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Socially Awkward
"Noah was kissing me.
Noah was kissing me.
Wait... Noah was kissing me.
And he was kissing me well, too..."
I've spent most of my life wishing I were someone else, not just plain old Jennifer Smith. So when I'm planning my thesis topic for my Masters in Sociology degree, I get this brilliant idea to create an online fantasy life and study the world's reaction to the "perfect" woman. With my sister Claire's help, I craft the perfect fake identity for a new name, a new personality, a newly doctored profile photo. What could possibly go wrong? Everything!
As the popular Olivia Saunders, I'm losing my grip of reality, my relationship with my sister, and my personal life. Now I'm stuck in some weird, complicated love square , where one of the corners is an imaginary person. Also inside that square is Noah Wayland, my super-hot personal trainer, who seems more interested in Jennifer than Olivia... maybe? But which one am I really? And can I really go back to being just plain old Jennifer Smith again?
Noah was kissing me.
Wait... Noah was kissing me.
And he was kissing me well, too..."
I've spent most of my life wishing I were someone else, not just plain old Jennifer Smith. So when I'm planning my thesis topic for my Masters in Sociology degree, I get this brilliant idea to create an online fantasy life and study the world's reaction to the "perfect" woman. With my sister Claire's help, I craft the perfect fake identity for a new name, a new personality, a newly doctored profile photo. What could possibly go wrong? Everything!
As the popular Olivia Saunders, I'm losing my grip of reality, my relationship with my sister, and my personal life. Now I'm stuck in some weird, complicated love square , where one of the corners is an imaginary person. Also inside that square is Noah Wayland, my super-hot personal trainer, who seems more interested in Jennifer than Olivia... maybe? But which one am I really? And can I really go back to being just plain old Jennifer Smith again?
198 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2012
142 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Haddad
16 books103 followersStephanie Haddad’s earliest works featured unicorns and talking pumpkins who overcame adversity, evil, and the threat of being baked into pies. With age, her writing has evolved to more grown-up topics, like love and the complicated relationships between people. As a life-long lover of cheerful fiction, she strives to tackle real-world issues with wit, hope, and lots of humor. Her short stories have spanned many genres, but her full-length novels stay firmly planted in happy endings, via both romance and women’s fiction.
Stephanie joined the Romance Writers of America in 2009 to celebrate her addiction to perfect plot resolutions with other writers just like her. Combining a passion for the human condition with a penchant for the romantic, Stephanie strives to write every story as though it is a conversation shared between friends.
As she balances new motherhood, a freelance writing workload, and an independent publishing career, Stephanie continues her work on a planned three-book women’s fiction series, a collection of romantic urban fantasy short stories, and several single-title romances. She lives, loves, and writes near Boston, MA, the home of all of her novels.
Stephanie joined the Romance Writers of America in 2009 to celebrate her addiction to perfect plot resolutions with other writers just like her. Combining a passion for the human condition with a penchant for the romantic, Stephanie strives to write every story as though it is a conversation shared between friends.
As she balances new motherhood, a freelance writing workload, and an independent publishing career, Stephanie continues her work on a planned three-book women’s fiction series, a collection of romantic urban fantasy short stories, and several single-title romances. She lives, loves, and writes near Boston, MA, the home of all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 21, 2020
Maybe they think they recognize me from last fall’s catalog, or that billboard ad they drive past every day.
But they’d all be wrong, because Olivia Saunders doesn’t exist.
Socially Awkward by Stephanie Haddad (
It is not that I hated this book or did not like it. Actually I read it in one sitting. I did enjoy it and loved the premise. It is not the book itself that I do not like.
The book is not based in reality. I appreciate a feel good story but I did not believe that this girl, who felt so badly about herself and did what she did..all those things..could end up being transformed into a hard bodied super model type girl dating a personal trainer in just a very short time.
There was also a thread..part of the plot..that did not make any sense and was a gaping plot hole. It was bewildering.
I do not mind having to suspend my own disbelief while reading but this is supposed to be realistic fiction and it really wasn't all that realistic. I am glad Jennifer changes and grows but it wasn't in a realistic manner.
That being said this is a pleasant book and I'd never give it a 1. I do not think it was hard to read or to know what was going on. I just did not buy into the premise.
But they’d all be wrong, because Olivia Saunders doesn’t exist.
Socially Awkward by Stephanie Haddad (
It is not that I hated this book or did not like it. Actually I read it in one sitting. I did enjoy it and loved the premise. It is not the book itself that I do not like.
The book is not based in reality. I appreciate a feel good story but I did not believe that this girl, who felt so badly about herself and did what she did..all those things..could end up being transformed into a hard bodied super model type girl dating a personal trainer in just a very short time.
There was also a thread..part of the plot..that did not make any sense and was a gaping plot hole. It was bewildering.
