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Of Jenny and the Aliens

Ryan Gebhart (Goodreads Author)

2.76 · Rating details · 111 ratings · 49 reviews

Ten years after Earth sent messages out into deep space, there has been an answer. Music from a distant planet has reached the our radios. Are aliens about to invade? No one knows, and almost-eighteen-year-old Derek doesn’t really care, because at a wild end-of-the-world party, Jennifer Novak invites him to play beer pong. And things…progress from there. Derek is in love. ...more

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Hardcover, 345 pages

Published August 1st 2017 by Candlewick Press

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Average rating 2.76 ·

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· 111 ratings · 49 reviews

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Sep 24, 2017 catherine ♡ rated it it was ok

Shelves: science-fiction, young-adult

My problem with this wasn't the crude humor or the mentions of sex - it was more the fact that I just didn't really know what was going on. Of Jenny and the Aliens has a really fun and quirky writing style, which made the book fly by super quickly, but overall I could have done without the narrator's odd obsession over a girl he had only known for a few days. I really liked the alien aspect of this book actually - but all the side characters, especially the best friend and Jenny herself - made m ...more

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Jun 20, 2017 Amber rated it did not like it

Shelves: netgalley, sci-fi, read-2017, aliens, debut-2017

I was here for this premise because, well, aliens. Unfortunately, very early on I realized I was going to be disappointed. It had an extremely crude type of humor that I've never been a fan of. On a side note, I'm not sure I'd personally classify this as YA due to that crude humor.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own. ...more

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May 30, 2015 Ryan Gebhart added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: i-wrote-this

I wrote this book. It's about first love and discovering that we're not alone in the universe. It's pretty incredible, ngl. ...more

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Feb 28, 2018 ❤ Aly ❤ rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2018, ammp-fairytale-2018

The only reason that I am giving this book a 1 is because I personally know the setting. I also didn't mind the writing style.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Nov 24, 2019 Sabrina rated it it was ok

Derek is a toxic person and Jenny isn't all roses either. We don't even get to find what her deal and why she is so emotionally stunned.

The only redeemable characters in this book are the alien family and Avery.

I did enjoy this book in the same way I enjoy low budgeted, terrible films to only make jokes throughout.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Paige Hettinger rated it it was ok

Shelves: arcs

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full Review: https://yabooksdaily.wordpress.com/20...

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But it was juvenile, underdeveloped, and impossible for me to be more annoyed with. I'm simply not interested in seeing the perpetuation of "nerd culture" and unrealistic representations of women. I think there are readers out there who will enjoy this book, maybe find it endearing or relatable, not "fake ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Katie rated it did not like it

Shelves: independant-reading-elective, reviews

After ten years with no reply from messages sent out into space, there is an answer, and it is music, alien music. At first, Derek doesn’t really care about the whole aliens making contact thing because he is more focused on something else, more like someone else, Jenny Novak. Derek is in love with Jenny and willing to do anything to make her love him back. Anything. This is a story about what happens when you love a girl more than anything else in the world, including the whole world.

The cover After ten years with no reply from messages sent out into space, there is an answer, and it is music, alien music. At first, Derek doesn’t really care about the whole aliens making contact thing because he is more focused on something else, more like someone else, Jenny Novak. Derek is in love with Jenny and willing to do anything to make her love him back. Anything. This is a story about what happens when you love a girl more than anything else in the world, including the whole world.

The cover was OK, I thought it was a nice playful way to represent the title, but it didn't really tell you anything about the book, other than how simple the plot was. It is also really hard to tell what the title actually is from the cover. There is no way to know that the girl emoji on it is Jenny if you have not read the book.

I didn't think there was anything compelling about the book at all except maybe Derek's younger cousin, who I thought was the best character even though he was only in like two chapters.

