ARC, 336 pages
Release Date: April 11, 2017Published by: Balzer + Bray
Read from: April 28-April 30, 2017Companion novel: Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens AgendaSource: PublisherFor fans of: Contemporary,Romance, DEAR, Realistic Fiction, Companions, LGBTQIA+, LOL, Positive Body Rep, Diverse Reads, YASeventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.
Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back.
There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker, Reid. He’s a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.
Right?
*MY THOUGHTS*
After reading Simon last year, I knew I was willing to read anything that Becky Albertalli wrote. And so when i heard she had another book coming out, I was super excited to see it what it was all about.
“…that’s the thing I’m most afraid of. Not mattering, Existing in a world that doesn’t care who I am.“pg. 38
Molly isn’t scared to have a crush, but she IS scared of rejection. And as a self proclaimed fat girl, she has to make sure she stays away from being rejected. But one day, Molly find herself trying to choose between a really cute guy and a guy she shouldn’t like at all. Right?
“…if I had to describe the feeling of a crush, I’d say thi: you just finished running a mile, and you have to throw up, and you’re starving, but no food seems appealing, and your brain becomes fog, and you also have to pee. It’s this close to intolerable.“pg. 56
After my last read being a bit of a downer, I needed a bit of a pick me up. And this one definitely did the trick. I wanted to read something that would have me laughing and this one did just that. Molly and all of the characters were absolutely hilarous and I loved reading about them.
“Goal: Don’t be weird and awkward.“pg. 69
One of the main things I loved about this book tho was the familial aspect. I absolutely ADORED Molly’s entire family. They all had their own dynamic and I LOVED that her moms were constantly there and actually acteed like moms. That’s rare in YA and it was refreshing to see such a great family unit.
“I’m not trying to over think things. I’m trying to be less careful. But you have to be your heart’s own goalie.“pg. 145
I also really liked the romance in the book. Every single part of the romance was completly adorable. And I mean EVERY character that was involved in something romantic was absolutely adorable. I don’t normally care about anyone other than the main character falling for someone, so I knew I was in love with this book when I got the happy’s for someone other than Molly. It was all auper adorable.
“Maybe my company is even better than making out- which is pretty much my goal as a human being honestly.“pg. 159
And last but not least, I loved how it was so 100% relateable. I too suffer with body image issues, not only back then as a teen, but also now. I also didn’t think I deserved to be with someone else either. I also have anxiety and her spiraling and everything is definitely something that happens to me almost on a daily. In other words…. If I can see myself in this, I’m sure teens can.
“We like who we like. Who cares if somene else doesn’t get it? Thats a good thing. That’s less competition.“pg. 211
Everything I love about a book was included in this: Romance, times when I laughed out loud, and even being able to relate to the character. And because of that, I will sing it’s praises from where ever I am. Albertalli has hit it out of the park again! I can’t wait to read Leah on the Offbeat coming in 2018!
Overall, I give this
I love how much attention Becky gives the families, those relationships are so important!