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dunder_mifflin's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book, thinking it was just going to be your usual online friendship.
I had no idea that Gena personally worked alongside the man who plays her favourite character when they were children.
I had no idea that Gena and Finn would be more than friends.
I had no idea that afore mentioned actor would die and leave Gena going crazy.
I had no idea that any of the last third of the book would happen it honestly came out of nowhere and my head is telling me to give it 2/3 stars because it just didn't fit with where the book was going. But I've been crying for half an hour? now because of if and a book that makes me feel so much deserves more than 2/3 stars.
This book was not what it seemed and there was no warning for it.
I had no idea that Gena personally worked alongside the man who plays her favourite character when they were children.
I had no idea that Gena and Finn would be more than friends.
I had no idea that afore mentioned actor would die and leave Gena going crazy.
I had no idea that any of the last third of the book would happen it honestly came out of nowhere and my head is telling me to give it 2/3 stars because it just didn't fit with where the book was going. But I've been crying for half an hour? now because of if and a book that makes me feel so much deserves more than 2/3 stars.
This book was not what it seemed and there was no warning for it.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
1.0
Pretty okay until about three-quarters of the way through when it became a hot mess. Honestly was like watching a train wreck whoops
lbarsk's review against another edition
2.0
Wow holy heck what a mess this was. I don't want to rehash a lot of what has already been said in other reviews, but suffice it to say that I can't in good conscience recommend this book to anyone or even add this to my "queer" Goodreads shelf.
As a reader, I am ALL FOR stories that are told through alternative means of storytelling, stories that celebrate and uplift fandom, and stories that champion queer found family. However, as a reader, I am also ALL FOR stories that treat characters with mental health problems fairly, stories that do not use queerness as a plot device, and stories that are well-constructed. This book purported to be the former kind of story and ended up being the latter.
It's such a shame, because the premise of this book was fascinating! But damn, I just really couldn't do it.
As a reader, I am ALL FOR stories that are told through alternative means of storytelling, stories that celebrate and uplift fandom, and stories that champion queer found family. However, as a reader, I am also ALL FOR stories that treat characters with mental health problems fairly, stories that do not use queerness as a plot device, and stories that are well-constructed. This book purported to be the former kind of story and ended up being the latter.
It's such a shame, because the premise of this book was fascinating! But damn, I just really couldn't do it.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
This felt like two different books were thrown together then given a misleading premise. However, I did enjoy the fandom aspects of it.
ellenjacob's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't even finish this book. The format seemed cute at first but after 20 pages of trying to figure out what's going on through texts and emails and blog posts about a random tv show and the perspective changing every couple pages I got so sick of it.
I thought I could power through but no. Along with the annoying, confusing narrative was a bunch of Drama (captilised on purpose because it was over the top and unnecessary). This Drama completely changed the tone of the book and it just didn't make any sense ???
I would not recommend.
I thought I could power through but no. Along with the annoying, confusing narrative was a bunch of Drama (captilised on purpose because it was over the top and unnecessary). This Drama completely changed the tone of the book and it just didn't make any sense ???
I would not recommend.
kalliste's review against another edition
2.0
This took me back to my Live Journal days of the late 90s/early 2000s. It was interesting that it was how Finn and Gena (and the fandom) communicated, is it still a thing?
I liked the idea of this book. Having it through blogs, emails and messages was cool, though not really suited to the kindle version. I felt like I was fighting to turn pages a lot.
Unfortunately, the story was a let down. Finn and Gena become insta friends (not unusual on the internet), but then it feels like a lot of relationship angst is thrown in just for the sake of drama. Then an event happens that changes the entire way the book is written. And then, it just ends. So many threads are left hanging.
I still can't decide whether this is a 1 or 2 for me. I'm going to say 'it was ok' because the format was cool, but the story was a huge letdown.
I liked the idea of this book. Having it through blogs, emails and messages was cool, though not really suited to the kindle version. I felt like I was fighting to turn pages a lot.
Unfortunately, the story was a let down. Finn and Gena become insta friends (not unusual on the internet), but then it feels like a lot of relationship angst is thrown in just for the sake of drama. Then an event happens that changes the entire way the book is written. And then, it just ends. So many threads are left hanging.
I still can't decide whether this is a 1 or 2 for me. I'm going to say 'it was ok' because the format was cool, but the story was a huge letdown.
papertraildiary's review against another edition
5.0
So, so good. So many feelings. Won't say much because my blog tour post goes up in two weeks, so stay tuned. But know that I loved this book and that you're really going to want to check it out. I will also be doing a giveaway! www.papertraildiary.com
achapterahead's review against another edition
5.0
It was complicated and it was real and I both love and hate that. On the edge between 4 and 5 stars but I think the personal connection to the end trauma is most likely what bumped it up for me.
l_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
This…was a lot.
I decided just to read this while I’m waiting for a few other books that I have on hold from the library. Can I just say that I WAS NOT expecting that.
The first two-thirds of the book were really cute and sweet. And then we have part three. I have to say, I am an angst lover. I love angst, especially in novels but this…was a lot (yes I know I already wrote that. I’ll write it again. because it’s true).
All the fandoms tidbits >>>>>>>>>
I also wasn’t expecting to read it in a day, but I got hooked.
Definitely recommend, but BEWARE THE ANGST ONLY READ IF YOU WANT ANGST
(i’m honestly being dramatic; the angst is only at the end but it is heavy)
I decided just to read this while I’m waiting for a few other books that I have on hold from the library. Can I just say that I WAS NOT expecting that.
The first two-thirds of the book were really cute and sweet. And then we have part three. I have to say, I am an angst lover. I love angst, especially in novels but this…was a lot (yes I know I already wrote that. I’ll write it again. because it’s true).
All the fandoms tidbits >>>>>>>>>
I also wasn’t expecting to read it in a day, but I got hooked.
Definitely recommend, but BEWARE THE ANGST ONLY READ IF YOU WANT ANGST
(i’m honestly being dramatic; the angst is only at the end but it is heavy)
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
This is a book for anyone who has internet friends they love as much or more than their met-in-person friends, or for anyone who's ever gotten really into fandom, or anyone who's met an unexpected best friend in an unexpected place.
Gena and Finn both love the show Up Below and are very involved in its online fandom, so eventually they meet online and start talking and keep talking, but more and more about things beside the show. Then they get a chance to meet in person and that's when their lives really start to change.
Kat Helgeson is one of my very dearest friends and old college roommate and through her I've gotten to know Hannah Moskowitz, so it just doesn't seem fair to give this a star rating. It's like I'm quantifying my friendship and that's just not how friendship works. That being said, I love the book.
Gena and Finn both love the show Up Below and are very involved in its online fandom, so eventually they meet online and start talking and keep talking, but more and more about things beside the show. Then they get a chance to meet in person and that's when their lives really start to change.
Kat Helgeson is one of my very dearest friends and old college roommate and through her I've gotten to know Hannah Moskowitz, so it just doesn't seem fair to give this a star rating. It's like I'm quantifying my friendship and that's just not how friendship works. That being said, I love the book.