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Do You Ship It
<
the desire by followers of a fandom for two people (either in real-life or fiction) to be in a romantic relationship>
When Cerys’ secret crush Jake moves to a new college, she realises she’s running out of time to take their relationship from platonic to romantic. She’ll do anything to get out of Jake’s friendzone, even if that means finally diving into the huge fantasy fandom he loves so much. Though she absolutely can’t see the appeal in Of Wrath and Rune, if Jake loves it, then Cerys will too.
But when Jake introduces Cerys to his shiny new friend Max, who goes to all the fandom conventions (and loves a costume or three), Cerys realises she’ll need to do a lot more to grab Jake’s attention than just read a few fanfics.
Can Cerys convince Jake they should become the new couple to ship? Or will he see straight through her cosplay?
A fandom-centric romcom full of TikTok’s favourite tropes such as #mistakenidentity, #enemiestolovers, and #oppositesattract. All about self-confidence and the power of finding your tribe, DO YOU SHIP IT is a beautifully lighthearted YA from bestselling author Beth Reekles, perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Jenny Han, and Lynn Painter.
When Cerys’ secret crush Jake moves to a new college, she realises she’s running out of time to take their relationship from platonic to romantic. She’ll do anything to get out of Jake’s friendzone, even if that means finally diving into the huge fantasy fandom he loves so much. Though she absolutely can’t see the appeal in Of Wrath and Rune, if Jake loves it, then Cerys will too.
But when Jake introduces Cerys to his shiny new friend Max, who goes to all the fandom conventions (and loves a costume or three), Cerys realises she’ll need to do a lot more to grab Jake’s attention than just read a few fanfics.
Can Cerys convince Jake they should become the new couple to ship? Or will he see straight through her cosplay?
A fandom-centric romcom full of TikTok’s favourite tropes such as #mistakenidentity, #enemiestolovers, and #oppositesattract. All about self-confidence and the power of finding your tribe, DO YOU SHIP IT is a beautifully lighthearted YA from bestselling author Beth Reekles, perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Jenny Han, and Lynn Painter.
400 pages, Paperback
Published March 27, 2025
15 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Beth Reekles
28 books2,034 followersBeth Reekles is an author and creator best known for her series The Kissing Booth, which was adapted into a series of hit Netflix movies. She began her writing career by self-publishing The Kissing Booth on story-sharing platform Wattpad at fifteen years old, and earned a three-book deal with Penguin Random House at seventeen. Love, Locked Down is her tenth published book. After obtaining a Physics degree and working a day job in IT, she is now a full-time author and self-confessed nerd who loves to review movies on Instagram @authorbethreekles.
Her published works include:
The Kissing Booth
The Beach House
The Kissing Booth 2: Going the Distance
The Kissing Booth: Road Trip!
The Kissing Booth 3: One Last Time
Rolling Dice
Out of Tune
Cwtch Me If You Can
It Won't Be Christmas Without You
Love, Locked Down/Lockdown on London Lane
Her published works include:
The Kissing Booth
The Beach House
The Kissing Booth 2: Going the Distance
The Kissing Booth: Road Trip!
The Kissing Booth 3: One Last Time
Rolling Dice
Out of Tune
Cwtch Me If You Can
It Won't Be Christmas Without You
Love, Locked Down/Lockdown on London Lane
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 19, 2025
3.25 stars.
April 6, 2025
3.5
A very cute YA romance that looks at self-confidence and being true to yourself.
The relationship development was a little rushed in my opinion as we had maybe two scenes of Cerys and Max interacting 1-1. The rest of the time she viewed him as a third wheel she wanted to drop.
Was a four star read until the very anti-climatic ending. Would loved to have seen more interaction and development between Max and Cerys, instead we get about 10 pages of them being romantically involved.
A very cute YA romance that looks at self-confidence and being true to yourself.
The relationship development was a little rushed in my opinion as we had maybe two scenes of Cerys and Max interacting 1-1. The rest of the time she viewed him as a third wheel she wanted to drop.
Was a four star read until the very anti-climatic ending. Would loved to have seen more interaction and development between Max and Cerys, instead we get about 10 pages of them being romantically involved.
May 17, 2025
this was such a cute read! lovely character development and learning to accept oneself, it spread so much positivity and made me smile lots :) i'm very happy about it
Read
April 27, 2025Awwww this was so cutesy
Like I saw a lot of the twists coming ngl, but the reveal of them was SO GOOD, and yes, this is a YA but I was having fun
and tbh sometimes you just want to read about a girl becoming a nerd and reading/writing fanfic and come into her own in a silly way - I really liked that the classic 'mean girl' trope wasn't fulfilled here as well
Disclaimer: I work at Penguin RH, this opinion is my own.
Like I saw a lot of the twists coming ngl, but the reveal of them was SO GOOD, and yes, this is a YA but I was having fun
and tbh sometimes you just want to read about a girl becoming a nerd and reading/writing fanfic and come into her own in a silly way - I really liked that the classic 'mean girl' trope wasn't fulfilled here as well
Disclaimer: I work at Penguin RH, this opinion is my own.
July 1, 2025
FINALLY an author who understands what a love triangle is....
September 1, 2025
i loved this! the only reason why i didn't put five was because it did tend to go on a bit
August 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ I feel so conflicted about this book and how to rate it?