I do not mind having to suspend my own disbelief while reading but this is supposed to be realistic fiction and it really wasn't all that realistic. I am glad Jennifer changes and grows but it wasn't in a realistic manner.
That being said this is a pleasant book and I'd never give it a 1. I do not think it was hard to read or to know what was going on. I just did not buy into the premise.
April 13, 2015
This books hooks you up from the very start, there are two sister arguing about men, but it is not the usual plot where you have two sisters and one guy, here you have three!! To discover how these five lives interwoven you have to listen to the main character tell the whole story.
Beside the element of siblings fighting over guys, the book encompass also the old theme of sisterly jealousy, one sister having all the good looks, but also a successful career, and the other having the good grades, some weight issue, and a book-long struggle to overcome her “socially awkwardness”.
Unfortunately, a good idea doesn’t transform in an equally brilliant book overall, you begin with great expectations and end up a little disappointed.
Beside the element of siblings fighting over guys, the book encompass also the old theme of sisterly jealousy, one sister having all the good looks, but also a successful career, and the other having the good grades, some weight issue, and a book-long struggle to overcome her “socially awkwardness”.
Unfortunately, a good idea doesn’t transform in an equally brilliant book overall, you begin with great expectations and end up a little disappointed.
April 22, 2014
0.5 really. I absolutly DID NOT like this book. I mean seriously. I kept waiting for the good part but by the time I flipped the last page, I realized: There is no good part.
This book is extremely annoying to read. I felt like I was forcing myself to flip the next page. Most books I read I usually can't wait to get to the next page. However, this book was just so boring that I felt like I was recieving a punishment and being forced to read the most terrible book of my entire life.
I was so excited when I saw the book title. "Socially Awkward" kind of explains my life. I was hoping for a book about a high school teenager with a difficult time. You know. One of those books that ends up with the bully suspended, the girl making friends, and maybe even possibly getting a boyfriend. But then when I read the explanation of the book I just thought, "Well, how bad can it be?".
Aparently really bad. I fell asleep twice while reading this book. Readers, if you can't sleep but want to, and want a short book to read... you should totally read this book. Other wise.. Just stay away from books like this.
This book is extremely annoying to read. I felt like I was forcing myself to flip the next page. Most books I read I usually can't wait to get to the next page. However, this book was just so boring that I felt like I was recieving a punishment and being forced to read the most terrible book of my entire life.
I was so excited when I saw the book title. "Socially Awkward" kind of explains my life. I was hoping for a book about a high school teenager with a difficult time. You know. One of those books that ends up with the bully suspended, the girl making friends, and maybe even possibly getting a boyfriend. But then when I read the explanation of the book I just thought, "Well, how bad can it be?".
Aparently really bad. I fell asleep twice while reading this book. Readers, if you can't sleep but want to, and want a short book to read... you should totally read this book. Other wise.. Just stay away from books like this.
September 24, 2015
DNF @ 5%
It was free in Amazon and then I read the synopsis, it seems promising. And it's just a very short story, because I like short stories so I think there's no harm to give it a try.
The prologue was okay. Even though not that good but It's interesting.
But then when I was in chapter one, it's all just...
I don't even understand anymore what this story is about
So I stopped there.
It was free in Amazon and then I read the synopsis, it seems promising. And it's just a very short story, because I like short stories so I think there's no harm to give it a try.
The prologue was okay. Even though not that good but It's interesting.
But then when I was in chapter one, it's all just...
I don't even understand anymore what this story is about
So I stopped there.
July 17, 2016
This was a pretty fun book. It tended to drag a little in some parts, but otherwise it was a quick, easy read.
October 15, 2015
SOCIALLY AWKWARD was a fun, quick read with a satisfying ending. Jennifer, the main character, was relatable and engaging and the writing style was light and humorous. I often chuckled to myself over particularly funny scenes.
Overweight, hearing-impaired Jennifer Smith is a sociology graduate student searching for a good research topic for her thesis. Her sister, Claire, suggests a seemingly innocuous topic: anonymity on the Internet. Jennifer runs with it and creates a fake Facebook profile with a doctored picture of herself and a made up identity and gets to work. Her research takes off and Jennifer struggles to maintain a professional distance from the fake Facebook profile. She ends up using it as a sort of “wish fulfillment” type of thing. Meanwhile, she starts working out with her sister at a gym to try to lose weight and get in shape. There she meets trainer Noah, with whom she has an instant connection (not insta-love or anything). Things progress nicely for a while, then her research gets out of hand. Jennifer has created a monster: the fake online identity. Will her life be ruined by this virtual nemesis or will she be able to take control of it in time?
I seriously enjoyed SOCIALLY AWKWARD. Introverted Jennifer had some very relatable hang-ups about herself: her weight, her hearing aids, trying to live up to her perfect sister’s standards. I liked that she was able to maintain a good attitude despite her insecurities. It was fun to read the humorous exchanges Jennifer had with her sister, Claire, as well. My favorite part was the growth Jennifer exhibited throughout the book; at the end she had a lot more confidence and self-esteem. I was cheering for her the whole way!
There was one little thing that I didn’t like. It just wasn’t believable that . I know it had been a few years since their last interaction, but based on their history, it’s just not realistic that Despite that little niggling annoyance, I still enjoyed SOCIALLY AWKWARD thoroughly.
If you want a short, funny read with a fantastic ending and a relatable main character, read SOCIALLY AWKWARD. You will love it, I promise!
Overweight, hearing-impaired Jennifer Smith is a sociology graduate student searching for a good research topic for her thesis. Her sister, Claire, suggests a seemingly innocuous topic: anonymity on the Internet. Jennifer runs with it and creates a fake Facebook profile with a doctored picture of herself and a made up identity and gets to work. Her research takes off and Jennifer struggles to maintain a professional distance from the fake Facebook profile. She ends up using it as a sort of “wish fulfillment” type of thing. Meanwhile, she starts working out with her sister at a gym to try to lose weight and get in shape. There she meets trainer Noah, with whom she has an instant connection (not insta-love or anything). Things progress nicely for a while, then her research gets out of hand. Jennifer has created a monster: the fake online identity. Will her life be ruined by this virtual nemesis or will she be able to take control of it in time?
I seriously enjoyed SOCIALLY AWKWARD. Introverted Jennifer had some very relatable hang-ups about herself: her weight, her hearing aids, trying to live up to her perfect sister’s standards. I liked that she was able to maintain a good attitude despite her insecurities. It was fun to read the humorous exchanges Jennifer had with her sister, Claire, as well. My favorite part was the growth Jennifer exhibited throughout the book; at the end she had a lot more confidence and self-esteem. I was cheering for her the whole way!
There was one little thing that I didn’t like. It just wasn’t believable that . I know it had been a few years since their last interaction, but based on their history, it’s just not realistic that Despite that little niggling annoyance, I still enjoyed SOCIALLY AWKWARD thoroughly.
If you want a short, funny read with a fantastic ending and a relatable main character, read SOCIALLY AWKWARD. You will love it, I promise!
July 17, 2015
This was one of the first books I actually checked for reviews before I started reading it and most of the reviews were pretty negative. I prepared myself for a really bad story... although this is definitely not the best book I read this year, I actually liked the story. It reminds me a bit of Good in Bed, it had its funny and witty moments with a girl who really needed to work on her self-esteem issues.
I also liked because (don't judge me) I have done the fake profile thing too... and I could relate to Jen in a sense that I just wanted to know. My story was totally different though, I had broken up with that boyfriend, his best friend approached me later on and told me my ex was doing drugs and he was worried, so I set up the fake profile to kind of find out if it was for real by befriending him, and it ended up being true.. anyway, long story short, I kind of got caught up in the mess I made as well but the profile helped me to help my ex in the end somehow.
I also liked the fact the MC had a disability. It is rare to find books where the MC is not born "perfect", Jen's story also reminded me of Maybe Someday, although she was not as impaired as the guy in Hoover's book.
So I'm still happy I didn't gave up on this book due to the negative reviews. That is what reading is all about, sometimes what doesn't touch you ends up touching someone else somehow, it is not a one-size-fits-all thing, thanks goodness!
I also liked because (don't judge me) I have done the fake profile thing too... and I could relate to Jen in a sense that I just wanted to know. My story was totally different though, I had broken up with that boyfriend, his best friend approached me later on and told me my ex was doing drugs and he was worried, so I set up the fake profile to kind of find out if it was for real by befriending him, and it ended up being true.. anyway, long story short, I kind of got caught up in the mess I made as well but the profile helped me to help my ex in the end somehow.
I also liked the fact the MC had a disability. It is rare to find books where the MC is not born "perfect", Jen's story also reminded me of Maybe Someday, although she was not as impaired as the guy in Hoover's book.
So I'm still happy I didn't gave up on this book due to the negative reviews. That is what reading is all about, sometimes what doesn't touch you ends up touching someone else somehow, it is not a one-size-fits-all thing, thanks goodness!
April 30, 2014
I have mix feeling about this.
At the beginning it was all good, funny and I liked how the plot developed. But somewhere along the way it became predictable and I was scared that the author was turning this into something I would not like.
The main character was immature at some points and the plot was moving towards something that wouldn't help her develop or the plot.
Somehow the plot didn't move all to that direction and I was glad that the character actually stood for her age. Like I said, some of her action didn't reveal a mature person.
But this is actually a great novel to read in a weekend. It also shows how facebook or other media have interfere with our lives and how big of a change they make.
