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This Is Not the Jess Show #2
This Is Not the Real World
In the explosive, thrilling sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, 18-year-old Jess is out for revenge as she confronts the corrupt media empire that documented every moment of her childhood.
Finally free of Swickley and a life that was broadcast to the whole world on Stuck in the 90's, Jess is doing her best to adjust to existence on the outside–but she can't outrun her past forever.
Like-Life Productions has tracked down Jess and her boyfriend, Kipps, and forced Kipps to come back to set for the rest of his contract. Determined to rescue Kipps and exact revenge on Like-Life Productions for what they did to her, Jess teams up with a reporter who's investigating the seedy underbelly of the TV production company–including a series of suspicious disappearances. Jess agrees to return to set under the guise of missing her friends, family, and old life. Then she can take them down from the inside.
Jess must play along in order to gain the power she needs to expose the truth–but fact and fiction blur as Jess struggles to stay one step ahead of Like-Life Productions. How far will she go to maintain control of the narrative, and what will it cost her?
Packed with twists that race toward a shocking ending, this second book will keep you guessing.
Finally free of Swickley and a life that was broadcast to the whole world on Stuck in the 90's, Jess is doing her best to adjust to existence on the outside–but she can't outrun her past forever.
Like-Life Productions has tracked down Jess and her boyfriend, Kipps, and forced Kipps to come back to set for the rest of his contract. Determined to rescue Kipps and exact revenge on Like-Life Productions for what they did to her, Jess teams up with a reporter who's investigating the seedy underbelly of the TV production company–including a series of suspicious disappearances. Jess agrees to return to set under the guise of missing her friends, family, and old life. Then she can take them down from the inside.
Jess must play along in order to gain the power she needs to expose the truth–but fact and fiction blur as Jess struggles to stay one step ahead of Like-Life Productions. How far will she go to maintain control of the narrative, and what will it cost her?
Packed with twists that race toward a shocking ending, this second book will keep you guessing.
282 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2022
44 people are currently reading
4199 people want to read
About the author
Anna Carey
26 books2,312 followersAnna Carey has been a gift wrapper, face painter, nanny, horrific cocktail waitress, sofa saleswoman and children's book editor. She graduated from New York University and has an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she can be found writing, reading, and referencing 90s pop culture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
June 26, 2022
3.5 out of 5 stars.
This may only be a wishful thinking but I'm really hoping for a third book.
This may only be a wishful thinking but I'm really hoping for a third book.
April 26, 2022
Thank you to the author and Quirk Books for providing a physical copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The second book in a series can sometimes be weird. We know who our characters are, but maybe some parts of our story are still unclear. We are usually thinking, "Can this book REALLY be as good as the first?" For Anna Carey's sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, the answer is YES!
Just like the first book, Carey gives us so much suspense and many juicy details regarding the television show Jess Flynn was forced into at birth. Even after her escape from the Stuck in the '90s television set, Like-Life Productions's manipulation tactics did not stop. Tired of watching her friends suffer, she decides to return to the set in the name of revenge.
While it did take my brain a little bit to catch up and remember all of the events that transpired in book one, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I could even see there being a third installment. 😉 It was a fun, quick read that was simple yet engaging.
The second book in a series can sometimes be weird. We know who our characters are, but maybe some parts of our story are still unclear. We are usually thinking, "Can this book REALLY be as good as the first?" For Anna Carey's sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, the answer is YES!
Just like the first book, Carey gives us so much suspense and many juicy details regarding the television show Jess Flynn was forced into at birth. Even after her escape from the Stuck in the '90s television set, Like-Life Productions's manipulation tactics did not stop. Tired of watching her friends suffer, she decides to return to the set in the name of revenge.
While it did take my brain a little bit to catch up and remember all of the events that transpired in book one, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I could even see there being a third installment. 😉 It was a fun, quick read that was simple yet engaging.
July 9, 2022
Given the ending of book 1, I was skeptical whether the followup could be as good. But despite a slow start, This Is Not the Real World absolutely delivered on the same kind of page-turning thriller. It engages with reality television, social media, and how we tell the difference between what's real and what's not.
It's hard to talk in detail without spoiling book 1, but this book picks up where we left off before taking a hard turn back into the clutches of the people Jess worked so hard to escape. This one kept me up late because I wanted to see what would happen! Like I said, the beginning is a bit slow. But once things get going, I was entirely invested. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
It's hard to talk in detail without spoiling book 1, but this book picks up where we left off before taking a hard turn back into the clutches of the people Jess worked so hard to escape. This one kept me up late because I wanted to see what would happen! Like I said, the beginning is a bit slow. But once things get going, I was entirely invested. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2022
2.5, rounded up. A fun, light read that asks, “What if Truman had to go back to the Truman Show knowing it was all a lie?” A bit rushed, but depending on how quickly paced you like your books, that could be either a bug or a feature.
Thank you to Quirk Books for providing the book!
Thank you to Quirk Books for providing the book!
May 31, 2022
90’s Nostalgia ✔️
Dystopian Future ✔️
Reads like a Movie ✔️
This is Not the Real World is the sequel to Anna Carey’s This is Not the Jess Show and she continues to take us on a wild ride that is the real-life sitcom Stuck in the 90’s. We follow Jess and Kipps after they escape from the set of the television show when things take quite a turn for the worse. Kipps gets captured and the pair end up back under the grips of Chrysalis, the head producer on the show.
I flew through this series. It’s extremely bingeable. I found myself constantly picking up the book wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The ethics and question of morals is what I found most intriguing about both of these books. You don’t often find books that have you questioning the reality of life. These make you think deeply about what is going on behind the scenes of Hollywood. Are we living amongst a world that treats our favorite celebrities unsavory? Is there a chance that our future could be similar to how Anna Carey wrote it to be?
This Not the Real World covers a television production company taking over the world due to the advancement in entertainment and technology. These stories made me think deeply about what science, technology, entertainment and life is going to shape itself into. What is going on currently in our world that is being enhanced that could create a controversy and be questionable when it comes to ethics? This makes me think deeply about conspiracies around DNA testing kits like 23 and Me. What could these people do with our DNA in the future to make our world easier and more convenient?
I think that if Anna Carey wrote these books for adults, they could have been five stars. The young adult plot makes the best parts about the story feel juvenile. I loved Kipps and Jess’s young romance, it was a very cute addition and helped give the reader someone to root for. I really feel that Carey missed her chance on making a hit series by going for a younger audience.
This series is great! Adults can get nostalgia from all the 90’s references but it is catered to people who are fans of dystopian science-fiction. I highly recommend it for fans of Black Mirror with a little cross of young adult drama like Riverdale.
#QOTD: What is one trend from the 90’s that you think should come back?
Dystopian Future ✔️
Reads like a Movie ✔️
This is Not the Real World is the sequel to Anna Carey’s This is Not the Jess Show and she continues to take us on a wild ride that is the real-life sitcom Stuck in the 90’s. We follow Jess and Kipps after they escape from the set of the television show when things take quite a turn for the worse. Kipps gets captured and the pair end up back under the grips of Chrysalis, the head producer on the show.
I flew through this series. It’s extremely bingeable. I found myself constantly picking up the book wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The ethics and question of morals is what I found most intriguing about both of these books. You don’t often find books that have you questioning the reality of life. These make you think deeply about what is going on behind the scenes of Hollywood. Are we living amongst a world that treats our favorite celebrities unsavory? Is there a chance that our future could be similar to how Anna Carey wrote it to be?
This Not the Real World covers a television production company taking over the world due to the advancement in entertainment and technology. These stories made me think deeply about what science, technology, entertainment and life is going to shape itself into. What is going on currently in our world that is being enhanced that could create a controversy and be questionable when it comes to ethics? This makes me think deeply about conspiracies around DNA testing kits like 23 and Me. What could these people do with our DNA in the future to make our world easier and more convenient?
I think that if Anna Carey wrote these books for adults, they could have been five stars. The young adult plot makes the best parts about the story feel juvenile. I loved Kipps and Jess’s young romance, it was a very cute addition and helped give the reader someone to root for. I really feel that Carey missed her chance on making a hit series by going for a younger audience.
This series is great! Adults can get nostalgia from all the 90’s references but it is catered to people who are fans of dystopian science-fiction. I highly recommend it for fans of Black Mirror with a little cross of young adult drama like Riverdale.
#QOTD: What is one trend from the 90’s that you think should come back?
May 31, 2022
"I had to remind myself no-one had orchestrated it, that there was no-one behind a monitor somewhere waiting for Kipps to deliver a line that had been written for him. This was my life, as I wanted it to be. Kipps and I had created this."
A year after binge reading This Is Not The Jess Show in one day, I finally got to know what happened to Jess next, after she got out of the Life Like Productions set and ran away with her boyfriend, Kipps. We get to finally see the real Sara, Jess's sort of sister, and her mother, as they try to hide from the production team.
Of course, this sees Jess come back to Life Like Productions and the home she thought she knew. It was strange seeing it from a different angle, finally finding out the secret exits the cast had used and what they did outside of the show.
I'm still not sure if the ending felt a little lacking, or if I just wasn't ready to leave the characters yet. I know I would very much like one more book, to see what the whole cast did next and there's room for it, especially as we left Jess waiting for Kipps to come home.
A year after binge reading This Is Not The Jess Show in one day, I finally got to know what happened to Jess next, after she got out of the Life Like Productions set and ran away with her boyfriend, Kipps. We get to finally see the real Sara, Jess's sort of sister, and her mother, as they try to hide from the production team.
Of course, this sees Jess come back to Life Like Productions and the home she thought she knew. It was strange seeing it from a different angle, finally finding out the secret exits the cast had used and what they did outside of the show.
I'm still not sure if the ending felt a little lacking, or if I just wasn't ready to leave the characters yet. I know I would very much like one more book, to see what the whole cast did next and there's room for it, especially as we left Jess waiting for Kipps to come home.
August 2, 2024
So sad whyyy just reunite these kids alreadyyy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
[To read more reviews and see more bookish content visit my blog
>>> https://www.shesreading.blog]
Thank you to Quirk Book Publishing for kindly sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review whatsoever.
✰✰✰✰/5
🌶🌶/5
“We couldn't go back to being friends, because what we'd had wasn't a friendship. It was a job for her, lying to me all of those years.”
