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My Life as a Hashtag
I'd been warned - in French, no less. By a tram-riding, mermaid-swaying, wolf-eaten, peace-sign flipping friend. I knew she wouldn't be happy if I stayed out here by the pool, with Jed's nail tracing the length of my neck.
But I didn't want to go inside. I didn't want another drink. I wanted to stay out here and see what would happen.
What’s a girl to do when her parents have split up; her mum’s trawling Tinder; and one of her best friends has decided not to invite her to the biggest party of the year, which she then has to watch unfold on everyone else’s social media?
If you’re a girl called MC, you get mad as hell, that’s what you do.
But what begins as one girl’s private, no-holds-barred rant soon snowballs in the most public way possible.
But I didn't want to go inside. I didn't want another drink. I wanted to stay out here and see what would happen.
What’s a girl to do when her parents have split up; her mum’s trawling Tinder; and one of her best friends has decided not to invite her to the biggest party of the year, which she then has to watch unfold on everyone else’s social media?
If you’re a girl called MC, you get mad as hell, that’s what you do.
But what begins as one girl’s private, no-holds-barred rant soon snowballs in the most public way possible.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
8 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Williams
6 books90 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Gabrielle Williams has worked in recording studios, advertising and television. Her first novel for young adults, Beatle Meets Destiny, was shortlisted for two literary awards in 2010.
Gabrielle Williams has worked in recording studios, advertising and television. Her first novel for young adults, Beatle Meets Destiny, was shortlisted for two literary awards in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 6, 2017
A movement. A phenomenon. A complete and utter disaster.
i was very disappointed with this book because i thought it was going to be centred around this post that goes viral and we the main character dealing with it, however i was completely wrong and was very confused when i was reading it. Don't get me wrong there is a post that goes viral but it's not the main thing of the story i feel like its just a secondary thing.
Plot: The main character is MC living Melbourne, Australia her parents have divorced and she's living with her mum and her older brother Harley. Social media is a big part of this story and how quickly things can be spread around and go viral so quickly which i really enjoyed about this book , however we don't really see the post going viral until around page 200 and it felt rushed and not dealt with that well and i was left scratching my head. We do see how quickly the post MC did about one of her friends effected the girl and everyone around her but i wanted more because i feel like there was so much left out of it.
I wanted the message of how dangerous social media is to be stronger and more impactful and sadly it wasn't and i feel a little disappointed. The message however of bullying was very clear and i really loved that and it was different to see the main character be the person be the cyber bully by accident.
When i heard about this book at the Sydney Writers festival it was sold to me as a tumblr post gone viral and i went in expecting that but sadly waiting to about page 200 before i even start to see that. I wanted the book to deal with it throughout the entire book so i could see how it could be solve and maybe even teach people but that didn't happen.
This book was a very quick read for me and if you are in a reading slump i would say maybe pick this one up if you love contemporary novels
i was very disappointed with this book because i thought it was going to be centred around this post that goes viral and we the main character dealing with it, however i was completely wrong and was very confused when i was reading it. Don't get me wrong there is a post that goes viral but it's not the main thing of the story i feel like its just a secondary thing.
Plot: The main character is MC living Melbourne, Australia her parents have divorced and she's living with her mum and her older brother Harley. Social media is a big part of this story and how quickly things can be spread around and go viral so quickly which i really enjoyed about this book , however we don't really see the post going viral until around page 200 and it felt rushed and not dealt with that well and i was left scratching my head. We do see how quickly the post MC did about one of her friends effected the girl and everyone around her but i wanted more because i feel like there was so much left out of it.
I wanted the message of how dangerous social media is to be stronger and more impactful and sadly it wasn't and i feel a little disappointed. The message however of bullying was very clear and i really loved that and it was different to see the main character be the person be the cyber bully by accident.
When i heard about this book at the Sydney Writers festival it was sold to me as a tumblr post gone viral and i went in expecting that but sadly waiting to about page 200 before i even start to see that. I wanted the book to deal with it throughout the entire book so i could see how it could be solve and maybe even teach people but that didn't happen.
This book was a very quick read for me and if you are in a reading slump i would say maybe pick this one up if you love contemporary novels
September 28, 2017
Trigger warnings: bullying, social exclusion, premature birth.
4.25 stars.
This was, hands down, one of the best depictions of sixteen year old girls that I've ever read. Their friendships are complex and messy, their constant use of social media is accurate, their relationships with their parents and their siblings are significant and complicated and feelsy.
The "I posted something on social media that I shouldn't have" part takes a while to turn up, given the title. But all the build up culminates in a moment that feels completely authentic, a moment where you completely feel for MC and you feel like her response to the situation is understandable.
Did it annoy me that the protagonist is named MC, which I kept reading as "main character"? Yes. Did it annoy me that the post-that-goes-viral part of the story happens about 75% of the way through the story? Also yes. Is it slightly preachy? Sure.
But as someone who spends her life around a thousand teenage girls on a daily basis? Uh, yeah. It's accurate. And it spells out that actions have ramifications in a way that they need it spelled out.
4.25 stars.
This was, hands down, one of the best depictions of sixteen year old girls that I've ever read. Their friendships are complex and messy, their constant use of social media is accurate, their relationships with their parents and their siblings are significant and complicated and feelsy.
The "I posted something on social media that I shouldn't have" part takes a while to turn up, given the title. But all the build up culminates in a moment that feels completely authentic, a moment where you completely feel for MC and you feel like her response to the situation is understandable.
Did it annoy me that the protagonist is named MC, which I kept reading as "main character"? Yes. Did it annoy me that the post-that-goes-viral part of the story happens about 75% of the way through the story? Also yes. Is it slightly preachy? Sure.
But as someone who spends her life around a thousand teenage girls on a daily basis? Uh, yeah. It's accurate. And it spells out that actions have ramifications in a way that they need it spelled out.
June 30, 2017
For everyone who has written they shouldn't have on the internet! 😣
Thank god my teenage years were over (1999) when the internet was just happening. Back when I was teenager I had a diary that I could vent and nobody saw and I could destroy by putting into the fire and gone forever.
Tough times now for teenagers growing up with click of a button that could destroy your reputation.
This should be read by everyone and discussed.
Thank god my teenage years were over (1999) when the internet was just happening. Back when I was teenager I had a diary that I could vent and nobody saw and I could destroy by putting into the fire and gone forever.
Tough times now for teenagers growing up with click of a button that could destroy your reputation.