Let's start with the good first. This is a very cute YA romance story. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the whole geeky fandom thing, being a Comic Con fan myself. The focus on trying to fit in, being true to yourself and struggling with your image was very well done. This was also a really easy read and I can definitely say I like the way Beth writes. Besides this, I'm also a big sucker for text messages and stuff in books so this book having text messages, Discord messages and 'a plan' was really fun!
And now what I didn't really enjoy, which was only one thing essentially: this book is extremely predictable. There were two 'big things' I think would happen almost immediately after I started reading. And yep, both things happened. There wasn't a single surprise in this book for me and that was a little disappointing.
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 & 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑌𝐴 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦!
Let's start with the good first. This is a very cute YA romance story. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the whole geeky fandom thing, being a Comic Con fan myself. The focus on trying to fit in, being true to yourself and struggling with your image was very well done. This was also a really easy read and I can definitely say I like the way Beth writes. Besides this, I'm also a big sucker for text messages and stuff in books so this book having text messages, Discord messages and 'a plan' was really fun!
And now what I didn't really enjoy, which was only one thing essentially: this book is extremely predictable. There were two 'big things' I think would happen almost immediately after I started reading. And yep, both things happened. There wasn't a single surprise in this book for me and that was a little disappointing.
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 & 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑌𝐴 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦!
August 24, 2025
I spotted this book in a Waterstones and was so comically taken aback by it that I knew I had to read it at some point. It didn’t disappoint… Immediately gripped by the warring of millennial fangirl vs modern fandom culture and use of such specific lingo was so impossibly cringy but in the way it’s sort of a digestible train wreck you want to keep reading. Was gripped, read in like 24 hours. After I started thinking about it through the lens of a bad fanfic with lots of tropes it became wonderfully entertaining within its silliness. Also the GAY PLOT TWIST KNOCKED ME OUT- can’t believe that was the twist honestly it literally DOES read like someone’s crazy dramatic fic idea. The MC kind of annoyed me as someone on the side of “always pursuing authentic self” I guess I felt more for all the other characters! Genuinely more entertaining than I expected whilst also being exactly what I expected. A good bad read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ Ik vond de details in het boek een beetje overdone. Het voelde op een gegeven moment echt alsof ik een verhaal in een verhaal aan het lezen was en ik volgde het niet meer helemaal. Vond het tegen het einde wel echt leuker!
@Ayman I KNEW IT
@Ayman I KNEW IT
July 1, 2025
die haben den einen schwul gemacht das gleich die furchtbaren fanfiction wieder aus
April 6, 2025
I haven’t read anything YA in a while but this one just hooked me from the sample. I love a good nerdy, fandom related story and even though the twists aren’t a surprise they’re delivered in a way that’s enjoyable.
May 1, 2025
Beth Reekles has delivered a charming, heartwarming YA romance that speaks directly to the hearts of fandom nerds everywhere. Do You Ship It follows Cerys, a high school student whose best friend Jake has moved to a new college, leaving her desperate to take their relationship from platonic to romantic before it's too late. Her solution? Dive headfirst into Jake's beloved fantasy fandom, Of Wrath and Rune (OWAR), even though she initially can't see the appeal. But when Jake introduces her to his new friend Max, who loves cosplay and conventions, Cerys realizes she'll need to do more than just read a few fanfics to catch Jake's attention.
What unfolds is a delightful exploration of identity, friendship, authenticity, and the beautiful world of fandom communities. As someone who has spent countless hours in various fandoms, I found Reekles' portrayal refreshingly accurate and free from the stereotypical mockery that often taints representations of fandom culture.
Character Development That Shines
Cerys begins as a somewhat frustrating protagonist—solely focused on winning Jake's heart and willing to pretend interest in something just to achieve that goal. Her journey, however, is what makes this book truly special. As she genuinely becomes invested in OWAR and forms connections within its fandom, we see her evolve from someone desperate to fit in to someone comfortable in her own skin.
Max, initially presented as a judgmental obstacle between Cerys and Jake, develops into a complex character whose apparent aloofness masks insecurity and passion. His character arc demonstrates the courage it takes to be unapologetically yourself in a world that often demands conformity.
Jake's storyline includes one of the most sensitively handled coming-out narratives I've read in recent YA fiction. His struggle to understand his identity while maintaining his friendships feels authentic without becoming overly dramatic.
The secondary characters also shine:
- Anissa transforms from "the weird girl" to a true friend whose authenticity inspires Cerys
- Daphne and the college friend group present their own complexities around fitting in
- Cerys's parents navigate their divorce with realistic ups and downs
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Page
Do You Ship It explores several themes with remarkable depth for a romcom:
- Authenticity vs. Conformity: Cerys's journey highlights the exhaustion that comes from constantly trying to be who others expect. Max's character serves as her counterpoint—someone who has already learned the freedom that comes from embracing your true self.
- The Nature of Friendship: The evolving dynamics between Cerys, Jake, Max, and Anissa show how genuine connections can survive misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and major life changes.
- Finding Your Tribe: Perhaps the most touching aspect of the book is watching Cerys find belonging in unexpected places—from Discord chats to art rooms. Reekles beautifully illustrates how fandom provides not just entertainment but community.
- Parental Relationships: The subplot involving Cerys's parents offers a nuanced look at how family dynamics impact teenagers' sense of stability and identity.