~Some Quick Stats~
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3.5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
This is Not the Real World by Anna Carey is the thrilling sequel to This is Not the Jess Show. The book takes many dark twists and turns, turning 90’s nostalgia into something else. This conclusion to the duology was a fast-paced read that kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. I read this whenever I could. However, the book didn't fully meet my expectations which is why it, unfortunately, did not receive the whole 5 stars.
~Characters~
This book followed Jess, our main character as she continued to navigate through the manipulative and abusive production company that produced the show, she unknowingly acted on for 14 years. There wasn’t much development on her part, but I didn’t mind that because the other characters' development made up for it. Characters that we didn’t get much information on in the previous book (Chrysalis, Kipps, Amber, etc.) were focused on in this one. I got to learn so much more about each character and see how they evolved throughout the book, plus how the production company affected them as well.
One thing I personally struggled with was that there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I repeatedly had to flip back to previous pages to figure out who people were. However, at the same time, I did enjoy having development with each character and how the characters weren’t just there to fill a spot.
~Plot~
This was a relatively fast-paced book, much like its previous book, This is Not The Jess Show. The plot also included so many events that took place immediately after each other. It definitely succeeded at being a thriller, because I was wide-eyed and clutching the book tightly in shock for most of the read. Those plot twists were phenomenal! Anna Carey really is a true master at thrilling the reader.
The book is only about 300 pages long, but I feel that extending it by a couple of hundred pages would allow events to be portrayed in more detail and leave fewer questions when the book ended. The plot also got quite chaotic near the end, with events overlapping and constant surprises. I wouldn’t say this was necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn’t a good thing either.
~Would I Recommend It?~
Overall, I would recommend this book! Actually, I recommend the duology as a whole. The books were thrilling, exciting and a wonderful ride to take. The sequel gave what needed to be given even though it didn't necessarily meet my expectations. I can’t wait to re-read this duology!
~Conclusion~
In conclusion, this was a delightful read and I can’t wait for it to be released so everyone experiences the same thrill that I did!
Releases May 24, 2022
Pre Order ➡️ amazon.com/thisisnottherealworld-anna...
Follow The Author ➡️ annacareybooks.com
Follow Quirk Books ➡️ quirkbooks.com
~Pre-Review~
now THAT was a lot of damage
Review to come.
>>> https://www.shesreading.blog]
Thank you to Quirk Book Publishing for kindly sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review whatsoever.
✰✰✰✰/5
🌶🌶/5
“We couldn't go back to being friends, because what we'd had wasn't a friendship. It was a job for her, lying to me all of those years.”
~Some Quick Stats~
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3.5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
This is Not the Real World by Anna Carey is the thrilling sequel to This is Not the Jess Show. The book takes many dark twists and turns, turning 90’s nostalgia into something else. This conclusion to the duology was a fast-paced read that kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. I read this whenever I could. However, the book didn't fully meet my expectations which is why it, unfortunately, did not receive the whole 5 stars.
~Characters~
This book followed Jess, our main character as she continued to navigate through the manipulative and abusive production company that produced the show, she unknowingly acted on for 14 years. There wasn’t much development on her part, but I didn’t mind that because the other characters' development made up for it. Characters that we didn’t get much information on in the previous book (Chrysalis, Kipps, Amber, etc.) were focused on in this one. I got to learn so much more about each character and see how they evolved throughout the book, plus how the production company affected them as well.
One thing I personally struggled with was that there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I repeatedly had to flip back to previous pages to figure out who people were. However, at the same time, I did enjoy having development with each character and how the characters weren’t just there to fill a spot.
~Plot~
This was a relatively fast-paced book, much like its previous book, This is Not The Jess Show. The plot also included so many events that took place immediately after each other. It definitely succeeded at being a thriller, because I was wide-eyed and clutching the book tightly in shock for most of the read. Those plot twists were phenomenal! Anna Carey really is a true master at thrilling the reader.
The book is only about 300 pages long, but I feel that extending it by a couple of hundred pages would allow events to be portrayed in more detail and leave fewer questions when the book ended. The plot also got quite chaotic near the end, with events overlapping and constant surprises. I wouldn’t say this was necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn’t a good thing either.
~Would I Recommend It?~
Overall, I would recommend this book! Actually, I recommend the duology as a whole. The books were thrilling, exciting and a wonderful ride to take. The sequel gave what needed to be given even though it didn't necessarily meet my expectations. I can’t wait to re-read this duology!
~Conclusion~
In conclusion, this was a delightful read and I can’t wait for it to be released so everyone experiences the same thrill that I did!
Releases May 24, 2022
Pre Order ➡️ amazon.com/thisisnottherealworld-anna...
Follow The Author ➡️ annacareybooks.com
Follow Quirk Books ➡️ quirkbooks.com
~Pre-Review~
now THAT was a lot of damage
Review to come.
May 26, 2022
This was an enjoyable and entertaining follow up to This Is Not The Jess Show!
Sequels can be hard to review sometimes as we’re always comparing them to the first and while I will admit a tiny bit of the magic was lost with this one, it was still a solidly fun continuation! I really liked that this one gave us some more detailed background information and character development and it was a suspenseful ride as we dove deeper into this new “world” and its hidden truths and secrets!