So yeah, even if I have some prediction about it, they didn't turn out that way. And you can see that the main character has develop and is more secure about herself.
At the beginning it was all good, funny and I liked how the plot developed. But somewhere along the way it became predictable and I was scared that the author was turning this into something I would not like.
The main character was immature at some points and the plot was moving towards something that wouldn't help her develop or the plot.
Somehow the plot didn't move all to that direction and I was glad that the character actually stood for her age. Like I said, some of her action didn't reveal a mature person.
But this is actually a great novel to read in a weekend. It also shows how facebook or other media have interfere with our lives and how big of a change they make.
So yeah, even if I have some prediction about it, they didn't turn out that way. And you can see that the main character has develop and is more secure about herself.
March 11, 2015
This was a free eBook.
The plot started out well, two sisters arguing, three men involved… mmm intriguing.
Then the book inexorably crumbled on itself. It could have been a good idea, but the development was disastrous. Too many things in the storyline did not make sense (like people that went to school together and interacted not recognizing one another at all), and I don’t like it when the main love story is way too far-fetched. See spoiler for details.
But since the book was free no offense taken.
The plot started out well, two sisters arguing, three men involved… mmm intriguing.
Then the book inexorably crumbled on itself. It could have been a good idea, but the development was disastrous. Too many things in the storyline did not make sense (like people that went to school together and interacted not recognizing one another at all), and I don’t like it when the main love story is way too far-fetched. See spoiler for details.
But since the book was free no offense taken.
July 5, 2014
This was REALLY good for a free book. As a part of her master's research, the main character creates a Facebook profile for a supermodel-esque girl and compares the reaction of strangers to the model vs. her own, average girl, profile. There are interesting side stories of love, fitness, and insecurities as she discovers that being herself is beautiful :)
February 8, 2015
So interesting. I always thought a study of social media would be an interesting read, but this took it a step further. I really liked the characters. I am happy it ended well. No second book necessary yet by the end I wanted another just to read more about the characters. I wish it was a longer read. Insightful fun read.
February 20, 2015
This was a light and fluffy little fun read. I thought the premise was interesting and I was engaged enough to want to find out what happened. I didn't care for the writing device of telling a large chunk of the story as though the main character was filling her mom in on what had happened. The writing wasn't fantastic, but the story was relatively entertaining.
March 1, 2015
This was a cute book, free on the amazon kindle store which always is a plus. It's a light, easy read. There were aspects of the story which were really unbelievable, like Sean not realizing who Claire and Jen were. The main character was also really annoying at times. She had absolutely no self esteem and whined a lot. But the story itself kept me interested enough to finish.
July 28, 2016
Young
This is a book I may have liked in high school. Maybe. Probably not. I didn't like it as an adult
This is a book I may have liked in high school. Maybe. Probably not. I didn't like it as an adult
September 21, 2021
I would give this a 0.5 rating...the lowest I've ever given a book. I was hoping for a quick, fun read as the title looked interesting. Honestly, I didn't go in with any high expectations, but I also hadn't expected it to be such a disappointment either.
The start is okay- a bit slow, perhaps. But then as you read on, you notice there are quite a few inconsistencies and errors which, after a while, begin to detract from the enjoyment of the reading experience. I wonder if the book was even proofread once before getting published.
Even if you overlook the simple grammatical errors and all, the story itself has a lot of problems. For instance, it just isn't believable that a guy wouldn't recognize a girl he knew back in high school only a decade later (especially one he crushed on and went to great lengths to impress). Also, the 'love' story between Jennifer (the protagonist) and the main lead guy seems to be lacking- it didn't make much sense to me how fast it progresses from theirs barely knowing each other to saying 'I love you'. (Maybe that was just me...I don't know.)
But I'm sure I'm not the only one who was really surprised to discover the protagonist's age! Her POV makes her sound more like she's in her mid-teens than a 27 year old. :o The discovery made her constant whining all the more tiresome whether it was about the formulaic 'can't step out from elder sister's shadow', her insecurity regarding the hearing aids, or her (much exaggerated?) weight issues.
Overall, the book is rather dull and wearisome. Doesn't take long into the story for you to start asking yourself if you really must plod through all of this tedious exposition when you already know where the entire thing is headed. If only the book had been planned a bit better, it would have been more enjoyable to read (regardless of its predictability).
The start is okay- a bit slow, perhaps. But then as you read on, you notice there are quite a few inconsistencies and errors which, after a while, begin to detract from the enjoyment of the reading experience. I wonder if the book was even proofread once before getting published.
Even if you overlook the simple grammatical errors and all, the story itself has a lot of problems. For instance, it just isn't believable that a guy wouldn't recognize a girl he knew back in high school only a decade later (especially one he crushed on and went to great lengths to impress). Also, the 'love' story between Jennifer (the protagonist) and the main lead guy seems to be lacking- it didn't make much sense to me how fast it progresses from theirs barely knowing each other to saying 'I love you'. (Maybe that was just me...I don't know.)
