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Red Flags
Neither Poppy nor Cam want it to work … until it does. Poppy is known for her high standards. Why bother with relationships when boys don’t ever seem to live up to her expectations? One red flag and she’s out.
Cam is known for quickly developing the ick. He’s never dated anyone for long – a week here, a month there, but he always spooks.
When Poppy’s friends challenge her to give someone a chance for two whole months, Poppy decides that Cam (her mysterious bus crush) could be the best of an underwhelming bunch. But Cam’s been set his own he’s banned from ending things in his next relationship … and that means he’s ready to do whatever he can to put Poppy off.
Two skeptics. Two months. And this time, neither of them can disappear the moment they spot something they don’t like…
Perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Jenny Han and Dolly Alderton. An entertaining escapist romance that's also a topical and nuanced look at healthy relationships. Deftly exploring the difference between what makes a legitimate red flag and what is simply being flawed and human. Perfect for TikTok and Bookstagram, with shades of all the best romcom movies!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 22, 2024
new YA romcom coming in feb, and it would be a crime not to five-star myself. i hope you love poppy and cam like i love poppy and cam 🚩
July 28, 2025
4 1/2 ⭐️
Red Flags von Sophie Jo 🚩
Ich habe dieses Buch total verschlungen, ich mochte es echt gern!
Poppy sieht in jedem ihrer Dates nur die Red Flags und beendet Beziehungen immer bevor sie eigentlich beginnen. Wird sie diesmal den richtigen Mann finden?
Der Schreibstil ist sehr locker, flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Immer wieder kommen kleine Auszüge aus Chats in den Kapiteln vor, was ich persönlich total mag.
Wichtige Themen die in diesem Buch vorkommen sind unter anderem toxische Beziehungen und Feminismus. Es gibt einen queeren Charakter und wichtige, ehrlich schöne Freundschaften.
Ich kann dieses Buch mit besten Gewissen weiterempfehlen, vor allem für jüngere Erwachsene oder Jugendliche Personen. Ich würde mir einen Band zwei sehr wünschen, vielleicht für Poppys Freundin die aus der toxischen Beziehung gekommen ist.
Red Flags von Sophie Jo 🚩
Ich habe dieses Buch total verschlungen, ich mochte es echt gern!
Poppy sieht in jedem ihrer Dates nur die Red Flags und beendet Beziehungen immer bevor sie eigentlich beginnen. Wird sie diesmal den richtigen Mann finden?
Der Schreibstil ist sehr locker, flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Immer wieder kommen kleine Auszüge aus Chats in den Kapiteln vor, was ich persönlich total mag.
Wichtige Themen die in diesem Buch vorkommen sind unter anderem toxische Beziehungen und Feminismus. Es gibt einen queeren Charakter und wichtige, ehrlich schöne Freundschaften.
Ich kann dieses Buch mit besten Gewissen weiterempfehlen, vor allem für jüngere Erwachsene oder Jugendliche Personen. Ich würde mir einen Band zwei sehr wünschen, vielleicht für Poppys Freundin die aus der toxischen Beziehung gekommen ist.
February 4, 2025
If 10 Things I Hate About You had a book, this would be it, and I adored every page. This reminded me of every reason why I love a YA romance, the banter between Poppy and Cam was such a joy to read and they both had me giggling the whole way through. Poppy and Cam both don't want their relationship to work, but no matter how hard they try to put eachother off, they can't seem to hate eachother. Not even a little bit, not even at all. This book was such a swoonworthy yet honest story of healthy relationships and the difference between a red flag and the flaws of being human. I adore Poppy and Cam so much, their banter and chemistry was unmatched and witnessing them slowly fall for one another made my heart so full. If you love a 90s RomCom with a mix of Lynn Painter and Dolly Alderton, Red Flags is undeniably for you.
July 28, 2025
In diesem Liebesroman geht es um zwei junge Leute (ca. 18 Jahre alt und in der Oberstufe), Poppy und Cameron, deren Liebesleben hoffnungslos zu sein scheint.
Poppy hat genaue Vorstellungen davon, wie ihr Traumman sein soll und keiner ihrer Dates hat es bisher geschafft, dass sie sie wieder sehen wollte. Cameron schafft es zwar Beziehungen zu haben, jedoch macht er einen Rückzieher sobald es ernster wird.
Ihre jeweiligen besten Freunde geben ihnen die Aufgabe, sich auf eine ernste Beziehung einzulassen. Während Poppy durchhalten und auf mehrere Dates gehen muss, darf Cameron nicht von sich aus "Schluss" machen. Cam geht mit Poppy aus und gibt sich von seiner schlechtesten Seite, damit sie das beendet. Poppy jedoch darf ihn nicht frühzeitig abservieren.
Der Schreibstil war leider nicht ganz so meins. Er ist sehr modern ("TikTok" und Anglizismen werden hier ständig erwähnt und benutzt) und ist so aufgebaut, als würden die Protagonisten den Lesenden alles direkt erzählen. Objektiv ist der Schreibstil natürlich überhaupt nicht schlecht, nur mir persönlich hat er nicht wirklich zugesagt.
Was mir jedoch das Buch sehr madig gemacht hat, war Poppy. Sie schien sehr heuchlerisch. Sie tut einen auf ober-feministisch, hat aber wiederum eine Liste mit Punkten, die ihr Traummann erfüllen/haben muss. Diese Liste ist total oberflächlich und enthält unter anderem, dass der Mann groß sein muss, er muss gute Haare haben, MUSS ihr Blumen schenken - und WEHE die sind vom Supermarkt! - und er muss ihr auch sonst immer wieder kleine Geschenke machen. Nicht falsch verstehen, jeder hat natürlich das Recht gewisse Erwartungen an seinen künftigen Partner zu haben, aber in diesem Fall finde ich es doch sehr paradox. Man stelle sich mal vor, ein Mann hätte eine Liste worauf stünde, dass die Frau eine gewisse Größe oder ein gewisses Gewicht haben soll. Oder, als Äquivalent zu Poppys Blumen und Geschenken, dass der Mann möchte, dass die Frau ihn oft bekocht - und wehe es ist etwas gekauftes, statt selbst gekocht. Poppy wäre die erste, die lauthalt schreien würde. Ich fand ihre Art leider unerträglich und, dass sie erst ganz am Ende hin in sich ging und eingesehen hat, dass ihre Einstellung mist ist, hat die vorigen 90 % eben nicht wieder wett gemacht. Daher konnte ich auch nicht nachvollziehen, weshalb Cam sie dann so toll finden konnte.
Wer Feminismus extrem feiert und eine Teenie-Lovestory lesen möchte, für den ist dieses Buch sicherlich etwas.
Poppy hat genaue Vorstellungen davon, wie ihr Traumman sein soll und keiner ihrer Dates hat es bisher geschafft, dass sie sie wieder sehen wollte. Cameron schafft es zwar Beziehungen zu haben, jedoch macht er einen Rückzieher sobald es ernster wird.
Ihre jeweiligen besten Freunde geben ihnen die Aufgabe, sich auf eine ernste Beziehung einzulassen. Während Poppy durchhalten und auf mehrere Dates gehen muss, darf Cameron nicht von sich aus "Schluss" machen. Cam geht mit Poppy aus und gibt sich von seiner schlechtesten Seite, damit sie das beendet. Poppy jedoch darf ihn nicht frühzeitig abservieren.
Der Schreibstil war leider nicht ganz so meins. Er ist sehr modern ("TikTok" und Anglizismen werden hier ständig erwähnt und benutzt) und ist so aufgebaut, als würden die Protagonisten den Lesenden alles direkt erzählen. Objektiv ist der Schreibstil natürlich überhaupt nicht schlecht, nur mir persönlich hat er nicht wirklich zugesagt.
