I loved how innocent this read was! I don’t typically read books with characters in high school, but it was refreshing to read a book without cringy sex scenes and disturbing dialogue. It honestly didn’t give too many “high school” vibes other than the scenes when they’re in the lunch cafeteria or walking the halls. Since the two main characters are seemingly opposites, there was a lot of stepping outside comfort zones for the FMC…dealing with confrontation, going on cute dates in public, making friends, learning about her heritage, etc. The FMC also dealt with anxiety, panic attacks, and anxiety provoked IBS issues (relatable, girl). As seemingly light as this read was, it still touched on a lot of deep topics like divorce/divorced parents, abandonment, alcoholism, racism, etc. & I thought it was really fulfilling to see how the FMC really transformed throughout the story and became more grounded in who she was.

My only complaint about the book is that I read the ARC on my kindle and the formatting was really funky. There wasn’t any line spacing between each character talking, so sometimes it wasn’t easy to tell who said certain lines that didn’t specifically say “he said” or “she said”. It wasn’t too hard to figure out when I stopped and reread through it again but still kind of annoying. I’m not sure if this is just the kindle version or not.


A big thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Book Group for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Throw the dice, pull the lever.

Sometimes you just gotta take a chance.

I did. So should you. On this book, that is.

The book cover alongside the description of the book is what led me to this YA gem. First, the cover art. It captures Jamie and Axel’s budding attraction and one of the pivotal scenes in their story. Second, and more importantly, this book explores significant themes of parental abandonment, Arab Canadian identity, betrayal and anxiety.

About a quarter the way in, I was puzzled as it appeared that the characters reached their HEA. Then the author took an unexpected turn ( well done ) and proved that was more than just a teen romance. The best part? The path Jamie chose. ( itching to elaborate but too much of a spoiler)

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Tundra Book Group, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

This was angsty and dramatic in all the ways you’d expect from a Senior in high school. However, it also addressed really tough topics with vulnerability and self-awareness. The dialogue could be more on the side of “show it, don’t say it” but the characters are all lovable (spoiler: except for Ben). I still have not forgiven him. But Axel and everything about him and his family more than makes up for it!

4.25⭐️
Rep: anxiety, IBS
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this! I liked the author’s first book, Something More, but I think this was even better!
All of the characters, especially our MCs, were great. The fake dating trope is always so fun, and it was done so well in this book! I really appreciated and enjoyed the representation - this was a great Disability December read!
I’m definitely looking forward to the author’s next read, and am so glad I got to read this one!

4.5 stars

This book was so sweet. Jamie and Axel were so adorable together. I loved how they both supported each other and were there to help each other get through the obstacles in their life. Jamie’s struggles were so real and she was such a relatable character.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book!

I loved the premise of this book based off the cover and the description so I was expecting to love it from the beginning. I started it while watching Harry Potter and it was definitely keeping me interested. I couldn't put it down. It broke my heart when Ben and her broke up only because I felt her pain personally. The axel part worked out well and when she brought up how she still wanted her ex, it made me sad because I wanted them together! The fake dating trope is one that is new to me and Everytime it makes me happy to see them like each other in the end. The formal, her dad and literally everything in this book made me gush with happiness, this is one of my favorite books in a while!

Quote: "Every interaction with Axel comes with a multitude of emotions that leave me feeling both breathless and at a loss for words."

Rated it five stars out of five!!

A scheme to get an ex-boyfriend back, a bucket list and a bike called Betty White that needs to be fixed is what Jamie and Axel got themselves into. They swear they won’t fall in love, but fake dating schemes tend to turn into real love…
I really enjoyed this book. It’s chock full of culture, jokes, banter, and so much more. I loved reading about Jamie’s struggles with accepting her culture and how her family views culture compared to Axel’s. It was a discussion that’s so important, and it was written so well. Also, this book has Arab and Palestinian rep, which is especially important right now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra for an eARC of this book.

Majority of the time, I steer clear of YA because I no longer relate due to being 30 😅 but I really wanted to read this, the cover is beautiful and I know the author is Palestinian.

This was absolutely the cutest shit I have read. I was kicking my feet, giggling and waking up my husband to be like “OMG THIS IS HAPPENING”- like it was so well written and made me really feel like I was 19 again and reading Sarah Dessen (but BETTER!)

If I ever have a daughter, I hope she finds someone like Axel- and i hope my sons will be open to reading this book once they are able to. 🫶🏻

2.5 stars rounded up.

This had a sweet premise, but something about the book fell flat for me. I think there were some topics that were worth exploring, especially as a young adult book. There were definitely themes of growth, coping with struggles, and learning from one's mistakes. I also liked the aspects of culture that were brought in. However, I just didn't find Jamie all that likeable. I wasn't really invested in her as a character. She makes quite a few mistakes, which is fine, but how she deals with them afterwards kind of turned me off. She's not a very good communication, she's quite immature, and she's a little judgmental. Axel and Ben are not that compelling of characters either, but Axel potentially has some depth to him. It just didn't deliver because we honestly don't see that much of him.

