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Geek Actually #1
Geek Actually: The Complete Season One
Geek, Actually is a sexy, geeky contemporary women's fiction series that follows the lives of five diverse, nerdy women as they navigate work, love, life, and the internet. For fans who love Sex and the City as well as Star Wars, for anyone who knows that sci-fi can be sultry and that "gamer" is not gender specific-this serial will turn you on, rile you up, and leave you with five new friends.
Meet your new best girlfriends. Michelle is a hard-nosed fantasy and sci-fi editor used to things going her way. Taneesha is a talented video game programmer used to being the odd (wo)man out. Aditi is a fantasy writer on the verge of her big break. Christina is a rebel on the sidelines of Hollywood. And Elli is a fan-of anything and everything that keeps her from "proper adulting." Together they are Rebel Scum (at least in their shared group chat), and best friends through thick and thin. They might live far apart but through the power of the internet and a shared love of all things geek, they are ready to face the world together.
Originally presented in serial form by Serial Box Publishing, Geek Actually is brought to you by Cathy Yardley, Melissa Blue, Rachel Stuhler, and Cecilia Tan.
Meet your new best girlfriends. Michelle is a hard-nosed fantasy and sci-fi editor used to things going her way. Taneesha is a talented video game programmer used to being the odd (wo)man out. Aditi is a fantasy writer on the verge of her big break. Christina is a rebel on the sidelines of Hollywood. And Elli is a fan-of anything and everything that keeps her from "proper adulting." Together they are Rebel Scum (at least in their shared group chat), and best friends through thick and thin. They might live far apart but through the power of the internet and a shared love of all things geek, they are ready to face the world together.
Originally presented in serial form by Serial Box Publishing, Geek Actually is brought to you by Cathy Yardley, Melissa Blue, Rachel Stuhler, and Cecilia Tan.
561 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2017
4 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Yardley
76 books1,404 followersCathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 26, 2019
I love this series! It's my comfort reading for when I'm travelling: the short length makes me feel like I can get stuck into a story even if I don't have much time, the chattiness is comforting, and it's an easy (though not dumb) read.
The characters, from my favourite to least favourite:
Michelle, a book editor who's just getting into BDSM after a divorce. She feels real to me, and deals with her problems like an adult. She gets into difficult situations through no fault of her own, and while often her hands are tied (no pun intended) and things don't go as she wants them to, she's not a pushover.
Taneesha, who works as a games company and ends up dealing with all kinds of Male Bullshit including getting doxed. I don't usually like descriptions of characters' clothing and hairstyles, but she's a badass black woman and I liked when she got dolled up.
Aditi, an author whose debut novel is about to be published. I thought I'd identify with Aditi most as she's a writer, but she frustrated me. She's such a brat, and whines whenever Michelle (her editor) asks her how her second novel is going because whhhhhyyyy should she have to write? (Because you're a writer, bitch. Get it done.)
Christina, a PA to a Hollywood movie star. She doesn't feel real to me, and neither does her boss/lover, Vivi.
Elli, a cosplayer. If I didn't know better, I'd think Elli was 12 years old. I couldn't relate to her at all and found her childish and annoying.
The books are a nice mix of all the characters, and towards the end I feel like they focused more on Michelle and Taneesha, which suited me because they were the best characters. I hope there's a season 2.
The characters, from my favourite to least favourite:
Michelle, a book editor who's just getting into BDSM after a divorce. She feels real to me, and deals with her problems like an adult. She gets into difficult situations through no fault of her own, and while often her hands are tied (no pun intended) and things don't go as she wants them to, she's not a pushover.
Taneesha, who works as a games company and ends up dealing with all kinds of Male Bullshit including getting doxed. I don't usually like descriptions of characters' clothing and hairstyles, but she's a badass black woman and I liked when she got dolled up.
Aditi, an author whose debut novel is about to be published. I thought I'd identify with Aditi most as she's a writer, but she frustrated me. She's such a brat, and whines whenever Michelle (her editor) asks her how her second novel is going because whhhhhyyyy should she have to write? (Because you're a writer, bitch. Get it done.)
Christina, a PA to a Hollywood movie star. She doesn't feel real to me, and neither does her boss/lover, Vivi.
Elli, a cosplayer. If I didn't know better, I'd think Elli was 12 years old. I couldn't relate to her at all and found her childish and annoying.
The books are a nice mix of all the characters, and towards the end I feel like they focused more on Michelle and Taneesha, which suited me because they were the best characters. I hope there's a season 2.
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October 7, 2018DNF 7% | Die erste Episode (WTF) durchgehört und es ist zumindest im Moment echt nicht meins. Michelles Handlungsstrang ist ja zumindest noch okay, aber Aditi und Elli regen mich einfach nur auf, genauso die Art mit der Taneesha behandelt wird. Vielleicht probier ich es später noch mal als eBook, aber gerade habe ich genug interessanteren Lesestoff.
July 24, 2018
If you haven't heard of Serial Box (https://www.serialbox.com/), it's a new-ish platform for reading and listening to new stories written by teams of experienced writers. (No Android app . . . yet, so that makes listening/reading a little trickier, but not at all impossible.) The idea behind Serial Box is chapters released weekly (as a series) so you can read and/or listen without a huge time commitment. That said, you can certainly take your time getting through them. [Because of a promo, I got a season of my choice for $1.99.]