Was mir jedoch das Buch sehr madig gemacht hat, war Poppy. Sie schien sehr heuchlerisch. Sie tut einen auf ober-feministisch, hat aber wiederum eine Liste mit Punkten, die ihr Traummann erfüllen/haben muss. Diese Liste ist total oberflächlich und enthält unter anderem, dass der Mann groß sein muss, er muss gute Haare haben, MUSS ihr Blumen schenken - und WEHE die sind vom Supermarkt! - und er muss ihr auch sonst immer wieder kleine Geschenke machen. Nicht falsch verstehen, jeder hat natürlich das Recht gewisse Erwartungen an seinen künftigen Partner zu haben, aber in diesem Fall finde ich es doch sehr paradox. Man stelle sich mal vor, ein Mann hätte eine Liste worauf stünde, dass die Frau eine gewisse Größe oder ein gewisses Gewicht haben soll. Oder, als Äquivalent zu Poppys Blumen und Geschenken, dass der Mann möchte, dass die Frau ihn oft bekocht - und wehe es ist etwas gekauftes, statt selbst gekocht. Poppy wäre die erste, die lauthalt schreien würde. Ich fand ihre Art leider unerträglich und, dass sie erst ganz am Ende hin in sich ging und eingesehen hat, dass ihre Einstellung mist ist, hat die vorigen 90 % eben nicht wieder wett gemacht. Daher konnte ich auch nicht nachvollziehen, weshalb Cam sie dann so toll finden konnte.
Wer Feminismus extrem feiert und eine Teenie-Lovestory lesen möchte, für den ist dieses Buch sicherlich etwas.
November 27, 2025
4.0/5 ✨so cute!!! Really a bit silly and nothing profound to be found. Just a perfect little love story.
February 4, 2025
Eighteen year old Poppy is known for her high standards in dating. In fact, she even has a Dream Man list, with all her favourite—and necessary—qualities in a boyfriend. But, unfortunately for Poppy, Dream Man doesn’t quite exist. And every boy she meets strikes a warning in her eyes that screams RED FLAG! and ultimately—Siri, play The Bolter by Taylor Swift—she’s out at the first sign of being wrong for her. Cam is the same, or at least on a relative level. He gets into relationships, ones he’s sure could work out, and then . . . gets the ick. Runs a mile. Ghosts and pulls away. He deeply wishes things were different, but it’s hard when none of his flings want to have deep, meaningful conversations like he does. Cam is tired of the shallow, and like Poppy, wants something real and compatible: it’s just neither of them know where to start this unlikely search when it’s red flag central out there.
So when their best friends set them a goal—Poppy can’t be the one to break up with her next date, and Cam can’t call things off first either—Poppy goes up to him, her mystery bus crush, and the rest is history. Poppy thinks this will be easy, Cam is nice enough for a short-stint. Cam thinks Poppy is interesting, but he’s holding back knowing he’s bound to go wrong like always. But when an acquaintance of Cam’s tells him about the Dream Man list, he’s determined to be everything Anti-Dream Man to get Poppy to call things off so he can be free to start some self-discovery and lick his wounds. But Poppy needs to prove to her friends that sticking around longer is something she’s capable of. Through every mismatched meeting and failed date, far from a twin-flame connection, Poppy and Cam clash and collide at every turn. Only, Cam is finding his true self coming out around the orange-haired girl that is making her way into his heart, and Poppy is slowly liking the boy she’s dragging into bookstores and who wears Dr. Martens she loves, leaving them with a valid question: is the dwindling relationship neither of them wanted to spark up actually something worth truly igniting for good?
Overall, Red Flags was emotionally resonant, both heartwarming and valid in meaningful insights into positive relationships for teenagers and young adults. Through the eyes of Poppy and Cam, I took away not only a huge amount of importance about empathy, the power of forgiveness when it’s deserved and what true red flags are, but the actual knowledge of what hard work goes into choosing a healthy connection with someone else, friend or date, which is going to be very relatable for younger readers especially dealing with mental health. I think a lot of readers will be able to see themselves in Poppy or Cam, maybe even in their friends or family members who were equally going through complex relationships, and Sophie Jo writes these interwoven, deeply personal and moving sentiments (with tons of laughs and relatable moments that I truly, utterly adored along the way) that are so honest and made for a read that I have been in such a book hangover from. Red Flags will leave you feeling changed and recharged, and I cannot fault a single thing. One of my favourite YA reads I’ve read in a very long time.
So when their best friends set them a goal—Poppy can’t be the one to break up with her next date, and Cam can’t call things off first either—Poppy goes up to him, her mystery bus crush, and the rest is history. Poppy thinks this will be easy, Cam is nice enough for a short-stint. Cam thinks Poppy is interesting, but he’s holding back knowing he’s bound to go wrong like always. But when an acquaintance of Cam’s tells him about the Dream Man list, he’s determined to be everything Anti-Dream Man to get Poppy to call things off so he can be free to start some self-discovery and lick his wounds. But Poppy needs to prove to her friends that sticking around longer is something she’s capable of. Through every mismatched meeting and failed date, far from a twin-flame connection, Poppy and Cam clash and collide at every turn. Only, Cam is finding his true self coming out around the orange-haired girl that is making her way into his heart, and Poppy is slowly liking the boy she’s dragging into bookstores and who wears Dr. Martens she loves, leaving them with a valid question: is the dwindling relationship neither of them wanted to spark up actually something worth truly igniting for good?
Overall, Red Flags was emotionally resonant, both heartwarming and valid in meaningful insights into positive relationships for teenagers and young adults. Through the eyes of Poppy and Cam, I took away not only a huge amount of importance about empathy, the power of forgiveness when it’s deserved and what true red flags are, but the actual knowledge of what hard work goes into choosing a healthy connection with someone else, friend or date, which is going to be very relatable for younger readers especially dealing with mental health. I think a lot of readers will be able to see themselves in Poppy or Cam, maybe even in their friends or family members who were equally going through complex relationships, and Sophie Jo writes these interwoven, deeply personal and moving sentiments (with tons of laughs and relatable moments that I truly, utterly adored along the way) that are so honest and made for a read that I have been in such a book hangover from. Red Flags will leave you feeling changed and recharged, and I cannot fault a single thing. One of my favourite YA reads I’ve read in a very long time.
July 30, 2025
this was a really relatable read, and i enjoyed the vibes and the character but the second hand embarrassment was a lil bit excessive fr.
super cute tho!
super cute tho!
January 15, 2025
Not quite sure how Sophie Jo got inside my head to create Poppy, but someone should alert the government that this technology suddenly exists???
Never have I been called out by a book this much, and as someone who immediately starts looking for red flags the moment I start talking to someone to keep in my back pocket as a relationship 'get out of jail free' card, this was a tad too relatable...
10 Things I Hate About You meets How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days in this adorable, hilarious, and heartfelt YA rom-com all about relationships, their complexities, and their nuances.
Told in dual POV, we follow Poppy and Cam, two teens struggling with commitment issues. Poppy enters ever date armed with a list documenting everything her Dream Man should have and refuses to settle for less, whilst Cam struggles to let anyone get too close and drops them the moment he finds a reason to. Both mc's felt so real and authentic, and despite a rocky start, will quickly have you giggling and kicking your feet as they begin to realise they might just have things in common and an attraction begins to flourish.
The dialogue was so humorous and witty, and felt age appropriate for 17-18yr olds without veering into the realm of cringy and leaning on pop culture references or currently trending topics.
Whilst Red Flags of course explores romantic relationships, the family bonds and friendships in this book were detailed so well and really showed the wide breadth of relationships that exist, and the importance of each and every one. I absolutely adored the friendships, and the side characters felt just as fleshed out and important as Poppy and Cam.
