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This Might Get Awkward
Sophie Kinsella meets Sarah Dessen in the most hilarious, romantic book of the summer about a girl with social anxiety and the boy who refuses to let her hide herself away.
Seventeen-year-old Gemma’s favorite kind of beach is an empty one. Social interactions are too much for her to handle. She always says the wrong thing—if she manages to say anything at all. She can’t even bring herself to speak to her longtime crush, Beau Booker, without losing sleep over her own awkwardness.
During a solo outing to her favorite beach, Gemma realizes—to her horror—that the popular kids from school have shown up to throw a party. Before she can sneak away (and possibly puke behind her car) Gemma is pulled into the action and ends up talking to Beau, who asks her to pretend that they’re “close.” Gemma is too flustered and flattered to refuse, and mostly, she’s wondering why Beau is talking to her at all . . . right up until the moment when he falls off the boat, hits his head, and ends up in a coma.
After rescuing Beau from the water, Gemma is mistaken for Beau’s girlfriend by his friends and family, including his mysterious older brother, Griff, who has returned to town after a year away. Gemma tries to correct the record, but her social anxiety (and a nosy reporter) gets in the way at every turn. Before she knows it, she’s in too deep to backtrack. And when Beau’s warm, boisterous family pulls Gemma into their orbit, she realizes how much she wants to keep them in her life.
For the first time, Gemma has everything she’s ever wanted: friends, big family dinners, and Griff—a boy who she can be herself around. But how can she embrace her new dream life when everything is built on a lie?
Seventeen-year-old Gemma’s favorite kind of beach is an empty one. Social interactions are too much for her to handle. She always says the wrong thing—if she manages to say anything at all. She can’t even bring herself to speak to her longtime crush, Beau Booker, without losing sleep over her own awkwardness.
During a solo outing to her favorite beach, Gemma realizes—to her horror—that the popular kids from school have shown up to throw a party. Before she can sneak away (and possibly puke behind her car) Gemma is pulled into the action and ends up talking to Beau, who asks her to pretend that they’re “close.” Gemma is too flustered and flattered to refuse, and mostly, she’s wondering why Beau is talking to her at all . . . right up until the moment when he falls off the boat, hits his head, and ends up in a coma.
After rescuing Beau from the water, Gemma is mistaken for Beau’s girlfriend by his friends and family, including his mysterious older brother, Griff, who has returned to town after a year away. Gemma tries to correct the record, but her social anxiety (and a nosy reporter) gets in the way at every turn. Before she knows it, she’s in too deep to backtrack. And when Beau’s warm, boisterous family pulls Gemma into their orbit, she realizes how much she wants to keep them in her life.
For the first time, Gemma has everything she’s ever wanted: friends, big family dinners, and Griff—a boy who she can be herself around. But how can she embrace her new dream life when everything is built on a lie?
319 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
30 people are currently reading
4655 people want to read
About the author
Kara McDowell
6 books426 followersKara McDowell is the author of romcoms for teenagers and adults, including her upcoming adult debut THE WRITE OFF. Coming from Berkley in Spring 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
March 4, 2022
Starting the month fresh and spicy.
No because this book really said-
Okay, let’s make the MC clumsy, which is totally relatable (I can attest to that) and then make it into an extreme.
Instead of her tripping over air, let’s make her trip over air, FALL on top of someone, poke their eye with a fork, throw up on her crush and accidentally send questionable text messages.
Yes... that’s perfect-
No because this book really said-
Okay, let’s make the MC clumsy, which is totally relatable (I can attest to that) and then make it into an extreme.
Instead of her tripping over air, let’s make her trip over air, FALL on top of someone, poke their eye with a fork, throw up on her crush and accidentally send questionable text messages.
Yes... that’s perfect-
Read
July 10, 2021I'm so thrilled that this book is getting closer to being out in the world! I can't wait for everyone to meet Gemma, Beau, Sofia, Griff, and the whole Booker family.
You might like this book if you like:
* While You Were Sleeping vibes
* Social anxiety rep
* "Oops I fell in love with the wrong brother"
* Boating, cliff jumping, and sun-drenched pages
* A clueless dad who is trying his best
* A mysterious boy who plays the guitar and (occasionally) quotes Taylor Swift.
You might like this book if you like:
* While You Were Sleeping vibes
* Social anxiety rep
* "Oops I fell in love with the wrong brother"
* Boating, cliff jumping, and sun-drenched pages
* A clueless dad who is trying his best
* A mysterious boy who plays the guitar and (occasionally) quotes Taylor Swift.
February 23, 2022
Oh this book. I have many feelings and not all of them are great. So to start off—the things I did like.
•
The story is based off While You Were Sleeping. This just so happens to be one of my favorite romcom movies of all time, so of course it caught my attention. It was fun to see the similarities between the two and I just thoroughly enjoyed that aspect.
•
I also very much enjoyed how the author handled a person with social anxiety. It’s a real thing that people struggle with, and I liked getting to see someone with social anxiety might handle different situations and what their thought pattern might be.
•
However...(slight spoilers ahead)
•
I really struggled to like Gemma completely. Like, I get her anxiety made it hard to tell the truth. It causes her to clam up and panic and run away. I get it. But toward the end after Beau (the guy she likes who’s been in a coma for weeks) wakes up, she had plenty of chances to tell the truth. I liked her up until that point, but by the end of the book I was thinking FINALLY.
•
And for my last comment, I have to talk about the language.
•
Okay. So. When I read a secular book, I expect that there probably will be content. In a YA book it could be an over descriptive kiss, innuendo, MILD language. But this book had SO MUCH LANGUAGE. There are an abundance of d**m, s**t, and a**. And it honestly shocked me. I get one or two (it is a secular book!) but the sheer amount had me rolling my eyes. In one paragraph where the two MCs are arguing, there’s at least five words. It just felt a little unnecessary, especially when a YA romcom is typically marketed for 12-18 year olds.