This series--Season 1 of Geek Actually--kind of blew me away. The writing is tight. The voice actress is phenomenal. And the story? Fascinating, realistic, and what every geek girl has been missing in her life. The main characters are 5 friends (2 of whom are half-sisters) who mostly keep in touch via group chat in Slack. The diversity here is incredibly refreshing. (Think beyond the typical spectrum of sexuality, beyond the gay/straight/bi.) I love the ease of going from reading (so much faster) to listening on the go.
There's quite a bit of sex and it is explicit. (So you have to be careful where you are when you're listening to it.) I tuned out during those scenes from time to time (skimmed), because I ended up binge-reading/listening and wanted to get back to the heart of the story.
I haven't read anything quite like this series and found it refreshing and engaging. I'm already looking forward to the second season.
This series--Season 1 of Geek Actually--kind of blew me away. The writing is tight. The voice actress is phenomenal. And the story? Fascinating, realistic, and what every geek girl has been missing in her life. The main characters are 5 friends (2 of whom are half-sisters) who mostly keep in touch via group chat in Slack. The diversity here is incredibly refreshing. (Think beyond the typical spectrum of sexuality, beyond the gay/straight/bi.) I love the ease of going from reading (so much faster) to listening on the go.
There's quite a bit of sex and it is explicit. (So you have to be careful where you are when you're listening to it.) I tuned out during those scenes from time to time (skimmed), because I ended up binge-reading/listening and wanted to get back to the heart of the story.
I haven't read anything quite like this series and found it refreshing and engaging. I'm already looking forward to the second season.
September 8, 2018
Geek Actually is my second serial that I’ve experienced through Serial Box, and I’m really impressed with the results. It focuses on the story of five different nerd women from different walks of life, each struggling with the challenges related to their professions, love lives, sexualities and more. I think the thing I like the most about Geek Actually is the variety of perspectives presented, covering everything from the gaming industry, to publishing, to cosplay. The characters themselves are both complex and diverse, each one having a significant arc. The story starts off lighthearted and fun, but it’s not afraid to examine with some of the darker struggles that women have to deal with- including stalking and sexual assault. It’s clear from the finale that there is more story to tell, and I look forward to seeing where our five leading ladies will go in season two.
February 23, 2018
I was expecting a light-hearted romantic read when I picked up Geek Actually. What I got was way different, and dare I say, better?
Geek Actually doesn't shy away from tackling tough topics, and it does so with aplomb. The diverse characters and their different approaches to life and love were a breath of fresh air. There were characters whose story arcs I liked more, of course (Christina kind of bothered me) but I wanted to know where they all ended up in the end.
My first foray into reading a complete serial (I definitely waited until it was done and binge-read it), I can't wait until season 2!
Geek Actually doesn't shy away from tackling tough topics, and it does so with aplomb. The diverse characters and their different approaches to life and love were a breath of fresh air. There were characters whose story arcs I liked more, of course (Christina kind of bothered me) but I wanted to know where they all ended up in the end.
My first foray into reading a complete serial (I definitely waited until it was done and binge-read it), I can't wait until season 2!
December 27, 2019
This audio book had a bit of slow start and I was not certain about it, but I am so glad I kept going! After the initial character introductions were out of the way, things picked up and got really interesting! This is a great book for geeky women (like me!) and possibly for non-geeky women, as well. And I really, really wish that all men would listen to it because they would learn so much about how things are different for women than they are for men, and about why the two sexes can have so much trouble communicating with each other. It also offered some illumination into how things are different for women of color and women with disabilities. The reader was great, the characters are fully 3-dimensional, and their stories were interesting and enlightening. The problems they encountered were real world problems. All in all, I highly recommend that everyone read or listen to this series.
September 3, 2025
Ugh. Serial stories that I mostly enjoyed, I even enjoyed the not bad people doing bad things. But darn, what in the heck was up with everyone excusing Aditi being both unprofessional and acting like a child and criticizing her editor for trying to get her to do her job? A Mary Sue thing? Girl, you signed a contract, act like an adult who could get sued. The rest of you, why are you enabling this.
The tone was also so uneven, graphic sex to someone behaving like they are 12.
I really did appreciate the ace explanations
The tone was also so uneven, graphic sex to someone behaving like they are 12.
I really did appreciate the ace explanations
April 26, 2019
I purchased this book on sale at SerialBox.com after only reading a few paragraphs of the first episode. Big mistake on my part. Geek Actually is a story of 5 college friends who keep in touch through phone calls and an online board. What I didn't realize because I didn't read the whole first episode is some of the things these women are into. So if you are not interested in reading about alternate lifestyles, this book is not for you.
June 13, 2020
I actually listened to the audio version of this, but that edition doesn't seem to available yet to select on good reads. I found this book entertaining and enjoyed the multiple perspectives, both from the diversity of characters and authors. I didn't give it more stars, because it felt like it was setting up for something more down the road, like this was just the introduction, which the title suggests it is!