Alongside positive romantic explorations, it also shows the importance of recognising toxic relationships and demonstrates that they don't have to be physically or verbally abusive to be toxic. It delivers such an important depiction, one that I think is particularly important in a YA book where the people reading may just be getting into their first relationships.
Overall, I thought this balanced the humour, banter, and adorable romance plot with some really difficult and important topics that deserve more attention!
Thank you to the team at Scholastic for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Never have I been called out by a book this much, and as someone who immediately starts looking for red flags the moment I start talking to someone to keep in my back pocket as a relationship 'get out of jail free' card, this was a tad too relatable...
10 Things I Hate About You meets How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days in this adorable, hilarious, and heartfelt YA rom-com all about relationships, their complexities, and their nuances.
Told in dual POV, we follow Poppy and Cam, two teens struggling with commitment issues. Poppy enters ever date armed with a list documenting everything her Dream Man should have and refuses to settle for less, whilst Cam struggles to let anyone get too close and drops them the moment he finds a reason to. Both mc's felt so real and authentic, and despite a rocky start, will quickly have you giggling and kicking your feet as they begin to realise they might just have things in common and an attraction begins to flourish.
The dialogue was so humorous and witty, and felt age appropriate for 17-18yr olds without veering into the realm of cringy and leaning on pop culture references or currently trending topics.
Whilst Red Flags of course explores romantic relationships, the family bonds and friendships in this book were detailed so well and really showed the wide breadth of relationships that exist, and the importance of each and every one. I absolutely adored the friendships, and the side characters felt just as fleshed out and important as Poppy and Cam.
Alongside positive romantic explorations, it also shows the importance of recognising toxic relationships and demonstrates that they don't have to be physically or verbally abusive to be toxic. It delivers such an important depiction, one that I think is particularly important in a YA book where the people reading may just be getting into their first relationships.
Overall, I thought this balanced the humour, banter, and adorable romance plot with some really difficult and important topics that deserve more attention!
Thank you to the team at Scholastic for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2025
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD OMG R U KIDDING I LOVED THIS SO MUCH SOLID SOLID 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟AHHHHH
this is fs a comfort book, it was so adorable and i love it when a book can explain things abt me that i can’t so perfectly sdjfjfhdjks
did i mention i loved this book?
this was a little like betting on you by lynn painter with a sprinkle of better than the movies also by lynn painter and not in a repetitive way, in the best way possible
———minor spoilers ahead———
how is it that i was literally at a park reading this annnnd was wearing a saturn necklace
also normally hate third act breakups/tries to fix everything in the last 50 pages after something goes wrong but this one was done so so perfectly. brooo i loved this book
this is fs a comfort book, it was so adorable and i love it when a book can explain things abt me that i can’t so perfectly sdjfjfhdjks
did i mention i loved this book?
this was a little like betting on you by lynn painter with a sprinkle of better than the movies also by lynn painter and not in a repetitive way, in the best way possible
———minor spoilers ahead———
how is it that i was literally at a park reading this annnnd was wearing a saturn necklace
also normally hate third act breakups/tries to fix everything in the last 50 pages after something goes wrong but this one was done so so perfectly. brooo i loved this book
November 19, 2024
4.5 Stars
Holly Bourne meets Dolly Alderton in this witty, escapist YA Rom-Com that deftly (and entertainingly) explores the nuances of relationships, and the differences between red flags, annoyances-turned-icks, and the flaws of being human.
Given the misinformation and confusion that sometimes surrounds the term ‘Red Flag’, Sophie Jo brings a much needed dose of humour and clarity to a highly relevant topic. That I’m sure readers are will find just as entertaining and informative as I did.
Told from the dual POVs of two commitment shy teens, and the “How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days” style premise they inadvertently find themselves in— Rom com lovers should prepare to be utterly hooked.
Poppy and Cam, (our MCs) were both incredibly endearing and fascinating characters. Who despite their initial, opposing personalities and enemies to lovers-esque dynamics, really have more in common than they first realise. Their chemistry and banter was off the charts, and when compared with some of the other relationships we see, their rocky start doesn’t seem nearly soo bad.
I adored the The Bookshop Date scene and Gnome conversation Poppy and Cam have, both of which gave me a good chuckle. But some of the most memorable scenes were actually ones where Poppy and Cam aren’t together.
It’s these quiet, more introspective scenes that really brought a sense of poignancy and depth to their characters; allowing us to delve a little into their thoughts and feelings, and learn why they’re both so against giving relationships a chance.
If you love 90s/ 00s Rom-coms, then you’ll be pleased to know those vibes were fabulously strong. And the character interactions (particularly Poppy’s narrative voice) felt very Georgia Nicholson-adjacent, (though with less snark and more kindness and inclusivity) that I know readers will very much appreciate.
I don’t want to spoil anything plot wise, but I will say Sophie Jo captures the realities of teenage feelings and relationships really well. So if you have any teen readers in your life, I throughly recommend gifting them a copy of this as soon as possible— ‘cause it’s absolutely AMAZING!
And, a huge thank you to Tina Mories & Scholastic UK for the physical proof.
Holly Bourne meets Dolly Alderton in this witty, escapist YA Rom-Com that deftly (and entertainingly) explores the nuances of relationships, and the differences between red flags, annoyances-turned-icks, and the flaws of being human.
Given the misinformation and confusion that sometimes surrounds the term ‘Red Flag’, Sophie Jo brings a much needed dose of humour and clarity to a highly relevant topic. That I’m sure readers are will find just as entertaining and informative as I did.
Told from the dual POVs of two commitment shy teens, and the “How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days” style premise they inadvertently find themselves in— Rom com lovers should prepare to be utterly hooked.
Poppy and Cam, (our MCs) were both incredibly endearing and fascinating characters. Who despite their initial, opposing personalities and enemies to lovers-esque dynamics, really have more in common than they first realise. Their chemistry and banter was off the charts, and when compared with some of the other relationships we see, their rocky start doesn’t seem nearly soo bad.
I adored the The Bookshop Date scene and Gnome conversation Poppy and Cam have, both of which gave me a good chuckle. But some of the most memorable scenes were actually ones where Poppy and Cam aren’t together.
It’s these quiet, more introspective scenes that really brought a sense of poignancy and depth to their characters; allowing us to delve a little into their thoughts and feelings, and learn why they’re both so against giving relationships a chance.
If you love 90s/ 00s Rom-coms, then you’ll be pleased to know those vibes were fabulously strong. And the character interactions (particularly Poppy’s narrative voice) felt very Georgia Nicholson-adjacent, (though with less snark and more kindness and inclusivity) that I know readers will very much appreciate.
I don’t want to spoil anything plot wise, but I will say Sophie Jo captures the realities of teenage feelings and relationships really well. So if you have any teen readers in your life, I throughly recommend gifting them a copy of this as soon as possible— ‘cause it’s absolutely AMAZING!
And, a huge thank you to Tina Mories & Scholastic UK for the physical proof.
March 2, 2025
This book is like a big hug and makes you smile from beginning to end
August 5, 2025
(Das Cover ist eine offensichtliche 10/10! Liebe einfach alles daran!!)
“Red Flags” ist eine absolut süße Liebesgeschichte über das Dating-Leben von zwei 18 jährigen, die nicht nur scharfsinnig, sondern auch witzig und sogar ein wenig emotional.
Poppy weiß genau wie ihr Traummann aussehen und welche Eigenschaften er haben soll und Cam weiß irgendwie, aber eigentlich nicht so richtig wie seine Zukünftige sein soll.
Daher macht es natürlich total Sinn, wenn beide sich gegenseitig Daten.
