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Top Choice
A female-run society. An ambitious girl driven to become its' leader. An unruly boy fighting to overthrow it. Only one of them can win… But will they both lose their hearts?
After her first night at the infamous Choice Club, 18-year-old Alice gets swept up in the glitzy haze of freedom and in the smoldering gaze of one of the club’s Top Choice boys: Tag MacPhail. He’s meant to be a pretty distraction at a time when everything else in girls’ lives is complicated. Until Alice starts to notice there might be more to Tag than just good looks and charm.
Until she starts to suspect that he might be dangerous.
Alice believes Tag is part of a secret rebel group fighting to overturn the matriarchal regime her ancestors worked so hard to put in place. And now she’s determined to prove that her suspicions are right and bring Tag and the other insurgents to justice… because this is her chance to finally prove herself worthy of her family name. And if there’s one thing she’s learned growing up in the world of politics, it’s to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Only Alice didn’t count on the fact that getting closer to Tag would upend everything she thought she knew.
As alliances blur, conspiracies erupt, and violence escalates, Alice is forced to make the toughest decision of her life: is she willing to betray everything she was raised to protect, for a boy she’s not even sure she can trust?
Step through the shimmering doors of the Choice Club, into a world that will dazzle you one moment, shock you the next, and enthrall you throughout.
After her first night at the infamous Choice Club, 18-year-old Alice gets swept up in the glitzy haze of freedom and in the smoldering gaze of one of the club’s Top Choice boys: Tag MacPhail. He’s meant to be a pretty distraction at a time when everything else in girls’ lives is complicated. Until Alice starts to notice there might be more to Tag than just good looks and charm.
Until she starts to suspect that he might be dangerous.
Alice believes Tag is part of a secret rebel group fighting to overturn the matriarchal regime her ancestors worked so hard to put in place. And now she’s determined to prove that her suspicions are right and bring Tag and the other insurgents to justice… because this is her chance to finally prove herself worthy of her family name. And if there’s one thing she’s learned growing up in the world of politics, it’s to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Only Alice didn’t count on the fact that getting closer to Tag would upend everything she thought she knew.
As alliances blur, conspiracies erupt, and violence escalates, Alice is forced to make the toughest decision of her life: is she willing to betray everything she was raised to protect, for a boy she’s not even sure she can trust?
Step through the shimmering doors of the Choice Club, into a world that will dazzle you one moment, shock you the next, and enthrall you throughout.
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First published April 10, 2018
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About the author
Sophie McAloon
5 books41 followersAward winning author Sophie McAloon writes YA fiction with relatable heroines and rebellious heroes. Enemies-to-lovers fans will devour the slow burn romance, witty banter, and happily-ever-after that she delivers in all her stories. Sophie, who is a proud Canadian, loves spontaneous road trips, marshmallow bananas, rainy Sunday afternoons, and browsing bookstores for hours.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 29, 2021
If the books of Christina Dalcher and Scott Westerfield's Uglies got together over drinks and male strippers (hang on there fellow prudes: it's clean! Kissing, fade to black, insinuations, nothing unrealistic or inappropriate for YA), the resulting young adult dystopian romance might look a little something like this. One for fans of the sort of "how would we realistically get there?" dystopias, it's a little silly yes, but if you aren't here for serious spec-fic there's an interesting a surprisingly nuanced look at the ideas of gender privilege as well as a serious case of #itscomplicated romance. It does do a bit of a Dalcher in the end, but unless you want big explosions and kids unrealistically taking down the big government baddies with bombast, I'm not sure it matters. It's not an action-adventure; it's got a message.
Our leading lady is Alice Kearns, newly turned 18 and able for the first time to go to the Top Choice Club. What is Top Choice? A government-mandated letting off steam spot for all the young girls of the capitol where they can party, drink, dance... And flirt with the boys. But not just any boys, no, Government-mandated boy-toys picked for their looks and kept living in luxury by the Choice clubs. Because this future world is run by girls, and sometimes they just wanna have fun. Yet when Alice meets Tag, a gorgeous Top Choice boy, she can't get him out of her head. He's at the club. He's at her school. And suddenly he's in her life in ways that aren't allowed, because being Top Choice means you can look, you can touch, you can go all the way... But you can never, ever love. When it turns out that Tag might have more going on behind those pretty eyes than just calculating popularity scores, Alice starts to fear she's lost her heart not only to an unobtainable boy, but a dangerous one.
On paper, I shouldn't have liked this one at all. Slightly silly dystopian future plus romance? Not usually my jam... But the narration. Alice felt like a believable teenager in an unbelievable world; a genuine YA voice. Something about her narration pulled me in from the first few pages, and as we started to follow Alice through her gender privileged coming of age, it really got me thinking. I don't know if it was written in order to look at how messed up gender-based privileged is, because that's usually written Handmaid's Tale-style from the POV of an oppressed woman, but the way in which it makes things Alice and her politician mother believe seem ridiculous can make you question our own world. Is this how oblivious guys are? And is it alright for girls in a world where they hold all the power to make creepy comments about how hawt guys are/proposition them in ways that if a guy did it in our world, it would be considered really really wrong?
I think the reason the dystopian setting did work for me was because it didn't go into too much of how it came about. There's something about how only those with high IQs are allowed to vote, and how a new amendment took away rights from males because of their tendency to solve things with violence, but not much more. Sure,it'd be more believable if it had taken longer, maybe had some more ideas on the exact how (Step 1: insist on high IQs for voting rights - Step 2: ensure women are more educated than men - Step 3: do something about the male-dominated military and gun-toters so they're fine with all this??? - Step 4: profit), but we're seeing it through the eyes of a nonchalant teenager who only cares about high grades and socializing. Alice is sick of hearing how her family helped create this female utopia, so blocks it out. Hey, it's YA, it's romance; go with the flow. Plus there are plenty of weird but thought through details that add to the world described (how the gender-reversed society teaches pretty guys to weaponize sexuality, or the Donor and *ahem* Deposits system was creepy but clever). Though I got a little confused by all the talk of Cards (cell phone-like things?) and Flashes (interactive... things. Like web pages/articles/videos all rolled into one. I think.)
The romance is a very strange one. It's not enemies to lovers in the insta-hate/insta-love, constant arguing for no reason then snogging for no reason that so many YA romances seem to think is a great formula. There are arguments and make-out sessions, but everything felt justified to me, like I understood why Alice felt the way she did at the time. She's not some butt-kicking Katniss Everdeen - she's a kid. A reasonably clever, but very conflicted, kid. She's one of the few YA heroines I've read I haven't wanted to shake some sense into, even when she does things that are questionable. I related to how confusing teenage emotions can be, stemming from awkward meetings and glances. I loved the does he/doesn't he vibes we get from Tag all along; it keeps you on your toes trying to work out why he's doing what he does.
Now the things that didn't quite hit the sweet spot for me were the way some coincidences seemed too easily gained and not explained well in how the world works () or how some of the rebel plot line seemed a bit too woolly to really have ever worked (). I said the story does a bit of a Dalcher at the end, and how much you mind will depend on if you're here for action or if you'd prefer a (slightly unrealistic in the setting) message of how things could be solved. I both wanted more drama... But felt the message was still a good one for a YA that took the hypocrisy of the standard dumb/stubborn YA adult characters and threw it back in their faces.
Rounded up the stars because while it wasn't quite as dramatic or fleshed out as I'd like, I was pretty much hooked on it the entire time. And this when it is totally not my thing. Big respect to a writer who can make you want to read outside of your usual zone and keep you guessing right until the very (convenient!) end.
Our leading lady is Alice Kearns, newly turned 18 and able for the first time to go to the Top Choice Club. What is Top Choice? A government-mandated letting off steam spot for all the young girls of the capitol where they can party, drink, dance... And flirt with the boys. But not just any boys, no, Government-mandated boy-toys picked for their looks and kept living in luxury by the Choice clubs. Because this future world is run by girls, and sometimes they just wanna have fun. Yet when Alice meets Tag, a gorgeous Top Choice boy, she can't get him out of her head. He's at the club. He's at her school. And suddenly he's in her life in ways that aren't allowed, because being Top Choice means you can look, you can touch, you can go all the way... But you can never, ever love. When it turns out that Tag might have more going on behind those pretty eyes than just calculating popularity scores, Alice starts to fear she's lost her heart not only to an unobtainable boy, but a dangerous one.
