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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
When I opened this book and saw what format it is in (all emails and text exchanges and journal entries, etc) I almost shut it again. I did not expect to like it. And I admit that it took a little while to get into the rhythm of things. But eventually I did and I largely enjoyed it. I thought the book started out really strongly. I liked the characters and the conflict created by Finn's conflicting feelings. However, I also thought there was a large leap from BFFs to maybe something more that wasn't truly shown and felt jarring.
Additionally, after the big drama I felt like the story telling became very thin. The reader completely loses one character's perspective and I felt the lack. I love that Charlie accepted the changes in their lives and the tentative happy ending (or happy-to-be), but I feel like it was all just sketched out rather than told.
All in all, For a quick read I found it more satisfying than not.
Additionally, after the big drama I felt like the story telling became very thin. The reader completely loses one character's perspective and I felt the lack. I love that Charlie accepted the changes in their lives and the tentative happy ending (or happy-to-be), but I feel like it was all just sketched out rather than told.
All in all, For a quick read I found it more satisfying than not.
This book was just awesome. I loved the format, which made this book very fun to read. I loved all the characters except Mallory (Tylergirl93), I don't know.. She kind of seemed jealous of Gena and Finn. I feel that Gena and Finn's friendship was very real, and something that some people can only dream about. This was a really fun and quick read. I loved it and I would recommend it to anyone.
I feel like the rating should be a little more than a 4 but not quite a 4.5. More like a 4.4 haha.
I really enjoyed this though. Set out in texts, emails, blogs etc. It took me somewhat back in time to my fangirl fanfic writing days which I love.
It also broke my heart and slowly put it back together. So glad I decided to pick this up, was just what I needed
I really enjoyed this though. Set out in texts, emails, blogs etc. It took me somewhat back in time to my fangirl fanfic writing days which I love.
It also broke my heart and slowly put it back together. So glad I decided to pick this up, was just what I needed
1.5 stars
Some spoilers after the cut. Read at your own risk (or benefit).
I don't even know what to say, really. I feel a bit duped. The first part of this book was set up more as a friendship-comedy or even a romance. It was cute, funny, and full of relatable fandom references. All of which I loved. However, by the time the second part started the novel took a drastic turn in both tone and plot. I know, I know. This could be chocked up to a plot twist, but plot twists have a certain finesse. There's usually a lead-up to them, even if it's subtle.
This was not any of that.
This was like reading two different books that happened to have the same characters. It was jarring and, honestly, made the book very hard to finish. Still, I had hope that the end would be worth the struggle and I pushed through.
Unfortunately, my hope was naught. The ending was as confusing as the second half had been and completely unsatisfying. I literally flipped back and forth through the last pages trying to see if my Kindle had glitched and chopped off the real ending of the book. If not for other reviewers having the same complaint, I might still be convinced that it was some malfunction.
Many other reviewers also cite this book as a prime example of queer-baiting, which I can definitely see. From fairly early on, it's set up that Finn and Gena love each other, and Finn even has a crisis with her boyfriend because she thinks she's IN love with Gena. And Gena actually states in an email to another friend that she is in love with Finn. But, again, by the second part of the book this set-up is all switched around and somehow Charlie and Finn end up adopting Gena?? They are all adults, but Finn and Charlie treat Gena like she's a kid - their kid. It was weird. So weird. I guess the lack of Gena/Finn romance made some sense since based on the traumatic event Gena isn't really in the right headspace for a romantic relationship, but it felt more like the authors were trying to justify why Finn and Gena couldn't and wouldn't end up together. I don't know. This part of the book just felt wonky, rushed and off, tbh.
What really bites is that I wanted so badly to love this book, and the first half was incredibly relatable and cute. I loved how the writing was set up in emails, blogs, and texts (kind of like a softer, contemporary Illuminae). I loved the fair representation of the good and bad sides of fandom, and how friendships in fandom are intense and amazing. I loved the idea that two people connected over the internet might fall in love and live happily ever after. In fact, those aspects are the only reason this even gets 1.5 stars.
Because by the end, all of that fell apart. The writing became cumbersome and didn't adequately tell the story that the authors were trying to tell. The plot and characters were like some AU version of themselves. All the humor and relatability just faded away like it had never happened. There were too many underdeveloped plot points and the drama was annoying. I think the authors were trying to give the novel depth and meaning but it just fell flat. Last but not least, that awful aforementioned ending. Ugh.
I am just so disappointed. Honestly, if you're looking for a fandom-related book that has great representation, execution, and consistency, pick up Radio Silence by Alice Oseman, or even Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, but don't waste your money on this one.
Some spoilers after the cut. Read at your own risk (or benefit).
I don't even know what to say, really. I feel a bit duped. The first part of this book was set up more as a friendship-comedy or even a romance. It was cute, funny, and full of relatable fandom references. All of which I loved. However, by the time the second part started the novel took a drastic turn in both tone and plot. I know, I know. This could be chocked up to a plot twist, but plot twists have a certain finesse. There's usually a lead-up to them, even if it's subtle.
This was not any of that.
This was like reading two different books that happened to have the same characters. It was jarring and, honestly, made the book very hard to finish. Still, I had hope that the end would be worth the struggle and I pushed through.
Unfortunately, my hope was naught. The ending was as confusing as the second half had been and completely unsatisfying. I literally flipped back and forth through the last pages trying to see if my Kindle had glitched and chopped off the real ending of the book. If not for other reviewers having the same complaint, I might still be convinced that it was some malfunction.
Many other reviewers also cite this book as a prime example of queer-baiting, which I can definitely see. From fairly early on, it's set up that Finn and Gena love each other, and Finn even has a crisis with her boyfriend because she thinks she's IN love with Gena. And Gena actually states in an email to another friend that she is in love with Finn. But, again, by the second part of the book this set-up is all switched around and somehow Charlie and Finn end up adopting Gena?? They are all adults, but Finn and Charlie treat Gena like she's a kid - their kid. It was weird. So weird. I guess the lack of Gena/Finn romance made some sense since based on the traumatic event Gena isn't really in the right headspace for a romantic relationship, but it felt more like the authors were trying to justify why Finn and Gena couldn't and wouldn't end up together. I don't know. This part of the book just felt wonky, rushed and off, tbh.
What really bites is that I wanted so badly to love this book, and the first half was incredibly relatable and cute. I loved how the writing was set up in emails, blogs, and texts (kind of like a softer, contemporary Illuminae). I loved the fair representation of the good and bad sides of fandom, and how friendships in fandom are intense and amazing. I loved the idea that two people connected over the internet might fall in love and live happily ever after. In fact, those aspects are the only reason this even gets 1.5 stars.
Because by the end, all of that fell apart. The writing became cumbersome and didn't adequately tell the story that the authors were trying to tell. The plot and characters were like some AU version of themselves. All the humor and relatability just faded away like it had never happened. There were too many underdeveloped plot points and the drama was annoying. I think the authors were trying to give the novel depth and meaning but it just fell flat. Last but not least, that awful aforementioned ending. Ugh.
I am just so disappointed. Honestly, if you're looking for a fandom-related book that has great representation, execution, and consistency, pick up Radio Silence by Alice Oseman, or even Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, but don't waste your money on this one.
Ok, I feel like I should maybe actually give this book a lower rating, but I can't take off my fangirl goggles and put objective criticism goggles on (if those are even a thing that exist). I would say, even though this is sort of spoilers territory: don't get your hopes up too much about the romance. I know, I know, you see it's tagged glbt, you see the title is Gena/Finn AND you see Finn is short for Stephanie and you're a fangirl and you know what that slash means, but...don't expect the happy ending you're thinking of. I can't believe I'm saying this, but: read the book anyway. If you liked Fangirl, if you liked The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy, if you liked Secret Loves of Geek Girls, you will like this. It's not perfect (epistolary novels, even modern mixed-media ones, always suffer from some awkwardness when the characters actually meet in real life, and the switch to journaling and poetry was mostly well-done and emotional but still felt a little stilted), and I'll admit I wanted the romance to go a slightly different way. But there is so much there that felt true, about fandom and mental illness and friendship and starting college/starting the real world, that I think it's definitely more good than bad. (Also I cried a lot. I know, surprise surprise).
I got an ARC from Netgalley and/but will 100% be picking up the real thing when it comes out. Mostly because the photographs of characters and the fanart was still all marked TK when I got my e-copy and I NEED to see them.
Edited to add: don't worry guys I got your back, I used my "in" with the publisher (lol that's a joke idk if they even read these things) to send this note in the "Add a note to the publisher" section on Netgalley: "My only note is...I'm not sure about listing this in stuff as LGBTQIA. I mean, it's hard to say, because I'm a fangirl AND a lesbian so I probably would have read it either way. I see why you might think you'd get to a bigger audience this way. Which might be true! But it does seem a tiny bit unfair to the LGBT YA audience to advertise this as such when it really isn't, and I can see people getting upset if they feel like there was false advertising. There are still plenty of fangirls who will read this even if it's not listed in lists of queer books, so you don't have to worry about that! This will definitely pull in the Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, etc. crowd."
I got an ARC from Netgalley and/but will 100% be picking up the real thing when it comes out. Mostly because the photographs of characters and the fanart was still all marked TK when I got my e-copy and I NEED to see them.
Edited to add: don't worry guys I got your back, I used my "in" with the publisher (lol that's a joke idk if they even read these things) to send this note in the "Add a note to the publisher" section on Netgalley: "My only note is...I'm not sure about listing this in stuff as LGBTQIA. I mean, it's hard to say, because I'm a fangirl AND a lesbian so I probably would have read it either way. I see why you might think you'd get to a bigger audience this way. Which might be true! But it does seem a tiny bit unfair to the LGBT YA audience to advertise this as such when it really isn't, and I can see people getting upset if they feel like there was false advertising. There are still plenty of fangirls who will read this even if it's not listed in lists of queer books, so you don't have to worry about that! This will definitely pull in the Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, etc. crowd."
well. that was a ride.
what an amazing book. the epilstalatory style worked so well, leaving some things hidden and revealing some things later.
man though i cant even write a proper review cause im just so full of emotions. holy shit. like.
i just wanna say that charlie and gena and finn are all precious and need to be protected at all costs.
what an amazing book. the epilstalatory style worked so well, leaving some things hidden and revealing some things later.
man though i cant even write a proper review cause im just so full of emotions. holy shit. like.
i just wanna say that charlie and gena and finn are all precious and need to be protected at all costs.
This book will hurt and make you raw when you least expect it. 100% worth the read.
I really enjoyed this story, including the dark turn it took. I epsecially like the awkwardness of the age difference of the MCs and how that played out.
But what I'm really wanting is reviews from people who have hallucinations (the word the MC uses for herself) and how they feel about the rep.
But what I'm really wanting is reviews from people who have hallucinations (the word the MC uses for herself) and how they feel about the rep.
3.5 stars.
Very quick read. Very sweet, cute friendship. Sadder than expected.
Very quick read. Very sweet, cute friendship. Sadder than expected.