Hier wird allerdings nicht nur die Beziehung von Poppy & Cam thematisiert, sondern auch viele andere Beziehung, sowohl freundschaftliche, als auch familiäre, die nicht immer alle toll & einfach sind. Genauso findet man Themen wie Feminismus & toxische Beziehungen, die im entsprechenden Rahmen besprochen werden.
Was mir an Poppy sehr gefallen hat war nicht nur, dass sie sehr selbstbewusst und selbstsicher ist, sondern dass sie sowohl für sich als auch für ihre Freunde einsteht und auch zum Ende hin, genauso wie Cam, selbstreflektierend über ihr Verhalten nachdenkt.
Hier gab es auf jeden Fall Potential, einige Nebenhandlungen (der Werdegang nach dem Schulabschluss, Williams & Jordans Beziehung, Stephanies neues Single-Leben) etwas weiter auszubauen, obwohl ich verstehen kann, warum man es nicht gemacht hat.
Ich kann das Buch allen empfehlen, die gerne eine cute YA Romance lesen möchten!
“Red Flags” ist eine absolut süße Liebesgeschichte über das Dating-Leben von zwei 18 jährigen, die nicht nur scharfsinnig, sondern auch witzig und sogar ein wenig emotional.
Poppy weiß genau wie ihr Traummann aussehen und welche Eigenschaften er haben soll und Cam weiß irgendwie, aber eigentlich nicht so richtig wie seine Zukünftige sein soll.
Daher macht es natürlich total Sinn, wenn beide sich gegenseitig Daten.
Hier wird allerdings nicht nur die Beziehung von Poppy & Cam thematisiert, sondern auch viele andere Beziehung, sowohl freundschaftliche, als auch familiäre, die nicht immer alle toll & einfach sind. Genauso findet man Themen wie Feminismus & toxische Beziehungen, die im entsprechenden Rahmen besprochen werden.
Was mir an Poppy sehr gefallen hat war nicht nur, dass sie sehr selbstbewusst und selbstsicher ist, sondern dass sie sowohl für sich als auch für ihre Freunde einsteht und auch zum Ende hin, genauso wie Cam, selbstreflektierend über ihr Verhalten nachdenkt.
Hier gab es auf jeden Fall Potential, einige Nebenhandlungen (der Werdegang nach dem Schulabschluss, Williams & Jordans Beziehung, Stephanies neues Single-Leben) etwas weiter auszubauen, obwohl ich verstehen kann, warum man es nicht gemacht hat.
Ich kann das Buch allen empfehlen, die gerne eine cute YA Romance lesen möchten!
August 17, 2025
Gegensätze zum Anziehen verleitet
Sophie Jo hat mit "Red Flags" einen romantischen Roman mit Enemies-to-Lovers Trope geschrieben.
Das Buchcover stellt Poppy und Cam recht prägnant in den Mittelpunkt und die beiden Individualisten werden begleitet vom Slogan "Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist?".
Das ist das Thema des Buches, denn beide haben Beziehungsprobleme, wollen sich nicht festlegen, suchen immer nach etwas besserem und sind im Endeffekt aber nicht mutig genug.
Dann werden sie unabhängig von einander von Freunden zu einer Challenge motiviert. So nimmt alles seinen Lauf.
Der Erzählstil ist sehr jugendlich und ich fühle mich beim Lesen in die Welt der 18 jährigen Charaktere versetzt. Was mir phasenweise ehrlich gesagt zu Teenager ist. (Ich bin aber auch schon doppelt so alt).
Durch den lockeren, spritzigen Schreibstil wird es aber nie langweilig und ich lese das Buch ziemlich zügig durch.
Die Charaktere wandeln sich, was ich persönlich sehr schön finde.
Ein Buch für (junge) Fans von romantischen Komödien bei denen schon am Beginn klar ist, dass sich die sich zunächst angrummelnden Hauptfiguren am Ende doch bekommen.
Sophie Jo hat mit "Red Flags" einen romantischen Roman mit Enemies-to-Lovers Trope geschrieben.
Das Buchcover stellt Poppy und Cam recht prägnant in den Mittelpunkt und die beiden Individualisten werden begleitet vom Slogan "Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist?".
Das ist das Thema des Buches, denn beide haben Beziehungsprobleme, wollen sich nicht festlegen, suchen immer nach etwas besserem und sind im Endeffekt aber nicht mutig genug.
Dann werden sie unabhängig von einander von Freunden zu einer Challenge motiviert. So nimmt alles seinen Lauf.
Der Erzählstil ist sehr jugendlich und ich fühle mich beim Lesen in die Welt der 18 jährigen Charaktere versetzt. Was mir phasenweise ehrlich gesagt zu Teenager ist. (Ich bin aber auch schon doppelt so alt).
Durch den lockeren, spritzigen Schreibstil wird es aber nie langweilig und ich lese das Buch ziemlich zügig durch.
Die Charaktere wandeln sich, was ich persönlich sehr schön finde.
Ein Buch für (junge) Fans von romantischen Komödien bei denen schon am Beginn klar ist, dass sich die sich zunächst angrummelnden Hauptfiguren am Ende doch bekommen.
March 29, 2025
What a joy of a book to read! I laughed out loud. I cried. And I’m left feeling very happy about the ending.
Cam and Poppy attend the same college but don’t really know each other. They each have commitment issues, for different reasons. When unbeknownst to them they are each tasked by a friend with trying to make a relationship last, fate brings them together on the back seat of a bus.
A few fake dates in, can they actually be starting to like each other?
The Author deals with teen angst and young relationships very well. There are a number of issues from a broken home to a controlling boyfriend which are dealt with sensitively. Although the latter issue is second to the plot, it is a very important issue and I hope this book is read by many teens and young adults just starting their dating journey which will help them realise when they are being controlled by a partner. Even adults in long term relationships can benefit from reading this and spotting the signs.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Cam, Poppy and (most of!) their friends.
January 8, 2025
A beautiful and relatable story about relationships and the red flags we sometimes encounter.
I absolutely loved this right from the start! Poppy and Cam are both such brilliant and vibrant characters and I adore them so much! I definitely relate more to Cam with his silent broodiness and love for animals!
There was several times where my emotions got the best of me while reading this and I wouldn't change a thing. I laughed, I swooned, I cursed and I now want to read it all over again.
Always a pleasure to read this authors work and I cant wait for whatever is next .
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this right from the start! Poppy and Cam are both such brilliant and vibrant characters and I adore them so much! I definitely relate more to Cam with his silent broodiness and love for animals!
There was several times where my emotions got the best of me while reading this and I wouldn't change a thing. I laughed, I swooned, I cursed and I now want to read it all over again.
Always a pleasure to read this authors work and I cant wait for whatever is next .
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2025
౨ৎ | “the real issue here is: why hasn't a boy ever waited longer than thirty seconds to disappoint me?”
— ★ 1.5/5
i wanted to like this i really did but the characters were insufferable and i just KNOW they broke up a month into their relationship LMFAO
— ★ 1.5/5
i wanted to like this i really did but the characters were insufferable and i just KNOW they broke up a month into their relationship LMFAO
April 13, 2025
Loved this warm, sweet, funny romance.
A lot.
A lot.
October 29, 2025
Did not enjoy this book whatsoever.The plot was quite boring to me and just didn’t really like the characters that much as they weren’t that interesting to me.Made my self push through this book.
February 23, 2025
Absolutely loved reading Red Flags by Sophie Jo. Wonderful characters, who came to life so easily inside my mind. I instantly felt connected with Poppy and Cam (and many of the other characters!) and felt fully invested in their story! The narrative flowed exquisitely and I didn't want the book to end. Sophie's style of writing is so heartwarming, funny, relatable and also thought provoking. Loved everything about this book. ❤️
August 17, 2025
Red flags is a great book that shows that sometimes what we think we want in a partner isn’t what we necessarily need whilst also being a cute YA novel that had me feeling.
