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NerdCrush
Happily Ever Afters meets You've Got Mail in this geeky, Black Girl Magic filled debut romance about cosplay and finding the courage to be yourself.
Ramona Lambert is a typical shy, artistic sixteen-year-old. She has a best friend whom she’s known since they were in diapers; parents who love her; a love for cosplay; and a crush on the cute boy in her class.
The only problem? Her best friend moved away; her parents don't quite understand her love of cosplay; and she is pretty sure her crush has no idea she exists.
To escape her troubles, Ramona turns to cosplay and her original character, Rel, who gives her the confidence and freedom that she lacks in real life. Embracing this confidence, she decides to strike up an email conversation with her crush, Caleb Wolfe, from her cosplay account in the hopes getting to know him . . . and maybe win his heart. Then as Caleb and Ramona are swept up in their emails back and forth to each other, and Ramona falls even harder as he opens up about his hopes, insecurities, and his own geeky loves. However, as Caleb starts to grow closer and closer to Rel, he also strikes up a friendship with Ramona, who knows she can't keep the truth about Rel from Caleb but isn't sure she is ready to risk losing him. With an important cosplay convention coming up and the anxiety of her double-life weighing on her, Ramona has to decide if she’ll hide behind her cosplay character forever or take the chance and let Caleb see the real her--because he might actually like her for who she is.
Ramona Lambert is a typical shy, artistic sixteen-year-old. She has a best friend whom she’s known since they were in diapers; parents who love her; a love for cosplay; and a crush on the cute boy in her class.
The only problem? Her best friend moved away; her parents don't quite understand her love of cosplay; and she is pretty sure her crush has no idea she exists.
To escape her troubles, Ramona turns to cosplay and her original character, Rel, who gives her the confidence and freedom that she lacks in real life. Embracing this confidence, she decides to strike up an email conversation with her crush, Caleb Wolfe, from her cosplay account in the hopes getting to know him . . . and maybe win his heart. Then as Caleb and Ramona are swept up in their emails back and forth to each other, and Ramona falls even harder as he opens up about his hopes, insecurities, and his own geeky loves. However, as Caleb starts to grow closer and closer to Rel, he also strikes up a friendship with Ramona, who knows she can't keep the truth about Rel from Caleb but isn't sure she is ready to risk losing him. With an important cosplay convention coming up and the anxiety of her double-life weighing on her, Ramona has to decide if she’ll hide behind her cosplay character forever or take the chance and let Caleb see the real her--because he might actually like her for who she is.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2023
16 people are currently reading
3056 people want to read
About the author
Alisha Emrich
1 book47 followersMy debut YA novel, NerdCrush out now from Running Press Kids!
I write YA fiction about awkward Black girls finding their happily ever afters. I've always loved stories of all kinds, but especially ones where the nerdy girl gets the cute guy. I hold a B.A. in English from Armstrong Atlantic University, an M.A. in English, and an M.A. in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, where I also completed my MFA in Young Adult fiction.
I write YA fiction about awkward Black girls finding their happily ever afters. I've always loved stories of all kinds, but especially ones where the nerdy girl gets the cute guy. I hold a B.A. in English from Armstrong Atlantic University, an M.A. in English, and an M.A. in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, where I also completed my MFA in Young Adult fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
July 12, 2023
Sorry not sorry I love this book more than I should (there’s nothing like that though!).
First of all, I always remind myself that when I am reading a young adult fiction I should be able to see things from a young adult perspective. Just this open secret mantra and I did end up enjoying this book more!
This is the story of Ramona who is a shy sixteen year old who’s quite interested in cosplaying. She’s been quite close to her best friend who moves away and knowing that no one understands her love for cosplay, she ends up being a character she chooses to cosplay while letting her real self behind the cosplay self. That’s a lot of cosplay!
She decides to do this as she wants to know about her crush more being the other persona while her other self chooses to stay behind the scenes. Meanwhile she and Caleb (ooh! That’s the crush, y’all!) has been exchanging emails back and forth getting closer everyday virtually through her cosplay persona.
