This was SUCH a fun read!

First of all, the parasocial relationship content was fascinating and so insightful. In today’s influencer-focused age, this book gives such good context for why parasocial relationships (and the connected “sThis was SUCH a fun read!

First of all, the parasocial relationship content was fascinating and so insightful. In today’s influencer-focused age, this book gives such good context for why parasocial relationships (and the connected “shipping,” fan theories, forums, etc.) can be really harmful. I absolutely loved this framework for the story.

Secondly, Becky Albertalli just writes some of the most charming characters. They are real, flawed, funny, smart, frustrating, emotional, and delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC!hipping,” fan theories, forums, etc.) can be really harmful. I absolutely loved this framework for the story.

Secondly, Becky Albertalli just writes some of the most charming characters. They are real, flawed, funny, smart, frustrating, emotional, and delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC!

This YA novel was a bit too YA for me. I have enjoyed several of Albertalli's other books but this one was just ok for me. I found Amelia to be a lot to deal with from her constant joking, nicknames, and over-the-topness. I liked the return of Imogen and the examination of parasocial relationships. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This is set in the same universe as “Imogen, Obviously” and you don’t have to have read it to understand “Amelia, If Only”. I do recommend reading it because it’s a great book! I didn’t like “Amelia, If Only” as much as I did Imogen, but it was still a good book. I really loved the queer friend group and the Amelia’s interactions with Walter after they finally met. And the Imogen and Tessa cameos made me extremely happy. I would have preferred fewer social media interruptions, some were important, but I didn’t feel like we needed quite so many. I wanted more pages devoted to Natalie, she was the one character I felt like I never fully got to know. I really liked Natalie and Amelia’s banter as well as the banter between the friend group. I wanted more of Zora and Edith together because they were cute! I wish I had gotten more backstory into Amelia and Natalie’s friendship to really get emotionally invested in them as a couple. The only issue I really had with the book was how long the slow burn was. Amelia doesn’t even realize her feelings until very very close to the end and there wasn’t a lot of time to actually see them together. I would’ve liked to see the romance given a little more room to blossom. Thanks to Becky Albertalli, HarperCollins and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I’m looking forward to reading Becky’s next book.

4.5 stars

No matter what her friends say, Amelia isn't in love with YouTuber Walter Holland. She just happened to ask him to prom through a silly Instagram video. That goes unanswered. But when an opportunity to meet Walter comes up at a meet and greet not far from their hometown, she jumps at the chance. She just has to convince her friends to go along on a little road trip before high school graduation.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli to review! Of course, I always jump at the chance to review a Becky Albertalli book because you know it's probably going to be a good time. I'm happy to report that's definitely the case with this! As well as a nuanced look at parasocial relationships and the people who might be behind the screen.

This is set in the same universe as Imogen, Obviously, so you'll get to see some cameos from some familiar faces. I always find it fun when authors' books are interconnected like that. In true Becky Ablertalli style, there are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this, but a lot of moments that will make you think as well. Though Amelia is out as bisexual at the beginning of the book, this is also a journey of awareness that maybe you have a crush on someone different than you expected. A crush that might be obvious to the readers, but not to Amelia.

While you'll fall in love with Amelia quirky charm right from the beginning, there's also a cast of side characters who are just as fun. After all, what fun is a road trip book without an eccentric cast to go along with it? The overall vibes of Amelia and her friends kind of reminded me of the trio from Never Have I Ever on Netflix, so this would be a great read-a-like for that!

All in all, if you're looking for something fun to read this June, definitely pick this one up!

