Whew. This was a piece of work. Toxic relationships are not something I enjoy reading about I guess. I think there were also a few plot holes and a lot going on which made it hard to keep up with. Considering the book is under 300 pages, I felt it would be a short read, but it is a lot and didn't feel short.

loved the idea, but the execution fell flat for me. to make a long story short, this book seriously lacked nuance. I felt like the author was forcibly directing me to the conclusions she wanted me to make about what was going on. I would have loved to follow the breadcrumbs instead.

there was just a lot happening in this book and I was a little disappointed with how everyone hyped up this book!

I devoured Call it What You Want in one sitting. I love the nostalgic feel to the writing and the connection between the characters is so tangible. It's also such a relatable story that so many people can see themselves in.

ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Alissa DeRogatis’ Call It What You Want is a raw and relatable look at this generations’ love experience. It is an honest portrayal of two people trying to navigate big emotions without the proper tools to do so. It is a poignant but heartbreaking read.

Told through alternating POVs, Sloane and Ethan describe the timeline for their ‘situationship’. Despite never having an official title, the two endure the ups and downs of young, confused, and codependent love. DeRogatis’ decision to tell the story in this format requires her readers to have compassion for both main characters. It is easy to pass judgment, but when you see the reason behind thoughts and actions, it becomes apparent why the two are stuck in a never ending cycle.

*This book has received mixed reviews. While I can understand where some of the complaints stem from, I fear the point was missed entirely.

**I would have rated it five stars, but there are many explicit scenes in the book. For my personal preference I could have done without those, but I am sure others will find them important to the story.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Alissa DeRogatis for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 star rating, rounded down. This is Magnolia Parks with common folk. I don't think I liked one person in this book - I found myself loathing Ethan and Sloane by the end, the latter more so. I really tried to pull from the deepest recesses of my memory how I was in college, especially senior year, and the years immediately following graduation. And I may have related to some of it, but I hope to GOD that I wasn't like Sloane. At first, I cut her some slack, but when you see the repeat mistakes, you just end up wanting to tell her to get a grip. I also didn't really understand the reasoning behind Ethan's personality, what made him the way he was, why he had the relationship issues he had... I mean, I get it. He had his baggage - serious baggage, for sure - but did that really justify the way he treated Sloane and relationships in general? Really had to suspend disbelief for that one... You would read snippets of the bad times of their relationship, situations that sounded toxic and harmful, but that wasn't really worked out in detail - just mentioned in passing. What I liked - I live in NC, so I guess I liked the coastal setting? As you can tell, I'm reaching here.

Okay first of all the cover is STUNNING. I enjoyed how the characters were not perfect and I found them all very interesting which doesn't always happen. I really enjoyed Alissa DeRoatis' writing style! It kept me wanting to read more and more and more. I 100% recommend the book!

This was cute and fun! The miscommunication and situationship was not my favorite though. I did enjoy the writing and cannot wait to see what this author does next!

Sloane Hart bumps into Ethan Brady one morning, and you can probably tell where it goes from there.

I like the concept of this novel. It brings light to what a situationship is, how different people define it and deal with it, and its aftermath (if there is one). This novel is unique in a sense that from the beginning, we see how flawed these characters are, and that makes it unclear for us readers whether they will end up together. Do we root for them even if it's slightly toxic? Who's in the wrong here? Sloane and Ethan go back and forth with each other (much like a lot of situationships do), though their chemistry is clear from the start. They're there for each other in the wrong times. So, where is that line that needs to be crossed for Sloane to finally leave Ethan behind?

Another element I really enjoyed are the side characters. As this novel takes place through college and after, it was very sweet to see other relationships blossom for Sloane. Friendships, for instance. Her career. Sloane's character development is the most clear in these moments. The banter is light-hearted to make me reminisce on my own early college days and the friends I made.

However, it became increasingly difficult to root for the two leads as the story went on. I felt that the plot went on in circles, which is understandable given the concept of the book, but things began to feel repetitive. There was still so much more I wanted to know about both Ethan and Sloane, and I wish the author gave us more of this to add depth into their relationship. I'm aware it's a situationship, but there has to be something that pulls them to each other, right? Even by the end, I can't seem to pinpoint what that is, hence my rating. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing, and the dialogues lack intention in some parts. It didn't reveal anything new to the readers. It was more like a filler and read like surface level. I also felt like Sloane continued to justify Ethan's behaviour without really telling us why, so I was left confused. It was a bit more like someone venting in their journal than telling a story. Overall, I wanted a bit more depth.

