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Can two IRL enemies find their happily ever after online?
Stella Greene and Wesley Clarke are Gene Connolly Memorial High School’s biggest rivals. While the two have been battling it out for top student, it’s a race to the bottom when it comes to snide comments and pulling the dirtiest prank. For years, Stella and Wes have been the villain in each other’s story, and now it’s all-out war.
And there is no bigger battle than the one for valedictorian, and more specifically, the coveted valedictorian scholarship.
But Stella and Wes have more in common than they think. Both are huge fans of Warship Seven, a popular sci-fi TV drama with a dedicated online following, and the two start chatting under aliases–without a clue that their rival is just beyond the screen. They realize that they’re both attending SciCon this year, so they plan to dress in their best cosplay and finally meet IRL.
While tensions at school are rising and SciCon inches closer and closer, the enemy lines between Stella and Wes blur when a class project shows them they might understand one another better than anyone else–and not just in cosplay.
From the author of The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly comes a heartfelt story about rivalry, friendships, and defying preconceived notions–even the ones about yourself.
Stella Greene and Wesley Clarke are Gene Connolly Memorial High School’s biggest rivals. While the two have been battling it out for top student, it’s a race to the bottom when it comes to snide comments and pulling the dirtiest prank. For years, Stella and Wes have been the villain in each other’s story, and now it’s all-out war.
And there is no bigger battle than the one for valedictorian, and more specifically, the coveted valedictorian scholarship.
But Stella and Wes have more in common than they think. Both are huge fans of Warship Seven, a popular sci-fi TV drama with a dedicated online following, and the two start chatting under aliases–without a clue that their rival is just beyond the screen. They realize that they’re both attending SciCon this year, so they plan to dress in their best cosplay and finally meet IRL.
While tensions at school are rising and SciCon inches closer and closer, the enemy lines between Stella and Wes blur when a class project shows them they might understand one another better than anyone else–and not just in cosplay.
From the author of The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly comes a heartfelt story about rivalry, friendships, and defying preconceived notions–even the ones about yourself.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2021
37 people are currently reading
3768 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Tate
6 books251 followersMeredith Tate grew up in Concord, New Hampshire, where she fell in love with her two passions—writing and traveling. She earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of New Hampshire and worked in Boston for several years before deciding to pursue her true dream of telling stories. After spending three wonderful years in St. Louis, Missouri, and three more amazing years in Zurich, Switzerland, Meredith now lives in Houston with her husband and her spoiled rescue dog. When Meredith’s not writing, she loves photography, playing the piano, trying new recipes, and chasing her goal of seeing every continent (five down, two to go!).
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November 5, 2020I’m so excited about this book! SHIPPED is a YA romcom I describe as “You’ve Got Mail” at Comic Con. It’s got a cosplay masquerade, a cute pet rat, laser tag, a prank war, and an enemies-to-lovers romance between two school rivals who HATE each other, but are both secretly mega fans of the same canceled sci-fi show. I had so much fun writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it! :)
December 31, 2021
I love the movie You've Got Mail, so when I learned about this geeky retelling, my sci-fi-loving heart just HAD to have it! The book opens with a popular sci-fi show getting cancelled after one season, and because that is PRECISELY my greatest fear when it comes to my favorite shows, I just had to keep reading ... and gobbled the book up in a matter of hours. No regerts, y'all :P
To my mind, the most god tier enemies to lovers stories are the ones where the two characters hate each other because they have flaws they have to overcome to become better people -- and once they learn their lesson, they complement each other. That is EXACTLY what happens in this story! Both Stella and Wesley are deeply flawed characters with strong motivations, and it was a joy to see them develop over the course of the book to become better people -- and better partners <3
We also get snippets of the cancelled sci-fi show that brings the central couple together, and I especially loved how the enemies-to-lovers ship in the show mirrored the progression of Stella and Wes's own relationship. Several of those sequences gave me chills because of the parallels. Long story short, I ship #Lewton!
While the core of the story is, of course, the romance, it touched on several important themes that I loved seeing -- the way female characters are often treated in male-centric sci-fi, toxic gatekeeping fan culture, classism, the culture around academic success. We stan a societally-aware book!
Overall, this story is a compulsive, fluffy read with ALL the feels that perfectly weaves fandom and rom-com together! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to write a 198,000-word hurt/comfort fic to deal with my book hangover.
To my mind, the most god tier enemies to lovers stories are the ones where the two characters hate each other because they have flaws they have to overcome to become better people -- and once they learn their lesson, they complement each other. That is EXACTLY what happens in this story! Both Stella and Wesley are deeply flawed characters with strong motivations, and it was a joy to see them develop over the course of the book to become better people -- and better partners <3
We also get snippets of the cancelled sci-fi show that brings the central couple together, and I especially loved how the enemies-to-lovers ship in the show mirrored the progression of Stella and Wes's own relationship. Several of those sequences gave me chills because of the parallels. Long story short, I ship #Lewton!
While the core of the story is, of course, the romance, it touched on several important themes that I loved seeing -- the way female characters are often treated in male-centric sci-fi, toxic gatekeeping fan culture, classism, the culture around academic success. We stan a societally-aware book!
Overall, this story is a compulsive, fluffy read with ALL the feels that perfectly weaves fandom and rom-com together! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to write a 198,000-word hurt/comfort fic to deal with my book hangover.
March 6, 2021
Fans of FAN GIRL and GEEKERELLA: rejoice! This book made my heart abundantly happy!
October 3, 2023
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“...Fight for what you believe in, live those big dreams, and do all the wonderful things you’re capable of.”
“But never forget that sometimes, the ones you judge the most harshly are the ones who will surprise you the most.”
I've definitely had moments where I've distanced myself from people who may not have Shipped my favorite OTP or agreed with my choice of pairings. Or times where I didn't see eye-to-eye with someone's views on a series ending, often amassing in times in full-on arguments. And Meredith Tate's quirky and fun YA book, she tackles enemies to lovers with online friendships and a mutual, if not, collective passion for love of fandoms and all that it provides.
“You assume everyone has what you have, because you can’t even look past your own bubble.”
“And you assume your life is terrible, and can’t even recognize all the good things you have.”
Wesley and Stella are two seniors, evenly matched in all their classes, competing for the valedictorian position, and fiercely despising the other. They really went far and beyond to make each other's lives miserable and challenging, often to the times, almost immaturely petty, but still somewhat, charming. I liked their back-and-forth banter, the occasional twisted vendetta they spited each other with, and the triumphant victories they took gleeful pride in over each other. 👍🏻 👍🏻 The vibes of enmity were strong, but so were the subtle hints of their close bond developing as they paired up over class projects, and even a shared passion for their favorite TV show - which, sadly, was cancelled after one season. It was without any closure to the characters' development or dynamic or even a satisfying ending to a story that they held so dear. 😢😢
“I wanted to see her get a happy ending, but she closed the show heartbroken and confused. It wasn’t right.”
I'm glad that as their online friendship developed, it wasn't till much later that one of the two figured out who their actual identity was. It was fun seeing how they tried to get closer to the truth of who was behind the screen, but as a fan of fandoms, myself, I really connected with the appreciation the author showed for any particular fanbase. 🤍🤍
It's that contribution to fandoms that keep it alive - fan-artists and fanfiction writers, even cosplay artists, that give so much to the community that I really liked how honestly it was depicted. Haters will hate and challenge your OTP, but shippers will unite to see let one enjoy the other, without any basis. The writing really captured that aspect in a very truthful fashion to what does exist in fandoms.
“Maybe your ship has some merit. Or maybe I’m just an us shipper.”
I may have liked Wesley a little bit more than Stella; just something about him made him a lot more likable and his way of understanding how he was at fault most of the times made me appreciate him more. She may have times pushed a little too hard to try to change his mind on certain things regarding her favorite ship, but how he did eventually see it from her view was very sweet. He's always had everything handed to him on a silver platter - being rich does have it's perks, after all. So, to see how Stella was able to make him see things differently - not only about himself, but about the things that matter in life - be it her passion for her tv show or her studies - and the courage to face your dreams without fear was truly a worthwhile moment. ✨✨
The strange thing is that while I was reading, I was oddly reminded of Eliza and her Monsters at times. Perhaps for how it's a story about online friendships about fandom appreciation, without the mental health rep - and without one of the characters knowing the identity much early on into the relationship.
And yes, while the reveal did blow up in typical fashion with a misunderstood fall-out, but not too immediate - for which I am really grateful. The author did a great job capturing the challenges of the future in one's senior year and how Wes and Stella's enmity was such a well-known part for their classmates. It was a humorous balance between not being too immature, but still in good fashion, that eventually resulted in actual subtle flirted, which was recognized by everyone, but them.
I didn't mind the little inclusions of the actual tv show scenes that were dispersed throughout, because seeing how the show was actually a reflection of their own story made it a lot more interesting to see how Wes and Stella's own dynamic would unfold. It may not have been a too memorable read, but it was still a nice breather from what I usually am prone to be reading. And for that, I am grateful. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
“...Fight for what you believe in, live those big dreams, and do all the wonderful things you’re capable of.”
“But never forget that sometimes, the ones you judge the most harshly are the ones who will surprise you the most.”
I've definitely had moments where I've distanced myself from people who may not have Shipped my favorite OTP or agreed with my choice of pairings. Or times where I didn't see eye-to-eye with someone's views on a series ending, often amassing in times in full-on arguments. And Meredith Tate's quirky and fun YA book, she tackles enemies to lovers with online friendships and a mutual, if not, collective passion for love of fandoms and all that it provides.
“You assume everyone has what you have, because you can’t even look past your own bubble.”
“And you assume your life is terrible, and can’t even recognize all the good things you have.”
Wesley and Stella are two seniors, evenly matched in all their classes, competing for the valedictorian position, and fiercely despising the other. They really went far and beyond to make each other's lives miserable and challenging, often to the times, almost immaturely petty, but still somewhat, charming. I liked their back-and-forth banter, the occasional twisted vendetta they spited each other with, and the triumphant victories they took gleeful pride in over each other. 👍🏻 👍🏻 The vibes of enmity were strong, but so were the subtle hints of their close bond developing as they paired up over class projects, and even a shared passion for their favorite TV show - which, sadly, was cancelled after one season. It was without any closure to the characters' development or dynamic or even a satisfying ending to a story that they held so dear. 😢😢
“I wanted to see her get a happy ending, but she closed the show heartbroken and confused. It wasn’t right.”