I was basically disappointed with the whole book. It was really pointless and I couldn't even tell what the story was. Everything about it just made me groan, probably since I hated the characters, especially Derek. He was so self-centered and immature and couldn't even think past Jenny who wasn't even that great of a person. He isn't a developed enough character to really have a real relationship, yet the whole book was about his senseless love for Jenny, probably mostly caused since she was the first girl he had a real relationship with. Also, the whole book was just kind of crude. All of the humor (not that it was actually funny) was gross and unthoughtful. Another thing that disappointed me was the way they portrayed the aliens. It was so uncreative and just not a good choice for such a major element of the book. I think that the journey to the alien's planet was poorly portrayed and the planet itself was a HUGE letdown. The part about him eating dinner with the aliens was disgusting and really hard to read. Basically, I disliked the whole book. I also hated how Derek was willing to endanger the whole word and cause mass chaos just to get Jenny's attention. I understand how they tried to bring in serious word conflicts like the one in Raya, but it didn't work and it just felt like they were making fun of the real conflict that our soldiers face today. The idea that the war could pause because of one senseless thing that a stupid teenager like Derek did was absurd. I continued reading because I hoped that it would get better, but it just didn't.

I'm sorry for the harsh review. I'm sure other people will like this book, but it just wasn't the one for me.

(I was given this ARC through NetGalley) ...more

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Nov 12, 2017 Emily Fitzgerald rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Of Jenny and the Aliens by Ryan Gebhart made me uncomfortable. Blatantly, I thought that the main character was annoying and that the standard of girls was unrealistic.

I’m usually prone to reading romance novels, so I thought trying a science-fiction novel that had elements of romance in it would be a nice twist on my usual reading habits. This novel is narrated by eighteen-year-old Derek, and his boyish tone throughout the book is quite evident. His view of Jenny Novak shows this: “She’s so ho Of Jenny and the Aliens by Ryan Gebhart made me uncomfortable. Blatantly, I thought that the main character was annoying and that the standard of girls was unrealistic.

I’m usually prone to reading romance novels, so I thought trying a science-fiction novel that had elements of romance in it would be a nice twist on my usual reading habits. This novel is narrated by eighteen-year-old Derek, and his boyish tone throughout the book is quite evident. His view of Jenny Novak shows this: “She’s so hot it’s unfair. It’s not just her boobs or her smile, but also her really long auburn hair; even her slightly nasal voice sounds sexy.” After seeing Jenny show up topless to a party, Derek ends up heading home with her, and she initiates a “hook-up.” He has had a crush on Jenny ever since she was in his Spanish class. His affection for her exponentially grows throughout the novel. The consistent mindset of girls in this novel is trying to have sexual relations with boys. When I was reading this novel, I felt like the author never delved into the personalities of these girls. He depicted them as only wanting sex and being shallow. There is also a lot of profanity in this novel. From crude humor to sexual situations, I did not expect to be reading about intercourse when choosing a book supposedly about aliens; however, the humor is actually what I enjoyed most about this book. I think the author’s humor that was infused in this book was original and inappropriate at the right parts but because this was most of the book, I felt a lack of sincere meaning or purpose within the novel.

Being from a broken home, Derek has had a series of unfortunate events transpire in his lifetime. His dad had an affair with a woman, his mom took Derek and left for Ohio, and now aliens are allegedly attacking Earth. After his hook-up with Jenny, he begins to have such strong feelings for her that I feel he actually becomes obsessed with her; however, these feelings are not reciprocated. Jenny wants to experiment with other guys (including Derek’s best friend). Jenny explains that the only way she will settle is when there is world peace. To Derek’s luck, reports of aliens trying to contact Earth has set everyone in a frenzy, and Derek actually came in contact with one on a nearby island. Karo brings Derek back to his planet where he explains to him the real meaning of love. Karo and his people are such complex characters and my favorite ones of the novel. Karo could give Earth one day of peace which would ensure Jenny’s love… At this point, Jenny has treated Derek like absolute garbage, and his efforts are totally unnecessary. I was literally telling the book to “just drop her already!” when reading. When returning back to Earth, Derek realizes his true feelings.

I had different expectations for this book before reading it. Though I liked the crude humor, I think it could’ve been better with less of it and more sincerity. With that being said, Derek’s attitude of NEEDING this girl was something that could have been lowered as well. If the author included more of the aliens rather than the sexual relations between “needy” Derek and his unreliable girlfriend, I think I would have extremely different views of this novel.

Overall, Of Jenny and the Aliens was definitely not my best read, but it is a good book for those who enjoy crude humor. ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Mandy added it

Okay, it's not secret if you follow my blog, I love me some supernatural creatures - especially the mythological kind that people love to hunt for on stupid reality shows. You've got Finding Bigfoot and ridiculous ghost shows and...aliens. ALIENS ARE SO COOL TOO, and they have the best encounter stories. So, of course, I was looking forward to another alien book (especially after my other YA one didn't go so well earlier this summer), and I'm so glad tot ell you that that it ended up working out Okay, it's not secret if you follow my blog, I love me some supernatural creatures - especially the mythological kind that people love to hunt for on stupid reality shows. You've got Finding Bigfoot and ridiculous ghost shows and...aliens. ALIENS ARE SO COOL TOO, and they have the best encounter stories. So, of course, I was looking forward to another alien book (especially after my other YA one didn't go so well earlier this summer), and I'm so glad tot ell you that that it ended up working out great!

I will say that the humor is a bit...out there (OMG, I JUST HAD TO STICK IN THAT PUN THERE. SEE WHAT I DID. I EVEN DRAMATIC PAUSED). The humor may not be for everyone, but there were some good humorous moments. This is a coming of age comedy, and I mean, we're meeting aliens with a teenage guy. There's bound to be some comedy especially when Derek gets beamed up. It's definitely more than a bit spicier form humor than the cutesy one I was expecting nor the usual humor I go with; however, I thought that it gave the humor a very realistic feel and something really different than anything out there in YA right now. Imagine 80s movies with a slightly more mature vibe. ;)

I liked the characters quite well. Derek has a nerdy side to him, and of course, I love me some nerdy main characters. Have I mentioned how much I love me some nerdy characters? Jenny and our lovely alien friend were great as well. The ship was fun as well.

The plot was interesting as well. I mean, here's Derek all in love with our Jenny and then BAM! Beamed up by an alien, and tries to get advice from him? I mean, he's with Jenny at the end of the world party - who cares about aliens and them possibly taking over the world? I found this premise so enjoyable, and to me, it kind of did play a little with a trope of love in YA being first and foremost, and I thought that was brilliant.

A whole new worlddddddddddddddd
ALIENS. I also thought that Gebhart did such a good job with creating a unique alien. Trust me when I say that the alien is like anything out there in space we've seen - which I thought was fun because I mean, how do really make aliens - who have been done before - in a unique way.

Overall, this was a very interesting novel. I was supposed to share some of my favorite quotes in this post, but the truth was I was a bit too engrossed in the novel to actually remember to highlight quotes that I found entertaining - which I took as a good sign. I did have a bit of disconnection with it, and certain things did have me raising my eyebrows. But I mean, ALIENS, and I definitely think Gebhart has a bright future in the YA game. This was a unique coming of age story, and I think Gebhart turned something very promising into a solid novel that definitely was super easy to take down in two sittings. A Jasmine rating because...there was a whole new world in here (OMG, SEE, I DID IT AGAIN. OMG I'M A ROLL), and four crowns! ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Carter rated it it was ok

Wow, where to begin....

Derek’s toxic nature makes you cringe throughout the book. In fact, most people in this book will make you cringe. The only people that were interesting at all were the aliens.

I picked up this book while weeding my library’s collection, and the description sounded so bizarre and terrible I just had to read it. This story would’ve been sooooo much better if it didn’t include so much sex. There is such a good story in there that they could’ve focused on instead, but the mai ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Forever Young Adult added it

Shelves: reviewed-by-mandy-c, contemporary, science-fiction

Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Emoji Rebus
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Boy Brain
Bonus Factor: Aliens
Relationship Status: Look Me Up in a Decade or Two

Read the full book report here. ...more

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Jun 05, 2017 Sarah Bohl rated it it was ok

American Pie + Aliens + Love

I have to admit that this book was not right for me. BUT, before you write it off, let me tell you about it.