January 15, 2026
Verdiene ich die Beziehung,die ich führe oder andersrum : was muss ich mir alles bieten lassen,um eine Beziehung zu führen. Glaubwürdige Figuren und gute Dialoge.
October 25, 2025
Dieses Buch ist einfach Zucker🥹🥹🥹.
November 27, 2025
Oh how I love the world inside a Sophie Jo book! This was absolutely delightful, deeply funny but also very moving! I’ll miss Poppy and Cam
September 5, 2025
Rezension
Buchname: Red Flags: Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist? | Scharfsinnige Enemies-to-lovers RomCom über Red Flags beim Dating und in Beziehungen | Mit Farbschnitt exklusiv in der ersten Auflage
Autor: Sophie Jo
Seiten: 279 (Print)
Fromat: als Print und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Insel Verlag
Sterne: 3
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in dunklen bzw rotfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann ein Pärchen, und den Titel als Fahne auf dem Cover erkennen.. .. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
+++Aufwendig gestaltete limitierte Erstauflage mit Farbschnitt, nur solange der Vorrat reicht+++
Die achtzehnjährige Poppy hatte noch nie eine richtige Beziehung. Bislang hat jeder Junge ihre hohen Erwartungen enttäuscht. Zu einem zweiten Date kommt es nie, denn Poppy hat noch bei jedem einen Fehler gefunden. Auch Cams Beziehungen halten nie lange, denn immer wenn es ernst werden könnte, ergreift der Achtzehnjährige die Flucht. Als Poppys Freunde sie auffordern, zwei Monate lang jemandem eine Chance zu geben, beschließt sie, es mit Cam, ihrem Crush aus dem Bus, zu versuchen. Auch Cam hat sich etwas vorgenommen: Er wird dieses Mal nicht derjenige sein, der Schluss macht. Schon beim ersten Date sehen beide Red Flags, bei denen sie normalerweise sofort davonlaufen würden. Doch so einfach will keiner von beiden aufgeben – und dann kommen auch noch die Gefühle dazwischen …
Für alle, die an Liebe auf den zweiten Blick glauben
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Die Hauptprotagonistin ist Poppy
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Cam
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Red Flags: Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist?“ von Sophie Jo gut gefallen. Es war eine total süße und goldige Geschichte über rote Flaggen in einer Beziehung bzw beim Daten. In diesem Buch begleiten wir Poppy, die noch nie einen Freund hatte. Okay, das Mädel ist gerade mal 18 Jahre alt und Cam, dessen Beziehungen nie lange anhalten. Da beide unabhängig voneinander sich Challengen in Bezug auf Dating und Beziehungen, wird es hier teilweise echt sehr lustig. Wer mehr wissen möchte, kann sich ja den Klappentext dazu durchlesen ;) Ich fande es ganz okay das Buch. Es war locker leicht geschrieben und sehr nett. Aber mir persönlich hat einfach das gewisse Extra gefehlt. Mir persönlich war es einfach nicht tiefgründig genug. Aber ich bin einfach auch fast 20 Jahre älter. Es war ganz nett und mir hat die Geschichte dennoch gut gefallen. Für zwischendurch war es ganz nett. Denn knapp 300 Seiten hat man mal an einem Abend gelesen. Ich mochte auch die ganze Art und Weise von der Autorin sehr gerne. Mir hat aber nur die emotionale Ebene und die Tiefe bei den Figuren gefehlt. Dennoch hatte ich ein paar sehr schöne und auch lustige Lesestunden, obwohl die Ansprüche sehr hoch waren bei den beiden Hauptprotagonisten. Deswegen vergebe ich „Red Flags“ lieb gemeinte 3 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Ganz nettes RomCom Buch über Red Flags beim Dating für ein sehr junges Publikum.
Buchname: Red Flags: Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist? | Scharfsinnige Enemies-to-lovers RomCom über Red Flags beim Dating und in Beziehungen | Mit Farbschnitt exklusiv in der ersten Auflage
Autor: Sophie Jo
Seiten: 279 (Print)
Fromat: als Print und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Insel Verlag
Sterne: 3
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in dunklen bzw rotfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann ein Pärchen, und den Titel als Fahne auf dem Cover erkennen.. .. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
+++Aufwendig gestaltete limitierte Erstauflage mit Farbschnitt, nur solange der Vorrat reicht+++
Die achtzehnjährige Poppy hatte noch nie eine richtige Beziehung. Bislang hat jeder Junge ihre hohen Erwartungen enttäuscht. Zu einem zweiten Date kommt es nie, denn Poppy hat noch bei jedem einen Fehler gefunden. Auch Cams Beziehungen halten nie lange, denn immer wenn es ernst werden könnte, ergreift der Achtzehnjährige die Flucht. Als Poppys Freunde sie auffordern, zwei Monate lang jemandem eine Chance zu geben, beschließt sie, es mit Cam, ihrem Crush aus dem Bus, zu versuchen. Auch Cam hat sich etwas vorgenommen: Er wird dieses Mal nicht derjenige sein, der Schluss macht. Schon beim ersten Date sehen beide Red Flags, bei denen sie normalerweise sofort davonlaufen würden. Doch so einfach will keiner von beiden aufgeben – und dann kommen auch noch die Gefühle dazwischen …
Für alle, die an Liebe auf den zweiten Blick glauben
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Die Hauptprotagonistin ist Poppy
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Cam
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Red Flags: Was, wenn die falsche Person die richtige ist?“ von Sophie Jo gut gefallen. Es war eine total süße und goldige Geschichte über rote Flaggen in einer Beziehung bzw beim Daten. In diesem Buch begleiten wir Poppy, die noch nie einen Freund hatte. Okay, das Mädel ist gerade mal 18 Jahre alt und Cam, dessen Beziehungen nie lange anhalten. Da beide unabhängig voneinander sich Challengen in Bezug auf Dating und Beziehungen, wird es hier teilweise echt sehr lustig. Wer mehr wissen möchte, kann sich ja den Klappentext dazu durchlesen ;) Ich fande es ganz okay das Buch. Es war locker leicht geschrieben und sehr nett. Aber mir persönlich hat einfach das gewisse Extra gefehlt. Mir persönlich war es einfach nicht tiefgründig genug. Aber ich bin einfach auch fast 20 Jahre älter. Es war ganz nett und mir hat die Geschichte dennoch gut gefallen. Für zwischendurch war es ganz nett. Denn knapp 300 Seiten hat man mal an einem Abend gelesen. Ich mochte auch die ganze Art und Weise von der Autorin sehr gerne. Mir hat aber nur die emotionale Ebene und die Tiefe bei den Figuren gefehlt. Dennoch hatte ich ein paar sehr schöne und auch lustige Lesestunden, obwohl die Ansprüche sehr hoch waren bei den beiden Hauptprotagonisten. Deswegen vergebe ich „Red Flags“ lieb gemeinte 3 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Ganz nettes RomCom Buch über Red Flags beim Dating für ein sehr junges Publikum.
November 28, 2024
Thank you so much for Sophie and the team at Scholastic for managing to get me a proof of this book... you best believe it'll be on everyone's TBR (and anyone who follows me) in the spring.
I had the pleasure of read Sophie Jo's debut in 2023... an underrated gem of a book, and one of my absolute favourite YA reads, a book I recommend an awful lot. It was tender and heartwarming, soft and realistic, and I loved Sophie's style of writing... the soft brush of romance, realistic familial upheaval, and twists on the typical coming-of-age genre.
This book is completely different.