Well… she ultimately has to choose either to show her real self or remain as her cosplay persona virtually.
This story is cute and so worth reading. Perfect for beginners and teens!
First of all, I always remind myself that when I am reading a young adult fiction I should be able to see things from a young adult perspective. Just this open secret mantra and I did end up enjoying this book more!
This is the story of Ramona who is a shy sixteen year old who’s quite interested in cosplaying. She’s been quite close to her best friend who moves away and knowing that no one understands her love for cosplay, she ends up being a character she chooses to cosplay while letting her real self behind the cosplay self. That’s a lot of cosplay!
She decides to do this as she wants to know about her crush more being the other persona while her other self chooses to stay behind the scenes. Meanwhile she and Caleb (ooh! That’s the crush, y’all!) has been exchanging emails back and forth getting closer everyday virtually through her cosplay persona.
Well… she ultimately has to choose either to show her real self or remain as her cosplay persona virtually.
This story is cute and so worth reading. Perfect for beginners and teens!
February 5, 2023
I need to stop reading YA contemporary hetero romances I guess
Via libro.fm ALC influencer program
Via libro.fm ALC influencer program
October 9, 2023
4 Stars for NerdCrush (audiobook) by Alisha Emrich read by Zoleka Vundla.
It was fun getting to see how cosplay can bring young people together. It can help break the ice and allow introverts unite and build relationships.
It was fun getting to see how cosplay can bring young people together. It can help break the ice and allow introverts unite and build relationships.
February 27, 2023
I am loving seeing Black nerd stories! I wish I had these stories growing up. While I am not into cosplay, I loved getting to experience Ramona's passion. One thing I also really enjoyed in this book is debunking the whole "nerd stuff is for white kids" and how Ramna has to deal with her cousins who constantly made fun of her. That really hit home for me.
February 28, 2023
NerdCrush is a really great romance and coming of age story, written for teenagers and especially for Black nerds (aka Blerds) who might not always feel like their interests are accepted by their community. As others have said, this is very much a YA novel and I would even say a younger YA novel. Which we need more of for actual teens in this demographic.
Ramona's anxiety and awkwardness with the boy she likes brought me back to what it was like to be a young nerdy teenager. And this novel specifically talks abut how she feels like her cousins treat her like she's not "Black enough" because of her interest in things like manga and cosplay. And I know that has been a real struggle, and the reason there are now conventions and podcasts specifically supporting this "Blerd" demographic.
It has a bit of a You've Got Mail vibe- Ramona leaves an anonymous note to her crush and they start emailing. But then he becomes her co-worker and friend, leaving her afraid to reveal her true identity. Everything she goes through with that, and with the challenge of having her best friend move away, feel very relevant to actual teen concerns. Which is why I think this really deserves the 4 star rating I'm giving it. Less because I really loved it (thought I did have fun reading it) but more because I think it's an excellent example of what its' trying to be for a specific demographic. Thank you to Libro.FM for the audio review copy, all opinions are my own.
Ramona's anxiety and awkwardness with the boy she likes brought me back to what it was like to be a young nerdy teenager. And this novel specifically talks abut how she feels like her cousins treat her like she's not "Black enough" because of her interest in things like manga and cosplay. And I know that has been a real struggle, and the reason there are now conventions and podcasts specifically supporting this "Blerd" demographic.
It has a bit of a You've Got Mail vibe- Ramona leaves an anonymous note to her crush and they start emailing. But then he becomes her co-worker and friend, leaving her afraid to reveal her true identity. Everything she goes through with that, and with the challenge of having her best friend move away, feel very relevant to actual teen concerns. Which is why I think this really deserves the 4 star rating I'm giving it. Less because I really loved it (thought I did have fun reading it) but more because I think it's an excellent example of what its' trying to be for a specific demographic. Thank you to Libro.FM for the audio review copy, all opinions are my own.
