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ramunepocky's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Suicide
emilyr's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The story starts with a trans boy writing fake anonymous "Meet Cute" stories on his Tumblr as a way to create the trans love stories he wants to see in the world. He's determined to create his own Meet Cute to Happily Ever After story and at first it seems like everything is going to plan, until, of course, people aren't everything he hoped. It's an interesting premise, but it was hard to find anyone in the story to root for. The main character Noah seems to be in a perpetually bad mood and doesn't really seem to learn much throughout the novel. When his relationship with Devin turns from friendship to more, I wished they stayed just friends. It seems like Noah is diving right in expecting another perfect romance even though he acknowledges he barely knows anything about Devin. It also seemed like so many people turned out to be villains in a way that didn't really advance the plot, but we also never got any explanation about the trolls attacking the blog even though the blog was supposed to be such a main thread throughout the novel? Overall, it was an interesting premise with a lot of messy, interesting, diverse characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
betweentheshelves's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! It was just the meet cute romance that I needed as the weather gets warmer. While it has a few flaws, I absolutely flew through this book!
Yes, enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, but fake dating might become a close second! Especially fake dating that leads to real relationships. While the trajectory of the relationship was a bit predictable, I enjoyed seeing Noah get to fall in love and experience traditional romance tropes. It's great to have such a happy, upbeat book for a trans main character!
Noah's friendship with Devin is probably one of the best things about this book. Devin is questioning eir gender and pronouns, and e and Noah have some great conversations about it. For a teen who is also questioning their gender, seeing this play out on a page with a character who changes eir pronouns with a friend who just rolls with the punches? Priceless. Much needed representation.
That being said, Noah isn't the most likeable main character. He has a lot of maturing to do, which makes sense because he's 16! But he has a lot of great support around him, people who are incredibly patient. And his brother! I loved getting to see his support in the book and to have him stand up for Noah at points, too. I would have a loved a little more growth from Noah in the book, but by the end, you can definitely tell that he's headed in the right direction.
All in all, if you're looking for a swoon worthy rom-com, this one is for you! Emery Lee is definitely one to keep an eye on.
----
This has a lot of great things going for it, with a few flaws along the way. Mostly here for the side characters, as they definitely helped carry the story. Stay tuned for a full review later this week!
This has a lot of great things going for it, with a few flaws along the way. Mostly here for the side characters, as they definitely helped carry the story. Stay tuned for a full review later this week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
The suicide mentions are referencing something from the past, it doesn't actually happen within the events of the book.fromjuliereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
**Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.**
This book was really good! I ended up reading it in one day... which is not very common for me! It was an easy read, even though it deals with some more difficult topics. But all of the difficult subjects were handled well and with care, in my opinion. I laughed out loud, groaned from second hand embarrassment at the cringe-y sections, and even teared up at one point! There were so many things that I really loved about this book! I am not going to attempt to comment on the transgender or nonbinary representation in the book, as that is not my place. Please look for reviews from transgender and nonbinary readers to comment on the rep!
Let me quickly start with why I felt like I couldn't give this book 5 stars. The biggest thing that I had an issue with was that the main character, Noah, came across as the stereotypical surly teenager through 2/3 of the book. I honestly don't feel like I had enough character development for Noah in some ways. I can tell you multiple things that Noah hates - his brother's girlfriend, hiking and exercise, kids, and many other things. Really, the only thing that I got that Noah likes is romance and Tumblr... and an off hand comment about liking manga at the beginning... that's it? I just think that his character could have been developed a bit more in that way. Honestly, a lot of aspects of Noah's character came off pretty negative and selfish for a majority of the book. And while I didn't dislike Noah, I did find myself a bit annoyed at points. BUT I will say that the character growth that happened and the revelations that occurred further into the book were really well done!
Also, while I love a happily ever after, there was one aspect that seemed a little too convenient to the end... but that's more me being picky than anything! I still really loved the ending :)
Anyways! There were so many other aspects of this book that I really liked! I loved the portrayal that we had of Noah's relationship with his brother, Brian. The scenes at the camp were so much fun! The initial day at the camp - such a good scene!!! I loved that so much and how it became kind of this turning point. And Devin was such a fantastic character! I also really appreciate the panic attack/anxiety rep. As someone who has had panic attacks, it's really nice to see them written about in a more realistic way. I like that Noah didn't know what to do and it was a struggle to help in the situation, but it was all done so well in a realistic portrayal of an ACTUAL situation for someone with a panic attack and someone seeing one for the first time. As I mentioned above, I liked the character growth that happened for Noah in all of the different ways that it came together for him to better understand himself and the people around him in the end. It was really well done!
I enjoyed the format where text messages and Tumblr posts/comments were integrated into the text! As someone who went through a Tumblr stage (and still sneaks onto it sometimes), it's so much fun to see blogging included in a story! It was integrated in a really fantastic way and a great set up for this fake dating story!
I'm hoping this doesn't come across as a spoiler, but if you are looking for some LGBTQIA+ rep with the fake dating AND enemies to lovers tropes, definitely check this book out! It was a great read and I hope a lot of people will enjoy it! I will mention to PLEASE check the trigger warnings before venturing into this novel. Safe reading, everyone!
