It’s been a minute since I’ve read a YA this emotional. I cried. A lot. Goodness!! Definitely recommend this one if you want to be destroyed emotionally!

4.75

Arc supplied by NetGalley for fair review

This book was just an emotional journey filled with such triggering topics and it was just such cathartic book

Deffo would say look at trigger warnings because it mentions several triggering thing

I would like to thank Jenna Adams and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for a honest review.

I really liked the idea of this book but unfortunately I found it a bit flat and I didn’t find myself hooked with the story line or characters. I did enjoy how the book ended I felt like Brooke got where she needed to be and the same for Matt. This book had a lot of triggers so check your trigger warnings and it covers a lot of hard topics and emotions. I didn’t emotionally connect with either characters which was a shame as I had high hopes.

This is my personal opinion so you may enjoy it just make sure to check your trigger warnings!

Raw, unique, emotional. This is not just another YA story, but a journey of young people navigating their life through all the hardships. You will get a glimpse of how it feels when the world is falling apart - but you have the right people to survive it all together.

So i almost didn’t finish this because there was one part of this that got so triggering I really had to take a step back…

I wasn’t really feeling this from the offset, because there was a lot of Romeo & Juliet symmetry that I could appreciate but I wasn’t into, and the writing felt quite immature. But i pushed through and felt like suddenly there was so much promise for these characters … and then it fell apart again with the end

I really really really related to Brooke (and i think that’s where the triggers came up for me), and I was really really really hoping for more growth from her in the end - and I feel like the ending left me wondering what the point of reading any of this was 🤷🏼‍♀️

I appreciate the discussions of mental health, toxic relationships, taking accountability and self growth … but i’m not going to lie, the self harm scene in this felt grossly explicit in relation to the rest of the story - and the recovery from this wasn’t really discussed at all

All in all, I can appreciate what this book is trying to do, I just don’t think it did it that well

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book to read as an ARC ✨

This book had such a big potential to be good, I was interested description and the premise of this book, I think it just fell a bit flat for me.

I think that this book touched on a lot of heavy topics, but I think a lot of it was either swept under the rug, glossed over or just wasn't expanded on at all. I was looking forward to see how the two main characters developed and grew from the trauma and experiences that they faced, but there was very little to none.

The writing had me hooked from the beginning, it really matched the ages of the characters and I felt as if I was genuinely inside the heads of teenagers. However, as the characters aged, the writing stayed the same. Reading the thoughts the same as teenagers, in characters that were in their 20's just added to the immaturity and lack of growth the characters had.

I would still recommend this book, as I can clearly see where and how this book would be enjoyable to other readers, and I would definitely read another from this author. This book, however, was just not for me.

I was sucked in from the beginning and I have thought about this book so much since I finished it. The characters were immediately engaging to me and the voice was so readable. This book says so much about romantic consent, but in an incredibly nuanced way. Nobody is a villain, nobody is perfect, and yet when the book ends it is completely clear what is right and what is wrong, even though it could be confusing in a situation like the characters get themselves into. I loved following the characters through different time periods and ages, from teenagers through adults. I would definitely recommend this book.

A MUST READ !!

Such a good story !! And I will recommend this to anyone and everyone !!

Wow !!

First of all, I would just like to thank Jenna Adams, Unbound, and Netgalley for an ARC of “This Is Me Trying” in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I struggled with this one. I think the darker topic was a really interesting choice, but the execution of the concept was lacking.

I really didn’t like Brooke or Matt, so I found it hard to emotionally connect to them. I also didn’t really care for the writing style- it was all ‘tell’ rather than ‘show’, which I’m really not a fan of.

As well as this, I found the text messages between the main characters at the beginning to be quite jarring. Teenagers don’t talk to each other like that- so it really took me out of the story.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me, which is a shame because the premise sounded really interesting.

First of all I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and of course the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF it at 43% because it got too dark for my mental well-being so if you want to read this book please, please check into trigger warnings.

But that does not mean that the book was bad until that point, by any means. If one can use the term enjoyed, I really did enjoy it.
I think the topic sex and consent is hugely important in every way and it was discussed in such a great way. The relationships came and went and happened and while they might have been sweet at points, the reader was never giggling, kicking their feet, that kind of romance.
The author did an amazing job of keeping that guilty, kind of wrong feeling beneath all the normal day events and it felt chilling and anxious, exactly how it is supposed to.

Overall it is honestly a great book up until where I read and surely also beyond, it’s simply on me that I can’t handle it at this point in my life.