January 7, 2023
This is a pretty good debut, and one that does have me interested in seeing what the author will write next. I liked the main character, a Black girl who's very passionate about cosplay and other fandom things, and appreciated the conversations around this.
The writing style didn't always work for me though. Even though it's a quick read, I felt like the writing didn't always flow nicely. I also felt like the storyline of Ramona's identity being a secret in her emails to Caleb was drawn out too much, and this made the story slightly more dramatic than I would have liked to see.
The writing style didn't always work for me though. Even though it's a quick read, I felt like the writing didn't always flow nicely. I also felt like the storyline of Ramona's identity being a secret in her emails to Caleb was drawn out too much, and this made the story slightly more dramatic than I would have liked to see.
January 27, 2024
Honestly this book was so cute! I am 20, but I could completely related to the main character about being extremely introverted. I would much rather be in fictional worlds than be in this world because I am shy. lol.
January 10, 2024
Though I enjoyed this book, I found it at odd parallels. It was both fast paced and slow. The characters never really extended to life beyond the page, besides Ramona. Who I loved. As a fellow blerd myself, I enjoyed her interests and everything in between.
The relationship with Caleb felt a bit hollow and never really fully developed- which was surprising as this is told in a third person narrative. Which meant there was more leeway to explain to the readers the nuances of the relationship, but we never got that.
Even when Caleb found out, it didn’t feel genuine. More like because we have reached a point in the story where the plot wanted him to find out. There were never any clues that he suspected. Nothing to warm us up to it. Just a huge coincidence and BOOM! All of a sudden he knows. Due to this, his reaction felt- unearned. I get that she ‘misrepresented’ herself, but sir, you didn’t know of her existence. At. All and his anger felt like he was just doing too much. So much so that when she CONTINUED to apologise, I yelled for her to stop. It was just a lot.
Still, I liked the read well enough. That moment with her parents was sweet (also came out of nowhere) and though I liked it, I wish we had gotten the perspectives of others or proper character development. Even the best friend, Mandra, and the enemy, Stella. Why were they enemies? We didn’t even get much interaction besides the forced diner and then Halloween party scene.
Ramona/Rel definitely gave me loads of second hand embarrassment during certain scenes- which was perfectly conveyed and I just wanted to throttle her, but yeah. An ok read.
The relationship with Caleb felt a bit hollow and never really fully developed- which was surprising as this is told in a third person narrative. Which meant there was more leeway to explain to the readers the nuances of the relationship, but we never got that.
Even when Caleb found out, it didn’t feel genuine. More like because we have reached a point in the story where the plot wanted him to find out. There were never any clues that he suspected. Nothing to warm us up to it. Just a huge coincidence and BOOM! All of a sudden he knows. Due to this, his reaction felt- unearned. I get that she ‘misrepresented’ herself, but sir, you didn’t know of her existence. At. All and his anger felt like he was just doing too much. So much so that when she CONTINUED to apologise, I yelled for her to stop. It was just a lot.
Still, I liked the read well enough. That moment with her parents was sweet (also came out of nowhere) and though I liked it, I wish we had gotten the perspectives of others or proper character development. Even the best friend, Mandra, and the enemy, Stella. Why were they enemies? We didn’t even get much interaction besides the forced diner and then Halloween party scene.
Ramona/Rel definitely gave me loads of second hand embarrassment during certain scenes- which was perfectly conveyed and I just wanted to throttle her, but yeah. An ok read.
December 25, 2022
A cute YA. Classic miscommunication. I liked the added artwork on the chapter pages. There were moments that felt a bit slow/repetitive, but basically what you’d expect with a YA romcom.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 21, 2023
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. Bet you are regretting that now.
What in the Sierra burgess is a loser did I just read??