On paper, I shouldn't have liked this one at all. Slightly silly dystopian future plus romance? Not usually my jam... But the narration. Alice felt like a believable teenager in an unbelievable world; a genuine YA voice. Something about her narration pulled me in from the first few pages, and as we started to follow Alice through her gender privileged coming of age, it really got me thinking. I don't know if it was written in order to look at how messed up gender-based privileged is, because that's usually written Handmaid's Tale-style from the POV of an oppressed woman, but the way in which it makes things Alice and her politician mother believe seem ridiculous can make you question our own world. Is this how oblivious guys are? And is it alright for girls in a world where they hold all the power to make creepy comments about how hawt guys are/proposition them in ways that if a guy did it in our world, it would be considered really really wrong?
I think the reason the dystopian setting did work for me was because it didn't go into too much of how it came about. There's something about how only those with high IQs are allowed to vote, and how a new amendment took away rights from males because of their tendency to solve things with violence, but not much more. Sure,it'd be more believable if it had taken longer, maybe had some more ideas on the exact how (Step 1: insist on high IQs for voting rights - Step 2: ensure women are more educated than men - Step 3: do something about the male-dominated military and gun-toters so they're fine with all this??? - Step 4: profit), but we're seeing it through the eyes of a nonchalant teenager who only cares about high grades and socializing. Alice is sick of hearing how her family helped create this female utopia, so blocks it out. Hey, it's YA, it's romance; go with the flow. Plus there are plenty of weird but thought through details that add to the world described (how the gender-reversed society teaches pretty guys to weaponize sexuality, or the Donor and *ahem* Deposits system was creepy but clever). Though I got a little confused by all the talk of Cards (cell phone-like things?) and Flashes (interactive... things. Like web pages/articles/videos all rolled into one. I think.)
The romance is a very strange one. It's not enemies to lovers in the insta-hate/insta-love, constant arguing for no reason then snogging for no reason that so many YA romances seem to think is a great formula. There are arguments and make-out sessions, but everything felt justified to me, like I understood why Alice felt the way she did at the time. She's not some butt-kicking Katniss Everdeen - she's a kid. A reasonably clever, but very conflicted, kid. She's one of the few YA heroines I've read I haven't wanted to shake some sense into, even when she does things that are questionable. I related to how confusing teenage emotions can be, stemming from awkward meetings and glances. I loved the does he/doesn't he vibes we get from Tag all along; it keeps you on your toes trying to work out why he's doing what he does.
Now the things that didn't quite hit the sweet spot for me were the way some coincidences seemed too easily gained and not explained well in how the world works () or how some of the rebel plot line seemed a bit too woolly to really have ever worked (). I said the story does a bit of a Dalcher at the end, and how much you mind will depend on if you're here for action or if you'd prefer a (slightly unrealistic in the setting) message of how things could be solved. I both wanted more drama... But felt the message was still a good one for a YA that took the hypocrisy of the standard dumb/stubborn YA adult characters and threw it back in their faces.
Rounded up the stars because while it wasn't quite as dramatic or fleshed out as I'd like, I was pretty much hooked on it the entire time. And this when it is totally not my thing. Big respect to a writer who can make you want to read outside of your usual zone and keep you guessing right until the very (convenient!) end.
unfinished
January 31, 2020**DNF'D at 23% (start of chapter 7)**
**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
I was really excited to start this story thanks to its intriguing premise. The idea of a matriarchal society where the gender roles seemed to be switched was so interesting!
And with a premise like this, you need solid world building and this one lacked it for me. I didn't get why everyone had "Cards" or what "Top Choice" was or why society had evolved in this direction in the first place. So I struggled to understand what the setting was and why the characters were acting a certain way because of it.
I also got mixed feelings about the romance. It was this weird insta-love that stemmed from insta-hate and only seemed to evolve because Alice simply saw him, not because she interacted with Tag.
**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
I was really excited to start this story thanks to its intriguing premise. The idea of a matriarchal society where the gender roles seemed to be switched was so interesting!
And with a premise like this, you need solid world building and this one lacked it for me. I didn't get why everyone had "Cards" or what "Top Choice" was or why society had evolved in this direction in the first place. So I struggled to understand what the setting was and why the characters were acting a certain way because of it.
I also got mixed feelings about the romance. It was this weird insta-love that stemmed from insta-hate and only seemed to evolve because Alice simply saw him, not because she interacted with Tag.
June 22, 2018
I’m not usually one for science fiction. However, when I read the description of Top Choice—in which a society exists where men and women’s power roles, as we know them, have been switched—the curious feminist in me couldn’t resist. And that curious feminist was not disappointed.