•
The story is based off While You Were Sleeping. This just so happens to be one of my favorite romcom movies of all time, so of course it caught my attention. It was fun to see the similarities between the two and I just thoroughly enjoyed that aspect.
•
I also very much enjoyed how the author handled a person with social anxiety. It’s a real thing that people struggle with, and I liked getting to see someone with social anxiety might handle different situations and what their thought pattern might be.
•
However...(slight spoilers ahead)
•
I really struggled to like Gemma completely. Like, I get her anxiety made it hard to tell the truth. It causes her to clam up and panic and run away. I get it. But toward the end after Beau (the guy she likes who’s been in a coma for weeks) wakes up, she had plenty of chances to tell the truth. I liked her up until that point, but by the end of the book I was thinking FINALLY.
•
And for my last comment, I have to talk about the language.
•
Okay. So. When I read a secular book, I expect that there probably will be content. In a YA book it could be an over descriptive kiss, innuendo, MILD language. But this book had SO MUCH LANGUAGE. There are an abundance of d**m, s**t, and a**. And it honestly shocked me. I get one or two (it is a secular book!) but the sheer amount had me rolling my eyes. In one paragraph where the two MCs are arguing, there’s at least five words. It just felt a little unnecessary, especially when a YA romcom is typically marketed for 12-18 year olds.
March 1, 2022
I loved this book SO MUCH!!!! It had amazing rom-com energy, great mental health representation, and characters that I couldn't get enough of. Is it too soon to read it again?
The first note I made about this book was that it was funny and I found that stood true for the whole book. We have awkward, social anxiety ridden Gemma who is just so funny. Sometimes she means to be, but most times she doesn't. Then there's the Booker family who has some fun and humorous kids that I couldn't get enough of.
Second, I noted how much I love the characters. I'll start with Gemma, our main girl. She has major anxiety when it comes to social interactions and wouldn't even know how to interact with others if she tried. She's a lover of Lake Powell, in love with the golden boy of her town, and oh so lonely. Right off the bat, I was drawn to her character because of how real she felt. We get a lot of thoughts from her (most of them hilarious), and so we get to know her and her train of thought pretty well. As well, her evolution through this book is so amazing. I would 100% be best friends with her.
Next, I have to spotlight lovely, lovely Griff. He's the older brother of our golden boy and the complete opposite of him. No one really knows him, but EVERYONE knows of him. Rumors plague the town about all the things he did before abruptly leaving for Ohio. Well, now he's back, and thank goodness he is. If you love the broody, you're-the-only-one-I-care-about type, say hello to Griff! I would sacrifice entire universes for him. His evolution in this book is also quite impressive.
Honorable mentions go to Sofia, who breaks the stereotypical mold, and Winnie for being the coolest 9 year old.
Now, onto the *romance*. It is truly unparalleled. The slow burn made me cry and shout with rage and fall in love until I started the cycle all over again. Griff is just...and then Gemma is...I just love them so much. And the best part is you know exactly when things start to change for them and it hurts so bad that they can't see it!
The plot was so well-paced and interesting that I read this book in one sitting. I never stood a chance of walking away for it. It gives the perfect ode to one of the best rom-coms of all time, While You Were Sleeping, while having it's own flair. Plus, the setting just sounded so beautiful and peaceful that it nearly soothed my poor, I-can't-believe-this-book-exists heart.
Overall, I can't recommend this book enough. Run, don't walk to buy/library request it! I will be reading this book as many times as my brain will allow.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The first note I made about this book was that it was funny and I found that stood true for the whole book. We have awkward, social anxiety ridden Gemma who is just so funny. Sometimes she means to be, but most times she doesn't. Then there's the Booker family who has some fun and humorous kids that I couldn't get enough of.
Second, I noted how much I love the characters. I'll start with Gemma, our main girl. She has major anxiety when it comes to social interactions and wouldn't even know how to interact with others if she tried. She's a lover of Lake Powell, in love with the golden boy of her town, and oh so lonely. Right off the bat, I was drawn to her character because of how real she felt. We get a lot of thoughts from her (most of them hilarious), and so we get to know her and her train of thought pretty well. As well, her evolution through this book is so amazing. I would 100% be best friends with her.
Next, I have to spotlight lovely, lovely Griff. He's the older brother of our golden boy and the complete opposite of him. No one really knows him, but EVERYONE knows of him. Rumors plague the town about all the things he did before abruptly leaving for Ohio. Well, now he's back, and thank goodness he is. If you love the broody, you're-the-only-one-I-care-about type, say hello to Griff! I would sacrifice entire universes for him. His evolution in this book is also quite impressive.
Honorable mentions go to Sofia, who breaks the stereotypical mold, and Winnie for being the coolest 9 year old.
Now, onto the *romance*. It is truly unparalleled. The slow burn made me cry and shout with rage and fall in love until I started the cycle all over again. Griff is just...and then Gemma is...I just love them so much. And the best part is you know exactly when things start to change for them and it hurts so bad that they can't see it!
The plot was so well-paced and interesting that I read this book in one sitting. I never stood a chance of walking away for it. It gives the perfect ode to one of the best rom-coms of all time, While You Were Sleeping, while having it's own flair. Plus, the setting just sounded so beautiful and peaceful that it nearly soothed my poor, I-can't-believe-this-book-exists heart.
Overall, I can't recommend this book enough. Run, don't walk to buy/library request it! I will be reading this book as many times as my brain will allow.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog • Instagram • Twitter
July 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! I definitely appreciated the discussions about mental health and Gemma’s journey with her social anxiety. I think that’s such an important inclusion and I’m glad more YA books are bringing mental health topics to light.
The romance in this was so fun! It was a fake dating, love triangle mess and I loved every minute of it. Gemma and Griff are so cute and I loved how they were able to support each other but also bring out the best in each other.
This is a really great read for summer!
The romance in this was so fun! It was a fake dating, love triangle mess and I loved every minute of it. Gemma and Griff are so cute and I loved how they were able to support each other but also bring out the best in each other.
This is a really great read for summer!
Want to read
May 21, 202105-21-2021 | Is it just me or is this basically just the plot of Dear Evan Hansen? I'm excited to read nonetheless, but LOL.
May 31, 2023
3.5
did the love triangle between two brothers better than tsitp ever did i fear
did the love triangle between two brothers better than tsitp ever did i fear
Read
September 3, 2021This was SO good and cute! Full blurb to come in a bit:)
March 20, 2022
Delightful! And, as an anxious person, relatable. A fun quick read that was easy to get invested in as I raced to find out what was going to happen
April 7, 2024
3.5 stars
October 24, 2021
Thank you to Scholastic and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, first thing's first: the social anxiety rep in this book was really, really good. There aren't many books that focus specifically on social anxiety, and I really liked how this book did it. I could relate to Gemma, the main character, a lot, and I really enjoyed how it was emphasized that social anxiety is not the same thing as being shy.
I liked the storyline a lot; it was a really interesting spin on the fake-dating trope!
As for the characters, I liked most of them. The only problem I had was that I didn't really feel the chemistry between Gemma and Griff until the end of the book. It felt more platonic to me than romantic throughout most of the story? But I did feel their chemistry toward the end of the book, and it was really cute!
To be honest, I think Sofia was my favorite character (it won't let me put the accent over the i 😫). I loved her and Gemma's friendship so much, and I was really invested in it.
I also really liked Beau and his siblings! The scenes with them were so funny and cute.
Honestly, the only problem I had with this book was that it started off a bit slow for me. But other than that, I really loved this story, and I definitely recommend it!
Okay, first thing's first: the social anxiety rep in this book was really, really good. There aren't many books that focus specifically on social anxiety, and I really liked how this book did it. I could relate to Gemma, the main character, a lot, and I really enjoyed how it was emphasized that social anxiety is not the same thing as being shy.
I liked the storyline a lot; it was a really interesting spin on the fake-dating trope!
As for the characters, I liked most of them. The only problem I had was that I didn't really feel the chemistry between Gemma and Griff until the end of the book. It felt more platonic to me than romantic throughout most of the story? But I did feel their chemistry toward the end of the book, and it was really cute!
To be honest, I think Sofia was my favorite character (it won't let me put the accent over the i 😫). I loved her and Gemma's friendship so much, and I was really invested in it.
I also really liked Beau and his siblings! The scenes with them were so funny and cute.
Honestly, the only problem I had with this book was that it started off a bit slow for me. But other than that, I really loved this story, and I definitely recommend it!
January 27, 2022
Social anxiety isn't funny and neither is traumatic brain injury, but there were times I laughed out loud at this hilarious and touching romantic comedy. Gemma has been obsessed with Beau for as long as she can remember. Paralyzed by social anxiety, she worships him from afar. When he snaps a selfie with her and asks her to pretend they are together, she freezes. Minutes later when he hits his head and falls into the lake, she rushes to save him. Now he's in a coma and everyone thinks that she's his girlfriend. But what's going to happen when he wakes up? This was a realistic portrayal of social anxiety wrapped in a fun romance. Recommended for grades 7 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
August 18, 2024
✨️💗💐🥺❤️🩹🌸🎀🤍
Es el retelling de mi película favorita de los 90s y lo he amado muchísimo.
THE MIGHT GET AWKWARD, es un libro sobre las elecciones.
Gemma siempre tuvo un crush con Beau y cuando él la nota, sufre un accidente y queda en coma.
Todos piensan que son novios y ella sigue el juego, hasta que conoce al hermano de Beau y todo parece diferente.
Gemma y Griff me gustaron mucho.
Su conexión era linda y sincera.
Ella se sentía segura con él y por fin sentía que no tenía que cambiar.
Griff me gustó muchoooooooooo.
Es un lindo y gracioso.
Ambos me hacían reír.
Fue un libro bonito, romántico y adictivo.
No podía parar de leer.
AMÉ. AMÉ. AMÉ.
Es justo como pensé que sería un retelling de MIENTRAS DORMÍAS.
🎀🌸❤️🩹🤍❤️🩹🌸❤️🩹🤍❤️🩹🎀
Amo el trope de "HERMANO CORRECTO"
Es el retelling de mi película favorita de los 90s y lo he amado muchísimo.
THE MIGHT GET AWKWARD, es un libro sobre las elecciones.
Gemma siempre tuvo un crush con Beau y cuando él la nota, sufre un accidente y queda en coma.
Todos piensan que son novios y ella sigue el juego, hasta que conoce al hermano de Beau y todo parece diferente.
Gemma y Griff me gustaron mucho.
Su conexión era linda y sincera.
Ella se sentía segura con él y por fin sentía que no tenía que cambiar.
Griff me gustó muchoooooooooo.
Es un lindo y gracioso.
Ambos me hacían reír.
Fue un libro bonito, romántico y adictivo.
No podía parar de leer.
AMÉ. AMÉ. AMÉ.
Es justo como pensé que sería un retelling de MIENTRAS DORMÍAS.