This should be read by everyone and discussed.
June 14, 2017
"Statement ... He sounds like a douche"
I'm surprised that I ended up liking this book. In between eye-rolls at the teens, the entire story made me nervous because of all the conflict between friends. Teenage girls have this way of blowing things way out of proportion and are naïve enough not to know how to respond appropriately. That's ok, because eventually they get so tired of being upset and angry that they figure out a better way to deal with the woes in life - the magnificent phenomena of maturing! All of those outsiders thought they had the sense to judge these girls and their situation and that kind of crowd mentality is one of the things that's wrong with the world.
"So yeah, hi. Pleased to meet you. I'm Claudie. I start at Allumby in three Mond'ies' time".
I'm surprised that I ended up liking this book. In between eye-rolls at the teens, the entire story made me nervous because of all the conflict between friends. Teenage girls have this way of blowing things way out of proportion and are naïve enough not to know how to respond appropriately. That's ok, because eventually they get so tired of being upset and angry that they figure out a better way to deal with the woes in life - the magnificent phenomena of maturing! All of those outsiders thought they had the sense to judge these girls and their situation and that kind of crowd mentality is one of the things that's wrong with the world.
"So yeah, hi. Pleased to meet you. I'm Claudie. I start at Allumby in three Mond'ies' time".
June 13, 2017
Any book that features Network has my attention. This is the first YA novel that I've read this year that hasn't relied heavily on sentimentality and I loved it. Timely and topical it's a great read for anyone, but especially teens of course, navigating the digital world and social media. I say this every time but thank all that's holy that there was no social media when I was a teen.
'Maybe I didn't have to tell everyone every single thing that was rotating inside my head - just the important stuff. Maybe I could take that sarcastic comment or bitchy remark that was clanging against my brain, and instead of venting on the internet, I could put it in a box and lock the box ...'
'Maybe I didn't have to tell everyone every single thing that was rotating inside my head - just the important stuff. Maybe I could take that sarcastic comment or bitchy remark that was clanging against my brain, and instead of venting on the internet, I could put it in a box and lock the box ...'
June 12, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
I received a copy of this book last month from Allen & Unwin with my friend in a competition and I was very much looking forward to reading it because it's an Australian author, from a publishing company I love and the plot sounded interesting. Although, when I started reading the first page, I realised I had read the first chapter before in Allen & Unwin's sampler book of upcoming YA fiction from last year when this book had a different title. That concerned me a little because I went back and read my thoughts on the sample and saw that I didn't enjoy it whatsoever but I was hopeful that having the full book would interest me much more and I would like it, luckily I did!
MC was a great main character because she was so flawed and exactly what a modern teenager is so I think that's great representation and something teen readers can latch onto. She goes to parties and snapchats too much, she has bad thoughts about her frenemies and crushes hard on a boy. Then she makes a bad decision and kisses that off limits boy at that party because he's into her and not the friend that laid claim on him. I think the process of a girl (or guy) seeing a person and putting a mark on them like they're theirs and assuming the other person wants to be with them is really gross so I'm glad her friend didn't get him but I think MC was wrong to not talk to her about it first.
The main character is living a pretty average life with friends, family (recently divorced parents) and high school. For teenagers, these days every thought that crosses their mind may be documented and if you didn't take photos, were you really at that party or were you sitting at home on a Saturday night? No teenager would admit that they have a need to be liked or noticed but everyone going through that phase will understand the need to have their opinions heard. In this case, MC's thoughts are heard loud and clear over the whole world via the joyful wonder that is the internet. It is absolutely insane what happens when MC gets mad as hell one night and the ramifications are massive. Personally, I thought that part of the book needed more focus based on the effect her decisions had to herself and others but it was a really quick, enjoyable read.
Overall, the plot was light and interesting for contemporary fiction that is also pressing hard into the digital age of teenagers where everything is documented on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and more. Writing about certain apps and social media trends can be risky with books in concern to how it will be read in ten years from now because everything in this digital age changes so quickly but I think the core message of being careful about what you post online and the damage one post can do to someone or yourself will always be relevant. I think it was a great book that could even be used as some light reading in Australian schools when referencing the fictional and very real effect and threat social media and online activity can bring upon a person.
I received a copy of this book last month from Allen & Unwin with my friend in a competition and I was very much looking forward to reading it because it's an Australian author, from a publishing company I love and the plot sounded interesting. Although, when I started reading the first page, I realised I had read the first chapter before in Allen & Unwin's sampler book of upcoming YA fiction from last year when this book had a different title. That concerned me a little because I went back and read my thoughts on the sample and saw that I didn't enjoy it whatsoever but I was hopeful that having the full book would interest me much more and I would like it, luckily I did!
MC was a great main character because she was so flawed and exactly what a modern teenager is so I think that's great representation and something teen readers can latch onto. She goes to parties and snapchats too much, she has bad thoughts about her frenemies and crushes hard on a boy. Then she makes a bad decision and kisses that off limits boy at that party because he's into her and not the friend that laid claim on him. I think the process of a girl (or guy) seeing a person and putting a mark on them like they're theirs and assuming the other person wants to be with them is really gross so I'm glad her friend didn't get him but I think MC was wrong to not talk to her about it first.
The main character is living a pretty average life with friends, family (recently divorced parents) and high school. For teenagers, these days every thought that crosses their mind may be documented and if you didn't take photos, were you really at that party or were you sitting at home on a Saturday night? No teenager would admit that they have a need to be liked or noticed but everyone going through that phase will understand the need to have their opinions heard. In this case, MC's thoughts are heard loud and clear over the whole world via the joyful wonder that is the internet. It is absolutely insane what happens when MC gets mad as hell one night and the ramifications are massive. Personally, I thought that part of the book needed more focus based on the effect her decisions had to herself and others but it was a really quick, enjoyable read.
Overall, the plot was light and interesting for contemporary fiction that is also pressing hard into the digital age of teenagers where everything is documented on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and more. Writing about certain apps and social media trends can be risky with books in concern to how it will be read in ten years from now because everything in this digital age changes so quickly but I think the core message of being careful about what you post online and the damage one post can do to someone or yourself will always be relevant. I think it was a great book that could even be used as some light reading in Australian schools when referencing the fictional and very real effect and threat social media and online activity can bring upon a person.
October 18, 2017
A modern cautionary tale! We've all deleted something we felt momentarily righteous about, so the story of MC and her hasthag nightmare is something everyone of us can understand. It's an excellent story about friendship, teenagers, families, bullying and social pressure and a reminder that our electronic footprint can come back to haunt us - so tread carefully.
July 2, 2017
Read in one sitting in a cafe, had to hide my face behind the teapot so people wouldn't see me crying. Fucking utterly devastating (and amazing).
April 9, 2024
I’m not sure if this book was supposed to be funny (a former work colleague described it as ‘hilarious’), to me it was a very salutary lesson on teens and social media.
Set in Melbourne, I got the private school vibes and while I imagined Kew or Hawthorn, there were beach locales so probably Brighton or Beaumaris.
MC vents on social media using an app that vocalises celebrities footage with MC’s comments and the videos go viral. Along with friendship rifts as a result of her actions, MC is dealing with her parents’ separation and other growing pains.
Gabrielle Williams definitely knew how to write YA and I’ve enjoyed all her books. Sadly Gabby died prematurely from a massive stroke in 2023. She has been memorialised in the Readings Gabby Williams Prize. I have the first winner from 2023 Completely Normal by Biffy James ready to read next.
Vale Gabrielle Williams, a great author.
Set in Melbourne, I got the private school vibes and while I imagined Kew or Hawthorn, there were beach locales so probably Brighton or Beaumaris.
MC vents on social media using an app that vocalises celebrities footage with MC’s comments and the videos go viral. Along with friendship rifts as a result of her actions, MC is dealing with her parents’ separation and other growing pains.
Gabrielle Williams definitely knew how to write YA and I’ve enjoyed all her books. Sadly Gabby died prematurely from a massive stroke in 2023. She has been memorialised in the Readings Gabby Williams Prize. I have the first winner from 2023 Completely Normal by Biffy James ready to read next.
Vale Gabrielle Williams, a great author.
March 5, 2018
MC gets on the bad side of her friend Anouk when she hooks up with a boy Anouk likes. So Anouk blocks her on social media, ignores her for weeks, then has a party - and invites everyone except MC. With no one to rant to but strangers on the internet, MC takes to tumblr... and lives to regret it.
What I liked:
The story was engaging and held my attention throughout
All the characters were flawed but mostly good people, and MC does have a journey of self-discovery
Always nice to see positive sibling relationships in fiction
What I didn't like:
It all felt rather contrived and preachy about how everything online is permanent
How many subplots does one story need? I get that we’re meant to understand what a crap night it was for MC and so be more forgiving of the way she wrote about her friends, but instead of presenting HER as someone we can easily empathise with, she seemed to just be piled on with so many problems it’s like a shiny beacon saying PITY ME. And while none of those issues in isolation would be unbelievable, I did find it a bit far fetched that they’d all be happening in her life simultaneously.
Minor issue, but the names. Anouk/Annick has a completely unnecessary name change that implies a quite different racial background, and as a writer reading MC (main character) was irritating.
I thought it was awful that a teen girl was more or less told she was responsible for the disgusting perverted comments of randoms on the internet that happened in response to her post.
It felt quite slow, particularly at the start. This may have been because the blurb implied that the story was all about the tumblr post, and that doesn't happen until at least halfway through.
There's a lot more but I can't really go into it without spoilers, so:
What I liked:
The story was engaging and held my attention throughout
All the characters were flawed but mostly good people, and MC does have a journey of self-discovery
Always nice to see positive sibling relationships in fiction
What I didn't like:
It all felt rather contrived and preachy about how everything online is permanent
How many subplots does one story need? I get that we’re meant to understand what a crap night it was for MC and so be more forgiving of the way she wrote about her friends, but instead of presenting HER as someone we can easily empathise with, she seemed to just be piled on with so many problems it’s like a shiny beacon saying PITY ME. And while none of those issues in isolation would be unbelievable, I did find it a bit far fetched that they’d all be happening in her life simultaneously.
Minor issue, but the names. Anouk/Annick has a completely unnecessary name change that implies a quite different racial background, and as a writer reading MC (main character) was irritating.
I thought it was awful that a teen girl was more or less told she was responsible for the disgusting perverted comments of randoms on the internet that happened in response to her post.
It felt quite slow, particularly at the start. This may have been because the blurb implied that the story was all about the tumblr post, and that doesn't happen until at least halfway through.
There's a lot more but I can't really go into it without spoilers, so:
May 31, 2017
4 ★ -- I think Gabrielle Williams has done a fantastic job at illustrating how something seemingly insignificant can have incredible repercussions. MC's story serves as a great reminder to think twice before posting anything on the internet: what would happen if so and so read or saw this? How would I feel if I read or saw this about me? P.S the cover is brilliant.
This book is an excellent example of why I am so glad that we didn't have social media when I was in high school as we do today. I mean I had MySpace and MSN and that was it. Mind you I still felt a huge amount of guilt and could relate very well to the feelings MC went through even though I don't remember doing anything remotely similar.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm older because that doesn't always make you wiser or if it's due to the fact that I wasn't personally involved/took breaks while reading. I'm talking about how I was able to distance myself from the story and not get too caught up in the events. At times I truly felt what MC was feeling and agreed with her and other times I could see it from someone else's point of view and thought, oh hold on a second MC let's think about this.
This book also serves as a great reminder to be mindful and practise safe (for lack of a better word) ways of venting and releasing built up emotions. On one day you might read a reply or a comment from someone and think how rude of them and feel very disrespected but then the next day you could read the same thing and realise they didn't mean it in a nasty way at all and just feel so incredibly grateful that you held off on retorting when you first read it.
I think I'm going off on a tangent and I should instead incorporate these thoughts into a blog post rather than on my review of this book. To conclude, this was a great read, I really enjoyed it not only is the subject matter incredibly relevant to teens but adults as well and I think it will stay that way for some time.
This book is an excellent example of why I am so glad that we didn't have social media when I was in high school as we do today. I mean I had MySpace and MSN and that was it. Mind you I still felt a huge amount of guilt and could relate very well to the feelings MC went through even though I don't remember doing anything remotely similar.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm older because that doesn't always make you wiser or if it's due to the fact that I wasn't personally involved/took breaks while reading. I'm talking about how I was able to distance myself from the story and not get too caught up in the events. At times I truly felt what MC was feeling and agreed with her and other times I could see it from someone else's point of view and thought, oh hold on a second MC let's think about this.