I flew through this quick and amusing story in a day and certainly recommend this series!
Sequels can be hard to review sometimes as we’re always comparing them to the first and while I will admit a tiny bit of the magic was lost with this one, it was still a solidly fun continuation! I really liked that this one gave us some more detailed background information and character development and it was a suspenseful ride as we dove deeper into this new “world” and its hidden truths and secrets!
I flew through this quick and amusing story in a day and certainly recommend this series!
April 30, 2023
This one, in my opinion, did not really meet the expectations of the first book. The storyline certainly continued though, and there was definitely lots of action and suspense, but there wasn’t a ton of resolve. I feel a third book coming, with the way this one ended. Sadly there was an inappropriate scene in the first quarter or so if this book. Not much was described but it was there. I liked getting to know a couple of the characters more in this book, but I find myself wishing I knew more.
t r i g g e r w a r n i n g s:
-*** scene (I’d say it’s probably milder than some)
-language (😩)
-a violent wreck scene
-deception
-parents fighting
-a few gay side characters (this played a very minuscule part in the book, but around 3 couples were mentioned. This disappointed me)
t r i g g e r w a r n i n g s:
-*** scene (I’d say it’s probably milder than some)
-language (😩)
-a violent wreck scene
-deception
-parents fighting
-a few gay side characters (this played a very minuscule part in the book, but around 3 couples were mentioned. This disappointed me)
July 6, 2023
SO. GOOD.
I wish there was an epilogue for Kipps' birthday
I am in love with Kipps Martin.
I wish there was an epilogue for Kipps' birthday
I am in love with Kipps Martin.
May 24, 2022
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This Is Not the Real World is a great sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show. The novel picks up a few months after the end of Jess Show. Most sequels are sometimes unnecessary, as the first book completely resolves the story and character arcs. This is not the case with Real World. Real World resolves both the story as well as Jess’s journey and relationship with the show.
This book is very fast paced. I think it would have been better to draw the story out more as to further explore the inner workings of the show, its audience, and to create more tension between Jess and the main antagonist, the show’s creator, Chrysalis.
I really love the novel’s setting. It's set in a future riddled with natural disasters and general depression. The show is set in the 90s, serving as a nostalgia trip to help the world cope with their present. In Jess Show we got to see how the set functioned as Jess’s life, while now in Real World, we get to see how it functions to be an efficient filming set. Unraveling the setting by pointing out hidden doors and cameras helps to illustrate the wrongness of everything, and reflects back to Jess’s entire life, and her not knowing any of this.
This Is Not the Real World is a great sequel, and expands upon its first book very well. If you read This Is Not the Jess Show, I highly recommend you check this one out.
This Is Not the Real World is a great sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show. The novel picks up a few months after the end of Jess Show. Most sequels are sometimes unnecessary, as the first book completely resolves the story and character arcs. This is not the case with Real World. Real World resolves both the story as well as Jess’s journey and relationship with the show.
This book is very fast paced. I think it would have been better to draw the story out more as to further explore the inner workings of the show, its audience, and to create more tension between Jess and the main antagonist, the show’s creator, Chrysalis.
I really love the novel’s setting. It's set in a future riddled with natural disasters and general depression. The show is set in the 90s, serving as a nostalgia trip to help the world cope with their present. In Jess Show we got to see how the set functioned as Jess’s life, while now in Real World, we get to see how it functions to be an efficient filming set. Unraveling the setting by pointing out hidden doors and cameras helps to illustrate the wrongness of everything, and reflects back to Jess’s entire life, and her not knowing any of this.
This Is Not the Real World is a great sequel, and expands upon its first book very well. If you read This Is Not the Jess Show, I highly recommend you check this one out.
July 23, 2022
Jess, finally free of her parents and "the Jess Show" has to make the hard decision to go back, when her still underage boyfriend is kidnapped and returned to the set. This has gone from Truman Show to full on dystopia, and possible murder mystery. I felt like the first one was well set up to be a standalone, but this one felt like it's leading up to a grand finale. I mean, I'm here for it, but I just thought you should know.
May 24, 2022
an amazing finale to such a fun series
May 3, 2022
Rating: 3.75
Author: @annacareybooks
Publication Date: 5/24/22
I really enjoyed this follow up but since it is a sequel I am going to keep my review short to avoid giving too much away! Just like the first book this one was a quick read and you will be rushing to get to the end. I felt so bad for Jess in the first one. I couldn’t even imagine going through what she did and trying to move on from what she learned. How she will ever learn to trust again is beyond me. I don’t think I’d be able to trust anyone after what happened! Curious? Go read the first one then read this one!
The world building continued being interesting and it was nice learning even more about the side characters/organizations. The author did a great job of describing everything making the reader feel as though they were right there with Jess. Overall, I would recommend this book especially if you enjoyed the first one.
*Thank you @quirkbooks for sending me a #gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own* #partner
Author: @annacareybooks
Publication Date: 5/24/22
I really enjoyed this follow up but since it is a sequel I am going to keep my review short to avoid giving too much away! Just like the first book this one was a quick read and you will be rushing to get to the end. I felt so bad for Jess in the first one. I couldn’t even imagine going through what she did and trying to move on from what she learned. How she will ever learn to trust again is beyond me. I don’t think I’d be able to trust anyone after what happened! Curious? Go read the first one then read this one!
The world building continued being interesting and it was nice learning even more about the side characters/organizations. The author did a great job of describing everything making the reader feel as though they were right there with Jess. Overall, I would recommend this book especially if you enjoyed the first one.
*Thank you @quirkbooks for sending me a #gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own* #partner
September 29, 2022
Firstly I want to start this review off by saying I absolutely loved the first book. Not only was it a concept I'd never read before, but it was also hilarious and brimming with the best '90's nostalgia.
This book however felt like it had lost some of the charm This is Not the Jess Show had. Yes, the fun nostalgia was still there, but that was about it. The relationship felt kind of forced and the decisions that were being made felt questionable at best and not true to the characters at worst.
I feel like this was an unnecessary sequel and that makes me so sad! A world I loved now just became reruns.
Ultimately I give it a three stars.
Thank you NetGalley and Quirk Books for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book however felt like it had lost some of the charm This is Not the Jess Show had. Yes, the fun nostalgia was still there, but that was about it. The relationship felt kind of forced and the decisions that were being made felt questionable at best and not true to the characters at worst.
I feel like this was an unnecessary sequel and that makes me so sad! A world I loved now just became reruns.
Ultimately I give it a three stars.
Thank you NetGalley and Quirk Books for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 3, 2023
read this and more reviews on Frayed Books:
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This Is Not the Real World is the sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, a story set in the 90s with tons of nostalgic throwbacks and I highly recommend it! This novel is the sequel and there will be spoilers for the first story, so proceed with caution.
I can’t believe I waited almost a year after it’s initial release to pick up This Is Not the Real World – I flew through this book in just two sessions, I couldn’t stop once I started!
This picks up right where This Is Not the Jess Show left off. Jess and Kipps escaped the set and are now wanted fugitives, so they have to lay low. How hard can that be when the year is 2037 and you are tracked every time you set foot outside your front door? I love seeing their relationship deepen over the beginning part of this book – until Kipps is discovered and forced back to the set, since he’s not yet eighteen.
Stuck in the 90’s show has been going on without Jess, with Mims taking over the lead role and Jess’s life. Jess decides to willingly go back to be with Kipps and to try and uncover what unethical things Life-Like Productions is doing to its actors. Her show “sister” and person who has been helping her live outside the set, Sara, is part of an underground group called Beyond1998 who are trying to take down Life-Like Productions and it will easier with someone inside the set.
We’re thrown back into the 90’s but this time Jess knows its not actually the 90s, and the viewers know she knows. It’s breaking the fourth wall.
This sequel was fast paced and didn’t slow down for a section – it was non-stop and I loved it! This was easy to digest and to fall back into this world without too much confusion over who is who. I had a lot of fun seeing what Jess would do next and how she would try and make things right. It’s such a throwback to see and hear about things from the 90s again, and as a millennial, I loved it.
The ending felt very abrupt and I wonder if there were originally plans for a third book in this world – because it really ends very awkwardly, almost at the end of a single thought. Some ends get tied up, but not all of them and I would love more in this world. Since its been almost a year since this book was released and no word for another, I’m not holding my breath but I wouldn’t mind more of Jess!
Audiobook Thoughts
The audiobook for this was just released on March 28, 2023, 10 months after the book was initially released. Since I’m an avid audiobook listened, this pushed me to finally read this one and I’m so glad I did. I loved the audio narrator, it was easy to listen to and made the story fly by.
Recommend?
If you’re a fan of throwbacks and nostalgia, I highly recommend picking up This Is Not the Jess Show and then this sequel. Go into that story without reading too much about it, it’s fun to experience and be surprised by the twists and turns it takes!
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This Is Not the Real World is the sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, a story set in the 90s with tons of nostalgic throwbacks and I highly recommend it! This novel is the sequel and there will be spoilers for the first story, so proceed with caution.
I can’t believe I waited almost a year after it’s initial release to pick up This Is Not the Real World – I flew through this book in just two sessions, I couldn’t stop once I started!
This picks up right where This Is Not the Jess Show left off. Jess and Kipps escaped the set and are now wanted fugitives, so they have to lay low. How hard can that be when the year is 2037 and you are tracked every time you set foot outside your front door? I love seeing their relationship deepen over the beginning part of this book – until Kipps is discovered and forced back to the set, since he’s not yet eighteen.
Stuck in the 90’s show has been going on without Jess, with Mims taking over the lead role and Jess’s life. Jess decides to willingly go back to be with Kipps and to try and uncover what unethical things Life-Like Productions is doing to its actors. Her show “sister” and person who has been helping her live outside the set, Sara, is part of an underground group called Beyond1998 who are trying to take down Life-Like Productions and it will easier with someone inside the set.
We’re thrown back into the 90’s but this time Jess knows its not actually the 90s, and the viewers know she knows. It’s breaking the fourth wall.
This sequel was fast paced and didn’t slow down for a section – it was non-stop and I loved it! This was easy to digest and to fall back into this world without too much confusion over who is who. I had a lot of fun seeing what Jess would do next and how she would try and make things right. It’s such a throwback to see and hear about things from the 90s again, and as a millennial, I loved it.