🎀🌸❤️🩹🤍❤️🩹🌸❤️🩹🤍❤️🩹🎀
Amo el trope de "HERMANO CORRECTO"
May 9, 2022
This was PERFECT
July 13, 2022
Nothing unexpected, a reasonably enjoyable YA read.
The plot has many familiar aspects it felt like a bit of a mash up of rom-com movies and reads, with its own voice.
Social anxiety is accurately and authentically depicted. Gemma, however, did drive me a little nuts by the end (honesty isn’t an aspect of social anxiety). The other aspect of the read I found a little challenging, given the target demographic, was the language- maybe I’m getting too old :)
Nothing too offensive, nothing too original, enjoyable Bert describes it.
The plot has many familiar aspects it felt like a bit of a mash up of rom-com movies and reads, with its own voice.
Social anxiety is accurately and authentically depicted. Gemma, however, did drive me a little nuts by the end (honesty isn’t an aspect of social anxiety). The other aspect of the read I found a little challenging, given the target demographic, was the language- maybe I’m getting too old :)
Nothing too offensive, nothing too original, enjoyable Bert describes it.
July 3, 2023
YA novel devoted to social anxiety disorder
Gemma Wells is a 17-year-old girl who lives in a fictional small town on the shores of Lake Powell in Arizona. Her mother died when Gemma was very young, and her beloved father has never remarried. She and her father are both isolated introverts who suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD). Unfortunately, given their shared inability to talk about emotions, neither has ever discussed their mutual misery and loneliness, or received any therapy, so neither has been formally diagnosed with SAD, and have suffered in silence their whole lives.
In an homage to the '90s romantic comedy movie, While You Were Sleeping, Gemma saves the life of 17-year-old Beau Booker, whom she has worshipped from afar for many years. During a teen beach party, which Gemma has accidentally been sucked into, handsome, charming Beau utterly shocks Gemma, when he takes a selfie with her and asks her to pretend she is romantically involved with him. Shortly afterwards, he falls off a boat, hits his head and almost drowns. Nobody notices the life-threatening danger he is in except Gemma. After hauling him out of the lake, she administers CPR, and he is transported by helicopter to the hospital. While Beau is in a medically induced coma, his family and the entire town become convinced that the heroic girl who saved popular Beau's life is his girlfriend. The wonderful affection and companionship that Gemma receives from Beau's family, and the kindness and support she receives from his 18-year-old brother, Griff, as well as the true friendship she is offered by one of the girls in Beau's immediate social circle, are unimaginably precious gifts that alienated Gemma cannot bear to surrender in the name of truth. As a result, she allows everyone to believe the lie that she and Beau have been dating secretly for months.
This novel is advertised as a romantic comedy, which the movie it is inspired by definitely is. In fact, WYWS is one of my all-time favorite movies. It contains both humor and pathos. This story skews virtually 99% in the direction of pathos, with virtually no comedy. Because this novel is YA, as is typical of that genre, it is written entirely in the first-person point of view of one protagonist, in this case, Gemma. Due to her incessant, anxiety-ridden mental maundering, it gets rather stultifying spending hundreds of pages trapped entirely in Gemma's painfully insecure, self-critical reality. The story basically reads like a novelized version of a case study of SAD. But instead of a licensed therapist writing about Gemma's condition and discussing the therapeutic modalities she employed on behalf of this SAD sufferer, Griff is nominated within this novel as her cinnamon-roll, lay therapist. To give the author credit, at least she did not rely on an unfortunate technique of far too many romance novels, in which True Love is the only cure offered for serious mental/emotional disorders suffered by one or both of the romantic protagonists.
This story is written in the same flowery language that is common with YA authors who don't quite write true lic fic, in which sophisticated language is the central focus of the novel, and a romantic HEA is considered silly fluff. Instead they write what I tend to call "lit fic lite," in which the young protagonist almost entirely lacks a plausible voice, that realistically reflects their social and educational background. Instead, the protagonist utilizes language and descriptions that reflect the social and educational background of the author. No 17-year-old, inarticulate, teenage girl, such as Gemma is declared to be, would utilize in her thoughts all the fancy metaphors that pepper this entire novel or, as someone who has spent her whole life wandering in the wilderness of untreated mental illness, constantly be capable of coherently describing her every twinge of SAD.
Having said all that, on the plus side, all of the expected features of a romance novel are present in this story, including: (1) A clear presentation of who the actual romantic interest will be. This particular plot has what's known as a pseudo romantic triangle, in that Beau was never truly in the running. (2) Obvious, strong romantic conflicts keeping two people who are made for each other apart. (3) A Dark Period, in which all seems lost. (4) A believable, well motivated HEA.
Gemma Wells is a 17-year-old girl who lives in a fictional small town on the shores of Lake Powell in Arizona. Her mother died when Gemma was very young, and her beloved father has never remarried. She and her father are both isolated introverts who suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD). Unfortunately, given their shared inability to talk about emotions, neither has ever discussed their mutual misery and loneliness, or received any therapy, so neither has been formally diagnosed with SAD, and have suffered in silence their whole lives.
In an homage to the '90s romantic comedy movie, While You Were Sleeping, Gemma saves the life of 17-year-old Beau Booker, whom she has worshipped from afar for many years. During a teen beach party, which Gemma has accidentally been sucked into, handsome, charming Beau utterly shocks Gemma, when he takes a selfie with her and asks her to pretend she is romantically involved with him. Shortly afterwards, he falls off a boat, hits his head and almost drowns. Nobody notices the life-threatening danger he is in except Gemma. After hauling him out of the lake, she administers CPR, and he is transported by helicopter to the hospital. While Beau is in a medically induced coma, his family and the entire town become convinced that the heroic girl who saved popular Beau's life is his girlfriend. The wonderful affection and companionship that Gemma receives from Beau's family, and the kindness and support she receives from his 18-year-old brother, Griff, as well as the true friendship she is offered by one of the girls in Beau's immediate social circle, are unimaginably precious gifts that alienated Gemma cannot bear to surrender in the name of truth. As a result, she allows everyone to believe the lie that she and Beau have been dating secretly for months.
