rumors quickly begin circulating amongst their friend group, who are all too smug to say “told you so” as they have been trying to ignite a romance between the two for years. Dylan and Jonah decide the only way to get their friends off their back is to pretend to date for a little while, and then break up and never speak again. Seems simple enough, right? But then Dylan and Jonah’s trauma histories start surfacing, which results in both boys being there for one another in ways they could have never imagined. Suddenly, their feelings toward one another don’t feel as fake as the two had anticipated.
THEO is a YA romcom but doesn’t feel YA. If you’ve read my past reviews, you know I love a YA that doesn’t hold back and actually shows that being a teenager is fucking hard. Amanda executed this flawlessly in THEO. Dylan and Jonah, although teenagers, are really going through it. They’re dealing with some real life shit and I loved watching their journey and self-growth as they navigated their way, both individually and together. And I actually gasped at the end because as I was reading this book, I kept feeling that same “this is how YA is done!” feeling that I get when I read Julian Winters books, and then I saw in the acknowledgements that he was a sensitivity reader! That was a lovely surprise.
This book was hilarious, emotional, witty, heartbreaking, and then so heartwarming. I laughed, I cried, I cursed… I pledged my undying allegiance to so many amazing fictional characters. Y’all I know I don’t give out 5 stars easily, but there’s no question this was a 5 star read for me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I know I’m several years behind, but I just finished the entire Simonverse and I’m having (good) feelings.
I absolutely loved this novella! I loved catching up with the Shady Creek crew now that they’re in college. I saw some reviews saying this novella was pointless, but those kind of comments are pointless IMO. This was a super sweet, fun way to check in with some beloved characters. My only qualm (and why it didn’t get the full 5 stars) is how it ended 😭 I don’t love when books end kind of abruptly with things left open-ended, but that’s just me. Maybe there will be a sequel in the future??? Simonverse 3 and 3/4? Fingers crossed!
I absolutely loved this novella! I loved catching up with the Shady Creek crew now that they’re in college. I saw some reviews saying this novella was pointless, but those kind of comments are pointless IMO. This was a super sweet, fun way to check in with some beloved characters. My only qualm (and why it didn’t get the full 5 stars) is how it ended 😭 I don’t love when books end kind of abruptly with things left open-ended, but that’s just me. Maybe there will be a sequel in the future??? Simonverse 3 and 3/4? Fingers crossed!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hi, my name is Sara and I’m in my Becky Albertalli fangirl era.
I loved this book.
Full review to come.
I loved this book.
Full review to come.
DNF at 20%. I have been trying to read this book for over a month and I finally have to throw in the towel. I really enjoyed Something Fabulous, minus the insufferable Arabella. Unfortunately, the first 20% of Something Spectacular has a lot of Arabella and her shenanigans and I just can’t take it anymore. I’m seeing a lot of reviews in which readers are saying it took a while for them to get out of Arabella’s orbit and into the Peggy / Orfeo romance, so perhaps I will try to take another stab at this book in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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:
No
Ok y’all. This book. This book right here. This booooooook [VERY DEEP INHALE].
Honestly, the reader letter that Becky wrote in the beginning could have been the entire book. I literally would have paid $19.99 for that letter. It spoke to my soul and also scared the shit out of me to experience Imogen’s journey. But I’m so glad I did.
Imogen, Obviously is a YA sapphic romcom about a high school senior’s journey to discovering her sexuality. Imogen is the world’s best ally. She loves her lesbian sister, queer besties, and her three copies of One Last Stop. Yep, Imogen is just cruising along, living her best straight life. But then Imogen goes to visit her bestie Lili at college and is introduced to her incredible crew of queer friends. Enter one of Lili’s lesbian friends, the adorably captivating Tessa, to make Imogen realize she might be as straight as a circle.
I loved all the members of the college crew and how they instantly took Imogen under their wing. There were so many hilarious moments in this book with the crew (insert tiny sausages here). And all of the communication between Imogen and Tessa… chef’s kiss perfection. Whether in person, texting, or FaceTime, their conversations were so organically funny. I had such a great time getting to know all the people in Imogen’s life (sans Gretchen the wretchen) and would love to see a sequel based on literally any of these amazing characters. Edith my love, are you next?
