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Dance. Love. Learn. Repeat.
Phoebe:
Endlich an der Uni. Endlich geht das echte Leben los. Ihre Mitbewohnerinnen sind total nett, einen Job hat sie auch schon und angeblich findet man auf der großen Erstsemesterparty Freunde fürs Leben. Ob damit wohl Luke gemeint ist? Luke, der heißeste Typ aus ihrer alten Schule. Luke, der sich nicht an sie erinnern kann.
Luke:
Eigentlich hat er nicht erwartet, dass alles so anders sein würde. Und sich so fremd anfühlt. Luke weiß nicht so richtig, was er will. Soll er sich von seiner Freundin trennen oder nicht? Soll er sich von den bescheuerten Jungs aus seiner Fußballmannschaft distanzieren oder nicht? Soll er Phoebe daten oder nicht?
Ein hinreißender Coming-Of-Age Roman: Melancholisch und schreiend komisch. Vielschichtig und verrückt. Chaotisch und echt.
Endlich an der Uni. Endlich geht das echte Leben los. Ihre Mitbewohnerinnen sind total nett, einen Job hat sie auch schon und angeblich findet man auf der großen Erstsemesterparty Freunde fürs Leben. Ob damit wohl Luke gemeint ist? Luke, der heißeste Typ aus ihrer alten Schule. Luke, der sich nicht an sie erinnern kann.
Luke:
Eigentlich hat er nicht erwartet, dass alles so anders sein würde. Und sich so fremd anfühlt. Luke weiß nicht so richtig, was er will. Soll er sich von seiner Freundin trennen oder nicht? Soll er sich von den bescheuerten Jungs aus seiner Fußballmannschaft distanzieren oder nicht? Soll er Phoebe daten oder nicht?
Ein hinreißender Coming-Of-Age Roman: Melancholisch und schreiend komisch. Vielschichtig und verrückt. Chaotisch und echt.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2017
160 people are currently reading
4369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 548 reviews
December 3, 2017
I had so much fun reading this and thinking about my Freshers experience! (Spoiler: it involved zero drinking and a lot more Netflix!) It reminded me a lot of my fave graphic novels series of all time, Giant Days, and the female friendship in 'Freshers' was equally strong. I laughed out loud a lot, too, which hardly ever happens, so it must be funny! Also, I need to applaud that ending because I didn't see it coming but I respect it SO MUCH.
If you're 18 and are looking for a YA that represents you better than most of the high school books on shelves, I'd totally recommend it, and if you're looking for a glimpse of early uni life, this is perfect too!
If you're 18 and are looking for a YA that represents you better than most of the high school books on shelves, I'd totally recommend it, and if you're looking for a glimpse of early uni life, this is perfect too!
August 3, 2017
You can find my full review of this book and many others on United by Pop.
Finally! A book that lends an authentic voice to recapping the university experience! This split-perspective narrative from the the two authors that co-penned this, meant that a diverse array of experiences were covered and almost every sort of Freshers participation exposed.
Freshers reminded me of my own university experience and Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison wonderfully and authentically brought to life the heady heights and frightful fears of that confusing time in my life. This accuracy is what ultimately drew me to this narrative. This had me feeling achingly nostalgic for the chaos of my own first year, and also reminded me just how appreciative I should be that this time of unrivalled unsteadiness is now at a close. For the one thing that binds each and every one of the characters is their own identity crisis at a time of so much change and expectation. I may be glad my own days of debauchery are over, but it’s good to know I have a place to always relive them here.
Finally! A book that lends an authentic voice to recapping the university experience! This split-perspective narrative from the the two authors that co-penned this, meant that a diverse array of experiences were covered and almost every sort of Freshers participation exposed.
Freshers reminded me of my own university experience and Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison wonderfully and authentically brought to life the heady heights and frightful fears of that confusing time in my life. This accuracy is what ultimately drew me to this narrative. This had me feeling achingly nostalgic for the chaos of my own first year, and also reminded me just how appreciative I should be that this time of unrivalled unsteadiness is now at a close. For the one thing that binds each and every one of the characters is their own identity crisis at a time of so much change and expectation. I may be glad my own days of debauchery are over, but it’s good to know I have a place to always relive them here.
February 21, 2017
It's very early to call it, but I'm calling it - Freshers is the funniest YA book of the year. It's snort-tea-out-of-your-nose hilarious. It also totally nails the chaotic giddiness of being a university student - YA readers will completely relate, whereas older readers will grin uncontrollably with nostalgia.
However, in amongst all the laughter, Lucy and Tom tackle the darker and deeper issues lurking in student life behind stolen traffic cones. The books expertly explores campus culture of toxic masculinity, loneliness, male mental health issues, and navigating unhealthy romantic relationships. It's a noticeable maturing of voice for the duo, and yet fans of Lobsters will be anything but disappointed.
However, in amongst all the laughter, Lucy and Tom tackle the darker and deeper issues lurking in student life behind stolen traffic cones. The books expertly explores campus culture of toxic masculinity, loneliness, male mental health issues, and navigating unhealthy romantic relationships. It's a noticeable maturing of voice for the duo, and yet fans of Lobsters will be anything but disappointed.
June 6, 2018
I met both authors last year at a book signing for Freshers, I was super excited to read this one as there isn't many YA novels that are set during the start of University life. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by most of the humour featured and the settings of a University campus.
Freshers follows Phoebe and Luke, both are first-year students at University but went to school together. It mostly follows their life, living in halls of residence and meeting new people. Some of the drinking scenes were a little uncomfortable and I couldn't relate to them much as I'm an non-alcoholic. The Harry Potter Qudditch references were the best, the dialogue made the story flow well. Some of the behaviour at times was quite naughty, but I honestly do appreciate this new perspective on a Contemporary YA. I would happily read more books by both authors and would recommend to readers aged 16+.
Freshers follows Phoebe and Luke, both are first-year students at University but went to school together. It mostly follows their life, living in halls of residence and meeting new people. Some of the drinking scenes were a little uncomfortable and I couldn't relate to them much as I'm an non-alcoholic. The Harry Potter Qudditch references were the best, the dialogue made the story flow well. Some of the behaviour at times was quite naughty, but I honestly do appreciate this new perspective on a Contemporary YA. I would happily read more books by both authors and would recommend to readers aged 16+.
May 26, 2018
I have received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Freshmen was a really cute book. It's a dual POV from Luke and Phoebe and it's about their first year at college. Their experiences are way different than my time in college.. especially my Freshmen year. I went to about 3 colleges: The first, was out of state and felt like it was basically a community college than a university. The second, was actually a community college in my home town and was extremely easy. Third, and my last switch-a-roo, was again in the same state but a bit a drive. It definitely felt like I was at a real college but in a way I also wasn't really prepared for it due to my first two college experiences. I had to shift gears pretty early on because my usual studying and not taking habits sucked ass.
Back to the book, I loved Luke and Phoebe! They were basically friendship goals! Now I will admit that it took me a while to start to like Luke. However, it was the complete opposite with Phoebe! I loved the girl and the friendships she made while at school were real and genuine. I laughed so hard when her and Luke signed up for Quidditch because it does exist in colleges. Every time I saw someone on a broomstick while walking on campus I couldn't stop myself from laughing so hard. No, I didn't sign up for it but I did enjoy watching the games.
Besides learning to love Luke and Phoebe and watching them grow throughout the book - it was hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing from one scene to another. Basically everything was realistic in this book. One night stands to being homesick is what college kids go through. Now I'm not saying everyone goes through one night stands.. but they do get homesick.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I feel like I breezed through it once I found it on my kindle. I also really loved Tom and Lucy's writing style. I will definitely be looking into more of their books in the future!
Freshmen was a really cute book. It's a dual POV from Luke and Phoebe and it's about their first year at college. Their experiences are way different than my time in college.. especially my Freshmen year. I went to about 3 colleges: The first, was out of state and felt like it was basically a community college than a university. The second, was actually a community college in my home town and was extremely easy. Third, and my last switch-a-roo, was again in the same state but a bit a drive. It definitely felt like I was at a real college but in a way I also wasn't really prepared for it due to my first two college experiences. I had to shift gears pretty early on because my usual studying and not taking habits sucked ass.
