My Thoughts on Jackie Khalilieh's You Started It

I want to thank Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for the ARC of You Started It. I loved this book so much! It delves into many topics that aren't typically discussed in YA fiction stories. I like how the author addresses mental health issues through the main character, Jamie. I love how all of the characters were multifaceted. None of them were entirely good or bad. They all had realistic traits and flaws, and they were unique. One aspect of this book is that it makes readers think of so many important topics, such as internal misogyny, internal racism, anxiety, self-esteem issues, insecurity, and all the issues that many teenagers (and POC youth) face daily. Nadia Taher, Jamie's mother, is incredibly racist towards her race, and she instills those hateful beliefs she has into her daughter. Due to the "fake-dating" scheme she and Alexander "Axel" Dahini have come up with, she faces challenges, such as finding her true identity, appreciating her heritage, and adjusting to the changes in her life. Axel helps Jamie learn more about her culture and heritage and he's very supportive of her once he learns about her mental health struggles. Towards the end of the book, Jamie began to frustrate me and her decisions left me angry, but I understood where she came from, considering the fact her father walked out of her life and left her with a mother she has almost nothing in common with and constantly fights with. Jamie's character development was amazing. At times, she was self-centered and immature, but her character remained one of my favorites, besides Axel and Amo Eli. Khalilieh flawlessly wrote this book. Five out of five stars!