Okay, I'll start my complaining with: The title. Okay, not actually actually the title, the author gets no say in that, but the meaning behind it. NERD. Yeah, we have all seen high school movies from the 80's- a little scrawny dude with glasses who people beat on. We get the stereotype, but as a current high school dwelling nerd, it ain't true. I do math and economic competitions and run AV club, I promise you I qualify as a nerd. And...that's fine. I'm not sure if 'back in the day' nerds were really hated on, but if you write in modern times, you gotta get 'down with the kids' The kids who don't care if you like anime. (Also I believe the correct term for Ramona would be Geek, but those are just nerd politics)
So Ramona having no friends and being so unpopular just wasn't believable.
Now, let's jump to the CRUSH part of the title. Oh, this gave me the creeps. First of all, Caleb wasn't worth it.
Second of all, CREEPY CREEPY CREEPY. Honestly not sure how this is getting published in this day and age.
What in the Sierra burgess is a loser did I just read??
Okay, I'll start my complaining with: The title. Okay, not actually actually the title, the author gets no say in that, but the meaning behind it. NERD. Yeah, we have all seen high school movies from the 80's- a little scrawny dude with glasses who people beat on. We get the stereotype, but as a current high school dwelling nerd, it ain't true. I do math and economic competitions and run AV club, I promise you I qualify as a nerd. And...that's fine. I'm not sure if 'back in the day' nerds were really hated on, but if you write in modern times, you gotta get 'down with the kids' The kids who don't care if you like anime. (Also I believe the correct term for Ramona would be Geek, but those are just nerd politics)
So Ramona having no friends and being so unpopular just wasn't believable.
Now, let's jump to the CRUSH part of the title. Oh, this gave me the creeps. First of all, Caleb wasn't worth it.
Second of all, CREEPY CREEPY CREEPY. Honestly not sure how this is getting published in this day and age.
June 12, 2023
Yassss!!! I’m here for the Black “nerds”. I loved the evolution of Romana.
March 7, 2023
Maybe 2.5 maybe 3 stars
This just wasn't it. There were some good parts but it just didn't hold water to be unique or stand out enough for me in an era of books that are just like this one.
This just wasn't it. There were some good parts but it just didn't hold water to be unique or stand out enough for me in an era of books that are just like this one.
February 3, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
A cute YA romcom featuring a cosplay loving Black teen girl who falls for a guy online and IRL (unbeknownst to him). Full of teen drama and lots of nerdy joy. I really enjoyed this debut and thought it was well done on audio narrated by Zoleka Vundla. Recommended for fans of Walking in two worlds by Wab Kinew or the adult rom The love con by Seressia Glass. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
A cute YA romcom featuring a cosplay loving Black teen girl who falls for a guy online and IRL (unbeknownst to him). Full of teen drama and lots of nerdy joy. I really enjoyed this debut and thought it was well done on audio narrated by Zoleka Vundla. Recommended for fans of Walking in two worlds by Wab Kinew or the adult rom The love con by Seressia Glass. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 13, 2023
Thank you to Libro.FM for proving me with an audiobook copy of NerdCrush.
This was so fun! It was such a sweet rom-com and I lees es a lot about cosplay, too. Not only would I really recommend this book, but the audiobook was amazing!
This was so fun! It was such a sweet rom-com and I lees es a lot about cosplay, too. Not only would I really recommend this book, but the audiobook was amazing!
February 24, 2023
3 Stars
This is a solidly cute and somewhat predictable YA romance that celebrate Black joy and nerdiness in the best way!
Ramona needs to break out of her introverted routine, where she sticks to herself except for when she transforms into her cosplay alter-ego. She ends up connecting with her crush via email, but keeps her identity a secret throughout the story as she continues to get to know her crush IRL.
This story is a wonderful focus on characters that are happy and finding joy in a community that accepts creativity and celebrates being unique.
I also really enjoyed the subplot of Ramona's relationship with her family. They are growing together through Ramona and sister growing up and figuring out their futures and I appreciated the time that was devoted to that portion of the story.
*thank you to NetGalley, Libro.fm and the publisher for a free ALC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
This is a solidly cute and somewhat predictable YA romance that celebrate Black joy and nerdiness in the best way!