It's a rom-com, yet British and YA, which excited me in so many ways when I first saw its announcement. It's also set in Birmingham, however subtly, and in the same universe as Sophie Jo's debut, which was a pleasant twist. We follow Poppy, a feisty, orange-haired feminist who's dead-set on finding her Dream Man, and Cam, or Cameron, who's always scared to get attached to girls, and bucks at the first hurdle. What follows is a delightful love story set in a sprawling British sixth form... lies and confusion and denial, and two teens, at the heart of it all, who can't deny their attraction to one another.
If I'm honest, I couldn't stand Poppy for most of the book - and if she hadn't changed, I would've been very upset. I was praying and praying for her redemption the whole time. Without spoiling (because I don't think it's a spoiler to say that a protagonist in a well-written book has a character arc), I was so relieved when Poppy's mum, in the final chapters, told Poppy exactly what I'd been thinking all along... and how I think a lot of teens today think and act.
Poppy is a very black and white, or all or nothing, person. She sees people as good and bad. Dream Man or Nightmare Man. She thinks she's right an awful lot of the time, and struggles to see why people - her parents, or her best friend - might stay in unhealthy relationships, however much they're hurting. There's one scene in the beginning where she's on a date in Nando's, and said date is embarrassed by any talk of periods, therefore blacklisting the poor boy from her potential boyfriend list. While my own boyfriend luckily enjoys menstruation talk, my mother can't even say the word out loud... not because she's a terrible person, but because of the stigma in society and how uncomfortable this topic still is to most of the world.
Cam, on the other hand, is a sweet and authentic teenage boy, and experienced genuine heartache and turmoil throughout the book. I loved the inclusion of a grandparent in the book, because I don't think we see it enough in YA, despite a large amount of young people living with their grandparents in this day and age, and being hugely effected by their age, often causing grief and stress around times such as exams and university applications. I found Cam's relationship to Stan beautiful and realistic, and such an important plotline.
'The Nicest Girl' still reigns supreme, but I loved this new genre for Sophie Jo, and I can't wait to read her next work. I really hope this book works to entice new readers into UKYA, with its contemporary feel and relevant title... and I'll be waiting eagerly to read whatever she writes next.
I had the pleasure of read Sophie Jo's debut in 2023... an underrated gem of a book, and one of my absolute favourite YA reads, a book I recommend an awful lot. It was tender and heartwarming, soft and realistic, and I loved Sophie's style of writing... the soft brush of romance, realistic familial upheaval, and twists on the typical coming-of-age genre.
This book is completely different.
It's a rom-com, yet British and YA, which excited me in so many ways when I first saw its announcement. It's also set in Birmingham, however subtly, and in the same universe as Sophie Jo's debut, which was a pleasant twist. We follow Poppy, a feisty, orange-haired feminist who's dead-set on finding her Dream Man, and Cam, or Cameron, who's always scared to get attached to girls, and bucks at the first hurdle. What follows is a delightful love story set in a sprawling British sixth form... lies and confusion and denial, and two teens, at the heart of it all, who can't deny their attraction to one another.
If I'm honest, I couldn't stand Poppy for most of the book - and if she hadn't changed, I would've been very upset. I was praying and praying for her redemption the whole time. Without spoiling (because I don't think it's a spoiler to say that a protagonist in a well-written book has a character arc), I was so relieved when Poppy's mum, in the final chapters, told Poppy exactly what I'd been thinking all along... and how I think a lot of teens today think and act.
Poppy is a very black and white, or all or nothing, person. She sees people as good and bad. Dream Man or Nightmare Man. She thinks she's right an awful lot of the time, and struggles to see why people - her parents, or her best friend - might stay in unhealthy relationships, however much they're hurting. There's one scene in the beginning where she's on a date in Nando's, and said date is embarrassed by any talk of periods, therefore blacklisting the poor boy from her potential boyfriend list. While my own boyfriend luckily enjoys menstruation talk, my mother can't even say the word out loud... not because she's a terrible person, but because of the stigma in society and how uncomfortable this topic still is to most of the world.
Cam, on the other hand, is a sweet and authentic teenage boy, and experienced genuine heartache and turmoil throughout the book. I loved the inclusion of a grandparent in the book, because I don't think we see it enough in YA, despite a large amount of young people living with their grandparents in this day and age, and being hugely effected by their age, often causing grief and stress around times such as exams and university applications. I found Cam's relationship to Stan beautiful and realistic, and such an important plotline.
'The Nicest Girl' still reigns supreme, but I loved this new genre for Sophie Jo, and I can't wait to read her next work. I really hope this book works to entice new readers into UKYA, with its contemporary feel and relevant title... and I'll be waiting eagerly to read whatever she writes next.
February 3, 2025
I don’t often read YA anymore but from the moment I read this book’s description, I knew I had to read it so I didn’t hesitate when I was offering a proof and omg!! I was so right! This book was amazing - I had such a good time reading it!
I think the biggest reason why I enjoyed this book so much is because of how relatable the characters were. Poppy especially - I swear lots of her thoughts came straight from my brain. I just love her so much!! From her style to her personality and the way she’s certain of her convictions and knows what she wants, she’s just such an amazing character. As someone who also tends to be very idealistic and see things a bit black and white, it was amazing to see a character like her fight for what she wanted and believed in but also see her grow and come to the realisation that sometimes things aren’t so black and white and I think that’s something we all need reminding of sometimes. I certainly do 🫣
On to Cam, what I can I say about Cam? He was such a sweet guy and I just wanted to give him a big hug and protect him form any pain; after all, he’s certainly been through enough. He might have been a quiet person but he paid attention and he heard people and took their thoughts into account and what could be better than that?
Poppy and Cam were so good together. I loved their banter, which made me laugh out loud multiple times and thought their chemistry was great. Seeing them get to know each other, with Cam realising that he wanted Poppy more than he was scared of losing her and Poppy realising that maybe her idea of the ‘Dream Man’ was just that - a dream - and that Cam - the real deal- was so much more and so much better than she could have imagined was heartwarming. I loved following their journey and couldn’t have been happier that they found their happy ending, though I definitely wasn’t ready for this book to end.
I also have to mention their friends! I loved how tight this group of friend was and how much they loved each other, and supported each other. I loved how honest the girls could be with each other and how they knew each other so well. I also really appreciated the message about toxic relationships, which I think the author dealt with beautifully.
Overall, an amazing romance with great characters that will make you laugh and swoon.
A massive thank you to Scholastic UK for sending me this proof 🫶🫶
I think the biggest reason why I enjoyed this book so much is because of how relatable the characters were. Poppy especially - I swear lots of her thoughts came straight from my brain. I just love her so much!! From her style to her personality and the way she’s certain of her convictions and knows what she wants, she’s just such an amazing character. As someone who also tends to be very idealistic and see things a bit black and white, it was amazing to see a character like her fight for what she wanted and believed in but also see her grow and come to the realisation that sometimes things aren’t so black and white and I think that’s something we all need reminding of sometimes. I certainly do 🫣
On to Cam, what I can I say about Cam? He was such a sweet guy and I just wanted to give him a big hug and protect him form any pain; after all, he’s certainly been through enough. He might have been a quiet person but he paid attention and he heard people and took their thoughts into account and what could be better than that?
Poppy and Cam were so good together. I loved their banter, which made me laugh out loud multiple times and thought their chemistry was great. Seeing them get to know each other, with Cam realising that he wanted Poppy more than he was scared of losing her and Poppy realising that maybe her idea of the ‘Dream Man’ was just that - a dream - and that Cam - the real deal- was so much more and so much better than she could have imagined was heartwarming. I loved following their journey and couldn’t have been happier that they found their happy ending, though I definitely wasn’t ready for this book to end.
I also have to mention their friends! I loved how tight this group of friend was and how much they loved each other, and supported each other. I loved how honest the girls could be with each other and how they knew each other so well. I also really appreciated the message about toxic relationships, which I think the author dealt with beautifully.