The ending felt very abrupt and I wonder if there were originally plans for a third book in this world – because it really ends very awkwardly, almost at the end of a single thought. Some ends get tied up, but not all of them and I would love more in this world. Since its been almost a year since this book was released and no word for another, I’m not holding my breath but I wouldn’t mind more of Jess!
Audiobook Thoughts
The audiobook for this was just released on March 28, 2023, 10 months after the book was initially released. Since I’m an avid audiobook listened, this pushed me to finally read this one and I’m so glad I did. I loved the audio narrator, it was easy to listen to and made the story fly by.
Recommend?
If you’re a fan of throwbacks and nostalgia, I highly recommend picking up This Is Not the Jess Show and then this sequel. Go into that story without reading too much about it, it’s fun to experience and be surprised by the twists and turns it takes!
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May 22, 2022
After really loving This Is Not the Jess Show, I was super excited to get to the sequel to find out what the heck will happen to Jess next. Now- if you have not read Jess Show, you should just... leave and go do that. Because inevitably, this will contain some form of spoiler for the first book. It's simply impossible to discuss this one at all without at least some spoiler territory for Book 1. So off you go.
Just kidding, never leave me.
Okay, so. If you have read the first book, we pick up not too long after Jess has escaped, fully into 2037, where she has to kind of learn how the heck the world works now. It's pretty interesting in that respect, because imagine the internet barely exists one day, and the next, you literally have access to the world on your phone. Obviously it's even a little more technologically advanced than we are now, since it is 15 years in the future. I definitely enjoyed that aspect of the story, Jess learning to live in the actual world.
Still, the producers of the show don't care much about what Jess wants. They want their show to make money, and fans want to see Jess back. To see the fallout from her knowing that she was lied to and betrayed her whole life, that she never even knew what millennium she was living in. Kipps is still 17, so he ends up being forced back to the set. And sure Jess could let him go it alone, but she's not about that. Plus, there have been some mysterious staff disappearances, and the group trying to find out what is going on could benefit greatly by having Jess as an inside man. So, back she goes.
The production lady high key reminded me of Dr. Crazyflakes (thanks Beth for inventing her perfect name) from The Wilds. Cares zero percent about kids' lives, as long as she is reaching her endgame. Making bank here is just like Dr. C insisting she has a great study that will make her famous. In Jess's world, Chrysalis is going to do whatever it takes to make sure her production succeeds- no matter who gets hurt (or goes "missing") in the process. Jess now has to not only be a spy, finding out as much info as she can, but she is forced to come face to face with all the people she had trusted her whole life. Her parents, her "best friends", literally every person she has known forever, and who has lied to and deceived her, are now back in her daily life.
While I enjoyed Jess dealing with these folks, I had a hard time remembering who some of them were from the first book. Especially because who they really were was obviously not who they'd been pretending to be, so it was often hard to keep everyone straight. But I did like the impact that these people had on Jess.
I also wished the ending had been a little more fleshed out, as I felt there were a few threads that could have been tied up better. But overall, it was an exciting conclusion to a really solid and unique duology, one that I would definitely recommend!
Bottom Line: Love Jess and her story in every millennium, frankly.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
May 28, 2022
THIS IS NOT THE REAL WORLD is exactly the sequel that fans of the first book deserve! Carey is back again giving readers a bird’s eye view into Jess Flynn’s life and taking them on her path to revenge. This book has all of the nostalgia and tension that readers fell in love with in the first book. I loved that this time we already knew the set-up and got to learn more about how Swickley functions. The behind-the-scenes glimpse is what every tv show fan wants and this is exactly what the book gave us for Stuck in the 90s. There is a fantastic mix of old and new faces for secondary characters that work to make this story filled with fun and suspicion. The ending was quite satisfying, but also left room for a potential third book. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed this isn’t the last time I hang with Jess Flynn!
A huge thank you to Quirk Books for my gifted copy!
A huge thank you to Quirk Books for my gifted copy!
December 13, 2022
It took me a little bit to get into but once Jess I was utterly hooked. It's a gripping look at media consumption and the lack of privacy or personal autonomy set in the future. I think I still like the first book better but this one was good and the author left the ending open for a possible third book in a way that I enjoyed so overall I am very happy that I sat down and finally read this.
November 26, 2023
Disappointed in this one after the really good start to the series. The ending was unsatisfying and I was hoping the story would be wrapped up. Instead, it would appear that it was prepped for a third book.
Also, I don’t like that the couple fell into bed with each other.
If I’m right about a third book, I won’t be continuing with it.
2.5 Stars
Also, I don’t like that the couple fell into bed with each other.
If I’m right about a third book, I won’t be continuing with it.
2.5 Stars
February 23, 2024
3.5 Stars
I don't know what to say. I really like the first one. I enjoyed this one, too, but wasn't invested enough as the previous one. I would recommend it. Because the plot of these books are good, I would say.
I don't know what to say. I really like the first one. I enjoyed this one, too, but wasn't invested enough as the previous one. I would recommend it. Because the plot of these books are good, I would say.
August 20, 2024
although i quite liked this is not the jess show this sequel was not it
it felt rushed ,kinda.
didn’t hate it but it was a quick read so there’s not much to hate.
2.5 stars.
it felt rushed ,kinda.
didn’t hate it but it was a quick read so there’s not much to hate.
2.5 stars.
April 20, 2022
What a GREAT continuation of an already amazing story. Just when Jess thinks she’s escaped the world of LLP and left the fake 90s behind, she’s pulled back in. To save herself, to save the boy she loves and to uncover the truth behind the Chrysalis & the money making machinations of LLP. Once back in, she doesn’t know who to trust. She has Sara and Charli helping her on the outside, as best as they can. Is Val trustworthy? Amber & Kristen? She and Kipps are on their own, not knowing what will happen. Of COURSE, there’s a cliffhanger, leaving a few major loose ends. Cannot wait until NEXT year to see what happens. This is a must for YA mystery/suspense lovers. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
August 10, 2022
I like how this book gives us more details into the characters from the first one.
This book is a great continuation of the last one. This is Not the Jess Show reminds me a lot of The Truman Show. One thing that I always wanted from The Truman Show was some sort of sequel to the story. What happens after? I think that this book does a great job of that. Some points are a little slow, but if you are here for the overall story and not just the thriller aspect, then it is interesting.
Thank you Quirk Books for sending me a copy.
This book is a great continuation of the last one. This is Not the Jess Show reminds me a lot of The Truman Show. One thing that I always wanted from The Truman Show was some sort of sequel to the story. What happens after? I think that this book does a great job of that. Some points are a little slow, but if you are here for the overall story and not just the thriller aspect, then it is interesting.
Thank you Quirk Books for sending me a copy.
May 2, 2022
First sentence: The gondola glided between buildings, and that same song filtered in right as we slipped under the third arched bridge.
First impressions: I fell hard for the premise of the first book, This is Not the Jess Show. That first book did not disappoint. I thought it was a fabulous premise-driven YA novel that was just fun. I was so excited to see the sequel is being published this May. I would love for it to be just as great as the first book.
Premise/plot: Jess Flynn has escaped the lie. But life is far from ideal in the real world especially when your boyfriend, Kipps, is still seventeen and under contract with Like-Life Productions. The two along with some friends (who helped them in the previous book) are hiding out...but the fact that they haven't been caught yet...perhaps leads to some mistakes in judgment.
After a very special celebration--the worst happens (relatively speaking). Will Jess sacrifice her own freedom in the real world to return to the lie she escaped? Will she return to her 90's obsessed television show?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Did I enjoy it as much as book one? Probably not. Not that I didn't enjoy it at all. But it's hard for a premise-driven book to still carry that some momentum with a second book. I still cared about the characters, still had questions about the world--on and off of the set. This one had some twists and turns, but obviously not as many as the first book.
Definitely recommend for those that enjoyed the first book.
First impressions: I fell hard for the premise of the first book, This is Not the Jess Show. That first book did not disappoint. I thought it was a fabulous premise-driven YA novel that was just fun. I was so excited to see the sequel is being published this May. I would love for it to be just as great as the first book.
Premise/plot: Jess Flynn has escaped the lie. But life is far from ideal in the real world especially when your boyfriend, Kipps, is still seventeen and under contract with Like-Life Productions. The two along with some friends (who helped them in the previous book) are hiding out...but the fact that they haven't been caught yet...perhaps leads to some mistakes in judgment.
After a very special celebration--the worst happens (relatively speaking). Will Jess sacrifice her own freedom in the real world to return to the lie she escaped? Will she return to her 90's obsessed television show?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Did I enjoy it as much as book one? Probably not. Not that I didn't enjoy it at all. But it's hard for a premise-driven book to still carry that some momentum with a second book. I still cared about the characters, still had questions about the world--on and off of the set. This one had some twists and turns, but obviously not as many as the first book.
Definitely recommend for those that enjoyed the first book.
May 24, 2022
I’m not going to apologize for being obsessed with Anna Carey’s writing and reading her books back to back on the same day. I was truly captivated with THIS IS NOT THE REAL WORLD, the sequel to THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW, and I couldn’t put them down. I know it’s a good book when they can distract me on a high pain day, yet I can fall into a story entirely.
👀 <- I already stated this was me during the first book, but let’s be boring and use this again because I feel if I didn’t have to blink, breathe, eat, or use the bathroom, I don’t think I could have read this book faster. I NEEDED to know the next part of Jess (and Kipps) story. And Carey did not let me down. This book was just as thrilling and unexpected as the first.
Surprisingly, it still had creepy The Truman Show/the whole world is watching you vibes, and I didn’t expect that.
I loved that it kept me guessing, and I never was right. 😅
I liked how it addressed the idea of what friendship is and what is right and wrong. It makes you think. The series, as a whole, makes you think about social media consumption. It would be an exciting series to buddy read or with your book club.
You definitely have to read the first one before this one, but I recommend these books. I mean, I read them in a day; that should tell you something, right?
Thanks Quirk Books for the gifted book!
•
Content Warnings: kidnapping, emotional abuse, gaslighting, car accident
👀 <- I already stated this was me during the first book, but let’s be boring and use this again because I feel if I didn’t have to blink, breathe, eat, or use the bathroom, I don’t think I could have read this book faster. I NEEDED to know the next part of Jess (and Kipps) story. And Carey did not let me down. This book was just as thrilling and unexpected as the first.