This book took years off my life – and not in a good way. I had to DNF eventually because while the idea had promise, the execution gave absolutely nothing.

The writing was flat, repetitive, and juvenile – “This happened, then that happened” – with barely any emotional depth. The first act was painfully insufferable, full of immature characters and clunky narration. Things improved slightly in the later parts, but by then I was too checked out to care. The story dragged with unnecessary filler and characters who added nothing.

I usually appreciate books that explore difficult themes, but this one didn't say anything new or meaningful. Instead of being a powerful look at trauma or growth, it felt hollow, confused, and directionless. The message on mental health fell short, and the ending didn’t make up for how exhausting the rest of the journey was.

Good concept. Terrible follow-through.

The description of this book--a pair of teens acting in the title roles of Romeo and Juliet with a sizeable age gap (14 and 18) who fall into a forbidden relationship--is much different from what actually plays out. I was drawn to the book because of the description and turned off by the book because of the amount of telling that happens. A good portion of the book comes from therapy sessions between the female lead and her therapist. Neither of the main characters seems to learn from their mistakes or grow. I found myself having a very hard time finishing the book because the two characters kept falling into the same patterns of behavior.

A well written very emotional story. Some very serious subjects are covered in this book, but it dealt with in a way that makes the reader understand. An important YA book.

Title: This is me trying
Author: Jenna Adams
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Mental health
Release Date: 14 of October of 2025
My Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to Unbound and NetGalley for the ARC.
“This is Me Trying” by Jenna Adams is a great book that explores codependency, depression and many other things in a way that just makes it seem simple. From how the writing flowed easily and spun the story into something much more from what was expected, to the short chapters that kept you captivated throughout, the book maintains a compelling rhythm throughout. Its strength lies in how subtely it tackles complex emotions with a tone that feels accessible, honest, and thoughprovoking. Rather than dramatizing mental health struggles, it presents them with a quiet realism that resonates deeply.
With all that being said, while the book is very well-written and meaningful, it didn’t fully land for me on a personal level. When i was reading the book, i felt that there was something that was just missing — a layer of character connection that could have made the story feel more immersive. It felt like I was observing something at a stand-by rather than being pulled into the story and feeling what the main character felt in the moment. Still, it’s a book worth reading for the way it handles heavy topics with care and clarity.

Thank you to Netgalley and Unbound Publishing for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm giving this one 1.5 stars.

<b>A coming of age YA novel that explores deeper topics such as depression, codependency, and toxic relationships.</b>

"This is me trying" is primarily a story about a 14-year-old girl named Brooke who gets into a relationship with 18 year old Matt. Not only is their relationship unhealthy for obvious reasons, but Brooke also struggles with feelings of anxiety and depression.
The story is being told from both Matts and Brookes' perspective, and there are time gaps. Both characters get older as we read on.
The story takes a turn when Brooke decides to leave everyone behind when she turns 18 and moves to another country where she tries to become an independent person and confront her traumatic past.

I wanted to like this book, but I don't think it worked for me. The writing seemed very juvenile, which worked in the beginning when the characters were still young, but not later on. I love YA, but the characters were incredibly unlikeable, and their actions were selfish. It actually made it hard to get through the book.

I've read another review where someone pointed out this book is meant to make you uncomfortable which is true, but there being no resolution or consequences for any of the characters actions doesn't sit right with me.

I also don't feel like either character really grew as a person, neither was I rooting for them or relating to either. (And this is coming from me, someone who does struggle with anxiety and depression)

Overall, I can not recommend the book. Some of the themes seem a little too heavy for a YA novel (the statutory rape as well as there being no consequence for it), but the writing is too immature to be classified as an Adult book.
I've forced myself to read this because I was approved for the ARC, but if I picked this out of my own volition, I would have DNFed it a long time ago.

Book Rating: 4.5/5 (ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK)
This Is Me Trying by Jenna Adams is a heavy, emotional, and unforgettable read. It’s one of those stories that will stay with me forever. 😭 It gutted me in the best way possible. Jenna Adams delivers a haunting and emotionally intense debut that left me speechless more than once.

It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable. It’s real.

When I first read the blurb and saw early thoughts from others, I expected something emotional, but I didn’t expect to be this deeply affected or to feel like every chapter was hitting me in the chest. It was hard to even shorten this review without giving too much away because I truly loved this book. It’s heavy that I’m still struggling to put my thoughts into words. There were moments where I had to close the app, set my phone down, and just breathe because I was either tearing up or trying to process things.

