Again, but Better: A Novel

Shane suspects that she might be doing college wrong. Her first year has gone by with no new friends or great memories -- just studying and hanging out in her dorm. Now, she's setting off on a fantastic adventure: a study abroad program in London. She'll be pursuing her passion for creative writing, and she's determined to break out of her shy shell and get to know people, and hopefully even (finally) kiss a boy. Of course, there's a minor problem: her parents think that the program she's in is pre-med, since that's the major that they'll pay for her to study. Shane's loving London (and the cute boy who seems really into her, in spite of the fact that he's got a girlfriend back home), but if her parents find out about her deception, show more there will be consequences...

So, I thought the first half of the book was pretty typical for a cute YA rom-com. I liked seeing a shy, inexperienced protagonist determined to come into her own. The second half of the book takes a surprising dive into the territory of magical realism, and I didn't love it quite as much, but by that point I was along for the ride, invested in the characters and hoping to see them together at the end. For those who love YA romance with some magical quirks, this is for you. show less

If I had to describe this book in five words they’d be: Anna and the French Kiss, because if you liked one, you’ll like the other. And if you had issues with one, you’ll likely have similar issues with the other. Unfortunately, I fall into the second camp with this one and I didn’t love the book as much as I had hoped. Again, But Better is a coming of age story about finding your path in unlikely places following reluctant pre-med student Shane as she is studying abroad in London to gain a “true college experience.” Regrets, romance, and drama ensues.

I do think I would have enjoyed this story a lot more if I read it 5-7 years ago (around the first time I read - and enjoyed- Anna and the French Kiss). But I just didn’t show more connect with it. You can totally hear Christine’s voice shining through - a good or a bad thing depending on your preference, I was fine with it. Though there are a TON of pop culture references that can be a little repetitive. But the more I read the story, the more Shane bugged me. At first, I was like “Hello fellow introvert, I will connect with you through shared perspectives”, but I really didn’t at all. She seemed was more awkward and filterless than introverted. And it was a lot to be in her loud and anxious personality for long periods of time - part of why this took me a month to read (unheard of for me). And her family was absolutely horrid! Especially her father, who came off as verbally abusive in the story.

But probably my biggest gripe with the story is Shane’s relationship with Pilot. They connect on the trip pretty quickly and Shane is definitely catching feelings (which Pilot seems to reciprocate)- but Pilot has a girlfriend. He’s shown to not be very serious about her, but they’re still in a relationship. Cheating (and emotional cheating) is one of my biggest pet peeves in books - it makes the characters unlikeable and taints any prospects of a relationship. And I really didn’t like how hung up Shane was about everything years later, I just didn’t buy it.

I’m going to be completely honest, I knew where the book was headed for the ending - and I wasn’t thrilled by it, so I skimmed the last 50 pages or so to make sure I was right (I was), so I could be finished with the story. It’s not a bad story by any means, it’s just not right for my personal taste. This wasn’t a quick read for me, but you could totally knock it out in a day, easy. I’m sure many people with love and connect with Shane, and be enamored by the first love giddy feelings, but it just wasn’t for me and that’s okay. show less

I struggled with what the rating would be for this book at first. I really loved Pilot's character in the book. He is what redeemed the book for me in a lot of ways. I loved Shane's character near the end where she decided she would pick herself and work on herself and her future. I admire that greatly. The only thing that bothered me was that some of it was a bit cringey to the point that it made me think the characters were in middle or high school instead of college. But I'm excited to see how Christine's writing will improve in the future.

*I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway*
What a pleasant surprise! I don't know the last time I read a contemporary romance or enjoyed one as much as this one. I loved reading about Shane and her friends going through life at the same time as I did. I could relate so easily with Shane and her friends, they felt like my own.

This was so light and fun, but not to the point where it was fluff. Shane and her friends have real lives that feel deep and important. Their choices matter, and it's not all about her getting the boy. As the reader though, you are totally rooting for them! It was just the right amount of making me swoon and smile, I might be addicted to this kind of book. Plus, it was definitely what I needed right now as I'm show more going through a rough time. I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for a new adult with some romance. show less

When I think about the college experiences of some of the people closest to me, I often wish that I could have done mine differently. I lack the sense of community and the resulting deep lasting friendships that other have experienced. While I may follow a college friend on Instagram, we're unlikely to vacation together or be invited to the weddings of each other's children. A do-over would be nice.

In Again, but Better the reader gets to watch Shane muddle through her semester abroad in London, complete with the mistakes and a few triumphs and the whole aftermath of how that semester, and the people she met, impacted her life. On paper, she's got all that she was going for, but is it all what she really yearns for? What if she could do show more it again?

This is a debut novel by a serious blogger, actress, and YouTuber on a quest to encourage reading among both those who are enthusiasts and those who rarely pick up a book. I was curious to see how her passions translated into writing. This was a fun read, with just enough opportunities for the reader to want to thump Shane on the head, because obviously readers know so much, and then to cheer her on. I foresee that I'll be spending a lot of time on you tube catching up on Ms Ricci, Booksplosion, and PolandBananas.

Thank you to Wednesday Books, St Martin's Press, and MacMillian for sending me my copy of the book, and making me wish I could do my semester abroad in London over again, too. show less

Like, 1.5 star rating.

Girl..... this ain't it. What a hot mess. I really wanted this to be good, I truly did, but it just... isn't. It reads like an Anna and the French Kiss / 17 Again self insert fanfiction (the mc is pretty much just Christine). The mental health rep is shoddy at best, the romance boring (and involves borderline cheating), and the reference-filled writing is extremely lackluster. Also the time travel / spirit guide plot twist?? That...... Happened.

I have nothing against Christine as a person & I have respect for her place in basically starting /coining booktube, but this was extremely disappointing. It vaguely improves in the last like, 20% of the novel (basically when it's not focusing on the romance) which is show more making me give it an extra half star but it's still a mess. show less

I thought that this would be a straightforward "reinventing myself by doing a semester abroad" story, but then a fantasy time travel element was introduced half way through which made the story even better! The main character, Shane, sometimes acts irrationally in my opinion, but I enjoyed her journey in the end.