Whiny FMC with no self-respect who drinks 4 glasses of wine each chapter to cope with her situationship that is a walking red flag. If that sounds like a book for you, this is the one.

It's safe to say that I didn't like this book. It didn't start out bad and I had really high hopes for this to be an enjoyable book. While I thought the conversations were a bit stiff at times, it was actually written quite okay, especially for a debut. So I was really willing to cut some slack.

“Stop losing your mind over someone who doesn’t mind losing you."

If only Sloane would follow her own advice. I get what the book was trying to do and when she started to see the second love interest, the book really picked up in pace and I was excited again. But then she kept going back to Ethan, who wasn't ready far a relationship. And I get it, I get why Ethan is the way he is, but there's also this thing called self reflection which was nowhere to be seen. I was just getting really annoyed with the characters and that made me not enjoy the book.

“It’s easy to remember the good moments when they’re all we want to see.”

Then the book got boring, because it was at least 10 chapters of the same thing just written with different words. Sloane was drinking a lot and I think the author wanted to highlight that because it was a problem for Ethan because of his past, but that wasn't really clear or just not executed well. Overall, this book had a lot of potential, the writing was okay. However, the story became repetitive and I couldn't connect with the main characters so I didn't really enjoy it, but maybe someone else will.

A major thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the ARC in exchange of an honest review

First, I want to thank SOURCEBOOKS Landmark Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of "Call It What You Want" by Alissa DeRogatis.

This dual POV novel might be my newest obsession. The nostalgia of going through college in 2016, from pregaming and the songs they listened to, to the Sunday debriefs with your roommate, is vividly captured. The book is an ode to first love and the toxicity that can accompany it.

There were many warning signs that Ethan would break Sloane’s heart, and she had numerous opportunities to walk away. But, as we all do when we think we've found our person, she made excuses and stayed too long.

Alissa DeRogatis wrote this book in a way that makes you root for both main characters, feel their sadness, and understand how heartbreak can happen even without dating.

I couldn’t recommend this book enough. Overall, I would rate it a 5/5.

I overall really enjoyed this book, which follows the situationship between Ethan and Sloan. The characters felt so real, as the book doesn’t hold back diving into their flaws. Alissa does a nice job exploring both the highs and lows of their relationship and how it impact the characters! I love the side characters of Lauren and Graham! Even though Graham was Ethan’s friends first, he still tries his best to support Sloan!

I’d recommend this book who has been a situationship and is trying to find their own closure!

My Instagram post is now linked!

Almost relationships ... something that most of us can relate to from some point in our life. Alissa hit the nail on the head so many times with this “Rom-Traum” which is the perfect way to describe it. I adored this book. It had me thinking back on college, heartbreak, friendships, self-love, and more.
Plus she references T-Swift several times which is always a win in my book!

June 18th will be here soon so make sure to grab your copy! You will not be disappointed with this nostalgic, character-driven novel by debut author Alissa Derogatis.

So much of this book I found myself wanting to highlight...this quote really hit me in the feels. "Unconditional love is someone breaking down the cage of your ribs to get to your heart and you trusting they'll protect it just the same."

@dianaelliotgraham shoutout to you for the perfect description- "Rom-Traum" and I am now eager to read your novels as well!

Thanks to @netgallety, @alissaderogatis, and @sourcebooks for giving me early access to this powerful novel. I just know this first book by Alissa Derogatis is the tip of the iceberg for her literary journey.

[Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.]

This book is the perfect example of therapy being needed to heal traumas caused by people who also needed therapy and don't seek it.

Don't expect a happy ending, because from the beginning the author makes it clear that this is not that kind of story. In fact, the book makes us reflect on how the main character experienced a toxic "almost relationship," how she allowed herself to be carried away by hopes that things would be different in the future. Despite all the red flags, there was always hope that things would change. Through various situations, she shows us how difficult it is to love someone, to feel like you don't occupy the same place in their life, and yet still waste time giving them more chances, making excuses, and waiting for a better moment.

I found it interesting how the author managed to portray the character's pain, exploring the vulnerability of having a broken heart and still having to deal with the invalidation of her feelings.

Ethan makes me angry, really angry. But deep down, he's also a victim of the traumas he went through because of his parents. I don't think this is an excuse, because he's old enough to recognize this and seek help. A trauma doesn't give you a free pass to make others suffer for the rest of your life. But at least we can understand where this behavior comes from.

Sloane also makes me angry sometimes, to be honest, because she gives him way more chances than he deserves. But that’s what happens every day in real life, right? All around the world… Who hasn't forgiven someone unforgivable? It happens...

I liked the book. It’s not a favorite, but I enjoyed it. I think the author did a great job and the timeline of events made a lot of sense. I'm glad there wasn't any miraculous ending with empty promises and last-minute solutions. A realistic ending, showing that sometimes situations aren't as we expect, seemed much better to me.

Sloane had no character development during this entire novel until the last 10 pages. That’s not to saw this was all bad, I still thought it was a light, read but I do wish it wasn’t so repetitive. Reese I’m sorry you were done so wrong.

thank you net galley for the arc

Unfortunately this book is just not for me, the summary and the title was very intriguing but I was disappointed. I was bored by the heteronormativity of the story, too cliché.

Call it What You Want is a story of almost relationships. I was very intrigued by that given we’re in the the age of situationships. However I found it really hard to get into! Perhaps I am just too old (29) but the writing of the characters backstory was very juvenile. I had many jotted notes while I was reading:

- Smirnoff icing
- Teenage passenger of drunk driving, I know I shouldn’t have but hehe I was young and stupid
- Mmc inner thoughts “she gave me physical cues to stop but I could tell she liked it though”
- Wine makes him horny
- SO MUCH ALCOHOL
- why so many hugs..why?

I started liking the book more when it got to present day. It was a hard read, but one of those “oh no how could you do that to yourself” type feelings.

I would strongly caution there are heavy mentions of alcohol in the book and the FMC drinks to excess to cope a lot. Please read with care!

I think this book was very very promising, but just fell flat due to a lack of character/plot development.

A good portion of this book just felt like it kept circling back to the exact same thing with little to no change, which made it difficult for me to really connect with the characters and the plot line. I do think the side characters were very interesting, and I personally enjoyed their characterization.

I discovered Alissa DeRogatis through Diana Elliott Graham after reading When We Were, and I just had to apply for an ARC on NetGalley for Call It What You Want!

This story totally tugged at my heartstrings in so many ways. It felt like I was reading about my own college days. Falling for a "situationship" and wondering if it's "the right person, wrong time" is something so many of us can relate to.

Alissa's writing is raw & honest - it's evident this comes from a place of personal experience. I found myself falling into the same 'traps' and 'patterns' as Sloane. This book is just a beautiful and humble reminder that we are all human wanting to be loved and accepted but sometimes pick the wrong people.

Amazing job for her first debut! I am so excited to see what she comes up with next! ♡

Thank you to Alissa DeRogatis and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review!!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book is titled Call It What You Want, so I’m calling it what I want: A Realistic and Emotional Manifestation of how messy relationships and love can be.

Call It What You Want is about Ethan and Sloane, two complicated people in a complicated relationship.

This book was eye-opening in a way. There were so many moments that were so incredibly relatable that I wondered if the author had peered into my head for a second. This book taught me some things about myself and made me feel justified and validated.

Call It What You Want is a perfect palate cleanser for fantasy readers and a perfect summer read for all readers!

Please be advised that if you just went through a break-up, this book will make you think of your EX several times. At the same time, you might get that closure you need.

The Paperback Edition of Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis releases June 18th! The Kindle Edition was released on June 2nd!

✨️🩷✨️

Some quotes I loved:

“I think we jumped into things extremely fast, and while I have no regrets, I don’t want to keep putting effort into a relationship that I’m not sure about, especially while we’re hundreds of miles apart.”

“Losing someone means you’ll eventually gain someone even better.”

“But if we weren’t meant to last, then the best I can hope for is that you use our time together as a learning experience, a source of wisdom, a reason to change.”

“The most important thing that I’ve learned over the last six months is that you need to show up for yourself.”

“Unconditional love is someone breaking down the cage of your ribs to get your heart and you trusting they’ll protect it just the same.”




This review has been posted to bookstagram and goodreads!

Thanks to net galley for letting me read this ARC. I saw this all over my TikTok and wanted to give it a go as I heard it was about situationships… It was surprisingly accurate I felt like Sloane (although 50% of the book I thought she was CRAZY) I think she encapsulated what every person thinks when they are in the situationship. I really enjoyed part 1 I think it was really honest and found myself relating to a lot of it but I think part 2 annoyed me a bit. She sabotaged her relationship with lovely Reese and cheated on him (which I thought was so out of order, it just made me turn on Sloane a little). It was quite aggravating reading about how little self respect she had and kept going back to Ethan even though he kept saying he wasn’t ready for a relationship- which I guess was the point of the book which is why it was 4 stars for me!

thank you so much to alissa & netgalley for this arc! call it what you want releases on 18/06/24🩷

this book.. it tugged on my heart strings! alissa very beautifully delved into the intricacies of situationships. how they feel like they could be so much more but you feel torn.. you “shouldn’t” feel a certain type of way because technically, you’re not even dating. you “shouldn’t” feel your heart rip into pieces when it ends because how can this even be classed as a heartbreak?

this book is a love letter for all the girls that have been told any of that. your experiences are real. no one can tell you shouldn’t feel a certain way. you can feel however you want! this book is for all the girls that love so deeply it hurts. for the girls that are willing to go through anything just to keep that person around.

my heart absolutely ached for sloane. i wish i could give her the biggest hug and tell her just how much she is worth! the years of pain, the hurt, the not thinking she’s enough made my heart hurt. no one deserves to feel like that. LOVE shouldn’t make you feel like that. sloane tried, she tried SO hard. she fought for something she wanted so badly that she was willing to do anything for it. but sometimes, not matter how hard we try, it’s never enough🥺

ethan.. oh ethan. i cant bring myself to hate him. (THIS DOES NOT MEAN I LOVE HIM) i understand that he has so much trauma that he hasn’t dealt with which made him act the way he did but deep down, he knew what he was doing. he knew how it would affect sloane and yet he still continued to do it. he made the decision to not deal with his trauma which resulted in hurting sloane. as a grown man, you should be more than aware that your actions can hurt people deeply, sigh :(

if you’re in a similar situation, please know you are enough. you are MORE than enough. the right person will come into your life and give you everything your heart needs & more without you having to ask. they will love you just as fiercely as you love them. they’ll never make you question your worth or string you along. never settle for less💗

4,5 Stars— absolutely adored this. A gut wrenching exploration of finding one’s self after a relationship ends.

I wish 19 year old me had this book

This book is like living through my 6 year on and off situationship all over again. The love; the pain, the confusion. All of it was articulated perfectly. I held off reading this book because I knew it would hurt, that those heart strings that still fill raw would be pulled. And it was. But I’m also glad I read it. It reminds me that other women get this. They understand. I’m not alone

Unfortunately I couldn't finish this I. DNF'd at 65 percent. I feel like I started to get bored and I think this type of romance book may not be for me.

I liked the chemistry to begin with between Sloane and Ethan, and even when they were fighting I think my main issues of boredom came around when Reese was entered I just really struggles with this book. I think a lot happened early on and it just wasn't for me. Thank you so much I did love the chemistry and the T swift references. The friends supporting each other too.

Wow. Everyone should read this book. This was a devastating story about loving someone who can't love you back with beautiful and important messages within it, like loving yourself. I will remember this book for a long time and it now holds a very special place in my heart. If you're thinking of reading this, do it!!!

This book dives into the tangled web of modern relationships, capturing the essence of situationships and the ambiguity of almost-love. This book will resonate with many who have experienced the exhilarating yet frustrating limbo of having great chemistry with someone without ever fully committing.

The novel revolves around Sloane and Ethan, two characters who share an undeniable connection but remain stuck in the “almost” phase. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are loaded with the kind of tension and unspoken feelings many of us recognize from our own lives. Their relationship teeters on the edge of romance, but they never quite take the plunge, reflecting a common theme in contemporary dating where fear of commitment and emotional baggage often keep people from fully engaging in a relationship.

One of the strengths of this book is author's keen observation of these modern relationship dynamics. The back-and-forth, the mixed signals, and the "what if" scenarios are portrayed with a raw authenticity that makes the characters’ experiences feel incredibly real. Many readers will find themselves nodding along, having faced similar dilemmas in their own love lives.

However, the story takes a controversial turn when Sloane, while being emotionally entangled with Ethan, cheats on her official boyfriend. This subplot introduces a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity that can be difficult to digest. It highlights the messiness of human emotions and the sometimes blurry lines between right and wrong. Yet, for some readers, this might feel like a betrayal of their investment in the characters' potential romance.

While the depiction of situationships is spot-on, the cheating aspect can be off-putting. It shifts the narrative from a light-hearted exploration of almost-love to a more serious commentary on infidelity and the consequences of emotional recklessness. This might leave a sour taste for those hoping for a more traditional love story.

In essence, this book feels less like a romance novel and more like a slice-of-life tale about the complexities of modern relationships. It’s a bold narrative choice, but one that may not appeal to everyone. The lack of a clear resolution or traditional happy ending might disappoint readers looking for a satisfying romantic conclusion.

For those who appreciate stories that mirror the messiness of real-life relationships, *Call it what you want* offers an honest and unfiltered look at the confusion and heartache of situationships. However, if you’re looking for a feel-good romance with clear lines of fidelity and a definitive ending, this might not be the book for you. While I admired the realistic portrayal of modern love, the infidelity subplot ultimately made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story.

In conclusion, this book is a mixed bag. It nails the portrayal of almost-romances and the struggles many face in today’s dating world, but the moral ambiguities and lack of a traditional love story might not be to everyone’s taste. It’s a thought-provoking read that reflects the chaos of contemporary relationships, but it’s definitely not for those seeking a conventional love story.

i always feel bad giving bad reviews to free books but this was...terrible. what was the point of this? they were terribly written characters who were all horrible people and horrible friends. i saw none of that supposed chemistry between the main couple that kept them going back to their toxic relationship. i'm only surprised there was no reference to taylor swift's the way i loved you.
the girl was so selfish and whiney over some mid guy it's so embarrassing! i'm sorry but that can never be me! and of course she loves to write! she's a writer! just a bad one...
and who needed the guy's pov?! are we supposed to feel sorry his mother didn't come back for him and left him with a rich, loving family instead?
i'm trying to be kind here but this book got on my nerves so hard ughhhh no more cute covers for mediocre books please!

A perfect vignette of how it felt to be a college senior with a loser boyfriend in 2016.

Ethan and Sloane were maddening and toxic, but I was living for every Taylor Swift reference.