This book also serves as a great reminder to be mindful and practise safe (for lack of a better word) ways of venting and releasing built up emotions. On one day you might read a reply or a comment from someone and think how rude of them and feel very disrespected but then the next day you could read the same thing and realise they didn't mean it in a nasty way at all and just feel so incredibly grateful that you held off on retorting when you first read it.
I think I'm going off on a tangent and I should instead incorporate these thoughts into a blog post rather than on my review of this book. To conclude, this was a great read, I really enjoyed it not only is the subject matter incredibly relevant to teens but adults as well and I think it will stay that way for some time.
September 2, 2018
It was good but nothing exciting. Nothing really jumped out at me. It's a good, easy read to tide you over between heavy books :)
The main character was kinda clueless; 1. messing up her friendship over a boy and 2. using her friends full names when ranting about them, anyone could have come across it and recognised the people she was talking about.
I liked the uniqueness of the names though!
The main character was kinda clueless; 1. messing up her friendship over a boy and 2. using her friends full names when ranting about them, anyone could have come across it and recognised the people she was talking about.
I liked the uniqueness of the names though!
June 20, 2017
Good fiction for thinking about power and penetration of social media and how digital footprint can affect one's life. Bullying.
February 8, 2018
Two weeks into my 2018 Aus/NZ Reading Challenge half of January's books changed, but I got through all four and loved my surprise additions. (No DNFing around here.) I also love Gabrielle Williams' books, so I've been wanting to read My Life as a Hashtag for a year. It only took a reading challenge to make it happen.
The prompt of supportive friends nailed My Life as a Hashtag, except multiple times during my read I wondered if MC and her friends were really all that supportive. There's the meltdown of one friendship and domino unfriending from many others.
Sometimes friendships can be surprisingly solid, despite the depths to which MC's life sinks. More than once I wondered how she could possibly overcome her trials.
And what caused all this angst? A boy - they're annoying like. But he's so hot, why wouldn't Anouk dibs him. And MC have all that trouble ignoring her dibs. Anyway, you can't dibs a boy - he was the one flirting with MC.
This is patently obvious, so I don't think it's a spoiler, but you might.
I just found a hilarious discussion about "patently obvious" if my review is boring you https://english.stackexchange.com/que...
Gabrielle Williams knows how to do comedy and I definitely haven't stopped laughing yet. Then things went from funny to farcical. I wondered if Williams had taken things too far. Then I remembered the crazy coincidences and farce of The Guy, the Girl, the Artist and His Ex . Part of those incredulous occurances were factual, and I loved it. So I guess I can forgive the
A GR reviewer I follow feels the book is too preachy about how bad the internet is. That's pretty much the total plot of Hashtag, and there's definitely some preaching going on. I don't think that detracts from the story, maybe only because I'm old.
Reading My Life as a Hashtag after Take Three Girls is an interesting comparison of how different authors weave their story around cyberbullying. Both books feature the good that IRL friends can do to help in the aftermath. (And a whole lot of IRL friend hate in My Life as a Hashtag.)
My Life as a Hashtag lays bare misconceptions about online interaction.
I regularly decide after putting something online, maybe not and I delete it. Whether it'a photo, a snarky tweet to a celebrity, or a rant against your friends. It seems like it's gone forever, but how many people saw it between posting and deleting? And how many people took a screen-shot? MC discovers the hard way.
Oh yeah, and there's skating. When I read Yumi was practising her tre flips, I wondered if I was in the middle of the greatest book ever written.
But when MC describes a tre flip, she could be describing a kickflip. Of course, MC doesn't skate and would have a hard time describing a tre flip. Emile and Yumi know what they're doing, so I guess Williams did her research. This scene led to me watching half an hour of tre flips and hardflips on Youtube - time well spent.
And that cover by Debra Billson is everything. Anouk's wolf hat! I want to know how much IG paid for the promo.
This is from my blog https://ofceilingwax.wordpress.com/20...
"I was going to have the worst night of my life, and they should be there for it. That was what friends did for each other."
The prompt of supportive friends nailed My Life as a Hashtag, except multiple times during my read I wondered if MC and her friends were really all that supportive. There's the meltdown of one friendship and domino unfriending from many others.
"I felt like I'd been angry for months now and suddenly I realised that I didn't need to be. Everyone had shit times. It was just life."
Sometimes friendships can be surprisingly solid, despite the depths to which MC's life sinks. More than once I wondered how she could possibly overcome her trials.
"Little did I know that today was only the start of everything getting very, very much worse."
And what caused all this angst? A boy - they're annoying like. But he's so hot, why wouldn't Anouk dibs him. And MC have all that trouble ignoring her dibs. Anyway, you can't dibs a boy - he was the one flirting with MC.
"I felt, in that moment, as if I had captured Jed inside the mechanics of my phone. His voice, his dog, his stupidness, all there for eternity, for whenever I wanted to listen to him."
This is patently obvious, so I don't think it's a spoiler, but you might.
I just found a hilarious discussion about "patently obvious" if my review is boring you https://english.stackexchange.com/que...
"But I haven't finished laughing yet."
Gabrielle Williams knows how to do comedy and I definitely haven't stopped laughing yet. Then things went from funny to farcical. I wondered if Williams had taken things too far. Then I remembered the crazy coincidences and farce of The Guy, the Girl, the Artist and His Ex . Part of those incredulous occurances were factual, and I loved it. So I guess I can forgive the
"All these people pay lip-service to the fact that the human brain isn't fully developed until you're in your mid-twenties, but as soon as a teenager steps out of line, does something regrettable, everyone comes down on them like a ton of bricks."
A GR reviewer I follow feels the book is too preachy about how bad the internet is. That's pretty much the total plot of Hashtag, and there's definitely some preaching going on. I don't think that detracts from the story, maybe only because I'm old.
Reading My Life as a Hashtag after Take Three Girls is an interesting comparison of how different authors weave their story around cyberbullying. Both books feature the good that IRL friends can do to help in the aftermath. (And a whole lot of IRL friend hate in My Life as a Hashtag.)
My Life as a Hashtag lays bare misconceptions about online interaction.
"They'd been dragged out of the woods of millions of gig of data and thrown onto the scrap heap. Set fire to. All the evidence disposed of."
I regularly decide after putting something online, maybe not and I delete it. Whether it'a photo, a snarky tweet to a celebrity, or a rant against your friends. It seems like it's gone forever, but how many people saw it between posting and deleting? And how many people took a screen-shot? MC discovers the hard way.