I'm glad that as their online friendship developed, it wasn't till much later that one of the two figured out who their actual identity was. It was fun seeing how they tried to get closer to the truth of who was behind the screen, but as a fan of fandoms, myself, I really connected with the appreciation the author showed for any particular fanbase. 🤍🤍
It's that contribution to fandoms that keep it alive - fan-artists and fanfiction writers, even cosplay artists, that give so much to the community that I really liked how honestly it was depicted. Haters will hate and challenge your OTP, but shippers will unite to see let one enjoy the other, without any basis. The writing really captured that aspect in a very truthful fashion to what does exist in fandoms.
“Maybe your ship has some merit. Or maybe I’m just an us shipper.”
I may have liked Wesley a little bit more than Stella; just something about him made him a lot more likable and his way of understanding how he was at fault most of the times made me appreciate him more. She may have times pushed a little too hard to try to change his mind on certain things regarding her favorite ship, but how he did eventually see it from her view was very sweet. He's always had everything handed to him on a silver platter - being rich does have it's perks, after all. So, to see how Stella was able to make him see things differently - not only about himself, but about the things that matter in life - be it her passion for her tv show or her studies - and the courage to face your dreams without fear was truly a worthwhile moment. ✨✨
The strange thing is that while I was reading, I was oddly reminded of Eliza and her Monsters at times. Perhaps for how it's a story about online friendships about fandom appreciation, without the mental health rep - and without one of the characters knowing the identity much early on into the relationship.
And yes, while the reveal did blow up in typical fashion with a misunderstood fall-out, but not too immediate - for which I am really grateful. The author did a great job capturing the challenges of the future in one's senior year and how Wes and Stella's enmity was such a well-known part for their classmates. It was a humorous balance between not being too immature, but still in good fashion, that eventually resulted in actual subtle flirted, which was recognized by everyone, but them.
I didn't mind the little inclusions of the actual tv show scenes that were dispersed throughout, because seeing how the show was actually a reflection of their own story made it a lot more interesting to see how Wes and Stella's own dynamic would unfold. It may not have been a too memorable read, but it was still a nice breather from what I usually am prone to be reading. And for that, I am grateful. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
December 30, 2021
This was pretty good as a YA romance. I liked the nerd troping and the characters were engaging. I wish I hadn't left this review so long, though. I remember having some qualms around romance-landia issues. Like Wes being a giant coward and keeping his identity secret in a way that I don't think would actually work.
And Stella's family seemed a bit like a Saturday Morning Special phone-in from central casting. Only that's a little too harsh because they actually deliver fairly well on heart and the complexity of those personal relationships being both support and challenge.
So I'm going with four stars and a well-told story.
A note about Chaste: Sex doesn't seem to be much of a thing for either of the protagonists. Well, they aren't dating anyone through the course of the story and neither has had time with their academic pursuits. So that's cool.
And Stella's family seemed a bit like a Saturday Morning Special phone-in from central casting. Only that's a little too harsh because they actually deliver fairly well on heart and the complexity of those personal relationships being both support and challenge.
So I'm going with four stars and a well-told story.
A note about Chaste: Sex doesn't seem to be much of a thing for either of the protagonists. Well, they aren't dating anyone through the course of the story and neither has had time with their academic pursuits. So that's cool.
November 24, 2025
This is such an underrated cute YA rom-com!
Things I liked:
🌟I liked the chemistry between the main leads. The scenes were very original and not at all forced.
🌟 The sci-fi show scenes between the middle of the chapters.
🌟Dual Povs: It is an 'Yoy've Got Mail' trope, so, of course, Tom Hanks' or in this case, Wesley's POV is truly appreciated.
🌟 The writing: The author effortlessly wrote the little things that teenagers today behave and do. Loved the little things in her lines.
Things I liked:
🌟I liked the chemistry between the main leads. The scenes were very original and not at all forced.
🌟 The sci-fi show scenes between the middle of the chapters.
🌟Dual Povs: It is an 'Yoy've Got Mail' trope, so, of course, Tom Hanks' or in this case, Wesley's POV is truly appreciated.
🌟 The writing: The author effortlessly wrote the little things that teenagers today behave and do. Loved the little things in her lines.
May 23, 2021
2.75 Stars
it wasn't necessarily a bad book it's just lacked so much that it was borderline boring ..
So the story is about two high school seniors Wesly and Stella, they come from different circumstances but both are competing for valedictorian for their class in order to get a full scholarship and each one has their own reasons to want this scholarship so badly, in the middle we will be introduced to the TV show warship 7 which tells the story of Aaron and Captain Jill and we will see the parallels of both stories of how enemies who despises each other slowly fall in love
the idea of the book is AMAZING specially the nerdy stuff and I liked the snippets of episodes thrown in between chapters so we see the parallels of the relationship between Wesly and Stella, by main point about this book was Stella herself .. she was so annoying and judgmental and that didn't improve even at the ending .. also the romance was really dry .. there wasn't ANYTHING going on between those two, I might as well put two bricks and they would have more chemistry than this .. I expected much better from this book but it did give me "Geekerella" vibe
it wasn't necessarily a bad book it's just lacked so much that it was borderline boring ..
So the story is about two high school seniors Wesly and Stella, they come from different circumstances but both are competing for valedictorian for their class in order to get a full scholarship and each one has their own reasons to want this scholarship so badly, in the middle we will be introduced to the TV show warship 7 which tells the story of Aaron and Captain Jill and we will see the parallels of both stories of how enemies who despises each other slowly fall in love
the idea of the book is AMAZING specially the nerdy stuff and I liked the snippets of episodes thrown in between chapters so we see the parallels of the relationship between Wesly and Stella, by main point about this book was Stella herself .. she was so annoying and judgmental and that didn't improve even at the ending .. also the romance was really dry .. there wasn't ANYTHING going on between those two, I might as well put two bricks and they would have more chemistry than this .. I expected much better from this book but it did give me "Geekerella" vibe
October 27, 2022
this wasn’t for me. :(
April 21, 2021
4.5⭐️
This book was so adorable! Shipped put a fandom spin on You’ve Got Mail and it really felt like a love letter to fan culture.
Stella and Wesley are battling for the title of Valedictorian in their last few months of high school. What starts out as an innocent rivalry quickly turns into an all-out prank war as they battle to claim the top spot and scholarship that comes with it. While battling it out in real life, Stella and Wesley have been talking anonymously in an online chat forum created for fans of one of their favorite sci-fi shows. They make plans to meet up at a local convention as both their online personas and IRL-selves grow closer.
I’m definitely a self-proclaimed fangirl, when I love something I love it big and I love it loud so I always enjoy reading about fan culture. This book handled the topic so well and I could immediately relate to the characters and some situations they were in and discussions they had.
I really liked the format and through it brought so much to the story. Shipped is told in dual perspective so the reader gets Stella and Wesley’s sides. This really allowed for getting to know the characters a lot better and it added more depth to both main characters. I also really liked the inclusion of scenes from the show that they were fans of. It was really creative how the plot in the story and the show paralleled each other.
The writing was so witty! It was really funny and entertaining. I rarely laugh out loud at books but this one definitely got a few chuckles out of me.
The academic rivals to lovers story line was done so well but I enjoyed that a lot of the story centered around family as well.
This was a super quick and addictive read. I really didn’t want to put it down!
This book was so adorable! Shipped put a fandom spin on You’ve Got Mail and it really felt like a love letter to fan culture.
Stella and Wesley are battling for the title of Valedictorian in their last few months of high school. What starts out as an innocent rivalry quickly turns into an all-out prank war as they battle to claim the top spot and scholarship that comes with it. While battling it out in real life, Stella and Wesley have been talking anonymously in an online chat forum created for fans of one of their favorite sci-fi shows. They make plans to meet up at a local convention as both their online personas and IRL-selves grow closer.
I’m definitely a self-proclaimed fangirl, when I love something I love it big and I love it loud so I always enjoy reading about fan culture. This book handled the topic so well and I could immediately relate to the characters and some situations they were in and discussions they had.
I really liked the format and through it brought so much to the story. Shipped is told in dual perspective so the reader gets Stella and Wesley’s sides. This really allowed for getting to know the characters a lot better and it added more depth to both main characters. I also really liked the inclusion of scenes from the show that they were fans of. It was really creative how the plot in the story and the show paralleled each other.
The writing was so witty! It was really funny and entertaining. I rarely laugh out loud at books but this one definitely got a few chuckles out of me.
The academic rivals to lovers story line was done so well but I enjoyed that a lot of the story centered around family as well.
This was a super quick and addictive read. I really didn’t want to put it down!
May 12, 2021
This was a such a cute read!
While I've never seen You've Got Mail, that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. Shipped is an adorable enemies-to-lovers who happen to anonymously meet in the online forum of their favorite canceled sci-fi show. Honestly, I was hooked just from the synopsis. A canceled show with loose ends? We've all been there and it's extremely frustrating. Combined with an enemies-to-lovers, who just happen to be academic rivals (!!!), I was LIVING for this book.
The characters are written and developed really well. I was a little nervous with a dual POV at first, but it was handled really well, without the voices getting muddled. I admired both Wesley and Stella's academic drive (I definitely saw myself there) and their passion for both their academics and the show was so fun to read. Stella's constant call-out of the sexism in the sci-fi fandoms was so refreshing to read, as I feel like this is almost never addressed. I really enjoyed the scenes from the actual show, and I actually would love to watch it (with a new ending please and thank you). I did feel like the end of the book was a little predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed this!
If you're looking for a fun rom-com, enemies to lovers between two nerds, this is the book for you!
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I've never seen You've Got Mail, that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. Shipped is an adorable enemies-to-lovers who happen to anonymously meet in the online forum of their favorite canceled sci-fi show. Honestly, I was hooked just from the synopsis. A canceled show with loose ends? We've all been there and it's extremely frustrating. Combined with an enemies-to-lovers, who just happen to be academic rivals (!!!), I was LIVING for this book.