Back to the book, I loved Luke and Phoebe! They were basically friendship goals! Now I will admit that it took me a while to start to like Luke. However, it was the complete opposite with Phoebe! I loved the girl and the friendships she made while at school were real and genuine. I laughed so hard when her and Luke signed up for Quidditch because it does exist in colleges. Every time I saw someone on a broomstick while walking on campus I couldn't stop myself from laughing so hard. No, I didn't sign up for it but I did enjoy watching the games.
Besides learning to love Luke and Phoebe and watching them grow throughout the book - it was hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing from one scene to another. Basically everything was realistic in this book. One night stands to being homesick is what college kids go through. Now I'm not saying everyone goes through one night stands.. but they do get homesick.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I feel like I breezed through it once I found it on my kindle. I also really loved Tom and Lucy's writing style. I will definitely be looking into more of their books in the future!
October 11, 2017
This is definitely one of the most fabulous books I've read this year. I loved literally everything about it! The way the characters interconnected, the voices, the humour, how it ended...everything! It was so realistic to the Freshers experience, the only thing is no one was incapacitated for two weeks with freshers' flu!
I couldn't predict where the story was going, and the way it's split up into five parts really drives the plot. (A contemporary with plot? Who knew!) I REALLY need a sequel! And in the meantime I need to re-read all of Giant Days.
I couldn't predict where the story was going, and the way it's split up into five parts really drives the plot. (A contemporary with plot? Who knew!) I REALLY need a sequel! And in the meantime I need to re-read all of Giant Days.
September 3, 2017
Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison are two of my favourite YA authors and are among the funniest, loveliest people in UKYA. With Freshers, Lucy and Tom show that you can write YA about 18-year-olds and you can set in university, and it is not this mythical New Adult category. University stories are rare in UKYA – and I'd love to see more!
Freshers, narrated by Luke and Phoebe, captures the first year of university excellently. Both Luke and Phoebe's experiences as first years are quite different to mine – let's just say that university wasn't exactly the best three years of my life – but it was great to read about (particularly the Quidditch society!), and I know it'll be similar to lots of teenagers' experiences. I loved the friendship dynamics and wish I'd made those sorts of intense, close friendships during my first few months away from home. I was a little sceptical about Luke (as I told Tom at one of his events), but grew to love him – and Phoebe was just brilliant. They're two of the most realistic teenage characters I've come across (as we've all come to expect from Lucy and Tom!).
Freshers was as hilarious as you might expect from our duo, yet it covers serious topics that are vital to talk about at university, from sexual harassment on campus and one-night stands to 'laddish' behaviour and homesickness. I wish I had Freshers to read at university. It's one of my favourite books of the year so far!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
Freshers, narrated by Luke and Phoebe, captures the first year of university excellently. Both Luke and Phoebe's experiences as first years are quite different to mine – let's just say that university wasn't exactly the best three years of my life – but it was great to read about (particularly the Quidditch society!), and I know it'll be similar to lots of teenagers' experiences. I loved the friendship dynamics and wish I'd made those sorts of intense, close friendships during my first few months away from home. I was a little sceptical about Luke (as I told Tom at one of his events), but grew to love him – and Phoebe was just brilliant. They're two of the most realistic teenage characters I've come across (as we've all come to expect from Lucy and Tom!).
Freshers was as hilarious as you might expect from our duo, yet it covers serious topics that are vital to talk about at university, from sexual harassment on campus and one-night stands to 'laddish' behaviour and homesickness. I wish I had Freshers to read at university. It's one of my favourite books of the year so far!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
January 21, 2019
✨3.5 stars✨
I haven’t posted a proper review in months and this is the first book I’ve finished so far this year so I feel like a bit of a fake, but I do have a good, genuine reason: university. So it feels quite fitting that this book is my return to goodreads. This book wasn’t necessarily anything special, but it was real. It was realistic and I felt like at any point all of the events of the book could be happening to the people around me at uni and it wouldn’t be at all out of place. It definitely captured the essence of the first term of uni, and having just finished my own first term of uni, it was really comforting.
Phoebe, Negin and Frankie are adorable. I love love love their friendship and the comfortableness of them all draped in their duvets half the time just living their lives together. Their dynamic definitely helps to emphasise Luke’s more isolated experience, especially in the face of his expectations of making friends in the same way. The accuracy of the uni experience that this book conveys really made it hard for me at times to decide who was in the right and who was in the wrong. I adore moral ambiguity, and I felt sorry for both Luke and Phoebe at times when I knew that technically I should probably be judging them a little bit.
The things I enjoyed the most were actually the little details: the constant cups of tea; the weird ways in which drinks are mixed at pre’s (bathtubs, buckets and spades, washing up bowls- you name it, someone’s mixing vodka in it); Luke walking into the wrong lecture and just rolling with it. Silly things that made me giggle and say ‘yep, that sounds about right’. Luke and Phoebe study English, and so do I, so I must admit there were mentions of things that made me think ‘nooo I’m reading this for fun, please don’t remind me of the work I need to do !!!!!’ (*cough* Sir Gawain and the Green Knight *cough*), but for the most part I really enjoyed the similarities and things I could relate to regarding their course.
What I liked the most about this book is the emphasis on the fact that people are more than they appear. No matter what you think a person is like, they are still a person and have so much more under the surface than you can see from afar. I loved the fact that Phoebe realises this with Mary- whilst she is amazing once she gets to know her, it’s different than the character of her that the girls had previously created just from seeing her around. I wasn’t really a fan of the writing style I have to admit, sometimes things felt under-explained or unfinished and it meant I had to reread things at times in order for them to make sense. Despite this though I did really enjoy this book, and I want to try and read more YA books set at university because it’s not something I’ve come across that frequently. It was fun and easy to read, and it’s been on my shelf for bloody ages so I’m really happy I finally got round to reading it!!
I haven’t posted a proper review in months and this is the first book I’ve finished so far this year so I feel like a bit of a fake, but I do have a good, genuine reason: university. So it feels quite fitting that this book is my return to goodreads. This book wasn’t necessarily anything special, but it was real. It was realistic and I felt like at any point all of the events of the book could be happening to the people around me at uni and it wouldn’t be at all out of place. It definitely captured the essence of the first term of uni, and having just finished my own first term of uni, it was really comforting.
Phoebe, Negin and Frankie are adorable. I love love love their friendship and the comfortableness of them all draped in their duvets half the time just living their lives together. Their dynamic definitely helps to emphasise Luke’s more isolated experience, especially in the face of his expectations of making friends in the same way. The accuracy of the uni experience that this book conveys really made it hard for me at times to decide who was in the right and who was in the wrong. I adore moral ambiguity, and I felt sorry for both Luke and Phoebe at times when I knew that technically I should probably be judging them a little bit.
The things I enjoyed the most were actually the little details: the constant cups of tea; the weird ways in which drinks are mixed at pre’s (bathtubs, buckets and spades, washing up bowls- you name it, someone’s mixing vodka in it); Luke walking into the wrong lecture and just rolling with it. Silly things that made me giggle and say ‘yep, that sounds about right’. Luke and Phoebe study English, and so do I, so I must admit there were mentions of things that made me think ‘nooo I’m reading this for fun, please don’t remind me of the work I need to do !!!!!’ (*cough* Sir Gawain and the Green Knight *cough*), but for the most part I really enjoyed the similarities and things I could relate to regarding their course.
What I liked the most about this book is the emphasis on the fact that people are more than they appear. No matter what you think a person is like, they are still a person and have so much more under the surface than you can see from afar. I loved the fact that Phoebe realises this with Mary- whilst she is amazing once she gets to know her, it’s different than the character of her that the girls had previously created just from seeing her around. I wasn’t really a fan of the writing style I have to admit, sometimes things felt under-explained or unfinished and it meant I had to reread things at times in order for them to make sense. Despite this though I did really enjoy this book, and I want to try and read more YA books set at university because it’s not something I’ve come across that frequently. It was fun and easy to read, and it’s been on my shelf for bloody ages so I’m really happy I finally got round to reading it!!
June 9, 2018
Том Эллен и Люси Ивисон "Первокурсники"
8 из 10
Жанр: YA, современный любовный роман
POV: 2 POVа, от первого лица
Геометрия чувств: тот еще многоугольник
Отличительные черты: 18+, реалистичность, отличный юмор, героиня ака не серая мышь, прекрасная женская дружба
РЕЦЕНЗИЯ:
Нежданно-негаданно, но книга мне действительно понравилась и даже очень. Почему неожиданно? Потому что, если честно я была уверенна, что «Первокурсники» - роман не для меня и что пройду мим��, и хорошо, что не совершила такой ошибки. И вообще по прошествии пары дней смотрю на книгу иначе и понимаю, что я практически всем довольна.
«Первокурсники» - это реально охрумительно забавный и реалистичный роман, при прочтении я постоянно вспоминала один из своих любимых сериалов «SKAM» (и это определенно плюсище). Как и в «SKAM», здесь в центре истории настоящие подростки, такие какие они есть. Здесь нет у героев никаких особых трагедий и проблем, зато есть любовные разборки, которые так свойственны студентам. А еще, как ни странно, но книга, почему-то на��омнила третий сезон «Вероники Марс»
Собственно, а о чем книга? Книга о первокурсниках, студентах и о столь прекрасных ошибках (или нет?) юности. О влюбленностях и расставаниях, вечеринках и пьяном угаре, о дружбе, страхе перед чем-то новым и неизведанном будущем. В общем, как вы понимаете книга о жизни. Очень понравилась главная героиня – Фиби. Живая, веселая, с бурной личной жизнью (и да, она не девственница, представляете? Оказывается и такое бывает в книгах. Мне понравилось, как мило и нелепо она влипала во все происходящее, но при этом оставалась собой. И, черт возьми, какая же здесь потрясающая девчачья дружба в книге! Сцены с Фиби, Негин и Фрэнки одни из моих самых любимых.
– Слушайте, да тут весь цвет. – Я перечисляла и тихонько указывала: – Красивые Глазки, Обалденный Марко с квиддича, Мыслитель, Фил-боюсь-секса. Просто толпа горячих парней, за которых можно выйти замуж.
– И ни с кем из них мы толком не разговаривали, – добавила Негин.
– Я говорила с Филом-боюсь-секса, – возразила Фрэнки. – Откуда, по-твоему, я узнала, что он боится секса? Мы разболтались у игрового автомата. Я рассказала о своем росте, он – о страхе перед сексом. Мы сблизились.
– А Мыслитель такой загадочный, – прошептала Негин, и мы уставились на Мыслителя.
В шерстяном свитере крупной вязки с дырками в рукавах, он потирал подбородок и мечтательно глядел в пространство перед собой.
– Ага, старый добрый Мыслитель, – кивнула Фрэнки. – Наверное, размышляет о том, что бы съесть на завтрак.
Вот Люк не покорил мое сердце. С одной стороны, я действительно понимаю его состояние и все его поступки очень логичны с психологической точки зрения, но все это не отменяло того факта, что я хотела дать ему отличный подзатыльник большую часть происходящих событий. С другой стороны…. «Первокурсники» великолепно показали, как мы все способны идеализировать свой объект обожания, при этом ничего о нем не зная. И да-да, все такие идеальные и обожаемые нами издалека парни на самом деле имеют кучу недостатков и могут знатненько тупить. Так что в этом контексте конец самой книги (no spoilers) кажется очень жизненным и правильным.
Любовная линия. Или точнее сказать линии? Конечно то, как Люк запал на Фиби было супер-мега быстро, но так и уж быть, я закрою на это глаза. А вот линия с Джошем мне показалась немного лишней, ну вот честно. Вообще, у Фиби такая богатая личная жизнь, что просто ни в сказке сказать, ни пером описать, даже как-то немного завидно xD.
Если подвести итог, то плюсы:
- реалистичность, жизненность всего происходящего;
- атмосфера моего любимого «SKAMа» и 3-го сезона «Вероники Марс»;
- великолепный юмор, серьезно, даже пошлые шуточки у авторов вышли так, что невольно улыбаешься;
- классная главная героиня, которая стильно одевается, тусуется, порой выпивает, отлично шутит и с легкостью заводит новые знакомства;
- прекрасные женские персонажи, я обожала их всех. Не ждите здесь излюбленного авторского приема «все девчонки кроме гг – стервы и шлюхи», здесь этого НЕТ! (я прям даже слезу пустила от счастья). Здесь нет разборок, проблем с подругами, потому что эти самые подруги адекватные и нормальные девчонки;
– Мы можем больше не вспоминать о сообщении? – взмолилась я.
– Я никогда о нем не забуду. – Фрэнки скрестила руки на груди. – Это самое ржачное, что со мной когда-либо случалось. А ведь случилось все даже и не со мной.
- ОНИ ИГРАЮТ В КВИДДИЧ!
Мы разделились на две группы. Меня отправили в Когтевран вместе с Эдом и Негин. А нашими противниками стали пуффендуйцы, в том числе Фиби и Фрэнки.
– Мне дали гребаную швабру! – услышал я вопль Артура с другого конца зала, где Гриффиндор готовился сразиться со Слизерином. – Я должен быть волшебником, а не дворником!
минусы:
- одна из любовных линий показалась мне немного неуместной и бессмысленной;
- не особо «удачный» главный герой.
Читать или нет, решайте сами, но я отмечу, что это прекрасный выбор, чтобы скоротать вечерок и поднять себе настроение.
Моя оценка: 8/10 (и я даже перечитаю ее, и возможно не один раз).
8 из 10
Жанр: YA, современный любовный роман
POV: 2 POVа, от первого лица
Геометрия чувств: тот еще многоугольник
Отличительные черты: 18+, реалистичность, отличный юмор, героиня ака не серая мышь, прекрасная женская дружба
РЕЦЕНЗИЯ:
Нежданно-негаданно, но книга мне действительно понравилась и даже очень. Почему неожиданно? Потому что, если честно я была уверенна, что «Первокурсники» - роман не для меня и что пройду мим��, и хорошо, что не совершила такой ошибки. И вообще по прошествии пары дней смотрю на книгу иначе и понимаю, что я практически всем довольна.
«Первокурсники» - это реально охрумительно забавный и реалистичный роман, при прочтении я постоянно вспоминала один из своих любимых сериалов «SKAM» (и это определенно плюсище). Как и в «SKAM», здесь в центре истории настоящие подростки, такие какие они есть. Здесь нет у героев никаких особых трагедий и проблем, зато есть любовные разборки, которые так свойственны студентам. А еще, как ни странно, но книга, почему-то на��омнила третий сезон «Вероники Марс»
Собственно, а о чем книга? Книга о первокурсниках, студентах и о столь прекрасных ошибках (или нет?) юности. О влюбленностях и расставаниях, вечеринках и пьяном угаре, о дружбе, страхе перед чем-то новым и неизведанном будущем. В общем, как вы понимаете книга о жизни. Очень понравилась главная героиня – Фиби. Живая, веселая, с бурной личной жизнью (и да, она не девственница, представляете? Оказывается и такое бывает в книгах. Мне понравилось, как мило и нелепо она влипала во все происходящее, но при этом оставалась собой. И, черт возьми, какая же здесь потрясающая девчачья дружба в книге! Сцены с Фиби, Негин и Фрэнки одни из моих самых любимых.
– Слушайте, да тут весь цвет. – Я перечисляла и тихонько указывала: – Красивые Глазки, Обалденный Марко с квиддича, Мыслитель, Фил-боюсь-секса. Просто толпа горячих парней, за которых можно выйти замуж.
– И ни с кем из них мы толком не разговаривали, – добавила Негин.
– Я говорила с Филом-боюсь-секса, – возразила Фрэнки. – Откуда, по-твоему, я узнала, что он боится секса? Мы разболтались у игрового автомата. Я рассказала о своем росте, он – о страхе перед сексом. Мы сблизились.
– А Мыслитель такой загадочный, – прошептала Негин, и мы уставились на Мыслителя.
В шерстяном свитере крупной вязки с дырками в рукавах, он потирал подбородок и мечтательно глядел в пространство перед собой.
– Ага, старый добрый Мыслитель, – кивнула Фрэнки. – Наверное, размышляет о том, что бы съесть на завтрак.
Вот Люк не покорил мое сердце. С одной стороны, я действительно понимаю его состояние и все его поступки очень логичны с психологической точки зрения, но все это не отменяло того факта, что я хотела дать ему отличный подзатыльник большую часть происходящих событий. С другой стороны…. «Первокурсники» великолепно показали, как мы все способны идеализировать свой объект обожания, при этом ничего о нем не зная. И да-да, все такие идеальные и обожаемые нами издалека парни на самом деле имеют кучу недостатков и могут знатненько тупить. Так что в этом контексте конец самой книги (no spoilers) кажется очень жизненным и правильным.
Любовная линия. Или точнее сказать линии? Конечно то, как Люк запал на Фиби было супер-мега быстро, но так и уж быть, я закрою на это глаза. А вот линия с Джошем мне показалась немного лишней, ну вот честно. Вообще, у Фиби такая богатая личная жизнь, что просто ни в сказке сказать, ни пером описать, даже как-то немного завидно xD.
Если подвести итог, то плюсы:
- реалистичность, жизненность всего происходящего;
- атмосфера моего любимого «SKAMа» и 3-го сезона «Вероники Марс»;
- великолепный юмор, серьезно, даже пошлые шуточки у авторов вышли так, что невольно улыбаешься;
- классная главная героиня, которая стильно одевается, тусуется, порой выпивает, отлично шутит и с легкостью заводит новые знакомства;
- прекрасные женские персонажи, я обожала их всех. Не ждите здесь излюбленного авторского приема «все девчонки кроме гг – стервы и шлюхи», здесь этого НЕТ! (я прям даже слезу пустила от счастья). Здесь нет разборок, проблем с подругами, потому что эти самые подруги адекватные и нормальные девчонки;
– Мы можем больше не вспоминать о сообщении? – взмолилась я.
– Я никогда о нем не забуду. – Фрэнки скрестила руки на груди. – Это самое ржачное, что со мной когда-либо случалось. А ведь случилось все даже и не со мной.
- ОНИ ИГРАЮТ В КВИДДИЧ!
Мы разделились на две группы. Меня отправили в Когтевран вместе с Эдом и Негин. А нашими противниками стали пуффендуйцы, в том числе Фиби и Фрэнки.
– Мне дали гребаную швабру! – услышал я вопль Артура с другого конца зала, где Гриффиндор готовился сразиться со Слизерином. – Я должен быть волшебником, а не дворником!
минусы:
- одна из любовных линий показалась мне немного неуместной и бессмысленной;
- не особо «удачный» главный герой.
Читать или нет, решайте сами, но я отмечу, что это прекрасный выбор, чтобы скоротать вечерок и поднять себе настроение.
Моя оценка: 8/10 (и я даже перечитаю ее, и возможно не один раз).
March 2, 2018
Freshmen is the story of two young adults from the same high school that find their lives entangled during their freshman year of college. Phoebe is the smart, pretty, but usually lost in the masses girl that's set out to be a new version of herself. She'll be fun, she'll party, she won't have a curfew, and everything will be great, especially since her longtime crush is there too. In just one week Luke breaks up with his girlfriend, makes just one true new friend, and lands himself a spot on the soccer team. He's a bit lonely, but things are looking up when he starts hooking up with Phoebe. The Wall of Shame changes all that though, leaving Luke trying to fix things and Phoebe seeking answers to what might truly make her happy.
Freshmen is a classic NA college novel, the pages filled with partying, hook ups, and an occasional class. Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison take the fun a step farther by exploring loneliness, homesickness, and shameful events that can make or break the college experience. I really connected with both Phoebe and Luke, their experiences similar to my own four year adventure. It was a fun-to-read novel, the sort that gets you out of reality, but doesn't challenge you too much. I laughed quite a bit, appreciated the focus on events beyond drinking and one night stands, and ultimately found this book to be a really great, positive new adult read. It was a very authentic portrayal of college that took me back in time.
Though Freshmen is labeled as a YA novel, I'd put in more in NA adult territory. There is a lot of drinking, time spent between the sheets and literally everywhere else, and a serious, thought provoking question of appropriateness and questioning what everyone else is doing. I really appreciated the secondary characters, but they seemed more well rounded than Phoebe and Luke at times, their voices more mature and adult than that of the narrators. Additionally, the end left me feeling like it was unfinished, like maybe there must be more to the story, a happier ending. I wish there had been an epilogue that revealed all is well for the characters after a dramatic freshman year.
Freshmen is a must read for young adult and new adult fans, I mean, I want to hand it out to freshmen on college campuses right now. It was so accurate, funny, and had a very smart message to it.
ARC provided.
Freshmen is a classic NA college novel, the pages filled with partying, hook ups, and an occasional class. Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison take the fun a step farther by exploring loneliness, homesickness, and shameful events that can make or break the college experience. I really connected with both Phoebe and Luke, their experiences similar to my own four year adventure. It was a fun-to-read novel, the sort that gets you out of reality, but doesn't challenge you too much. I laughed quite a bit, appreciated the focus on events beyond drinking and one night stands, and ultimately found this book to be a really great, positive new adult read. It was a very authentic portrayal of college that took me back in time.
Though Freshmen is labeled as a YA novel, I'd put in more in NA adult territory. There is a lot of drinking, time spent between the sheets and literally everywhere else, and a serious, thought provoking question of appropriateness and questioning what everyone else is doing. I really appreciated the secondary characters, but they seemed more well rounded than Phoebe and Luke at times, their voices more mature and adult than that of the narrators. Additionally, the end left me feeling like it was unfinished, like maybe there must be more to the story, a happier ending. I wish there had been an epilogue that revealed all is well for the characters after a dramatic freshman year.
Freshmen is a must read for young adult and new adult fans, I mean, I want to hand it out to freshmen on college campuses right now. It was so accurate, funny, and had a very smart message to it.
ARC provided.
June 12, 2018
This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased, honest opinion.
YIKES! I truly wanted to love this book. I think the cover is amazing, the synopsis sounded great, etc. I was really excited to read this one but it just did not work for me. The synopsis had me thinking the book would go this way but it ended up going another, if that makes any sense. I also struggled with the amount of people in this book. I literally could not keep up with who was who, who was with who, etc. I eventually stopped trying. Also the drama was a bit too much. It seemed like there was ALWAYS something going on. It was just too much for me. I did struggle with connecting with the main characters. I just didn’t care one way or the other about them. I never felt invested in their lives. I will say, I enjoyed the friendship between Phoebe, Frankie and Negin (I hope that’s the three who had the epic friendship anyway). I loved how they were always there for each other, even through some very embarrassing times. If you’ve read the book, you know which scene I’m referring to. That’s true friendship right there.
I think the biggest issue was Phoebe being in love with Luke. The same guy she went to school with but only spoke to him 5 times in 7 years. She was very much in love/obsessed with him. Turns out it was just the idea of Luke that she was in love with. I mean, how else could you love someone you don’t know and have barely spoken to? Luke Taylor wasn’t someone I wanted Phoebe with anyway. He was this self centered, constantly wavering jerk. He didn’t know what he wanted but wanted to keep everyone on standby just in case he decided to lean towards them for THAT day. I’m not sure if we were supposed to root for Phoebe and Luke but I definitely didn’t.
There was one thing that I really enjoyed in this book. Abbey and Luke trading random greeting cards with each other on special occasions was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely something I want to start doing haha.
Overall, I truly wanted to love and enjoy this book. I tried my hardest to look at the positive side of things but it just didn’t work out.
YIKES! I truly wanted to love this book. I think the cover is amazing, the synopsis sounded great, etc. I was really excited to read this one but it just did not work for me. The synopsis had me thinking the book would go this way but it ended up going another, if that makes any sense. I also struggled with the amount of people in this book. I literally could not keep up with who was who, who was with who, etc. I eventually stopped trying. Also the drama was a bit too much. It seemed like there was ALWAYS something going on. It was just too much for me. I did struggle with connecting with the main characters. I just didn’t care one way or the other about them. I never felt invested in their lives. I will say, I enjoyed the friendship between Phoebe, Frankie and Negin (I hope that’s the three who had the epic friendship anyway). I loved how they were always there for each other, even through some very embarrassing times. If you’ve read the book, you know which scene I’m referring to. That’s true friendship right there.
I think the biggest issue was Phoebe being in love with Luke. The same guy she went to school with but only spoke to him 5 times in 7 years. She was very much in love/obsessed with him. Turns out it was just the idea of Luke that she was in love with. I mean, how else could you love someone you don’t know and have barely spoken to? Luke Taylor wasn’t someone I wanted Phoebe with anyway. He was this self centered, constantly wavering jerk. He didn’t know what he wanted but wanted to keep everyone on standby just in case he decided to lean towards them for THAT day. I’m not sure if we were supposed to root for Phoebe and Luke but I definitely didn’t.
There was one thing that I really enjoyed in this book. Abbey and Luke trading random greeting cards with each other on special occasions was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely something I want to start doing haha.
Overall, I truly wanted to love and enjoy this book. I tried my hardest to look at the positive side of things but it just didn’t work out.
August 24, 2017
I was so, so, so unexplainably excited to read this and I've just been dropped on my arse. I couldn't finish it - I didn't enjoy it. I couldn't connect to the characters, to the setting, to the story... nothing seemed to do it for me and it just wasn't the fun read I thought it was going to be. It read more like a "this happened, then this happened, then this happened, ooo dramatic plot twist, then this happened"... and it was all very dull to be honest.
Oh well! Onwards and upwards!
Definitely give this a try if you're a fresher yourself as it might get you pumped up for starting uni. I just don't think I'm the right type of person to "get" this story - I don't tend to subscribe to the typical college/university life so I just don't enjoy reading about it.
Oh well! Onwards and upwards!
Definitely give this a try if you're a fresher yourself as it might get you pumped up for starting uni. I just don't think I'm the right type of person to "get" this story - I don't tend to subscribe to the typical college/university life so I just don't enjoy reading about it.
Read
May 9, 2020I read this really quickly in one night (there's just something about contemporaries and nighttime that really works for me) and I did enjoy reading it.
But, there were a few things that I wasn't peachy keen on.
I really liked how this was a college book because we're lacking a lot of YA literature in this genre. A lot of the times when you do find a college book, it's usually a smut college book and not something suitable for understanding that transition from high school to college.
Teen readers come to high school prepared--that's what all this high school YA centers on. But we need more college YA and I'm so happy that this book is one of those books.
I've heard that it's also loosely based off of something that did actually happen at a college, and I like how the Wall of Shame aspect was incorporated and made a central part of the novel--there are ups and downs to college life.
The characters were fine too--I couldn't super-connect with them, but I understood where they were at and what they were doing. (Although, I liked Phoebe more than Luke.)
It's just that part of my problem was when the Wall of Shame was introduced--it seems to have happened a little past the halfway point, if I remember correctly, and I really wanted that introduced a little earlier because of how it's been advertised in the summary as a big plot point.
I wouldn't have minded this if it wasn't a huge summary point, and I do think there are benefits on not dwelling on it for too long. Although this is a serious thing, Ellen and Ivison managed to keep it from getting overly tense while still treating it as something that is serious.
My main problem with this story was Luke and his character arc. I liked Phoebe's character growth--I think she learned a lot of things that year--but Luke's brought up some issues with me.
I just felt like he didn't grow enough or truly understand the repercussions of his actions and his silence about the Wall of Shame and didn't learn enough from it.
Like, Phoebe, hun, I get it. He's your childhood crush. But he's also a dickwad.
He didn't grow enough or feel enough shame for his silence despite him knowing and I wanted to see him grow without the end goal of getting Phoebe back. I wasn't convinced at the end that he had grown enough to truly make a difference, and this made the story feel incomplete (or you could say that it portrayed a bad message for boys).
I felt like Luke's storyline needed a lot of work, but I did enjoy the rest of the novel and sped through this in one night. It's a good slice of college life and I enjoyed reading this and getting that familiarity with college that I had with high school.
Overall, I think this is a good book if you're looking for college YA, but I do think if you do decide to read it, don't take Luke as a role model because his actions and behavior aren't what they should be.
But, there were a few things that I wasn't peachy keen on.
I really liked how this was a college book because we're lacking a lot of YA literature in this genre. A lot of the times when you do find a college book, it's usually a smut college book and not something suitable for understanding that transition from high school to college.
Teen readers come to high school prepared--that's what all this high school YA centers on. But we need more college YA and I'm so happy that this book is one of those books.
I've heard that it's also loosely based off of something that did actually happen at a college, and I like how the Wall of Shame aspect was incorporated and made a central part of the novel--there are ups and downs to college life.
The characters were fine too--I couldn't super-connect with them, but I understood where they were at and what they were doing. (Although, I liked Phoebe more than Luke.)
It's just that part of my problem was when the Wall of Shame was introduced--it seems to have happened a little past the halfway point, if I remember correctly, and I really wanted that introduced a little earlier because of how it's been advertised in the summary as a big plot point.
I wouldn't have minded this if it wasn't a huge summary point, and I do think there are benefits on not dwelling on it for too long. Although this is a serious thing, Ellen and Ivison managed to keep it from getting overly tense while still treating it as something that is serious.
My main problem with this story was Luke and his character arc. I liked Phoebe's character growth--I think she learned a lot of things that year--but Luke's brought up some issues with me.
I just felt like he didn't grow enough or truly understand the repercussions of his actions and his silence about the Wall of Shame and didn't learn enough from it.
Like, Phoebe, hun, I get it. He's your childhood crush. But he's also a dickwad.
He didn't grow enough or feel enough shame for his silence despite him knowing and I wanted to see him grow without the end goal of getting Phoebe back. I wasn't convinced at the end that he had grown enough to truly make a difference, and this made the story feel incomplete (or you could say that it portrayed a bad message for boys).
I felt like Luke's storyline needed a lot of work, but I did enjoy the rest of the novel and sped through this in one night. It's a good slice of college life and I enjoyed reading this and getting that familiarity with college that I had with high school.
Overall, I think this is a good book if you're looking for college YA, but I do think if you do decide to read it, don't take Luke as a role model because his actions and behavior aren't what they should be.
July 2, 2018
The transition from high school to college can be really difficult. Freshmen follows Phoebe and Luke they attempt to find their way, and themselves, in this new setting.
• Pro: My favorite thing about this book was probably the humor. I laughed so much!
• Pro: We are seeing more and more of these YA-goes-to-college books, and I really appreciated the way Ellen and Ivison explored how difficult the transition can be. The juxtaposition of Phoebe and Luke was perfect, showing one, who was flourishing and one, who was floundering.
• Pro: I loved seeing Phoebe break out of her shell in college. She had flown under the radar in high school, but here she was was making friends, excelling academically, and really growing so much.
• Con: They Americanized this book for the US release, but I wish they hadn't. It was a little awkward, and I really would have liked to have had an authentic peek into the English college system.
• Pro: Though my circumstances weren't exactly like Luke's, I found I connected to his story more than Phoebe's. He felt a little lost. In high school, he had his steady girlfriend, his best friend, and his popularity. He found himself slightly adrift at university, and stayed in situations he was uncomfortable with in order to feel as though he belonged somewhere.
• Pro: These two had some awesome friends. Phoebe's squad was definitely the best. D-dorm for the win, but Luke found a few quality people to support him as well.
