Member Reviews
The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is a story of growth and redemption. Bridget Bloom believes that she born to be on the stage. Her whole world is organized based on where music and theatre fit in. No one else in her small Nebraska town seems to appreciate how talented she is so she sets her sights on a prestigious arts academy in Chicago. It is a very expensive school and the only way she can afford to go is on scholarship but she is able to convince her fathers to let her go.
When she arrives at the school Bridget is surprised to learn that she got a low score on the music entrance exam and will not be able to participate in anything musically related for the school year. The dean also tells her it would be good for her learn some humility. And does Bridget ever need some humility! She drove me crazy! Major kudos to Allison L. Bitz for creating a main character who was like nails on a chalkboard yet who I was also secretly rooting for as she grew as a person.
Bridget puts herself right in the middle of everything by becoming a piano accompanist. The catch is she is forcing herself to not sing for the entire year. By being in the middle of it all, she is able to meet several of the other students and actually starts bonding with them. This is a new feeling for her as she didn't really have any friends in Nebraska. She also finds herself the intricacies of having a crush or two; and making peace with her roommate. I loved her group of friends, they were such fun characters! I also loved how her roommate didn't backdown when Bridget started pressuring her. These challenges and experiencing are what she needed to help her grow as a person.
The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is a book that I can see transferring to the silver screen. It is a good coming of age story featuring a character who is able to learn and grow. It brings forth a positive message of believing in yourself while also being willing to extend yourself in new and exciting ways. If it ever does move to the silver screen though, the writers might want to bring Bridget's level of unawareness down a notch. Otherwise, her way out of control ego may push viewers not to watch as it also may do for anyone who reads this book.
**3.5 Stars**
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
Confession - I almost DNF'ed this book, because the main character Bridget Bloom was so insufferably self-absorbed and just obnoxious. If i could describe her, it would just be TOO MUCH.
Luckily for me, I *NEVER* DNF as soon as I probably should, because once she started to come out of her veil of self-absorption the story really took off and the book really clicked. The side characters are a delight, and Bitz has created a book that I can easily see moving to the screen.
I did not have time to download and read this book before it was archived, so I'm unable to leave a review.
Bridget has felt out of place in her current high school. So when she gets into Richard James Academy, she is sure she's on a path to fall in love and launch her Broadway career. When she arrives, she finds out she did not get into the music program due to her low music theory score. When she tries to speak to the Dean to clarify the mix-up, she instead gets challenged not to sing at all to learn some humility. Bridget hides that she's not actually in the music program and ends up working hard to prove that she has what it takes. She learns several lessons on friendship, humility, working hard and making the most of the opportunity she's been given.
While the MC does eventually turn a corner and the secondary characters are almost universally delightful, Bridget Bloom is so incredibly irritating and stunningly self-involved that having to read about her vapid selfishness makes so much of this book feel like a slog rather than an enjoyable diversion. I could easily see this becoming an excellent film and I genuinely hope it gets optioned and purchased because the story is good, but I needed much more separation between myself and Bridget to find this remotely pleasurable.
I nearly DNF'ed this book because the main character Bridget was so insufferable. She was so self-absorbed that we didn't see her interactions with her roommate until she breaks out of her "I'm the greatest" haze. I'm glad I fought through the urge though and finished the book. It was worth the effort. I recommend this especially to music lovers!
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.
This is exactly the kind of book I wish I had growing up! I found Bridget to be relatable and easy to root for. This is a book I will keep on my shelf and have for my daughter to read. I will definitely recommend it to my readers.
This freaking book!!!!!
Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this bookđź’—
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
I cannot wait to own a physical copy.
Bitz created such an amazing character with Bridget Bloom. It made my heart warm to read her story and see her growth. This is a perfect example of what a coming of age story should be like.
This book was a surprise, although I was excited to read this one I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did! I loved bridge,t, especially toward the end, where we saw her character development. Although Bridget was an unreliable narrator it was rather entertaining seeing her journey of realizing how self-centered she was and how she changed that. overall I really enjoyed this book especially all of the musical theater aspects.
a cute and charming romcom that was delightful.
thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for this review copy.
First and foremost, I loved Bridget Bloom as a character! She is confident and radiant. I love her growth and progression throughout the story.
The setting and musical theater aspect of this story also make it super fun and familiar. It’s so interesting to see Bridget navigate this space and adjust.
Overall, this book is such a feel-good, comfy story! 10/10 recommend!
If you have ever watched Glee or Smash, then this is the book for you. It is always fun to read books where the main character has to get out of their comfort zone and this one is no different. You will laugh, smile, and just have an enjoyable time reading this book overall.