The characters are written and developed really well. I was a little nervous with a dual POV at first, but it was handled really well, without the voices getting muddled. I admired both Wesley and Stella's academic drive (I definitely saw myself there) and their passion for both their academics and the show was so fun to read. Stella's constant call-out of the sexism in the sci-fi fandoms was so refreshing to read, as I feel like this is almost never addressed. I really enjoyed the scenes from the actual show, and I actually would love to watch it (with a new ending please and thank you). I did feel like the end of the book was a little predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed this!
If you're looking for a fun rom-com, enemies to lovers between two nerds, this is the book for you!
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2022
3.5⭐️
i have a thing for academic rivals to lovers and this was cute ❤️
also liked the fangirl elements tied in with the story👾
i have a thing for academic rivals to lovers and this was cute ❤️
also liked the fangirl elements tied in with the story👾
December 21, 2021
y'all know I love a good academic rivals to lovers and this book DELIVERED
It was so incredibly cute and wholesome and relatable! Like, it's actually crazy how much I relate to Stella, I'm convinced she's a long lost twin.
"Whoever said money can't buy happiness has never been poor." 👏🏽👏🏽
I felt a lot of what Stella did in terms of what growing up in poverty is like and trying to break the cycle and the fear of not doing that. We see Stella's character development on this with the help of her sister, a 21 year old high school dropout with a kid, and it was really eye opening on my part, the whole book was really.
The dual pov from a girl in poverty and a boy with overbearing parents was really interesting because we saw both of them battling similar and yet completely opposite problems. I loved so many aspects of this book, with mentions of sexism in male dominated fandoms, and awareness on privilege among the wealthy, intentional or not. I also love how accurately teenagers were described in this book because that is not as common as you'd think😭
Despite how well written this book was, I feel some parts of it were a little rushed and the ending could've been a little more in depth. Regardless- it was still an amazing and adorable rom com with hilarious banter, forced proximity, fandoms and fan fics, etc. Definitely recommended if you're looking for a cute and short ya romcom
It was so incredibly cute and wholesome and relatable! Like, it's actually crazy how much I relate to Stella, I'm convinced she's a long lost twin.
"Whoever said money can't buy happiness has never been poor." 👏🏽👏🏽
I felt a lot of what Stella did in terms of what growing up in poverty is like and trying to break the cycle and the fear of not doing that. We see Stella's character development on this with the help of her sister, a 21 year old high school dropout with a kid, and it was really eye opening on my part, the whole book was really.
The dual pov from a girl in poverty and a boy with overbearing parents was really interesting because we saw both of them battling similar and yet completely opposite problems. I loved so many aspects of this book, with mentions of sexism in male dominated fandoms, and awareness on privilege among the wealthy, intentional or not. I also love how accurately teenagers were described in this book because that is not as common as you'd think😭
Despite how well written this book was, I feel some parts of it were a little rushed and the ending could've been a little more in depth. Regardless- it was still an amazing and adorable rom com with hilarious banter, forced proximity, fandoms and fan fics, etc. Definitely recommended if you're looking for a cute and short ya romcom
May 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the story. But, like it happened to the warshippers, I didn't like the ending. Not that it wasn't good -it was actually-, just that this story needed more, maybe one or two more chapters, or an epilogue.
Overall, the story was really cute and I liked both main characters. But I must admit that it felt kind of slow at times.
Also, The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly was better, in my opinion.
Overall, the story was really cute and I liked both main characters. But I must admit that it felt kind of slow at times.
Also, The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly was better, in my opinion.
December 23, 2021
Why has this book so few ratings / reviews?
This was so delightful!
I loved Stella and Wesley. I really appreciate characters that are not flawless, I feel much more connected to them.
I loved how Stella and Wesley got slowly closer online and IRL, I loved the storyline (although I skipped some of the Warship 7 scenes, and the ending was a bit aprupt for my taste).
The side characters were an integral part to the story. I loved that the author didn't use them just as props for the main characters to bring across a point, but they had their own struggles, flaws and opinions, and the author captured the different evolving relationships perfectly.
This was so delightful!
I loved Stella and Wesley. I really appreciate characters that are not flawless, I feel much more connected to them.
I loved how Stella and Wesley got slowly closer online and IRL, I loved the storyline (although I skipped some of the Warship 7 scenes, and the ending was a bit aprupt for my taste).
The side characters were an integral part to the story. I loved that the author didn't use them just as props for the main characters to bring across a point, but they had their own struggles, flaws and opinions, and the author captured the different evolving relationships perfectly.
June 17, 2021
Honestly devoured this so fast. This is kind of Alex, Approximately but set in school instead of summer, or Verona Comics, or even The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You with the amount of nerdiness and rivalry it has.
This was a great book to start my end-of-the-academic-year holiday with, because it's honestly fast-paced and I'm glad that the author had put in the extra effort in literally writing a fictional sci-fi show script that exists in this book's world. I've enjoyed reading bits of it in between chapters and it's such an easy read because you get enemies to lovers from the two mega-fans of this fictional show, and you've also got tidbits of this fictional-show-set-in-a-fictional-book's enemies to lovers story arc that parallels the one you're reading.
If you're up for a feel-good kind of romance that makes you just want them to g'et together already!', but have the progression feel authentic and not forced, then this is for you. It's also got a healthy amount of pop-culture fandom references like Star Wars and stuff, even though I've never watched it myself, I wasn't lost in anything at all.
This was a great book to start my end-of-the-academic-year holiday with, because it's honestly fast-paced and I'm glad that the author had put in the extra effort in literally writing a fictional sci-fi show script that exists in this book's world. I've enjoyed reading bits of it in between chapters and it's such an easy read because you get enemies to lovers from the two mega-fans of this fictional show, and you've also got tidbits of this fictional-show-set-in-a-fictional-book's enemies to lovers story arc that parallels the one you're reading.
If you're up for a feel-good kind of romance that makes you just want them to g'et together already!', but have the progression feel authentic and not forced, then this is for you. It's also got a healthy amount of pop-culture fandom references like Star Wars and stuff, even though I've never watched it myself, I wasn't lost in anything at all.
April 3, 2021
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
3.25/5 Stars
This is a cute story with a light enemy-to-lovers storyline which is infused with elements from a fictional fandom related to a TV series called Warship Seven.
Stella and Wesley have great banter, they work so well in real life. It was fun to see them compete in order to be valedictorian at the end of their senior year and also to see them work together during their AP bio class. I really enjoyed the moments they shared.
Reading their conversations on the Warship Seven forum was nice, but I felt like something was missing.
Moreover, even though I liked Wesley and Stella, I feel like there were aspects of their characters that weren't completely explored and that I would have liked to read.
In the end this was a cute and fun YA book with some fandom elements, so definitely pick it up if it sounds like something you would enjoy!
3.25/5 Stars
This is a cute story with a light enemy-to-lovers storyline which is infused with elements from a fictional fandom related to a TV series called Warship Seven.
Stella and Wesley have great banter, they work so well in real life. It was fun to see them compete in order to be valedictorian at the end of their senior year and also to see them work together during their AP bio class. I really enjoyed the moments they shared.
Reading their conversations on the Warship Seven forum was nice, but I felt like something was missing.
Moreover, even though I liked Wesley and Stella, I feel like there were aspects of their characters that weren't completely explored and that I would have liked to read.
In the end this was a cute and fun YA book with some fandom elements, so definitely pick it up if it sounds like something you would enjoy!
May 9, 2023
rating - 4.5 stars
Ahh i'm smiling so much. loved this. love them. love how it also explored their diff backgrounds + the message behind it.
fav quotes (ok not true - love these but there are more)
I hand my ticket to Ms. H, who’s wearing a gray
suit, indifferent to the undersea theme. “Oh, Stella, you look lovely.”
“Congratulations, by the way.”
My heart jumps. “Thank you—for what?”
“Making salutatorian.”
I feel like she slapped me. “Wait, what?”
“Yes, I know the official announcement isn’t until tomorrow, but it was
just too big an honor not to tell you tonight. You worked so hard for this.”
felt 😭
Stella watches the dance floor with her arms crossed. Her eyes flit to me, and she gives me a half smile. “Do you—” “Would it—” We both stop short. “You first,” I say. “No, you.” “Okay.” I lean my head back, focusing on the fish instead of her. “Would it be weird if . . . if I asked you to dance?” I hold out my hand for what feels like an eternity. She eyes me skeptically. “Is this the part where you pretend to dance with me but it ends up being a prank and you trip me or something?” “I mean, you don’t have to.” I whip my hand back. “I just thought, you know. As AP Bio partners. Who share custody of a rat.” Stella blinks. “Okay.” She takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. Several people crane their necks and double-take when they see us together. It’s probably because of the library book thing. And the Public Speaking thing. And, well, everything. She wraps her hands around my neck, and they’re surprisingly warm. I put my hands at her waist, kind of overwhelmed by the urge to pull her closer. Stella Greene. My worst enemy. What the heck is wrong with me?
She locks her brown eyes with mine, and we move around the dance floor. Her eyes are so pretty. Somehow, despite all the crowded bodies bumping into us, it’s like we’re the only ones here.
*grins happily*
“So I have to ask,” she says. “How’d you get your AP Bio grade up?” I fidget. “Studied forever for the exam.” “That’s cool. Congratulations.” “Thanks. Heard you crushed that History exam, too.” She smiles. “Yeah. I used flash cards. Memorizing dates isn’t so hard after all, I guess.” “Maybe someday you’ll enjoy history.” “Don’t push your luck, Clarke.” Just tell her how you feel.
“You would.” She keeps dancing with me, the water of the fish tank reflecting in her eyes. “So, how much do you bet it takes Mr. Hardwicke less than an hour to flip all the lights on and come prowling around with his tape measure to enforce that school-sanctioned six-inches-apart rule?” “A lifetime supply of doughnuts.” She freezes. “What did you just say?” “A lifetime—” Oh. Crap. I have no poker face and it must show, because her eyes grow wide. “Oh my God.” She untwines her hands from my neck. “No.” A look of sheer horror crosses her face. “It’s you?” With a flit of panic, she runs off the dance floor. I follow her, back to the now-empty corridor with the bathrooms. “You’re Aaron2.” “I can explain.”