January 22, 2020
A nice nerdy contemporary novel. Five women who love sci fi, cosplay, and non-stereotype interests for modern snazzy women. The ending felt like a set up for number two but there’s nothing in the works!
I learned something from a couple of the characters and I really feel this has something for everyone.
I learned something from a couple of the characters and I really feel this has something for everyone.
September 16, 2024
3.5 starts. I pride myself in Reading a wide variety of genres but this was very different for me. Although I don’t profess to know all the new sexual identities nor do I quite understand it all, ultimately, this book is about relationships and what it takes to make them work. I wasn’t sure if I actually was going to finish this book but I ended up being invested in their lives and the outcome.
November 12, 2018
Quit reading after two chapters . . . . I liked that it was all female characters, but the situations just didn't grab me and the casual drugs and sex are simply not my cup of tea. The writing was a bit boring, too.
October 16, 2022
Geek Acutally, by Cathy Yardley, follows a group of ladies who met via gaming and covers their careers, love lives, and racial and sexual discrimination and oppresion they all face. A rather fun read for the most part, though lengthy.
June 9, 2018
There damn well better be a second season!!!
October 21, 2019
Kindly provided by Netgalley.
It's very entertaining, but the end is just abrupt...guess one will have to read the other books to make any sense of the story
It's very entertaining, but the end is just abrupt...guess one will have to read the other books to make any sense of the story
March 2, 2022
Just didn’t feel this one. I skimmed ahead and skipped over parts. It just didn’t engage me.
I did appreciate all of the current social tie-ins.
I did appreciate all of the current social tie-ins.
March 25, 2025
I mostly really liked/enjoyed this book! I have a dark place in my heart for one of the primary characters and feel the urge to vindicate another. I seem to be alone in this and certainly the book (and its authors) disagree with my take because ALL the characters were clearly on the side of the character I thought just behaved terribly. I'll have to sit with that.
It was my intro to most of these authors, but I'd previously read something from Cathy Yardley that I loved a lot. I'll keep reading Cathy, but feel less likely to try more from the others.
It was my intro to most of these authors, but I'd previously read something from Cathy Yardley that I loved a lot. I'll keep reading Cathy, but feel less likely to try more from the others.
October 7, 2020
Back in July, I began reading the series Geek Actually. I last left the story where Aditi and Michelle were mulling over a poor working relationship, Christina was in a precarious work/love relationship, Taneesha fended off doxers, and Elli considered whether she’d found her calling. For this review, I’m summarizing episodes nine through thirteen, which is the rest of this season.
In these five episodes, we see the tensions that were stirred up at the beginning of the series become the main issues characters deal with. For Aditi and Michelle, this means struggling to balance their friendship and working relationship. Aditi, as an author, tries to follow her muse and use her voice but does so without regard to the position this puts Michelle in as her editor. Michelle supports her friend’s vocal writings when confronted by her boss but also comes off cold to Aditi when critiquing her work.
Elli revels in the good working relationship with her boss Ruby, who has helped her to identify her tendency to envision a fairytale life instead of dealing with the world around her. This realization also helps Elli to understand her asexual identity. Unfortunately, this good relationship comes to a halt when something tragic happens to Ruby.
Taneesha and Christina are exploring new relationships but Christina’s mix of business and pleasure takes a wrong turn as Vivi continues to put her in uncomfortable situations, which Christina never completely calls her on. The whole relationship turns when Vivi puts Christina in a dangerous sexual environment. Taneesha, on the other hand, is happy to explore a new relationship with Diego, until he weighs in on her doxing and work issues. After having a “your faves are problematic” talk with her brother and Diego receiving eye-opening information from the women in his family, the two give their relationship another shot.
Read more here: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2017/12/...
https://blackgirlscreate.org/2017/07/...
In these five episodes, we see the tensions that were stirred up at the beginning of the series become the main issues characters deal with. For Aditi and Michelle, this means struggling to balance their friendship and working relationship. Aditi, as an author, tries to follow her muse and use her voice but does so without regard to the position this puts Michelle in as her editor. Michelle supports her friend’s vocal writings when confronted by her boss but also comes off cold to Aditi when critiquing her work.
Elli revels in the good working relationship with her boss Ruby, who has helped her to identify her tendency to envision a fairytale life instead of dealing with the world around her. This realization also helps Elli to understand her asexual identity. Unfortunately, this good relationship comes to a halt when something tragic happens to Ruby.
Taneesha and Christina are exploring new relationships but Christina’s mix of business and pleasure takes a wrong turn as Vivi continues to put her in uncomfortable situations, which Christina never completely calls her on. The whole relationship turns when Vivi puts Christina in a dangerous sexual environment. Taneesha, on the other hand, is happy to explore a new relationship with Diego, until he weighs in on her doxing and work issues. After having a “your faves are problematic” talk with her brother and Diego receiving eye-opening information from the women in his family, the two give their relationship another shot.
Read more here: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2017/12/...
https://blackgirlscreate.org/2017/07/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2019
Probably more like 3.5 stars, there was some stuff at the end that really got up my nose but overall really enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews