You Started It
4⭐️/5
Pub Day - May 20, 2025

Jamie is a bit sheltered young adult. She blossoms into a girl that embraces her Arab heritage, while navigating her love life.

Axel grows up in an Arab household where their culture and traditions are celebrated and taught. He has a little bit of freedom and grows up in a loving home.

Ben a family friend to Jamie, long time boyfriend and schoolmate. He has always been there for Jamie through all her challenging time at home.

❤️Fake dating trope
❤️ YA romance
❤️Opposite attracts
❤️The diversity and representation
❤️Middle Eastern MCs

It’s a fast paced, easy to read YA romance. I’m a sucker for accidental meet cute situations 🥰🥰
It is very cheesy 😊😊
Axel is such a sweet fictional boy😍🥰.

❤️I love how the book tackles anxiety and absent parents.

Why this book didn’t get a 5⭐️ from me was because I didn’t like the multiple attempts of breakup and make up. Also, the “love quad” sort of situation between all four characters.

I’ll recommend this book for any young teens boys and girls around me(Age 15- 18).
I love the beautiful cover 😍

Thanks @netgalley for the eARC

“You Started It” by Jackie Khalileh

The adorable cover immediately drew my attention to this book.

The story follows a YA love story between Jamie and Axel. The two plan to fake a relationship is an attempt to help each other out.

Jamie, having endured heartbreak after her boyfriend of 3 years abruptly ended their relationship upon his return from camp.

Axel, a newcomer to Jamie’s school, is a TikTok sensation navigating the challenges of social acceptance and showing his family there is more to his dancing than just a silly hobby.

Initially, their fake dating arrangement provides them with the support they need. However, as they spend time together, the pair begins to realize that love and relationships go beyond what they can plan out on paper.


I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books from Jackie Khalileh.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for sending me a copy of You Started It to read and review.
This is my honest review of this book.
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4.5/5

This book is absolutely adorable and made my heart melt on so many occasions. I completely fell in love with Axel and Jamie. The fact that it’s set in Toronto, with visits to all the places I grew up, brought back so many nostalgic memories. Axel and Jamie were so mature for their ages—I definitely wasn’t that composed at their age, haha.

Jackie, your second book is even better than the first. Thank you for reshaping the narrative, for creating space for Arab men to take center stage, and for portraying them in the way they truly deserve. Free Palestine.

Big thanks to Tundra Book Group for the e-arc!

Oh. My. Gosh. The way this book had me grinning from ear to ear. For adults, this will be such a nostalgic feeling and for young adults and teens it is going to be so relatable.

I absolutely loved the layers of complexity we got to see with Jamie. The grief, the anxiety, the guilt, the joy. She was so realistic. I related to her so much as someone with anxiety and I loved how brutally honest some of the more... untalked about side effects of it were in this book. She, in general, was this beautiful character who a lot of young adults are going to be able to connect with. Axel was also very well done. Not just as a representative of the current generation, but as a light to his culture. The wedding scene is when I absolutely NEEDED him and Jamie to be end game. I feel he had his own layers and complexity between who he wanted to be amd who he was expected to be.

I read this in about 4 hours. I could not put it down. It was paced so well that by time I realized I had made it significantly past my goal page, I decided to just keep going. The writing truly sucks you into the book and makes you feel very involved in the story. I appreciated the way some very complex issues were mixed into the young love, teen romance aspect of this novel.

I will be ordering this as a shelf trophy. I've already been telling my friends it is worth ordering.

Was so happy and thrilled to have this as my first ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this.

You started it is my favorite type of Ya romance. The way the story line flowed and real life situations. The way Jamie showed and handled her anxiety matched with my own life anxiety. Seeing her grow into a new person because of Axel had me smiling the whole time.

I couldn’t put the book down and would 100% recommend this to all my friends!

The way I love a good YA romance 👌🏽 I feel so giddy after reading this wonderful story 🤭. There is just something about that nostalgic feeling of being young and in love, making mistakes and learning from them. 💕

I truly enjoyed this with a wide smile on my face through majority of my reading time. Did I mention this has my favorite trope (Fake dating) absolutely loved!! That feeling when the characters start realizing the feelings are becoming very real 😏

Trigger warning ⚠️ topics such as: anxiety, phobia, alcoholism, self hate etc are talked about heavily focused around anxiety as the FMC deals with that.

Overall I enjoyed this and would highly recommend and potentially reread. Thank you Tundra Book Group and NetGalley for this E-Arc.

You Started It was an enjoyable young adult relationship with Toronto as a place of interest.
I liked the family friendly atmosphere and the relationship between the teenagers.