My face droops against my hand. It’s been five days, and I feel awful. For some reason, I can’t get Stella’s words out of my head. I log in to the forum, holding my breath, and click on Stella’s screen name. This user has deactivated their account. I want to throw my computer out the window. Or punch a pillow. Or something. Maybe if I had your advantages, you wouldn’t have beaten me. My knee bounces under the desk. The day after prom, Principal Woods called me on my cell and congratulated me for being named valedictorian. I pretended to be shocked at the news. My parents hugged each other for the first time in like a year. But I could barely even muster up fake enthusiasm. Maybe if I had your advantages . . . I take out my phone, the principal’s number still in my call log. I’m not sure what finally makes me do it, but I hit the button and press the phone to my ear. “Hello?” “Hey, Principal Woods. It’s Wesley Clarke.” There’s a pause. “Wesley? Why . . . hello. Hi. Can I help you? You know school’s out, right?” He chuckles. “You got your speech ready for Saturday yet?” “What made me valedictorian?” “What do you mean? Years and years of hard—” “No, I mean, what specifically? Exams? How did I get it over Stella?” He sighs heavily, sending a wave of static over the phone. “Hang on. Let me open my computer and look.” “Yeah. Thanks.” “You know I can’t tell you specifics about other students’ grades, right?” “Yep. Not asking for that.” “Never had two students as driven as the two of you.” I can hear keyboard keys clicking in the background. “Okay, here we go,” he says. “Clarke. Clarke. Yes. It looks like you outscored the rest of your peers on Regina Hatley’s Public Speaking exam.” My blood turns to ice. The Public Speaking exam that everyone else bombed. I would’ve bombed it, too, without Brandon and my tutor. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Okay. Cool. Thanks for telling me.” “You know you’re—” I press End. Hanging up on the principal is probably frowned upon, but I don’t care. I let my head fall into my hands. What have I done? Was Stella right? Did I earn this? I open my desk drawer and pull out my sketchbook, but something catches my eye below it. The familiar photo of Stella scowling glares back at me from inside the drawer. She looks fierce and smart. Like a captain. The charcoal drags across the page, and suddenly, I’m lost in a drawing. I tab open Stella’s 198,000-word beast of a fanfic. And then I start to read it.
“Congratulations, Wesley.” Dad thumps me on the back, settling into his seat at the table. I don’t respond. I just don’t have the energy. I should’ve failed that exam. My grade was higher because I had an advantage that no one else got. I don’t deserve it. Stella does. Dad looks expectantly toward the kitchen, and I follow his eyes to where Mom stands, holding a celebratory cheesecake that I don’t deserve. “We’re so proud of you, Wesley!” I wish I could make it all stop. I force myself to shovel cheesecake into my mouth until my piece is gone, even though I don’t taste any it. I need to give it up. I’ll call Principal Woods. Or something. “Did you write your speech yet?” Mom asks, taking her time with her own slice of cheesecake. I can’t even look at her. “No.” Dad laughs. “I’ve been asking him that, but you know our Wes, always the procrastinator.” It’s weird that my parents are getting along. I guess it’s true. Maybe I’m the only thing they have in common anymore. “You better hurry up,” Mom says. “Graduation is in two days.” Dad gives Mom a nervous grin. “I’m sure he’ll blow that speech out of the water. Then, on Sunday, we can take a father-son trip to the Porsche dealer.” “I don’t deserve the spot.” I force the words out from gritted teeth. “Brandon told me what was on the Public Speaking test, and then Rob helped me study for it.” Mom looks taken aback, but doesn’t reply. Dad stares at me for a moment. “It’s not a big deal. You were sick.” He thumps me on the shoulder. “We pay Rob to help you study, and that Brandon’s never been able to keep his mouth shut. Hell—if that’s really what happened, you should be grateful they helped you.” I know what I have to do. Doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Congratulations, Wesley.” Dad thumps me on the back, settling into his seat at the table. I don’t respond. I just don’t have the energy. I should’ve failed that exam. My grade was higher because I had an advantage that no one else got. I don’t deserve it. Stella does. Dad looks expectantly toward the kitchen, and I follow his eyes to where Mom stands, holding a celebratory cheesecake that I don’t deserve. “We’re so proud of you, Wesley!” I wish I could make it all stop. I force myself to shovel cheesecake into my mouth until my piece is gone, even though I don’t taste any it. I need to give it up. I’ll call Principal Woods. Or something. “Did you write your speech yet?” Mom asks, taking her time with her own slice of cheesecake. I can’t even look at her. “No.” Dad laughs. “I’ve been asking him that, but you know our Wes, always the procrastinator.” It’s weird that my parents are getting along. I guess it’s true. Maybe I’m the only thing they have in common anymore. “You better hurry up,” Mom says. “Graduation is in two days.” Dad gives Mom a nervous grin. “I’m sure he’ll blow that speech out of the water. Then, on Sunday, we can take a father-son trip to the Porsche dealer.” “I don’t deserve the spot.” I force the words out from gritted teeth. “Brandon told me what was on the Public Speaking test, and then Rob helped me study for it.” Mom looks taken aback, but doesn’t reply. Dad stares at me for a moment. “It’s not a big deal. You were sick.” He thumps me on the shoulder. “We pay Rob to help you study, and that Brandon’s never been able to keep his mouth shut. Hell—if that’s really what happened, you should be grateful they helped you.” I know what I have to do. Doesn’t make it hurt any less.
I want to tell her I’m sorry. That I’m going to carve my own path, and I’m not going to turn out like my dad. I want to tell her that I’ve been thinking of nothing but Sci-Con. But I can’t even bring myself to look at her. “Good morning, everyone.” My heart thuds against my ribs, but I force it to calm down. “My name is Wesley Clarke, and I’m honored to be number two in this year’s class.” My eyes catch my mom, sitting in the front row between my grandparents, with her phone camera recording me. I don’t see my dad. I take a deep breath. “When I think of the word valedictorian, I think of being number one. But there is a lot more to the title than that. Being valedictorian comes from years of hard work, and effort, and studying, and perseverance. There is no one in my class who better exemplifies those traits than Stella Greene.” I pause, reaching into the pocket of my graduation robes where I find a folded sheet of paper. “But Stella is so much more than that. She’s kind. She’s passionate about everything she loves. And she’s the very best, most fun person to be around. So, without further ado, our valedictorian, Stella Greene.” I look into the crowd and find her brown eyes looking back at me. “Stella . . . no one deserves this more than you.” I leave the paper on the stand and take my chair, letting the applause drown out all the words I didn’t get to
“For years, I have looked up to her. I have this epic cosplay I put
together, and if I do say so myself, I did a great job—I even have these
amazing Captain Jill boots, thanks to my sister. But . . . for someone who
strives to be like Captain Jill, I was doing a real crappy job. Am I allowed to
say that up here? Anyway.” I clear my throat. “We can all learn a lot from
Warship Seven. I, for one, am guilty of making preconceived judgments
about people. I don’t like admitting when I’m wrong.” I take a deep breath.
“But I was wrong.
“Today, I promise that I’m going to be better at that, and I hope you’ll
try, too. Maybe there’s someone you don’t like—you think they’re arrogant,
or stubborn, or a jerk, or whatever else, because you don’t know them. I
say, give them a chance. I think there’s a lot more that brings us together
than that separates us. So go out there and be like my favorite captain: fight
for what you believe in, live those big dreams, and do all the wonderful
things you’re capable of.” I scan the audience, and my eyes lock with
Wesley’s in the third row. “But never forget that sometimes, the ones you
judge the most harshly are the ones who will surprise you the most. Thank
you.”
I traipse back to my seat to scattered applause
, Dahlia comes running up to me. “Are you coming to Brandon’s house?” “Maybe. I'm kind of tired." I'm not sure I can handle seeing Wesley right now, no matter how badly part of me wants to. “Meet up later, then? Em’s up for ice cream at The Scoopery.” “As long as I don’t have to do the scooping.” We hug, and she leaves with her family. Mom and Dave go over to the picnic bench by the parking lot, where Bridget is letting Gwen toddle around in the grass. My niece is way overdue for a nap, which means she’s probably cranky, which means Bridget will be cranky too. Time to go. My feet squish in the spongy grass as I make my way over to them; but then I see Wesley, sitting by himself on a bench. I’m not sure what makes me do it, but with a swift pivot, I walk toward him instead. Wesley gets to his feet. “Hey.” I look at the ground. “Hey.” “I, uh, I loved your speech.” “Thanks. I’m pretty sure you’re the only person who got the Warship references, so.” “I think Kyle Nielsen did.” “Oh, well, I meant the only person whose face doesn’t look like a shovel.” Wesley snorts. “That’s a new one.” “Yeah.” “Look. Stella.” He digs his sneaker into the muddy grass beneath us. “I’m really sorry. For everything.” I reach out to touch him, but withdraw my hand. “Thanks for . . . you know.” “You earned the spot, Stick.” We stand in silence for a moment. “Friends?” I hold out my hand. Wesley shakes it, his eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I don’t want him to let go, but he does. “Are you going to Brandon’s party?” He shrugs. “Maybe. Are you?” “I don’t know.” “Well. Maybe I’ll see you there?” “Maybe.” I turn to walk away, but stop and turn back toward him. “Thank you for the drawing.” “Oh, it’s no problem.” He swings his arms at his side, decidedly not meeting my eyes. “I always loved your fanart. No one captures Aaron quite like you do, Aaron2.” “Well, I love your fics.” I laugh. “Please, you did not read those dictionary-length fics I sent you.” With a wave back toward Wesley, I head toward my family in the parking lot. “Wait. Stella,” Wesley calls behind me. I stop walking, peeking back at him over my shoulder. “I . . . I shouldn’t have left. At Sci-Con.” I swallow hard, not sure how to respond. Wesley takes a step toward me. “In all my years at the CE academy, I made a lot of mistakes. But leaving you behind was the worst one I ever made.” Those words. I recognize those words. I wrote them. “You read my fic?” Wesley Clarke read my 198,000-word fix-it-fic? Wesley watches me, his fingers twitching at his sides. It’s almost like he’s . . . nervous? Wesley Frickin’ Clarke. Nervous. Because of me? “Well, what am I supposed to do with that?” I step closer to him. “You left me. You left us. And you took my shuttle.” “You are the most stubborn, annoying captain—and valedictorian—I have ever met.” He takes another step toward me. “And yet, for the past few weeks”—Wesley’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down—“I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you.” I blink hard. Wesley Clarke couldn’t stop thinking about me. “But . . . why?” “Because I like you. I really like you. I don’t know where it came from, but there it is, okay?” He throws his hands up and lets them slap back down against his sides. “I like you, Stick. I like all your funky hairstyles and the way you make everything into a bad joke, and the way you keep your agenda book rainbow-color organized, and the way you put Lint on your shoulder, and the way you were so nice to me online even when I didn’t deserve it. I like you, okay?” My heart slams against my ribs. “Well . . . if you couldn’t stop thinking of me, why did you leave?” “I shouldn’t have left.” He brushes a strand of long brown hair out of my face. “I will always come back for you. Like I should have done the first time.” “Wesley Clarke, you are the most stubborn, arrogant Cescum I have ever—” I know what comes next. The confusion and weirdness and all the scary things that come from admitting I like Wesley Clarke. But you know what? I really don’t care. I get up to my tippy toes, and then, just like that, I’m kissing Wesley Clarke, and he is kissing me back, right there in our graduation gowns. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. Everything inside me feels so fluttery and right. I can’t help it—I’m smiling into his kiss. He pulls back, grinning. “What?” “I just realized what this means.” I run my hand through his hair. “What does it mean?” “You’re officially a Lewton shipper.” He gives an exaggerated sigh. “Maybe your ship has some merit. Or maybe I’m just an us shipper.” “Just shut up and kiss me, Clarke.” He grabs me around the waist and picks me up, and we’re twirling around the field, my lips pressed to his. Maybe this time, the love story gets an ending. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the beginning of a new one.