Surprisingly, it still had creepy The Truman Show/the whole world is watching you vibes, and I didn’t expect that.
I loved that it kept me guessing, and I never was right. 😅
I liked how it addressed the idea of what friendship is and what is right and wrong. It makes you think. The series, as a whole, makes you think about social media consumption. It would be an exciting series to buddy read or with your book club.
You definitely have to read the first one before this one, but I recommend these books. I mean, I read them in a day; that should tell you something, right?
Thanks Quirk Books for the gifted book!
•
Content Warnings: kidnapping, emotional abuse, gaslighting, car accident
April 18, 2022
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Tw: child abuse, emotional abuse, car crash, kidnapping
I was SO excited to receive this book early because I absolutely loved This Is Not The Jess Show and of course I went back and reread it before diving into this one because I didn't wanna miss a single detail!
This book is so fascinating because it's dystophic, but it's a dystopia that could actually happen, with today's culture and the need to always be online and know what everyone's doing 24/7
According to how the book ended, I think we might get a third book and I wouldn't be opposed to that, because I need to be sure that my characters get the happy ending they deserve and I'm not ready yet to say goodbye to them!
Anna Carey's writing is marvelous, the pages really flew by and every character was well-rounded and I really felt like I was in the story. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from her!
I highly recommend this to any Black Mirrors fans or anyone looking for a fast-paced novel about the horrors of technology, reality shows and social media.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy.
Tw: child abuse, emotional abuse, car crash, kidnapping
I was SO excited to receive this book early because I absolutely loved This Is Not The Jess Show and of course I went back and reread it before diving into this one because I didn't wanna miss a single detail!
This book is so fascinating because it's dystophic, but it's a dystopia that could actually happen, with today's culture and the need to always be online and know what everyone's doing 24/7
According to how the book ended, I think we might get a third book and I wouldn't be opposed to that, because I need to be sure that my characters get the happy ending they deserve and I'm not ready yet to say goodbye to them!
Anna Carey's writing is marvelous, the pages really flew by and every character was well-rounded and I really felt like I was in the story. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from her!
I highly recommend this to any Black Mirrors fans or anyone looking for a fast-paced novel about the horrors of technology, reality shows and social media.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy.
May 11, 2022
I received an e-arc of this book via netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was an amazing sequel.
In the first book, we don't get much information on the side characters (ie. Chrysalis, Kipps, Amber, etc.), so it was nice getting to see them more in this book.
I did struggle just a tiny bit with keeping track of all the characters, but they all felt developed and weren't there just for the sake of being there.
The plot was a lot faster than the first one, and at some times felt overwhelming. It was one event right after another. It definitely felt very thriller-esque, which I enjoyed.
Overall I loved this book, and would 100% recommend this series.
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When you get an arc to the sequel of one of your favourite books ever!
This was an amazing sequel.
In the first book, we don't get much information on the side characters (ie. Chrysalis, Kipps, Amber, etc.), so it was nice getting to see them more in this book.
I did struggle just a tiny bit with keeping track of all the characters, but they all felt developed and weren't there just for the sake of being there.
The plot was a lot faster than the first one, and at some times felt overwhelming. It was one event right after another. It definitely felt very thriller-esque, which I enjoyed.
Overall I loved this book, and would 100% recommend this series.
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When you get an arc to the sequel of one of your favourite books ever!
May 24, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Quirk Books for an eARC of this book!
This story is a sequel. And although the premise was interesting, I felt the execution was not quite there for me. The story is about a girl that is living on a reality TV how and she doesn't know it! The first book centers mainly on her life and as she slowly discovers life is not what she thought. This book is about how Jess (the MC) tries to move forward with her life with the knowledge that nothing is as she once thought. And after the work she put in to escape in book one, she returns back to set in this novel to enact revenge.
I found this book very similar to the first novel. The characters were a bit predictable as was the plot. There was a little divergence from the first book other than location and her awareness. It was not as twisty as I was hoping for.
I did like how there were realistic type elements to how things may run on a reality show and the not willing to stop attitude of a production company.
Overall I was disappointed by this book. I think I just wanted Jess to evolve more maybe? I just felt like there was not enough depth to the story and the characters.
This was a fast read for me and I could see how a younger audience might enjoy it.
This story is a sequel. And although the premise was interesting, I felt the execution was not quite there for me. The story is about a girl that is living on a reality TV how and she doesn't know it! The first book centers mainly on her life and as she slowly discovers life is not what she thought. This book is about how Jess (the MC) tries to move forward with her life with the knowledge that nothing is as she once thought. And after the work she put in to escape in book one, she returns back to set in this novel to enact revenge.
I found this book very similar to the first novel. The characters were a bit predictable as was the plot. There was a little divergence from the first book other than location and her awareness. It was not as twisty as I was hoping for.
I did like how there were realistic type elements to how things may run on a reality show and the not willing to stop attitude of a production company.
Overall I was disappointed by this book. I think I just wanted Jess to evolve more maybe? I just felt like there was not enough depth to the story and the characters.
This was a fast read for me and I could see how a younger audience might enjoy it.
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