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longlost's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
wow. wow wow wow. with this book camryn garrett has solidified her place as one of my favourite authors. her writing style is ENTRANCING and her character craftsmen-ship is incredible. josie is so strong and reading her story, seeing her succeed in the thing she loved, succeed in uplifting the voices of other women, was so fucking powerful. i swear by the time savannah called to tell her she'd found the NDA they needed i was on the verge of tears. this book might be about a heavy subject but it is so so important
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gaslighting, Bullying, Rape, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
shadeyc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
THIS. WAS. EXCELLENT.
So much, phew, so sucked in, so much going on. I need a lie down.
Loved it.
So much, phew, so sucked in, so much going on. I need a lie down.
Loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
liaandersson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I really don't know what to say. I adore this book with every fibre of my being. It was extremely well executed and respectful of all subjects that were brought up. I am in awe of these characters. The amount of joy I felt when we put him in his place and he couldn't come up with excuses anymore. This is a story about brave people using their voices for the greater good and preventing other people from having to go through the same trauma. I relate so much to the characters and I love how the side-plots were so well incorporated with the rest without taking over, yet still getting their time to be acknowledged. Josie is the fucking BOMB who got to post in The Times at 17 years old, I'm so proud. I was so truly happy when I finished the book because what it stands for is so important and it was so well represented in this book, even if Hollywood is a far off dream for many of us. What can I say except READ IT, but be aware of the topics discussed to make sure one is in the right mindset and prepared to avoid any traumatic triggers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Eating disorder and Biphobia
taleofabibliophile's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
2021 appears to be the year of YA contemporaries talking about powerful men getting exposed for abusing their power. I've read probably 3 or 4 books specifically on this topic that came out this year. I'm not complaining, though! I think these are important discussions to have, and the more we talk about it, the more we can hold these people accountable.
Outside of the plot/subject matter, there is a lot of great representation in this book. Josie struggles with being fat in the book, accepting herself and feeling confident. She's also bisexual (or possibly pansexual), though this is a much quieter part of the book. Garrett has crafted an extremely relevant book that I think will resonate with a lot of teens.
Outside of the plot/subject matter, there is a lot of great representation in this book. Josie struggles with being fat in the book, accepting herself and feeling confident. She's also bisexual (or possibly pansexual), though this is a much quieter part of the book. Garrett has crafted an extremely relevant book that I think will resonate with a lot of teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Homophobia and Self harm
pucksandpaperbacks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Camryn does it again with a spectacular sophomore novel following Josie, a 17-year old Black girl who loves writing and journalism. She wins a writing contest and spends 2 weeks traveling with the cast of a movie featuring a Black boy who is sent to conversion therapy. As a part of the contest, Josie has to write a profile piece of the main actor, Marice Canet. Josie spends a lot of time with him and we get to know both characters pretty well. Both Josie and Marice are bisexual and I loved seeing a blossoming romance between two bisexual leads. This is such an important story about sexual assault and harassment and also starts the conversation of any gender being harassed or assaulted. Off the Record talks about the power imbalance male directors have over their talent and the disgusting behavior that goes on behind the scenes and how they easily get away with it. I also really enjoyed and could relate to Josie's anxiety. The anxiety rep was done very well and I loved the line of Josie saying her anxiety never leaves, even if it feels at ease. Anxiety levels vary day to day and we really go to see that through Josie. Garrett also writes a complicated and messy sister relationship and I loved how it developed toward the end and that she and her sister, Alice still bicker and it isn't fully resolved. Highly recommend this! However, do see the trigger warnings because of the subject matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Homophobia
Anxiety, fat-shaming, mention of dieting, and weight loss, internalized fatphobia, body dysmorphia, self-harm by hair pulling, mention of conversion therapysidbookreviews's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wow, this book was so good! I loved Camryn Garrett's first book, Full Disclosure, but I think I loved this one even more! Off the Record is such an important and powerful book, and I absolutely loved Josie and her voice. Honestly so much of this book was just perfect, from the characters to the romance. Definitely a new favourite!
Full review to come on my blog soon!
Full review to come on my blog soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
Moderate: Biphobia and Rape
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
mfieldshalva's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
ame_lepage's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this, but there was just a lot going on.
This book tried to be many things. Overall, I think it was pretty well done, but in terms of personal preferences, I would have liked the plot to focus more on the Metoo movement and the experiences of the victims. I thought the author sometimes shied away from certain aspects and I would have liked her to go deeper.
However, I did find a lot of myself in the main character Josie. I could really relate to her on many aspects like her anxiety and her problem with body image.
I discussed many important themes and I think it's a book that everyone should read.
This book tried to be many things. Overall, I think it was pretty well done, but in terms of personal preferences, I would have liked the plot to focus more on the Metoo movement and the experiences of the victims. I thought the author sometimes shied away from certain aspects and I would have liked her to go deeper.
However, I did find a lot of myself in the main character Josie. I could really relate to her on many aspects like her anxiety and her problem with body image.
I discussed many important themes and I think it's a book that everyone should read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism
melaniereadsbooks's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for an arc of this book.
Josie has always had anxiety, but she doesn't let that stop her from pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist. When she wins a competition for Deep Focus magazine, she is sent on a 2 week long publicity tour with the cast and crew of a new movie to write a profile on the lead actor. What she doesn't expect is a more important story comes to light while talking to the cast of the movie, and she knows that she will have to do everything in her power to make sure it gets told.
I loved this book! I feel like this is such an important story to tell, and it is absolutely relevant to our society. I definitely got really angry at what was going on at times and frustrated because it is so similar to things that have happened in real life.
I also really loved Josie. I majorly identified with her right from the beginning, and got caught up in her journey and character growth! I loved that she didn't have it all together, but she was working on it and determined to succeed. I also really liked the supporting cast, her sister, her new friends and her mentor. They all were very interesting characters that did a lot for the story.
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Josie has always had anxiety, but she doesn't let that stop her from pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist. When she wins a competition for Deep Focus magazine, she is sent on a 2 week long publicity tour with the cast and crew of a new movie to write a profile on the lead actor. What she doesn't expect is a more important story comes to light while talking to the cast of the movie, and she knows that she will have to do everything in her power to make sure it gets told.
I loved this book! I feel like this is such an important story to tell, and it is absolutely relevant to our society. I definitely got really angry at what was going on at times and frustrated because it is so similar to things that have happened in real life.
I also really loved Josie. I majorly identified with her right from the beginning, and got caught up in her journey and character growth! I loved that she didn't have it all together, but she was working on it and determined to succeed. I also really liked the supporting cast, her sister, her new friends and her mentor. They all were very interesting characters that did a lot for the story.
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Racism, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying, Body shaming, and Self harm