"I wanted to get away from myself, but everywhere I looked, there I was."
Oh yeah, and there's skating. When I read Yumi was practising her tre flips, I wondered if I was in the middle of the greatest book ever written.
But when MC describes a tre flip, she could be describing a kickflip. Of course, MC doesn't skate and would have a hard time describing a tre flip. Emile and Yumi know what they're doing, so I guess Williams did her research. This scene led to me watching half an hour of tre flips and hardflips on Youtube - time well spent.
And that cover by Debra Billson is everything. Anouk's wolf hat! I want to know how much IG paid for the promo.
This is from my blog https://ofceilingwax.wordpress.com/20...
August 29, 2022
Read more bookish goodness on my book blog: Cal's Constant Raving Reviews
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOOK:
I read this in one sitting, and didn't have high expectations. It did make me emotionally invested however, so I'm impressed.
CHARACTERS/DYNAMICS:
Let me go right out and say it: MC is a nasty teenage girl. Yes, she didn't mean for her bitches (about her friends, of all people) from tumblr to go viral, but she still wrote them. If you liked Sam from Every Last Word, you're going to love MC and her social circle.
I also understand she was struggling with some horrible life dramas including; her parent's divorce, her father's infidelity, her new half-sibling, and the exclusion from her social groups. She had nobody to talk to at one point (in which I asked to myself, "dear god, she's from Melbourne. How was she not stumbled across a school counsellor by now???"). The devastation MC feels was extremely well conveyed and my heart broke for her, and any other teen who has to go through these situations.
However, you can't honestly expect a book titled My Life as a Hashtag to be some sort of masterpiece. Dialogue included "slang" that of course, teens use, such as "BOY" (better on you), "OMIGOD" (who has ever written it like that? Ever? Seriously?), and refers to Instagram everytime as Insta. I'm thankful she didn't start calling Facebook, "facie". Which is a real thing by the way: I've heard a handful of Australian Valley-Girls coin the term.
Gabrielle Williams:
PLOT:
This story is short and ends in the middle of the cluster f*ck, but it's a brilliantly shown sad high school story. Sure, it's unrealistic as heck.
As if Buzzfeed would care what some Aussie teen was saying, pffffft. As if the internet cares about anything from Australia.
STRUCTURE:
The structure of this book is; before the fight with her girlfriends, during the fight with her girlfriends, and then a tiny snippet of what life's like after becoming a social reject.
THEMES:
- Judgement
- Deception
- Coming of Age
Wow I'm pretty sure there's a similar quote in the book. There you have it folks, Cyberbully (2011) and My Life as a Hashtag have the same dialogue.
THE ENDING:
I believe the outcome of the nastiness and bullying brings justice. I was a little surprised, actually. It almost appeared as if the author was defending the acts of bullying throughout this novel, which was concerning. However, I greatly appreciated the circumstances being dealt with in an appropriate and harsh manner, instead of cyberbullying being excused.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOOK:
I read this in one sitting, and didn't have high expectations. It did make me emotionally invested however, so I'm impressed.
CHARACTERS/DYNAMICS:
Let me go right out and say it: MC is a nasty teenage girl. Yes, she didn't mean for her bitches (about her friends, of all people) from tumblr to go viral, but she still wrote them. If you liked Sam from Every Last Word, you're going to love MC and her social circle.
I also understand she was struggling with some horrible life dramas including; her parent's divorce, her father's infidelity, her new half-sibling, and the exclusion from her social groups. She had nobody to talk to at one point (in which I asked to myself, "dear god, she's from Melbourne. How was she not stumbled across a school counsellor by now???"). The devastation MC feels was extremely well conveyed and my heart broke for her, and any other teen who has to go through these situations.
However, you can't honestly expect a book titled My Life as a Hashtag to be some sort of masterpiece. Dialogue included "slang" that of course, teens use, such as "BOY" (better on you), "OMIGOD" (who has ever written it like that? Ever? Seriously?), and refers to Instagram everytime as Insta. I'm thankful she didn't start calling Facebook, "facie". Which is a real thing by the way: I've heard a handful of Australian Valley-Girls coin the term.
Gabrielle Williams:
PLOT:
This story is short and ends in the middle of the cluster f*ck, but it's a brilliantly shown sad high school story. Sure, it's unrealistic as heck.
STRUCTURE:
The structure of this book is; before the fight with her girlfriends, during the fight with her girlfriends, and then a tiny snippet of what life's like after becoming a social reject.
THEMES:
- Judgement
- Deception
- Coming of Age
Wow I'm pretty sure there's a similar quote in the book. There you have it folks, Cyberbully (2011) and My Life as a Hashtag have the same dialogue.
THE ENDING:
I believe the outcome of the nastiness and bullying brings justice. I was a little surprised, actually. It almost appeared as if the author was defending the acts of bullying throughout this novel, which was concerning. However, I greatly appreciated the circumstances being dealt with in an appropriate and harsh manner, instead of cyberbullying being excused.
June 18, 2017
I read a preview of this book 6 months ago and so knowing it was being released last week I rushed into the closest bookshop to purchase a copy for myself and daughters, a niece and another two for the library at the school where I work. This is great contemporary Young Adult fiction, and I imagine it will be very relateable for many teens. We all make mistakes and can misjudge situations, however insert some teen angst and drama and the main character, MC, makes a mistake only to discover she's created a situation with pretty dire consequences. It's hard for teenagers to grasp at times the global audience they are posting to when they publish on 'open' accounts online and this book is a great example of how social media can inextricably link us to a wider audience at high speed. Having had Cyber Safety in my portfolio for the past 10 years I will be sharing this book as an enjoyable, but valuable, resource with my network of educators.
July 23, 2018
My Life as a hashtag
By Gabrielle Williams
It was memorable, interesting too.
The genres are humor and fiction.
MC the main character stands out since this evolves around her and her life, the book is also realistic because she goes to an all-girl school in Melbourne Australia. The book is about that she posts something that's rude and she regrets, it ruins her friends life and then hers. In the end they all get back together and forgive each other. It's about thinking about before you post. It used an everyday middle class high school girl in Melbourne as a main character, which is realistic. But also it brings up stuff that does happen on social media and parties. I did enjoy this book, I liked how it showed what the character(s) were thinking and feeling during the chaotic breakout of the post. I kept reading it because it was interesting, I would recommend it to the girls in youth.
By Gabrielle Williams
It was memorable, interesting too.
The genres are humor and fiction.
MC the main character stands out since this evolves around her and her life, the book is also realistic because she goes to an all-girl school in Melbourne Australia. The book is about that she posts something that's rude and she regrets, it ruins her friends life and then hers. In the end they all get back together and forgive each other. It's about thinking about before you post. It used an everyday middle class high school girl in Melbourne as a main character, which is realistic. But also it brings up stuff that does happen on social media and parties. I did enjoy this book, I liked how it showed what the character(s) were thinking and feeling during the chaotic breakout of the post. I kept reading it because it was interesting, I would recommend it to the girls in youth.
July 7, 2017
Two stars maybe a bit harsh but I had to force my way through this. I felt as if I was sitting on public transport next to a group of private school girls, flicking their long hair, loudly talking, taking photos, sharing and ignoring everyone around them older than 22. Gabrielle certainly got the girls voices and actions spot on. I just don't want to read about them however, they may love it and there are big issues around digital responsibilities and bullying which are clearly addressed in this novel. Classroom discussions using this as the stimulus could be interesting.
#feelingold
#feelingold
June 12, 2018
I thought it was about dealing with the dark side of social media, but in fact thats only a very little part of the story. mainly its pure YA and focuses on teenage angst and social life. Theres nothing wrong with it, its just not my kind of book.
February 18, 2018
A cautionary tale about thinking twice before you post and focusing on properly communicating with others.
August 25, 2018
I cried through the last third of the book. So good.
November 14, 2020
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
This is a book which I picked up a while ago in some ex-library book sale and it actually was better than I was expecting (mainly because I am really struggling with the YA genre these days so delayed reading this).
It is set in Melbourne and is about the relationship between four teenage girls attending private school. It is told from a single POV (Marie Claude) so you also get her family insight story (recent parent break-up). I actually think this book is really accurate in its depiction of teenage girls (speech/action etc) - but again that is coming from a biased older perspective. However, I am around young people most of the day and this felt spot on to me.
The story has a very important message regarding cyber-bullying and what is put up on line is there permanently with some serious consequences. There is also some interesting side stories regarding who is the bully (the girl who doesn't invite people to her party, the girl who engages in cyber-bullying, or the media who attacks all and ignores the consequences of their actions on the lives of young people).
The pacing was a little slow and it took a while (maybe 75%?) of the book until the incident became a part of the story. But it was still an easy read with an important social message (even if the ending did become a bit preachy and unrealistic).
Reading Challenge
Aussie Reader's 2020 A-Z Character Challenge: Read a book where the lead character has a name starting with M (Marie-Claude)
Aussie Reader's 2020 A-Z Author Challenge: Read a book where the author's first name starts with G (Gabrielle)
Aussie Reader's 2020 Spring Challenge: Read a book where the author's initials are in the word Spring Flowers
Aussie Reader's 2020 Covid Take 2 Challenge: Read a book where the first letter of the title appears in the word STURMGREI (Meaning: freedom of being alone and being able to do what you want)
This is a book which I picked up a while ago in some ex-library book sale and it actually was better than I was expecting (mainly because I am really struggling with the YA genre these days so delayed reading this).
It is set in Melbourne and is about the relationship between four teenage girls attending private school. It is told from a single POV (Marie Claude) so you also get her family insight story (recent parent break-up). I actually think this book is really accurate in its depiction of teenage girls (speech/action etc) - but again that is coming from a biased older perspective. However, I am around young people most of the day and this felt spot on to me.
The story has a very important message regarding cyber-bullying and what is put up on line is there permanently with some serious consequences. There is also some interesting side stories regarding who is the bully (the girl who doesn't invite people to her party, the girl who engages in cyber-bullying, or the media who attacks all and ignores the consequences of their actions on the lives of young people).
The pacing was a little slow and it took a while (maybe 75%?) of the book until the incident became a part of the story. But it was still an easy read with an important social message (even if the ending did become a bit preachy and unrealistic).
Reading Challenge
Aussie Reader's 2020 A-Z Character Challenge: Read a book where the lead character has a name starting with M (Marie-Claude)
Aussie Reader's 2020 A-Z Author Challenge: Read a book where the author's first name starts with G (Gabrielle)
Aussie Reader's 2020 Spring Challenge: Read a book where the author's initials are in the word Spring Flowers
Aussie Reader's 2020 Covid Take 2 Challenge: Read a book where the first letter of the title appears in the word STURMGREI (Meaning: freedom of being alone and being able to do what you want)
April 10, 2020
Four stars for a good story. I enjoyed the way the friendships ebbed and flowed and the speed at which this can happen. For those on the outside, it's a cold and brutal place to be - seldom noticed by those who are in the friendship circle. This tale is a reminder to be careful on social media - always.
Highly recommended to Y9-11 (ages 13-16) as the main character is 16.
Highly recommended to Y9-11 (ages 13-16) as the main character is 16.
June 29, 2017
(Review to come on the blog)
5/5
So you're feeling shitty: one of your friends deliberately didn't invite you to the biggest party of the year because she called dibs on this cute guy at school and you hooked up with him, but, I mean, you know he wasn't into her.
You realise that everyone has someone else: dad has a new girlfriend, mum is on a hot date, your friends are at said party, the cute guy won't call you back and even grandpa has a social life! You're sitting alone in your room, having just smashed out a lonely dinner-for-one. What do you do? If you're MC, you get MAD AS HELL.
~
I'll admit that going into this book I was slightly unsure whether I would enjoy this book as much as other people seem to have enjoyed it. The title itself, My Life as a Hashtag, seemed to promise that social media would be heavily involved, and I was worried it might have read a little bit young, or immature. Those uncertainties were appeased by the end of the first chapter - heck, even by the end of the prologue I was hooked! While I am slightly ashamed to admit that this is my first Gabrielle Williams book (and will certainly not be the last), I am also a bit glad because I came into it not expecting much, so needless to say my expectations were met a hundred times over! Even from the prologue, her writing was crisp and purposeful, everything included in the story seemed to have been carefully plotted in so that we would take note and realise the significance of every single moment.
'My Life as a Hashtag' follows MC, a 16-year-old girl living in Melbourne, Australia, as she deals with the many big changes that are going on in her life. Her parents have separated, and when dad moves out a big hole is left in the family home; mum is trawling through Tinder and just generally not coping; and her big brother Harley is hardly ever home anymore. And then a massive rift emerges between her and a close friend in their friendship circle at school - all over a stupid boy.
I like that the general plot is simple, but it's in the little things that I found this to be an immensely enjoyable and absorbing read. Wilder, MC's friend Yumi's brother, is studying film - when MC and Harley visit, he's watching some movie or other from the Top One Hundred Movies of All Time, and there's a bit of commentary on a couple of movies. The banter and dialogue are witty and entertaining. I also like how little school actually plays a part in this book, like I don't think we see MC do homework or talk about it once? But there are lots of parties going on!
MC is a sympathetic character that I think many readers will be able to identify with. This book is written in first person narrative so we're in her head for its entirety, but Williams actually makes you care for her, and her actions, especially in the heat of the moment, seem completely justified. I can't say that I loved her, but I definitely cared about her and was upset that she was in such a terrible situation. I feel like she was a realistic and flawed character; it was not hard to believe that a girl would act the way that she did in those circumstances. In the current generation, social media is everywhere, and when you get mad you can lash out in a very public manner. Who can say they have never posted something that they wish they hadn't?
I also liked most of the other characters - Williams has written a whole cast of really interesting characters that I wish had been even further developed. We got a whole lot of great banter and dialogue, and I like that some of their parents also got a little bit of attention too. In YA, parental presence can be a little bit sparse. In the end, this is MC's story, and I would consider this to be one that doesn't require a thorough investigation into every other character's backstory. Considering the relative short length of the novel it's understandable that we don't get to know too much about the others, just little snippets here and there, and that was actually fine with me because the book's strength was in its overall message and writing style.
'My Life as a Hashtag' hones in on a very important message for teenagers and young adults: be careful what you post on social media. MC even said that she did not think anyone else would see it. In her own "private" corner of the Internet, she thought that her rage-induced hashtag-creating videos would for ever be for her eyes only, as well as other content on her Tumblr. I think for this reason alone, never mind the fact that I think this is just a really well written book overall, people should read this book.
'My Life as a Hashtag' is an entertaining, witty, cleverly written story about a teenage girl whose actions on social media lead to disastrous results. The main character is sympathetic, and it brings to light the importance of being mindful of how we are treating others over the internet.
5/5
So you're feeling shitty: one of your friends deliberately didn't invite you to the biggest party of the year because she called dibs on this cute guy at school and you hooked up with him, but, I mean, you know he wasn't into her.
You realise that everyone has someone else: dad has a new girlfriend, mum is on a hot date, your friends are at said party, the cute guy won't call you back and even grandpa has a social life! You're sitting alone in your room, having just smashed out a lonely dinner-for-one. What do you do? If you're MC, you get MAD AS HELL.
~
I'll admit that going into this book I was slightly unsure whether I would enjoy this book as much as other people seem to have enjoyed it. The title itself, My Life as a Hashtag, seemed to promise that social media would be heavily involved, and I was worried it might have read a little bit young, or immature. Those uncertainties were appeased by the end of the first chapter - heck, even by the end of the prologue I was hooked! While I am slightly ashamed to admit that this is my first Gabrielle Williams book (and will certainly not be the last), I am also a bit glad because I came into it not expecting much, so needless to say my expectations were met a hundred times over! Even from the prologue, her writing was crisp and purposeful, everything included in the story seemed to have been carefully plotted in so that we would take note and realise the significance of every single moment.
'My Life as a Hashtag' follows MC, a 16-year-old girl living in Melbourne, Australia, as she deals with the many big changes that are going on in her life. Her parents have separated, and when dad moves out a big hole is left in the family home; mum is trawling through Tinder and just generally not coping; and her big brother Harley is hardly ever home anymore. And then a massive rift emerges between her and a close friend in their friendship circle at school - all over a stupid boy.
I like that the general plot is simple, but it's in the little things that I found this to be an immensely enjoyable and absorbing read. Wilder, MC's friend Yumi's brother, is studying film - when MC and Harley visit, he's watching some movie or other from the Top One Hundred Movies of All Time, and there's a bit of commentary on a couple of movies. The banter and dialogue are witty and entertaining. I also like how little school actually plays a part in this book, like I don't think we see MC do homework or talk about it once? But there are lots of parties going on!
MC is a sympathetic character that I think many readers will be able to identify with. This book is written in first person narrative so we're in her head for its entirety, but Williams actually makes you care for her, and her actions, especially in the heat of the moment, seem completely justified. I can't say that I loved her, but I definitely cared about her and was upset that she was in such a terrible situation. I feel like she was a realistic and flawed character; it was not hard to believe that a girl would act the way that she did in those circumstances. In the current generation, social media is everywhere, and when you get mad you can lash out in a very public manner. Who can say they have never posted something that they wish they hadn't?
I also liked most of the other characters - Williams has written a whole cast of really interesting characters that I wish had been even further developed. We got a whole lot of great banter and dialogue, and I like that some of their parents also got a little bit of attention too. In YA, parental presence can be a little bit sparse. In the end, this is MC's story, and I would consider this to be one that doesn't require a thorough investigation into every other character's backstory. Considering the relative short length of the novel it's understandable that we don't get to know too much about the others, just little snippets here and there, and that was actually fine with me because the book's strength was in its overall message and writing style.
'My Life as a Hashtag' hones in on a very important message for teenagers and young adults: be careful what you post on social media. MC even said that she did not think anyone else would see it. In her own "private" corner of the Internet, she thought that her rage-induced hashtag-creating videos would for ever be for her eyes only, as well as other content on her Tumblr. I think for this reason alone, never mind the fact that I think this is just a really well written book overall, people should read this book.
'My Life as a Hashtag' is an entertaining, witty, cleverly written story about a teenage girl whose actions on social media lead to disastrous results. The main character is sympathetic, and it brings to light the importance of being mindful of how we are treating others over the internet.
July 1, 2017
I have been hearing about this book for a while now and have wanted to read it since I have been able to get my hands on it and now that I have, I don’t know why I was really rushing. I understand the hype that surrounded this book. The cover is great and vibrant and colourful, the impression of the book makes you want to dig right in and the book is from an author who has other books. I think it was just a little bit underwhelming in the end.
The story follows MC, Marie-Claude, and a couple of her close-knit friends as they go to school. Then just like in real life, a girl gets a crush on a boy, tells her friends not to touch him, and before you know it MC and her friends are not seeing eye to eye on a lot of things. You see MC hung out with the off-limit boys and has caused a lot of trouble because of it. As a knock-on effect, her friend that asked her not to go near him does not invite her to her big party where everyone is invited. So, what does MC do instead? That’s right, blurt out all her hurt feelings online, where she thinks she can hide it from everyone she knows. But then one thing leads to another and MC’s post are found, make worldwide headlines and her life and friends life is turned upside down. Consequence after consequence MC and her friends all learn the mistakes and consequences that come with bullying.
