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CARR
Adjusting to life after high school is tricky enough as it is. Add to that a stagnated vlogging career and a hunger for attention and things get complicated for eighteen-year-old Carr Lark, whose enjoyment of his freshman year in university has so far been tainted not only by malaise but also constant antagonism with his former classmate Kit Lee. Though antagonism might be too strong a word. It isn’t Carr’s fault that Kit is out to irritate him as much as possible. It isn’t Carr’s fault that Kit is so easy to hate in return. It isn’t Carr’s fault, either, that one of his social media posts about Kit leads to a dating rumor that catapults him into everyone’s Discover pages. But it might partly be his fault that the two of them decide to grit their teeth and take advantage of the misunderstanding to fake a relationship, antagonism be damned. Over the course of eleven weeks, Carr has to learn to distinguish which parts of his life are indeed his fault—and, along the way, learn to distinguish between the harm and the good that social media brings, between friend and acquaintance, between the past and the present, and, hand-in-hand with Kit, between love and hate.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2018
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 18, 2021
march 2021 reread 4.7 | this book makes me feel a little insane (affectionate?) every single time i read it and i think thats lovely. i seriously so kin it so hard. man.
"have you apologized to yourself?"
carr stared down at the grass. "not yet."
"then start with that. then forgive yourself. then tell yourself to do better."
4.5 | the whole fake dating aspect reminded me of tatbilb but like. lgbt+ and better. do you ever feel grateful that you picked up a book the time you did? really really needed this book at this point of my life and it was such a great comfort. feels like i’ve known carr for years, it was amazing to watch him grow and come to terms with his insecurities and in the end? he hasn’t done perfectly but it’s okay because we all still have time.
"have you apologized to yourself?"
carr stared down at the grass. "not yet."
"then start with that. then forgive yourself. then tell yourself to do better."
4.5 | the whole fake dating aspect reminded me of tatbilb but like. lgbt+ and better. do you ever feel grateful that you picked up a book the time you did? really really needed this book at this point of my life and it was such a great comfort. feels like i’ve known carr for years, it was amazing to watch him grow and come to terms with his insecurities and in the end? he hasn’t done perfectly but it’s okay because we all still have time.
May 9, 2018
This is the first book I'm reviewing and I'm doing it because this book ???? Is so. SO Amazing™.
Like, I've been a fan of this author for some time now, since they used to write fanfiction, and one of the things I've always admired the most in their stories is their writing style in itself. I don't even quite know how to explain it... How they manage to make the mundane feel so special and yet till simple, how they make their dialogues feel so real, and the themes they explore touch so deeply. I really didn't expect to be able to relate to the main character as much as I did, but as it turns out we have a lot in common, and I have to thank the author for handling such difficult topics so carefully. So kindly.
Moving on, the romance between Carr and Kit was adorable, and believable from the begining. One of those that you can feel the chemistry from the start and it only gets better from there <3 I have to admit, though, that one of my favourite aspects of the story is the found family - that Carr discovers in his friends, and also the family relationships in itself. It's so rare to read YA novels in which family relationships are giving much importance outside of a sob backstory. Family relationships are complicated, and it was really refreshing to read a book in which they are protrayed as such, which in turn made it feel all the more realistic.
And finally, last but not least, the diversity of race, sexualy and gender in the book is so great seriously this was so great. So refreshing. To read something like this that isn't a fanfiction just feels so good.
I literally have nothing bad to say about this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. 100% recomend it to anyone wanting of a good time, a good laugh and maybe an existental crisis.
Ok I'm done. Now go read it y'all.
Like, I've been a fan of this author for some time now, since they used to write fanfiction, and one of the things I've always admired the most in their stories is their writing style in itself. I don't even quite know how to explain it... How they manage to make the mundane feel so special and yet till simple, how they make their dialogues feel so real, and the themes they explore touch so deeply. I really didn't expect to be able to relate to the main character as much as I did, but as it turns out we have a lot in common, and I have to thank the author for handling such difficult topics so carefully. So kindly.
Moving on, the romance between Carr and Kit was adorable, and believable from the begining. One of those that you can feel the chemistry from the start and it only gets better from there <3 I have to admit, though, that one of my favourite aspects of the story is the found family - that Carr discovers in his friends, and also the family relationships in itself. It's so rare to read YA novels in which family relationships are giving much importance outside of a sob backstory. Family relationships are complicated, and it was really refreshing to read a book in which they are protrayed as such, which in turn made it feel all the more realistic.
And finally, last but not least, the diversity of race, sexualy and gender in the book is so great seriously this was so great. So refreshing. To read something like this that isn't a fanfiction just feels so good.
I literally have nothing bad to say about this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. 100% recomend it to anyone wanting of a good time, a good laugh and maybe an existental crisis.
Ok I'm done. Now go read it y'all.
May 16, 2018
I am right in the middle of Midterm Hell right now, so I knew I wouldn't have time to read. Just one chapter, I told myself. Just one chapter, to see what this is about. What a fool I was!
I DEVOURED this book. It's been such a long time since I was sucked into a book like this, but boy, oh boy, I could not put it down.
