Read this in about a day at the beach. Cute teen romance about 17 year old twin sisters finding their first person to date. One is a traditionally cute and outgoing lesbian and the other is an introverted chubby girl who keeps tabs on the number of crushes she’s had (26 when we first meet her.)

It’s a spin-off of the Simon & the Homo Sapiens Agenda Book and has the exact same vibe. Molly, our POV character is adorable in her insecurity.

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I loved this book so much. I loved both molly and cassie path in the story. It was different enough but still connected. I also loved the focus on the sister/ twin connection. It really made the book a fast pace read. I also really liked the simon characters cross over and the tie backs were so fun to see. I loved this book so much and especially how diverse this story was both in terms of characters and also ethnicity. It was a perfect summer read! ( )

I loved this book so much. I loved both molly and cassie path in the story. It was different enough but still connected. I also loved the focus on the sister/ twin connection. It really made the book a fast pace read. I also really liked the simon characters cross over and the tie backs were so fun to see. I loved this book so much and especially how diverse this story was both in terms of characters and also ethnicity. It was a perfect summer read! ( )

"And it's the end of the world and the beginning of the world and we're seventeen.
It's an awesome thing."

This line is such a perfect summation of what this book is about. This book is about change, particularly at a time where there are really big changes going on, and about trying to navigate it and figure out if it is good or bad. And I feel like Molly, the protagonist, comes to realize that perhaps it can be both at the same time. It can be both the end of something but also the beginning of something. And growing apart from someone doesn't mean it has to be for forever. As molly surmises, "I think every relationship is actually a million relationships."

Becky Albertalli's The Upside of Unrequited beautifully tells the story of a 17 year old girl. Worried about not having a boyfriend like everyone else, worried about how she looks, worried about worrying too much. Trying to put herself on the line, trying to make the change yet trying to keep what she has now. At that age, I felt exactly the same. And that is one of the most beautiful things about this book, it is one of the most relatable books I have ever read. Incredibly so. I even have an anxiety disorder like Molly and I have always been insecure about my weight, particularly in school when people try to use that against you. I also didn't have a boyfriend at a time when it seemed like everyone else I knew did. And I distinctly remember that at that time, when everything was changing and when life just felt really really difficult and like the end of the world my mom would always tell me that when I look back on all of this later I will realize how short of a time I am in school compared to the rest of my life and basically, "this too shall pass." And, I held on to that and made the best of the present and couldn't believe how true my mom actually was. The world didn't end. In fact, I realized it was only the beginning.

Outside even of these more distinct similarities though, I feel like this character is very relatable for people within this age group. Another factor that makes this story feel so realistic is the language itself- the diction. I feel like a lot of times when someone who is no longer a teen tries to go back and remember how a teen talks and feels for a book, they can't get it quite right and it comes out awkward and off. I really didn't get that feeling in this book. Each of the characters seemed well developed and unique and in tune with each other at the same time. Of course I'm no longer part of this age group, so I'm probably not the best judge of it anymore myself, but I still get that off feeling in YA books where teens just seem not quite realistic enough.

Something else to love about this book? Molly's family is actually present and a big part of the story! There are so many YA novels where the family is conveniently not present that it honestly feels unique at this point to have them be such a backbone to the story. And furthermore to have LGBTQ characters represented, and as a family unit, was really awesome and something I have actually not come across before in a book. I loved the parallel story lines of Patty and Nadine, Molly and her twin sister's moms, preparing for a wedding that has finally been made legal where they live and Molly taking her own steps forward. I felt like the whole family moved forward individually and yet together. They all progressed in different ways, and yet all at the same time and trying their hardest to stay connected through all the change.

Also, the romance aspect was just so cute! And I liked that it also carried the message that you know, you don't have to feel bad about wanting to be with someone, you don't have to feel like that just makes you desperate. It's ok to have tons of crushes and it's ok to like who you want to like and not like who you don't want to like. And each of the women represented had relationships as different from each other as the characters themselves were. They weren't all the same, we certainly don't all love the same way, and that is ok. That is more than ok. ( )

A raging 5 stars for this brilliant novel!!!! Hands down my favourite by Becky Albertalli!

This book had everything I need to fall in love with a book (except maybe a touch of fantasy or dragons). The best part is that I do not hate the teenagers, lol. I think that is a common theme in the authors books. Usually, most authors get the dynamics wrong with teen characters and I end up cringing and annoyed. Becky Albertalli, on the other hand, is simply brilliant. I feel like the author has nailed it with the teenage characters. For a change, I feel like this is very normal and probably relatable, if I were a teenager in this day and age.

Coming to the book, the characters were amazing, diversity was a solid 10 in this book and the story worked with so many emotions. We have a plus size teenager who is surrounded by strong women who do not seem to have a problem with falling in love and her mothers are about to get married cause supreme court just legalised gay marriages.

Not only do we see the teenagers struggle with feeling strong and adequate but also her contemplation of a relationship because how can someone like her back or see past her size? I absolutely loved how she fights with her emotions and lets her strength persevere. The author hit close to home with this for me.

Apart from the MC’s character arc, we also see how new relationships can complicate the equation between siblings, the age-old issues that the older generations have with the current one (you are too fat, you cannot be gay, you need to get a partner, blah blah blah), and also how hard it is to let go and be yourself when your loved ones alienate you.

This was a power packed novel with everything you need.

BROWNIE POINTS FOR HAVING CHARACTERS FROM THE SIMONVERSE MAKING APPEARANCES.

I loved it!! Absolutely, loved it!!! ( )