The Upside of Unrequited audiobook

I liked this book. It's been my bathroom book, if you know what I mean. DO you know what I mean? I mean, I keep it in my bathroom so when I...you know...I read. I got so sucked into this story, though, that I was in my bathroom for five hours straight. Now I can't feel my legs. But it was worth it. Counting down the days until I get to watch Love, Simon because I also loved that book and can't wait for the movie. But I'm actually going to the theater to see that movie with my book club. I'm not watching it in my bathroom. I don't think my book club would enjoy that.

I loooooved this! I found it to be so relatable and just amazing. Stayed tuned for a review/discussion to hear more thoughts!

Ok, I'm ready to write a full review of this now. Maybe. So many good things to say, so little time.Before I get into the quality of the book, let me just give you a breakdown of the diversity represented here because it was honestly incredible and this is the exact world that I want to see in YA contemporaries from now on.-Pansexual (on page) side character who is also Korean-American-Multiple lesbian side characters-Bisexual side character-Minor gay characters-Jewish main character, side characters, and love interest-Main character has two moms-Multiple black side characters-Although there were no on-page asexual characters, asexuality was still included as a thing that exists-Fat main character-Main character also has a history of anxiety which she is on medication for and this is brought up A LOT along with how going to parties works differently for her because of the dangers of mixing her medication with alcoholThere are so many more but LOOK AT THIS LIST. None of these characters were shoe-horned in. It was the most natural collection of people who made up this growing community for the main character and it honestly made me want to cry a couple of times because this is the world I live in and I was seeing it so naturally represented in what is going to be a highly sold YA contemporary. But now let me talk about everything else great going on here.Reading this book felt like eating one of Molly's mason jars of egg-free cookie dough and ice cream. I couldn't be mad while I was reading it. It was the most pleasurable reading experience and I spent most of my time grinning from ear to ear. Molly is a fabulous main character who struggles in such an authentic way to deal with low self esteem and feeling like everyone around her is growing up faster than she is. It was something I really identified with, remembering myself at 17. Her concerns, and the round-about way that she rationalizes how she feels left behind was excellently done and supremely authentic, in my own experience. Also, her constant struggles with self-image were really well done and she felt like a character I hadn't seen before, but one I have wanted to exist for so long now. The sister relationship. Sorry, let me rephrase that. THE SISTER RELATIONSHIP!!!!! I spend a lot of time being sad about books that don't feature siblings or close family relationships and boy was this a balm to all of that. The ups and downs with Molly and Cassie were so similar to a lot of the ways I interact with my own sister. They know exactly what words to use to hurt each other if they need to, but they will also kill absolutely anyone who so much as looks at their sister the wrong way. They can have a conversation in a glance but they can also have days where they don't know how to communicate at all. And they also have a really great relationship with their moms, who are an active part of the story. That's right, not only do they have two moms but they are participating in their daughters' lives and in the story itself! They don't vanish into whatever wasteland YA parents sometimes go while they teenage children are having life struggles! Plus, they are well-developed, live their own lives, and are honestly hilarious. My only qualms with this book come in the form of communication stuff. First of all, it seems like some of the issues in the plot could have been so easily remedied if Molly had just spoken up. I know this is often linked to the anxiety she feels and the worry that whatever she says will be shut down, but by the time I got closer to the end of the book it felt more and more like she just needed to say ANYTHING to her sister or best friend and all would be well. Also, this had an odd habit where characters would be having a really essential or meaningful conversation and it would just... stop. Molly would have some thoughts about what was being said and then we would never hear how the conversation ended. This happened a few times throughout and it did frustrate me because I thought those were really important conversations happening and I wanted to know how they ended. This was one of the most joyful books I have read in a long time. The characters talked like teenagers and constantly texted or brought up social media. They were funny and self-conscious and loud and confused. I'm sure you all already have this on your anticipated releases list, but if you somehow don't already: put it on there. Don't worry, Albertalli's second book doesn't disappoint. In fact, it is more than worth the wait. Now, here's hoping that the Simon movie does incredibly well so we can get a movie of this one too.*Thanks to Harper for sharing an eARC of this book with me to review*