The pacing was extremely well done. In so many romance novels, I feel like the instant electricity between the two main characters is so exaggerated that it’s almost laughable. However, McAloon manages to create a story in which the hero and heroine are given the chance to truly get to know each other and form a connection—both emotionally and physically. The pace is believable but not so slow that McAloon risked losing my interest. Ali’s mother also forbids them from being together, which of course adds a good bit of fun!
However, as Ali and Tag grow closer, Ali struggles with knowing whether Tag truly has feelings for her or whether he is simply manipulating her with ulterior motives in mind. In other romance novels I’ve read, the author will switch between the hero’s and the heroine’s respective points of view, but not here. McAloon’s choice to tell the story only from Ali’s point of view allows us to wonder about Tag’s motives right along with her, which had me constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
As a woman and a staunch feminist, I’m used to identifying with the underdog. However, I had an odd feeling throughout the novel of being torn. On one hand, I wanted the Violent Sentinels’ (the rebel group mentioned in the Amazon summary) cause to triumph and for men to gain the right to vote and be educated. That’s democracy. That’s human rights. However, on the other hand, I didn’t want the Sentinels to win. I didn’t want the women in this society to be forced to cede any power to the men. Part of this is my own pettiness. Like, haha! Now maybe you’ll realize how it feels to have your rights stripped and then dictated to you by people who have no idea what it’s like to live inside of your oppressed body. Another part of it is knowing that men had their chance with the world, for thousands of years, and they ruined it. Now it’s our turn to see if we can do better. Like I said, the entire novel is told from Ali’s point of view—descended from a long line of powerful females who have been instrumental in the seizing of power from men—so what I know of the society is biased. She tells us how Rape Culture and incidents of domestic violence have all but disappeared, how the number of murders has decreased phenomenally. It seems better. But still, in the back of my head is the voice: but it’s not equal. Like I said, I was torn throughout the novel regarding which side I would be on, were I a member of this particular society. Not only was that fascinating to think about, but it also added layer after layer to McAloon’s work.
One memorable passage along these lines:
“You know what they’re doing is wrong.”
“Yeah,” I pause. “But so is what you guys are doing. It’s not about equality anymore. It’s about power now. For both sides.”
He drops his head back and exhales, then lets his swollen lids fall closed. His breathing slows and it makes me wonder how long it’s been since he slept. Then he speaks again.
“It is about power. About taking it back – making them pay for all their messed-up rules, and their power-trips, and all the barriers they put up to keep us down.”
I wish that we learned more about the actual women-led society in which they were living. We are given snippets here and there. Men cannot vote. Men are largely uneducated. Forced sterility for criminal men is apparently a thing. But I wish we knew more than just those small bits. I wanted details! This is a good thing, because it means that I found the setting so interesting that I was craving more!
McAloon briefly describes the dystopian aspects of the novel here: “The rows of apartment complexes and townhomes here are all covered in ad Flashes. Commercials and giant images play across the entire surface of each street-facing wall. It’s only in the richer neighborhoods that homes are completely Flash-free. Anywhere else, people willingly offer up their exterior wall-space for extra income. It takes a lot of money to go non-digital, from smaller items like books, games, and vintage appliances, to the bigger possessions – like wall space.”
Ali’s mother also acts as a symbol of their dystopia. Her constant, eerie repetition of the phrase, “We’re doing the right thing,” is to her city and her people, what George Orwell’s unforgettable mantra of “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength,” is to the poor inhabitants of his novel 1984.
One problem I had was that bisexuality isn’t really treated as being a real thing. So as to avoid spoilers, I won’t name names, but… At one point, a high-profile man is seen coming out of a VIP room with a Choice guy. Ali (having thought the Choice guy was straight up until this point) immediately changes her mind and assumes that he must be gay. The option of bisexuality is not even entertained as a possibility. For such a liberal society, their ideas regarding the spectrum of sexual identity is still clearly lacking.
Still, my complaints are few. Overall, Top Choice kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through, wanting to find out what would happen next. Not only that—it also had my mind constantly wrestling with ambiguous ethical dilemmas, as well as questioning any feelings it brought up that weren’t 100% politically correct. I would definitely recommend Top Choice. It appeals to a wide range of readers, from romance lovers to science fiction junkies.