*grins* *swoons* *giggles* I'm smiling so wide rn
Ahh i'm smiling so much. loved this. love them. love how it also explored their diff backgrounds + the message behind it.
fav quotes (ok not true - love these but there are more)
I hand my ticket to Ms. H, who’s wearing a gray
suit, indifferent to the undersea theme. “Oh, Stella, you look lovely.”
“Congratulations, by the way.”
My heart jumps. “Thank you—for what?”
“Making salutatorian.”
I feel like she slapped me. “Wait, what?”
“Yes, I know the official announcement isn’t until tomorrow, but it was
just too big an honor not to tell you tonight. You worked so hard for this.”
felt 😭
Stella watches the dance floor with her arms crossed. Her eyes flit to me, and she gives me a half smile. “Do you—” “Would it—” We both stop short. “You first,” I say. “No, you.” “Okay.” I lean my head back, focusing on the fish instead of her. “Would it be weird if . . . if I asked you to dance?” I hold out my hand for what feels like an eternity. She eyes me skeptically. “Is this the part where you pretend to dance with me but it ends up being a prank and you trip me or something?” “I mean, you don’t have to.” I whip my hand back. “I just thought, you know. As AP Bio partners. Who share custody of a rat.” Stella blinks. “Okay.” She takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. Several people crane their necks and double-take when they see us together. It’s probably because of the library book thing. And the Public Speaking thing. And, well, everything. She wraps her hands around my neck, and they’re surprisingly warm. I put my hands at her waist, kind of overwhelmed by the urge to pull her closer. Stella Greene. My worst enemy. What the heck is wrong with me?
She locks her brown eyes with mine, and we move around the dance floor. Her eyes are so pretty. Somehow, despite all the crowded bodies bumping into us, it’s like we’re the only ones here.
*grins happily*
“So I have to ask,” she says. “How’d you get your AP Bio grade up?” I fidget. “Studied forever for the exam.” “That’s cool. Congratulations.” “Thanks. Heard you crushed that History exam, too.” She smiles. “Yeah. I used flash cards. Memorizing dates isn’t so hard after all, I guess.” “Maybe someday you’ll enjoy history.” “Don’t push your luck, Clarke.” Just tell her how you feel.
“You would.” She keeps dancing with me, the water of the fish tank reflecting in her eyes. “So, how much do you bet it takes Mr. Hardwicke less than an hour to flip all the lights on and come prowling around with his tape measure to enforce that school-sanctioned six-inches-apart rule?” “A lifetime supply of doughnuts.” She freezes. “What did you just say?” “A lifetime—” Oh. Crap. I have no poker face and it must show, because her eyes grow wide. “Oh my God.” She untwines her hands from my neck. “No.” A look of sheer horror crosses her face. “It’s you?” With a flit of panic, she runs off the dance floor. I follow her, back to the now-empty corridor with the bathrooms. “You’re Aaron2.” “I can explain.”
My face droops against my hand. It’s been five days, and I feel awful. For some reason, I can’t get Stella’s words out of my head. I log in to the forum, holding my breath, and click on Stella’s screen name. This user has deactivated their account. I want to throw my computer out the window. Or punch a pillow. Or something. Maybe if I had your advantages, you wouldn’t have beaten me. My knee bounces under the desk. The day after prom, Principal Woods called me on my cell and congratulated me for being named valedictorian. I pretended to be shocked at the news. My parents hugged each other for the first time in like a year. But I could barely even muster up fake enthusiasm. Maybe if I had your advantages . . . I take out my phone, the principal’s number still in my call log. I’m not sure what finally makes me do it, but I hit the button and press the phone to my ear. “Hello?” “Hey, Principal Woods. It’s Wesley Clarke.” There’s a pause. “Wesley? Why . . . hello. Hi. Can I help you? You know school’s out, right?” He chuckles. “You got your speech ready for Saturday yet?” “What made me valedictorian?” “What do you mean? Years and years of hard—” “No, I mean, what specifically? Exams? How did I get it over Stella?” He sighs heavily, sending a wave of static over the phone. “Hang on. Let me open my computer and look.” “Yeah. Thanks.” “You know I can’t tell you specifics about other students’ grades, right?” “Yep. Not asking for that.” “Never had two students as driven as the two of you.” I can hear keyboard keys clicking in the background. “Okay, here we go,” he says. “Clarke. Clarke. Yes. It looks like you outscored the rest of your peers on Regina Hatley’s Public Speaking exam.” My blood turns to ice. The Public Speaking exam that everyone else bombed. I would’ve bombed it, too, without Brandon and my tutor. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Okay. Cool. Thanks for telling me.” “You know you’re—” I press End. Hanging up on the principal is probably frowned upon, but I don’t care. I let my head fall into my hands. What have I done? Was Stella right? Did I earn this? I open my desk drawer and pull out my sketchbook, but something catches my eye below it. The familiar photo of Stella scowling glares back at me from inside the drawer. She looks fierce and smart. Like a captain. The charcoal drags across the page, and suddenly, I’m lost in a drawing. I tab open Stella’s 198,000-word beast of a fanfic. And then I start to read it.
“Congratulations, Wesley.” Dad thumps me on the back, settling into his seat at the table. I don’t respond. I just don’t have the energy. I should’ve failed that exam. My grade was higher because I had an advantage that no one else got. I don’t deserve it. Stella does. Dad looks expectantly toward the kitchen, and I follow his eyes to where Mom stands, holding a celebratory cheesecake that I don’t deserve. “We’re so proud of you, Wesley!” I wish I could make it all stop. I force myself to shovel cheesecake into my mouth until my piece is gone, even though I don’t taste any it. I need to give it up. I’ll call Principal Woods. Or something. “Did you write your speech yet?” Mom asks, taking her time with her own slice of cheesecake. I can’t even look at her. “No.” Dad laughs. “I’ve been asking him that, but you know our Wes, always the procrastinator.” It’s weird that my parents are getting along. I guess it’s true. Maybe I’m the only thing they have in common anymore. “You better hurry up,” Mom says. “Graduation is in two days.” Dad gives Mom a nervous grin. “I’m sure he’ll blow that speech out of the water. Then, on Sunday, we can take a father-son trip to the Porsche dealer.” “I don’t deserve the spot.” I force the words out from gritted teeth. “Brandon told me what was on the Public Speaking test, and then Rob helped me study for it.” Mom looks taken aback, but doesn’t reply. Dad stares at me for a moment. “It’s not a big deal. You were sick.” He thumps me on the shoulder. “We pay Rob to help you study, and that Brandon’s never been able to keep his mouth shut. Hell—if that’s really what happened, you should be grateful they helped you.” I know what I have to do. Doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Congratulations, Wesley.” Dad thumps me on the back, settling into his seat at the table. I don’t respond. I just don’t have the energy. I should’ve failed that exam. My grade was higher because I had an advantage that no one else got. I don’t deserve it. Stella does. Dad looks expectantly toward the kitchen, and I follow his eyes to where Mom stands, holding a celebratory cheesecake that I don’t deserve. “We’re so proud of you, Wesley!” I wish I could make it all stop. I force myself to shovel cheesecake into my mouth until my piece is gone, even though I don’t taste any it. I need to give it up. I’ll call Principal Woods. Or something. “Did you write your speech yet?” Mom asks, taking her time with her own slice of cheesecake. I can’t even look at her. “No.” Dad laughs. “I’ve been asking him that, but you know our Wes, always the procrastinator.” It’s weird that my parents are getting along. I guess it’s true. Maybe I’m the only thing they have in common anymore. “You better hurry up,” Mom says. “Graduation is in two days.” Dad gives Mom a nervous grin. “I’m sure he’ll blow that speech out of the water. Then, on Sunday, we can take a father-son trip to the Porsche dealer.” “I don’t deserve the spot.” I force the words out from gritted teeth. “Brandon told me what was on the Public Speaking test, and then Rob helped me study for it.” Mom looks taken aback, but doesn’t reply. Dad stares at me for a moment. “It’s not a big deal. You were sick.” He thumps me on the shoulder. “We pay Rob to help you study, and that Brandon’s never been able to keep his mouth shut. Hell—if that’s really what happened, you should be grateful they helped you.” I know what I have to do. Doesn’t make it hurt any less.