Thank you so much to the publishers and author of this book for approving me for an ARC! I enjoyed this book so much! I love the characters and the story line so much! I am also so thankful that it gave an accurate representation of what anxiety can be like and showed awareness of what people having it can experience. I really loved this book and I'm so happy i read it!

dnf at 28% — this just isn't my thing. It felt really forced, and I wasn't enjoying it at all. Also, the arc I got was pretty messed up and hard to read, the formating was all over the place. I know that's not the author's fault, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

This story follows Jamie, a high-anxiety, hyper-organized teen girl who loves a good list. When Jamie’s first love leaves her for someone else she is absolutely convinced he has made a terrible mistake and that they are made for each other. In a desperate bid to win him back, she starts a mutually beneficial relationship with the new kid: the confident, charismatic and outgoing Axel. As Axel and Jamie continue their mission, it becomes clear that this is not exactly the detached business arrangement Jamie had intended. But who needs all those checklists when the person you are with understands and prioritizes your needs and comfort so you don’t have to worry anymore?

Suddenly, she doesn’t have to alter herself to be someone’s perfect match. But who is Jamie at her core? She is not sure she even knows.

Oh first heartbreak…. It comes for us all. This book had me reliving all the memories and feelings around that formative experience. We have all been so sure that we alone can see the truth in these situations. Our ex is clearly our soulmate, they just have to wake up and see it, right? I loved that this book really took me back to those moments. It was like looking in a not always flattering mirror and seeing my younger self. I also have to add that the representation of having two leads who are POC was a huge plus because there just isn’t enough of that in books or movies. The glimpse into struggles other characters have with their own cultural heritage or how they identify themselves in and out of Arabic culture was very interesting and handled well and with an honesty and directness I appreciated.

All that said, Let’s talk about the people. I struggled a little bit with Jamie’s earlier behavior, particularly towards her mother. But Jamie is young, has trauma to work through and it appears work is needed on both sides of that particular relationship. Besides, who doesn’t have their bratty moments as a teenager? Now for my favorite people in the story. Axel is a total sweetheart who is the embodiment of the cliché “If he wanted to, he would.” Jamie’s uncle Eli is an absolute gem. We all need an Uncle Eli in our lives.

This is a story about how we can be grateful for and appreciative of even the most painful experiences because they lead us down a path to better things and a better understanding of ourselves. The best stories can evoke all kinds of emotions in their readers and this one absolutely hit the mark with that. I think while I was enjoying the story, I was feeling like it was a bit more “surface level” than I prefer but I kept reading and I can now say I am impressed. Khalilieh’s ability to nurture and develop characters and a story left me wanting to keep turning pages. This book evolved into a great story about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, being true to yourself and simply put, making healthy choices for yourself and those around you. Overall, a very quick and fun comfort read. If you are looking for something that will give you that burst of dopamine and serotonin to make your brain happy, look no further. I will absolutely check out more books by this author in the future.

Thank you Tundra Book Group for providing this ARC for review via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A cute highschool romance with fake dating, shawarma, and “you bring out the best in me”. So many times I found myself relating to the characters, with their personalities and struggles which the author handled very well. And by the end you were rooting for everyone as they each faced their problems and worked towards healing. The topics of anxiety and generational trauma were written with care and attention.
I loved all the cultural references, they were awesome to see. From the Arab/Palestinian details to the Canadian phrases and locations that made appearances and made this book feel like home.
Also, in this house we stan Amo Eli.

Buckle up for some teenage angst! Although I am about double the age of the characters and am not Arab, I found so many of Jamie's problems still relevant: issues with her mom, feeling left out of her heritage, missing relatives because of family issues, not being in control...and keeping my room clean.

I found the characters all quite realistic. I loved the quips from Amo Eli; he really made me laugh.

Honestly, I wish this book was available when I was a teen. It has some really relatable issues and provides hope. The author did a great job of moving the story along and providing an emotional rollercoaster without it being annoying. I loved the growth from several characters too!

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

Last year, I read Jackie Khalilieh’s debut novel Something More and as an autistic Canadian, adored the story. In my journey to start reading arcs, I found Khalilieh’s second novel, You Started It, available to request and I got accepted a few days later, jumping for joy. Khalilieh has been able to produce two female main characters who I have heavily related with even though they are very different, and two beautiful stories about autistic Palestinian-Canadian teenagers.

You Started It works on so many levels. As a romance novel, it captures teenage love perfectly: rushed, dramatic, fresh, and young. Jamie and Axel check every box that you’d expect when reading a YA romcom, and yet they still capture your heart because you just can’t help but root for them since they first meet to the very end of the book. As a novel filled with diversity, it delivers. Jamie is never confirmed to be autistic within the novel but her actions are so obviously autistic that it feels overwhelming sometimes. You get not one, but TWO Arab families dynamics with their children, both from different backgrounds and yet they both feel authentic. As a book targeted for a younger audience, it easily captures the feeling of being a corny teenager obsessed with Gen Z slang. Even if you cringe at times, it still feels realistic to the way that teenagers are.

My only problem is my disdain for the fake-dating-to-win-an-ex-back trope, but Khalilieh writes Jamie and Axel’s story so well that I can almost push aside my feelings for the trope. The way the fake dating trope is written feels like it transcends what I don’t like about it and creates a whole new trope that fits Jamie and Axel perfectly. You Started It is a wonderful book, with so much culture and diversity you will feel like you are drowning. Jackie Khalilieh is a name that future readers should keep in mind when they want a quick, easy romance to hit the spot.

This was a good read, i think it was a little teen angst for me, but it was a fun read! It was a fast read for me

ARC Review - Did I stay up until almost 2a to finish reading this because I needed to know what happened? ABSOLUTELY! From the moment I met Jamie, I knew she’d be my soul sister! As she navigates through the first half of school, she goes through so many emotional changes and works her way through her bucket list. As a girl with anxiety, I definitely connected with her and ways to cope. Once Axel comes along, things get even more complicated in the best ways! You can see his love of life while Jamie works through personal and familial issues. The growth of all of the characters, working through every day issues with life is great. So glad that I was able to read this ARC! Thank you, NetGalley!

I loved this SO much.
I read this author's debut Something More a little over a year ago and immediately fell in love with those characters & Jackie's writing. I've been following her on instagram and watching updates for her second novel and I was so excited to receive an arc of it!!

I was invested from start to finish and I absolutely LOVED Jamie. She's an incredible character and I related to her a lot haha. oh and her love of books & special editions was something that made me love her even more (for obvious reasons). everytime her "book buying ban" was mentioned bc she broke it by buying a special edition I laughed out loud bc that's *literally* me 🤣. I loved her growth & development over the course of the novel and I looooove Axel and her too. their chemistry was *chef's kiss* PLUS, you all KNOW I am *weak* for a good fake dating romance.

the only complaint I have is that some of the pacing felt just a little off at times? and it caused me to be pulled out of the story a teeny bit BUT it wasn't enough that it affected my overall enjoyment? it was just enough that I noticed 😅

anyways - first book of 2025 and it's obvi being added to my favorites list immediately. this releases towards the end of May and I highly recommend if you're in the mood for a contemporary romance with fake dating, he falls first 👀, senior year bucket lists, and a little opposites attract chemistry :)

I really enjoyed this book! Jamie was a great character; I thought she was very intelligent and quirky. I enjoyed the banter between Jamie and Axel. I will definitely check out more books by the author.

I tried so hard to finish this book but ultimately DNFd it at 50% I cannot stand the characters Ben and Jamie they drive me up the wall, I hate Ben’s attitude and the way he treats Jamie and Jamie oh my god, it was like being in High school again with every second being some sort of drama over one thing or another and quite frankly I hated the way she treats Axel… Honestly Axel is the only likable character in the book.

I picked up and put down this book multiple times but reading this book felt like a chore and I just could not get into it nor could I connect to any of the characters. I love enemies to lovers so I was sure I would enjoy this book but one of the main things besides the characters personalities that turned me off at the beginning was the cheating I hate hate hate cheating in stories especially when the character who chests continues to be a big part of the story.

This book was not for me

Thank you Netgalley and Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books

Jackie Khalilieh's You Started It is a delightful YA romance that's as charming as it is heartfelt. While I usually gravitate towards spicier reads, this book was simply too cute to resist, and I'm so glad I didn't! It's a story that explores first love, second chances, and the importance of embracing your true self, all wrapped up in a fun and relatable package.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie Taher-Foster has her senior year all planned out, complete with a list of must-do experiences with her boyfriend, Ben. But when Ben unexpectedly breaks up with her, Jamie's carefully constructed world crumbles. Enter Axel Dahini, a TikTok-famous dancer whose bicycle becomes collateral damage in Jamie's post-breakup turmoil. Their ensuing fake-dating scheme, born out of revenge, leads to unexpected connections and discoveries.

Khalilieh's portrayal of Arab characters, particularly Axel, is refreshing and authentic. Axel is a truly wonderful character – sweet, smart, charming, and caring. He's a testament to the fact that there's so much more to people than stereotypes. Jamie, on the other hand, is a wonderfully flawed and relatable protagonist. Her anxieties, insecurities, and occasional impulsiveness make her feel incredibly real. Watching her grow and learn throughout the story is a genuine pleasure.

The dynamic between Jamie and Axel is the heart of the book. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, sweet moments, and a genuine connection that blossoms despite their initial differences. The scenes they share together, especially one particularly memorable moment at an Arab wedding, are truly heartwarming. Even Amo Eli, a side character, makes a lasting impression.

While I'm generally not a fan of third-act breakups, I understood the reasons behind it in this case. And the ending? Absolutely perfect! Khalilieh handles the resolution with grace and maturity, even bringing Ben and Olivia back into the picture in a satisfying way.

You Started It is a testament to Khalilieh's talent for crafting compelling characters and stories that resonate with readers. It's a celebration of self-discovery, the power of connection, and the courage to step outside of your comfort zone. Four stars. I can't wait to see what Jackie Khalilieh writes next!

This was such a satisfying follow up sophomore novel to Something More! I did kind of wish for more explicit exploration of Jamie’s anxiety and stimming but this was really good. Axel was so endearing and charming as a love interest. I loved the background untangling of family trauma and letting go of assumptions, working to communicate better, and pushing ourselves to do things that scare us or move us out of the comfort zone.