Anything But: The Musings of an Outcast, Me, Razberry Sweet

Razberry Sweet #1

by Megan Linski

Librarian Note: Older cover of B077F2KPSK.

High school isn't like the movies.

It all started with Bethany.

I was already an outcast-- I didn’t want to be a criminal. Bad choices led to that.

Now I’ve got a black record and a secret to hide. Another high school, another life. This time I’ll be at the top of the social food chain. I’ve given myself a new identity... Razberry Sweet... and created a web of lies to hide behind.

I’ll pretend to be someone I’m not and slingshot into popularity. Keeping up an act is harder than it looks, even for a wannabe actor like me. I’ve got dreams of Hollywood, movie contracts, and leaving my past behind.

But I won’t be a target again.

To be honest, I’d kill to be anyone else.

Because I don’t want to face the truth.

**
A coming-of-age story that honors classics such as Grease, Ferris Bueller's Day off, and High School Musical, Anything But is an enduring, angsty tale of teenage drama and traumatic recovery that will speak to the teen in all of us. A young adult contemporary novel destined for film! Fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell can't get enough!

Genres: Audiobook, Contemporary

320 pages, ebook

First published February 28, 2011

About the author

Megan Linski lives in Michigan. She is the author of more than fifty fantasy and paranormal novels which feature themes of friendship, community, and healthy romantic relationships. She has over fifteen years of experience writing books alongside working as a journalist and editor. She graduated from the University of Iowa, where she studied Creative Writing.

Her passions include ice skating and horseback riding. In her free time she enjoys dancing in the snow and drinking fancy coffee while at her natural habitat, the mall.

Megan advocates for the rights of the disabled, and is an activist for mental health awareness.

Megan co-writes the Hidden Legends Universe with Alicia Rades. She also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands series, co-authored by Krisen Lison.

Awards Megan has won include;

Best Fantasy Book of the Year 2019 by Once Upon a Book

Best Co-Authored Book of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book

Author of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book

Keynote Speaker at Once Upon a Book 2023

Best Book Friends (Ava and Kallie) 2023 by Once Upon a Book

Featured in the FOX Teen Choice Awards Gift Baskets

Two-time Reader's Favorite Five Star Read (Bronze Medal Finalist)

Winner of Amazon's Kindle Scout Competition

Reviews

[Spencer Israel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently read Anything But: The Musings of an Outcast, Me Razberry Sweet by Megan Linski, and overall, it felt like I was watching a TV show or movie. The pacing and structure made it feel like there was potential for more depth, especially in the areas that seemed like they were just skimming the surface. I often found myself wanting more details, more content, and a deeper connection to the story and characters. While I enjoyed it enough to be somewhat curious about what happens next, I'm honestly okay if I don’t continue the series.

In this case, less was not more for me, as the brevity didn’t allow me to relate to any of the characters in a meaningful way. I think if the story were expanded with more character development and detail, I could have connected with them better and been more invested in their journey. Overall, it's a decent read but left me wanting more from the world and the people in it.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raz was targeted by bullies at his former school. Thus, he decided to reinvent himself as Razberry Sweet when he arrived at his new one. Began wearing outlandish outfits. Drove a tractor on the first day. Gave pet names to a group, thereby adopting them as his crowd. And turned the study hall into a film-making endeavor.

This T&YA Romantic Comedy is charming. The focus of this tale is that everyone has something positive to offer. Also, it takes effort to be different from your personal nature. The trials and tribulations result in a delightful end.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Scary. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

[Myndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a touching YA novel with themes of learning to love yourself, moving forward from mistakes, and making the right kind of friends. My heart broke for the things that Raz had been through, but watching this character learn and grow was very satisfying. There is a touch of possible romance that might be explored in the next books in the series. All in all, I found it to be a wholesome book that teens will enjoy.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe will be a good for 12 to 15 years old, but definitely not me, I don't think it's written to young adults or a adult.

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Great YA read and stupendous narration, enjoy!

[Linda Hamonou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best book by Megan Linski.
I really liked to have a YA novel with a first person male character that changes a lot from the female main characters that I'm used to.
Anything But is really different than other book because the character doesn't stick to what he is while expecting the world around him to change. Razberry Sweet decides to create a totally new identity for himself, not to run away from what happened to him and who he really is but to be closer to what he wants to be. That's something a lot of people forgot about when dealing with reality. You do not have to be what other people are expecting from you, you can reinvent yourself.
Razberry finally manages to get real friends even though I'm not really a big fan of Puppy the main female character. She seems a bit to fake to me from the start with her way to be mean to Razberry for no real reason. I mean I get sarcasm but at some point she would have to loosen up a bit. I think I understand Pepper a bit better and I would have liked to see more of her but at the same time, I also understand that she isn't really the type to participate in the craze with the other so much.
I enjoyed how everything gets tied up at the end and we discover all of Razberry's secrets.

This was a very good first book in the series.

[Véronique Laplante Grenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love the first book in that serie.