Also, huge shoutout to Becky for the amazing amount of diversity in this book, including the Jewish rep! 💕
Look for Imogen, Obviously on May 2nd!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this ARC
Honestly, the reader letter that Becky wrote in the beginning could have been the entire book. I literally would have paid $19.99 for that letter. It spoke to my soul and also scared the shit out of me to experience Imogen’s journey. But I’m so glad I did.
Imogen, Obviously is a YA sapphic romcom about a high school senior’s journey to discovering her sexuality. Imogen is the world’s best ally. She loves her lesbian sister, queer besties, and her three copies of One Last Stop. Yep, Imogen is just cruising along, living her best straight life. But then Imogen goes to visit her bestie Lili at college and is introduced to her incredible crew of queer friends. Enter one of Lili’s lesbian friends, the adorably captivating Tessa, to make Imogen realize she might be as straight as a circle.
I loved all the members of the college crew and how they instantly took Imogen under their wing. There were so many hilarious moments in this book with the crew (insert tiny sausages here). And all of the communication between Imogen and Tessa… chef’s kiss perfection. Whether in person, texting, or FaceTime, their conversations were so organically funny. I had such a great time getting to know all the people in Imogen’s life (sans Gretchen the wretchen) and would love to see a sequel based on literally any of these amazing characters. Edith my love, are you next?
Also, huge shoutout to Becky for the amazing amount of diversity in this book, including the Jewish rep! 💕
Look for Imogen, Obviously on May 2nd!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this ARC
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I Like Me Better is a sweet YA rom-com that focuses on Zack, a popular soccer star trying to enjoy his last summer before his senior year of high school. Zack thinks that in order to be happy, he must follow in his predecessor’s cleats (Ryan) while also focusing on taking his soccer skills to the most elite level (Stanford, then the pros).
After Ryan (who is such an asshole- reader beware) pulls a cruel prank on an opposing soccer team, Zack takes the blame. Initially sentenced to community service at the library, he meets the adorable and captivating Chip and is able to finagle a change in his community service site to The Marine Institute (where Chip is head intern). With the weight of his lie starting to crush him, and a new found love of marine life (and Chip) starting to emerge, Zack’s world begins to unravel.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I’ve lived by the beach for a majority of my life so reading a beach-setting book felt like home. I also couldn’t get enough of the marine biology aspect and The Institute. I learned so much about marine wildlife and conservation. Zack was your quintessential high school kid trying to juggle the desire to be well-liked and popular while also trying to stay true to himself. I really enjoyed watching his self-growth journey. All of the characters (sans Ryan) were great. Chip was a ball of happiness, Beckett and Meyers were the best friends ever, and even Noel grew on me as his and Zack’s friendship evolved.
Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Look for I Like Me Better on May 2nd!
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fast read and very sweet. I always love a sports romance and it reminded me a lot of Playing Offside by Jax Calder. It was a typical veteran and rookie, enemies to lovers dynamic. Of course the veteran (Gavin) was the grump and the rookie (Ollie) was a total cinnamon roll and ball of sunshine.
I liked the fact that even though Ollie was the epitome of a sunshine character, he was dealing with some mental health issues that required treatment. This was my first Bergman Brothers book so it was also really sweet to see what an important and supportive role his family plays in his life.
I would have loved to learn more about Gavin. He had such a wall of armor up, I knew he had to have had a traumatic past. Unfortunately we only saw a snippet of his past / trauma toward the end. And I was aching to know what his life was like in London because it seemed to really affect him in present day. I also found his obsessive thoughts about “being the old man who will bring Ollie down at the peak of his career” very repetitive. I think after the 2nd or 3rd time Gavin expressed these thoughts, the book could have progressed.
The characters in this book were amazing. A female head coach? Who cheered?! There was also an incredible amount of diversity and representation within Ollie’s family and the way he normalized it was so heartwarming. The author did a great job introducing Ziggy to readers and I’m definitely going to read “It’s Only You” when it’s released.