• Con: If this was a series, and I knew I was getting another book, I would have been ok, but since it is NOT a series, I must confess, I was a little let down by the ending. There was something that seemed to be starting, which I would love to have seen explored more.
• Pro: I never had this much fun in college (engineering was not a fun major), but at least I got to have some solid experiences via Phoebe and Luke. The parties, kitchen sessions, girl talks, and Quidditch meetings were fantastic, and just added to the overall fun of the book.
• Pro: This book has some drama, but it's pretty low-key, which is always something I appreciate.
Overall: A great addition to the YA-goes-to-college set, which entertainingly captured the ups and downs of that first year of college.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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• Pro: My favorite thing about this book was probably the humor. I laughed so much!
• Pro: We are seeing more and more of these YA-goes-to-college books, and I really appreciated the way Ellen and Ivison explored how difficult the transition can be. The juxtaposition of Phoebe and Luke was perfect, showing one, who was flourishing and one, who was floundering.
• Pro: I loved seeing Phoebe break out of her shell in college. She had flown under the radar in high school, but here she was was making friends, excelling academically, and really growing so much.
• Con: They Americanized this book for the US release, but I wish they hadn't. It was a little awkward, and I really would have liked to have had an authentic peek into the English college system.
• Pro: Though my circumstances weren't exactly like Luke's, I found I connected to his story more than Phoebe's. He felt a little lost. In high school, he had his steady girlfriend, his best friend, and his popularity. He found himself slightly adrift at university, and stayed in situations he was uncomfortable with in order to feel as though he belonged somewhere.
• Pro: These two had some awesome friends. Phoebe's squad was definitely the best. D-dorm for the win, but Luke found a few quality people to support him as well.
• Con: If this was a series, and I knew I was getting another book, I would have been ok, but since it is NOT a series, I must confess, I was a little let down by the ending. There was something that seemed to be starting, which I would love to have seen explored more.
• Pro: I never had this much fun in college (engineering was not a fun major), but at least I got to have some solid experiences via Phoebe and Luke. The parties, kitchen sessions, girl talks, and Quidditch meetings were fantastic, and just added to the overall fun of the book.
• Pro: This book has some drama, but it's pretty low-key, which is always something I appreciate.
Overall: A great addition to the YA-goes-to-college set, which entertainingly captured the ups and downs of that first year of college.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
June 15, 2018
I had a great time reading Freshmen! Honestly when I originally picked up the book I thought it'd be yet another typical drama-filled teen story. The humour in this one though really made it stand out.
Freshmen was a quick read in the most addictive way. The writing was easy to take in and the dialogues were laugh-out-loud hilarious. I was grinning madly and laughing away at/with the characters. It was impossible to peel my eyes away from the sh*t show happening on the pages. While things were a giant mix of madness and amusement the emotions involved, particularly the confusion, felt very genuine in a new-to-college and first-time-away-from-home feel.
The story really highlighted the different sorts of people you'll meet, in this case, at school. There was so much drama but it was all really fun to watch unfold. Some legit amazing friendships were formed. They started off in the weirdest and most random way but through the course of the book managed to smoothly morph themselves into meaningful relationships. The romance(s) were messy with complications everywhere. Yet each instance helped the characters grow a little more. I was surprised but also pleased with how things were handled at the very end.
I experienced a bit of a cultural shock with Freshmen. It opened my eyes to many English things I hadn't known or noticed before. I knew they drank a lot of tea but wow do they also eat a ton of toasts and play games called Sardines. It's basically hide and go seek but in reverse and it sounds fun! Last but not least, Frosh Week sounds bonkers! And that's all I'm going to say ;)
Freshmen was such a riot to read. With a wry sense of humour, larger than life personalities and the most surreal of moments, this is a book you'll not want to put down once you've got it in your hands. Go pick it up now!!
Freshmen was a quick read in the most addictive way. The writing was easy to take in and the dialogues were laugh-out-loud hilarious. I was grinning madly and laughing away at/with the characters. It was impossible to peel my eyes away from the sh*t show happening on the pages. While things were a giant mix of madness and amusement the emotions involved, particularly the confusion, felt very genuine in a new-to-college and first-time-away-from-home feel.
The story really highlighted the different sorts of people you'll meet, in this case, at school. There was so much drama but it was all really fun to watch unfold. Some legit amazing friendships were formed. They started off in the weirdest and most random way but through the course of the book managed to smoothly morph themselves into meaningful relationships. The romance(s) were messy with complications everywhere. Yet each instance helped the characters grow a little more. I was surprised but also pleased with how things were handled at the very end.
I experienced a bit of a cultural shock with Freshmen. It opened my eyes to many English things I hadn't known or noticed before. I knew they drank a lot of tea but wow do they also eat a ton of toasts and play games called Sardines. It's basically hide and go seek but in reverse and it sounds fun! Last but not least, Frosh Week sounds bonkers! And that's all I'm going to say ;)
Freshmen was such a riot to read. With a wry sense of humour, larger than life personalities and the most surreal of moments, this is a book you'll not want to put down once you've got it in your hands. Go pick it up now!!
June 27, 2018
A+ for capturing that I have no fucking clue what I’m doing vibe from freshman year at college. Also had some great female friendships and found family feels. But idk, the story just never felt like it was going anywhere. I enjoyed the ending tho.
Read
October 17, 2025One of the best YA books I've read all year!
May 12, 2018
FILM JUŻ NA KANALE! <3
---> https://youtu.be/DkPXy7N7Qr4
Naprawdę ciekawa książka! Oparta na oklepanych i znanych motywach ale oryginalna w swoim rodzaju. Bardziej obyczaj niż romans, za sprawą prawdy, która się tu kryje. Jest to fabularyzowane wspomnienie autorów i dzięki temu ta książka jest tak realna! Mimo, że moim zdaniem odbiega od typu studiowania w Polsce, przynajmniej w moim wypadku. hehhe :)
recenzja już wkrótce na kanale, wrzucę tu później edit z linkiem. :)
---> https://youtu.be/DkPXy7N7Qr4
Naprawdę ciekawa książka! Oparta na oklepanych i znanych motywach ale oryginalna w swoim rodzaju. Bardziej obyczaj niż romans, za sprawą prawdy, która się tu kryje. Jest to fabularyzowane wspomnienie autorów i dzięki temu ta książka jest tak realna! Mimo, że moim zdaniem odbiega od typu studiowania w Polsce, przynajmniej w moim wypadku. hehhe :)
recenzja już wkrótce na kanale, wrzucę tu później edit z linkiem. :)
July 20, 2020
Après avoir adoré Celui qui sera mon homard... un peu moins French Ski, j'avais misé gros sur cette Première année qui raconte les folles expériences que vont vivre Phoebe et Luke à leur entrée à l'université.
L'histoire donne vite le ton à travers la semaine d'intégration intensive qui se résume aux grosses soirées, grosses beuveries, rencontres improvisées et gros patins qui n'engagent à rien... C'est culturellement assez déroutant quand on n'a plus vingt ans et qu'on se demande s'il existe des accords tacites à devoir suivre ces rituels débiles en croyant que c'est la meilleure adaptation possible.
Mais sinon c'est très, très drôle. Reconnaissons-le. Les dialogues fusent à la vitesse de la lumière, les esprits sont libres et insouciants, les désirs bourgeonnent, les doutes sont chevillés au corps mais les instincts sont les plus forts. Envie d'interdit, de nouveauté et d'émancipation.
Au centre, nous avons un couple ordinaire : Luke vient de quitter Abbey (au bout de trois ans de relation) et a encore du mal à tourner la page. Phoebe fantasme sur lui depuis le lycée et tire des plans sur la comète pour s'en approcher. Il y a aussi leurs potes (incroyables et fabuleux... j'adore Frankie !) qui vivent eux aussi leur lot d'expériences grivoises.