Thank you so much, Harper Collins, for providing me with a free copy of this book to review!4.5 stars! I really really enjoyed this read. I recently read Simon & LOVED it so I was super pumped to pick up Becky's next work *that comes out on my birthday.*This was an unbelievably adorable, cute, funny, fluffy, give-you-all-the-feels kind of read. (So like, what you would normally expect from Becky) [But speaking of Becky's other books, I would definitely recommend reading [book:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|19547856] before Upside. It's definitely not required but there are some cameos that will hold no significance and seem like totally irrelevant side characters if you don't already know the history of who these characters are.]Upside was definitely a unique read! There's underrepresented body types, our MC has anxiety & takes medication for it, the MCs twin sister likes girls (specifically, a Korean-American pansexual girl), they have two moms, they're also sperm-donor babies. Molly does hold family to a higher standard than a lot of YA books as she's very concerned with her relationship with her sister but I thought it was really nice to see someone who cared to deeply for their family. It was a breath of fresh air to experience all this individuality in one book!I also feel it was a really realistic portrayal of teenagers, like REEEAALLLLY realistic compared to a lot of other YA titles. The teens drink. They talk about sex. They lie to their parents. They feel self-conscious due to a variety of factors like body image, their romantic/sexual experiences, their family and friend's view of them. They panic over issues teen do panic over in real life. They exaggerate, they feel jealousy. It held all the components of adolescence that really happen outside of fiction. It was immensely nice to see a book where teens are shown in a very truth-to-life way.There was really nothing I *didn't* like about this book per say. The only thing I can touch on is that I personally was not as emotionally invested in this story. It has nothing to do with the characters, the plot, the messages expressed, the writing or ANYTHING of that sort because I did truly enjoy every aspect of this book. It's just one of those reads that you fly through because you really really enjoy it, and you exit the story with just amusement and entertainment, which is still a really great thing!I'd highly highly recommend The Upside of Unrequited! It's definitely a fast, get-you-out-of-a-slump sort of read. I think it has a lot of strengths and would really speak to a variety of readers. Full video review to come to my channel closer to release, but definitely put this one on your TBRs for this coming April 11th!

Re-read 4/24/18: Still think this was mega cute, still love me a great fat main character. Also: WOW I forgot how cute Reid is. Have mercy. This was adorable. I’m SO excited for Leah’s book now!!Original read 4/25/17: This book was mega cute. Not as good as Simon in my opinion, but still so good. And it was amazingly refreshing to read a book about a fat girl that actually accurately represents what it's like to be a fat girl and I AM SO ABOUT IT. So great.

“I want to know what it feels like to have crushes that could conceivably maybe one day turn into boyfriends.”This was once again a very honest and real story by Becky Albertalli. The reason why books like Becky's resonate so much with teenagers and young adults is because in them we feel understood. We are represented. Our feelings and thoughts are valid. We see ourselves in these characters, in their struggles and in their dreams.I also love that Becky talks this openly about sex. And not just straight sex. It reminds me of Patrick Ness' novel Release. And yet again, both authors, Ness as well as Allbertalli, could've gone a bit further. Most of the time these open talks about sex and sexuality stopped in the middle of the conversation, with so many questions still unaswered. Then again, these are YA novels, not sex ed books...but still.All that is left to say is that I seriously cannot wait for Leah on the Offbeat and What If It's Us. I want them NOW.Find more of my books on Instagram

During a night out with her twin Cassie, Molly meets a girl in the bathroom who she instantly knows is Cassie's dream girl. The girl from the bathroom, Mina, and Cassie hit it off and Cassie manages to get Mina's number that night. Molly is happy for her sister but at the same time Cassie's new relationship begins to make her think about her own lack of a love life and the growing distance between her and Cassie. Molly is used to being the closest person to Cassie and has a hard time learning to deal with Cassie having someone else she goes to. Molly also hasn't ever felt as attractive as Cassie, mostly due to her weight. Molly is always told to try to put herself out there and do more but none of her friends understand that she has to work harder to protect herself from getting hurt. Even though she's like 27 guys Molly hasn't done anything with a boy and she can't help but question how much of it has to do with her as a person and people's inability to want her. So when Cassie tries to push Molly together with Mina's best guy friend, Molly might even be open to it. Too bad her coworker Reid is the one she can't seem to stop thinking about. Reid is comfortable and dorky and right off the bat Molly felt comfortable around him. She just doesn't know how to be sure about his feelings for her. There's also the fact that this will only make her and Cassie's relationship change even more. I really liked this book, it was really adorable. Molly does a lot of things that I personally wouldn't do or say but I didn't feel like that kept me from connecting with her or the book. I've also been there, where you like people but you won't let yourself even hope that someone could ever like you back. Its really relateable especially wanting someone to want you because everyone else seems to have people who want them so how come no one wants you. I really thought Cassie was being god damn annoying though. She doesn't have to be up Molly's ass but she definitely could've been much kinder to her and actually have tried to listen to what Molly wanted. Anyway I enjoyed this book a lot even though I don't think I'm in the place where I need something like this but I do think it be even better for someone who is in that place that Molly's in and dealing with growing up and learning to be in relationships and readjusting to friendships changing. Also it was pretty good with the diversity and I know that's important to people.Also on a totally separate note how do girls just like find other girls who like girls like I truly dont get how anyone does it. It's so much easier with boys because they're so obvious and kind of just make sure you know they're interested. Confusing man confusing.

4.5 stars "If I like a guy, I'm supposed to tell him. Maybe in Cassie's world, you can do that and have it end in making out. But I'm not so sure it works that way for fat girls." So this review is going to be a little personal. By that, I mean I'm going to ramble and waste ten minutes of your time, depending on how fast you read. Free feel to grab a bagel.When I was sixteen, the standard YA age, I was a painfully introverted kid. Not the fun John Green kind, but the really sad kind that makes you feel awkward when they sit next your table in the cafeteria. Part of it was me, part of it was my physical disability—it wasn't convenient for me to go to places. I didn't have any close friends, except for the occasional classmate you'd say hi to during Biology.I was also achingly, morbidly desperate for a boyfriend. I had loads of crushes, but never acted on them. Because, you see, I also had massive insecurity issues. (Sixteen-year-old Natalie sounds like a mess, doesn't she?) My disability is a form of muscular dystrophy. Right now, I use a wheelchair, but back then I still walked with the help of a cane. My atrophied muscles affected my posture and movements, so I walked like a cartoon duck, all awkward angles and wheezing breaths. I was dying on the vine for romance, but secretly believed I would never find it because, well, look at that mirror. Look at who you are.A huge part of why I enjoyed The Upside of Unrequited so much is I am Molly. Or I was her. I identified with her so much, and I don't even care if there's a tiny slice of wish-fulfillment going on—I cheered like a Cubs fan when Molly got her first kiss. It was magical and sweet and nostalgic. In that moment, I was sixteen again, with the wisdom of twenties Natalie to balance it out.Molly speaks to us. The invisible girls with thirsty hearts (Shamelessly stealing from Tiger Lily). Maybe it's pathetic. But we all feel insecure about our bodies at some point in time, one way or another. You don't have to be fat to identify with The Upside of Unrequited's message of beauty and self-acceptance. It goes far beyond a boy loving you, which is why I mentioned Molly's shoes are tempered with twenties Natalie's mentality.Look at that mirror, girl. You're fucking beautiful.Other things I want to mention is the amazing diversity. There are characters of all races and genders. White characters are pointed out because it's foolish to presume white is the norm. Relationships between female characters are as big of a part in the narrative as the romance, and the plot thread with Molly and Olivia is simply magnificent. And this: "Because I don't want to be a girl who needs a boyfriend,"I say."Well, of course you don't need one,"Nadine says. "But it's okay to want one." Every bit as good as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I would wager even better.(P.S. Sixteen-year-old Natalie turned out just fine. After all, she's here talking to you. ;) )

I liked this one but definitely enjoyed Simon v. more! :)

This was so cute omg

This book was cute - it was exactly what I expect from YA and that is perfect!While there is some LGBT theme in it like the authors last book, it is more of an accompanying theme, not the theme that drives the story. This book is more about body image and confidence. Our heroine, Molly, deals with being an overweight teenager and self-sabotaging herself because she is always assuming the worst. Also, because of her insecurities there is a lot of storyline based around how someone in her shoes views relationships. All very interesting and well written.My favorite YA trope makes an appearance: lists. Seems like YA characters are always making lists. Molly doesn't let us down as she gives us a list of her crushes.Speaking of YA tropes - YA books always seem to make teens sound more sophisticated than I remember being and more sophisticated than I feel now (I'm looking at you, John Green!). With this book I think the author did a good job of making the teenagers seem more realistic in their dialogue.If you are a YA fan, this has to be on your list. If you enjoyed Simon, you won't be disappointed.

4.5/5Oh the adorableness! Such a cute, diverse read! I can see why so many people love this book! It's so adorable and super diverse and the main character is so relatable!!This is a perfect summer read!I did dock off half a star because so much cussing which honestly is just a personal preference and I did find the writing to be a tad to simplistic. Other than that I seriously loved this book!

Adored this even more the second time. I can't wait for the world to meet Molly. I've never connected with a character this strongly before. This was me in highschool!

I'm crying because that ending was so beautiful????Alright this book. I went in with really really high expectations and expecting that it would be a book of my HEART and I would relate a lot to the main character because of similar situations. And I did relate! Just not a lot. Or as much as I had hoped. Probably some of my disappointment (very minor disappointment!) comes from setting too high of expectations. BUT ON WITH THINGS I LOVED.The diversity in this book was A+++++++ to infinity. It was so natural and wonderful and made sense in the story and there were so MANY THINGS. The main character has anxiety and talks about it openly, has two moms, her sister is a lesbian, her sister's love interest is Korean-American and pansexual, and that's just naming a *few* characters. It was JAM PACKED with well developed, diverse, authentic characters. I also loved how all of the characters, especially the family, were so supportive and great??? All the drama happened with change and things Molly was going through, not people being awful.I really did relate to Molly and her situation, though I've always been on the side of not really needing a boyfriend, I've been very selective about my crushes and basically never letting on that I liked anyone ever. SO RELATABLE. I also struggle with overthinking, though not to the extent that Molly does, which is probably partially from her anxiety that I don't personally struggle with.A small thing I loved learning about was Jewish culture and things I definitely didn't know about before. It was really fun learning about it!Things I didn't really love - the writing. I liked parts of it, but sometimes it felt too straightforward for me and I would've liked a little more flow and flower to it. I also didn't really love how much everyone needed to talk about sex? But that's always definitely a me thing and is probably something other people talk about and discuss a lot? But not me and not my friends. So it got to be a little much with that at times. Overall, really really liked it, not quite love level, but I really liked it.