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jamiesbookclub's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The writing and presentation gives such strong middle grade vibes so it was weird when it was revealed the characters were seniors in highschool and started cussing. I quickly got over that though because the story is really cute.
Noelle is the "mean girl" of her friend group and the book takes a look into why she is so mean. Noelle has a very stressful life with parents that work too many hours, being first chair in the cello section, working at her grandparents restaurant, and discovering feelings for her friend.
I liked the queer representation in this book. Tobyn is out and proud, she's in a relationship already. Noelle is not sure about her feelings or how to explain them to her friends. Noelle starts the book by breaking up with her bf and I really liked how realistic it felt. He's asking her for the reason for the breakup and she's not comfortable telling him because then she would have to come out.
A lot of books will shine a light on the mean girl's backstory and just say "she's actually sad". This book goes just slightly deeper by showing a family history of anger issues and the consequences of that. (Something I relate to a little too much). It's a short book and doesn't go too in depth about everything so it feels a little surface level still but I liked it nonetheless.
This book did what it said on the tin. And I will be getting the other books as well.
Noelle is the "mean girl" of her friend group and the book takes a look into why she is so mean. Noelle has a very stressful life with parents that work too many hours, being first chair in the cello section, working at her grandparents restaurant, and discovering feelings for her friend.
I liked the queer representation in this book. Tobyn is out and proud, she's in a relationship already. Noelle is not sure about her feelings or how to explain them to her friends. Noelle starts the book by breaking up with her bf and I really liked how realistic it felt. He's asking her for the reason for the breakup and she's not comfortable telling him because then she would have to come out.
A lot of books will shine a light on the mean girl's backstory and just say "she's actually sad". This book goes just slightly deeper by showing a family history of anger issues and the consequences of that. (Something I relate to a little too much). It's a short book and doesn't go too in depth about everything so it feels a little surface level still but I liked it nonetheless.
This book did what it said on the tin. And I will be getting the other books as well.
mariemoreau's review against another edition
5.0
Gonna give this one five stars just because it was my favorite of them all so far. Noelle’s journey was so good and realistic imo. Love the added arc of her being into girls, I can’t lie — the mean/popular girl being the repressed one is always fun to read to me. I thought her conflicting feelings for Tobyn were handled well and made a lot of sense and I hope they’re explored a little more in Tobyn’s story.
bookbaenia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
delicatewatkins's review against another edition
4.0
These books are great. The covers are appealing enough to compete with the bestsellers on the shelf at the library and the stories are capable hi/lo offerings. I would love to see more books in this shorter format. I love how quickly the stories move. Things happen and then the book says "two weeks later, they did this, this, and this" without showing every detail. I think the focus on the broad strokes will effectively grab hesitant readers.
Anxiously waiting on Tobyn to come out -- I have a hold on the audiobook!
Anxiously waiting on Tobyn to come out -- I have a hold on the audiobook!
jamyraponds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
missmeganmann's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This one wasn’t my favorite. It all felt…too neat? Things were just tied up too easily for me. I’m glad she stopped wanting to be a mean girl, but I don’t know. It lacked something for me that the other two had.
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Slow to start, but good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, and Bullying
kmishmael's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
As you might imagine, Noelle's meanness comes from a place.
While I'm all for short, accessible YA stories, it seems the price of the book would be slimmed down to reflect its smaller size.
While I'm all for short, accessible YA stories, it seems the price of the book would be slimmed down to reflect its smaller size.