“A torrent of noise from deep down inside of me hurled out. Warning the world that I was mad as hell. And there was a fair chance I wasn’t going to take it anymore” page 115
I understand the importance and hype of this book, I really do, I just didn’t connect with it all that well as I was reading it. So, the main thing that happens in this book is bullying. It’s kind of the books theme and it runs with it, not face to face bullying, but rather online bullying and the things that happen online and is classified as bullying is a lot. And I think the way that the bullying is portrayed is great and its consequence because there aren’t a lot of books out there that talk about it the way that this does book. It makes online bullying very realistic for the reader.
But it’s pretty much the only thing that happens. The rest, her mother on Tinder, happens for like three pages and then forgotten. A few other things happen with her father and brother, but like the mother, they only happen to break up the bullying into edible pieces and it feels like they are only thrown in for the sake of it. The writing is great. The concept is great. I just find it unbalanced and rather an underwhelming read in the end. It comes full circle and has a happy ending when I feel like the book would have worked out a lot better if there was a different ending.
If you like a story about girls being girls, reading about how bullying can affect a person’s life, then this is the book for you.
The story follows MC, Marie-Claude, and a couple of her close-knit friends as they go to school. Then just like in real life, a girl gets a crush on a boy, tells her friends not to touch him, and before you know it MC and her friends are not seeing eye to eye on a lot of things. You see MC hung out with the off-limit boys and has caused a lot of trouble because of it. As a knock-on effect, her friend that asked her not to go near him does not invite her to her big party where everyone is invited. So, what does MC do instead? That’s right, blurt out all her hurt feelings online, where she thinks she can hide it from everyone she knows. But then one thing leads to another and MC’s post are found, make worldwide headlines and her life and friends life is turned upside down. Consequence after consequence MC and her friends all learn the mistakes and consequences that come with bullying.
“A torrent of noise from deep down inside of me hurled out. Warning the world that I was mad as hell. And there was a fair chance I wasn’t going to take it anymore” page 115
I understand the importance and hype of this book, I really do, I just didn’t connect with it all that well as I was reading it. So, the main thing that happens in this book is bullying. It’s kind of the books theme and it runs with it, not face to face bullying, but rather online bullying and the things that happen online and is classified as bullying is a lot. And I think the way that the bullying is portrayed is great and its consequence because there aren’t a lot of books out there that talk about it the way that this does book. It makes online bullying very realistic for the reader.
But it’s pretty much the only thing that happens. The rest, her mother on Tinder, happens for like three pages and then forgotten. A few other things happen with her father and brother, but like the mother, they only happen to break up the bullying into edible pieces and it feels like they are only thrown in for the sake of it. The writing is great. The concept is great. I just find it unbalanced and rather an underwhelming read in the end. It comes full circle and has a happy ending when I feel like the book would have worked out a lot better if there was a different ending.
If you like a story about girls being girls, reading about how bullying can affect a person’s life, then this is the book for you.
June 29, 2019
Such a good message
August 3, 2017
Firstly, I could not put this book down. I had to know what happened next and more importantly how it was going to end. I am so grateful that social media was only just coming out when I graduated high school, because I think it would be hard to be a teen now as this book shows.
My Life as a Hashtag shows the positives and the dangers of living in the social media age as a teen. I think the most important message this book sends is to think before you post anything on social media and to remember that nothing is private once it’s posted on the internet.
I struggled with the main character, at times I felt really sorry for her and others I was frustrated by her behaviour. The ups and downs of teen friendships felt very realistic. MC’s family was interesting to read about and I really loved her relationship with Harley.
Overall, I enjoyed My Life as a Hashtag and I would recommend it to any social media user.
My Life as a Hashtag shows the positives and the dangers of living in the social media age as a teen. I think the most important message this book sends is to think before you post anything on social media and to remember that nothing is private once it’s posted on the internet.
I struggled with the main character, at times I felt really sorry for her and others I was frustrated by her behaviour. The ups and downs of teen friendships felt very realistic. MC’s family was interesting to read about and I really loved her relationship with Harley.
Overall, I enjoyed My Life as a Hashtag and I would recommend it to any social media user.
November 16, 2017
Some interesting characters and a good exploration of how messy life, friendships and family relationships can get. And, of course, the central theme - thinking things through before you press 'send'.
It didn't move much outside the stereotype range, though, except towards the end when there's a lot more genuine emotion involved - and to me it very much read like an adult trying to write like a teenager. MC was pretty painful most of the time, which is a lot of the point (we all have elements of an MC in us), but I'd have liked to sympathise with her a little more.
It would be interesting to hear from young adults themselves, to see if they found it preachy - that's always a risk. Even better, though, I'd like to see the same story written by a 16 year old, and see how it came out.
It didn't move much outside the stereotype range, though, except towards the end when there's a lot more genuine emotion involved - and to me it very much read like an adult trying to write like a teenager. MC was pretty painful most of the time, which is a lot of the point (we all have elements of an MC in us), but I'd have liked to sympathise with her a little more.
It would be interesting to hear from young adults themselves, to see if they found it preachy - that's always a risk. Even better, though, I'd like to see the same story written by a 16 year old, and see how it came out.
July 4, 2017
I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads. Really liked it and would recommend it to all teenagers. All the angst and uncertainty of the teenage years compounded for MC by the separation of her parents. Of course losing a friendship over a boy didn't help as it split her friends and left her feeling alienated. When not invited to Anouk's party she lost it and stupidly used social media for her revenge. Something done on the spur of the moment, something that would eventually rebound. Venting on social media when angry or upset is definitely not advisable as it can have adverse results on their life and also yours as she discovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2017
I have to say I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous two that I read of Gabrielle's. Could it be that the MC (MC!) was the bully - even if she didn't realise that this is what she was doing? I'm not sure; while I empathised to a certain extent with MC's plight (having been a 16 year old with all those inherent insecurities, albeit without the complications of social media), I couldn't help but be somewhat annoyed with her. Still, fair do's to Gabrielle for choosing the harder road here - the bullied character is usually the one that we feel sympathy for. Life is far more complicated than that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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