En vrai, c'est tout plein de fougue, de jeunesse et de dérision. C'est ce qui me plaît aussi car le roman sonne juste, loin des clichés et sans mièvrerie. Luke et Phoebe nous font vivre le meilleur et le pire de cette vie étudiante sans tabou. On boit d'ailleurs beaucoup, pour se désinhiber ou pour suivre la foule, mais on dénonce aussi les bizutages et les paris pourris qui épinglent sur les réseaux sociaux des comportements inadmissibles.
La conclusion du roman est également très pertinente ! Elle ne cède pas à la facilité et redore le blason de notre héroïne égarée... ouf. Et puis il y a des moments attendrissants, d'autres jubilatoires comme les parties de Quidditch, des vérités qui éclatent et qui ne sont pas bonnes à entendre. En gros, on traverse ces 400 pages comme une interminable zone de turbulences... Et c'est très, très bien.
L'histoire donne vite le ton à travers la semaine d'intégration intensive qui se résume aux grosses soirées, grosses beuveries, rencontres improvisées et gros patins qui n'engagent à rien... C'est culturellement assez déroutant quand on n'a plus vingt ans et qu'on se demande s'il existe des accords tacites à devoir suivre ces rituels débiles en croyant que c'est la meilleure adaptation possible.
Mais sinon c'est très, très drôle. Reconnaissons-le. Les dialogues fusent à la vitesse de la lumière, les esprits sont libres et insouciants, les désirs bourgeonnent, les doutes sont chevillés au corps mais les instincts sont les plus forts. Envie d'interdit, de nouveauté et d'émancipation.
Au centre, nous avons un couple ordinaire : Luke vient de quitter Abbey (au bout de trois ans de relation) et a encore du mal à tourner la page. Phoebe fantasme sur lui depuis le lycée et tire des plans sur la comète pour s'en approcher. Il y a aussi leurs potes (incroyables et fabuleux... j'adore Frankie !) qui vivent eux aussi leur lot d'expériences grivoises.
En vrai, c'est tout plein de fougue, de jeunesse et de dérision. C'est ce qui me plaît aussi car le roman sonne juste, loin des clichés et sans mièvrerie. Luke et Phoebe nous font vivre le meilleur et le pire de cette vie étudiante sans tabou. On boit d'ailleurs beaucoup, pour se désinhiber ou pour suivre la foule, mais on dénonce aussi les bizutages et les paris pourris qui épinglent sur les réseaux sociaux des comportements inadmissibles.
La conclusion du roman est également très pertinente ! Elle ne cède pas à la facilité et redore le blason de notre héroïne égarée... ouf. Et puis il y a des moments attendrissants, d'autres jubilatoires comme les parties de Quidditch, des vérités qui éclatent et qui ne sont pas bonnes à entendre. En gros, on traverse ces 400 pages comme une interminable zone de turbulences... Et c'est très, très bien.
Read
May 15, 2018Really fun! Not the typical YA but I enjoyed that.
Check out my full review here on JenRyland.com! Check out my Bookstagram! Or check out my Jen In Ten reviews on Youtube - get the lowdown on current books in 10-30 seconds!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Check out my full review here on JenRyland.com! Check out my Bookstagram! Or check out my Jen In Ten reviews on Youtube - get the lowdown on current books in 10-30 seconds!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
January 14, 2019
Ein Coming-Of-Age Roman von Partys, tiefsinnigen Gesprächen, Liebe, Verwirrtheit und dem Gefühl sich erstmal selbst finden zu müssen.
Klingt zunächst wie der typische Jugendbuchroman der letzten Jahre und ist es im Prinzip auch, doch am Ende ist “Dance. Love. Learn. Repeat.“ ein kleines feines Werk, das die richtigen Messages verpackt.
Denn seien wir mal ehrlich: Von großen Love-Triangles, die irgendwie zueinander finden, davon gibt es Bücher genug. Aber authentische Erzählungen, die fehlen oft. Aber Luke und Phoebe sind wie sie sind. Phoebe ist vor allem verunsichert, obwohl ihr Start nicht besser hätte sein können - ihre Mitbewohnerinnen sind absolut nett und einen Job hat sie auch schon. Luke, der heißeste Typ aus ihrer alten Schule, hingegen war während der Schulzeit der typische Gewinner, hat jetzt aber Probleme seinen Platz zu finden. Frisch getrennt, im Gefühlschaos, neue Freunde finden, alles nicht so einfach, wenn man schon mal auf einem Höhepunkt war.
Und woher kommt die Authentizität? Mehr Netflix - weniger Alkohol. Sexpannen statt flotten One-Night-Stands. Gemeinsames Kekse backen statt Orgien.
Es tat SO GUT! Denn so war auch mein Studium. Wie in “Dance. Love. Learn. Repeat.“ gab es genug Partys, genug Kopfschmerzen, aber auch Unsicherheiten und das Sehen nach Hause. Vor allem zeigen Lucy Ivison und Tom Ellen, dass du über diese Zeit SEHR WOHL schreiben kannst, ohne, dass es eine dieser verklärten Jugendbuchromane wird. Dazu: Applaus für das Ende – ich hab es nicht kommen gesehen und es unterstreicht noch einmal so sehr, wofür dieses Buch steht: Nicht für eine Liebesgeschichte, sondern für eine Zeit und dem damit verbundene Gefühl.
Klingt zunächst wie der typische Jugendbuchroman der letzten Jahre und ist es im Prinzip auch, doch am Ende ist “Dance. Love. Learn. Repeat.“ ein kleines feines Werk, das die richtigen Messages verpackt.
Denn seien wir mal ehrlich: Von großen Love-Triangles, die irgendwie zueinander finden, davon gibt es Bücher genug. Aber authentische Erzählungen, die fehlen oft. Aber Luke und Phoebe sind wie sie sind. Phoebe ist vor allem verunsichert, obwohl ihr Start nicht besser hätte sein können - ihre Mitbewohnerinnen sind absolut nett und einen Job hat sie auch schon. Luke, der heißeste Typ aus ihrer alten Schule, hingegen war während der Schulzeit der typische Gewinner, hat jetzt aber Probleme seinen Platz zu finden. Frisch getrennt, im Gefühlschaos, neue Freunde finden, alles nicht so einfach, wenn man schon mal auf einem Höhepunkt war.
Und woher kommt die Authentizität? Mehr Netflix - weniger Alkohol. Sexpannen statt flotten One-Night-Stands. Gemeinsames Kekse backen statt Orgien.
Es tat SO GUT! Denn so war auch mein Studium. Wie in “Dance. Love. Learn. Repeat.“ gab es genug Partys, genug Kopfschmerzen, aber auch Unsicherheiten und das Sehen nach Hause. Vor allem zeigen Lucy Ivison und Tom Ellen, dass du über diese Zeit SEHR WOHL schreiben kannst, ohne, dass es eine dieser verklärten Jugendbuchromane wird. Dazu: Applaus für das Ende – ich hab es nicht kommen gesehen und es unterstreicht noch einmal so sehr, wofür dieses Buch steht: Nicht für eine Liebesgeschichte, sondern für eine Zeit und dem damit verbundene Gefühl.
December 31, 2018
Phoebe und Luke haben die Schulzeit hinter sich und beginnen ihr neues Leben an der Uni! Während Phoebe schon in der Schule für Luke heimlich geschwärmt hat, kann Luke sich an Phoebe gar nicht wirklich erinnern. Die erste Zeit an der Uni ist aufregend; neue Freunde, neue Lehrer, neuer Unterrichtsstoff. Und jede Menge Partys! Ob Phoebe und Luke sich endlich näherkommen?