I want to tell her I’m sorry. That I’m going to carve my own path, and I’m not going to turn out like my dad. I want to tell her that I’ve been thinking of nothing but Sci-Con. But I can’t even bring myself to look at her. “Good morning, everyone.” My heart thuds against my ribs, but I force it to calm down. “My name is Wesley Clarke, and I’m honored to be number two in this year’s class.” My eyes catch my mom, sitting in the front row between my grandparents, with her phone camera recording me. I don’t see my dad. I take a deep breath. “When I think of the word valedictorian, I think of being number one. But there is a lot more to the title than that. Being valedictorian comes from years of hard work, and effort, and studying, and perseverance. There is no one in my class who better exemplifies those traits than Stella Greene.” I pause, reaching into the pocket of my graduation robes where I find a folded sheet of paper. “But Stella is so much more than that. She’s kind. She’s passionate about everything she loves. And she’s the very best, most fun person to be around. So, without further ado, our valedictorian, Stella Greene.” I look into the crowd and find her brown eyes looking back at me. “Stella . . . no one deserves this more than you.” I leave the paper on the stand and take my chair, letting the applause drown out all the words I didn’t get to
“For years, I have looked up to her. I have this epic cosplay I put
together, and if I do say so myself, I did a great job—I even have these
amazing Captain Jill boots, thanks to my sister. But . . . for someone who
strives to be like Captain Jill, I was doing a real crappy job. Am I allowed to
say that up here? Anyway.” I clear my throat. “We can all learn a lot from
Warship Seven. I, for one, am guilty of making preconceived judgments
about people. I don’t like admitting when I’m wrong.” I take a deep breath.
“But I was wrong.
“Today, I promise that I’m going to be better at that, and I hope you’ll
try, too. Maybe there’s someone you don’t like—you think they’re arrogant,
or stubborn, or a jerk, or whatever else, because you don’t know them. I
say, give them a chance. I think there’s a lot more that brings us together
than that separates us. So go out there and be like my favorite captain: fight
for what you believe in, live those big dreams, and do all the wonderful
things you’re capable of.” I scan the audience, and my eyes lock with
Wesley’s in the third row. “But never forget that sometimes, the ones you
judge the most harshly are the ones who will surprise you the most. Thank
you.”
I traipse back to my seat to scattered applause
, Dahlia comes running up to me. “Are you coming to Brandon’s house?” “Maybe. I'm kind of tired." I'm not sure I can handle seeing Wesley right now, no matter how badly part of me wants to. “Meet up later, then? Em’s up for ice cream at The Scoopery.” “As long as I don’t have to do the scooping.” We hug, and she leaves with her family. Mom and Dave go over to the picnic bench by the parking lot, where Bridget is letting Gwen toddle around in the grass. My niece is way overdue for a nap, which means she’s probably cranky, which means Bridget will be cranky too. Time to go. My feet squish in the spongy grass as I make my way over to them; but then I see Wesley, sitting by himself on a bench. I’m not sure what makes me do it, but with a swift pivot, I walk toward him instead. Wesley gets to his feet. “Hey.” I look at the ground. “Hey.” “I, uh, I loved your speech.” “Thanks. I’m pretty sure you’re the only person who got the Warship references, so.” “I think Kyle Nielsen did.” “Oh, well, I meant the only person whose face doesn’t look like a shovel.” Wesley snorts. “That’s a new one.” “Yeah.” “Look. Stella.” He digs his sneaker into the muddy grass beneath us. “I’m really sorry. For everything.” I reach out to touch him, but withdraw my hand. “Thanks for . . . you know.” “You earned the spot, Stick.” We stand in silence for a moment. “Friends?” I hold out my hand. Wesley shakes it, his eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I don’t want him to let go, but he does. “Are you going to Brandon’s party?” He shrugs. “Maybe. Are you?” “I don’t know.” “Well. Maybe I’ll see you there?” “Maybe.” I turn to walk away, but stop and turn back toward him. “Thank you for the drawing.” “Oh, it’s no problem.” He swings his arms at his side, decidedly not meeting my eyes. “I always loved your fanart. No one captures Aaron quite like you do, Aaron2.” “Well, I love your fics.” I laugh. “Please, you did not read those dictionary-length fics I sent you.” With a wave back toward Wesley, I head toward my family in the parking lot. “Wait. Stella,” Wesley calls behind me. I stop walking, peeking back at him over my shoulder. “I . . . I shouldn’t have left. At Sci-Con.” I swallow hard, not sure how to respond. Wesley takes a step toward me. “In all my years at the CE academy, I made a lot of mistakes. But leaving you behind was the worst one I ever made.” Those words. I recognize those words. I wrote them. “You read my fic?” Wesley Clarke read my 198,000-word fix-it-fic? Wesley watches me, his fingers twitching at his sides. It’s almost like he’s . . . nervous? Wesley Frickin’ Clarke. Nervous. Because of me? “Well, what am I supposed to do with that?” I step closer to him. “You left me. You left us. And you took my shuttle.” “You are the most stubborn, annoying captain—and valedictorian—I have ever met.” He takes another step toward me. “And yet, for the past few weeks”—Wesley’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down—“I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you.” I blink hard. Wesley Clarke couldn’t stop thinking about me. “But . . . why?” “Because I like you. I really like you. I don’t know where it came from, but there it is, okay?” He throws his hands up and lets them slap back down against his sides. “I like you, Stick. I like all your funky hairstyles and the way you make everything into a bad joke, and the way you keep your agenda book rainbow-color organized, and the way you put Lint on your shoulder, and the way you were so nice to me online even when I didn’t deserve it. I like you, okay?” My heart slams against my ribs. “Well . . . if you couldn’t stop thinking of me, why did you leave?” “I shouldn’t have left.” He brushes a strand of long brown hair out of my face. “I will always come back for you. Like I should have done the first time.” “Wesley Clarke, you are the most stubborn, arrogant Cescum I have ever—” I know what comes next. The confusion and weirdness and all the scary things that come from admitting I like Wesley Clarke. But you know what? I really don’t care. I get up to my tippy toes, and then, just like that, I’m kissing Wesley Clarke, and he is kissing me back, right there in our graduation gowns. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. Everything inside me feels so fluttery and right. I can’t help it—I’m smiling into his kiss. He pulls back, grinning. “What?” “I just realized what this means.” I run my hand through his hair. “What does it mean?” “You’re officially a Lewton shipper.” He gives an exaggerated sigh. “Maybe your ship has some merit. Or maybe I’m just an us shipper.” “Just shut up and kiss me, Clarke.” He grabs me around the waist and picks me up, and we’re twirling around the field, my lips pressed to his. Maybe this time, the love story gets an ending. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the beginning of a new one.
*grins* *swoons* *giggles* I'm smiling so wide rn
May 15, 2021
This book is basically WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE meets GEEKERELLA. We get two rival students vying for valedictorian while falling in love through an online fandom forum. But, of course, they don't know the very person they're falling in love with is the person they most can't stand in the world.
I love a good secret identities books so I was really excited to read this one. I was especially happy that this one involved an external rivalry. It was fun to see Stella and Wesley act one way towards each other in real life and completely different online to each other. While their romance wasn't my favorite, it was still cute. It did feel like there was a bit of a spark missing from them, but I'm not overly disappointed by them.
Bridget! Probably the most underrated character in this book IMO. She is the sister of Stella and in a completely different place in her life than Stella wants to be. For most of the book, she's the example of everything Stella doesn't want to be. She dropped out of high school, has a kid with a dead-beat guy, and works at some minimum wage jobs just to get by. I knew the book was building to a certain point with her so I was really happy when Tate did Bridget's moment it justice. There are so many ways to be successful in life!!! Going to college doesn't mean you're going to be successful and happy in life. Not going to college doesn't mean you won't! I won't ruin it all here, but I was just so happy for Bridget's character and the lesson she was able to teach in this book.
The beginning was slow, but not in a completely uninteresting way. Not too much was happening as Tate established both Stella and Wesley's characters and circumstances and also the Warship Seven fandom. I always wish for things to start with a bang, but I wasn't bored at the beginning so I consider it a win.
Lastly, I wanted to see more of their friends! We only get a few scenes with each of their friends and even then, we don't see much of them. I like having more involvement from side characters so I was kinda sad we didn't get much from them. Also, one of Stella's "best friends", Em, is a character we almost never see. She's mentioned every once in a while and shows her face sometimes, but I just kinda felt like she was plugged into the story as an afterthought.
Overall, while this book isn't a new favorite of mine, I enjoyed it. It was fun, full of life-after-high school lessons, and had a sweet romance attached. Plus, I just really love the cover!
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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I love a good secret identities books so I was really excited to read this one. I was especially happy that this one involved an external rivalry. It was fun to see Stella and Wesley act one way towards each other in real life and completely different online to each other. While their romance wasn't my favorite, it was still cute. It did feel like there was a bit of a spark missing from them, but I'm not overly disappointed by them.
Bridget! Probably the most underrated character in this book IMO. She is the sister of Stella and in a completely different place in her life than Stella wants to be. For most of the book, she's the example of everything Stella doesn't want to be. She dropped out of high school, has a kid with a dead-beat guy, and works at some minimum wage jobs just to get by. I knew the book was building to a certain point with her so I was really happy when Tate did Bridget's moment it justice. There are so many ways to be successful in life!!! Going to college doesn't mean you're going to be successful and happy in life. Not going to college doesn't mean you won't! I won't ruin it all here, but I was just so happy for Bridget's character and the lesson she was able to teach in this book.
The beginning was slow, but not in a completely uninteresting way. Not too much was happening as Tate established both Stella and Wesley's characters and circumstances and also the Warship Seven fandom. I always wish for things to start with a bang, but I wasn't bored at the beginning so I consider it a win.
Lastly, I wanted to see more of their friends! We only get a few scenes with each of their friends and even then, we don't see much of them. I like having more involvement from side characters so I was kinda sad we didn't get much from them. Also, one of Stella's "best friends", Em, is a character we almost never see. She's mentioned every once in a while and shows her face sometimes, but I just kinda felt like she was plugged into the story as an afterthought.
Overall, while this book isn't a new favorite of mine, I enjoyed it. It was fun, full of life-after-high school lessons, and had a sweet romance attached. Plus, I just really love the cover!
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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May 21, 2021
YA rivals-to-lovers with sweet romance, quick and light.
July 1, 2023
THIS IS THE CUTEST BOOK EVER. EASY 5 STARS. It reminded me of Eliza and Her Monsters and it was like enemies to lovers and just so adorable I devoured it.
December 3, 2021
In an age where we all judge a book by its cover, its promotions, its total number of ratings within a set timeframe, and the blurb, all of the above served to massively bring down this book's popularity.
The cover--it's cute? But it's also got a lot of faint lines and pastels so that it's hard to clearly tell what's happening.
You've Got Mail? It's up there with When Harry Met Sally as being "iconic," but I didn't love either of them.
For this book to be hailed as the Comic Con You've Got Mail didn't strike any particular chord with me. The first chapter, also, which is an interview lifted from the made-up scifi TV series that gets cancelled before the book even takes place, also doesn't endear the readers.
So honestly, it's already got those three strikes against it. And when everyone's attention span is at a hair trigger, most people (me) won't make it past those hurdles.
Miraculously, and I don't even know how, I kept reading, and reading, and I finished the book in one sitting. It's delightful. I'm not sure what exactly made it hit just the right spot; maybe I was coming out of angsty reads and this fluffy high school comedy was just what I needed. New Adult is always something that makes me want to wash my brain out with bleach afterwards, and this book was refreshing in its cleanness. That, actually, might be yet another reason why it's not that popular.
In the genre of YA, here are some things that this book managed to do fairly well.
(1) Heroine only comments favorably on the hero's appearance twice. Yes, twice, because when it's in first person and present tense, the effect is doubled. It's a thing somehow for YA authors to try to hit the reader over the head with how masculine, attractive, unattainable, droolworthy, lusted after, you-name-it-this-guy-has-got-it times 100, the hero is. So, yeah it's mentioned twice, and the first time is in the first actual chapter which is a bummer and usually does make me zone right out, but luckily it was glossed over and done with.
"...I do not need such a clear view of Wesley's smug face. I hate how everyone thinks he's just so hot. Okay, I kind of get it--his cheekbones could basically cut diamonds--but I'd never admit that. I covertly click my phone under the desk--fifteen more minutes of class."
The last line of that paragraph managed to nicely seque out of the potential man-obsession landmine.
(2) It isn't a rivals to lovers trope where the rivals in question have been secretly pining for the other person the entire time.
Right, so sometimes I do get a craving of the ye ol' pining trope. But it's such a delicate balance. Too much pining with no reason behind it, and the piner comes off like a stalker/idiot. Too little pining, and the reader's left thinking, "NEXT," because only an idiot doesn't see what's been under his nose the entire time.
In this case, I did think that the balance was there. The two don't like the other, and both have very valid reasons for wanting/needing the valedictorian spot. Both of them actually are eyeing some other classmate/love interest rather than the author's intended target, and while I didn't enjoy that aspect in the movies, in this book, it was done fairly well.
(3) Both characters are sympathetic.
In a dual POV book, I find this to be one of the hardest element to achieve. Possibly some people wouldn't like Wesley, but I actually did like him quite a bit. I liked how he was able to brush things off with a laugh. He had a good sense of humor and didn't take himself too seriously. Did I believe that he genuinely could have gone up against Stella for valedictorian? Oh, hell no. But let's just roll with that one.
Both characters have compelling backgrounds. I liked how the book touched on certain deeper issues, but didn't dwell on them to the point of making the entire plot a complete downer. The tone was kept light, with only the very faintest tinge of angst. For example, it touches on Stella's poverty in her drive, Wesley dealing with an uncomfortable family environment that's never too bad, just a tad stressful for our rich boy. These issues are also never fully resolved in full, but it stayed in keeping with the overall light tone, so that's actually something in its favor.
I did really like Stella's sister's speech towards the end, where she tells Stella that she's (Stella) a snob because Stella looks down on the sister for never having finished high school due to an unplanned pregnancy. It's not a fight, but rather a loving talk because Stella is upset after having potentially lost the valedictorian spot/scholarship. To that end, she goes on to say that life isn't made of only one road, but any combination of routes. It could have been made very corny and overly inspirational, but somehow it struck the right tone in being just enough.
Some of the other reviewers commented that the ending seemed abrupt, probably because there were a lot of loose endings that felt like a good epilogue or even a sequel could wrap up. For example, they didn't really spend a lot of time discussing their whole talking anonymously to one another bit. His confession honestly wasn't the greatest, but I'll give him a pass--he felt like a high schooler and not a 500 year old vampire. The whole deal with her admission of poverty, and what's going to happen to them after graduation, is also not touched on.
But perhaps that was the whole point of this book. Maybe these two won't end up together in a forever after HEA, and this entire relationship ends after the summer ends. Still, the reader is left with the uplifting feeling that this is okay too. That maybe Stella's sister is right, and Wesley's debate argument at the beginning was also right. "These are supposed to be the best years of our lives," he said, and that sentiment sort of carries through with the very relaxed feeling of notable senioritis throughout the book. Why not? They're only eighteen, after all.
The cover--it's cute? But it's also got a lot of faint lines and pastels so that it's hard to clearly tell what's happening.
You've Got Mail? It's up there with When Harry Met Sally as being "iconic," but I didn't love either of them.
For this book to be hailed as the Comic Con You've Got Mail didn't strike any particular chord with me. The first chapter, also, which is an interview lifted from the made-up scifi TV series that gets cancelled before the book even takes place, also doesn't endear the readers.
So honestly, it's already got those three strikes against it. And when everyone's attention span is at a hair trigger, most people (me) won't make it past those hurdles.
Miraculously, and I don't even know how, I kept reading, and reading, and I finished the book in one sitting. It's delightful. I'm not sure what exactly made it hit just the right spot; maybe I was coming out of angsty reads and this fluffy high school comedy was just what I needed. New Adult is always something that makes me want to wash my brain out with bleach afterwards, and this book was refreshing in its cleanness. That, actually, might be yet another reason why it's not that popular.
In the genre of YA, here are some things that this book managed to do fairly well.
(1) Heroine only comments favorably on the hero's appearance twice. Yes, twice, because when it's in first person and present tense, the effect is doubled. It's a thing somehow for YA authors to try to hit the reader over the head with how masculine, attractive, unattainable, droolworthy, lusted after, you-name-it-this-guy-has-got-it times 100, the hero is. So, yeah it's mentioned twice, and the first time is in the first actual chapter which is a bummer and usually does make me zone right out, but luckily it was glossed over and done with.
"...I do not need such a clear view of Wesley's smug face. I hate how everyone thinks he's just so hot. Okay, I kind of get it--his cheekbones could basically cut diamonds--but I'd never admit that. I covertly click my phone under the desk--fifteen more minutes of class."
The last line of that paragraph managed to nicely seque out of the potential man-obsession landmine.
(2) It isn't a rivals to lovers trope where the rivals in question have been secretly pining for the other person the entire time.
Right, so sometimes I do get a craving of the ye ol' pining trope. But it's such a delicate balance. Too much pining with no reason behind it, and the piner comes off like a stalker/idiot. Too little pining, and the reader's left thinking, "NEXT," because only an idiot doesn't see what's been under his nose the entire time.
In this case, I did think that the balance was there. The two don't like the other, and both have very valid reasons for wanting/needing the valedictorian spot. Both of them actually are eyeing some other classmate/love interest rather than the author's intended target, and while I didn't enjoy that aspect in the movies, in this book, it was done fairly well.
(3) Both characters are sympathetic.
In a dual POV book, I find this to be one of the hardest element to achieve. Possibly some people wouldn't like Wesley, but I actually did like him quite a bit. I liked how he was able to brush things off with a laugh. He had a good sense of humor and didn't take himself too seriously. Did I believe that he genuinely could have gone up against Stella for valedictorian? Oh, hell no. But let's just roll with that one.
Both characters have compelling backgrounds. I liked how the book touched on certain deeper issues, but didn't dwell on them to the point of making the entire plot a complete downer. The tone was kept light, with only the very faintest tinge of angst. For example, it touches on Stella's poverty in her drive, Wesley dealing with an uncomfortable family environment that's never too bad, just a tad stressful for our rich boy. These issues are also never fully resolved in full, but it stayed in keeping with the overall light tone, so that's actually something in its favor.
I did really like Stella's sister's speech towards the end, where she tells Stella that she's (Stella) a snob because Stella looks down on the sister for never having finished high school due to an unplanned pregnancy. It's not a fight, but rather a loving talk because Stella is upset after having potentially lost the valedictorian spot/scholarship. To that end, she goes on to say that life isn't made of only one road, but any combination of routes. It could have been made very corny and overly inspirational, but somehow it struck the right tone in being just enough.
Some of the other reviewers commented that the ending seemed abrupt, probably because there were a lot of loose endings that felt like a good epilogue or even a sequel could wrap up. For example, they didn't really spend a lot of time discussing their whole talking anonymously to one another bit. His confession honestly wasn't the greatest, but I'll give him a pass--he felt like a high schooler and not a 500 year old vampire. The whole deal with her admission of poverty, and what's going to happen to them after graduation, is also not touched on.
But perhaps that was the whole point of this book. Maybe these two won't end up together in a forever after HEA, and this entire relationship ends after the summer ends. Still, the reader is left with the uplifting feeling that this is okay too. That maybe Stella's sister is right, and Wesley's debate argument at the beginning was also right. "These are supposed to be the best years of our lives," he said, and that sentiment sort of carries through with the very relaxed feeling of notable senioritis throughout the book. Why not? They're only eighteen, after all.
March 13, 2021
My first ever ARC! 😱😍
I really enjoyed Shipped! It’s like a nerdy “You’ve Got Mail,” and I’m totally here for that. I loved how the snippets from the cancelled Sci-Fi show that our two protagonists both love (and bond over online) mirror their own IRL relationship. Both Stella and Wes have their flaws which they overcome to become better people. They were both truly enjoyable characters to see develop over the course of the book. I really enjoyed getting to read from both Stella’s and Wes’ point of view!
I also enjoyed how even though this story is of course about the romance, other important topics are addressed, such as the way female characters are written in male-centric Sci-Fi.
If you enjoy rom-com, fandom, and pop-culture references, you must read this book!
I really enjoyed Shipped! It’s like a nerdy “You’ve Got Mail,” and I’m totally here for that. I loved how the snippets from the cancelled Sci-Fi show that our two protagonists both love (and bond over online) mirror their own IRL relationship. Both Stella and Wes have their flaws which they overcome to become better people. They were both truly enjoyable characters to see develop over the course of the book. I really enjoyed getting to read from both Stella’s and Wes’ point of view!
I also enjoyed how even though this story is of course about the romance, other important topics are addressed, such as the way female characters are written in male-centric Sci-Fi.
