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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review. (actual rating 3.5 stars)
In the final instalment of the Geek Girl series, Harriet and Nat travel to Australia with Harriet’s grandmother – Harriet to (inevitably) model, and Nat to hopefully raise her social media profile in the fashion world. But, of course, Harriet’s romance woes inevitably complicate the situation – can her and Jasper’s incipient relationship survive the long distance? And what will happen in she perhaps, maybe, runs into ex-boyfriend Nick?
It’s hard to review a book when you’re six deep into a series. The Geek Girl books all follow pretty much the same formula – a series of misunderstandings and mistakes result in Harriet getting into more and more ridiculous situations, until things come to a head, misunderstandings are resolved, and a happy(ish) ending ensues, normally with some unexpected triumph in either the modelling or romance department. If you enjoyed the previous books, you’ll enjoy this.
One thing I liked about this final instalment is that this repetition and inevitable snowballing of events in Harriet’s life is flagged at every turn. Even Harriet is, at this point, both unsurprised and frustrated at the absurd situations she finds herself in. She realises she makes mistakes. She realises that she is, perhaps, not the easiest person to be around. And if that’s not character development, I don’t know what is – both for Harriet as a protagonist, but also Smale as an author. It was fun to watch Smale say ‘this is exactly what every single book has been like, isn’t Harriet’s life ridiculous?’
The story also had a larger emotional impact than some of the other books, due to the events of the story. Rather than struggling against mean girls and fashion mishaps, Harriet undergoes some really painful experiences in this book. I thought this was well written, and it was good to see Harriet’s more absurd problems transition into real emotional pain and the growth that results from that.
The main focus of the story (apart from spoilers that I can’t divulge) is of course Harriet’s love life. Will she and Jasper endure, and what will being on the same continent as Nick result in?
SPOILERS ENSUE:
Overall, I think this book was a good close to a series that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s not my favourite book series by any means – I have some issues with the character of Harriet, as I always have, as I think she plays into some inaccurate stereotypes of ‘geeks’. But if you want a nice middle grade romance read, I would say that this is a good go-to book.
In the final instalment of the Geek Girl series, Harriet and Nat travel to Australia with Harriet’s grandmother – Harriet to (inevitably) model, and Nat to hopefully raise her social media profile in the fashion world. But, of course, Harriet’s romance woes inevitably complicate the situation – can her and Jasper’s incipient relationship survive the long distance? And what will happen in she perhaps, maybe, runs into ex-boyfriend Nick?
It’s hard to review a book when you’re six deep into a series. The Geek Girl books all follow pretty much the same formula – a series of misunderstandings and mistakes result in Harriet getting into more and more ridiculous situations, until things come to a head, misunderstandings are resolved, and a happy(ish) ending ensues, normally with some unexpected triumph in either the modelling or romance department. If you enjoyed the previous books, you’ll enjoy this.
One thing I liked about this final instalment is that this repetition and inevitable snowballing of events in Harriet’s life is flagged at every turn. Even Harriet is, at this point, both unsurprised and frustrated at the absurd situations she finds herself in. She realises she makes mistakes. She realises that she is, perhaps, not the easiest person to be around. And if that’s not character development, I don’t know what is – both for Harriet as a protagonist, but also Smale as an author. It was fun to watch Smale say ‘this is exactly what every single book has been like, isn’t Harriet’s life ridiculous?’
The story also had a larger emotional impact than some of the other books, due to the events of the story. Rather than struggling against mean girls and fashion mishaps, Harriet undergoes some really painful experiences in this book. I thought this was well written, and it was good to see Harriet’s more absurd problems transition into real emotional pain and the growth that results from that.
The main focus of the story (apart from spoilers that I can’t divulge) is of course Harriet’s love life. Will she and Jasper endure, and what will being on the same continent as Nick result in?
SPOILERS ENSUE:
Spoiler
To be honest, I both did and didn’t like the resolution to the mild love triangle dynamic – I think perhaps it was realistic and unrealistic in equal amounts. On the one hand, sometimes romances and incipient crushes fizzle and you realise you’re better off as friends. On the other hand, I read this book three months after a housemate’s boyfriend broke up with her, and the resolution whereby people who break up get back together struck me at this particular point as very damaging. I know it can definitely happen. But at the same time, I prefer stories where you’re shown not to have one single love in your life, and that multiple people can fit you romantically.Overall, I think this book was a good close to a series that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s not my favourite book series by any means – I have some issues with the character of Harriet, as I always have, as I think she plays into some inaccurate stereotypes of ‘geeks’. But if you want a nice middle grade romance read, I would say that this is a good go-to book.
Wow this was emotional! I loved seeing how Harriet has grown as a person whilst still being a geek. I LOVE HER. I'M SO PROUD OF HER.
A very fitting end to Harriet's story. She'll always be an awkward self-centered hilarious geeky girl. But she matured and Forever Geek felt like it came full circled.