But I'm sure I'm not the only one who was really surprised to discover the protagonist's age! Her POV makes her sound more like she's in her mid-teens than a 27 year old. :o The discovery made her constant whining all the more tiresome whether it was about the formulaic 'can't step out from elder sister's shadow', her insecurity regarding the hearing aids, or her (much exaggerated?) weight issues.
Overall, the book is rather dull and wearisome. Doesn't take long into the story for you to start asking yourself if you really must plod through all of this tedious exposition when you already know where the entire thing is headed. If only the book had been planned a bit better, it would have been more enjoyable to read (regardless of its predictability).
December 13, 2018
Oliva is a model and actress, an army brat that’s traveled everywhere, never feeling like she belonged. Thanks to social media, she has many cyber friends.
In reality, she’s Jennifer Smith, a normal, boring, fat girl.
It all started with a sociology project and how the term “friend” has redefined online communication. She discovers that there is a correlation between perception and falsehood on the internet. An improved image plan by her doctor seems next to impossible, unless it can be created in the virtual world. Ah, an idea! And that’s when Olivia—the perfect model/actress—was born.
Soon, Jen realized that looks seem to factor greatly in the friend requests. Things take an interesting turn when an old crush sends a friend request to Olivia. Soon, Olivia’s “friends” become a tangled mess with an old crush, a hot trainer, and her sister’s gigolo. Suddenly, she’s leading a double life. We have a crush that thinks her sister is Olivia and a scheme to get “Olivia” to break up with him so Jen could have a shot. It’s a wonderfully wacky mess!
“It was nice of him to make me feel included in his virtual relationship with my fake self.” (131)
Right away, I could relate to Jen’s nerdy, self-deprecating demeanor. Her journey was fascinating in how she learns to accept herself and realize that she too is worthy.
Witty and smart! A humorous tale of internet fraud and sisterly betrayal.
In reality, she’s Jennifer Smith, a normal, boring, fat girl.
It all started with a sociology project and how the term “friend” has redefined online communication. She discovers that there is a correlation between perception and falsehood on the internet. An improved image plan by her doctor seems next to impossible, unless it can be created in the virtual world. Ah, an idea! And that’s when Olivia—the perfect model/actress—was born.
Soon, Jen realized that looks seem to factor greatly in the friend requests. Things take an interesting turn when an old crush sends a friend request to Olivia. Soon, Olivia’s “friends” become a tangled mess with an old crush, a hot trainer, and her sister’s gigolo. Suddenly, she’s leading a double life. We have a crush that thinks her sister is Olivia and a scheme to get “Olivia” to break up with him so Jen could have a shot. It’s a wonderfully wacky mess!
“It was nice of him to make me feel included in his virtual relationship with my fake self.” (131)
Right away, I could relate to Jen’s nerdy, self-deprecating demeanor. Her journey was fascinating in how she learns to accept herself and realize that she too is worthy.
Witty and smart! A humorous tale of internet fraud and sisterly betrayal.
July 26, 2015
This was a boring one for me. It just dragged on and dragged on some more. There wasn't really anything going on. I was probably more skimming through most of it than actually reading it too.
I wasn't a fan of Jen. She was just too stupid. How did she think that setting up the 'Olivia' acct would make things better? For her class and paper, yes. For her real life? Getting a long ago love back? No.
I think the only character I liked to a degree was Noah. I'm not really sure why though.
In all honesty this was just crap. Jen was annoying me throughout this story. She just did one stupid thing after another. She didn't seem to know when to stop. Makes me wonder how many boyfriends she'd had. I get the point of this story was for Jen to find herself but still.
Questions/Comments:
What was with her hearing aids? She can hear to a degree without them but the way she talks about them makes it sound like they're huge or something. Maybe the kind that wraps around the ear? Either way, there are smaller ones she could have had instead. The hearing aid talk was just stupid and annoying, always worrying if someone saw them.
So Jen is/was in love with Sean. Why? No clue. He didn't really seem to have any redeeming qualities, at least not with what was said about him. How she was still interested in him years later, after what he did to her when they were in school? Wow! I don't even know what to say about that! Or maybe I do. MORON! The question here relates to Jen being in love with him and whatnot. Jen's chatting with him using Olivia's acct and mentions him being "mildly attractive." Then in the next sentence "He was also the guy I'd been lusting over since I hit puberty." Now if you're really attracted to someone/in love with them, would you call them 'mildly attractive'?
Sean again...Jen deserved a good 'wake the f*ck up' smack after her dealings with Sean. I mean, hello!!! Are girls really that stupid? I'm sure they are, I just don't know any and can't imagine this type of situation really happening in real life.
