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fatimareadsbooks's review
4.0
Many thanks to the publisher, HarperCollins, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way impacted my views & opinions below.
I’ll start off by saying this: If you’re looking for a cute contemporary read about a nice heroine and her charming love interest, and a happy ending for both of them, then this book – my friend – is not for you. [b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] will trample over all your hopes and dreams, then ruthlessly crush them into nothing. This book has honestly left me speechless; I can’t even form the words to appropriately articulate my feelings!
*deep breath* Okay, yeah, I’m fine now.
So, our protagonist is Alexandra, and boy is she ruthless and manipulative. Alexandra has a plan: win Homecoming Queen, become Miss Indiana, and then Miss America. Simple & breezy… or is it? From the very beginning of the book, Alexandra is established as the anti-hero who will trample over anyone and anything to get what she wants. We see her resort to manipulation and concocting some really, really messed up schemes. She’s a power-hungry bitch, to say the least.
Despite all that, her POV is framed in such a way that makes the reader actually want her to
succeed. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself defending her in my head. Alexandra’s also been affected by a few outside influences that made her into who she is, like her father’s death and her mother’s subsequent neglect of her. This served to help the reader empathize and relate to her. There’s also the fact that, from the exterior, Alexandra’s not that bad. She’s genuinely a good person, even defending her friend’s sexual orientation when she was being attacked for it.
[b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] blurs the lines between the good guys and the bad guys. There’s a kind of moral ambiguity there, because everyone’s pitted against each other. The mean girl. The best friend. The new girl. The wimp. The lackey. They’ve all done cruel things to take down each other. No one is who you think they are. Good vs. bad is clearly a conundrum that this book wrestles with, and it does so excellently.
I’ve seen people describe this as Pretty Little Liars meets Mean Girls, which is a pretty accurate description. There’s a lot of devious plotting and cutthroat competition; everybody wants something. Alexandra wants to be Homecoming Queen and get out of this town, Sam wants Alexandra’s love, Ivy wants to not be an outcast, Sloane wants to take Alexandra down, and Erin just wants to be everyone’s friend.
There’s a lot of backstabbing, sure, but there are light moments, too. The f/f subplot was really adorable, and I loved how even though everyone – including her ‘best friend’ – tried to use Sam’s sexuality against her, she still managed to emerge victorious AND she got the girl. ;) There are tons of witty one-liners, humorous dialogues, and most importantly, girl power!
In short, [b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] is a book that is sure to surprise you, taking you on a whirlwind path of devious schemes & cunning plots. Bonus points for anti-hero protagonist, multiple POVs, and f/f subplot! I’d definitely say that there are still loose ends to be resolved; I want to know what happens next, but a sequel? Not so much. Leaving the book as it is would be so much better – it sends a realistic message that not every ending has to be perfectly wrapped up and tied in a bow. If you’re a fan of unconventional contemporaries with anti-hero protagonists, then this is definitely for you!
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
I’ll start off by saying this: If you’re looking for a cute contemporary read about a nice heroine and her charming love interest, and a happy ending for both of them, then this book – my friend – is not for you. [b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] will trample over all your hopes and dreams, then ruthlessly crush them into nothing. This book has honestly left me speechless; I can’t even form the words to appropriately articulate my feelings!
*deep breath* Okay, yeah, I’m fine now.
So, our protagonist is Alexandra, and boy is she ruthless and manipulative. Alexandra has a plan: win Homecoming Queen, become Miss Indiana, and then Miss America. Simple & breezy… or is it? From the very beginning of the book, Alexandra is established as the anti-hero who will trample over anyone and anything to get what she wants. We see her resort to manipulation and concocting some really, really messed up schemes. She’s a power-hungry bitch, to say the least.
Despite all that, her POV is framed in such a way that makes the reader actually want her to
succeed. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself defending her in my head. Alexandra’s also been affected by a few outside influences that made her into who she is, like her father’s death and her mother’s subsequent neglect of her. This served to help the reader empathize and relate to her. There’s also the fact that, from the exterior, Alexandra’s not that bad. She’s genuinely a good person, even defending her friend’s sexual orientation when she was being attacked for it.
[b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] blurs the lines between the good guys and the bad guys. There’s a kind of moral ambiguity there, because everyone’s pitted against each other. The mean girl. The best friend. The new girl. The wimp. The lackey. They’ve all done cruel things to take down each other. No one is who you think they are. Good vs. bad is clearly a conundrum that this book wrestles with, and it does so excellently.
I’ve seen people describe this as Pretty Little Liars meets Mean Girls, which is a pretty accurate description. There’s a lot of devious plotting and cutthroat competition; everybody wants something. Alexandra wants to be Homecoming Queen and get out of this town, Sam wants Alexandra’s love, Ivy wants to not be an outcast, Sloane wants to take Alexandra down, and Erin just wants to be everyone’s friend.
