I read the predecessor to this book, THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS, nearly 10 year ago. While the writing was simplistic, the story and its characters stuck with me, and when I found out Mackler was writing a sequel, I knew I had to read it.

My five star rating is probably a little generous (those nostalgia feels had me messed up), but it is at least a four star book, even with the little things I didn’t enjoy. Which was mostly that while this book seamlessly transitions us into a sequel for a book written 15 years ago… it kinda feels like a book that was written 15 years ago. Seriously, if something reminds me of being a teenager… it probably doesn’t apply to this new generation of teenagers. Still, it was good.

I particularly appreciated the honesty Mackler shows when writing about Byron, his arrest, and how his overbearing parents act. I liked the fact that Virginia knew her brother was in the wrong but still was unsure of her feelings towards him. Not just because of the rape and arrest, but also because of the way he treated her.

Personally I hope there is a third book where Virginia stands up to her entire insufferable family. We’ve dealt with weight issues. We’ve dealt with break-ups and new love. It’s time for Virginia to take a stand against the people who have tormented her more than anyone else. I’m also eager to get more of Annie Mills’ story and the punishment Byron deserves FINALLY handed down to him.

Carolyn Mackler, please don’t make me wait another 15 years.

** I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bloomsbury USA Children in exchange for my honest review**

“But you gave me two eyes.” I say gesturing at his drawing. He looks up for a second. “You’re two pretty to have one.”

I rated this book at 5/5 stars because it shows so many different aspects that should be shown more in novels today. Such as an overweight character and an LGBTQ Character. This novel is sending out a lot of messages that are really needed to be seen especially by teens these days, Love is Love is Love. I would recommend for everybody to pick this up because it helps you realize you aren’t alone in feeling like an outcast or feeling unwanted for whatever reason. The main character opens you up to understand how to make the best of a crappy situation and turn it into something you can grow from.
#BeTrueToYourself

I requested this through NetGalley. I opened it, started reading.. and then realized the next day that it was a sequel. I decided to keep plowing through, and I found that you don't need to read the first one to enjoy the second one!

Virginia Shreves may have body complex issues (especially with parents like hers), but she's incredibly insightful, witty, and engaging. I think the "everyone in my family is perfect but me" story line is getting a little old, but Mackler adjusted that plot point perfectly.

I have a feeling that I missed a little more on the rugby brother/awful crime he committed (not sarcasm) story line from the first book. I think that Virginia's constant questioning of this and her brother was great. However, I don't think the final wrap up with his mental health state was...

Overall, I would recommend this book! Fun and astute :)

Our Rating: 2.5
This Book in a Song: All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor

Disclaimer: I have not read the first book in this series, so I filled in the backstory with the details this book provided. However, the story still worked fine as a standalone.

Virginia Shreves must navigate the twists and turns of her life as her summer fills up with drama. She experiences both highs and lows, and one thing is certain: by time everything blows over, she will be changed for better or for worse.

Before I continue, I want to say that I think this book had a good message. It was body positive, and that was good. That was what earned it the 2.5 stars.

I did appreciate the date rape storyline. This was fascinating and I believe that Mackler did an excellent job balancing Virginia’s loyalty to her brother with the reality of the situation. However, this was not focused on enough in my opinion, and that was truly unfortunate, especially given the time in which this book was published. I understand why that story arc was tossed to the side a little-it wasn’t exactly Virginia’s story to tell-but I wish that it could have earned a little more attention.

The body image aspect was something that I wanted to like, but I just couldn’t. I got the message by page one: Virginia was overweight. It was a significant burden on her. Which is very understandable. I can imagine that it’s constantly on her mind. There was hardly anything more to her character than her being overweight and spiteful about it. I understood where these feelings were coming from, but they were too repetitive for me to appreciate them at all.

Virginia as a whole was overly dramatic. Most people who know me consider me dramatic. Am I as bad or as juvenile as Virginia? No. I would argue that I’m not even close. Despite Virginia finding her confidence and standing up for herself, the dialogue and a majority of Virginia’s thoughts seemed fairly juvenile as well. It just didn’t work for me.

Her love story with Sebastian was also lacking. It was predictable, cheesy, and cliché. I can accept all of these so long as they are pulled off right (a la Kasie West). Sebastian was described as perfect and is one dimensional and never does anything wrong. The one serious argument they have falls flat and just didn’t feel real.

Okay, so I’m being a little dramatic, but you get the point. It was frustrating. I felt no spark, and I couldn’t tell why he liked her or why she liked him other than the fact that he was just so perfect.

Similarly, Mackler’s attempt to make Virginia real and relatable became irksome and began to irritate me. There were several name checks that seemed to be unnecessary and almost as if she was proving that she was pop cultured. Maybe it was an attempt to show Virginia’s story fifteen years later. I’m not sure. Again, I didn’t read the first book.

Despite containing mature content, this book is better suited for younger readers. Like I mentioned earlier, everything about it, particularly Virginia, came off as far too juvenile. The dialogue, the thoughts, the texts, the dramatic outbursts…all of those were better left in late middle school or early high school. Perhaps I’m the one outgrowing this.

Whatever it was, this book didn’t work for me. It had a positive message and good intentions, but it failed to impress me. I’d recommend it to someone under sixteen or someone who read the first book in this series and wanted a time capsule sort of book. It was probably more enjoyable if it was a throwback for you. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me, so I can’t review it as positively as some.

*I received this eARC from Netgalley/Publishers in exchange for an honest review*