The pacing was extremely well done. In so many romance novels, I feel like the instant electricity between the two main characters is so exaggerated that it’s almost laughable. However, McAloon manages to create a story in which the hero and heroine are given the chance to truly get to know each other and form a connection—both emotionally and physically. The pace is believable but not so slow that McAloon risked losing my interest. Ali’s mother also forbids them from being together, which of course adds a good bit of fun!
However, as Ali and Tag grow closer, Ali struggles with knowing whether Tag truly has feelings for her or whether he is simply manipulating her with ulterior motives in mind. In other romance novels I’ve read, the author will switch between the hero’s and the heroine’s respective points of view, but not here. McAloon’s choice to tell the story only from Ali’s point of view allows us to wonder about Tag’s motives right along with her, which had me constantly guessing what was going to happen next.
As a woman and a staunch feminist, I’m used to identifying with the underdog. However, I had an odd feeling throughout the novel of being torn. On one hand, I wanted the Violent Sentinels’ (the rebel group mentioned in the Amazon summary) cause to triumph and for men to gain the right to vote and be educated. That’s democracy. That’s human rights. However, on the other hand, I didn’t want the Sentinels to win. I didn’t want the women in this society to be forced to cede any power to the men. Part of this is my own pettiness. Like, haha! Now maybe you’ll realize how it feels to have your rights stripped and then dictated to you by people who have no idea what it’s like to live inside of your oppressed body. Another part of it is knowing that men had their chance with the world, for thousands of years, and they ruined it. Now it’s our turn to see if we can do better. Like I said, the entire novel is told from Ali’s point of view—descended from a long line of powerful females who have been instrumental in the seizing of power from men—so what I know of the society is biased. She tells us how Rape Culture and incidents of domestic violence have all but disappeared, how the number of murders has decreased phenomenally. It seems better. But still, in the back of my head is the voice: but it’s not equal. Like I said, I was torn throughout the novel regarding which side I would be on, were I a member of this particular society. Not only was that fascinating to think about, but it also added layer after layer to McAloon’s work.
One memorable passage along these lines:
“You know what they’re doing is wrong.”
“Yeah,” I pause. “But so is what you guys are doing. It’s not about equality anymore. It’s about power now. For both sides.”
He drops his head back and exhales, then lets his swollen lids fall closed. His breathing slows and it makes me wonder how long it’s been since he slept. Then he speaks again.
“It is about power. About taking it back – making them pay for all their messed-up rules, and their power-trips, and all the barriers they put up to keep us down.”
I wish that we learned more about the actual women-led society in which they were living. We are given snippets here and there. Men cannot vote. Men are largely uneducated. Forced sterility for criminal men is apparently a thing. But I wish we knew more than just those small bits. I wanted details! This is a good thing, because it means that I found the setting so interesting that I was craving more!
McAloon briefly describes the dystopian aspects of the novel here: “The rows of apartment complexes and townhomes here are all covered in ad Flashes. Commercials and giant images play across the entire surface of each street-facing wall. It’s only in the richer neighborhoods that homes are completely Flash-free. Anywhere else, people willingly offer up their exterior wall-space for extra income. It takes a lot of money to go non-digital, from smaller items like books, games, and vintage appliances, to the bigger possessions – like wall space.”
Ali’s mother also acts as a symbol of their dystopia. Her constant, eerie repetition of the phrase, “We’re doing the right thing,” is to her city and her people, what George Orwell’s unforgettable mantra of “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength,” is to the poor inhabitants of his novel 1984.
One problem I had was that bisexuality isn’t really treated as being a real thing. So as to avoid spoilers, I won’t name names, but… At one point, a high-profile man is seen coming out of a VIP room with a Choice guy. Ali (having thought the Choice guy was straight up until this point) immediately changes her mind and assumes that he must be gay. The option of bisexuality is not even entertained as a possibility. For such a liberal society, their ideas regarding the spectrum of sexual identity is still clearly lacking.
Still, my complaints are few. Overall, Top Choice kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through, wanting to find out what would happen next. Not only that—it also had my mind constantly wrestling with ambiguous ethical dilemmas, as well as questioning any feelings it brought up that weren’t 100% politically correct. I would definitely recommend Top Choice. It appeals to a wide range of readers, from romance lovers to science fiction junkies.