There’s a lot of backstabbing, sure, but there are light moments, too. The f/f subplot was really adorable, and I loved how even though everyone – including her ‘best friend’ – tried to use Sam’s sexuality against her, she still managed to emerge victorious AND she got the girl. ;) There are tons of witty one-liners, humorous dialogues, and most importantly, girl power!
In short, [b:Winning|26869849|Winning|Lara Deloza|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445622611s/26869849.jpg|46913298] is a book that is sure to surprise you, taking you on a whirlwind path of devious schemes & cunning plots. Bonus points for anti-hero protagonist, multiple POVs, and f/f subplot! I’d definitely say that there are still loose ends to be resolved; I want to know what happens next, but a sequel? Not so much. Leaving the book as it is would be so much better – it sends a realistic message that not every ending has to be perfectly wrapped up and tied in a bow. If you’re a fan of unconventional contemporaries with anti-hero protagonists, then this is definitely for you!
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
babs_reviews's review
3.0
3.5/5
If you've ever watched the movie Mean Girls then you will enjoy this book. I, personally, love the movie and enjoyed the book. It wasn't great, I had a few issues with the plot as I felt it could have been much better executed a different way.
What really keeps the pace of this book moving was the alternate points of view. I really liked that we got to see into each girls view. I always say a little perspective can go a long way and that is certainly the case here. So many times you catch yourself wanting to warn another character of what you just read.
High School is full of drama as it is but add a few determined girls all headed for the same thing and it becomes full on war. Watching the schemes and planning all fall into place while being behind the scenes knowing the true thoughts was quite entertaining.
I'll be curious to see if there will be a follow up to this novel.
If you've ever watched the movie Mean Girls then you will enjoy this book. I, personally, love the movie and enjoyed the book. It wasn't great, I had a few issues with the plot as I felt it could have been much better executed a different way.
What really keeps the pace of this book moving was the alternate points of view. I really liked that we got to see into each girls view. I always say a little perspective can go a long way and that is certainly the case here. So many times you catch yourself wanting to warn another character of what you just read.
High School is full of drama as it is but add a few determined girls all headed for the same thing and it becomes full on war. Watching the schemes and planning all fall into place while being behind the scenes knowing the true thoughts was quite entertaining.
I'll be curious to see if there will be a follow up to this novel.
bryony_grace's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my all time favourites, I loved it when I first read it at about 13 and it’s just as good rereading. Sam is my all time favourite, Ivy is so sad and strong, you love and hate Alexandra, the characters are all just so well crafted and the book is so much fun.
nullasalus3's review
3.0
‘Winning’ is ‘Mean Girls’ meets ‘Election’. I appreciated the author’s handling of multiple perspectives and even breaking the fourth wall a bit. Forefronting the queen bee’s perspective was a different twist on this familiar plot. I feel like I typically see this type of narrative told from the person who is new to the inner circle of popular girls. Most of the story is told by characters who do terrible things, which might be a turn off to some readers. The set up is a familiar one, but the main characters are well-drawn and I found the plot line engaging. However, the end of the novel didn’t entirely work for me.
eamelyk's review
4.0
This book...this book made me cry. Alexandra deserved what's coming to her but seeing how she's been treated her whole life and why she's become the person she had become, it's hard to feel what the other four other main characters felt and their plan to ruin Alexandra. They literally don't care, even after knowing the life Alexandra has lead, no one gave an ounce of sympathy, which also make sense considering the person Alexandra is but I was hoping for Sam to actually give that ounce of sympathy but no lmao she found another girl and dump Lexi's ass like whoops, after all the shit Lexi and her went through she couldn't care less cause Sam's in for the new girl. She's the only person Lexi trusts---in a way. Even though Alexandra is an evil bitch herself and being the kind of person that she is, that still speaks alot. It's sad how Alexandra doesn't even feel betrayed, like she know it's coming and she's just waiting when. Alexandra knows, deep inside, she's the only one she can trust.
Basically, I found myself rooting for Alexandra at the end, I was hoping for some kind of like redemption or something (which thankfully didn't happen.) I'm glad that she did what she did, simple as it is, it's nice to see something genuine. Just a prissy princess who took her fall and going along with it with pride, promising that she would be better.
The crown is not the prize---I am.
asstreads's review
3.0
I support women’s rights but more importantly I support women’s wrongs.
This was a really fun quick read, and I liked reading about girls who were just really mean and cruel to each other. Everyone was just messy and conniving and basically scheming all the time.
I actually liked the multiple POVs in this book, but I really, really wanted a POV with Erin, especially because with all the scheming everyone was doing,
The ending, I thought, was really rushed too. but it didn’t feel as satisfying as it should have, and it was all just wrapped in a pretty bow when I expected more drama and mayhem.
Overall though I did enjoy it. Mostly it just reminded me how tough it is being a teenage girl.
This was a really fun quick read, and I liked reading about girls who were just really mean and cruel to each other. Everyone was just messy and conniving and basically scheming all the time.