Amelia, If Only was a cute roadtrip romance. It does a great job of giving you the feelings of having a crush and butterfly that go with it. Becky also does a good job handling the fandom aspect of the story without making it feel cheesy. Amelia is a HUGE fan of a YouTuber named Walter, and she's desperate to meet him. She's been praying for a meet and greet forever and she finally gets her chance. She begs her friends to go with her on a road trip. Amelia is ready to experience the love and butterfly that come with your first love but maybe it's not for Walter? This was a cute summer story! I really enjoyed it.

chaotic book with so much fun elements in it! the "stan culture" is really well depicted. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

This was a fun, quick read! Delightful, really. Amelia is a lot, but in the best way. I don't know if her persona is 100% realistic and that may turn some teen readers off, but I found her to be funny and easy to root for. This book tells the story of Amelia, who is obsessed with a YouTuber named Walter. When she learns of an event within driving distance, she and her friend group take off on a road trip. Of course mild chaos ensues and maybe her infatuation was not actually with him....

I think teen readers will find a lot to think and talk about with regard to parasocial relationships and how we view/treat people who put themselves out there online. I also found the various romances to be very sweet and the friend group was awesome (like all of this author's friend groups). Overall, this book made me smile while I read it and I will be adding a copy to my classroom library!

Amelia, If Only is a delightful queer, YA read! And while I definitely didn't love it as much as Imogen, Obviously, I still really enjoyed it! Amelia is a LOT, but she's fun and flawed in a way that works; you can't help but rooting for her. I also adored her friends (and Walter) and thought the exploration of parasocial relationships was really well done.

Interestingly, I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half - I think maybe I wanted a little more romance and pining throughout but we love a chaotic bisexual who is completely oblivious also 😂

I also think it's important to acknowledge that this book wasn't written for me. Sure I got most of the Gen Z lingo, memes, etc. but age me up a few years and this might have been a bit of a rough read. But that doesn't matter because I believe the specifics and references will really resonante with the intended YA audience.

Becky, keep writing queer YA and serving solid bisexual representation! You're great at it and I am sure it means so much to so many young adults to see themselves in the pages of a book like this.

Every time I see a book about fandom and/or parasocial relationships I approach with caution and don’t expect much because the last time I didn’t it was a big disappointment(I’m looking right at you I was born for this). On the other hand, I just couldn’t not read a Becky Albertalli book, she basically single handedly got me into reading again. That’s to say I was extremely conflicted.
In the end, this was not what I expected but at the same time exactly what I thought it would be, it’s confusing I know. This is a Becky Albertalli book, so it is extremely wholesome, filled with queer characters, great friend groups that make you wish you were there with them, and couples so cute you want to hug them. Like I said I wasn’t expecting much in the fandom part of the book, but Albertalli surprised me with a very nuanced and actually good take on it. Like many gen z kids I grew up on the internet, I was actively a part of various fandoms and got to have so many great experiences because of it. However, when you grow up you start to see the dark parts of it, namely parasocial relationships. I think she did a great job in showing the bad parts but also the good, the famous character didn’t just whine about the fans and how terrible they were, it’s not all black and white, and I’m glad this was acknowledged.
Some parts made me shuckle because I am pretty sure I know exactly where she took some inspiration and I kept playing back younger me reading similar things years ago.
This is a very great book, but what else would you expect from the queen of queer ya books.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC!

Get ready for an emotional roller coaster, because Amelia goes full throttle into everything. There's even an actual roller coaster ride in the book, and it is scarier than expected. Kind of like this book.

Amelia is loud, extroverted, unfiltered, and fun. She's a lot, but high school is when you get to be extra. Her friend group are all well-rounded characters, believable both as friends and people.

The other thread of the book is the fandom around a YouTube creator, some of it supportive and a lot of it toxic. Before you even meet Walter Holland, you feel the pressure around him and wonder if he's doing OK.

If this sounds complicated, it is, but it doesn't read like that. It is put together so smoothly, that I had to think back to notice the structure.

If you liked Imogen, Obviously, then you'll like this, but get ready for a higher energy, less introspective ride.

Oh, and lots of bi representation, but that isn't what the story is about. It is about teens who happen to have a sexual orientation. Surprise!