June 15, 2018
Billed as a YA dystopian romance, Sophie McAloon’s Top Choice falls somewhat short of the latter two characterizations. Details of the world are scarce, and while the romance takes time to develop, it has hallmarks of insta-love.
Top Choice takes place in a future USA very different from our own. A high school education is required to vote - and so are ovaries. Alice Kearns, the protagonist, is the granddaughter of the country’s first female president, who instituted these and other changes regarding men’s rights.
The problem for me is that characters like Alice’s dad seem to accept this new system as the status quo. If they were alive when a patriarchal system was in place, it’s hard to picture them accepting female rule as a new reality. This is particularly grating because our male protagonist, Tag, is working with a group of men’s rights activists (think women’s lib, not incels). The story would have benefited from a larger generational gap.
I also felt like the story ended somewhat abruptly and without any real resolution. The future was still uncertain, the big bad had not been defeated, etc etc. It was not very satisfying.
Pros:
Easy read - finished in an afternoon
Enjoyable story
Interesting look at gender politics
Cons:
I had trouble reconciling some character behavior with logical thought processes (both as mentioned above and elsewhere *spoilers* what rational group of women would let a violent radical be a cop?)
Instalove.
No real conclusion.
The world building was weak. No details were offered about how the matriarchy was established, or why, or even about the different ranking of men (choice, top choice, and prime).
Top Choice takes place in a future USA very different from our own. A high school education is required to vote - and so are ovaries. Alice Kearns, the protagonist, is the granddaughter of the country’s first female president, who instituted these and other changes regarding men’s rights.
The problem for me is that characters like Alice’s dad seem to accept this new system as the status quo. If they were alive when a patriarchal system was in place, it’s hard to picture them accepting female rule as a new reality. This is particularly grating because our male protagonist, Tag, is working with a group of men’s rights activists (think women’s lib, not incels). The story would have benefited from a larger generational gap.
I also felt like the story ended somewhat abruptly and without any real resolution. The future was still uncertain, the big bad had not been defeated, etc etc. It was not very satisfying.
Pros:
Easy read - finished in an afternoon
Enjoyable story
Interesting look at gender politics
Cons:
I had trouble reconciling some character behavior with logical thought processes (both as mentioned above and elsewhere *spoilers* what rational group of women would let a violent radical be a cop?)
Instalove.
No real conclusion.
The world building was weak. No details were offered about how the matriarchy was established, or why, or even about the different ranking of men (choice, top choice, and prime).
October 30, 2020
Interesting concept and an easy read. Can I envision any of this happening - maybe, but certainly not in the time frame the author uses. In two generations going from the current patriarchy in the US to a rather dystopian, absolute matriarchy (with a totalitarian bent) doesn't seem very likely absent some sort of cataclysmic event. I can imagine society changing and women having increasing power, but Top Choice has a society where men have no power whatsoever. That just doesn't make sense in 50 years. Few details are presented, and we have no idea what is happening in the rest of the world (why didn't the men who have means leave the country as they were losing their rights?).
I have a problem with Ali's mother. She is cartoonishly evil. And near the end her brother talks about fixing things between Ali and her mother. WTF? Her mother has her boyfriend sterilized and beaten within an inch of his life.
I did like the tension between the Ali and her mother, and the whole Choice thing was an intriguing concept. The book has good pacing and I read it in three days.
By the way, my feeling is that if you have half the population losing rights they already have, to make it believable it better happen worldwide, not just in one country. Otherwise, large multinationals like Amazon, Microsoft, et. al will stop doing business with the offending country. Companies like that will not have offices in a country where half the population will not qualify for a management job because they have restricted educational opportunities.
I have a problem with Ali's mother. She is cartoonishly evil. And near the end her brother talks about fixing things between Ali and her mother. WTF? Her mother has her boyfriend sterilized and beaten within an inch of his life.
I did like the tension between the Ali and her mother, and the whole Choice thing was an intriguing concept. The book has good pacing and I read it in three days.
By the way, my feeling is that if you have half the population losing rights they already have, to make it believable it better happen worldwide, not just in one country. Otherwise, large multinationals like Amazon, Microsoft, et. al will stop doing business with the offending country. Companies like that will not have offices in a country where half the population will not qualify for a management job because they have restricted educational opportunities.