Ramona needs to break out of her introverted routine, where she sticks to herself except for when she transforms into her cosplay alter-ego. She ends up connecting with her crush via email, but keeps her identity a secret throughout the story as she continues to get to know her crush IRL.
This story is a wonderful focus on characters that are happy and finding joy in a community that accepts creativity and celebrates being unique.
I also really enjoyed the subplot of Ramona's relationship with her family. They are growing together through Ramona and sister growing up and figuring out their futures and I appreciated the time that was devoted to that portion of the story.
*thank you to NetGalley, Libro.fm and the publisher for a free ALC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
January 30, 2023
This was a solid read / listen. I love the narrator I think that she did a great job I really bringing these characters to life. I enjoyed the main character and I love nerdy characters so much.
Unfortunately for me this one dragged a bit. I'm not quite sure how that's possible seeing as I listened to it all the way through in one sitting but it just felt a bit over dramatized for something that's been done already multiple times. You end up with these two people and one of them has an alternate online persona that they contacted the other person with and then they become close in real life as well and the online persona becomes this big secret etc. Been there done that. It's done okay and I didn't dislike any of it I just wanted a little bit more.
There were a couple timeline inconsistencies. The whole book takes place over maybe 6 weeks and there's a couple points where the character says it's been weeks of something but it literally could not have been weeks because it's such a short period of time for the entire book.
I'm interested in what this author will write next. I really did enjoy our main character, she is a Black teenager whose best friend just moved away and is super nerdy and not very social and she's got to kind of learn and embrace her own nerdiness and find joy in it for herself. We love empowerment stories.
Unfortunately for me this one dragged a bit. I'm not quite sure how that's possible seeing as I listened to it all the way through in one sitting but it just felt a bit over dramatized for something that's been done already multiple times. You end up with these two people and one of them has an alternate online persona that they contacted the other person with and then they become close in real life as well and the online persona becomes this big secret etc. Been there done that. It's done okay and I didn't dislike any of it I just wanted a little bit more.
There were a couple timeline inconsistencies. The whole book takes place over maybe 6 weeks and there's a couple points where the character says it's been weeks of something but it literally could not have been weeks because it's such a short period of time for the entire book.
I'm interested in what this author will write next. I really did enjoy our main character, she is a Black teenager whose best friend just moved away and is super nerdy and not very social and she's got to kind of learn and embrace her own nerdiness and find joy in it for herself. We love empowerment stories.
February 1, 2023
This was so adorable and at the same time had so much feeling. Ramona has had a crush on Caleb for a year, but she doesn't know how to tell him. Instead, she hides behind her cosplay name and writes him a poem and gives him her email. They immediately start chatting and Caleb can't help but want to meet the girl he has told his deepest secrets to.
In the mean time, Caleb starts working at the diner that Ramona works at and the two get close in real life too. When world collide, will Caleb understand why she did what she did, or will he not want to speak to her again?
This is my first book about Cosplay and while I don't understand it for myself, I loved the integration of it in this book. I do understand the feeling of wanting to belong, espeically in high school. This gave Ramona the creative outlet and let her be who she is without judgement. I felt bad for her a lot of the time because she seemed so lonely, but with her Cosplay friends she lit up.
I thought this reminded me a little of You've Got Mail, but I also think it was deeper than that. These two were just trying to navigate growing up and making mistakes.
In the mean time, Caleb starts working at the diner that Ramona works at and the two get close in real life too. When world collide, will Caleb understand why she did what she did, or will he not want to speak to her again?
This is my first book about Cosplay and while I don't understand it for myself, I loved the integration of it in this book. I do understand the feeling of wanting to belong, espeically in high school. This gave Ramona the creative outlet and let her be who she is without judgement. I felt bad for her a lot of the time because she seemed so lonely, but with her Cosplay friends she lit up.
I thought this reminded me a little of You've Got Mail, but I also think it was deeper than that. These two were just trying to navigate growing up and making mistakes.