I wanted to read this because it had curvy girl rep and I am a curvy girl (well woman now but was as a YA too) but as I read this I was unsure what I had drawn myself into at first, she was self centred, I found her quite annoying and felt she was better than everyone. I really did wonder if things were going to get better or if this was the right book for me.
However, page by page I found myself addicted to her story and wanting to see if she would learn and Allison L Bitz did a fantastic job of writing her journey, watching her slowly grow, learn, make changes was wonderful and like her friendship with Liza and Max, I found myself liking her and by the end loving her, and I really really loved the ending. A heartwarming and uplifting read, one I won’t forget anytime soon and I loved that I Allison changed my whole opinion, such a great storyteller and a wonderful YA read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4 stars
The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is a coming-of-age contemporary that follows Bridget, starting off as self-absorbed, learning to put others’ needs before her own. Bridget’s arc is executed brilliantly as there is a clear progression from start to finish. When first introduced to Bridget, I found her a bit difficult to root for. This quickly changes as she begins to face challenges along the way that change her way of thinking. which caused me to enjoy her character far more.
Bridget was a fun and energetic personality, who after finding out she didn’t get into Richard James Academy music program due to low music theory scores is challenged by the dean to work on her humility by not singing at all. This fact is too much for her as singing is her passion. For the first time, Bridget cannot be the center of attention.
Through this, Bridget discovers new things about herself and that she doesn’t always have to be the star of the show. The supporting characters each brought their own quirky and unique traits making the story even more of a blast. Additionally, they allowed Bridget to see the errors of her mistakes, and each of the side characters has their own personal journeys (even if not the main focus of the story).
I tried very hard to like this book as much as I wanted to but it’s just not for me.
Bridget comes off extremely narcissistic and self centered. She arguably gets everything she wants and when the slightest thing doesn’t go her way the world might as well be imploding because she throws hysterics that would make my three year old nephew proud.
I genuinely have never encountered a 16/17 year old in real life with the kind of self absorbed mind set that Bridget has and I hope not to. By the time it got to the point where she started to redeem herself I was so over it I didn’t even care. She could have saved the world selflessly at that point and it wouldn’t have mattered. Her family literally sold part of their farm to send her to a music program and she LIED to them about even getting in and then wanted them to sell even more so she could stay. After that it was all downhill for me.
I’m sorry maybe I just don’t get theater kids anymore.
This book was the perfect coming of age story. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up, but I could not put it down once I began reading. Bridget was so real, I felt my younger and current self connect with her character in a really meaningful way.
I loved all the characters! Each one had a place and a part to play. They all had their own stories that shone through and added so much depth to this story.
I adored Alison L Bitz for the way she created such deep and authentic characters and for her amazing storytelling ability.
Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. As a former high school theater nerd myself, I could totally relate to Bridget's angst, as well as the personalities and quirks of her friends. Bridget's growth in the story was incredible and I liked how the author was able to subtly show these changes throughout the book, without hitting us over the head with it. The realization at the end of the book was almost a surprise, even though you had been along for the ride with Bridget from the start.
Bridget is extremely confident at the beginning of the book and her drive to achieve her goals is commendable. However, we quickly learn that her focus is to the exclusion of everything else, making her extremely self-centered. This is not a conscious decision on her part, it's just that she works so hard to perfect her craft that she's oblivious to anyone else. When obstacles are put in her path she is forced to adapt, and thus, learns to stop and consider those around her. Her friendships with Liza and Max were wonderful to see develop, and I especially loved her relationship with Hans, the elderly antique store owner. Bridget finds solace there. She can let down her guard and relax for a change. It's the safe space that we all need to find that gives us a harbor during the storm.
This is a wonderful book that is a quick, fun read. I highly recommend you check it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen. All opinions are my own.
Are you ready for an empowering YA Contemporary read?
Music Program - Bridget is accepted to a music program at a school in Chicago
A Star - Being from her small town Bridget knows she is a star, and has the confidence to prove it
Failed Test- But when she arrives, she is notified that she has actually failed the music theory test required for the program so she can no longer perform as part of the program and must be a gen ed student
Humility - the dean also mentions that she hopes this will teach Bridget humility which could be the hardest lesson of all
I originally picked this book because it was about a redheaded curvy theater girl. That’s me. But where Bridget and I differ is that bridget is very self centered and delusional about being part of a friend group or a team. This actually kind of annoyed me for most of the book where things were happening all around her and she would make these statements about how she was better than everyone. So you can imagine the lesson she learns comes with a large impact, and actually i really loved the ending. If YA contemporary is your thing, pick this one up.