September 23, 2018
The title is self explanatory
I wanted to leave a insightful review. To say how well this story is written and how it is a great read. Yet, I keep looking back up to the title and I realize it all comes down to your choice of you would like to read a story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. A story we can all relate to on some level. My opinion may or may not matter in the grand scheme of things, but I will say this... As an avid reader of many genres I have many favorite books but Top Choice has become the top choice of my reading list. I must add at the end of this book, Ms McAloon asked a series of in-depth questions. All related in some form or another regarding what we just read. Most i was able to come to some type of answer to, but one has left me questioning the automatic response I might have given before reading. If you do choose to read this book, think about this question.
"Who would you protect first: a family member you love but with values you believe are wrong – or someone who is just an acquaintance but with values you know to be right?"
I wanted to leave a insightful review. To say how well this story is written and how it is a great read. Yet, I keep looking back up to the title and I realize it all comes down to your choice of you would like to read a story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. A story we can all relate to on some level. My opinion may or may not matter in the grand scheme of things, but I will say this... As an avid reader of many genres I have many favorite books but Top Choice has become the top choice of my reading list. I must add at the end of this book, Ms McAloon asked a series of in-depth questions. All related in some form or another regarding what we just read. Most i was able to come to some type of answer to, but one has left me questioning the automatic response I might have given before reading. If you do choose to read this book, think about this question.
"Who would you protect first: a family member you love but with values you believe are wrong – or someone who is just an acquaintance but with values you know to be right?"
June 20, 2018
Gender Swapped Alternative Future
This says its a YA dystopian romance. No romance just sex and lust. Not dystopian but alternative future
I wasn't very impressed with the story or the characters. The female led society was exactly like the male led society and in some cases worse. I really don't feel like this an viable future. The characters were pretty 1-dimensional and stereotypical.
The story line was pretty cut and dry. Good naive girl, bad worldly boy fall in love, blow shit up, parent is evil, society is evil, blah blah blah
The ending was less than stellar and didn't feel like an ending.
This says its a YA dystopian romance. No romance just sex and lust. Not dystopian but alternative future
I wasn't very impressed with the story or the characters. The female led society was exactly like the male led society and in some cases worse. I really don't feel like this an viable future. The characters were pretty 1-dimensional and stereotypical.
The story line was pretty cut and dry. Good naive girl, bad worldly boy fall in love, blow shit up, parent is evil, society is evil, blah blah blah
The ending was less than stellar and didn't feel like an ending.
stopped-reading
February 26, 2024DNF at 6%
I wanted to read this book because I read another one by the author (Even in the Rain) which I really really liked and to be honest I kind of liked the cover. 😀
But it became very quickly clear to me that I didn’t like the setup, the background of the story. The way the guys at the club were treated, the views on relationships and having kids… I know it’s supposed to be uncomfortable, it’s a Dystopian YA book with reversed roles in society for men and women, but it wasn’t for me. I tried to get more into the story but when I read through a few reviews and saw that it supposedly has a bad ending I DNFed. I just need my HEA or at least a hopeful ending in my books.
I wanted to read this book because I read another one by the author (Even in the Rain) which I really really liked and to be honest I kind of liked the cover. 😀
But it became very quickly clear to me that I didn’t like the setup, the background of the story. The way the guys at the club were treated, the views on relationships and having kids… I know it’s supposed to be uncomfortable, it’s a Dystopian YA book with reversed roles in society for men and women, but it wasn’t for me. I tried to get more into the story but when I read through a few reviews and saw that it supposedly has a bad ending I DNFed. I just need my HEA or at least a hopeful ending in my books.
April 21, 2018
A NEW SENSATION JUST HIT BIG!!!
Wonderfully written, smooth flowing, well defined, easy to follow read with twists and turns and few surprises around every corner. The characters and scenes were intriguing and gripping. The characters were realistic and believable. Graphic detailed descriptions were on point as the personalities if the characters and their personalities transformed and blended. Sophie did a remarkable job bringing this read together beautifully. Great job Sophie and thanks for sharing.
Wonderfully written, smooth flowing, well defined, easy to follow read with twists and turns and few surprises around every corner. The characters and scenes were intriguing and gripping. The characters were realistic and believable. Graphic detailed descriptions were on point as the personalities if the characters and their personalities transformed and blended. Sophie did a remarkable job bringing this read together beautifully. Great job Sophie and thanks for sharing.