This is the kind of content I want to get from fiction. I wish there were more books like this. I wish there were too many to choose from. How wonderfully complex these characters are! How flawed, in the most subtle, human way! How beautifully relatable, yet at the same time with personalities so distinct, so real. I also love the way serious topics were discussed. The whole debate about staying in uni, drifting apart from childhood friends, acting and all it entails, the relationship you have with an audience, etc. etc. There is A Lot in this book, and it all comes with this wonderful, fanfiction-like but in the best possible way, sweet and touching love story. What else can I ask for? Not to mention the overall Pride and Prejudice vibe going on there - Kit truly is Carr's Dracy!
I would also like to mention the fantastic way this book handled diversity, and specifically the representation of a trans character. I have never seen this part of someone's identity introduced so seamlessly. I also like that while it in no way implies that the world is perfect and transphobia doesn't exist, Carr's social circle is very supportive and accepting. I mean, finally. And for once, here's a book with not one but TWO positive depictions of fathers who are loving, dedicated, and just awesome all around. I never knew how much I needed more representation of good fathers before I read this book.
I should mention that this book caters to a very specific audience, and I am definitely a part of that audience, so perhaps I like it more than the average reader would. I'd be curious to see someone outside this intended audience read the book. Still, I can't find one bad thing to say about it. I enjoyed this book immensely, it was absolutely fantastic!
I DEVOURED this book. It's been such a long time since I was sucked into a book like this, but boy, oh boy, I could not put it down.
This is the kind of content I want to get from fiction. I wish there were more books like this. I wish there were too many to choose from. How wonderfully complex these characters are! How flawed, in the most subtle, human way! How beautifully relatable, yet at the same time with personalities so distinct, so real. I also love the way serious topics were discussed. The whole debate about staying in uni, drifting apart from childhood friends, acting and all it entails, the relationship you have with an audience, etc. etc. There is A Lot in this book, and it all comes with this wonderful, fanfiction-like but in the best possible way, sweet and touching love story. What else can I ask for? Not to mention the overall Pride and Prejudice vibe going on there - Kit truly is Carr's Dracy!
I would also like to mention the fantastic way this book handled diversity, and specifically the representation of a trans character. I have never seen this part of someone's identity introduced so seamlessly. I also like that while it in no way implies that the world is perfect and transphobia doesn't exist, Carr's social circle is very supportive and accepting. I mean, finally. And for once, here's a book with not one but TWO positive depictions of fathers who are loving, dedicated, and just awesome all around. I never knew how much I needed more representation of good fathers before I read this book.
I should mention that this book caters to a very specific audience, and I am definitely a part of that audience, so perhaps I like it more than the average reader would. I'd be curious to see someone outside this intended audience read the book. Still, I can't find one bad thing to say about it. I enjoyed this book immensely, it was absolutely fantastic!
May 15, 2018
This is a really well written book with A LOT of dialogue. I was sucked in right away but the constant conversations were hard to follow at first, it took awhile to get into the rhythm of Nikole’s unique writing style. I felt very young reading this, it was refreshing. I didn't realize Nikole got her start writing fanfiction till after finishing Carr, but I wasn't surprised. As a former giant fanfiction nerd, I recognize the blend of styles and descriptive characters that all the best fanfiction writers had. I love the way the romance between Carr and Kit was gradual instead of some dramatic epic unrealistic thing that a lot of YA novels are filled with. It was relatable and believable and full of genuine laughs and “smile while you're reading” moments. The quick flow of the writing style makes it feel breezy and light, I was halfway through it before I knew it. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys YA fiction and it is looking for a fresh perspective.
May 13, 2018
I honestly didn't have any expectations for this book when I started it. And I definitely didn't expect to fall in love with it 3 pages in. It hooked me from the start and I honestly didn't put it down until I got to the very last page.
Both Carr and Kit are very relatable, with problems and personalities that I see in myself often enough (and a special shout out to Eli who makes me being late to work everyday #valid). I was rooting for them every step of the way.
Also the writing is stupidly funny and on point. I even had to send all my friends several quotes out of context because I was just laughing so hard. I'm excited to see more from this series
Both Carr and Kit are very relatable, with problems and personalities that I see in myself often enough (and a special shout out to Eli who makes me being late to work everyday #valid). I was rooting for them every step of the way.
Also the writing is stupidly funny and on point. I even had to send all my friends several quotes out of context because I was just laughing so hard. I'm excited to see more from this series
May 28, 2018
Carr is your typical young adult making his way through the digital age, lost in the vast possibilities that today's youth is being bombarded with, but mostly lost with himself until he makes an unlikely deal with his greatest rival that changes everything. What seems to be the most remarkable attribute of this novel is how seamless their love transitions and grows; it doesn't simply feel like a good LGBTQ romance, it's a noteworthy romantic story period. While there were some noticable grammatical mistakes throughout the novel, it is still a remarkable story about young love and self discovery that's worth the read.
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May 17, 2018Carr (Growing Pains) is a story about a young man, Carr, who is trying to find his place in the world as his struggles through his first year in university. It provides a fresh insight into the challenges that face young people today, not only in school, but also in relationships and how they are influenced by the omnipresent internet world. Although I have not experienced many of the things Carr has gone through, I found this story extremely relatable. The unique writing style and realistic dialogue pulls you into the story, and leads you to reflect on your own views as feelings alongside Carr. Hopefully through reading this, many young adults will learn that not everyone has the same life experiences; we each have different paths and that is perfectly normal.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews