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I Hate Everyone But You #1
I Hate Everyone But You
Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin’s I Hate Everyone But You is a hilarious and heartfelt debut novel about new beginnings, love and heartbreak, and ultimately the power of friendship.
Dear Best Friend,
I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.
Sincerely,
Ava Helmer
(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)
We're still in the same room, you weirdo.
Stop crying.
G
So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two of them document every wild and awkward moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?
Dear Best Friend,
I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.
Sincerely,
Ava Helmer
(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)
We're still in the same room, you weirdo.
Stop crying.
G
So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two of them document every wild and awkward moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?
344 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2017
268 people are currently reading
14905 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,349 reviews
July 30, 2018
4.5 Stars! This was a super-fast paced, light-hearted read. I really had fun with this one! Thanks to St. Martins Press for sending me a review copy!
As someone who has been a fan of Gaby & Allison’s YouTube videos in the past, I think anyone who is a fan would enjoy this book. It felt as if the characters truly embodied the authors – You could tell me these were actual text conversations between Gaby & Allison during their freshman year of college, and I would believe it in a heartbeat. Having some background on the authors was definitely an asset to the story.
As this is told in texts and emails only, I was slightly worried about the format, but I found it to be a nice change of pace! I do not feel like I missed much by not having it in a normal format, and it suited the story well. There were times when I had wished conversations had been more finished as opposed to just jumping from one to another, but all around, it was a fun format. Kind of reminiscent of the
Internet girls (TTYL/TTFN/L8R G8R series I loved in elementary school!
I also was so pleased to find out this story is own voices x2! Allison & Ava have both dealt with OCD and anxiety for most of their lives. As someone with anxiety, I was really able to relate to Ava the most. You could just tell her thoughts are ones people really experience! And while Gen does not claim one label in regards to her sexuality, she toys with the term “bisexuality” & is also polyamorous, which is how Gaby identifies as well! It was very evident that the authors were writing from personal experience, and I always appreciate the added authenticity of own voices novels, as shown in I Hate Everyone But You.
I was really pleased with how many relevant teen issues are talked about in this book. Not only do we talk about mental health, sexuality, polyamory, but there’s talk of stepping out of your comfort zone, drinking, drugs, sex, personal responsibility, making decisions for your future goals, standing up for what you believe in, and so much more! It was a really well rounded novel when it came to the content being discussed for teen issues.
My favorite part of the book has to be THE FRIENDSHIP. THE GIRL FRIENDSHIP. I need more books in my life that aren’t so focused on romance. It was so lovely to watch these two friends who have spent so much of their adolescence together adapt & grow through their separate college experiences! I love that they really know each other, are fairly supportive, and genuinely have concern for each other. What I love even MORE is that they actually argue! They disagree. They get into fights and ignore each other. THAT’S A THING THAT HAPPENS. TEEN FRIENDSHIPS AREN’T ALWAYS PERFECT AND FLUFFY (though I would definitely consider this a fluff-read). They butt heads, they don’t always understand each other, and that’s okay because they still love each other!
Another thing I loved about their relationship was the imbalance of awareness of social issues. Gen is hecka invested in social issues related to people of cover, people of the LGBTQ+ community, etc., but Ava is pretty uneducated. There are a lot of times where Ava says things that aren’t politically correct and Gen’s responses vary from “Let me explain this to you so you can be more aware” and “I am not your personal educator, you can google it and learn yourself”, which are both valid responses from a friend in my opinion. It was an interesting dynamic to follow a friendship where one half is “woke” whereas the other is fairly oblivious to social issues and has a lot to still learn.
Also, THE HUMOR. This book is laugh-out-loud funny. Like I said, it's fluffy, it's lighthearted, but ESPECIALLY funny.
There were only two concrete let downs for me. Personally, I wish the story had taken place over a longer period of time. The book runs from September-December of their freshman year of college, but the bulk of the story takes place in September/October. It made the story feel a little unbalance and the ending a bit rushed. I think part of it is that I was expecting it to take place over the first year of college when it was the first semester, so it’s not that big of a crucial point to me. The other let down was how the characters reacted at the climax of the story. I entered the story loving these characters and I was not crazy about some of the actions at the end of story, which left me liking them a little less. I wish there had been just a little bit more at the end of the novel for me to warm up to them again, but I definitely view them a little differently because of their final actions.
All in all, it was a super fun read. I do think it’s a bit juvenile (not as an insult) and is clearly catered to a specific audience. By that I mean, I do not think this is the best book for a 30 year old woman who reads mainly literary fiction. But if you are a teen/young adult looking for a light-hearted read, I think you’d enjoy it much more. Super fun book and again, thank you to St. Martins Press for supplying me with a copy!
This book was sent to me for free by Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As someone who has been a fan of Gaby & Allison’s YouTube videos in the past, I think anyone who is a fan would enjoy this book. It felt as if the characters truly embodied the authors – You could tell me these were actual text conversations between Gaby & Allison during their freshman year of college, and I would believe it in a heartbeat. Having some background on the authors was definitely an asset to the story.
As this is told in texts and emails only, I was slightly worried about the format, but I found it to be a nice change of pace! I do not feel like I missed much by not having it in a normal format, and it suited the story well. There were times when I had wished conversations had been more finished as opposed to just jumping from one to another, but all around, it was a fun format. Kind of reminiscent of the
Internet girls (TTYL/TTFN/L8R G8R series I loved in elementary school!
I also was so pleased to find out this story is own voices x2! Allison & Ava have both dealt with OCD and anxiety for most of their lives. As someone with anxiety, I was really able to relate to Ava the most. You could just tell her thoughts are ones people really experience! And while Gen does not claim one label in regards to her sexuality, she toys with the term “bisexuality” & is also polyamorous, which is how Gaby identifies as well! It was very evident that the authors were writing from personal experience, and I always appreciate the added authenticity of own voices novels, as shown in I Hate Everyone But You.
I was really pleased with how many relevant teen issues are talked about in this book. Not only do we talk about mental health, sexuality, polyamory, but there’s talk of stepping out of your comfort zone, drinking, drugs, sex, personal responsibility, making decisions for your future goals, standing up for what you believe in, and so much more! It was a really well rounded novel when it came to the content being discussed for teen issues.
My favorite part of the book has to be THE FRIENDSHIP. THE GIRL FRIENDSHIP. I need more books in my life that aren’t so focused on romance. It was so lovely to watch these two friends who have spent so much of their adolescence together adapt & grow through their separate college experiences! I love that they really know each other, are fairly supportive, and genuinely have concern for each other. What I love even MORE is that they actually argue! They disagree. They get into fights and ignore each other. THAT’S A THING THAT HAPPENS. TEEN FRIENDSHIPS AREN’T ALWAYS PERFECT AND FLUFFY (though I would definitely consider this a fluff-read). They butt heads, they don’t always understand each other, and that’s okay because they still love each other!
Another thing I loved about their relationship was the imbalance of awareness of social issues. Gen is hecka invested in social issues related to people of cover, people of the LGBTQ+ community, etc., but Ava is pretty uneducated. There are a lot of times where Ava says things that aren’t politically correct and Gen’s responses vary from “Let me explain this to you so you can be more aware” and “I am not your personal educator, you can google it and learn yourself”, which are both valid responses from a friend in my opinion. It was an interesting dynamic to follow a friendship where one half is “woke” whereas the other is fairly oblivious to social issues and has a lot to still learn.
Also, THE HUMOR. This book is laugh-out-loud funny. Like I said, it's fluffy, it's lighthearted, but ESPECIALLY funny.
There were only two concrete let downs for me. Personally, I wish the story had taken place over a longer period of time. The book runs from September-December of their freshman year of college, but the bulk of the story takes place in September/October. It made the story feel a little unbalance and the ending a bit rushed. I think part of it is that I was expecting it to take place over the first year of college when it was the first semester, so it’s not that big of a crucial point to me. The other let down was how the characters reacted at the climax of the story. I entered the story loving these characters and I was not crazy about some of the actions at the end of story, which left me liking them a little less. I wish there had been just a little bit more at the end of the novel for me to warm up to them again, but I definitely view them a little differently because of their final actions.
All in all, it was a super fun read. I do think it’s a bit juvenile (not as an insult) and is clearly catered to a specific audience. By that I mean, I do not think this is the best book for a 30 year old woman who reads mainly literary fiction. But if you are a teen/young adult looking for a light-hearted read, I think you’d enjoy it much more. Super fun book and again, thank you to St. Martins Press for supplying me with a copy!
This book was sent to me for free by Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 2, 2018
I Hate Everyone But You chronicles a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?
I'll start off by saying that reading this book was probably the most FUN I’ve had in ages with fiction. I practically couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the entirety of my reading experience. I Hate Everyone But You is perfect for fans of We Are Okay, Gena/ Finn, and Queens of Geek. That is to say: This book is an entirely character driven story, and like We Are Okay the premise is about two best friends in college, but we also have the shenanigans shared in Queens of Geek. I read through it in a whirlwind.
I will admit, however, that it took some time to get fully into the swing of things with the characters. But I was pretty sold once we had that one random scene at the beginning of the book where Gen tried cocaine in the bathroom with her new "friend." It truly left me both baffled and in fits. Particularly when I recalled this fittingly iconic Christine Sydelko vine.
“Overall, I would give cocaine 2 stars.”
But once I was into it, I really was in... From clickbait-worthy titles for emails, relatable budding crushes (“I like him so much. I hope he can’t tell.”), mental health, weird therapists in training, exploring your sexuality and labels, growing into yourself, the complexity behind friendships, finding your friend's crush online at the speed of light (I'm still laughing @chinatownjake98), and so much more that left me both reeling and feeling alive.
The dialogue (entertaining as hell, by the way) shared between Ava and Gen just began to flow so easily overtime, and I genuinely felt included on the fun and on the conversation, without actually having to experience any of the things they went through, which is low-key my heaven.
“Grow! Flourish! Experiment with things so I don’t have to.”
Also, the one-liners in here are something else. You would think that only one character would properly succeed at them, but that's thankfully not the case with I Hate Everyone But You. On one side of the coin, we have screenwriter Ava Helmer who's not afraid to tell it like it is:
“I just spent three hours gluing sparkle Greek letters to a poster board while twenty other girls gossiped about The Bachelorette like the contestants are real people and not robots hired by a massive corporation to fulfill their given duties and then disappear into minor Instagram fame.”
And then we also have journalist Genevieve Goldman, whom I admire for a plethora of reasons, but mainly because she's impossible to define without using her own words one too many times:
“Where do I fall, you might ask? I don’t subscribe to labels. Unless I’m labeling other people.”
Their friendship, however, is the epitome of unconditional love. They can always count on one another to put everything in perspective. Plus, they never fail to be there on the other's side when needed. It was inspiring to experience from the sidelines.
“Not everyone hits it off immediately. I fear that I’ve ruined you for other women. I am the best. We all know that. Sometimes you have to settle”
Whether it's bringing Ava out of her spiralling mind by reminding her of how utterly incredible she is and how she don't need no man, or by partying it up like a true college kid... Genevieve Goldman is a piece of art.
“Just remember: Jake is a typical college guy who barely knows how to take care of himself. Your self-worth should not hang in the balance of his New Balances.”
I feel like the only way I can visually show what their conversation left me like is through the one and only Jean-Ralphio:
“Quick question: Remember winter formal sophomore year when you told Chris R. to kiss me and then he did on our way home and I didn’t realize that you could breathe through your mouth while kissing and I suffocated? Does that have to count as my first kiss?”
Have I mentioned that I like Ava?
Also, on a more serious note, I cannot stop thinking about this next passage talking about Ava's behavior with her caring parents:
“I hate that I am my worst self around the two people who are nicest to me. I’m unable to keep my barriers up when I’m around my parents, so all the ugly comes out. Even when I’m mad, I can feel the guilt spreading through my body, but the mad overrides it.
I always apologize once it’s passed, but that’s not good enough. I’m 18. I can’t freak out on my lovely, supportive parents anytime they say something I don’t like. I’ve put them through enough. She literally drove an hour to drive me 20 minutes and then sit in the waiting room while I went into another room and complained about her. I am a terrible person.”
These lines really just made me travel back in time to that exact emotion.
But on a more lighthearted note, the surprising fourth wall break dropped in the novel regarding Just Between Us made me shriek. Which pretty much sums up the entirety of my reading experience, thinking "Why can’t I stop smiling? What is this sorcery?"
And though the ending did feel a tiny bit rushed with so much left in flux at the last minute, I still seriously applaud the authors for making 352 pages fly by without me even looking up from the book.
Last but not least, I also listened to this next charming song during my reading time.
Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying I Hate Everyone But You, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!
Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with Ko-fi.com/bookspoils
I'll start off by saying that reading this book was probably the most FUN I’ve had in ages with fiction. I practically couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the entirety of my reading experience. I Hate Everyone But You is perfect for fans of We Are Okay, Gena/ Finn, and Queens of Geek. That is to say: This book is an entirely character driven story, and like We Are Okay the premise is about two best friends in college, but we also have the shenanigans shared in Queens of Geek. I read through it in a whirlwind.
I will admit, however, that it took some time to get fully into the swing of things with the characters. But I was pretty sold once we had that one random scene at the beginning of the book where Gen tried cocaine in the bathroom with her new "friend." It truly left me both baffled and in fits. Particularly when I recalled this fittingly iconic Christine Sydelko vine.
“Overall, I would give cocaine 2 stars.”
But once I was into it, I really was in... From clickbait-worthy titles for emails, relatable budding crushes (“I like him so much. I hope he can’t tell.”), mental health, weird therapists in training, exploring your sexuality and labels, growing into yourself, the complexity behind friendships, finding your friend's crush online at the speed of light (I'm still laughing @chinatownjake98), and so much more that left me both reeling and feeling alive.
The dialogue (entertaining as hell, by the way) shared between Ava and Gen just began to flow so easily overtime, and I genuinely felt included on the fun and on the conversation, without actually having to experience any of the things they went through, which is low-key my heaven.
“Grow! Flourish! Experiment with things so I don’t have to.”
Also, the one-liners in here are something else. You would think that only one character would properly succeed at them, but that's thankfully not the case with I Hate Everyone But You. On one side of the coin, we have screenwriter Ava Helmer who's not afraid to tell it like it is:
“I just spent three hours gluing sparkle Greek letters to a poster board while twenty other girls gossiped about The Bachelorette like the contestants are real people and not robots hired by a massive corporation to fulfill their given duties and then disappear into minor Instagram fame.”
And then we also have journalist Genevieve Goldman, whom I admire for a plethora of reasons, but mainly because she's impossible to define without using her own words one too many times:
“Where do I fall, you might ask? I don’t subscribe to labels. Unless I’m labeling other people.”
Their friendship, however, is the epitome of unconditional love. They can always count on one another to put everything in perspective. Plus, they never fail to be there on the other's side when needed. It was inspiring to experience from the sidelines.
“Not everyone hits it off immediately. I fear that I’ve ruined you for other women. I am the best. We all know that. Sometimes you have to settle”
Whether it's bringing Ava out of her spiralling mind by reminding her of how utterly incredible she is and how she don't need no man, or by partying it up like a true college kid... Genevieve Goldman is a piece of art.
“Just remember: Jake is a typical college guy who barely knows how to take care of himself. Your self-worth should not hang in the balance of his New Balances.”
I feel like the only way I can visually show what their conversation left me like is through the one and only Jean-Ralphio:
“Quick question: Remember winter formal sophomore year when you told Chris R. to kiss me and then he did on our way home and I didn’t realize that you could breathe through your mouth while kissing and I suffocated? Does that have to count as my first kiss?”
Have I mentioned that I like Ava?
Also, on a more serious note, I cannot stop thinking about this next passage talking about Ava's behavior with her caring parents:
“I hate that I am my worst self around the two people who are nicest to me. I’m unable to keep my barriers up when I’m around my parents, so all the ugly comes out. Even when I’m mad, I can feel the guilt spreading through my body, but the mad overrides it.
I always apologize once it’s passed, but that’s not good enough. I’m 18. I can’t freak out on my lovely, supportive parents anytime they say something I don’t like. I’ve put them through enough. She literally drove an hour to drive me 20 minutes and then sit in the waiting room while I went into another room and complained about her. I am a terrible person.”
These lines really just made me travel back in time to that exact emotion.
But on a more lighthearted note, the surprising fourth wall break dropped in the novel regarding Just Between Us made me shriek. Which pretty much sums up the entirety of my reading experience, thinking "Why can’t I stop smiling? What is this sorcery?"
And though the ending did feel a tiny bit rushed with so much left in flux at the last minute, I still seriously applaud the authors for making 352 pages fly by without me even looking up from the book.
Last but not least, I also listened to this next charming song during my reading time.
Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying I Hate Everyone But You, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!
Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with Ko-fi.com/bookspoils
September 4, 2017
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book.
The story was cute but at the same time deals with serious issues such as sexual identity, mental illness, family conflicts, romantic relationships, and substance abuse.
The book has two main characters: Ava and Genevieve. They are best friends and are both starting college in different schools but located in completely different states. Ava stayed in California and Gen moved to the east coast. They have very different personalities and you get to know them as you read the novel.
The book is narrated in the form of emails and texts exchanged between the main characters and the dialog was witty, relevant and lovely. There are a lot of movie references and that was great for somebody who loves films as much as I do.
I generally go to the movies one or twice a week so to be able to "get" the puns added a layer of awesomeness to my reading experience.
Overall, I LOVED this book and recommend it to all.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
FINAL NOTE: the entire time I was reading this book I pictured Ava being played by Hailee Steinfeld from the movie The Age of Seventeen. This movie is amazing and available for streaming on Amazon and Itunes.
Review posted on blog.
The story was cute but at the same time deals with serious issues such as sexual identity, mental illness, family conflicts, romantic relationships, and substance abuse.
The book has two main characters: Ava and Genevieve. They are best friends and are both starting college in different schools but located in completely different states. Ava stayed in California and Gen moved to the east coast. They have very different personalities and you get to know them as you read the novel.
The book is narrated in the form of emails and texts exchanged between the main characters and the dialog was witty, relevant and lovely. There are a lot of movie references and that was great for somebody who loves films as much as I do.
I generally go to the movies one or twice a week so to be able to "get" the puns added a layer of awesomeness to my reading experience.
Overall, I LOVED this book and recommend it to all.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
FINAL NOTE: the entire time I was reading this book I pictured Ava being played by Hailee Steinfeld from the movie The Age of Seventeen. This movie is amazing and available for streaming on Amazon and Itunes.
Review posted on blog.
August 27, 2017
Well, this is awkward.
Why? Because, sadly, this is a case of "it's totally you, not me." I did my part. I went into this with an open mind, and a good mood. And in return, I received .. disappointment (to say the least) and a sufficiently soured mood (to say the .. most? Is that a thing? Please ignore me. I'm attempting to keep this light, to no avail). Yeah. I'm not happy.
The idea itself is fine, if a bit recycled. It's one of those things that could go (with no doubt) one of two ways: really really well, or horrendously bad.
Guess which way this went? Yeah, exactly.
But I shall present my opinion (see what I said? Opinion. Meaning, you could have a different one, which would be totally fine) in an organized, list-ly manner. Because I'm nothing if not organized. And list-ly.
- The idea of two best friends on a long-distance relationship, corresponding via email and text messages, was fun .. for the first 10 pages. Afterward? It got repetitive. And tiresome. Because - and I don't get whose idea it was to butcher a plotline this badly - if you don't know how to properly write a book in a funky format (solely through emails and texts, in this case), DON'T DO IT. Not everyone is Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, okay? Not everyone. And that's okay. But I believe this format, instead of enhancing the storyline, crippled the plot so horrendously that it limited the reader's view of the unfolding events, not to mention bored me to tears.
- Neither Ava nor Gen was strong enough to carry the storyline forward. In fact, they were so not strong that they fumbled the plot, and it fell and burst into shards (ignore that weird metaphor(?), please). These girls aren't interesting, okay? They're really not. All Ava did for over half of the book was whine and overthink every interaction she had with a random boy (he was so random, possessing next to no chemistry with Ava, that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he showed up and stuck), that it was obvious he was pushed into this shindig against his will for the sole purpose of serving as Convenient Love Interest #1™. And Gen? Gen did nothing but get drunk or high (or simultaneously drunk AND high; what a talented young woman we have here, folks) and having a rather gross relationship with a (middle-aged, mind you) teacher. I don't know about you, but does not interest me at all. It might mean the world to you, but not me. Sorry not sorry.
- The plot moved at a snail's pace, but without the final destination in mind. I cannot stress the amount of NOTHING that took place for 150+ pages here. Well, let me try to convey that: take the stars in space. See all the black nothingness between them?
*remembers dark matter and dark energy exist, so it's not technically "nothing"*
Well, this book is more NOTHING than the cold hard blackness of space. It was so very NOTHING, in fact, that I DNFed this torturous thingy at 44%, then skimmed to the end because I was feeling quite generous at the time. And even the ending was so very underwhelming, I thanked the heavens I made the right choice and just skimmed. Because I would've snoozed if I had continued.
That said, if any you read that synopsis and think the aspect is quite cool, or the issues I have so professionally addressed (ha) above do not sound like they might be of bother to you, then by all means, pick this book up. Seriously. You may like this more than I.
But for my part, I think I'll just drop this and go find a better read.
Thank you, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review!
Why? Because, sadly, this is a case of "it's totally you, not me." I did my part. I went into this with an open mind, and a good mood. And in return, I received .. disappointment (to say the least) and a sufficiently soured mood (to say the .. most? Is that a thing? Please ignore me. I'm attempting to keep this light, to no avail). Yeah. I'm not happy.
The idea itself is fine, if a bit recycled. It's one of those things that could go (with no doubt) one of two ways: really really well, or horrendously bad.
Guess which way this went? Yeah, exactly.
But I shall present my opinion (see what I said? Opinion. Meaning, you could have a different one, which would be totally fine) in an organized, list-ly manner. Because I'm nothing if not organized. And list-ly.
- The idea of two best friends on a long-distance relationship, corresponding via email and text messages, was fun .. for the first 10 pages. Afterward? It got repetitive. And tiresome. Because - and I don't get whose idea it was to butcher a plotline this badly - if you don't know how to properly write a book in a funky format (solely through emails and texts, in this case), DON'T DO IT. Not everyone is Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, okay? Not everyone. And that's okay. But I believe this format, instead of enhancing the storyline, crippled the plot so horrendously that it limited the reader's view of the unfolding events, not to mention bored me to tears.
- Neither Ava nor Gen was strong enough to carry the storyline forward. In fact, they were so not strong that they fumbled the plot, and it fell and burst into shards (ignore that weird metaphor(?), please). These girls aren't interesting, okay? They're really not. All Ava did for over half of the book was whine and overthink every interaction she had with a random boy (he was so random, possessing next to no chemistry with Ava, that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he showed up and stuck), that it was obvious he was pushed into this shindig against his will for the sole purpose of serving as Convenient Love Interest #1™. And Gen? Gen did nothing but get drunk or high (or simultaneously drunk AND high; what a talented young woman we have here, folks) and having a rather gross relationship with a (middle-aged, mind you) teacher. I don't know about you, but does not interest me at all. It might mean the world to you, but not me. Sorry not sorry.
- The plot moved at a snail's pace, but without the final destination in mind. I cannot stress the amount of NOTHING that took place for 150+ pages here. Well, let me try to convey that: take the stars in space. See all the black nothingness between them?
*remembers dark matter and dark energy exist, so it's not technically "nothing"*
Well, this book is more NOTHING than the cold hard blackness of space. It was so very NOTHING, in fact, that I DNFed this torturous thingy at 44%, then skimmed to the end because I was feeling quite generous at the time. And even the ending was so very underwhelming, I thanked the heavens I made the right choice and just skimmed. Because I would've snoozed if I had continued.
That said, if any you read that synopsis and think the aspect is quite cool, or the issues I have so professionally addressed (ha) above do not sound like they might be of bother to you, then by all means, pick this book up. Seriously. You may like this more than I.
But for my part, I think I'll just drop this and go find a better read.
Thank you, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review!
November 14, 2017
DNF at page 177, but what I read I would give one star.
Here's a quick list of reasons:
1. The best friends constant lack of respect/joking/dismissal of bisexuality. Just, no.
2. The only Transgender character was made into a villain.
3. The casual use of cocaine without any discussion around it was just not my thing. Just, why????
Here's a quick list of reasons:
1. The best friends constant lack of respect/joking/dismissal of bisexuality. Just, no.
2. The only Transgender character was made into a villain.
3. The casual use of cocaine without any discussion around it was just not my thing. Just, why????
January 30, 2018
I. Love. Reading other people’s text messages.
I just do. It’s a nosy-but-trendy personality quirk of mine. I love when people send me iMessage screenshots; I love Instagram accounts full of failed booty calls (booty texts? Sounds weird); I love BuzzFeed articles dedicated to text-based butt dials.
I also love books including text messages.
Maybe it’s for the aforementioned previously-maintained-interests-related reasons that reading this book didn’t really feel like reading? I guess that could be a good thing if you dislike, uh, reading. But I don’t?
My username for most everything is “emmareadstoomuch.” Couldn’t really make that clearer.
This is so loosely autobiographical that it stretches the word loosely. It stretches it past its elastic capacity, and it snaps in half, and then the word “loosely” is gone and it’s just autobiographical.
We follow Gen, an adventurous blonde freshman at Emerson, and Ava, a nervous new student/brunette at USC. This book is written by the adventurous blonde Gaby and the nervously brunette Allison, Emerson and USC alum(s), respectively.
I mean. SAME FIRST LETTERS OF NAME AND EVERYTHING. My brain is about to explode.
Also, Gen-and-Ava name drop Gaby-and-Allison’s real-life YouTube channel and it’s just weird and forced and all-around unpleasant, in the same way that authors trying to insert their old characters casually into their new books is. WE SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING, SARAH DESSEN/MORGAN MATSON/HUNTLEY FITZPATRICK/WHATEVER. Not suave at all.
FURTHERMORE. It feels strange to write this review without mentioning that I attend one of the colleges/universities detailed within these VERY PAGES. And that’s a really weird experience to have? The stories are really concerned with the intricacies of each institution (as opposed to most college-based contemporaries, since the authors actually, you know, attended them).
I really, really, really didn’t like it. It’s weird to judge your own college experience by someone else’s when that someone else is a fictional character. And also an author?
But that's not the book’s fault, really.
This is also rather diverse. Gen spends most of the book exploring her sexuality, and comes out as queer (so as not to restrict with a label) and Ava is severely anxious and has OCD.
This diversity has come under fire by some reviewers for the blasé way it’s discussed. (Specifically, a lot of the story details Ava learning about the LGBT community, and sometimes she asks questions in an offensive way.) Two things are important to note: one, this is OwnVoices for both characters (because this is a f*cking autobiography) and a lot of the insensitivities are solved through character development.
That does not, however, mean they’re not hard to read. These two characters can be sooooo unlikable it’s ridiculous, let me tell ya.
What a strange read this was.
Bottom line: DEFINITELY NOT FOR EVERYONE. Maybe not even for me?? Who knows. (I should.)
I just do. It’s a nosy-but-trendy personality quirk of mine. I love when people send me iMessage screenshots; I love Instagram accounts full of failed booty calls (booty texts? Sounds weird); I love BuzzFeed articles dedicated to text-based butt dials.
I also love books including text messages.
Maybe it’s for the aforementioned previously-maintained-interests-related reasons that reading this book didn’t really feel like reading? I guess that could be a good thing if you dislike, uh, reading. But I don’t?
My username for most everything is “emmareadstoomuch.” Couldn’t really make that clearer.
This is so loosely autobiographical that it stretches the word loosely. It stretches it past its elastic capacity, and it snaps in half, and then the word “loosely” is gone and it’s just autobiographical.
We follow Gen, an adventurous blonde freshman at Emerson, and Ava, a nervous new student/brunette at USC. This book is written by the adventurous blonde Gaby and the nervously brunette Allison, Emerson and USC alum(s), respectively.
I mean. SAME FIRST LETTERS OF NAME AND EVERYTHING. My brain is about to explode.
Also, Gen-and-Ava name drop Gaby-and-Allison’s real-life YouTube channel and it’s just weird and forced and all-around unpleasant, in the same way that authors trying to insert their old characters casually into their new books is. WE SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING, SARAH DESSEN/MORGAN MATSON/HUNTLEY FITZPATRICK/WHATEVER. Not suave at all.
FURTHERMORE. It feels strange to write this review without mentioning that I attend one of the colleges/universities detailed within these VERY PAGES. And that’s a really weird experience to have? The stories are really concerned with the intricacies of each institution (as opposed to most college-based contemporaries, since the authors actually, you know, attended them).
I really, really, really didn’t like it. It’s weird to judge your own college experience by someone else’s when that someone else is a fictional character. And also an author?
But that's not the book’s fault, really.
