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I didn’t have any expectations going into Fangirl. Sure, I had heard a lot of awesome things about Rainbow Rowell, but I honestly haven’t picked up her books. I DID have Fangirl and Carry On signed by Rainbow Rowel at Yallwest earlier this year, but I gave my Fangirl copy to my cousin who absolutely ADORES Rainbow!
Anyway, in preparation for reading Carry On (which I STILL HAVEN’T DONE!), I decided to read Fangirl first and I WAS AMAZED! I mean, if you are a total FANGIRL, you will understand this book so, so, so much!
In fact, I see myself as Cath! Well, my teenage self, anyway! *wink I remember starting my freshman year in college and not KNOWING anyone in my classes because all my BFFs decided to take different courses and, and it’s just totally SCARY! So I immediately bonded with Cath right there! Contrary to what I am now, I USED TO BE SUPER SHY! I still am, by the way, but I’ve had to come out of my shell.
As the title states, Cath is THE FANGIRL. The one who is totally obsessed with and writes fanfic for one of the biggest fandoms: Simon Snow. You will also appreciate the subtle references to Harry Potter here. TOTALLY! And if you are like me who practically grew up with Harry Potter, you would totally get it!
The Story within the story
The most awesome thing about Fangirl is Carry On because each chapter has snippets of the fanfic written by Cath!
But what is Fangirl really about?
It is about an awkward girl who isn’t ready to be a college freshman. Who clings hard to her twin sister, Ren who HAS moved on from fanfic writing and the Simon Snow fandom. It is about family and discovering love – basically sort of mirroring my freshman year in college! Ha ha!
What I like most of all is the concept of family. The amazing bond between father and daughter, and the bond between sisters. Really, Fangirl is an awesome book about family as well.
But I want more romance!
Unfortunately, what is lacking in Fangirl is the romance between Cath and Levi. Since I am a romance fan, I always, ALWAYS want more romance in my books. Sure, there was the meet-cute, but I wanted more from their relationship.
The audiobook is awesome!
Because I listened to the audiobook, you get to hear two narrators, Rebecca Lowman for Fangirl, and Maxwell Caulfield for the Carry On excerpts! Awesome, right?
Recommendations
Since I don’t normally read YA contemporary, I don’t have a lot of recs I can give you. The closest one I can recommend is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.
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Do you think YA needs more romance?
What do you think about having a story within a story?
Yup, I know exactly how you feel. I read this book the day before I went off to college as a freshman to move in to the dorms. It was honestly the most perfect book to have read before leaving for college. I’ve since giving away that copy (to a good home!) but the copy and the book in general will always have a special place in my heart because of how much it resonated with me, how much I *needed* to read something like that, before leaving. That was three years ago! <3
Anyway! Wonderful review, Zeee. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!) recently posted…Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Thanks Alyssa! It would have been perfect had I read this before I went off to college! ha ha
Yay! Glad you enjoyed this! I was so nervous to read this originally haha for fear of disliking it. Definitely wouldn’t have mind more romance. But I’m glad the book wasn’t all “fangirling” but touched on mental health too.
Lovely review, Zeee!
Cyn @ Bookmunchies recently posted…Series Review: The Wedding Pact by Denise Grover Swank
That is so true, Cyn! It’s more than about fangirling but also about family and peer pressure. I’m glad I enjoyed this, too but yeah, I really, really wanted more romance!
Ooh yay, I’m so glad you liked this! 😀
I tried reading Carry On first, actually – I had to DNF it 🙁 But hey, maybe Fangirl will be different? After all, I feel like I could probably relate to Cath a lot as well! 😀
Geraldine @ Corralling Books recently posted…The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
I haven’t read Carry On yet and I’m a little nervous. There are mixed reviews about this book, too!
You should definitely read Fangirl!
Yup, I SO get you^^ My teenaged/College aged self was so much like Cath that it was impossible NOT to bond with her and her Fangirl ways 😀 I still need to read Carry On though but I am planing on doing so ASAP. I’ll be looking out for your thoughts on it obviously 🙂 Awesome review! xx
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews recently posted…Review: Artemis Fowl
Thanks Micheline!! Although for some reason, your comments always go to pending! urrghhh…
Anyway……..I still haven’t read Carry On! I need to, obviously but I am dragging a bit. I know it has similarities with Harry Potter and I am not so sure I am ready for it! 🙂