After friending Sean on Facebook, he comments how he remembers both Olivia and Jen from school. Right. He invites Olivia to a party and of course Jen is all excited about it. Why again?
Jen and Sean. They're talking online and she comments, "I'm hoping there's something between us in person." Seriously? She's been talking to him via Olivia's acct.
Why did she make Olivia look like her sister? And then was actually surprised when Sean went to her and not Jen?
Why did Jen think it a good idea to have her sister be Olivia? Or at better yet, why say that they're roommates? I mean that could have been Olivia's only appearance, then Jen could have unfriended Sean or whatever and continued on. But she doesn't.
"It wasn't my place to share them with Claire." I hate that phrase. That was in-regards to her thoughts on the subject of Tom. Um actually it was! He was messaging Jen's/Claire's acct. You're sisters! If you really care about the person, you'll tell them. Even if they get mad at you too, who cares, eventually they'll realize the truth.
Anyways, he ends up asking Olivia for permission to see Jen. Why? They aren't in a relationship. Whatever. The weird thing is that Jen actually goes on the date with him! I mean it's not like she doesn't know what's going on between him and Olivia. No sense there. She knows he's not really interested in her but her Claire/Olivia. Yet she continues on, and hopes for the best. OMG!
So Jen is only 27, she's loosing weight and ends up loosing half of her goal. She's then left with extra skin? Um...she's young and she wasn't majorly obese or anything so how does she end up extra skin? Her skin should still have the elastic-y quality to it so it bounces back. Right?
If Claire didn't help Jen with the Olivia situation, Jen said "what choice do I have but to turn to prostitutes?" What is she talking about there?
Running into Sean while out running. "I'd know that voice anywhere." This is when they're picking themselves up from the ground. So she knows by the voice that it's Sean. She's slowly? getting up and talking to him, apologizing, yet hasn't actually looked at his face. "So I looked at my victim to tell him as much but my voice froze up..." Um...How/why? She acted surprised when she saw him face. Yet she had already known who it was.
What was with Jen and Noah always kissing and whatnot while she was all sweaty? Sorry but I'm not a fan of 'getting into it' while being gross.
So the journal that Sean had in school involved some poetry that we're told wasn't written about Jen. Of course. So who was it then? And how old was Sean at the time to where he was bringing his journal/diary to school and not more....aware of not having it with him?
"No man is an island, and no woman is either..." Huh?
Where was Jen getting her $$? We know she had quit her job to go back to school and was saving money by living with her parents. So how did she buy stuff? Or move out into an apartment? Handle the gym? Get the fancy expensive food for her new body?
So Claire ends up hurting her ankle and is told to take it easy for 6 weeks. Yet like what...a week, maybe 2, and she's out and about wearing heels? I don't think so.
"There's nothing going on between us. He's with Claire now..." Um, what's wrong with that sentence? He would be with someone that wasn't real. It's not like Claire and Olivia were the same person or even shared the same jobs or interests or anything. Yet Jen makes it sound like they'd be able to settle down or something.
Lastly, how long were Jen and Noah dating prior to them getting married. It didn't seem very long.
I wasn't a fan of Jen. She was just too stupid. How did she think that setting up the 'Olivia' acct would make things better? For her class and paper, yes. For her real life? Getting a long ago love back? No.
I think the only character I liked to a degree was Noah. I'm not really sure why though.
In all honesty this was just crap. Jen was annoying me throughout this story. She just did one stupid thing after another. She didn't seem to know when to stop. Makes me wonder how many boyfriends she'd had. I get the point of this story was for Jen to find herself but still.
Questions/Comments:
What was with her hearing aids? She can hear to a degree without them but the way she talks about them makes it sound like they're huge or something. Maybe the kind that wraps around the ear? Either way, there are smaller ones she could have had instead. The hearing aid talk was just stupid and annoying, always worrying if someone saw them.
So Jen is/was in love with Sean. Why? No clue. He didn't really seem to have any redeeming qualities, at least not with what was said about him. How she was still interested in him years later, after what he did to her when they were in school? Wow! I don't even know what to say about that! Or maybe I do. MORON! The question here relates to Jen being in love with him and whatnot. Jen's chatting with him using Olivia's acct and mentions him being "mildly attractive." Then in the next sentence "He was also the guy I'd been lusting over since I hit puberty." Now if you're really attracted to someone/in love with them, would you call them 'mildly attractive'?
Sean again...Jen deserved a good 'wake the f*ck up' smack after her dealings with Sean. I mean, hello!!! Are girls really that stupid? I'm sure they are, I just don't know any and can't imagine this type of situation really happening in real life.
After friending Sean on Facebook, he comments how he remembers both Olivia and Jen from school. Right. He invites Olivia to a party and of course Jen is all excited about it. Why again?