I liked the fact that even though Ollie was the epitome of a sunshine character, he was dealing with some mental health issues that required treatment. This was my first Bergman Brothers book so it was also really sweet to see what an important and supportive role his family plays in his life.
I would have loved to learn more about Gavin. He had such a wall of armor up, I knew he had to have had a traumatic past. Unfortunately we only saw a snippet of his past / trauma toward the end. And I was aching to know what his life was like in London because it seemed to really affect him in present day. I also found his obsessive thoughts about “being the old man who will bring Ollie down at the peak of his career” very repetitive. I think after the 2nd or 3rd time Gavin expressed these thoughts, the book could have progressed.
The characters in this book were amazing. A female head coach? Who cheered?! There was also an incredible amount of diversity and representation within Ollie’s family and the way he normalized it was so heartwarming. The author did a great job introducing Ziggy to readers and I’m definitely going to read “It’s Only You” when it’s released.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I added this book to my tbr during the Trans Rights Readathon. Horror is not typically one of my go to genres, but this post-apocalyptic, dystopian masterpiece was amazing. The story was so imaginative and the writing style was beautiful and poetic.
Benji is a trans teenage boy who escapes a vicious religious cult, but not before they are able to infect him with an incredibly powerful bio weapon called Seraph. While on the run from the cult, he meets another teen boy, Nick, who offers him shelter and safety at a LGBTQ+ center called the ALC. Benji finds that despite the fact that the monster Seraph is slowly taking over his body, he has never felt more clear in his mind. He will move heaven and hell to protect his new found family.
I absolutely loved Benji. His strength to overcome horrific trauma was awe-inspiring. Nick was an incredible leader at the ALC and for the Watch. I can’t thank the author enough for writing an autistic character (who was actively stimming in the book!) in such a strong and positive way. I loved all the side characters at the ALC (although I was glad when Calvin kicked rocks). And Salvador (xe/xem) might be the first character with neopronouns that I’ve ever read in a book! 🥳 There was truly every kind of representation and diversity in this book and I highly recommend that everyone add it to their tbr lists ASAP.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lessons in Chemistry definitely lived up to its hype. It was a raw and real look at how women were treated in the 1950s and, spoiler alert (but not really), they were treated pretty shitty. It’s a book about overcoming decades of adversity and abuse, hitting your rock bottom, and still persevering.
Elizabeth Zott is a female chemist who overcomes incredible trauma. Despite being constantly beaten down by the misogynistic assholes around her, she never stops being her true, authentic self. I thought Elizabeth’s character was spot on to her profession and background. In true chemist fashion, she was methodical and rigid. But she loved with her whole heart and would do anything to protect her found family.
Mad Zott, Elizabeth’s daughter, was pure perfection. She was snarky, witty, and completely charming. I loved her fearlessness, especially with her teacher. When she challenged her teacher regarding the gender normative “pink is for girls, blue is for boys”, I whooped and cheered.
Finally, Six-thirty was the best character I think I’ve ever read. I felt like he represented Elizabeth’s ego when her id and superego were working double time. He was the voice of reason, the protector, the one constant in the Zott/Evans/Sloane/Pine family.
The plot was incredibly creative, the characters were so lovable, and the writing was absolutely intriguing. Add it to your TBR list because this is a must read from me!
Elizabeth Zott is a female chemist who overcomes incredible trauma. Despite being constantly beaten down by the misogynistic assholes around her, she never stops being her true, authentic self. I thought Elizabeth’s character was spot on to her profession and background. In true chemist fashion, she was methodical and rigid. But she loved with her whole heart and would do anything to protect her found family.
Mad Zott, Elizabeth’s daughter, was pure perfection. She was snarky, witty, and completely charming. I loved her fearlessness, especially with her teacher. When she challenged her teacher regarding the gender normative “pink is for girls, blue is for boys”, I whooped and cheered.
Finally, Six-thirty was the best character I think I’ve ever read. I felt like he represented Elizabeth’s ego when her id and superego were working double time. He was the voice of reason, the protector, the one constant in the Zott/Evans/Sloane/Pine family.
The plot was incredibly creative, the characters were so lovable, and the writing was absolutely intriguing. Add it to your TBR list because this is a must read from me!