The Fandom-Verse: Remarkably Well-Crafted
One of the book's greatest strengths is Reekles' creation of Of Wrath and Rune. The fictional series feels remarkably fleshed-out, with:
- A complex world with fully realized characters
- Shipping wars that mirror real fandom debates
- Authentic Discord exchanges and fanfiction snippets
- Believable conventions and cosplay descriptions
As a reader, I found myself genuinely interested in OWAR—I'd probably watch it if it existed! The "show within a book" device works brilliantly, allowing us to experience Cerys's gradual investment in the fandom alongside her.
Writing Style: Charming and Accessible
Reekles writes with a conversational, engaging voice that captures the humor and heartache of teenage life. The dialogue crackles with authenticity—these sound like real teens, not adults' idea of how teens speak. The romance elements build naturally, with tension that keeps pages turning without feeling contrived.
The structure, alternating between real-life interactions and Discord conversations, effectively illustrates how online and offline personas can diverge and converge. This storytelling choice perfectly mirrors modern teen experiences navigating different social spaces.
What Could Have Been Stronger
While I thoroughly enjoyed Do You Ship It, a few elements could have been stronger:
1. The "miscommunication" trope: The central plot twist relies heavily on Cerys misunderstanding who she's talking to online. While executed better than in many romcoms, this device sometimes stretched credibility.
2. Early pacing: The first third moves somewhat slowly as Cerys's character development takes time to gain momentum.
3. Art storyline: Cerys's realization about her passion for art feels slightly underdeveloped compared to her fandom journey, though it adds another meaningful layer to her character.
4. Supporting characters: Some of the college friend group beyond Daphne blend together and could have benefited from more distinct personalities.
Final Verdict
Do You Ship It is a delightful YA romance that transcends typical genre conventions. What begins as a seemingly superficial pursuit transforms into a genuine journey of self-discovery. Reekles has crafted a story that entertainingly explores how the things we initially pursue for others' approval can become genuine passions that shape our identities.
The characters feel wonderfully authentic, the fandom elements ring true, and the emotional payoffs are earned through meaningful character development. While not perfect in its execution, the novel's heart and charm easily overcome its few shortcomings.
In a world where authenticity is increasingly valued yet difficult to maintain, Do You Ship It offers a reassuring message: being true to yourself—pursuing your interests without apology—not only leads to genuine connections but also to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you truly want.
For anyone who's ever hidden their interests out of fear of judgment or embraced something new only to find unexpected passion, this book will feel like coming home to a fandom you never knew you needed.
The Last Word
Beth Reekles has given us a warm hug of a novel that celebrates the joy of finding your people and the courage to be yourself. In Cerys's journey from pretending to belonging, we're reminded that sometimes the detours we take for the wrong reasons lead us to exactly where we're meant to be. Whether you're a diehard fandom devotee or someone who's never understood the appeal, Do You Ship It invites you into a world where passion—for art, for stories, for people—is something to celebrate, not hide.
And honestly? I ship it.
What unfolds is a delightful exploration of identity, friendship, authenticity, and the beautiful world of fandom communities. As someone who has spent countless hours in various fandoms, I found Reekles' portrayal refreshingly accurate and free from the stereotypical mockery that often taints representations of fandom culture.
Character Development That Shines
Cerys begins as a somewhat frustrating protagonist—solely focused on winning Jake's heart and willing to pretend interest in something just to achieve that goal. Her journey, however, is what makes this book truly special. As she genuinely becomes invested in OWAR and forms connections within its fandom, we see her evolve from someone desperate to fit in to someone comfortable in her own skin.
Max, initially presented as a judgmental obstacle between Cerys and Jake, develops into a complex character whose apparent aloofness masks insecurity and passion. His character arc demonstrates the courage it takes to be unapologetically yourself in a world that often demands conformity.
Jake's storyline includes one of the most sensitively handled coming-out narratives I've read in recent YA fiction. His struggle to understand his identity while maintaining his friendships feels authentic without becoming overly dramatic.
The secondary characters also shine:
- Anissa transforms from "the weird girl" to a true friend whose authenticity inspires Cerys
- Daphne and the college friend group present their own complexities around fitting in
- Cerys's parents navigate their divorce with realistic ups and downs
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Page
Do You Ship It explores several themes with remarkable depth for a romcom:
- Authenticity vs. Conformity: Cerys's journey highlights the exhaustion that comes from constantly trying to be who others expect. Max's character serves as her counterpoint—someone who has already learned the freedom that comes from embracing your true self.
- The Nature of Friendship: The evolving dynamics between Cerys, Jake, Max, and Anissa show how genuine connections can survive misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and major life changes.
- Finding Your Tribe: Perhaps the most touching aspect of the book is watching Cerys find belonging in unexpected places—from Discord chats to art rooms. Reekles beautifully illustrates how fandom provides not just entertainment but community.
- Parental Relationships: The subplot involving Cerys's parents offers a nuanced look at how family dynamics impact teenagers' sense of stability and identity.
The Fandom-Verse: Remarkably Well-Crafted
One of the book's greatest strengths is Reekles' creation of Of Wrath and Rune. The fictional series feels remarkably fleshed-out, with:
- A complex world with fully realized characters
- Shipping wars that mirror real fandom debates
- Authentic Discord exchanges and fanfiction snippets
- Believable conventions and cosplay descriptions
As a reader, I found myself genuinely interested in OWAR—I'd probably watch it if it existed! The "show within a book" device works brilliantly, allowing us to experience Cerys's gradual investment in the fandom alongside her.