If you enjoy rom-com, fandom, and pop-culture references, you must read this book!
May 15, 2021
I really liked this ya contemporary romance! It was sweet and fun. The you’ve-got-mail trope is one of my faves, along with enemies to lovers, which this also had, so basically this is like the perfect book for me.
I loved seeing how completely nerdy and cool Stella and Wesley are.
There were a few inconsistencies I saw, which I’m sure (I mean I hope) will be fixed in the copyedit (I read an arc). Sometimes it felt like the author couldn’t keep track of who actually likes or says what. Stella’s and Wesley’s characteristics seemed to sort of switch at times. So it was sometimes confusing.
But I still enjoyed the story.
I loved seeing how completely nerdy and cool Stella and Wesley are.
There were a few inconsistencies I saw, which I’m sure (I mean I hope) will be fixed in the copyedit (I read an arc). Sometimes it felt like the author couldn’t keep track of who actually likes or says what. Stella’s and Wesley’s characteristics seemed to sort of switch at times. So it was sometimes confusing.
But I still enjoyed the story.
December 23, 2021
BEYOND CUTE.
Two bitter rivals meet anonymously in an online forum for their favorite canceled sci-fi show—what could go wrong? “You’ve Got Mail” goes to Comic Con in SHIPPED, in a YA enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. I couldn't stop reading once I had started and the novel left me with a silly grin plastered on my face at the end. Although the plot became a teeny-bit predictable at times - in that class 90's romcom kind of way - I still recommend it as a pick-me-up, feel-good read.
Thank you to Penguin Teen, MTMC Tours and Meredith Tate for a copy of the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Two bitter rivals meet anonymously in an online forum for their favorite canceled sci-fi show—what could go wrong? “You’ve Got Mail” goes to Comic Con in SHIPPED, in a YA enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. I couldn't stop reading once I had started and the novel left me with a silly grin plastered on my face at the end. Although the plot became a teeny-bit predictable at times - in that class 90's romcom kind of way - I still recommend it as a pick-me-up, feel-good read.
Thank you to Penguin Teen, MTMC Tours and Meredith Tate for a copy of the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2021
I won’t lie, I’m a little disappointed by how this novel turned out to the point I skim read the last 30 pages.
I’m just going to list some pros and cons as I can’t be bothered to fully review the book.
Pros
. Great enemies to lovers build up
. Wesley Clarke
. Family bond
Cons
. The writing is super choppy
. Dialogue from the show and fandom reviews were pointless and added nothing to the book
. Stella had no growth. She was a stuck up snob until the very end. She showed no appreciation for her family and judged how her sister lived.
I’m just going to list some pros and cons as I can’t be bothered to fully review the book.
Pros
. Great enemies to lovers build up
. Wesley Clarke
. Family bond
Cons
. The writing is super choppy
. Dialogue from the show and fandom reviews were pointless and added nothing to the book
. Stella had no growth. She was a stuck up snob until the very end. She showed no appreciation for her family and judged how her sister lived.
September 15, 2022
listen to me. LISTEN TO ME !!! this book was sooooo much fun, i loved it!! i actually had a squealing moment in the car and i'm very glad no passersby passed by because well, that would've been embarrassing. but like !!!!
stella and wesley are academic rivals who are neck-to-neck in the battle for valedictorian. while they can't stand each other in real life, they both love the same tv show and as a result, end up chatting on a fan forum under aliases. wesley creates fanart for the show, while stella writes fanfic, and both appreciate the other's art forms which is soo cute omg. they're also both going solo to a fan convention and decide that's where they'll meet each in-person and agree to keep their identities secret until then hehe.
meanwhile, in real life, wesley and stella are paired together for a biology project, which neither of them is thrilled about. but because of this, they slowly start to warm up to each other while coparenting a supposedly cute rat.
also, neither of them has liked the other since "forever"; they both very much hate each other: as evident from the prank wars they start. but everyone around them can practically see the heart eyes popping out of their heads for the other so. we love lovesick teenagers in denial 😌
ALSO!! one of my favorite parts of this book was all the additional elements embedded into the story! not only did it have text messages; it also featured script snippets from the tv show stella and wesley love, as well as posts from the fan forum AND MY FAVORITE - the first chapter from the fanfic stella writes!! like that was sooo cool to me omg.
this book was written for anyone who's ever been a fan of a tv show, movie, book, what have you. i will say, that if you're someone who cringes at the mention of pop culture/social media/fandom lingo in books, then that's something to be aware of before going into this book, because it features a lot of it. personally, it made the fangirl heart in me very giddy, so i loved it!
but yeah, this book is the literal mash-up between today tonight tomorrow by rachel lynn solomon and spoiler alert by olivia dade / geekerella by ashley poston, so if you loved any / all of those books, i definitely recommend checking this out! or, if you loved wesliz (better than the movies by lynn painter) or jaspermadeline (last chance books by kelsey rodkey), then also check it out, because stellawesley reminded me of both of those couples so much.
i hope if you read it, you have a fun time!! :)
stella and wesley are academic rivals who are neck-to-neck in the battle for valedictorian. while they can't stand each other in real life, they both love the same tv show and as a result, end up chatting on a fan forum under aliases. wesley creates fanart for the show, while stella writes fanfic, and both appreciate the other's art forms which is soo cute omg. they're also both going solo to a fan convention and decide that's where they'll meet each in-person and agree to keep their identities secret until then hehe.
meanwhile, in real life, wesley and stella are paired together for a biology project, which neither of them is thrilled about. but because of this, they slowly start to warm up to each other while coparenting a supposedly cute rat.
also, neither of them has liked the other since "forever"; they both very much hate each other: as evident from the prank wars they start. but everyone around them can practically see the heart eyes popping out of their heads for the other so. we love lovesick teenagers in denial 😌
ALSO!! one of my favorite parts of this book was all the additional elements embedded into the story! not only did it have text messages; it also featured script snippets from the tv show stella and wesley love, as well as posts from the fan forum AND MY FAVORITE - the first chapter from the fanfic stella writes!! like that was sooo cool to me omg.
this book was written for anyone who's ever been a fan of a tv show, movie, book, what have you. i will say, that if you're someone who cringes at the mention of pop culture/social media/fandom lingo in books, then that's something to be aware of before going into this book, because it features a lot of it. personally, it made the fangirl heart in me very giddy, so i loved it!
but yeah, this book is the literal mash-up between today tonight tomorrow by rachel lynn solomon and spoiler alert by olivia dade / geekerella by ashley poston, so if you loved any / all of those books, i definitely recommend checking this out! or, if you loved wesliz (better than the movies by lynn painter) or jaspermadeline (last chance books by kelsey rodkey), then also check it out, because stellawesley reminded me of both of those couples so much.
i hope if you read it, you have a fun time!! :)
Read
June 29, 2021“‘I don’t know. No one ever asks a sports fanatic who spends hundreds of dollars on season tickets and paints their face for every game why they don’t care about real issues.’”
Stella Greene is a senior at Gene Connolly Memorial High School, fighting for her spot as valedictorian. Stella’s rival, Wesley Clarke, is her opposite in almost every way. Where Stella lives in a cramped apartment with her workaholic mom, disabled stepdad, and high school dropout sister with a baby, Wesley lives in a mansion with a lawyer for a mom and a business owner for a dad. While it seems that Wesley has it all, he has his own reasons for wanting the title of Valedictorian and the full ride scholarship that comes with it. When Wesley decides that this is the year he will finally attend SciCon, he searches the Warship Seven fan site to find someone to go with. While Stella and Welsey battle in a prank war, they grow closer together under their Warship Seven online aliases and plan to meet at SciCon.
Shipped is a cute, nerdy, and loveable story. Stella is a strong character, and we see her devotion to earning the Valedictorian title and scholarship, to her complex family, and to the Warship Seven fandom (and non-canon ship). I really enjoyed the discussions this book creates about prejudice within and about fandoms. Tate addresses the sexism that is prevalent in many fandoms and the hypocrisy of sports fans “justifiably” spending copious amounts of money on merchandise but spending money on merchandise for one’s favorite show or book is weird. This book shows how both Wesley and Stella deal with difficult family situations while trying to grow away from their home lives and learn about love. Reading this story made me want to go to SciCon and have my own silly experiences with cosplay. If you are looking for an enemies to lovers, dual POV, fandom driven romance, Shipped just might be the perfect fit for you!
Content Warnings: Poverty, TV Violence, Online Fandom Bullying and Sexism, Mention of Sexual Assault
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Stella Greene is a senior at Gene Connolly Memorial High School, fighting for her spot as valedictorian. Stella’s rival, Wesley Clarke, is her opposite in almost every way. Where Stella lives in a cramped apartment with her workaholic mom, disabled stepdad, and high school dropout sister with a baby, Wesley lives in a mansion with a lawyer for a mom and a business owner for a dad. While it seems that Wesley has it all, he has his own reasons for wanting the title of Valedictorian and the full ride scholarship that comes with it. When Wesley decides that this is the year he will finally attend SciCon, he searches the Warship Seven fan site to find someone to go with. While Stella and Welsey battle in a prank war, they grow closer together under their Warship Seven online aliases and plan to meet at SciCon.
Shipped is a cute, nerdy, and loveable story. Stella is a strong character, and we see her devotion to earning the Valedictorian title and scholarship, to her complex family, and to the Warship Seven fandom (and non-canon ship). I really enjoyed the discussions this book creates about prejudice within and about fandoms. Tate addresses the sexism that is prevalent in many fandoms and the hypocrisy of sports fans “justifiably” spending copious amounts of money on merchandise but spending money on merchandise for one’s favorite show or book is weird. This book shows how both Wesley and Stella deal with difficult family situations while trying to grow away from their home lives and learn about love. Reading this story made me want to go to SciCon and have my own silly experiences with cosplay. If you are looking for an enemies to lovers, dual POV, fandom driven romance, Shipped just might be the perfect fit for you!
Content Warnings: Poverty, TV Violence, Online Fandom Bullying and Sexism, Mention of Sexual Assault
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
February 28, 2023
This book is everything fun and exciting about being a teenager!!! And all of the reasons why I chose to never be one.
September 14, 2024
I felt like the end and the entire romance plot was too rushed BUT I loved the whole Warship Seven thing that was amazing
December 25, 2021
3.5 stars
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