I enjoy Becky Albertalli's books but sometimes the characters aren't a good match. Perhaps as I grow older, the behaviors of high schoolers or younger adults become too separated from reality. Angsty, drama-ridden, speaking in riddles... I found myself rolling my eyes too often. It doesn't mean it's not a good book, just that I'm no longer the ideal audience... but if the characters can annoy me that much, then the writer has depicted them quite well.

This cute sapphic rom-com follows Amelia (and her parasocial relationship with YouTuber, Walter) as well as her blooming feelings for a close friend. The book contains lots of diverse representation, bisexual representation, and conversations about important topics like queerbaiting, being pressured to come out, parasocial relationships, and young adults discovering their sexualities.

I really enjoyed this book overall! The narrator, Amelia, is very witty and relatable, as well as being surrounded by a group of genuine friends that serve as a strong support system for her. I definitely hope to add this book to my library’s collection!

DNF at 40%. I loved Imogen, Obviously, and I’m not opposed to exploring more of that “world” and the struggles of being queer as a public figure and reckoning with parasocial relationships. But this was such a cluttered book. I cared way more about the “celebrity” angle, and that only presented itself in interstitials at the point I’d gotten, for the most part. Amelia herself was a bland character, and the character who is meant to be her endgame love interest is (if the reviews are to be believed) barely present, because the book is juggling her parasocial longings and the much more interesting celebrity stuff, and they haven’t even fully intersected.

Albertalli’s books deal with the lack of respect and privacy that comes with coming out: being forced to share, finding you aren’t believed, not having support, and in her most recent novel, having people on social media dissect a famous person’s private life publicly.

And she examines these themes with such love and care.

Amelia has a crush. But she doesn’t want you to diminish what she feels for internet celebrity, fellow high school senior, and kinda local boy, Walter.

It’s a parasocial crush - an escape from reality - so it is a healthy way to slip into an imaginary world. Nothing is going to happen, so dream a little dream.

But then Amelia posts (and quickly deletes) a proposal song. But then Walter decides to do a meet and greet. But then the event is a short road trip away.

Things are getting real.

And what if she meets him? Maybe they will click.

But then why is Amelia having all of these confusing feelings about best friend Natalie?

I am an absolute Albertalli fan. I think what she does with queer YA is unparalleled. Imogene, Obviously is one of the loveliest books I’ve ever read.

Amelia, If Only took me longer to sink into. It felts younger. But the characters are vivid and a lot of fun. The tension exists and pulls the narrative.

This book came alive for me when Walter entered the narrative, when Amelia and her road trip crew met him, when he decided to get honest about the terrible way the internet has been treating him.

Walter used to be part of a duo whose online presence took off. One small piece of it was a belief that Walter, bisexual, and Hayden, sexuality not divulged, were once a couple. Hayden, having gone off and become really famous, has left Walt to deal with the rumors and inanities of people who assume they have a right to know details about your life - and if you won’t provide them, then they’ll make them up.

This part of the story was frank and palpable and enough to piss you off.

There are cameos from Imogene and her crew, which was super fun. And I have to assume (hope! pray!) the next book in the series is either Mostly Mark or Walter, What If because I’m ready to ship anything regarding these two.

Highly recommend if you’re a fan.

Thank you @Harpercollins for the ARC to read and review. I’ll be buying a trophy copy on June 10, 2025 when it’s released.

This was a cute love story! I love that there were characters from Imogen, Obviously in this book. I always enjoy when authors bring in previous characters into a new book. I love Amelia’s quick-witted humor and how she continuously thinks up new nicknames for her best friends. I love that they were a friend group who had been friends for ages. Getting brief glimpses into the world of Walter and Hayden through social media comments was also interesting. I wasn’t a fan of how explanations were kind of cut off until later in the book but it makes sense with the how the story unfolded in the end. Always love the LGBTQ rep in Becky’s books.

3.5 stars

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC. All thoughts are my own.

I really loved the friendship group in this one. These people loved each other so, so much and it was so clear throughout the whole book.

I was surprised by how much I loved Walter. He was immediately likeable and I loved that for Amelia, tbh. They hit it off right away and it made my heart swell. I also loved Walter and Mark so, so much.

The romance was super sweet. I’m always down for oblivious idiots in love and this was definitely that. They made me so giddy.

But in all honesty, I found Amelia overwhelming as a character and that’s why I didn’t love this more. She was exhausting to read at times, far too high energy and talkative for me. I loved her passion and she was a wonderfully written character, just a bit much for me at times. But I also loved that she had her people, that her people didn’t find her too much.

Becky Albertalli has a way of making her characters so likeable. This was a cute YA sapphic romance. A friends to lovers trope with humor, and adorable characters.

We follow Amelia and her group of friends as they take a road trip to meet Walter, Amelia's favorite YouTuber. She has a bit of an obsession with him and her friends home with her, that she is in love with him. Through the trip though, she starts to develop some unexpected feelings for her BFF. I read this one really quick. Becky had me laughing at these characters' dialogue. Too funny. Makes me miss being young.

This is a slow burn, as it took me a bit to get to where it pulled me in but I still enjoyed it. Amelia has such a fun and witty personality. I loved her expressiveness with how she's managing her feelings with her own sexuality. It also touches on parasocial relationships with how Amelia felt towards Walter. That's definitely something that is more common nowadays with all of the social media shows and podcasts and such. Overall, just a fun escape!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

What I have always loved about Becky Albertalli's writing is how relatable and vulnerable her characters and stories are; even as I continue to get older (nearing 30 now), I still see my teenage self on the pages I read, and with Amelia, this time was no different!

Parasocial relationships was not something people talked about much when I was a teen, but I definitely know I had some of my own with celebrities I adored, so I really connected with Amelia there. I really appreciated how Albertalli didn't make it out to be a bad thing, considering Amelia uses it more as a coping mechanism (another relatable point there!) and she understands that nothing will ever truly come out of it. I definitely got war flashbacks with those tweets and reddit threads of the dark side of fandom; something I've still had to deal with every time I get invested in a new piece of media, and it's so frustrating that the 'real people can't queerbait' conversation still! continues! to! this! day!

The Amelia and Nat romance did feel a smidge rushed, given everything Walt-related going on at the same time, but I still enjoyed seeing them get together, and witnessing Amelia really come into her own queerness with the help of her fave, Walt! And of course, I adored the Imogen and Tess feature so much!

All in all, another wonderful story from Becky, and one that will stay nestled in my heart for a long time!

✔️ Road Trip
✔️ Crushing on the Wrong Person
✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Found Family

It's near the end of high school for Amelia so why not a last hurrah as a road trip with her friend group. The plan? To meet YouTube personality Walter from Drama Clash who Amelia has a crush on. However, forced proximity leads to complicated friend dynamics and maybe the realization that love was right in front of Amelia all along.

Aside from the road trip plot being fun, I loved the themes about celebrity and parasocial relationships, friend groups, being brave and admitting your feelings.

This one was funny, had heart, and yeah, I kinda wanna hang out with these kiddos (at least my seventeen year old self would! Recommend this to any YA romance fans!

Oh my gosh!!!! This was PLUPERFECT!!!

Imogen, Obviously is one of my all time favorite books and I could NOT wait to get back to the Imogenverse. Amelia, If Only is so unbelievably heartwarming with its beyond adorable and endearing characters but THE BANTER… OMG, Becky’s ability to write sharp, sassy, hilarious banter is PHENOMENAL!!! It’s a testament to HOW GOOD Becky’s writing is that you can not only hear the characters and their snappy quips but you feel like you are sitting with them and part of the conversations.

I just wanted to wrap Amelia in a hug!! She is so precious and I love how she lives and loves with her whole heart! She was so relatable, authentic, and mg god, when she was having big feelings and spontaneously cut her hair, I see you, girl, and we’ve all been there, girl.