This novel is advertised as a romantic comedy, which the movie it is inspired by definitely is. In fact, WYWS is one of my all-time favorite movies. It contains both humor and pathos. This story skews virtually 99% in the direction of pathos, with virtually no comedy. Because this novel is YA, as is typical of that genre, it is written entirely in the first-person point of view of one protagonist, in this case, Gemma. Due to her incessant, anxiety-ridden mental maundering, it gets rather stultifying spending hundreds of pages trapped entirely in Gemma's painfully insecure, self-critical reality. The story basically reads like a novelized version of a case study of SAD. But instead of a licensed therapist writing about Gemma's condition and discussing the therapeutic modalities she employed on behalf of this SAD sufferer, Griff is nominated within this novel as her cinnamon-roll, lay therapist. To give the author credit, at least she did not rely on an unfortunate technique of far too many romance novels, in which True Love is the only cure offered for serious mental/emotional disorders suffered by one or both of the romantic protagonists.
This story is written in the same flowery language that is common with YA authors who don't quite write true lic fic, in which sophisticated language is the central focus of the novel, and a romantic HEA is considered silly fluff. Instead they write what I tend to call "lit fic lite," in which the young protagonist almost entirely lacks a plausible voice, that realistically reflects their social and educational background. Instead, the protagonist utilizes language and descriptions that reflect the social and educational background of the author. No 17-year-old, inarticulate, teenage girl, such as Gemma is declared to be, would utilize in her thoughts all the fancy metaphors that pepper this entire novel or, as someone who has spent her whole life wandering in the wilderness of untreated mental illness, constantly be capable of coherently describing her every twinge of SAD.
Having said all that, on the plus side, all of the expected features of a romance novel are present in this story, including: (1) A clear presentation of who the actual romantic interest will be. This particular plot has what's known as a pseudo romantic triangle, in that Beau was never truly in the running. (2) Obvious, strong romantic conflicts keeping two people who are made for each other apart. (3) A Dark Period, in which all seems lost. (4) A believable, well motivated HEA.
May 14, 2022
3.5 Stars
That was a cute retelling for the movie "While You Wete Sleeping" (not the K-Drams) and I enjoyed it
So the story is about Gemma who was in love with her classmate Bo for as long as she remembers,one day there was a party and Bo falls doen and Gemma saves him .. but he is in a coma and everyone mistakes Gemma for Bo's girlfriend, and she goes along with it to ease her social anxiety, but what she didn't expect is Griff .. Bo's older brother who slowly became her friend a d she develops feelings for him
I liked the relationship between Griff and Gemma a d I felt the connection between them .. but the ending fragged a bit in my opinion, other than that it was a nice, cozy read
That was a cute retelling for the movie "While You Wete Sleeping" (not the K-Drams) and I enjoyed it
So the story is about Gemma who was in love with her classmate Bo for as long as she remembers,one day there was a party and Bo falls doen and Gemma saves him .. but he is in a coma and everyone mistakes Gemma for Bo's girlfriend, and she goes along with it to ease her social anxiety, but what she didn't expect is Griff .. Bo's older brother who slowly became her friend a d she develops feelings for him
I liked the relationship between Griff and Gemma a d I felt the connection between them .. but the ending fragged a bit in my opinion, other than that it was a nice, cozy read
March 25, 2022
I liked this a lot! I am a huge fan of the movie While You Were Sleeping and this was a sweet retelling that made me laugh and cry.
September 22, 2023
Kara McDowell made the most relatable book of all time and I’m so glad I randomly saw it at the library and decided to read it.
This book almost hit too close to home. Social anxiety, anyone? I was cringing so hard all throughout this book, especially because it kept giving me flashbacks to all the awkward social situations I’ve got myself in before. The main character was sometimes a little annoying, but since it was a realistic depiction of social anxiety I just felt bad for her. The clumsiness might’ve been a bit much, but I’ve fallen up the stairs and almost broken my face too many times to count, so I don’t really get to say. I really liked Griff and thought he had a good character arc. I enjoyed reading this a lot, and I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about it. It doesn’t the X-factor plot-wise to get it a 5 star rating, but I would highly recommend it to fans of YA romances, especially ones that center around topics of mental health and family.
Age Rating: 13+
Playlist:
~do all my friends hate me? by Mckenna Grace💜
~People Watching by Conan Gray🍭
~Too Precious by Em Beihold🎀
~mirrorball by Taylor Swift🪩
~Lunchbox Friends by Melanie Martinez🏫
~Post Party Trauma by Mckenna Grace🎉
~Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift👻
~Self Dysmorphia by Mckenna Grace📸
~Ugly Crier by Mckenna Grace😭
~The Archer by Taylor Swift🏹
This book almost hit too close to home. Social anxiety, anyone? I was cringing so hard all throughout this book, especially because it kept giving me flashbacks to all the awkward social situations I’ve got myself in before. The main character was sometimes a little annoying, but since it was a realistic depiction of social anxiety I just felt bad for her. The clumsiness might’ve been a bit much, but I’ve fallen up the stairs and almost broken my face too many times to count, so I don’t really get to say. I really liked Griff and thought he had a good character arc. I enjoyed reading this a lot, and I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about it. It doesn’t the X-factor plot-wise to get it a 5 star rating, but I would highly recommend it to fans of YA romances, especially ones that center around topics of mental health and family.
Age Rating: 13+
Playlist:
~do all my friends hate me? by Mckenna Grace💜
~People Watching by Conan Gray🍭
~Too Precious by Em Beihold🎀
~mirrorball by Taylor Swift🪩
~Lunchbox Friends by Melanie Martinez🏫
~Post Party Trauma by Mckenna Grace🎉
~Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift👻
~Self Dysmorphia by Mckenna Grace📸
~Ugly Crier by Mckenna Grace😭
~The Archer by Taylor Swift🏹
February 27, 2022
*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Scholastic Press.*
I ADORED this swoon-worthy romcom by Kara McDowell! This is my second book I’ve read by her, and I loved it just as much as the first. It’s the perfect summer read, and I especially loved the social anxiety rep, the humor, how the author tackled some tough topics, and the angsty romance.
Gemma is a seventeen year-old high school student who has social anxiety. She keeps to herself as social interactions are just too much for her to handle. She always feels like she says the wrong things, and that’s if she can bring herself to say anything at all. She’s never been able to even say a word to her long time crush. She often loses sleep over her awkwardness, and sometimes gets physically ill from her embarrassment.
On a day trip to the beach where Gemma plans on being alone and enjoying the peace and quiet, she finds herself being surrounded by all the popular kids from school who are there to throw a party. She winds up finally talking to her crush, Beau Booker, who tells her to pretend they’re “close” just before he falls off a boat, hits his head, and winds up in the hospital in a medically induced coma.
Gemma was Beau’s rescuer who pulled him from the water and gave him CPR, and friends and family mistakenly begin to identify her as Beau’s girlfriend. Due to her anxiety, she feels as though she has to go along with this lie, which leads to even more lies. Beau’s family also draws her in to their embrace, and she doesn’t want to let go.
Gemma at long last has friends, and then she also meets Griff, a boy that she can finally be herself around. She’s living her dream life, but she’s not sure how to carry on when everything is built on lies.
This has been comped to While You Were Sleeping, and this was the YA version that I didn’t know I needed, but I’m so glad that I have! If you love romcoms, I definitely think you will enjoy this story. This is out March 1, 2022, so add this one to your TBR.
I ADORED this swoon-worthy romcom by Kara McDowell! This is my second book I’ve read by her, and I loved it just as much as the first. It’s the perfect summer read, and I especially loved the social anxiety rep, the humor, how the author tackled some tough topics, and the angsty romance.
Gemma is a seventeen year-old high school student who has social anxiety. She keeps to herself as social interactions are just too much for her to handle. She always feels like she says the wrong things, and that’s if she can bring herself to say anything at all. She’s never been able to even say a word to her long time crush. She often loses sleep over her awkwardness, and sometimes gets physically ill from her embarrassment.
On a day trip to the beach where Gemma plans on being alone and enjoying the peace and quiet, she finds herself being surrounded by all the popular kids from school who are there to throw a party. She winds up finally talking to her crush, Beau Booker, who tells her to pretend they’re “close” just before he falls off a boat, hits his head, and winds up in the hospital in a medically induced coma.
Gemma was Beau’s rescuer who pulled him from the water and gave him CPR, and friends and family mistakenly begin to identify her as Beau’s girlfriend. Due to her anxiety, she feels as though she has to go along with this lie, which leads to even more lies. Beau’s family also draws her in to their embrace, and she doesn’t want to let go.
Gemma at long last has friends, and then she also meets Griff, a boy that she can finally be herself around. She’s living her dream life, but she’s not sure how to carry on when everything is built on lies.
This has been comped to While You Were Sleeping, and this was the YA version that I didn’t know I needed, but I’m so glad that I have! If you love romcoms, I definitely think you will enjoy this story. This is out March 1, 2022, so add this one to your TBR.
March 5, 2022
Kayla McDowell's writing+ While You Were Sleeping retelling= my kyptonite.
17 y/o Gemma suffers from anxiety. On a solo beach trip-which leads to a party- she discovers that her crush, Beau, is also present & asks her to pretend they're close. But before anything can happen he falls, hits his head & ends up in a coma. Surrounded by the press, Beau's family- especially his mysterious older brother Griff- Gemma has one hell of a ride with this experience.
This book had All.The.Feels. to begin with. Loving & devouring One Way or Another by Kara, I once again fall for this book too.
Gemma & her anxiety was so well potratyed & shown that it felt relatable. Her choices (good or bad) felt authentic & understandable. Her character progress was amazing without being too rushed.
But for me Griff was the show stealer/ showstopper. I could read anything & everything about him & his lifestyle. The mysterious, broody, talk-less Griff stole my heart upfront. I loved the intense looks, sarcastic comebacks, swoony moments.
The slow burn was intense but so worth it. I'll be thinking about this satisfying book for days to come.
17 y/o Gemma suffers from anxiety. On a solo beach trip-which leads to a party- she discovers that her crush, Beau, is also present & asks her to pretend they're close. But before anything can happen he falls, hits his head & ends up in a coma. Surrounded by the press, Beau's family- especially his mysterious older brother Griff- Gemma has one hell of a ride with this experience.
This book had All.The.Feels. to begin with. Loving & devouring One Way or Another by Kara, I once again fall for this book too.
Gemma & her anxiety was so well potratyed & shown that it felt relatable. Her choices (good or bad) felt authentic & understandable. Her character progress was amazing without being too rushed.
But for me Griff was the show stealer/ showstopper. I could read anything & everything about him & his lifestyle. The mysterious, broody, talk-less Griff stole my heart upfront. I loved the intense looks, sarcastic comebacks, swoony moments.