Jen and Sean. They're talking online and she comments, "I'm hoping there's something between us in person." Seriously? She's been talking to him via Olivia's acct.
Why did she make Olivia look like her sister? And then was actually surprised when Sean went to her and not Jen?
Why did Jen think it a good idea to have her sister be Olivia? Or at better yet, why say that they're roommates? I mean that could have been Olivia's only appearance, then Jen could have unfriended Sean or whatever and continued on. But she doesn't.
"It wasn't my place to share them with Claire." I hate that phrase. That was in-regards to her thoughts on the subject of Tom. Um actually it was! He was messaging Jen's/Claire's acct. You're sisters! If you really care about the person, you'll tell them. Even if they get mad at you too, who cares, eventually they'll realize the truth.
Anyways, he ends up asking Olivia for permission to see Jen. Why? They aren't in a relationship. Whatever. The weird thing is that Jen actually goes on the date with him! I mean it's not like she doesn't know what's going on between him and Olivia. No sense there. She knows he's not really interested in her but her Claire/Olivia. Yet she continues on, and hopes for the best. OMG!
So Jen is only 27, she's loosing weight and ends up loosing half of her goal. She's then left with extra skin? Um...she's young and she wasn't majorly obese or anything so how does she end up extra skin? Her skin should still have the elastic-y quality to it so it bounces back. Right?
If Claire didn't help Jen with the Olivia situation, Jen said "what choice do I have but to turn to prostitutes?" What is she talking about there?
Running into Sean while out running. "I'd know that voice anywhere." This is when they're picking themselves up from the ground. So she knows by the voice that it's Sean. She's slowly? getting up and talking to him, apologizing, yet hasn't actually looked at his face. "So I looked at my victim to tell him as much but my voice froze up..." Um...How/why? She acted surprised when she saw him face. Yet she had already known who it was.
What was with Jen and Noah always kissing and whatnot while she was all sweaty? Sorry but I'm not a fan of 'getting into it' while being gross.
So the journal that Sean had in school involved some poetry that we're told wasn't written about Jen. Of course. So who was it then? And how old was Sean at the time to where he was bringing his journal/diary to school and not more....aware of not having it with him?
"No man is an island, and no woman is either..." Huh?
Where was Jen getting her $$? We know she had quit her job to go back to school and was saving money by living with her parents. So how did she buy stuff? Or move out into an apartment? Handle the gym? Get the fancy expensive food for her new body?
So Claire ends up hurting her ankle and is told to take it easy for 6 weeks. Yet like what...a week, maybe 2, and she's out and about wearing heels? I don't think so.
"There's nothing going on between us. He's with Claire now..." Um, what's wrong with that sentence? He would be with someone that wasn't real. It's not like Claire and Olivia were the same person or even shared the same jobs or interests or anything. Yet Jen makes it sound like they'd be able to settle down or something.
Lastly, how long were Jen and Noah dating prior to them getting married. It didn't seem very long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2021
This is a fairly quick and light read. Though the title is a bit misleading, the premise is pretty interesting — a Master’s of Sociology student creates a fake Facebook profile to compare online interaction — and the overall storyline is pretty simple. That’s not to say it’s boring or not enjoyable, but don’t go into this expecting a super deep or life-changing narrative and don’t ask too many questions.
It’s a pretty easy read because it’s written like you’re talking to your BFF, complete with sarcasm and cliches but minus a lot of character development or well-thought-out scene blocking. (And I’m just going to assume the typos were made while converting to ebook.) This is a solid three-star, palate-cleanser type of book. I’d recommend for college students or young adults.
It’s a pretty easy read because it’s written like you’re talking to your BFF, complete with sarcasm and cliches but minus a lot of character development or well-thought-out scene blocking. (And I’m just going to assume the typos were made while converting to ebook.) This is a solid three-star, palate-cleanser type of book. I’d recommend for college students or young adults.
November 25, 2019
2.5 stars - This book had potential but had too many flaws for me to give it 3 stars. There were some grammatical errors, but those can be overlooked. Jen's hearing loss seemed to be thrown in an attempt to make her character more dynamic, but it did not feel authentic. All the drama between her and Claire was glossed over and wrapped up as a side note in the epilogue. Though Noah and Jen make a cute couple, the relationship is rushed. They are barely starting to date and getting to know each other and Haddad already has them head over heels in love on their way being wed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2022
This was an overall enjoyable and fast-paced novel. The main character is generally likeable, although at times too weak. I feel that too much attention was given to the main character's weight and hearing problems and the resolution seemed to try to fix these things rather than focus on her acceptance of them. Part of this may be the year the book was written, but I felt that this took up too much attention in the book and hampered parts of the plot and character development.
November 13, 2023
Quick Read
Characters were well developed, .Jennifer, Claire, Tom, Noah, Sean, Layla. It was hard to read when you knew that Jen could do better! Boy if I had a nickel for Everytime I thought that about my friends or even myself! All after the fact!
Characters were well developed, .Jennifer, Claire, Tom, Noah, Sean, Layla. It was hard to read when you knew that Jen could do better! Boy if I had a nickel for Everytime I thought that about my friends or even myself! All after the fact!
January 20, 2019
Pretty good
It was real, like could happen to anyone. Being socially awkward myself I very much related to Jen. I don't think I'd read it again though hence the 4 star rating
It was real, like could happen to anyone. Being socially awkward myself I very much related to Jen. I don't think I'd read it again though hence the 4 star rating
April 19, 2019
Enjoyable enough but the writing was pretty bad. I kept going because I'm a sucker for a feel good romance.
February 10, 2020
palate cleanser
February 20, 2020
Great book
Very good read. Quick paced and fun. I felt like I was there and rooting for Jennifer. Definitely worth reading
Very good read. Quick paced and fun. I felt like I was there and rooting for Jennifer. Definitely worth reading
April 5, 2020
Fast and fun read. Light chick flick.
May 17, 2020
I loved it. The thing about social media is you can be who ever you want to be. That's not necessarily a good thing in this story. You'll have to read it to find out why.
December 18, 2020
3.5 stars, if I could. The story was a little rom com with an unusual, complicated, and humorous premise. A light read with a few likable characters.
January 29, 2023
Cute for what it was. Some spelling/grammar errors and pretty predictable, but an entertaining, quick read.
October 21, 2015
It sucks that this book has to get bad ratings. While I was not too thrilled with it I thought the writing was decent. There's just something that made me not completely hate it.
Jennifer is an overweight, self proclaimed socially awkward, woman studying to get her masters in sociology. She decides that for her final project she's going to do a research paper on the effect of social media in interpersonal relationships. The premise is actually really great. It would be the written version of Cat-fished if you focus on how Jennifer did her paper. For some reason this did not equate to a good story. First Jen acknowledges she is overweight. How many pounds exactly? Not clear on that but she decides to use her weight to her advantage. She creates an alter ego named Olivia and makes a Facebook for both her and her new personality. Olivia is everything she wants to be:skinny, blonde and socially active. Then her sister who happens to be , skinny, blonde and socially active drags her to the gym. Something she cold have definitely done herself is she was adamant about losing the weight she kept telling herself she needed to. They become gym partners and low and behold, Jenny can totally keep up with her sister that works out all the time. this is actually improbable. There's no way that a person who never gets in any exercise can do a full workout and keep up with a personal trainer and her much fitter sister all because the trainer is cute. No way.
Eventually her life becomes complicated when she befriends one of her middle school crushes and she is still crushing on even though he embarrassed her by calling her a cow and going on a sympathy date with her. She clearly has no self esteem at this point. Her life becomes one mess after another without a solid reason for why anything is actually going on. My real problem aside from the major plot holes and the blandness of the book is that Jenny literally had no motivation. She as a spoiled brat living in a sublet of her parents, with no ob while she was going to school full time? Makes no sense. Where did she get the money after she quit her job? She wasn't even socially awkward she was just in need of losing twenty pounds and joining a gym apparently.
This just could have been executed better.
Jennifer is an overweight, self proclaimed socially awkward, woman studying to get her masters in sociology. She decides that for her final project she's going to do a research paper on the effect of social media in interpersonal relationships. The premise is actually really great. It would be the written version of Cat-fished if you focus on how Jennifer did her paper. For some reason this did not equate to a good story. First Jen acknowledges she is overweight. How many pounds exactly? Not clear on that but she decides to use her weight to her advantage. She creates an alter ego named Olivia and makes a Facebook for both her and her new personality. Olivia is everything she wants to be:skinny, blonde and socially active. Then her sister who happens to be , skinny, blonde and socially active drags her to the gym. Something she cold have definitely done herself is she was adamant about losing the weight she kept telling herself she needed to. They become gym partners and low and behold, Jenny can totally keep up with her sister that works out all the time. this is actually improbable. There's no way that a person who never gets in any exercise can do a full workout and keep up with a personal trainer and her much fitter sister all because the trainer is cute. No way.
Eventually her life becomes complicated when she befriends one of her middle school crushes and she is still crushing on even though he embarrassed her by calling her a cow and going on a sympathy date with her. She clearly has no self esteem at this point. Her life becomes one mess after another without a solid reason for why anything is actually going on. My real problem aside from the major plot holes and the blandness of the book is that Jenny literally had no motivation. She as a spoiled brat living in a sublet of her parents, with no ob while she was going to school full time? Makes no sense. Where did she get the money after she quit her job? She wasn't even socially awkward she was just in need of losing twenty pounds and joining a gym apparently.
This just could have been executed better.
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