This book was really good! I ended up reading it in one day... which is not very common for me! It was an easy read, even though it deals with some more difficult topics. But all of the difficult subjects were handled well and with care, in my opinion. I laughed out loud, groaned from second hand embarrassment at the cringe-y sections, and even teared up at one point! There were so many things that I really loved about this book! I am not going to attempt to comment on the transgender or nonbinary representation in the book, as that is not my place. Please look for reviews from transgender and nonbinary readers to comment on the rep!
Let me quickly start with why I felt like I couldn't give this book 5 stars. The biggest thing that I had an issue with was that the main character, Noah, came across as the stereotypical surly teenager through 2/3 of the book. I honestly don't feel like I had enough character development for Noah in some ways. I can tell you multiple things that Noah hates - his brother's girlfriend, hiking and exercise, kids, and many other things. Really, the only thing that I got that Noah likes is romance and Tumblr... and an off hand comment about liking manga at the beginning... that's it? I just think that his character could have been developed a bit more in that way. Honestly, a lot of aspects of Noah's character came off pretty negative and selfish for a majority of the book. And while I didn't dislike Noah, I did find myself a bit annoyed at points. BUT I will say that the character growth that happened and the revelations that occurred further into the book were really well done!
Also, while I love a happily ever after, there was one aspect that seemed a little too convenient to the end... but that's more me being picky than anything! I still really loved the ending :)
Anyways! There were so many other aspects of this book that I really liked! I loved the portrayal that we had of Noah's relationship with his brother, Brian. The scenes at the camp were so much fun! The initial day at the camp - such a good scene!!! I loved that so much and how it became kind of this turning point. And Devin was such a fantastic character! I also really appreciate the panic attack/anxiety rep. As someone who has had panic attacks, it's really nice to see them written about in a more realistic way. I like that Noah didn't know what to do and it was a struggle to help in the situation, but it was all done so well in a realistic portrayal of an ACTUAL situation for someone with a panic attack and someone seeing one for the first time. As I mentioned above, I liked the character growth that happened for Noah in all of the different ways that it came together for him to better understand himself and the people around him in the end. It was really well done!
I enjoyed the format where text messages and Tumblr posts/comments were integrated into the text! As someone who went through a Tumblr stage (and still sneaks onto it sometimes), it's so much fun to see blogging included in a story! It was integrated in a really fantastic way and a great set up for this fake dating story!
I'm hoping this doesn't come across as a spoiler, but if you are looking for some LGBTQIA+ rep with the fake dating AND enemies to lovers tropes, definitely check this book out! It was a great read and I hope a lot of people will enjoy it! I will mention to PLEASE check the trigger warnings before venturing into this novel. Safe reading, everyone!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Vomit
mezzano's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Emery Lee's debut novel Meet Cute Diary strongest attribute in certainly in its representation. In the story, we have a trans and multi-racial protagonist with friends and family that love him. There is a Cuban supporting character who is genderqueer and asexual. The protagonist's best friend is a lesbian. Minor characters in the story are also shown to be a part of the LGBT community. The amount of casual questioning and embracing of pronouns and identity is a joy to see in Young Adult literature today.
Noah Ramirez runs a popular blog dedicated to giving trans people everywhere hope for their "happily ever after." Only a few people know his secret, like his best friend Becca. When Noah decides to spend a summer in his brother's college town while his parents get their new home set up in California, he secretly hopes that finally, one of his fictional "Meet Cutes" can become the real deal. The premise of this book is very sweet, and is a relatable theme for teenagers everywhere learning to handle changes in their lives. This book discusses a range of relationships and the main character must learn for himself what it truly means to be in a healthy and dedicated relationship with another person.
At times, the book can be frustrating due to Noah's self-centered and dramatic nature. Many opportunities to provide support for friends and loved ones with dialogue are often exchanged for venting sessions and rants. Noah is a judgmental person with a quick temper, and none of these things change by the end of the book. Early on, opportunities for genuine connection are brushed aside for fantastical blog ideas. By the end of the book, Noah does learn some things about what it means to recognize others' needs (and his own), but there is a feeling that it is "too little, too late" to make a fully satisfying ending.
Noah Ramirez runs a popular blog dedicated to giving trans people everywhere hope for their "happily ever after." Only a few people know his secret, like his best friend Becca. When Noah decides to spend a summer in his brother's college town while his parents get their new home set up in California, he secretly hopes that finally, one of his fictional "Meet Cutes" can become the real deal. The premise of this book is very sweet, and is a relatable theme for teenagers everywhere learning to handle changes in their lives. This book discusses a range of relationships and the main character must learn for himself what it truly means to be in a healthy and dedicated relationship with another person.
At times, the book can be frustrating due to Noah's self-centered and dramatic nature. Many opportunities to provide support for friends and loved ones with dialogue are often exchanged for venting sessions and rants. Noah is a judgmental person with a quick temper, and none of these things change by the end of the book. Early on, opportunities for genuine connection are brushed aside for fantastical blog ideas. By the end of the book, Noah does learn some things about what it means to recognize others' needs (and his own), but there is a feeling that it is "too little, too late" to make a fully satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Vomit
Unlisted content warnings: Aphobia Transphobic and aphobic remarks are made in this book. There is a suicide attempt described in the book (no real details, delivered "as a rumor") The main protagonist
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