Spoiler
However, I think it was really weird how invested the principal was in this, and how she smirked when she gave out that question. That was a really slimy thing to do bro.I actually liked the multiple POVs in this book, but I really, really wanted a POV with Erin, especially because with all the scheming everyone was doing,
Spoiler
I thought she was manipulating Sam with her interest, like what Sloan wanted to do but failed spectacularly at.The ending, I thought, was really rushed too.
Spoiler
I liked that they all got together to take down the evil queenOverall though I did enjoy it. Mostly it just reminded me how tough it is being a teenage girl.
daffz's review
5.0
This book was just so dang captivating, I could not put it down. Recently, I've noticed that my taste has been moving towards more contemporary books, and this book really stood out to me. I loved the protagonist so much! An anti-hero is always fun, but being in her head for most of the book really highlighted her. It would have been so easy to make her the complete villain of the story and write it from the perspective of the other girls, but this way the author had to describe her motivations and make us believe it. And believe it I did!
I didn't think this book was perfect, there were a few tiny things I wasn't entirely happy with but they didn't really matter in the big picture. This book is incredibly entertaining and a lot smarter than you might expect. I recommend it heartily.
Spoiler
What I found the strongest about this decision was the way the last few chapters were handled. To write Lexi's fall from grace entirely from HER point of view was nothing short of brilliant, I felt for her while I was also glad she was getting her comeuppance. The lesbian subplot was also a definite plus for me.I didn't think this book was perfect, there were a few tiny things I wasn't entirely happy with but they didn't really matter in the big picture. This book is incredibly entertaining and a lot smarter than you might expect. I recommend it heartily.
kimching232's review
2.0
I consider Wining to be a pretty unique book. It's hard to come across books with the supposed "villain" as the main character, but it's even hard to find books where that "villain" is unapologetic. It was interesting for me to see all the scheming and ruthlessness done just to achieve the results that the school's "queen" wants.
However, the thing is, I wasn't really able to enjoy this book that much. At first it was entertaining and refreshing, but as the story went on, it just became dragging. I felt like rolling my eyes and I didn't really see a point anymore. I wanted to put this book down, but I couldn't because I always have a hard time DNF-ing books. As a result, I read this for a week, which for me is really, really slow.
I'd like to say that I enjoyed this book but I really did not. I'm only giving this book 2 stars because I think it was unique and kinda entertaining at first. It's also hard to make a contemporary character who is "evil" through and through and who would stop at nothing to get what she wants.
stephanimichelle's review
3.0
Alexandra (never Alex) is absolutely ruthless; she has a plan to become Miss America one day and she will do anything to reach her goals, whether this means sabotaging her competition or manipulating her friends. Alexandra’s mum is a former beauty queen/ alcoholic, who projects her failures onto her daughter. Their relationship is really interesting.
Sam, Alexandra’s best friend is another example of the lengths she is prepared to go to. Sam is gay and obviously fancies Alexandra, so Alexandra flirts with Sam, brushed against her “accidentally”, constantly giving Sam false hope that she might one day return her feelings.
When new girl Erin joins the school and is nominated to run for homecoming queen, Alexandra goes out of her way to make her life difficult. Ivy, a girl who has suffered mental health problems, is also nominated. Alexandra has orchestrated Ivy’s nomination as part of her grand scheme for world domination, but in targeting a girl who is only just starting to recover from a terrible illness, has Alexandra gone too far? Sam starts to see Alexandra for who she really is; could she be about to lose her only ally?
This is an addictive read. I love Alexandra, shes such a cow. There is a resolution to the main plot in the novel, but it is strongly implied that this isn’t the end. I’m really hoping for a sequel.
**Full review of Winning on my blog.
Sam, Alexandra’s best friend is another example of the lengths she is prepared to go to. Sam is gay and obviously fancies Alexandra, so Alexandra flirts with Sam, brushed against her “accidentally”, constantly giving Sam false hope that she might one day return her feelings.
When new girl Erin joins the school and is nominated to run for homecoming queen, Alexandra goes out of her way to make her life difficult. Ivy, a girl who has suffered mental health problems, is also nominated. Alexandra has orchestrated Ivy’s nomination as part of her grand scheme for world domination, but in targeting a girl who is only just starting to recover from a terrible illness, has Alexandra gone too far? Sam starts to see Alexandra for who she really is; could she be about to lose her only ally?
This is an addictive read. I love Alexandra, shes such a cow. There is a resolution to the main plot in the novel, but it is strongly implied that this isn’t the end. I’m really hoping for a sequel.
**Full review of Winning on my blog.
camilacadibe's review
4.0
Where's the next one???
I need more of Lexie!!
That bitch is the definition of fierce! I never cheered so much for such an awful person! But yeah, she totally deserves all the crowns!
Such a great feminist book! So many manipulative smart girls scheming to rule the school and the world.. I was proud of all of them!
Where's the one of Lexie going for Prom Queen??
I need more of Lexie!!
That bitch is the definition of fierce! I never cheered so much for such an awful person! But yeah, she totally deserves all the crowns!
Such a great feminist book! So many manipulative smart girls scheming to rule the school and the world.. I was proud of all of them!
Where's the one of Lexie going for Prom Queen??