Writing Style: Charming and Accessible
Reekles writes with a conversational, engaging voice that captures the humor and heartache of teenage life. The dialogue crackles with authenticity—these sound like real teens, not adults' idea of how teens speak. The romance elements build naturally, with tension that keeps pages turning without feeling contrived.
The structure, alternating between real-life interactions and Discord conversations, effectively illustrates how online and offline personas can diverge and converge. This storytelling choice perfectly mirrors modern teen experiences navigating different social spaces.
What Could Have Been Stronger
While I thoroughly enjoyed Do You Ship It, a few elements could have been stronger:
1. The "miscommunication" trope: The central plot twist relies heavily on Cerys misunderstanding who she's talking to online. While executed better than in many romcoms, this device sometimes stretched credibility.
2. Early pacing: The first third moves somewhat slowly as Cerys's character development takes time to gain momentum.
3. Art storyline: Cerys's realization about her passion for art feels slightly underdeveloped compared to her fandom journey, though it adds another meaningful layer to her character.
4. Supporting characters: Some of the college friend group beyond Daphne blend together and could have benefited from more distinct personalities.
Final Verdict
Do You Ship It is a delightful YA romance that transcends typical genre conventions. What begins as a seemingly superficial pursuit transforms into a genuine journey of self-discovery. Reekles has crafted a story that entertainingly explores how the things we initially pursue for others' approval can become genuine passions that shape our identities.
The characters feel wonderfully authentic, the fandom elements ring true, and the emotional payoffs are earned through meaningful character development. While not perfect in its execution, the novel's heart and charm easily overcome its few shortcomings.
In a world where authenticity is increasingly valued yet difficult to maintain, Do You Ship It offers a reassuring message: being true to yourself—pursuing your interests without apology—not only leads to genuine connections but also to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you truly want.
For anyone who's ever hidden their interests out of fear of judgment or embraced something new only to find unexpected passion, this book will feel like coming home to a fandom you never knew you needed.
The Last Word
Beth Reekles has given us a warm hug of a novel that celebrates the joy of finding your people and the courage to be yourself. In Cerys's journey from pretending to belonging, we're reminded that sometimes the detours we take for the wrong reasons lead us to exactly where we're meant to be. Whether you're a diehard fandom devotee or someone who's never understood the appeal, Do You Ship It invites you into a world where passion—for art, for stories, for people—is something to celebrate, not hide.
And honestly? I ship it.
April 3, 2025
oh how i wish i could read this like it’s the first time! loved the whole nerdy fangirl theme of this book (bc it’s so relatable to me!!) i liked how cerys was able to realise her “flaws” and went outside of her comfort zone (superrrr admirable)! and she didnt need no man to push her into doing so!
max turned out to be just an adorable awkward big guy who doesnt know what to do in front of a girl he fancies!!! i just wished i could read his pov for some of the scenes!! i am so curious what he was actually thinking when cerys gives him the stink eye everytime they meet, that would’ve been fun to read!
it’s not common to find a YA book with a fun theme to it which is why i think i thoroughly enjoyed it. i really do want more…….!!!
max turned out to be just an adorable awkward big guy who doesnt know what to do in front of a girl he fancies!!! i just wished i could read his pov for some of the scenes!! i am so curious what he was actually thinking when cerys gives him the stink eye everytime they meet, that would’ve been fun to read!
it’s not common to find a YA book with a fun theme to it which is why i think i thoroughly enjoyed it. i really do want more…….!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!
This is an easy read if you're looking for a palette cleanser between heavier books. Our main character is Cerys, a 16-year-old girl in South Wales who has a big crush on her best friend, Jake. Unfortuantely for her, Jake has moved and now goes to a different college, alongside being further away from her. To keep their friendship alive and hopefully ignite a relationship, Cerys goes with Jake to a convention for his favourite TV/book series, Of Wrath and Rune. Cerys thinks all that kind of stuff is dumb and weird, but she's desperate to get Jake's attention.
At the convention, she meets Max - Jake's new best friend, whom he met on his new football team and who goes to his new college. Cerys is immediately threatened by Max, not only has he taken her coveted spot as best friend, but he's intruding on what could be the best romance ever between her and Jake.
What follows is Cerys trying to get Jake's attention and get him to ask her to be his girlfriend by pretending to like OWAR and getting increasingly annoyed that Max is always involved. Despite her best attempts and her initial disdain, Cerys ends up becoming enamoured with OWAR as well, particularly the art.
As well as this, we also get Cerys trying to cope with her life in college, where she has no friends and is desperate to not be a loner. She integrates herself into a group of girls who give off a definite mean vibe, but she moulds herself to fit their standards as well.
For a large portion of this book, I found myself annoyed at how shallow and bitchy Cerys was. She has an awful opinion of people liking pop culture despite not appearing to have any real interests of her own, and she's pretty awful to Max and Anissa in her head. Despite this, I also understood that it's a pretty realistic view of a 16-year-old girl who has never been in that environment and who just wants to belong. Her home life is tough, with her parents being on the verge of divorce for years, and now she no longer has Jake to herself.
Her character growth is great to see, and seeing her accept herself and grow to have interests that she genuinely loves was great. The side characters were also great - her female friend group proved to be surprising, and not just shallow one-dimensional girls. I knew what would happen with Jake almost from the off, and Max was just a shy, awkward sweetheart.
Possibly my only real actual complaint is that the book is set in South Wales, and there's not really any use of Welsh? This might sound odd, but I only bring it up because there's one Welsh word that randomly gets used - cwtch, for hug/embrace. But it's not consistent, because then sometimes it'll say hug instead. I'm not Welsh, so I can't speak much about it, but I would've liked to see a few more Welsh words used. Unless this is the extent to how much it's used in South Wales?
Either way, it was a fun book delving into the world of fandom and friendship!
This is an easy read if you're looking for a palette cleanser between heavier books. Our main character is Cerys, a 16-year-old girl in South Wales who has a big crush on her best friend, Jake. Unfortuantely for her, Jake has moved and now goes to a different college, alongside being further away from her. To keep their friendship alive and hopefully ignite a relationship, Cerys goes with Jake to a convention for his favourite TV/book series, Of Wrath and Rune. Cerys thinks all that kind of stuff is dumb and weird, but she's desperate to get Jake's attention.
At the convention, she meets Max - Jake's new best friend, whom he met on his new football team and who goes to his new college. Cerys is immediately threatened by Max, not only has he taken her coveted spot as best friend, but he's intruding on what could be the best romance ever between her and Jake.
What follows is Cerys trying to get Jake's attention and get him to ask her to be his girlfriend by pretending to like OWAR and getting increasingly annoyed that Max is always involved. Despite her best attempts and her initial disdain, Cerys ends up becoming enamoured with OWAR as well, particularly the art.
As well as this, we also get Cerys trying to cope with her life in college, where she has no friends and is desperate to not be a loner. She integrates herself into a group of girls who give off a definite mean vibe, but she moulds herself to fit their standards as well.
For a large portion of this book, I found myself annoyed at how shallow and bitchy Cerys was. She has an awful opinion of people liking pop culture despite not appearing to have any real interests of her own, and she's pretty awful to Max and Anissa in her head. Despite this, I also understood that it's a pretty realistic view of a 16-year-old girl who has never been in that environment and who just wants to belong. Her home life is tough, with her parents being on the verge of divorce for years, and now she no longer has Jake to herself.
Her character growth is great to see, and seeing her accept herself and grow to have interests that she genuinely loves was great. The side characters were also great - her female friend group proved to be surprising, and not just shallow one-dimensional girls. I knew what would happen with Jake almost from the off, and Max was just a shy, awkward sweetheart.
Possibly my only real actual complaint is that the book is set in South Wales, and there's not really any use of Welsh? This might sound odd, but I only bring it up because there's one Welsh word that randomly gets used - cwtch, for hug/embrace. But it's not consistent, because then sometimes it'll say hug instead. I'm not Welsh, so I can't speak much about it, but I would've liked to see a few more Welsh words used. Unless this is the extent to how much it's used in South Wales?
Either way, it was a fun book delving into the world of fandom and friendship!
February 27, 2025
📢 Despite my long review and all the things I have to say about Cerys 😤, the book itself wasn’t bad! I’d totally tell people to give it a shot 📖✨—just because I think something doesn’t mean you will! Every book has good, bad, and neutral reviews, and this is just my take 🤷♀️. Despite everything the story itself it good. Not🚫 all characters in a book are perfect, that's just how the author has written them to be.
💭 The amount of notes I have on this book is CRAZY. There better be character development because I NEED it.
🚨 There are no spoilers.🚨 When Cerys joined the Discord, I was 100% sure that RunicRascal was Max. 🧐🔎 But then things started happening, and now I don’t know what to think! The book really tried to throw me off.
🎭 Cerys is SO SINGLE-MINDED. She thinks every problem has the same solution, and I just know she’s about to make a mess of things.
👀 The way she felt like she had to change herself for Jake? Nope. 🚫 Not a fan. Girl, if you have to pretend to like something for a guy, he’s not the one. 💔
😤 She’s delusional. OF COURSE, he doesn’t see that you’re “meant to be.” BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT.
📝 WHY would you write the plan down in a notebook?! Have we learned nothing?!? ✍️🚫
🎶 Jake’s world does not revolve around you, Cerys. He doesn’t have to tell you he suddenly likes a band. People hear one song, love it, and then deep dive—this is NORMAL. Or maybe Max didn't want to go alone. 😑
🤡 And you don’t like Max “on principle” because he was reluctant to invite you to things? Maybe it’s because YOU don’t like HIM. What do you expect? And the real reason you don’t like him is because he’s Jake’s new best friend. Messy.
🤔 “Max being his usual awful self” ??? What book are YOU reading, Cerys??? 📚💀
😳 And suddenly, she’s thinking about Max, who she 100% does not deserve.
🔥 AHHHHHHH YOU PUT MAX IN HIS PLACE? HIS ATTITUDE??? WHAT ATTITUDE??? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? HE AND EVERYONE ELSE HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH YOUR ATTITUDE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS THIS WHOLE TIME. 🤬 Clearly, every bad thing she says about other people is actually about herself. (Not always true in life, but DEFINITELY true here.) I’M SO ANNOYED.
📌 Also, the cover says she cosplays as his perfect girlfriend… but she never actually cosplayed???
🧐 Okay, so Max has been judgmental, but it’s NOTHING compared to how Cerys judges him and everyone else. Like, who are you to judge???
😕 Jake replacing her was kinda awful, though. If they naturally drifted apart, that’d be one thing. But the way he just switched her out… ouch.
💡 I still think RunicRascal is Max, but the book keeps making things seem like it’s Jake, and I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANYMORE. 🧩😵
🤷♂️ Max apologized for lying, but TECHNICALLY… he wasn’t really lying.
Thanks Netgalley and the author, I had alot of fun with this one actually. 👏🏼🤪⭐
💭 The amount of notes I have on this book is CRAZY. There better be character development because I NEED it.
🚨 There are no spoilers.🚨 When Cerys joined the Discord, I was 100% sure that RunicRascal was Max. 🧐🔎 But then things started happening, and now I don’t know what to think! The book really tried to throw me off.
🎭 Cerys is SO SINGLE-MINDED. She thinks every problem has the same solution, and I just know she’s about to make a mess of things.
👀 The way she felt like she had to change herself for Jake? Nope. 🚫 Not a fan. Girl, if you have to pretend to like something for a guy, he’s not the one. 💔
😤 She’s delusional. OF COURSE, he doesn’t see that you’re “meant to be.” BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT.
📝 WHY would you write the plan down in a notebook?! Have we learned nothing?!? ✍️🚫
🎶 Jake’s world does not revolve around you, Cerys. He doesn’t have to tell you he suddenly likes a band. People hear one song, love it, and then deep dive—this is NORMAL. Or maybe Max didn't want to go alone. 😑
🤡 And you don’t like Max “on principle” because he was reluctant to invite you to things? Maybe it’s because YOU don’t like HIM. What do you expect? And the real reason you don’t like him is because he’s Jake’s new best friend. Messy.
🤔 “Max being his usual awful self” ??? What book are YOU reading, Cerys??? 📚💀
😳 And suddenly, she’s thinking about Max, who she 100% does not deserve.
🔥 AHHHHHHH YOU PUT MAX IN HIS PLACE? HIS ATTITUDE??? WHAT ATTITUDE??? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? HE AND EVERYONE ELSE HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH YOUR ATTITUDE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS THIS WHOLE TIME. 🤬 Clearly, every bad thing she says about other people is actually about herself. (Not always true in life, but DEFINITELY true here.) I’M SO ANNOYED.
📌 Also, the cover says she cosplays as his perfect girlfriend… but she never actually cosplayed???
🧐 Okay, so Max has been judgmental, but it’s NOTHING compared to how Cerys judges him and everyone else. Like, who are you to judge???
😕 Jake replacing her was kinda awful, though. If they naturally drifted apart, that’d be one thing. But the way he just switched her out… ouch.
💡 I still think RunicRascal is Max, but the book keeps making things seem like it’s Jake, and I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANYMORE. 🧩😵
🤷♂️ Max apologized for lying, but TECHNICALLY… he wasn’t really lying.
Thanks Netgalley and the author, I had alot of fun with this one actually. 👏🏼🤪⭐
July 9, 2025
I read this as a change and distraction from my usual books - often high fantasy or romantic fantasy. Every now and then I just need an easy read, no complicated plot lines, a guaranteed happy end, just something to de-stress a little.
And while I’m arguably probably not the target audience for this book, it did exactly that.
It was a cute love story with relatable characters.
While Cerys was not the most likeable every now and then and i found it quite exhausting, especially towards the end, how completely unable she was to understand the whole WhatsApp and Discord thing (trying to go without spoilers here), I could absolutely understand her motivations, especially as a teenager trying to find her place in live.
Max was… well as a reader I think he was the most predictable, with Jake coming as a very close second. For me it felt kind of weird, because their motivations were quite obvious and on the nose as a reader to understand but Cerys was obviously supposed to misunderstand anything and everything these two did and said. It might’ve helped to switch between characters, so that the reader would’ve had the chance to understand their point of view without feeling like “why is Cerys so goddamn stupid?”
But, as I said before, it did for me what it was supposed to do. I read it in one evening to relax and just forget about the world for a while without having to concentrate on complex magic systems or political situations.
Therefor I feel like giving 3 stars for a stable, enjoyable, mostly very predictable read.
And while I’m arguably probably not the target audience for this book, it did exactly that.
It was a cute love story with relatable characters.
While Cerys was not the most likeable every now and then and i found it quite exhausting, especially towards the end, how completely unable she was to understand the whole WhatsApp and Discord thing (trying to go without spoilers here), I could absolutely understand her motivations, especially as a teenager trying to find her place in live.
Max was… well as a reader I think he was the most predictable, with Jake coming as a very close second. For me it felt kind of weird, because their motivations were quite obvious and on the nose as a reader to understand but Cerys was obviously supposed to misunderstand anything and everything these two did and said. It might’ve helped to switch between characters, so that the reader would’ve had the chance to understand their point of view without feeling like “why is Cerys so goddamn stupid?”
But, as I said before, it did for me what it was supposed to do. I read it in one evening to relax and just forget about the world for a while without having to concentrate on complex magic systems or political situations.
Therefor I feel like giving 3 stars for a stable, enjoyable, mostly very predictable read.
March 11, 2025
I really struggled with this in the beginning. Having gone to a separate college to my best friend (other side of the country separate) I thought Cerys was totally over reacting and she needed to get over herself. If I hadn’t had an ARC I probably would’ve DNF-ed, but I’m so, so, so glad I pushed through.
Eight or so chapters in I actually really started enjoying it. I totally called who Cerys would end up with and what would be the reason she wouldn’t be with the other person and I was so excited when I realised that I was right. I feel sorry for my parents who are both going to have to listen to me talking about how I got it right all day tomorrow.
Omegaverse? Mentioned in traditionally published media? I was not expecting that. The whole book was such an interesting take on getting into fandom. For most people it’s just the natural next step of being a fan and you don’t even notice you’re in a fandom until the fandom memes start coming up in your Pinterest feed. I would love a spin off that’s just Of Wrath and Ruin. Reading the fanfiction of it has made me DESPERATE for the canon.
I loved the formatting of the fanfiction and The Plan. The way everything was wrapped up was so good. The love confession had my jaw dropped. Consider me shook.
Eight or so chapters in I actually really started enjoying it. I totally called who Cerys would end up with and what would be the reason she wouldn’t be with the other person and I was so excited when I realised that I was right. I feel sorry for my parents who are both going to have to listen to me talking about how I got it right all day tomorrow.
Omegaverse? Mentioned in traditionally published media? I was not expecting that. The whole book was such an interesting take on getting into fandom. For most people it’s just the natural next step of being a fan and you don’t even notice you’re in a fandom until the fandom memes start coming up in your Pinterest feed. I would love a spin off that’s just Of Wrath and Ruin. Reading the fanfiction of it has made me DESPERATE for the canon.
I loved the formatting of the fanfiction and The Plan. The way everything was wrapped up was so good. The love confession had my jaw dropped. Consider me shook.
August 25, 2025
Did you ever read a book that completely made you lose track of time, and suddenly you've almost finished the book in only a few hours without realising? Hmhmm, that's this book for me!
I found this to be a very cute read that talks a lot about self-discovery, self-worth, and embracing who you are with confidence and without shame. Very YA. I saw myself a lot in Cerys, so I found this book to be quite inspiring and comforting. It just made me feel very happy. :)
I found the romance to be very cute, but I do feel like it was a bit rushed in the end, as we don't get many scenes of them together, and until just right before the ending of the book, she still saw him as a third wheel. Buuutt, I just found their nerdy geekiness together very cute. And I really liked the friend group as well. The character development in this book was just *thumbs up*.
And the book, movie, and game references sprinkled throughout! Also, I could read a whole book just being Cerys' fanfic. And I can't wait to read book 2, which is going to be about Anissa !! ♡
I found this to be a very cute read that talks a lot about self-discovery, self-worth, and embracing who you are with confidence and without shame. Very YA. I saw myself a lot in Cerys, so I found this book to be quite inspiring and comforting. It just made me feel very happy. :)
I found the romance to be very cute, but I do feel like it was a bit rushed in the end, as we don't get many scenes of them together, and until just right before the ending of the book, she still saw him as a third wheel. Buuutt, I just found their nerdy geekiness together very cute. And I really liked the friend group as well. The character development in this book was just *thumbs up*.
And the book, movie, and game references sprinkled throughout! Also, I could read a whole book just being Cerys' fanfic. And I can't wait to read book 2, which is going to be about Anissa !! ♡
March 10, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Beth Reekles for approving me for this ARC! Releasing 27th March!!
Tropes: mistaken identity, opposites attract and enemies to lovers! there’s also ao3 fics mentioned (i need OWAR to be real guys it sound so cool 😔)
5⭐️ all the way!! our girl Cerys is delusional about her crush with Jake (i mean who wouldn’t be?) so she comes up with The Plan. It’s the seemingly perfect guide to get her into his heart! After all, watching all the rom coms had to give her expertise somehow right?
Our FMC decides that the key to success with Jake is to get herself into the fantasy fandom that Jake is obsessed with ‘Of Wrath and Rune’ aka OWAR for short. One small thing, Jake introduces Cerys to Max: an avid cosplayer who throws a wrench into her perfectly crafted plan.
Can Cerys make Jake realise that she’s The One for him and get her ship sailing? Or will he be able to see through her fangirl cosplay? Find out by preordering your own copy!
September 5, 2025
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. When it started I was a bit sceptical about it with how much bad mouthing Cerys was doing for the nerdy hobby, but I ended up being so invested in everything once she started realizing she was enjoying herself with the fandom stuff.
I picked this up on a whim because I'm a cosplayer and it mentioned cosplay, and I wasn't expecting mush from it but damn did it surprise me.
I love the character development, especially for Cerys, and I love seeing how the friendships form and bonds grow stronger.
I managed to guess some things that were to happen, but in a good way where I wanted it to happen and it turned out I was right. To start with I thought I was just reaching because I wanted a certain thing to happen so I was happy when I was right.
I picked this up on a whim because I'm a cosplayer and it mentioned cosplay, and I wasn't expecting mush from it but damn did it surprise me.
I love the character development, especially for Cerys, and I love seeing how the friendships form and bonds grow stronger.
I managed to guess some things that were to happen, but in a good way where I wanted it to happen and it turned out I was right. To start with I thought I was just reaching because I wanted a certain thing to happen so I was happy when I was right.
May 6, 2025
This is the most heartwarming book I have read this year. It is a perfect story of self-acceptance, finding your people, and the struggles of teenage life.
I really enjoyed how it was set in a very small world. As a fantasy reader, I spend a lot of time learning worlds, but this was just Cerys and what she could see in front of her. I think it added to the cosy, teenage feeling and helped me see everything from her point of view.
I loved the references to fanfic and fan art - i feel that B.Reekles has really helped to make this world accessible and break down the stigma around it. Personally, it sounds like my dream.
I really enjoyed the YA romance and feel that Cerys, Jake, Anissa, and Max all have a place in teenage Eloise's heart.
I really enjoyed how it was set in a very small world. As a fantasy reader, I spend a lot of time learning worlds, but this was just Cerys and what she could see in front of her. I think it added to the cosy, teenage feeling and helped me see everything from her point of view.
I loved the references to fanfic and fan art - i feel that B.Reekles has really helped to make this world accessible and break down the stigma around it. Personally, it sounds like my dream.
I really enjoyed the YA romance and feel that Cerys, Jake, Anissa, and Max all have a place in teenage Eloise's heart.
May 11, 2025
What a fun and exciting five-star read. I must be honest and admit that I don’t really ship things, I may be a little old, but I love fanfic, so I really got into this story, fanfic used to be my jam back in the day. My heart broke for Cerys, as I knew where her true hearts desired gaze fell, but as the story progressed it warmed every chamber of my heart. I must admit that my absolute favourite part of this story was the mention of souvenir machines where you change a penny into magic, I have a he collection of these for much the same reason that Cerys did and I have brought it to my adulthood, I am compelled to get one every time I see a machine, they just bring me so much childlike joy. This is a great story no matter your age, you will find something to love on every page.
August 7, 2025
Oh so cuteeee.
I noticed this on display at my local library and the comparison to Lynn Painter (Better Than The Movies is one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far) caught my attention.
I'm not the target audience (currently in my mid-30s😂) but the feeling of finding your place and people and gaining self-confidence are powerful regardless of your age. I also appreciate the message of looking past the surface of people too.
I've already reserved another of Beth's books at the library and I'll be looking for more of her books too.
I noticed this on display at my local library and the comparison to Lynn Painter (Better Than The Movies is one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far) caught my attention.
I'm not the target audience (currently in my mid-30s😂) but the feeling of finding your place and people and gaining self-confidence are powerful regardless of your age. I also appreciate the message of looking past the surface of people too.
I've already reserved another of Beth's books at the library and I'll be looking for more of her books too.
March 22, 2025
I'll be honest, I picked this one up because that's straight up a dude dressed as Zevran Arainai from Bioware's hit 2009 fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins on the cover... and it turned out to be cute cute cute AND cute. It's a love letter to fandom and fantasy and general nerdery, and it's set in Wales, which is always going to get brownie points from me (🏴🫶). I highly enjoyed this one and absolutely will be recommending it to folks looking for a cute, fluffy rom-com with a ton of heart!
August 13, 2025
I enjoyed this. The premise is a combination I hadn’t come across before. I would rate this higher if the writing style could be more misleading for the plot twist because I could predict the plot quite early on. That isn’t to say the story isn’t fun itself. It was still entertaining and enjoyable.
Though I feel like with any book that makes too many contemporary references. I get concerned about how dated this would read in a few years time.
Though I feel like with any book that makes too many contemporary references. I get concerned about how dated this would read in a few years time.
April 20, 2025
Very much enjoyed reading this, I’m not an avid reader but I couldn’t put this one down once I got into it as I really needed Cerys to figure it all out! I could see the little twists from a mile off but I enjoyed finding out I was right!
As with most books, I wish there had been more content after the confession scene. That being because I enjoyed the dynamic of the romance that much!!
As with most books, I wish there had been more content after the confession scene. That being because I enjoyed the dynamic of the romance that much!!
May 26, 2025
This book made me feel like I was 14 again, watching a 2000’s romcom and pining after a cute boy. As a fellow nerd it took me some time to warm up to Cerys (apparently hearing unfiltered prejudice against my hobbies causes a reaction, who knew!), but I’m glad I stuck it out. There’s something comforting about this read and I would love to see more about the characters’ growth in another book!
October 22, 2025
unfortunately i guessed everything like 15% into the book but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it any less because girl made some really stupid decisions
also i liked that we got glimpses of owar through the written scenes of the tv show and that all of that somehow correlates to the main plotline
also i liked that we got glimpses of owar through the written scenes of the tv show and that all of that somehow correlates to the main plotline
April 6, 2025
Wow. I did not expect these last few pages. Some plot twists were to be expected, like Max liking Cerys, but Jake being into guys? Did not see that coming. It does make sense when you look at the cover!
I really liked this book. It was a fun read!
I really liked this book. It was a fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
what the fuuuckk
first 80% of the book? boring.
since the party and the kiss with max? WHAT
and then the meetup in the cafe? WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHATTTTT
makes me want to reread this book right now on the spot.
first 80% of the book? boring.
since the party and the kiss with max? WHAT
and then the meetup in the cafe? WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHATTTTT
makes me want to reread this book right now on the spot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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