The slow burn was intense but so worth it. I'll be thinking about this satisfying book for days to come.
July 7, 2024
I'm very lazy, so here's a list of pros and cons about this book:
✔️social anxiety rep.
✔️messed-up friendships were represented well
✔️the romance was clean
✔️the MC lives on a houseboat!
✔️strangely amusing (what with the clueless dad and all)
✔️the romantic interest is mysterious (which I love), plays the guitar, listens to sad songs and occasionally quotes Taylor Swift
✔️fake dating
✔️there were good friends!!
✔️rom-com
✔️*angsty romance*
✔️based on While You Were Sleeping - haven't seen it, but it looks really good!
✔️bunch of sarcasm from both love interests <3
✔️slowburn
❌the romance felt more platonic throughout the book but I felt the chemistry towards the end
❌a bunch of swears
❌it started off a little slow
❌Gemma is a bit TOO clumsy - it feels exaggerated
❌Gemma lies a bunch throughout the book. At first, it makes sense, but later on it just drives me nuts because she had a bunch of chances to tell the truth
❌the pacing was a little off
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review! 3.5 stars
✔️social anxiety rep.
✔️messed-up friendships were represented well
✔️the romance was clean
✔️the MC lives on a houseboat!
✔️strangely amusing (what with the clueless dad and all)
✔️the romantic interest is mysterious (which I love), plays the guitar, listens to sad songs and occasionally quotes Taylor Swift
✔️fake dating
✔️there were good friends!!
✔️rom-com
✔️*angsty romance*
✔️based on While You Were Sleeping - haven't seen it, but it looks really good!
✔️bunch of sarcasm from both love interests <3
✔️slowburn
❌the romance felt more platonic throughout the book but I felt the chemistry towards the end
❌a bunch of swears
❌it started off a little slow
❌Gemma is a bit TOO clumsy - it feels exaggerated
❌Gemma lies a bunch throughout the book. At first, it makes sense, but later on it just drives me nuts because she had a bunch of chances to tell the truth
❌the pacing was a little off
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review! 3.5 stars
March 18, 2022
We meet our main character, Gemma Wells, on the beach. She has social anxiety (which was super refreshing to see, as I have the same exact thing) and likes her alone time to think and be by the water, her favourite thing. But the beach turns out to not be as deserted as she was hoping it would stay, and soon enough, a party breaks out. Beau Booker, her long-time crush-from-afar, is there. He randomly asks her to “pretend they’re close”, leading Gemma to become confused. Only, when Beau falls off a boat and hits his head—ending up being put in a coma—things go from crazy to downright insane.
But because Gemma was the one that saved Beau, and some mixed-signals between his friends and her lack of denial, Gemma is mistaken for Beau’s secret girlfriend. She gets flustered because of her social anxiety, and before she knows it, the Booker family are pulling her into their tightly-knit unit, welcoming her with open arms so sweetly that she feels at home. The thing is, when Beau’s older brother Griff shows up—after being gone for the longest time, rumours of affairs and scandals that follow him like clouds—Gemma can’t help but form a connection to him, despite her crush on Beau. He’s not the guy that she’s heard of in whispers, and when he offers to help her conquer some of her social anxiety fears, their bond only strengthens, leading Gemma to feel torn between what she thought she wanted and who she really is.
Overall, This Might Get Awkward was everything I hoped it would be: hilarious, honest and romantic. I loved that Kara explored the themes of social anxiety with care, and I saw many qualities of myself and my struggles with it in Gemma’s actions and thoughts. I haven’t actually ever seen While You Were Sleeping (I know, I NEED to go and see it right now!) but as a sort-of retelling of it, I think it definitely captured that movie-like quality, and would make a perfect movie (hopefully) one day. Gemma and Griff’s relationship was so innocent and I adored the way he cared about her. Gemma’s relationship with her dad was also so lifelike and refreshing. I also loved how side-character Sofía’s mental health struggles meant she understood Gemma better than her past friends. For me, this was an exemplary novel about anxiety, the sincerity of true friendship and having faith in yourself—and others—despite fallacious notoriety. Five stars doesn’t feel like enough. Read it, read it, read it! (It’s the perfect springtime book.)
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March 16th, 2022:
Review coming soon!!
Just…WOW. I loved this so much. My heart.
But because Gemma was the one that saved Beau, and some mixed-signals between his friends and her lack of denial, Gemma is mistaken for Beau’s secret girlfriend. She gets flustered because of her social anxiety, and before she knows it, the Booker family are pulling her into their tightly-knit unit, welcoming her with open arms so sweetly that she feels at home. The thing is, when Beau’s older brother Griff shows up—after being gone for the longest time, rumours of affairs and scandals that follow him like clouds—Gemma can’t help but form a connection to him, despite her crush on Beau. He’s not the guy that she’s heard of in whispers, and when he offers to help her conquer some of her social anxiety fears, their bond only strengthens, leading Gemma to feel torn between what she thought she wanted and who she really is.
Overall, This Might Get Awkward was everything I hoped it would be: hilarious, honest and romantic. I loved that Kara explored the themes of social anxiety with care, and I saw many qualities of myself and my struggles with it in Gemma’s actions and thoughts. I haven’t actually ever seen While You Were Sleeping (I know, I NEED to go and see it right now!) but as a sort-of retelling of it, I think it definitely captured that movie-like quality, and would make a perfect movie (hopefully) one day. Gemma and Griff’s relationship was so innocent and I adored the way he cared about her. Gemma’s relationship with her dad was also so lifelike and refreshing. I also loved how side-character Sofía’s mental health struggles meant she understood Gemma better than her past friends. For me, this was an exemplary novel about anxiety, the sincerity of true friendship and having faith in yourself—and others—despite fallacious notoriety. Five stars doesn’t feel like enough. Read it, read it, read it! (It’s the perfect springtime book.)