Mein Leseeindruck:
Vielleicht hatte ich zu hohe Erwartungen an das Buch oder einfach falsche Erwartungen, oder ich bin zu alt für diese Art von Büchern? Ich weiß es nicht, aber ich konnte mit dieser Geschichte nicht wirklich warmwerden. Auch mit den Charakteren bin ich nicht warmgeworden. Eigentlich waren sie alle mir nicht sonderlich sympathisch, ich konnte mich nicht in sie hineinversetzen und die Emotionen haben beim Lesen gänzlich gefehlt. Nur genervt war ich leider hin und wieder. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, es mit Kindergartenkindern zu tun zu haben statt mit jungen Leuten, die gerade an die Uni gekommen sind. Diese schrägen Dialoge haben meinen Humor leider nicht treffen können. Zudem wird gefühlt ständig gefeiert, Alkohol und Drogen werden konsumiert wie Wasser. Letztendlich bin ich froh, das Buch nun beendet zu haben; es konnte mich nicht überzeugen.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Vielleicht hatte ich zu hohe Erwartungen an das Buch oder einfach falsche Erwartungen, oder ich bin zu alt für diese Art von Büchern? Ich weiß es nicht, aber ich konnte mit dieser Geschichte nicht wirklich warmwerden. Auch mit den Charakteren bin ich nicht warmgeworden. Eigentlich waren sie alle mir nicht sonderlich sympathisch, ich konnte mich nicht in sie hineinversetzen und die Emotionen haben beim Lesen gänzlich gefehlt. Nur genervt war ich leider hin und wieder. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, es mit Kindergartenkindern zu tun zu haben statt mit jungen Leuten, die gerade an die Uni gekommen sind. Diese schrägen Dialoge haben meinen Humor leider nicht treffen können. Zudem wird gefühlt ständig gefeiert, Alkohol und Drogen werden konsumiert wie Wasser. Letztendlich bin ich froh, das Buch nun beendet zu haben; es konnte mich nicht überzeugen.
January 14, 2018
It was nice funny story to read if your going to uni my favourite character was Josh he seem caring and was there for Phoebe when she needed someone. I didn’t like Luke he was weak character for me.It felt all the characters had different stories but by the end of book nobody got what they want it left unfinished.
September 28, 2025
I loved that! It was so realistic, so messy, so funny! This has been on my TBR for 4 years and I’m so glad I read this after uni compared to before because this would have set expectations in my head that probably would have scared me. But the characters were so relatable, the storyline was exactly the way things go at uni - it is never straightforward. The FRIENDSHIPS, the way you bond and connect with people at uni in the more bizarre ways! LOVE. Just a great representation of the uni experience (the good and the bad!)
July 10, 2023
another book that wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. it started to drag a little bit but it’s all good it was a fun read precollege. i liked josh at the end but i will say all that reading for such little pay off especially from luke’s end. what was the point of the dual POV? also all the characters sort of mixed together for me. glad to be done with it !
December 16, 2023
What the actual fuck? Już omine fakt, że przez 1/3 książki skręcało mnie z cringu, bo potem się wciągnęłam, ALE ZAKOŃCZENIE??????? CAŁĄ KSIĄŻKĘ CZEKAŁAM NA COŚ CO SIĘ NIGDY NIE WYDARZY???????
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book, a lot more than I actually thought I would.
Freshers follows the lives of Phoebe and Luke, two students who have just started University.
The thing I loved most about this book is that it gives the reader a real life and believable insight into what Uni is actually like and what happens during and after freshers week.
It didn't just show the good, it showed the bad, the messy and the awkward too and I really appreciated this.
Most of the characters felt so believable. I didn't really care for Luke that much but I did like Phoebe, Frankie, Negin and Josh.
All in all, I found this an easy read and although I may not re-read it again in the future, I'm glad that I have read it.
I recommend Freshers to anyone who enjoys reading contemporary YA books and also those who have been or are currently studying at Uni.
Freshers follows the lives of Phoebe and Luke, two students who have just started University.
The thing I loved most about this book is that it gives the reader a real life and believable insight into what Uni is actually like and what happens during and after freshers week.
It didn't just show the good, it showed the bad, the messy and the awkward too and I really appreciated this.
Most of the characters felt so believable. I didn't really care for Luke that much but I did like Phoebe, Frankie, Negin and Josh.
All in all, I found this an easy read and although I may not re-read it again in the future, I'm glad that I have read it.
I recommend Freshers to anyone who enjoys reading contemporary YA books and also those who have been or are currently studying at Uni.
September 25, 2017
Absolutely brilliant!
I read this in one day - and that's rare for me, the world's slowest reader - and I found it hard to put down.
This book is SO BRITISH. If you've been to university, you'll relate, if you haven't, you'll experience it with this book.
The characters are a lot of fun, the story was pretty much just a few people trying to survive their first term of uni but that's always entertaining, and it ended on a good yet realistic note. Very satisfied with this read.
I personally think this book is an NA book, although I found it in the teens/YA section but that's my humble opinion.
I find that the New Adult genre is awful, full of the same irritating near-erotica plain-girl-meets-manwhore crap, and I'm definitely sick of it. Freshers, however, is a hell of a lot more New Adult than them as it deals with an actual realistic couple of characters who ARE new adults and discovering life. The genre is definitely coming back to life, thank god!
Very much enjoyed it! Also, it's absolutely bloody hilarious. Like, snort-your-tea-out-your-nose funny!
And Harry Potter fans will be happy with this read too. Many references and a Quidditch society. And I love how someone is offered tea on nearly every page! (okay, not EVERY page but a lot)
Highly recommended. I'm already a fan of these two authors so naturally when I saw this was out, I HAD to buy it.
I read this in one day - and that's rare for me, the world's slowest reader - and I found it hard to put down.
This book is SO BRITISH. If you've been to university, you'll relate, if you haven't, you'll experience it with this book.
The characters are a lot of fun, the story was pretty much just a few people trying to survive their first term of uni but that's always entertaining, and it ended on a good yet realistic note. Very satisfied with this read.
I personally think this book is an NA book, although I found it in the teens/YA section but that's my humble opinion.
I find that the New Adult genre is awful, full of the same irritating near-erotica plain-girl-meets-manwhore crap, and I'm definitely sick of it. Freshers, however, is a hell of a lot more New Adult than them as it deals with an actual realistic couple of characters who ARE new adults and discovering life. The genre is definitely coming back to life, thank god!
Very much enjoyed it! Also, it's absolutely bloody hilarious. Like, snort-your-tea-out-your-nose funny!
And Harry Potter fans will be happy with this read too. Many references and a Quidditch society. And I love how someone is offered tea on nearly every page! (okay, not EVERY page but a lot)
Highly recommended. I'm already a fan of these two authors so naturally when I saw this was out, I HAD to buy it.
July 28, 2025
This book was absolutely terrible - I think I said, out-loud, at least 7 times during my reading of this book "Oh my shit I hate this book."
I made a pros and cons list while I was reading, and there was nothing in the pros column. I will now share with you the cons column:
1: The peer pressure to drink beer and play frat games.
2: Whatever Abbey and Luke and Luke and Phoebe and Phoebe and Will had going on was WILD and I did not care for their childish games, their lack of communication, or their lack of maturity.
3: The sex??? The conversations about sex???? Ew no thank you.
4: Fishing that condom out of Phoebe??? Whoever wrote that, reviewed that, published that, all while thinking, "Yes, this is a good idea to put out into the world," needs to be blacklisted.
5: I was so quickly over all the blatant sexism and locker room talk, that was not funny and it 100% of the time went too far - and nothing was ever done about it.
I would never recommend this to anyone.
I made a pros and cons list while I was reading, and there was nothing in the pros column. I will now share with you the cons column:
1: The peer pressure to drink beer and play frat games.
2: Whatever Abbey and Luke and Luke and Phoebe and Phoebe and Will had going on was WILD and I did not care for their childish games, their lack of communication, or their lack of maturity.
3: The sex??? The conversations about sex???? Ew no thank you.
4: Fishing that condom out of Phoebe??? Whoever wrote that, reviewed that, published that, all while thinking, "Yes, this is a good idea to put out into the world," needs to be blacklisted.
5: I was so quickly over all the blatant sexism and locker room talk, that was not funny and it 100% of the time went too far - and nothing was ever done about it.
I would never recommend this to anyone.
August 5, 2018
the setting of this book is York.a university in York.dorms,cheese toasties (v v smelly brie?? cheese too) and multilayered relatable characters,that are often confused, kissing or drunk (or all three at the same time)what more do you need in a contemporary?harry potter reference?oh we have those as well.
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