Overall, an amazing romance with great characters that will make you laugh and swoon.
A massive thank you to Scholastic UK for sending me this proof 🫶🫶
June 19, 2025
4.5/5 the ending imo felt a bit flat compared to the rest of the book , nonetheless i thoroughly enjoyed this book , heavy ‘better than the movies’ vibes (definitely read this if you like that book because it gives wes and liz energy)
this book got me out of a reading slump so if that doesn’t prove to you it’s read worthy then idk what will considering the reading slump consisted of me listening to bad audiobooks for 6 months before giving this book a chance and thank goodness i did 🙂🫶
it begins with the pov of poppy essentially introducing us to her life . we get to know her friends and her outlook on boys . she wants to find the ‘dream man’ and he has to have all the redeeming qualities she looks for , written on her list . her friends challenge her to try go out with a boy for atleast two months as she is infamous for letting boys go after one small mishap , hence , the plan is made and onto cams pov
cam 😍 , he is MY dream man tbh . he was challenged by his girl best friend to go out with someone instead of messing around with girls as he is known to have done before . he is always the one breaking things off therefore this time he will let the girl break things off , the power is in her hands .
poppy and cam have a very cute ‘meet-cute’ on a bus . it’s a very awkward yet cute interaction and you can already see how this is going to play out . they get to know eachother and poppy asks cam out and it’s a deal !
as the book progresses cam learns about poppy’s dream man list through another person (without poppy knowing) and wants to become the nightmare man for poppy because he can’t be the one to break things off . he shows up looking questionable and makes very ‘smart’ comments on things poppy likes .
poppy does not give up no matter how undreammanable this cam is , and is confused by his behaviour as it’s different to what he was like originally . the book moves on and cam realises he is developing feelings for poppy .
if i say anything else i feel like i will be spoiling it so please just read it i loved it ! 💕 it had me smiling the whole time and rooting for cam and poppy the whole book !
this book got me out of a reading slump so if that doesn’t prove to you it’s read worthy then idk what will considering the reading slump consisted of me listening to bad audiobooks for 6 months before giving this book a chance and thank goodness i did 🙂🫶
it begins with the pov of poppy essentially introducing us to her life . we get to know her friends and her outlook on boys . she wants to find the ‘dream man’ and he has to have all the redeeming qualities she looks for , written on her list . her friends challenge her to try go out with a boy for atleast two months as she is infamous for letting boys go after one small mishap , hence , the plan is made and onto cams pov
cam 😍 , he is MY dream man tbh . he was challenged by his girl best friend to go out with someone instead of messing around with girls as he is known to have done before . he is always the one breaking things off therefore this time he will let the girl break things off , the power is in her hands .
poppy and cam have a very cute ‘meet-cute’ on a bus . it’s a very awkward yet cute interaction and you can already see how this is going to play out . they get to know eachother and poppy asks cam out and it’s a deal !
as the book progresses cam learns about poppy’s dream man list through another person (without poppy knowing) and wants to become the nightmare man for poppy because he can’t be the one to break things off . he shows up looking questionable and makes very ‘smart’ comments on things poppy likes .
poppy does not give up no matter how undreammanable this cam is , and is confused by his behaviour as it’s different to what he was like originally . the book moves on and cam realises he is developing feelings for poppy .
if i say anything else i feel like i will be spoiling it so please just read it i loved it ! 💕 it had me smiling the whole time and rooting for cam and poppy the whole book !
July 25, 2025
„Ich habs dir schon mal gesagt und sage es gern wieder.“
„Lass es ruhig.“
„RED FLAG.“
Seite 14
Poppy ist 18 und weiß genau, was sie von einem Jungen erwartet. Zum zweiten Date hat es bei ihr bisher noch keiner geschafft. Cam ist ebenfalls nicht sehr gut in Beziehungen, sobald es ernst wird, ergreift er die Flucht. Als Poppys Freunde sie überreden, zwei Monate lang jemandem eine Chance zu geben, beschließt sie, es mit Cam, ihrem Crush aus dem Bus, zu versuchen. Cam steht vor einem ähnlichen Problem: seine beste Freundin zwingt ihn, aus der nächsten möglichen Beziehung nicht wegzulaufen. So sind die beiden also aneinandergebunden, auch wenn die Red Flags beim ersten Date schon aufleuchten …
„Cam, glaub mir, die Vorstellung, eine echte Person sein zu müssen, versetzt mich regelmäßig in Panik.“
Seite 66
Ich mag das Cover super gern! Gesichter finde ich oft schwierig, auf dem Cover, aber hier mag ich die Zeichnung total und sie passen einfach soo gut zum Inhalt! Schön schlicht und doch besonders – I like ♥
Der Einstieg ins Buch ist super leicht. Es wird abwechselnd aus Sicht von Poppy und Cam erzählt und ich habe mich eigentlich direkt zurechtgefunden mit Schulsetting und Freundeskreis. Der Schreibstil ist sehr leicht und angenehm und verleiht der Handlung einen lockeren Ton. Poppy ist herrlich sarkastisch und hat schon früh mithilfe des Filmes „Die Braut des Prinzen“ gelernt, was sie von einem Jungen erwartet, es gibt sogar eine Liste.
Cam wird nicht unbedingt in geordneten Verhältnissen groß und das prägt ihn sehr. Seine beste Freundin versucht zu intervenieren und gibt sich alle Mühe, ihm eine Hilfe zu sein.
Das Buch erzählt vom Alltag, von Selbstfindung, von schlechten Beziehungen und guten. Es erzählt von Liebe und Wachstum, von Verlust und von Freundschaft. Ich hab es sehr sehr gerne gelesen, es geht tief, ist aber auch leicht und die Figuren wachsen mit jedem Kapitel ein kleines bisschen. Klare Lesemepfehlung und wieder mal die Frage: Warum zum Kuckuck mussten wir Törleß in der Schule lesen und nicht sowas??!
Ein Mädchen. Eine Liste. Ein Date. Wie schwer kann das schon werden?
Seite 88
December 20, 2024
4.5 stars!
If you're not bothered to read my review at least know, This book is an epic telling of the classic RomCom category.
I took this book to read and review for my school library, many thanks for the early copy to whoever my teacher got it from! When I took this book I honestly thought it would be just another mediocre teen romance, Just the usual. But wow. Just wow.
The book sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks before I picked it up and I had just read Throne Of Glass so my expectations were both really high and unbelievably low all at once but the moment I started I knew this was due to be a good read.
Sophie Jo's writing style isn't that of a writer like Tolkien or any classic writer but it has its own flair. I was immediately interested and I wanted to know more about the characters and although I knew where the plot was going to go I needed to know how. How were Poppy and Cam going to go from strangers on a bus to lovers?
Again I wasn't disappointed.
It wasn't a straight line from point A to point B, It was like my route from school to the town library (I get lost even though it's 5 minutes) Which I found highly enjoyable since it made for an original plot, something that made me want to read so much more of. It didn't just go from 'the two didn't know each other' to 'and they lived happily as lovers' There was an in between. There were highs and lows, there were ups and downs.
I was also skeptical because I can't lie, I don't read Heterosexual romances very often it's generally Homosexual, call me weird but I like the difference, I find that it can get repetitive but I wasn't disapointed in that way either! There was a diversity that is hard to find and even though the main characters were a man and a woman, a boy and a girl, There was still representation. Like Williams or Jordan. It didn't stick out like a sore thumb either, it was natural. I don't know if anyone else will notice this but I specifically look for these things.
Poppy has a plan. She won't settle for anything less than her dream man. She even has a list! She refuses to end up like her parents, miserable, their love run dry.
She dates plenty, she goes out but then the boy doesn't like the same music as her or gets grossed out at the mention of her period, well...You could say there would be no second date.
Poppy's friends, Jordan and Stephanie are concerned that she gets a red flag far too easy and so they challenge her. She has to stay in a relationship for 2 whole months. If she quits her friends' point is proven. If she succeeds they leave her alone.
That seems easy enough to Poppy. She decides that her 2 month man needs to be 'bus boy', The mysterious boy appears every couple of weeks at the back of the bus. He seemed nice enough to her.
Cam gets the ick over everything. He's one for deep conversation and he doesn't really enjoy formalities, this gets him nowhere. It's not that he's very picky he just hasn't found his girl. He lives with his granddad and only has two real friends. (Including his granddad, he counts!) When his friend, Williams, starts to get concerned over the fact that Cam is gaining a reputation for ditching girls she gives him a dare, a challenge, per say. Cam cannot be the one to end his next relationship.
Poppy seems like a nice enough girl and when she asks him to meet up he decides to accept but not before he gets his hands on Poppy's top secret 'dream man list'
With Cam determined to make Poppy end their dating fiasco and Poppy trying desperately trying to tolerate Cam's behaviour nothing could ever bloom between them. Right...?
Sorry but no spoilers!
All in all I think this is a must read for any teen and a seriously enjoyable read for anyone else!
If you're not bothered to read my review at least know, This book is an epic telling of the classic RomCom category.
I took this book to read and review for my school library, many thanks for the early copy to whoever my teacher got it from! When I took this book I honestly thought it would be just another mediocre teen romance, Just the usual. But wow. Just wow.
The book sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks before I picked it up and I had just read Throne Of Glass so my expectations were both really high and unbelievably low all at once but the moment I started I knew this was due to be a good read.
Sophie Jo's writing style isn't that of a writer like Tolkien or any classic writer but it has its own flair. I was immediately interested and I wanted to know more about the characters and although I knew where the plot was going to go I needed to know how. How were Poppy and Cam going to go from strangers on a bus to lovers?
Again I wasn't disappointed.
It wasn't a straight line from point A to point B, It was like my route from school to the town library (I get lost even though it's 5 minutes) Which I found highly enjoyable since it made for an original plot, something that made me want to read so much more of. It didn't just go from 'the two didn't know each other' to 'and they lived happily as lovers' There was an in between. There were highs and lows, there were ups and downs.
I was also skeptical because I can't lie, I don't read Heterosexual romances very often it's generally Homosexual, call me weird but I like the difference, I find that it can get repetitive but I wasn't disapointed in that way either! There was a diversity that is hard to find and even though the main characters were a man and a woman, a boy and a girl, There was still representation. Like Williams or Jordan. It didn't stick out like a sore thumb either, it was natural. I don't know if anyone else will notice this but I specifically look for these things.
Poppy has a plan. She won't settle for anything less than her dream man. She even has a list! She refuses to end up like her parents, miserable, their love run dry.
She dates plenty, she goes out but then the boy doesn't like the same music as her or gets grossed out at the mention of her period, well...You could say there would be no second date.
Poppy's friends, Jordan and Stephanie are concerned that she gets a red flag far too easy and so they challenge her. She has to stay in a relationship for 2 whole months. If she quits her friends' point is proven. If she succeeds they leave her alone.
That seems easy enough to Poppy. She decides that her 2 month man needs to be 'bus boy', The mysterious boy appears every couple of weeks at the back of the bus. He seemed nice enough to her.
Cam gets the ick over everything. He's one for deep conversation and he doesn't really enjoy formalities, this gets him nowhere. It's not that he's very picky he just hasn't found his girl. He lives with his granddad and only has two real friends. (Including his granddad, he counts!) When his friend, Williams, starts to get concerned over the fact that Cam is gaining a reputation for ditching girls she gives him a dare, a challenge, per say. Cam cannot be the one to end his next relationship.
Poppy seems like a nice enough girl and when she asks him to meet up he decides to accept but not before he gets his hands on Poppy's top secret 'dream man list'
With Cam determined to make Poppy end their dating fiasco and Poppy trying desperately trying to tolerate Cam's behaviour nothing could ever bloom between them. Right...?
Sorry but no spoilers!
All in all I think this is a must read for any teen and a seriously enjoyable read for anyone else!
February 13, 2025
Words can’t express how much I adore Poppy and Cam! I loved Sophie’s writing; it’s emotionally engaging, charmingly witty, insightful, and had me hooked from the start. I enjoyed every minute of their journeys and didn’t want it to end!
The story perfectly encapsulates first love in all its complicated glory, the wonder, excitement, vulnerability, and uncertainty, as it explores what a healthy relationship looks like and what a “red flag” really means.
There’s so much depth to the characters, each has their own unique perspective on relationships. Cam avoids meaningful ones, he’s scared of not being enough. Seeing how his childhood has shaped his views completely tugged on my heartstrings. I loved the relationship he has with his Grandad, it was a joy getting to know Stan and I was glad he had him in his corner.
Poppy finds red flags instantly in pursuit of her “dream man” and strikes out any dates that don’t have the qualities on her list. I enjoyed the friendship dynamic between her, Stephanie and Jordan, the way they support each other and want only the best for each other.
As Poppy and Cam’s worlds collide they both take on challenges setting them on a course that could change everything. Walls come down, truths are shared, they understand and accept each other. Just when their views on relationships seem to be changing, with Poppy preferring something real over the imaginary and Cam realising that sometimes taking a risk is the only way to go, misunderstandings arise calling it all into question…
I loved the How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days vibes that ensue, the comedy and humour, their banter and comebacks, the sabotage, and trying to be the complete opposites of who they are! I was fully caught up in the story and couldn’t put it down! I was all in!
Red Flags deals with important themes of self-acceptance, accepting people’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, and has a positive attitude to dating and relationships making for a refreshing read. The story’s utterly charming, beautiful inside and out, and the perfect YA rom-com to curl up with and escape. Add this to your TBR asap if it’s not already on there!
Perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Jenny Han and Dolly Alderton.
With thanks to @TinaMories, @scholasticuk and @sophiejowrites for the fabulous book package.
The story perfectly encapsulates first love in all its complicated glory, the wonder, excitement, vulnerability, and uncertainty, as it explores what a healthy relationship looks like and what a “red flag” really means.
There’s so much depth to the characters, each has their own unique perspective on relationships. Cam avoids meaningful ones, he’s scared of not being enough. Seeing how his childhood has shaped his views completely tugged on my heartstrings. I loved the relationship he has with his Grandad, it was a joy getting to know Stan and I was glad he had him in his corner.
Poppy finds red flags instantly in pursuit of her “dream man” and strikes out any dates that don’t have the qualities on her list. I enjoyed the friendship dynamic between her, Stephanie and Jordan, the way they support each other and want only the best for each other.
As Poppy and Cam’s worlds collide they both take on challenges setting them on a course that could change everything. Walls come down, truths are shared, they understand and accept each other. Just when their views on relationships seem to be changing, with Poppy preferring something real over the imaginary and Cam realising that sometimes taking a risk is the only way to go, misunderstandings arise calling it all into question…
I loved the How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days vibes that ensue, the comedy and humour, their banter and comebacks, the sabotage, and trying to be the complete opposites of who they are! I was fully caught up in the story and couldn’t put it down! I was all in!
Red Flags deals with important themes of self-acceptance, accepting people’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, and has a positive attitude to dating and relationships making for a refreshing read. The story’s utterly charming, beautiful inside and out, and the perfect YA rom-com to curl up with and escape. Add this to your TBR asap if it’s not already on there!
Perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Jenny Han and Dolly Alderton.
With thanks to @TinaMories, @scholasticuk and @sophiejowrites for the fabulous book package.
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