May 27, 2018
I read every Dystopian novel I can get my hands on. I'm a total sucker for the genre! I couldn't wait to crack this one open. When I did, I was completely surprised by the female led political system the characters lived in. This was the most unique Dystopian novel I've read so far, and was really intrigued by the gender and equality issues the story addresses. McAloon took a bold move and really flipped our ideas on gender around, an really made me see the world from a different perspective. I couldn't put this book down and loved every morsel!
June 16, 2018
I got sucked in and couldn’t get out until the last sentence!
This is some harsh alternative reality, where only women are in charge, and I’m glad it’s only fiction.
But during these escalating tensions the most important ones get a fight worth fighting for.
Full of passionate encounters!
Quote:
'Or maybe neither of us understands what the hell we’re doing and we’re both just tired and young and it’s really our emotions that are controlling us. I hope that’s the way it is, because that sounds the most normal. And right now, normal would be nice… Normal would be perfect.'
This is some harsh alternative reality, where only women are in charge, and I’m glad it’s only fiction.
But during these escalating tensions the most important ones get a fight worth fighting for.
Full of passionate encounters!
Quote:
'Or maybe neither of us understands what the hell we’re doing and we’re both just tired and young and it’s really our emotions that are controlling us. I hope that’s the way it is, because that sounds the most normal. And right now, normal would be nice… Normal would be perfect.'
July 12, 2021
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This was a fun story. It’s not a genre that I usually read but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The whole concept was a bit hard to understand at first but after getting into the rhythm of the novel, I understood it. I would have liked a chapter or something in the starting explaining what was going on in this new world. The story was easy to follow and I truly enjoyed this novel. I loved the writing style and look forwards to reading more of this author’s novels.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun story. It’s not a genre that I usually read but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The whole concept was a bit hard to understand at first but after getting into the rhythm of the novel, I understood it. I would have liked a chapter or something in the starting explaining what was going on in this new world. The story was easy to follow and I truly enjoyed this novel. I loved the writing style and look forwards to reading more of this author’s novels.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2019
This was a book that made you think, but was fun to read at the same time. I was pulled into the story right away and stayed up too late because I wanted to find out what would happen next. The images in this book stood out to me most. The little details that immerse you in a world that is different than your own, and when you close the book, you feel as if you had been there. I hope there will be more to read from this author!
November 26, 2021
Who ends a book like that? Will there be another one? Will I read it? I wouldn't really put this in the dystopian category. Futuristic setting about all women in power, seems like a great concept until you read it. The women in power are no different from the men they took it from. Choice men are just eye candy. Glorified prostitutes. Could of been better. Maybe finish the book with a second one?
July 28, 2018
Excellent story! I would read more by this author.
October 7, 2018
Loved this story! Great plot movement and all the pieces came back around to fit together. Highly recommend!
December 27, 2018
great read!
April 14, 2019
This was just ok for me. I had hard time getting through this book. Didn't hold my interest.
June 17, 2019
Good rainy day romance
Good clean book. I love a book where a couple fight and love each other without all the swearing and sex.
Good clean book. I love a book where a couple fight and love each other without all the swearing and sex.
September 4, 2023
boringgggg
July 1, 2018
Dystopian YA. Futuristic spin on the world where women rule and men are treated like sex objects! Rebellion of course ensued!! Great 1st novel, congrats Sophie McAloon. Look forward to future works!
June 15, 2018
"I received an ARC copy of this book."
I really liked this book. It was really different. Alice and Tag really belonged together. At first she was really navie and trying g so hard to please everyone. Men in this book is pretty much a sex figure only. They are treated like idiots. I really like everything about how the story was written a played out. I liked all the characters and secrets envolved in telling this story. It was really odd to read a book where women are Superior in the world but this author made it fantastic to see play out on the pages. I really hated Ali's mom from the beginning but she was a fantastic bad guy in this book. Definitely want to read more. I hope there is more books after this one.
I really liked this book. It was really different. Alice and Tag really belonged together. At first she was really navie and trying g so hard to please everyone. Men in this book is pretty much a sex figure only. They are treated like idiots. I really like everything about how the story was written a played out. I liked all the characters and secrets envolved in telling this story. It was really odd to read a book where women are Superior in the world but this author made it fantastic to see play out on the pages. I really hated Ali's mom from the beginning but she was a fantastic bad guy in this book. Definitely want to read more. I hope there is more books after this one.
did-not-finish
July 16, 2018😛
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