February 12, 2023
Ramona is a cosplayer. She finds cosplaying her own original character to be her happy place. She's had a crush of Caleb for over a year now, but he has no idea who she is. One day Ramona leaves a poem and a drawing in Caleb's locker with her email address attached to it and signed by Rel, her cosplay alter ego. The two begin an online friendship, but what will happen when Caleb finds out the truth?
I think this book hits a demographic that's hardly ever touched upon in YA stories: Black cosplayers. For that reason alone, I'm glad this book exists. There were times though that this book was a bit cheesy, especially the romance and other times that the wiring felt much younger than YA.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. I enjoyed Zoleka Vundla's narration. She really brought Ramona to life.
I think this book hits a demographic that's hardly ever touched upon in YA stories: Black cosplayers. For that reason alone, I'm glad this book exists. There were times though that this book was a bit cheesy, especially the romance and other times that the wiring felt much younger than YA.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. I enjoyed Zoleka Vundla's narration. She really brought Ramona to life.
February 10, 2023
I received an advance copy from Dreamscape Media, Thank you to them. This book was such a sweet read. Romona loves Cosplay and dressing up as her own characters to show who she is on the inside. Caleb was a breath of fresh air and was up to trying new things, like Manga, Cosplay and working his first job. Their friendship developed so naturally and was fun to see develop. Of course no relationship is smooth sailing, but they do sail to the finish line.
December 17, 2022
What a great story. Definitely some coming of age, mixed with a bunch of nerdiness, and some seriousness.
Ramona uses her cosplay alter ego - REL - to communicate with her crush, Caleb. After a while, she starts feeling dishonest about it, but is afraid it's gone too far for her to come clean about it. Will this blow up in her face? And how will she handle things, with her best friend recently moved away and parents, who don't seem to care about her or her interests?
I really loved this story. I could definitely relate to the relationship Ramona has with her parents. I also appreciated the representation, with Ramona being a black girl who is into nerdy cosplay stuff - people like her are out there, and I'm happy they can read this and feel seen.
I giggled, I cried, I smiled like a lunatic while reading this. It is a book I feel comfortable recommending highly.
* I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
Ramona uses her cosplay alter ego - REL - to communicate with her crush, Caleb. After a while, she starts feeling dishonest about it, but is afraid it's gone too far for her to come clean about it. Will this blow up in her face? And how will she handle things, with her best friend recently moved away and parents, who don't seem to care about her or her interests?
I really loved this story. I could definitely relate to the relationship Ramona has with her parents. I also appreciated the representation, with Ramona being a black girl who is into nerdy cosplay stuff - people like her are out there, and I'm happy they can read this and feel seen.
I giggled, I cried, I smiled like a lunatic while reading this. It is a book I feel comfortable recommending highly.
* I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
February 19, 2023
Miscommunication in books shall be the death of me ಠ∀ಠ
Whilst I found it refreshing to have a main character as obsessed with manga and anime as I was at that age (and still am), I did think the whole taboo aspect was a little misplaced and inaccurate.. Unless this was set what, 10 years ago? I just think people are a little more accepting of it now and the writing should reflect that - if I was a teen reading this today, I think that's what I'd want to see
But excluding the anime/manga, the concept as a whole is something that's been done many times before and the romance wasn't particularly memorable. Instead I just found myself cringing at the teenage angst and groaning at the miscommunication.. That in itself wasn't my main issue nor the cause of my rating though, because I do understand that this is a book predominantly aimed at a younger demographic. My main qualm was that the ending left much to be desired, not to mention the amount of unsolved subplots that we were left with?? Overall the story just felt very short and inconsistent
Rating: 2/5
— Thank you Librofm and Dream Scape Media for providing the ALC in exchange for a review
Whilst I found it refreshing to have a main character as obsessed with manga and anime as I was at that age (and still am), I did think the whole taboo aspect was a little misplaced and inaccurate.. Unless this was set what, 10 years ago? I just think people are a little more accepting of it now and the writing should reflect that - if I was a teen reading this today, I think that's what I'd want to see
But excluding the anime/manga, the concept as a whole is something that's been done many times before and the romance wasn't particularly memorable. Instead I just found myself cringing at the teenage angst and groaning at the miscommunication.. That in itself wasn't my main issue nor the cause of my rating though, because I do understand that this is a book predominantly aimed at a younger demographic. My main qualm was that the ending left much to be desired, not to mention the amount of unsolved subplots that we were left with?? Overall the story just felt very short and inconsistent
Rating: 2/5
— Thank you Librofm and Dream Scape Media for providing the ALC in exchange for a review
February 16, 2023
This is a sweet YA book, it reminds me of those first innocent crush books I read when I was young, and for that reason I think younger and older teenagers could both relate to and enjoy this story.