This is also rather diverse. Gen spends most of the book exploring her sexuality, and comes out as queer (so as not to restrict with a label) and Ava is severely anxious and has OCD.
This diversity has come under fire by some reviewers for the blasé way it’s discussed. (Specifically, a lot of the story details Ava learning about the LGBT community, and sometimes she asks questions in an offensive way.) Two things are important to note: one, this is OwnVoices for both characters (because this is a f*cking autobiography) and a lot of the insensitivities are solved through character development.
That does not, however, mean they’re not hard to read. These two characters can be sooooo unlikable it’s ridiculous, let me tell ya.
What a strange read this was.
Bottom line: DEFINITELY NOT FOR EVERYONE. Maybe not even for me?? Who knows. (I should.)
September 8, 2025
All the criticism and disconnecting vibes I got from the sequel novel that I accidentally read first an bout gen and Ava turned completely on its head when framed actually as a young coming of age and first separating from a inseparable kind of friendship like they had. The time period resonated more with me, their humor and banter felt more writhing their age and raw, and I gotta say the real emotional and sometimes physical growths they both go through while branching off into their own true identities was actually pretty incredible and while I can’t say it was amazing all the way thru and some points definitely lost me a little more than others. I think this should’ve just stayed as an impactful yet relatable one off friendship growth story and it would’ve been more open ended but truly better in the end
September 30, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Best friends Ava and Gen are about to be separated for the first time in years when Gen moves across the country for college and Ava stays at her local university. Gen quickly joins the newspaper staff and begins experimenting with drugs, alcohol, guys, and girls. Ava is majoring in film and tries to join a sorority to help her make friends while struggling with her mental illness in a new environment. Told through text messages and e-mails, I Hate Everyone But You is a story of long-distance friendship and its hurdles.
There’s an art to writing an epistolary novel that this book completely misses out on. Readers never want to feel like they’re outside of the action or missing the most important parts, and that’s exactly what happens here. There’s no tension, and anything that might be considered dramatic is conveyed by unanswered messages–which is to say, by nothing. A good epistolary novel will give us all of this without the benefit of narrative, which is incredibly difficult, and this novel doesn’t manage it. It also makes it difficult to track character development, because we only know what Gen and Ava tell each other. (That’s also assuming that there is any character development, and I may be giving this book too much credit in that respect.)
The book’s second failure is in character, and it’s the one I can’t forgive. Gen and Ava are both judgmental brats, and it’s not funny so much as mortifying and offensive. They’re like those people who think their lives are funny enough to be a sitcom, but really, you probably had to be there. Their stereotypical “college experiences” are exactly the kinds of things I tried to avoid when I was in college–why would I want to read about them now? As usual, there’s an excess of drinking and sleeping around, and at one point Ava even has the nerve to call one of her sorority sisters a basic bitch. (Is this supposed to be ironic?) Both characters make increasingly bad romantic choices. I’m a little ashamed that people think this is a typical American college experience.
Ava is also mildly homophobic, and her mental illness is not at all well-represented, since she mainly uses it to support her narrow and critical attitudes. Gen’s bisexuality seems like an excuse to sleep with any/everyone, and while she claims (loudly) to be a feminist, I have difficulty spotting it in the book. The authors could have used these issues as points for good development, but the novel isn’t anywhere near sophisticated enough for that. If college is supposed to be a learning experience, both in and outside the classroom, I think Ava and Gen both missed the point. Nobody learns anything. If this hadn’t been a review book, I would have DNF’ed after the first fifty pages.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
Best friends Ava and Gen are about to be separated for the first time in years when Gen moves across the country for college and Ava stays at her local university. Gen quickly joins the newspaper staff and begins experimenting with drugs, alcohol, guys, and girls. Ava is majoring in film and tries to join a sorority to help her make friends while struggling with her mental illness in a new environment. Told through text messages and e-mails, I Hate Everyone But You is a story of long-distance friendship and its hurdles.
There’s an art to writing an epistolary novel that this book completely misses out on. Readers never want to feel like they’re outside of the action or missing the most important parts, and that’s exactly what happens here. There’s no tension, and anything that might be considered dramatic is conveyed by unanswered messages–which is to say, by nothing. A good epistolary novel will give us all of this without the benefit of narrative, which is incredibly difficult, and this novel doesn’t manage it. It also makes it difficult to track character development, because we only know what Gen and Ava tell each other. (That’s also assuming that there is any character development, and I may be giving this book too much credit in that respect.)
The book’s second failure is in character, and it’s the one I can’t forgive. Gen and Ava are both judgmental brats, and it’s not funny so much as mortifying and offensive. They’re like those people who think their lives are funny enough to be a sitcom, but really, you probably had to be there. Their stereotypical “college experiences” are exactly the kinds of things I tried to avoid when I was in college–why would I want to read about them now? As usual, there’s an excess of drinking and sleeping around, and at one point Ava even has the nerve to call one of her sorority sisters a basic bitch. (Is this supposed to be ironic?) Both characters make increasingly bad romantic choices. I’m a little ashamed that people think this is a typical American college experience.
Ava is also mildly homophobic, and her mental illness is not at all well-represented, since she mainly uses it to support her narrow and critical attitudes. Gen’s bisexuality seems like an excuse to sleep with any/everyone, and while she claims (loudly) to be a feminist, I have difficulty spotting it in the book. The authors could have used these issues as points for good development, but the novel isn’t anywhere near sophisticated enough for that. If college is supposed to be a learning experience, both in and outside the classroom, I think Ava and Gen both missed the point. Nobody learns anything. If this hadn’t been a review book, I would have DNF’ed after the first fifty pages.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
Read
October 26, 2017This might be the story of how Shelby and I became friends. Must read to confirm . . . .
September 6, 2017
Mini review:
DNF
I received an E-ARC via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was highly anticipating this book! And I was so happy to get it from Netgalley. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.
At first I was really enjoying it! I was laughing here and there and it was all fun. But then it just became boring. It started to drag. And I lost interest in it. I didn't care for all the stupid drama these girls had.
This was just a me thing. Still recommend.
DNF
I received an E-ARC via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was highly anticipating this book! And I was so happy to get it from Netgalley. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.
At first I was really enjoying it! I was laughing here and there and it was all fun. But then it just became boring. It started to drag. And I lost interest in it. I didn't care for all the stupid drama these girls had.
This was just a me thing. Still recommend.
October 21, 2017
I'm so relieved I'm finally done with this book!
I was tempted to DNF the hell out of it several times, I didn't do it because a) the book is rather easy to read and short, b) I wanted to see this train wreck in its entirety.
I Hate Everyone But You is the most exhausting book I've recently read. One might hope that a book written by two individuals would be better, because twice a chance to notice offensive lines and problems in your book? But nope.
I'm struggling to find good things to say about the book. I guess I might say I like the voices of the protagonists. Young people do text like that, which is refreshing to see in a published book. However, both of the protagonists are 18 and it felt like they were 12, I swear.
As far as I know it's ownvoices novel for OCD & anxiety rep and for queer rep. I can't judge the anxiety rep, I'm going to link a reviewer how can speak for this rep. Queer rep was okay, but full disclaimer, queer protagonist has sex with various people, some of her actions can be called cheating. I don't think this bothered me much, I don't mind reading about imperfect people, but I can't ignore that the media image of bi/pan/queer people as cheaters and sluts, the book falls in the same line.
Everything else was complete and utter mess.
The plot? What plot? It starts with nothing and ends with nothing. What's the point? We are reading the email and text correspondence that happens during the first semester in college between to friends who live on different coast in the USA. Barely any character growth or development, the little of development that actually happens, is in basically the last 20 pages and it's rushed. The novel is very messy slice of life with no plot and a lot of pointless drama.
The email and text format got boring soon after the beginning, but that format is the only reason I managed to finish the book. I can't imagine reading it in a novel-like type of writing. Just no.
However, I could get behind it all,but... There is an abundance of offensive, ableist, biphobic and transphobic lines. Just to give you couple of examples:
• words "crazy" and "morons" are used so often, one might get desensitized to it by the end of the book. I am stunned that the book with protagonist who has OCD and anxiety, the book where mental health is addressed and discussed, such a language is allowed. Where were editors? To play devil's advocate, maybe teens talk like that? Some might, but it has been addressed million times how hurtful that words are. Many people don't use these words, plain and simple like that.
• biphobic comments, transphobic comments. Ava is 18 year old and apparently the concept of bisexuality is too hard to grasp. And don't get me started on her asking Gen about the genitals of her trans man partner. On other side, Gen thinks it's a must to leave the newspaper with a TERF interim editor (I support this), but later hook up with the same TERF woman is okay? Nothing of these has been properly addressed and called out.
•the protagonists are unlikable people who have unhealthy relationships and reading about it was in no way interesting and they do not learn.
I might go on and on about this book, but I don't want to waste any more of my energy and time on the book.
Good and detailed review by the ownvoices reviewer for anxiety rep: Cait (Paper Fury)'s review
Good and in depth review by bi reviewer: Janine's review
Trigger warnings: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mention of suicide attempt, parental neglect, alcoholic parent, unhealthy relationships, anxiety, OCD, medication, biphobic & queerphobic & transphobic comments, ableism, dubious consent
I was tempted to DNF the hell out of it several times, I didn't do it because a) the book is rather easy to read and short, b) I wanted to see this train wreck in its entirety.
I Hate Everyone But You is the most exhausting book I've recently read. One might hope that a book written by two individuals would be better, because twice a chance to notice offensive lines and problems in your book? But nope.
I'm struggling to find good things to say about the book. I guess I might say I like the voices of the protagonists. Young people do text like that, which is refreshing to see in a published book. However, both of the protagonists are 18 and it felt like they were 12, I swear.
As far as I know it's ownvoices novel for OCD & anxiety rep and for queer rep. I can't judge the anxiety rep, I'm going to link a reviewer how can speak for this rep. Queer rep was okay, but full disclaimer, queer protagonist has sex with various people, some of her actions can be called cheating. I don't think this bothered me much, I don't mind reading about imperfect people, but I can't ignore that the media image of bi/pan/queer people as cheaters and sluts, the book falls in the same line.
Everything else was complete and utter mess.
The plot? What plot? It starts with nothing and ends with nothing. What's the point? We are reading the email and text correspondence that happens during the first semester in college between to friends who live on different coast in the USA. Barely any character growth or development, the little of development that actually happens, is in basically the last 20 pages and it's rushed. The novel is very messy slice of life with no plot and a lot of pointless drama.
The email and text format got boring soon after the beginning, but that format is the only reason I managed to finish the book. I can't imagine reading it in a novel-like type of writing. Just no.
However, I could get behind it all,but... There is an abundance of offensive, ableist, biphobic and transphobic lines. Just to give you couple of examples:
• words "crazy" and "morons" are used so often, one might get desensitized to it by the end of the book. I am stunned that the book with protagonist who has OCD and anxiety, the book where mental health is addressed and discussed, such a language is allowed. Where were editors? To play devil's advocate, maybe teens talk like that? Some might, but it has been addressed million times how hurtful that words are. Many people don't use these words, plain and simple like that.
• biphobic comments, transphobic comments. Ava is 18 year old and apparently the concept of bisexuality is too hard to grasp. And don't get me started on her asking Gen about the genitals of her trans man partner. On other side, Gen thinks it's a must to leave the newspaper with a TERF interim editor (I support this), but later hook up with the same TERF woman is okay? Nothing of these has been properly addressed and called out.
•the protagonists are unlikable people who have unhealthy relationships and reading about it was in no way interesting and they do not learn.
I might go on and on about this book, but I don't want to waste any more of my energy and time on the book.
Good and detailed review by the ownvoices reviewer for anxiety rep: Cait (Paper Fury)'s review
Good and in depth review by bi reviewer: Janine's review
Trigger warnings: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mention of suicide attempt, parental neglect, alcoholic parent, unhealthy relationships, anxiety, OCD, medication, biphobic & queerphobic & transphobic comments, ableism, dubious consent
October 1, 2017
I don't want to rate this yet because I honestly don't know how I feel. The first half of the book was fun and kept me interested and then it went downhill l. The friendship between these two girls seemed so toxic and I just don't understand it. Maybe a rating a review to come?
August 5, 2017
DNF on page 211
I was quite excited about this book. I loved the cover and the synopsis and sort of figured it was going to be one of those books that I go back to when I needed a pick me up...and it was not even close.
First off, I loved the format. I loved the emails and texts. It was a fun way to meet the girls and by not getting inside their heads, we're getting exactly what the other was reading.
Unfortunately, I didn't care for Ava or Gen. They didn't sound too different to me. Most of the story felt like complaining and conquests {or the lack there of.} I just couldn't connect to any thing or anyone. And once I realized that I was insanely bored and didn't care how it ended, I figured it was time to quit.
I can see how other readers will love this, but it wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Wednesday Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I was quite excited about this book. I loved the cover and the synopsis and sort of figured it was going to be one of those books that I go back to when I needed a pick me up...and it was not even close.
First off, I loved the format. I loved the emails and texts. It was a fun way to meet the girls and by not getting inside their heads, we're getting exactly what the other was reading.
Unfortunately, I didn't care for Ava or Gen. They didn't sound too different to me. Most of the story felt like complaining and conquests {or the lack there of.} I just couldn't connect to any thing or anyone. And once I realized that I was insanely bored and didn't care how it ended, I figured it was time to quit.
I can see how other readers will love this, but it wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Wednesday Books for providing the arc free of charge**
Read
July 7, 2017Novels have been around a long time, but didn't get kicked into mass popularity until Richardson was hired to write a novel and hit upon the epistolary narration for his mega-hit Pamela.
What rocketed Pamela into popularity all over Europe was not just the gimmick--that has been around--but the characters. Richardson gave all the letter writers distinctive voices, quirks, and goals. The letters are often quite funny, but the problem of a girl gone into service at a man's home where he holds all the power, and his eye lights on her, were very real. Still are.
And so the authors here, who are so very hip and in-the-now that I didn't recognize 90% of the artists or brands, have gone back to this once-popular narrative device, telling the story of two best friends, Gen and Ava, who are embarking on their first year of college at opposite ends of the country: one at USC's film school, the other at a tiny super-liberal and experimental college in the Boston area.
It starts off with a laugh: Ava writes a long, tearful letter to her bestie . . . who is in the room with her.
This perfectly sets the tone, but also, you begin to realize, is a brilliant bit of characterization, as you slowly get to know the two girls, one of whom has been struggling with mental illness most of her life, and the other who flings herself unafraid into life, impatient of rules and authority. We learn a great deal about their families, their relationships, what they want--what they don't realize they want, but need.
Sex, drugs, gender identity, alcohol, the difficulties of navigating friendship and more intimate relations, all get explored through these letters as the girls embark on their first semester of adulthood. There is a great deal of wit, both clever and raunchy, insight, bewilderment, disappointment, hurt, and unflinching exploration as they begin working toward awareness of the world, its promise and pitfalls.
It's a fast, engaging, queer-friendly read; apparently the authors are celebrities. I hadn't known that--will have to look them up.
Copy provided by NetGalley
What rocketed Pamela into popularity all over Europe was not just the gimmick--that has been around--but the characters. Richardson gave all the letter writers distinctive voices, quirks, and goals. The letters are often quite funny, but the problem of a girl gone into service at a man's home where he holds all the power, and his eye lights on her, were very real. Still are.
And so the authors here, who are so very hip and in-the-now that I didn't recognize 90% of the artists or brands, have gone back to this once-popular narrative device, telling the story of two best friends, Gen and Ava, who are embarking on their first year of college at opposite ends of the country: one at USC's film school, the other at a tiny super-liberal and experimental college in the Boston area.
It starts off with a laugh: Ava writes a long, tearful letter to her bestie . . . who is in the room with her.
This perfectly sets the tone, but also, you begin to realize, is a brilliant bit of characterization, as you slowly get to know the two girls, one of whom has been struggling with mental illness most of her life, and the other who flings herself unafraid into life, impatient of rules and authority. We learn a great deal about their families, their relationships, what they want--what they don't realize they want, but need.
Sex, drugs, gender identity, alcohol, the difficulties of navigating friendship and more intimate relations, all get explored through these letters as the girls embark on their first semester of adulthood. There is a great deal of wit, both clever and raunchy, insight, bewilderment, disappointment, hurt, and unflinching exploration as they begin working toward awareness of the world, its promise and pitfalls.
It's a fast, engaging, queer-friendly read; apparently the authors are celebrities. I hadn't known that--will have to look them up.
Copy provided by NetGalley
August 17, 2017
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
HULLA!
So I'm starting a new thing where I do a stock image review before any review. So here are all my feeling about this book:
So. Now that the ice is broken, let's do dis.
'I Hate Everyone But You' by Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn is the story of Ava and Gen, two childhood best friends who maintain their relationship via texts and E-Mails during their first year of college- on opposite sides of the counrty. They're not the most obvious pair of best friends: while Gen is exploring her sexuality and experimenting with alcohol and drugs for the first time, Ava struggles with her OCD and anxiety disorder.
I LOOOOVED this book! It was everything I expected it to be and more!
I'm a sucker for an odd couple and loved the dynamic between Ava and Gen - much like the dynamic between their alter egos Allison and Gaby. There were so many funny moments that resolved through their vastly different life approach that at times made me laugh out loud (I was reading in public – DO NOT RECOMMEND, YOU WILL GET LOOKS) but also tear up a little (I cry a lot and read this on my period, but still!).
This is a book by two comedians so I was a little worried it would be all-laughs and no substance. Very far off- it had perfect timing when to do the serious stuff and when giggles and laughs were enough.
I loved Ava and Gens friendship: there wasn't any jealousy or bitchiness the way female friendships are often depicted- but also no sucking up. Just a real, supportive, loving friendship. This was the main focus of the book- no need for some guy to sweep Ava off her feet and magically cure her OCD just by valuing her as a person or some dude to come in and show Gen the world. Their friendship is a strong enough relationship to carry the story without the need to pep it up with a forced love story about the most unrealisic 19 year old boy ever. It was all about women finding themselves and about female friendship – Bechdel test: check, check, check, CHECK, CHECK!
Another thing I liked was the way that the way them growing up was depicted: this is very much a coming-off-age story, or rather two coming-off-age storys. The mental illness was complex and three-dimensional the way real mental illness is. The LGBTQ+ aspect has handled very well too: all queer characters introduced, not only Gen, were fully fleshed people, not cheap stereotypes and YET ANOTHER sassy gay best friend(obviously white, because DUH!) who doesn't deserve his own storyline besides his passion for playing fairy-god mother for the ugly duckiling turned princess main character.
A suprise for me was that I didn't at all mind the format of the book. Usually I deteste Epistolary novels and novels with switching perspectives and while I'm still not crazy about them, I quite enjoyed it while reading this book. It made for a fast-paced and easy read. My E-Reader didn't show the emojis though, which drove me crazy.
Gen and Ava were very much like Gaby and Allison™, the fictionalized versions of Gaby Dunn and Allsion Raskin. This might make getting into the book a little harder for someone who does not already watch their YouTube channel and at times the book felt like one long JBU sketch, especially in the beginning. But Ava and Gen were much more real than Gaby and Allison™: luckily. A completly one-dimensional character maybe does great in a 3 minute sketch, but probably less good in a 350 pages long novel. But these were real characters, not caricatures and exaggerations.
The only negative thing I really have to say about the book is that at points I questioned whether I would've enjoyed it as much if it weren't in the context of Gaby and Allison. It's very on brand for them, but it's also going off the odd-couple dynamic that has been their entire channel for years. I would love to read more by them- and maybe see them branch out a little bit next time.
All in all, it was a great read and I'm definitly going to buy the physical copy once it comes out. Unfortunatly they didn't ship ARCs to Germany, so I had to rely on an E-Reader one. If you decide to read it, I highly recommend you watch a few of 'Just Between Us' videos first. Maybe I'm wrong and the book is equally enjoyable regardless, but one way or another: you're watching some great ass comedy right there.
I also might do a video review of this for YouTube before the book comes out. The content will be very similar but you'll see my pretty face ;)
A previous version of this review:
I COULD NOT BE MORE EXITED!
Please don't have any prejudice because this book is written by YouTubers, it's written by two of the most talented and hardworking comedic writers and performers I could think of, and the premise has them written all over it. Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn embody everything that's right about Millennials(pardon the shit word) doing comedy and I think Hank Green was right when he said they're doing exactly what Amy Poehler and Tina Fey would be doing if they were in their twenties. As someone wanting to go into comedy I look up to them in so many ways. Their careers are bound to be more than a YouTube show and it was honestly only a question of time when they were going to get a book deal or have a pilot made. I'm beyond exited for this, please pre-order if you can, I'm positive we'll love it.
HULLA!
So I'm starting a new thing where I do a stock image review before any review. So here are all my feeling about this book:
So. Now that the ice is broken, let's do dis.
'I Hate Everyone But You' by Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn is the story of Ava and Gen, two childhood best friends who maintain their relationship via texts and E-Mails during their first year of college- on opposite sides of the counrty. They're not the most obvious pair of best friends: while Gen is exploring her sexuality and experimenting with alcohol and drugs for the first time, Ava struggles with her OCD and anxiety disorder.
I LOOOOVED this book! It was everything I expected it to be and more!
I'm a sucker for an odd couple and loved the dynamic between Ava and Gen - much like the dynamic between their alter egos Allison and Gaby. There were so many funny moments that resolved through their vastly different life approach that at times made me laugh out loud (I was reading in public – DO NOT RECOMMEND, YOU WILL GET LOOKS) but also tear up a little (I cry a lot and read this on my period, but still!).
This is a book by two comedians so I was a little worried it would be all-laughs and no substance. Very far off- it had perfect timing when to do the serious stuff and when giggles and laughs were enough.
I loved Ava and Gens friendship: there wasn't any jealousy or bitchiness the way female friendships are often depicted- but also no sucking up. Just a real, supportive, loving friendship. This was the main focus of the book- no need for some guy to sweep Ava off her feet and magically cure her OCD just by valuing her as a person or some dude to come in and show Gen the world. Their friendship is a strong enough relationship to carry the story without the need to pep it up with a forced love story about the most unrealisic 19 year old boy ever. It was all about women finding themselves and about female friendship – Bechdel test: check, check, check, CHECK, CHECK!
Another thing I liked was the way that the way them growing up was depicted: this is very much a coming-off-age story, or rather two coming-off-age storys. The mental illness was complex and three-dimensional the way real mental illness is. The LGBTQ+ aspect has handled very well too: all queer characters introduced, not only Gen, were fully fleshed people, not cheap stereotypes and YET ANOTHER sassy gay best friend(obviously white, because DUH!) who doesn't deserve his own storyline besides his passion for playing fairy-god mother for the ugly duckiling turned princess main character.
A suprise for me was that I didn't at all mind the format of the book. Usually I deteste Epistolary novels and novels with switching perspectives and while I'm still not crazy about them, I quite enjoyed it while reading this book. It made for a fast-paced and easy read. My E-Reader didn't show the emojis though, which drove me crazy.
Gen and Ava were very much like Gaby and Allison™, the fictionalized versions of Gaby Dunn and Allsion Raskin. This might make getting into the book a little harder for someone who does not already watch their YouTube channel and at times the book felt like one long JBU sketch, especially in the beginning. But Ava and Gen were much more real than Gaby and Allison™: luckily. A completly one-dimensional character maybe does great in a 3 minute sketch, but probably less good in a 350 pages long novel. But these were real characters, not caricatures and exaggerations.
The only negative thing I really have to say about the book is that at points I questioned whether I would've enjoyed it as much if it weren't in the context of Gaby and Allison. It's very on brand for them, but it's also going off the odd-couple dynamic that has been their entire channel for years. I would love to read more by them- and maybe see them branch out a little bit next time.
All in all, it was a great read and I'm definitly going to buy the physical copy once it comes out. Unfortunatly they didn't ship ARCs to Germany, so I had to rely on an E-Reader one. If you decide to read it, I highly recommend you watch a few of 'Just Between Us' videos first. Maybe I'm wrong and the book is equally enjoyable regardless, but one way or another: you're watching some great ass comedy right there.
I also might do a video review of this for YouTube before the book comes out. The content will be very similar but you'll see my pretty face ;)
A previous version of this review:
I COULD NOT BE MORE EXITED!
Please don't have any prejudice because this book is written by YouTubers, it's written by two of the most talented and hardworking comedic writers and performers I could think of, and the premise has them written all over it. Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn embody everything that's right about Millennials(pardon the shit word) doing comedy and I think Hank Green was right when he said they're doing exactly what Amy Poehler and Tina Fey would be doing if they were in their twenties. As someone wanting to go into comedy I look up to them in so many ways. Their careers are bound to be more than a YouTube show and it was honestly only a question of time when they were going to get a book deal or have a pilot made. I'm beyond exited for this, please pre-order if you can, I'm positive we'll love it.
October 17, 2017
2.5 Stars
I wanted to like this more than I did. I was all here for the format (I love stories told in emails and texts). I LOVED the clear love you can see between Ava and Gen from the beginning. And I loved the great conversational humor we get from both characters. Unfortunately, the beginning was the best part for me and it slowly went down from there.
As the story progresses, I realized I didn’t particularly care for either character - they both had their questionable moments that lead me to pull back. And we start to see more and more cracks in their friendship as well. We see them grow apart a bit, and start wondering if who they are now can still be best friends. It felt honest, which was nice, but I just started getting invested less and less. I liked that we got to see Ava openly discussing her anxiety and OCD and we got to see Gen’s exploration and realization of her sexual identity (she comes to identify as queer), but Ava was incredibly naive and insensitive about some topics (which Gen called her on). Overall, this was okay. I wish the story hadn’t peaked in the beginning for me. This was a story with some good moments, but overall a bit of a let down.
I received a copy of the book from Wednesday books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Everyone always talks about the effort you have to put into a romantic relationship or a marriage, but why would a friendship be any different?"
I wanted to like this more than I did. I was all here for the format (I love stories told in emails and texts). I LOVED the clear love you can see between Ava and Gen from the beginning. And I loved the great conversational humor we get from both characters. Unfortunately, the beginning was the best part for me and it slowly went down from there.
As the story progresses, I realized I didn’t particularly care for either character - they both had their questionable moments that lead me to pull back. And we start to see more and more cracks in their friendship as well. We see them grow apart a bit, and start wondering if who they are now can still be best friends. It felt honest, which was nice, but I just started getting invested less and less. I liked that we got to see Ava openly discussing her anxiety and OCD and we got to see Gen’s exploration and realization of her sexual identity (she comes to identify as queer), but Ava was incredibly naive and insensitive about some topics (which Gen called her on). Overall, this was okay. I wish the story hadn’t peaked in the beginning for me. This was a story with some good moments, but overall a bit of a let down.
I received a copy of the book from Wednesday books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2017
4.5 stars. There was a lag about 4/5 of the way through, which cost it a .5 star for me, but otherwise, spectacular.
Here's what's so great about this book:
- Funny. Like, really, really funny.
- Between the jokes, it deals with REAL DAMN ISSUES. Addiction, mental illness, self-harm, spiraling friends. But it doesn't jump the shark in terms of squishing in every possible college freshman disaster. It's balanced and deals with these issues sensitively, borderline educationally, and v v realistically.
- Even though it's fundamentally a book about relationships, that's not all there is to it. Both women pursue career-focused activities throughout the course of the book. They succeed and fail in these first attempts at breaking into their respective fields. It kind of sucks that I have to point this out for the anomaly that it is, but here we are, in 2017, with Donald Trump as president of the US, so: This is a book that easily passes the Bechdel test. *Deep sigh of gratitude*
Here's what's so great about this book:
- Funny. Like, really, really funny.
- Between the jokes, it deals with REAL DAMN ISSUES. Addiction, mental illness, self-harm, spiraling friends. But it doesn't jump the shark in terms of squishing in every possible college freshman disaster. It's balanced and deals with these issues sensitively, borderline educationally, and v v realistically.
- Even though it's fundamentally a book about relationships, that's not all there is to it. Both women pursue career-focused activities throughout the course of the book. They succeed and fail in these first attempts at breaking into their respective fields. It kind of sucks that I have to point this out for the anomaly that it is, but here we are, in 2017, with Donald Trump as president of the US, so: This is a book that easily passes the Bechdel test. *Deep sigh of gratitude*
September 27, 2025
If you want to write a memoir, just write a memoir... I would have enjoyed that! I would have gushed over it. This... this I will not.
Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn chose to write a text/email-based semi-autobiographical book for their first foray into fiction, I Hate Everyone But You. Which isn't bad in and of itself if you lean a little heavy on the "semi" in "semi-autobiographical", but, when your characters have the same first initials, virtually the same personalities, go to the same damn colleges (oy vey), and have the same dynamic as the two of you? It's boring as hell. Yes, the world loves your zany friendship story but that doesn't mean that you can't be original or creative in your first novel. Hey, creativity and originality are something people want (generally, I enjoy not paying $27 CAD and spending hours to get the same experience I do when I watch a video on YouTube for free). The worst part is when Gen LINKS Gaby & Allison's channel in the book to Ava.
Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn chose to write a text/email-based semi-autobiographical book for their first foray into fiction, I Hate Everyone But You. Which isn't bad in and of itself if you lean a little heavy on the "semi" in "semi-autobiographical", but, when your characters have the same first initials, virtually the same personalities, go to the same damn colleges (oy vey), and have the same dynamic as the two of you? It's boring as hell. Yes, the world loves your zany friendship story but that doesn't mean that you can't be original or creative in your first novel. Hey, creativity and originality are something people want (generally, I enjoy not paying $27 CAD and spending hours to get the same experience I do when I watch a video on YouTube for free). The worst part is when Gen LINKS Gaby & Allison's channel in the book to Ava.
March 22, 2019
3.5 Stars
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reading copy of I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin. I can't wait to start this book. Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin are YouTubers. I have not seen anything of theirs but after reading this book I would like to.
This book is about two best friends Ava and Gen. They went to high school together and this novel takes place over their time apart attending two different colleges. This book is formatted through emails and text messages and was a nice change of pace. I love that the main focus of the plot was on friendship rather than relationships (although there are relationship talks within it).
For a book that is very light hearted and an easy read it did cover a lot of topics and issues that many teens/adults face. There are frequent discussions of sexuality and mental health. There are also conversations about past and present decisions that both girls make about their futures. I also liked that Gen was very openly feminist and was a voice to the LGBTQ+ community. Whereas, Ava is very conservative in her logic and doesn't understand all elements of a queer lifestyle. This was relevant to me as I wouldn't say I am ignorant to LGBTQ+ issues/lifestyles but their are aspects that I would definitely never classify myself as an expert. I am learning just like a lot of other people.
I think that someone who suffers from mental health issues (such as anxiety, OCD, and depression) and people who identify as LGBTQ+ (especially polyamory) would enjoy this book and be able to relate to these characters as this is an own voices novel.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reading copy of I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin. I can't wait to start this book. Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin are YouTubers. I have not seen anything of theirs but after reading this book I would like to.
This book is about two best friends Ava and Gen. They went to high school together and this novel takes place over their time apart attending two different colleges. This book is formatted through emails and text messages and was a nice change of pace. I love that the main focus of the plot was on friendship rather than relationships (although there are relationship talks within it).
For a book that is very light hearted and an easy read it did cover a lot of topics and issues that many teens/adults face. There are frequent discussions of sexuality and mental health. There are also conversations about past and present decisions that both girls make about their futures. I also liked that Gen was very openly feminist and was a voice to the LGBTQ+ community. Whereas, Ava is very conservative in her logic and doesn't understand all elements of a queer lifestyle. This was relevant to me as I wouldn't say I am ignorant to LGBTQ+ issues/lifestyles but their are aspects that I would definitely never classify myself as an expert. I am learning just like a lot of other people.
I think that someone who suffers from mental health issues (such as anxiety, OCD, and depression) and people who identify as LGBTQ+ (especially polyamory) would enjoy this book and be able to relate to these characters as this is an own voices novel.
August 31, 2018
“You are so brave and so strong that sometimes I forget someone like me can hurt you. But you need to remember that you can hurt me too.”
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, and these are my thoughts about it
This book tells the story of two best friends who have been together for years, but that are now leaving for different colleges. They communicate through texts and emails to let each other know how life is going, and talk about their new experiences and insecurities now that they’re so far from each other.
I really enjoyed this book. I’m usually not too fond of this email-and-texts type of format, but in this case it was actually handled well. The conversations between the girls felt very natural, as if I was really reading actual texts and emails exchanged between two friends.
I loved that the narrative didn’t leave me feeling like I needed descriptions to fully understand what was going on, or to connect emotionally with the characters. I didn't feel lost. Also the book managed to represent and comment on anxiety issues and lgbtq+ matters through the girls’ conversations.
This was an easy, quick, entertaining read, and it had a bit more depth than I expected. I would definitely recommend it. Also, from what I’ve seen, the hardcover is absolutely gorgeous, so I certainly intend to get myself a copy as soon as I can.
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December 30, 2017
This was a fast, fluffy, addictive read about teen girl friendship that was refreshing in its willingness to let the characters make mistakes and not be perfect. It's also an interesting boundary straddler between YA and NA. It didn't have the emotional complexity or depth I really wanted, but I'm not sure if it was really going for that anyway? It was really fun, especially as it was often witty and quite funny. The format (it's told in emails and text messages) also makes it easy to read and adds to that un-putdownableness of it.
The portrayal of the character coming out as bi and poly was especially intriguing; I felt like it was interrogating those stereotypes that bi people are sluts and can't do monogamy and saying yeah, so what? It also managed to integrate other issues in the queer community, like transphobia from supposedly liberal queer women and how hard it can be from newly out queers to feel like they have to be experts on themselves and their community to straight/cis outsiders.
I actually identified with and enjoyed the sections written by the straight girl Ava even though I have being bi in common with Gen, the other character. I really liked how Ava's sections dealt with mental illness and I was into her self-depricating humour.
The portrayal of the character coming out as bi and poly was especially intriguing; I felt like it was interrogating those stereotypes that bi people are sluts and can't do monogamy and saying yeah, so what? It also managed to integrate other issues in the queer community, like transphobia from supposedly liberal queer women and how hard it can be from newly out queers to feel like they have to be experts on themselves and their community to straight/cis outsiders.
I actually identified with and enjoyed the sections written by the straight girl Ava even though I have being bi in common with Gen, the other character. I really liked how Ava's sections dealt with mental illness and I was into her self-depricating humour.
August 31, 2017
2.5/5 Stars
For a good chunk of the book, this was a quick and enjoyable read. I did have some issues with how everything was resolved and with Gen's character (she was a bitch who would jump down Ava's throat over almost everything. Instead of helping Ava out and teaching her or informing her, she was constantly being condescending and Ava would be the one having to apologize and/or basically beg Gen to forgive her.)
I guess it's just also a reflection of situations I've found myself in in the past. Sometimes things are said out of ignorance because people don't know any better, but they're not things said to personally attack the other person.
I don't know. While I enjoyed a good chunk of this books and these girls' experiences during their first semester of college, it felt like it was trying too hard to say what is politically correct and what isn't by immediately being a dickhead to the person who incorrectly read a situation and/or made a comment about certain situations without being fully informed. I feel like people should be informed, of course, but not with condescension like Gen did SO MANY TIMES to Ava.
Sure, the conclusion had some moments of Gen realizing that she was being a mean person, but I mean, it still felt half-assed. She was HORRIBLE to Ava and still it was Ava reaching out. It just all didn't sit very well with me. The more I write this "review" the more I realize how problematic this friendship was. Even if it was "quirky" and full of #friendgoals moments, I still found that at its core, it was problematic. Neither of the girls are perfect or great, but I definitely felt an inequality in the dynamics of this friendship.
Happy reading!
For a good chunk of the book, this was a quick and enjoyable read. I did have some issues with how everything was resolved and with Gen's character (she was a bitch who would jump down Ava's throat over almost everything. Instead of helping Ava out and teaching her or informing her, she was constantly being condescending and Ava would be the one having to apologize and/or basically beg Gen to forgive her.)
I guess it's just also a reflection of situations I've found myself in in the past. Sometimes things are said out of ignorance because people don't know any better, but they're not things said to personally attack the other person.
I don't know. While I enjoyed a good chunk of this books and these girls' experiences during their first semester of college, it felt like it was trying too hard to say what is politically correct and what isn't by immediately being a dickhead to the person who incorrectly read a situation and/or made a comment about certain situations without being fully informed. I feel like people should be informed, of course, but not with condescension like Gen did SO MANY TIMES to Ava.
Sure, the conclusion had some moments of Gen realizing that she was being a mean person, but I mean, it still felt half-assed. She was HORRIBLE to Ava and still it was Ava reaching out. It just all didn't sit very well with me. The more I write this "review" the more I realize how problematic this friendship was. Even if it was "quirky" and full of #friendgoals moments, I still found that at its core, it was problematic. Neither of the girls are perfect or great, but I definitely felt an inequality in the dynamics of this friendship.
Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2017
ARC provided via Netgalley.
Thank you good people and God bless you!
Describing this book using only one word: fun
("Annoying" as a description word is a runner up.)
What I loved about this one:
• format
• humor
• versatility
• Ava! (She was fun little loyal cutie pie, loved her part of the story, cluelessness, mistakes and vibe in general. Would take her as a best friend in a second!)
What I hated:
• Gen
Before I say anything else, let me state I've pretty much grew up within LGBT community...and what I learned from it is recognizing "I'll be gay just to be cool" girls the moment I see them.
Gen is one.
Wanted to throw heavy objects at her just for that.
But add up being a shitty friend (kinda reminded me of Sloane from "Since you've been gone") and a stubborn, annoying, self-destructive mess, and she deserves to be banned from the book.
B!tch.
Still, I extremely enjoyed the novel and would recommend it if you're looking for a fun and fast read.
Thank you good people and God bless you!
Describing this book using only one word: fun
("Annoying" as a description word is a runner up.)
What I loved about this one:
• format
• humor
• versatility
• Ava! (She was fun little loyal cutie pie, loved her part of the story, cluelessness, mistakes and vibe in general. Would take her as a best friend in a second!)
What I hated:
• Gen
Before I say anything else, let me state I've pretty much grew up within LGBT community...and what I learned from it is recognizing "I'll be gay just to be cool" girls the moment I see them.
Gen is one.
Wanted to throw heavy objects at her just for that.
But add up being a shitty friend (kinda reminded me of Sloane from "Since you've been gone") and a stubborn, annoying, self-destructive mess, and she deserves to be banned from the book.
B!tch.
Still, I extremely enjoyed the novel and would recommend it if you're looking for a fun and fast read.
October 29, 2017
I bought this book solely because the title reminded me so strongly of my best friend and I. I'm not normally a fan of books with a text/email writing format but it worked so well for this book and I think Gaby and Allison did a great job writing in this style.
I didn't really relate to the characters in the way I was hoping I would but I definitely related to the workings of their friendship. My best friend and I are long distance so the struggles the characters went through of being so far away really hit home for me.
I really loved the character development of both girls. It was beautifully done and I was really impressed.
There was a few slow spots towards the middle of the book but since it's such a quick read, it didn't bother me that much.
What I loved most about I Hate Everyone But You is how it's clearly thoughtfully written. I wasn't expecting it to be written so well but Gaby and Allison are very talented and I'm excited to read any books they put out in the future.
I didn't really relate to the characters in the way I was hoping I would but I definitely related to the workings of their friendship. My best friend and I are long distance so the struggles the characters went through of being so far away really hit home for me.
I really loved the character development of both girls. It was beautifully done and I was really impressed.
There was a few slow spots towards the middle of the book but since it's such a quick read, it didn't bother me that much.
What I loved most about I Hate Everyone But You is how it's clearly thoughtfully written. I wasn't expecting it to be written so well but Gaby and Allison are very talented and I'm excited to read any books they put out in the future.
August 18, 2017
This one wasn't bad! I watch Gaby and Allison on their channel Just Between Us quite frequently, so if you watch their videos, you'll find that Gen and Ava are l i t e r a l l y them. This is a very character-driven story, so I think that if you don't really like their personalities, then I'm not sure you would really like this. I found that their respective characters really mirrored their own experiences, especially in terms of Gen's experimentation with her sexuality and Ava's OCD and mental illness.
This is an epistolary novel, purely made up of their texts and emails detailing how their experiences are at USC (where Ava is) and Emerson (where Gen is). There's also some very good discussion about fluidity of bisexuality especially from Gen's emails and texts, and I really did like how each of their separate experiences delved more deeply into their characters.
Overall, I HATE EVERYONE BUT YOU was a very quick and fun read. If you haven't watched Just Between Us and you don't really know who Gaby and Allison are, I would suggest you check out some of their videos before you pick this one up as I found it much more enjoyable knowing their distinct voices.
This is an epistolary novel, purely made up of their texts and emails detailing how their experiences are at USC (where Ava is) and Emerson (where Gen is). There's also some very good discussion about fluidity of bisexuality especially from Gen's emails and texts, and I really did like how each of their separate experiences delved more deeply into their characters.
Overall, I HATE EVERYONE BUT YOU was a very quick and fun read. If you haven't watched Just Between Us and you don't really know who Gaby and Allison are, I would suggest you check out some of their videos before you pick this one up as I found it much more enjoyable knowing their distinct voices.
May 1, 2017
*This book was sent to me by Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review*
I don't even know how to start this review other than saying that Gaby and Allison are great storytellers. I have to admit that I have been a fan of theirs for years, so I thought I would love this book. But, when I received it I was nervous to find out it was all written in both emails and text messages, but I ended up really loving the format they chose. It allowed for a very quick read, and made me feel as though I was in their inner circle. The really cool thing about this book that although it was written using two different perspectives (messages from Gen, and messages from Ava), it was extremely easy to identify who the messenger was even without looking at the email addresses.
Both characters were greatly written and very different from each other (they basically were Gaby and Allison if they were in college in 2017). The ending could have been longer, 10-15 pages to the end I just felt like there was still a lot of the story that needed exploring, but I really loved where the story ended. Gen was so much fun to read. It was really interesting to watch her figure out her sexuality, and the words she felt comfortable identifying with. Ava was also an incredible character, I personally identify more with Ava/Allison so I really loved reading her parts. I have read books with two points of views before, and I find that I always favour a certain one, and dread reading the other. But this was not the case in this book at all, I really enjoyed both stories that were being told. I loved that both characters focused on different aspects of life (Ava was mental health, while Gen was LGBT+), again, similar to Gaby and Allison.
Overall, I really loved this book and I just hope that they continue to publish young adult books. I would love to know what happens next in the lives of Ava and Gen. I cannot wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this book.
I don't even know how to start this review other than saying that Gaby and Allison are great storytellers. I have to admit that I have been a fan of theirs for years, so I thought I would love this book. But, when I received it I was nervous to find out it was all written in both emails and text messages, but I ended up really loving the format they chose. It allowed for a very quick read, and made me feel as though I was in their inner circle. The really cool thing about this book that although it was written using two different perspectives (messages from Gen, and messages from Ava), it was extremely easy to identify who the messenger was even without looking at the email addresses.
Both characters were greatly written and very different from each other (they basically were Gaby and Allison if they were in college in 2017). The ending could have been longer, 10-15 pages to the end I just felt like there was still a lot of the story that needed exploring, but I really loved where the story ended. Gen was so much fun to read. It was really interesting to watch her figure out her sexuality, and the words she felt comfortable identifying with. Ava was also an incredible character, I personally identify more with Ava/Allison so I really loved reading her parts. I have read books with two points of views before, and I find that I always favour a certain one, and dread reading the other. But this was not the case in this book at all, I really enjoyed both stories that were being told. I loved that both characters focused on different aspects of life (Ava was mental health, while Gen was LGBT+), again, similar to Gaby and Allison.
Overall, I really loved this book and I just hope that they continue to publish young adult books. I would love to know what happens next in the lives of Ava and Gen. I cannot wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this book.
July 25, 2019
I went at this story a little bit backwards -- this is book #1 of 2, but I read #2 first (reviewed here). Oh well. It still works! In this first book, we meet Ava and Gen, two best friends embarking on their freshman year of college on opposites sides of the country. The story is told through their emails and texts, which really capture their personalities and their quirky friendship. It's light and sunny, but also contains moments of self-discovery, pain, and challenge, as the two characters discover new aspects of themselves and question whether their friendship still works as they grow into their college selves. Completely charming -- once you start, it's impossible to stop!
August 31, 2017
Funny and heartfelt look at a college long- distance friendship between 2 high school BFFs told through texts and emails. The discussions about sexuality, mental health, dating and sex were honest and the friendship struggles are relatable to anyone who had tried to maintain a friendship cross-country. Recommended for mature teens and college+.
September 5, 2017
I love epistolary novels, there’s something really addictive about them, I think it’s because I feel like I’m getting an up close and personal look into someone’s life because letters/emails/texts are so personal. The format of this worked well for me, it’s all emails and texts between two eighteen year old best friends who are starting their freshman year of college at different schools. These two are polar opposites each dealing with their own issues and I found it to be a really timely read that I think will be a hit for the younger YA crowd.
This was a highly diverse read as Gen is trying to figure out her sexuality and Ava has mental health issues, it really hit on several hot button topics that are hugely relevant today. Ava is sort of naive and uninformed and she struggles to understand Gen’s sexual preferences and behaviors. Gen is mostly patient with her but there were a few times where I felt like she was too harsh with Ava. These two had the type of friendship with no boundaries and when Ava would ask a question (albeit one that’s not politically correct) Gen would bite her head off, she was flat out mean to her. I get Gen’s frustration but I think Ava felt like it was a safe place for her and she genuinely wanted to become informed and in no way meant to offend her friend. It was just a bit over the top for me.
This was a cute, funny, fast paced read and the dialogue was hip and current. Ava and Gen have a fantastic banter and their exchanges really read like that of best friends. I didn’t really like either of them but that didn’t stop me from reading it, but then again these two were born the same year I graduated high school, so as far as being able to relate to them on a personal level… 😂👵🏻
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
This was a highly diverse read as Gen is trying to figure out her sexuality and Ava has mental health issues, it really hit on several hot button topics that are hugely relevant today. Ava is sort of naive and uninformed and she struggles to understand Gen’s sexual preferences and behaviors. Gen is mostly patient with her but there were a few times where I felt like she was too harsh with Ava. These two had the type of friendship with no boundaries and when Ava would ask a question (albeit one that’s not politically correct) Gen would bite her head off, she was flat out mean to her. I get Gen’s frustration but I think Ava felt like it was a safe place for her and she genuinely wanted to become informed and in no way meant to offend her friend. It was just a bit over the top for me.
This was a cute, funny, fast paced read and the dialogue was hip and current. Ava and Gen have a fantastic banter and their exchanges really read like that of best friends. I didn’t really like either of them but that didn’t stop me from reading it, but then again these two were born the same year I graduated high school, so as far as being able to relate to them on a personal level… 😂👵🏻
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
September 21, 2021
Ava and Gen are high school BFFs, but now work to maintain their close friendship from opposite sides of the country during their first semester at college. Ava is studying screen writing at the University of Southern California, while Gen crashes into the student journalism scene at Emerson College in Boston. Ava has struggled with mental illness since childhood, and anxiety, new therapists and new medications complicate her already stressful new schedule. Gen jumps headfirst into multiple newly available queer relationships, including a fling with a fellow student, an affair with her TA, a bitter rivalry with another journalist student and fun hookups with grad students. The friends' successes are real and their failures are epic, testing their mental health, GPAs, and commitment to one another. This novel, told entirely in their texts and emails, is quick and witty. A light and fun read, especially if you've ever had a long distance best friend!
Edit: re-read in 2021. I still enjoyed this a lot (I have the sequel on hold now) but I definitely think the book is less engaging if you aren't a fan of the authors/haven't watched a lot of their youtube videos or listened to the podcast. If you are going in blind, be prepared for a lot of inside jokes that may or may not make sense.
Edit: re-read in 2021. I still enjoyed this a lot (I have the sequel on hold now) but I definitely think the book is less engaging if you aren't a fan of the authors/haven't watched a lot of their youtube videos or listened to the podcast. If you are going in blind, be prepared for a lot of inside jokes that may or may not make sense.
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