The romance was cute at times, but since I couldn't really get into the characters, I didn't find myself all that invested in the romance either. Ultimately, this was not a book that I will remember for a long time to come.

And I'm out.

This book is the cutest thing ever; it made me smile a lot. This book was adorable! I was enticed to read the book by its adorable cover. The romance was incredibly cute, too! I heartily endorse! In the midst of high school drama, first loves, and second chances, it feels like a cozy embrace.

Love a good fake boyfriend turn real boyfriend trope. Be careful what you wish for when you are trying to win someone back by lying. Things will change and you will catch feelings.

This was a great book, I thought about it often when I wasn't reading it so that's always a great sign. We meet the characters in the book just as Jamie is expecting her long time boyfriend Ben to come home from camp, one thing leads to another and a breakup happens. Enter the plan to win him back by pretending to go out with Axel, who happens to be a bit younger and complete opposite of Ben. I loved reading about their interactions. Axel and Jamie just had a vibe going between them and I was there for it.

I didn't like Ben at first because duh he broke Jamie's heart but I just didn't feel for him like I did Jamie. But watching their friendship grow throughout the book was an experience I enjoyed. Even the new girlfriend was a treat by the end.

But my heart is with Axel, he seems so endearing and truthful. I enjoyed him the most and he helped Jamie experience more things about her Arab culture she didn't know about. I love them for each other.

Over all this was a great read, right up my alley. Loved it, recommend it!

OK, this was UTTERLY delightful. Charming, and sweet, laugh-out-loud funny with a tender emotional core - this book brought me into its world, and didn’t take its hooks out from me until I finished reading it. Jackie Khalilieh has a way of writing teens - with such care and respect for them - that each of her books so far has felt like a love letter to adolescence - the messiness, the yearning, the angst, and the complicated comings of age.

I loved the depiction of a young Arab heroine with mental illness, IBS, and a really rich and complex inner life. I loved the depiction of a sweet, earnest, and exuberant young Arab hero who steals your heart (respectfully).

Jackie Khalilieh is 2/2 with lovely contemporary YA romances, and I can’t wait to read more from her.

I want to thank Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for the ARC of You Started It. I loved this book so much! It delves into many topics that aren't typically discussed in YA fiction stories. I like how the author addresses mental health issues through the main character, Jamie. I love how all of the characters were multifaceted. None of them were entirely good or bad. They all had realistic traits and flaws, and they were unique. One aspect of this book is that it makes readers think of so many important topics, such as internal misogyny, internal racism, anxiety, self-esteem issues, insecurity, and all the issues that many teenagers (and POC youth) face daily. Nadia Taher, Jamie's mother, is incredibly racist towards her race, and she instills those hateful beliefs she has into her daughter. Due to the "fake-dating" scheme she and Alexander "Axel" Dahini have come up with, she faces challenges, such as finding her true identity, appreciating her heritage, and adjusting to the changes in her life. Axel helps Jamie learn more about her culture and heritage and he's very supportive of her once he learns about her mental health struggles. Towards the end of the book, Jamie began to frustrate me and her decisions left me angry, but I understood where she came from, considering the fact her father walked out of her life and left her with a mother she has almost nothing in common with and constantly fights with. Jamie's character development was amazing. At times, she was self-centered and immature, but her character remained one of my favorites, besides Axel and Amo Eli. Khalilieh flawlessly wrote this book. Five out of five stars!

4.25 stars
_
TW: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident
-
This was a cute YA romcom with heavy Arab representation in our characters. Jamie is a seventeen-year-old Toronto local who plans on making her senior year the best. She's planned it all out and has made a bucket list to complete with her boyfriend of three years: Ben. They've been apart for the entire summer, and she can't wait to reconnect with him, it comes as a surprise to her when he breaks up with her once he's back in town. Better yet? He moves on quickly with a girl he spent the summer with - Olivia.

In typical YA revenge, she plans on getting him back. I can see why this book was compared to SOUR, it's so angsty and Jamie is willing to do anything to get Ben back, including fake-dating a junior named Axel. I remember feeling like Jamie growing up, and the petty revenge of trying to get back at someone who's hurt you. Instead of working through her bucket list with Ben, she's started doing them with Axel. As the two of them go on more adventures, Jamie can't help but feel confused over her feelings, is she still trying to get Ben back, or is she opening her heart to someone else?

As much as I loved the plot, I appreciate the deeper issues that Jamie faces in the novel from coping with anxiety, dealing with the fact that her father walked out on them three years earlier, and struggling with her heritage since her mother tends not to talk about her background. What starts off as a cheesy romcom about getting your ex back, will have you crying by the end. There's so much growth in Jamie, and I was rooting for her the entire time.

I will admit, some of the character choices were petty and a bit immature, but it fits perfectly with it being a YA novel. This book is set entirely in Toronto, and it was fun for our characters to go to visit them, as a lover of Toronto, it was nice to visualize places like: The CN Tower, Eaton Center, Tim Hortons, and Nathan Phillips Square.
-
I would like to thank Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books, Jackie Khalilieh, and NetGalley for a copy of You Started It in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. You Started It is scheduled to be published on May 20th, 2025. Pre-order your copy today!