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March 16th, 2022:
Review coming soon!!
Just…WOW. I loved this so much. My heart.
Read
January 3, 2024oof this got maybe a bit tooo awkward for me. So much mortification constantly, and probably closer to home then usual because I just got done acting like a shy toddler who blushes when spoken to and communicates in single word answers and aborted sentences at my large family gatherings because it's the holidays, a time of self-loathing. Gemma gets herself into way more horrifying social situations than I can say I've ever really encountered though, like it is absurd, and I kind of love it actually.
When you decide to read a book with a premise as dramatic as this you are inherently accepting the gray morality of what you're about to get into to some degree, but I was disappointed that when Beau finally woke up
Also this is a bit iffy for me but I don't really know where I fall on self-diagnosis and this protagonist tells people (specifically Sofia, I love Sofia btw) that she has social anxiety disorder without ever getting a diagnosis in the book and that feels slightly wrong but also as far as I can see, she always ended up qualifying it with "I think so anyway" and she is actively in the process of coming to terms with it and broaching the topic of getting therapy to her dad who is avoidant of hard conversations and slightly suspicious of modern medicine and that is something I can relate to. Just conjecture but I think a lot of us who are more on the anxious side have parents who kind of influenced us to be this way by their own worrying or avoidant tendencies. I think it's ultimately kind of nice to see a character in this stage of taking charge of their mental health and I don't know that I've seen that very much before.
Altogether, I was enjoying this until Beau woke up, but I don't know how I feel about the third act. Almost gave up reading. Don't know how I would rate it.
When you decide to read a book with a premise as dramatic as this you are inherently accepting the gray morality of what you're about to get into to some degree, but I was disappointed that when Beau finally woke up
Also this is a bit iffy for me but I don't really know where I fall on self-diagnosis and this protagonist tells people (specifically Sofia, I love Sofia btw) that she has social anxiety disorder without ever getting a diagnosis in the book and that feels slightly wrong but also as far as I can see, she always ended up qualifying it with "I think so anyway" and she is actively in the process of coming to terms with it and broaching the topic of getting therapy to her dad who is avoidant of hard conversations and slightly suspicious of modern medicine and that is something I can relate to. Just conjecture but I think a lot of us who are more on the anxious side have parents who kind of influenced us to be this way by their own worrying or avoidant tendencies. I think it's ultimately kind of nice to see a character in this stage of taking charge of their mental health and I don't know that I've seen that very much before.
Altogether, I was enjoying this until Beau woke up, but I don't know how I feel about the third act. Almost gave up reading. Don't know how I would rate it.
June 4, 2022
A super sweet summer YA romance retelling of While you were sleeping featuring Gemma, a socially awkward teen with social anxiety disorder (SAD), who somehow finds herself fake dating the boy she saved who's now in a coma and falling for his older brother. I loved this one so much! The mental health rep is top notch and the romance between Gemma and Griff was totally swoony. It didn't hurt that While you were sleeping is one of my fav rom coms either. This YA summer retelling was chef's kiss!! Great on audio too narrated by Reba Buhr and perfect for fans of Counting down with you by Tashie Bhuiyan.
November 27, 2022
A quick and fun retelling of While You Were Sleeping, but replace Christmas in the city with summertime boating in Lake Powell… and high school kids. It’s easy to forget the stages of growth that characters are in while I’m reading certain books because I’ll often roll my eyes or want to yell at them to make better decisions. But then I remember the stages I’ve been through - and I’m sure a lot of people were probably rolling their eyes at me and wanting to shake me. Overall, this is a very fun and adorable rom-com and it was refreshing to read a main character struggling with social anxiety.
June 30, 2022
A cute YA romance set in Page, AZ! If you've ever been to northern Arizona then you know the beauty of Lake Powell and the red rocks. Yes, this imagery is prevalent throughout the novel and for me, helped build the main characters' story. Gemma (not Jenna) suffers from anxiety, but is able to open up when talking to Griff, her fake boyfriend's brother.
If you're looking for a quick summer romance read with many awkward moments, blossoming friendships, and lackluster fireworks viewed from a houseboat, then this is the book for you.
If you're looking for a quick summer romance read with many awkward moments, blossoming friendships, and lackluster fireworks viewed from a houseboat, then this is the book for you.
December 16, 2024
Took a star because her social anxiety was a main character basically. And one because the male love interest had to explain to her that he'd said a Taylor Swift lyric as a phrase. And another because she's paranoid that someone will find out that she's faking being the coma brother's girlfriend BUT THEN does multiple interviews with a local reporter! Some movie concepts (While You Were Sleeping) shouldn't be made into YA. This was cringe.
Read by Reba Buhr. #booksin24
Read by Reba Buhr. #booksin24
April 10, 2022
We love to see a "While You Were Sleeping" retelling, especially with social anxiety representation, but this one was more circus-y than the source material. I'm not mad about it exactly, but there was enough humor in this one that if we were going to go full tilt, just go full tilt. This was like, trying to teeter on the side of "maybe this could happen" and that kind of took me out of the narrative, if that makes sense? Regardless, the booktalk is a super easy and straight forward one and there's enough fun that I would still recommend it. I am always on "this doesn't sound like a real teen alert" which I think about a teen saying "these stone walls are the building blocks of the happiest memories of my childhood". Building blocks? All minor quibbles, but things that could have taken it from good to great, I think.
April 24, 2022
Loved all the While You Were Sleeping vibes and the strong sense of place. Could have done without most of the additional manufactured drama. Still a strong contender for the best beach read of the year.
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