Nonetheless, this was a light and heartfelt read. Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and the author for my digital ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved this story, it was extremely well written. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

I definitely loved the writing style of this! It felt like I was back in school, listening as my friend recounted her tumultuous relationship. I wanted a bit more from it all together, but I enjoyed it!

Such a fun read! Perfect for lovers of romance books and Taylor swift - a perfect combination. I will definitely be recommending to friends/followers!

Unfortunately, I've got nothing redeeming to say, except thank goodness this didn't end like a traditional romance? I extremely disliked Ethan and honestly Sloane was annoying too, there was no communication or pining and honestly would this book pass the Bechdel test? Probably not

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me an arc for an honest review.

"Call it What You Want" by Alissa DeRogatis is a nostalgic, bittersweet dive into the complexities of young adulthood and almost-love stories that feel all too real. Sloane and Ethan's chemistry is palpable, and their push-pull dynamic keeps you turning pages, even as you brace for the heartbreak that feels inevitable. DeRogatis captures the uncertainty and excitement of that final year of college beautifully, making you long for your own late-night sing-alongs and tight-knit friendships. While I found myself rooting for Sloane and Ethan, the story’s focus on the messiness of undefined relationships and the fear of vulnerability hit close to home, making me reflect on my own experiences. It’s not a fairy tale romance, but that’s what makes it so relatable and resonant. This book left me feeling both nostalgic and contemplative, a perfect read for anyone who’s ever wondered what might have been.

I wanted to read this, I really did. Unfortunately I couldn't get past the multiple editing errors. The plot and character's fell flat and I lost interest pretty quickly. I had to DNF this book 20%.

hmm. i was misled by a taylor swift song title, it’s true. the cover is also very cute but that’s about all i enjoyed from this book. this is absolutely NOT to say that its a bad book by any means, but i personally didn’t connect to the writing or the characters and that made everything feel very removed in my reading experience

Not your average love story and don’t expect a HEA. I liked how this was based on a personal experience from the author. As someone who has been in her shoes I got to feel the characters and understand this story very well. They had a complicated relationship and it felt more realistic to any other romance out there. Some of us have been through situationships like this in the past and know it all too well.

As much as I wanted to really love this book I couldn’t, I feel like the target audience is a lot younger, although the story could have so much potential I just didn’t feel like I connected with it

This book was incredibly problematic for me. From the beginning, I was put off by the writing - a whole lotta tell instead of show. It’s the worst kind to read; stilted and awkward, conversations that don’t feel authentic. Everything you read is like a list instead of organic narrative.

But the bigger problem is that it’s a YA book I don’t want young girls to read.

Sloane is a senior in college and on the first day back, she has a meet cute on a bus taking her and, Ethan to campus. It’s the only thing that’s cute.

Ethan is probably meant to come off as a wounded puppy, and I suppose we’re intended to feel sympathy for him, but it’s impossible to work up even a single tear. He’s a misogynistic jerk hiding behind a traumatic past - he won’t open up, he doesn’t treat Sloane well, he has no visible vulnerability - he’s just a bad dude. He tells her he can’t love anyone, but if he could it would be her…which is enough to keep her in his sphere.

The problem being that the author wants you to like him and feel empathy when she might have been better off leaning into him being a terrible human.

He says stuff like, “…and dressed like she went to that party asking to be f*cked.”

No. Guys, no.

Sloane, his wanna be girlfriend, is a overly apologetic doormat - she allows him to make all decisions, defaults to what he wants, and allows herself to be happy with any scraps he tosses her way.

In fact she actually says: “I didn’t care that I was settling for a fraction of a relationship with him when I knew I deserved so much more. I was willing to settle for whatever he would give me, because a fraction of him was better than nothing at all.”

No. No no no. Young girls, this is not our anthem!

After graduation Sloane moves to NYC. By some weird coincidence so does Ethan AND in a city of millions he ends up living in the same apartment building. Dream to him, Sloane ends a healthy relationship only to repeat every last mistake.

In the very end there is, I suppose, redemption for Sloane, but it’s too late and still tempered by her commenting on how Ethan still affects her.

It’s not good. I do not recommend this.

I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t a favourite of mine but it wasn’t bad at all. I thought the writing was good and it was easy to kind of understand Sloane and what she’s going through with Ethan. I loved Lauren and her and Sloanes relationship

I think this book had potential but the execution wasn’t the greatest for me. It just felt very repetitive and i’ve never been in a relationship, so i dont know how much of this is relatable, but It could’ve been executed a bit better. I did like the dual pov and definitely would’ve liked to see more of Ethans side.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as well as the author for the arc!

3.5/5 (rounded up)