All it took was the cover to convince me to read this book, but the truth is the story truly lived up to it.

You started it is a YA romance that one describe as Olivia Rodrigo had a baby with the book better than the movies.

Our fmc and her boyfriend broke up, and now her current ex, he’s dating a new girl. She’s furious and is determined to get him back, and by doing so she decides to fake date someone who she accidentally ran over his bike. The thing is these two characters have nothing in common aside from the fact that they have arab identity- but it doesn’t stop them from getting closer and falling in love <3

This was such a cute and swoon worthy book. Jackie Khalileh did it once again serving both coming of age stories, love, and diverse characters. Absolutely adored this book.

You Started It is a heartfelt, charming YA romance that beautifully balances humor, self-discovery, and the complexities of teenage love. Jamie’s journey from heartbreak to personal growth is relatable and inspiring, with her Type A personality and anxiety adding depth to her character.

The fake-dating trope shines here, as Jamie and Axel’s shared Arab heritage and contrasting personalities create hilarious and heartfelt moments. Axel, with his TikTok dancer charm and carefree nature, is the perfect foil to Jamie’s over-planning tendencies, leading to a slow-burn connection that feels natural and deeply satisfying.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Toronto, this story is perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or anyone who loves fake-dating romances with a fresh cultural perspective. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best experiences—and people—are the ones you never planned for.

This book is the EXACT vibe YA novels should bring to the party. Fun, relevant, and full of so much heart!

4.5/5

This is the cutest book ever, made my heart melt so many times. I absolutely adored Axel and Jamie. This being set in Toronto and them visiting all the places I grew up in was absolutely nostalgic. Axel and Jamie were very mature for their ages, I was a mess at that age lol.


Jackie, your second is even better than the first. Thank you for changing the narrative, for allowing spaces for Arab men to be leading men and being perceived the way they deserve. Free Palestine.

Thank you Tundra Book Group for the e-arc

I’m absolutely obsessed with this YA gem from Jackie Khalilieh. Each story she crafts is just healing my inner child. YOU STARTED IT follows seventeen-year-old Jamie Taher-Foster as she embarks on her final year of high school. She has the perfect relationship with her boyfriend - they’ve been attached to the hip - for years and her bucket list for senior year is ready to be tackled. Unfortunately, everything is thrown off course as days before the start of the school year her perfect boyfriend decides to dump her. And not only dump her unceremoniously to “explore himself outside a relationship” but to jump into a new relationship with the popular girl at school. After being caught spying on her now ex after running her car over a bicycle, Jamie promises to pay for the bicycle repairs if the new boy next door (and Tik Tok dance sensation) Axel Dahini agrees to pose as her fake boyfriend. And the hijinks commence!

I’m afraid if you’re looking for harsh criticism about the story or characters, you won’t find that in this review. I’m in love with this story through and through. Jamie is complex and really lovable in my eyes. She makes a lot of mistakes and self-sabotages herself (partly because of her anxiety diagnosis). I can’t even fault her for the choices she makes, even though I can see the problems clearly (as I’m almost a decade older than her). I love how steadfast and determined she is toward her goals. She lacks a lot of control externally, so she controls what she can hence her falling apart when her plans are immediately thwarted at the break up. It’s watching her put herself together the best way she knows how is satisfying of the journey. I root for her and I cringe at her. She’s the perfect YA romcom lead.

I think what’s really beautiful is how different types of love are depicted throughout the story. I think that helps keep Jamie grounded and she doesn’t realize it. This is definitely a “to be loved is to be seen” type of story. Jamie’s uncle and mother in their own ways (right or wrong) try to steer her to accept herself without compromising herself for others while enjoying the place and people she calls home. Khalilieh does a great job with the mother-daughter relationship; Jamie is ruthless at times with her mother but it’s always motivated with love for others and conversely her mother’s fierce protection and unshakeable belief in her daughter’s potential is so heartwarming. Those two are mirrors to each other in a lot of ways and it’s not pretty seeing them test each other. Also, I love love love Axel. He’s a sweet kid and seeing him interact and push Jamie to her best self was absolutely lovely to witness. Literally kicked my feet and giggled when those two interacted. Also, seeing him and his Arab family interact and kind of spur Jamie to confront her own Palestinian heritage made me gush. Seeing these characters being their best selves in these YA stories is so satisfying as a reader.

If I had to point to a few critiques would be that the pace at which some of the conflicts resolved were quicker than I would have expected. I definitely think our story earned those resolutions, but I believe I need a couple more scenes between Jamie and certain pairings to feel like we deserved them at the timing that we did. That’s being super picky and probably one less edit was needed on the structure because I feel like that for the most part characters are fleshed out despite the first point of view restriction.

I say if you love the fake dating trope from TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE and teenage angst from Olivia Rodrigo’s albums this will be right up your alley. Meanwhile, I will patiently wait for Khalilieh’s next story for me to obsess over.

This was such a cute book! First of all the cover is so cute and it definitely made me want to read the book. And the romance was so cute! I would highly recommend!