Romana is a shy, sixteen year old black girl who loves cosplay and has even created her own character, Rel. She also loves art and design and believes that’s what she’d like to make a career of. Caleb is a major Tolkien fan and fellow nerd that Romana has had a crush on for a little over a year. Romona leaves a note declaring her crush and her cosplay email (signed with her cosplay name) in Caleb’s locker the day before he coincidentally ends up her co-worker.
There are also elements of making and mending friendships, standing up for what you want (even within your own family), forgiveness and choosing to be brave.
For the kind of book this is, it is well done. While I generally despise miscommunication and lack of communication in adult books, I have a soft spot for it in YA (especially one like this, that reads younger) because I remember how confusing and overwhelming and just plain hard it is being a teenager and trying to navigate just life let alone relationships.
The audio narrator was the perfect choice and did an excellent job.
4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Running Press Kids and Dreamscape media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2023
There is nothing wrong with being a nerd unless, if you’re introverted and keep to yourself and are quiet and meek. Then you’re invisible. But some people they really come alive at ComiCon. That’s the case with our main character. She has a ComiCon character she’s completely invented for herself, which is a Victorian steampunk ask character named Rel. As Rel she can do anything and be anyone. She has the confidence to leave an illustration and a poem with an email address in the locker of the boy that she likes. However, her everyday persona of Ramona is the mild meek and quiet nerdy girl. Most of the family, be it mom and dad or the cousins, don’t understand her nerdiness, and there is even a part of the story that shows how separate Ramona feels from her family. Her extended cousins don’t think of her as “black” enough because she’s a nerd. Overall, this was a really fun, cute, lighthearted, love story. It does date itself. It’s brand new but many of the pop-culture references are already a year or two at a date and that’s just going to continue as this book ages. So, while I did think it was fun, it’s fun for right now. It will not become a classic, but it doesn’t have to. They’ll be some nerdy black girl who will see this and go” This is the story I need. This is me. And I feel seen.”
January 30, 2023
This was cute!
I loved all the little aspects of identity touched on in this, and Ramona's character development, as she learns to be more of who she is and stand up for herself, both within her family and at school. The cosplay / nerd culture parts were especially fun to read about!
The biggest weakness in this was the romance. It was mostly fine- there's a lot of stories out there that use a digital secret identity trope like this, and its use here was pretty standard. Also, it wasn't my favorite implementation of the trope, as it can kind of come across as Ramona can definitely come across as creepy if you think too hard about it. Since Ramona / Caleb develop a rapport so early in the story, it should have been pretty obvious to Ramona that Rel was unnecessary .
It felt a bit strange that she was getting to know him at about the same pace as both Ramona and Rel. I would have been more on board if Rel / Caleb's friendship developed for a bit longer before Ramona started talking to Caleb.
Despite this though, the overall story was still cute, and I'll definitely be checking out more by this author!
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
I loved all the little aspects of identity touched on in this, and Ramona's character development, as she learns to be more of who she is and stand up for herself, both within her family and at school. The cosplay / nerd culture parts were especially fun to read about!
The biggest weakness in this was the romance. It was mostly fine- there's a lot of stories out there that use a digital secret identity trope like this, and its use here was pretty standard. Also, it wasn't my favorite implementation of the trope, as it can kind of come across as Ramona can definitely come across as creepy if you think too hard about it. Since Ramona / Caleb develop a rapport so early in the story, it should have been pretty obvious to Ramona that Rel was unnecessary .
It felt a bit strange that she was getting to know him at about the same pace as both Ramona and Rel. I would have been more on board if Rel / Caleb's friendship developed for a bit longer before Ramona started talking to Caleb.
Despite this though, the overall story was still cute, and I'll definitely be checking out more by this author!
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
August 24, 2024
YA? Blerds? And realistic depictions of both? Sign me up twice.
This is a book that I picked up from the random recommendations based solely on the title and the cover art, and I could not be happier with the selection. This book hits all the proverbial right notes for anyone who was (or really, is - let's be honest) awkward, geeky, nerdy, into niche interests, etc. regardless of age. You've got the shy girl talks to booy anonymously; hilarity ensues that's expected in YA, but it never feels stale or overdone here. Where they really got me is the blerd representation. This resonates on a cellular level. Even if I liked nothing else about this book, having such a profoundly-expressed common bond with a fictional character is moving.
This is a book that I picked up from the random recommendations based solely on the title and the cover art, and I could not be happier with the selection. This book hits all the proverbial right notes for anyone who was (or really, is - let's be honest) awkward, geeky, nerdy, into niche interests, etc. regardless of age. You've got the shy girl talks to booy anonymously; hilarity ensues that's expected in YA, but it never feels stale or overdone here. Where they really got me is the blerd representation. This resonates on a cellular level. Even if I liked nothing else about this book, having such a profoundly-expressed common bond with a fictional character is moving.
January 28, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley, Running Press Teens and Dreamscape Media for the ARC and audioARC of this.
The cover and concept to this are so adorable, I love a good cosplayer book. I’ll admit, I didn’t really know of people doing it as an original character, and I kinda don’t understand the appeal, so it’s maybe my own fault I didn’t really click with this. Overall, I thought the story was cute and fluffy, but the writing was kind of odd, in a way that reminded me of fanfic. I would definitely recommend it still if you’re interested, though, as the storyline was reasonable.
The cover and concept to this are so adorable, I love a good cosplayer book. I’ll admit, I didn’t really know of people doing it as an original character, and I kinda don’t understand the appeal, so it’s maybe my own fault I didn’t really click with this. Overall, I thought the story was cute and fluffy, but the writing was kind of odd, in a way that reminded me of fanfic. I would definitely recommend it still if you’re interested, though, as the storyline was reasonable.
March 6, 2023
This was really sweet! As a nerd who married I nerd, I love a nerd love story. I liked the reader a lot, I felt like she did a great job giving a voice to a shy girl. The love interest was a little too perfect for me, I needed him to rob a bank or swear or something.
Giving it 3 stars because I don’t think it was anything I’ll remember a year from now, but I enjoyed listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and LibroFM for the ALC!
Giving it 3 stars because I don’t think it was anything I’ll remember a year from now, but I enjoyed listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and LibroFM for the ALC!
February 7, 2024
I so badly wanted to love this book. As a cosplayer myself I would love a romance with that at the center. But I just couldn't root for the main couple. The guy had no charather and Ramona felt spoiled and just so one-sided. Also a lot of weird time skips and I felt like we had barely any scenes of the charathers liking each other. The best friend was barely a charather aswell, same with the parents and everyone involved.
May 21, 2023
super cute and I felt so seen reading it. I did want a little bit more intense intense intense romance, but it's still such a great fun story just the way it is. Very easy to read and great for when you want a fun story without any heaviness
Read
May 28, 2023This was cute & definitely a younger YA. Also for some reason books that focus on cosplay don't really click with me?
Anyways. It was a short audiobook and a decent listen.
*thank to libro.fm for the gifted audiobook; all thoughts are my own*
Anyways. It was a short audiobook and a decent listen.
*thank to libro.fm for the gifted audiobook; all thoughts are my own*
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