This book carries intense emotional weight. It dives deep into grief, heartbreak, depression, healing, and growth. Told through a gripping dual timeline, it explores complex and layered themes like mental health, age gaps, co-dependency, trauma, blurred consent, and sexual assault in such a raw and honest way.

The writing is beautiful, but the story is unflinching and incredibly real. It makes you reflect not just on the characters and what they’ve endured, but on your own life, your choices, and the things we sometimes overlook. I honestly can’t imagine going through what these characters did. It hit me hard, and I know it’s a story I’ll never forget.

This was my first read from Jenna Adams, and I already know it won’t be my last. I’ll absolutely be recommending it with a content warning, yes, but also with the reminder that some stories are worth the ache.

Characters and thoughts:

The characters in this book were complex, and while I liked them individually, I didn’t always agree with their actions, either as individuals or as a couple. There were many moments where I found myself thinking I would have done things differently. However, the more I read, the more I understood some of their choices.

The protagonist’s actions, silence, and pain came from a place that made sense within her circumstances. Despite being surrounded by people who cared, her deep loneliness left her feeling isolated. She’s not perfect, but that made her relatable and human, which made her journey impactful.

Matt, on the other hand, was a more complicated character. His actions didn’t always sit well with me. I struggled with my feelings toward him—sometimes I was angry, other times empathetic, and at times, just unsure. There were moments where I felt bad for him, especially when I saw how much he was hurting.

Ultimately, while I wanted healing and redemption for some of the characters, I also recognized that distance and closure, rather than reconciliation, were often what they needed most.

I think this is a book I desperately needed at fifteen, when I feel like I would have understood Brooke far too much. Jenna Adams described in her author's notes how this book morphed from a typical love story and I think This Is Me Trying is exactly what this needed to be.

Thank you to Unbound for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Matt and Brooke are cast as the leads in their drama groups production of Romeo and Juliet. They unexpectedly fall in love but Brooke pays a heavy price for the secrets and lies of being with an older boyfriend. On the eve of Matt leaving for university they spend time together in the empty auditorium where they performed and things take an unexpected turn. Matt’s actions begin to weigh down on Brooke when she realises the seriousness and illegality of them, Brooke reaches breaking point and makes a decision that will change her life and that of all those close to her forever.

Wow this book hit me like a soccer punch to the mouth, it was very uncomfortable reading at times but the author dealt with the heavy material very sensitively and did not make excuses for Matt’s actions. This is the book that I needed to read when I was a younger woman, the subject of consent and what consent really means and who can give consent is a theme throughout this book and I really think like the tv series Adolescence this book should be studied in schools as part of the curriculum. This book is very evocative and I’m pleased I read it, I will be getting a copy for my 15 year old niece as I think she needs to read this. This book was really well written and written very sensitively by the author as she does not make light of the subject matter and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Trigger warnings: Statutory Rape, Sexual Assault, Suicide, Self-Harm

Jenna created a novel that made me both angry and sad.

Brooke was a teenager who struggled and battled depression. Throughout the novel you could tell she was reliant on others through the relationships she had, even as the years went on she struggled but started to develop into a strong woman who could become her own person.

Matt in the other hand, may have not realized his inner struggles but knew what he was doing was wrong, but still went into the relationship. Throughout the novel he held on to her and became more dependent than he probably hoped. He didn’t consider Brooke’s innocence either to have the conversations. I don’t mind age gap novels and this one shed some very moving moments that caused me to look back at my past.

Before I begin, I want to thank the author, Jenna Adams, and Unbound on NetGalley for giving me this ARC.

I want to note that I don't think this book should've been categorized as YA. Even though the FMC is 14 years old, the topics are a bit too dark. I think this is better suited for older teens or even NA.

When I started reading this I was not really prepared for it to go this way. I thought it would be obvious about who's right and who's wrong. Let one thing be absolutely clear: the MMC is 100% in the wrong. You can twist it however you like, but he was NOT innocent. He knew what he was doing. In my opinion, the FMC was not the one who was 'wrong' in the relationship, but I do believe that it was really awful of her to just up and leave without explanation. I also think that all the adults failed her. They should've noticed or at least given her better support after her attempt.

This was messy, heartbreaking, and thought provoking, and it was an anger point. I wasn't rooting for the couple, and I honestly think that the MMC needs to go to therapy because he really can't think that was normal.