Derek--red-blooded teen, product of a broken home, and sometimes stoner--is in love with Jenny--a beautiful (and out of Derek's league) teen who loves to make hilarious t-shirts (her NBA design can't be beat), write screenplays, and even has a snow cone maker in her basement. And, well, with life on another planet discovered and contact recently established, w ...more

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Apr 24, 2019 Steve Tetreault rated it it was ok

What it's about: 18-year-old Derek lives in a world where aliens have just contacted Earth. During a drunken "Is this the end of the world?" party, he runs into Jenny, a girl he's had a crush on since moving to Cleveland five years ago. They hook up, and Derek is head-over-heels in love. But when Jenny doesn't requite his feelings, Derek is left to figure out what he's supposed to do about it. He seeks assistance from an alien, who happens to make first contact with Derek. The alien is pretty ch What it's about: 18-year-old Derek lives in a world where aliens have just contacted Earth. During a drunken "Is this the end of the world?" party, he runs into Jenny, a girl he's had a crush on since moving to Cleveland five years ago. They hook up, and Derek is head-over-heels in love. But when Jenny doesn't requite his feelings, Derek is left to figure out what he's supposed to do about it. He seeks assistance from an alien, who happens to make first contact with Derek. The alien is pretty chill, and is not on board with Derek's plan to try to win Jenny's affection. As the story unfurls Derek considers lots of different perspectives on what love is.

What I thought: I literally said to my wife, "I can't figure out if I dislike this protagonist because he reminds me of what a mopey jerk I was when I was a teen, or whether I dislike him because he's such a total and complete dipwad."

In addition to featuring an unlikable protagonist, I was not a fan of the casual sex, drugs, and drinking. I'm not a prude, but for a kid who is supposed to be so emotional, Derek seems to treat losing his virginity to a girl he finds amazing like it's no big thing. The same goes for the drinking and pot smoking - Derek's been doing these things since he was thirteen, and it's just no big thing to him. And yet, he gets completely and insanely bent about his relationship with Jenny. I couldn't reconcile all of these ideas in my head as coming from a single character.

Plus, after an entire novel of mental debate, Derek ends the book admitting that he hasn't learned or grown or changed in any way.

I also was not a huge fan of the "science fantasy" powers of the aliens. There's one in particular that just makes no sense whatsoever. It's literally a combination of magic and illusion (except it's not an illusion, according to the story, and yet it also IS an illusion...?) that, while I could picture what was being described in my mind in terms of what it would look like as a special effect, didn't work for me in any way. And yet, it was a major plot point - twice.

So I had frustrations with the character. I had frustrations with major plot devices. The only things I sort of appreciated were the following:

There is a female character who owns her sexuality in a very positive way. Good for her!

The story eventually gets around to making the point that just because we spend a lot of time with people doesn't mean they are our friends. And just because someone says they are your friend doesn't make it so. If someone treats you badly and doesn't look out for your best interests, they're not really your friend. If it wasn't such a barely-there part of the book, I'd be very happy with it as a message.

Why I rated it like I did: For the many reasons listed above. ...more

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Jun 24, 2017 Zachary Houle rated it it was ok

Alright, class, may I have your attention? Professor Zach is in the house, and today we’re looking at a young adult novel from Ryan Gebhart called Of Jenny and the Aliens. Sometimes, I like to read YA books because, if they don’t make me feel younger, they are easy to read and that’s all you’re looking for on a hot summer’s day. (Cold winter days, too.) Well, I did feel some pangs of nostalgic first love when I read the book. It’s about a kid named Derek, who’s a bit of a geek, who falls in love ...more

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May 31, 2018 Virginia rated it did not like it

DNF page 117

What even is this? I'm over 100 pages in and I have no idea what's going on or if there's even a plot to follow.

--The interesting: Aliens have contacted Earth!
--Not so interesting: It's just a random kid alien who smokes space weed with the main character because sometimes he likes to hang out in Ohio. Because that makes a lot of sense.
--Even less interesting than that: Starship Troopers-style war propaganda with another country and the occasional "war is hell" from jaded teens
--The ...more

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Apr 30, 2017 Ms. Yingling rated it liked it

I adore this author's There Will Be Bears, but this book is definitely more for high school or even college students. Stylistically, it's engaging and funny, and there's fantastic character development. Unfortunately (for me), there's also drinking, drugs, nudity, sex, and a lot of other vulgarity. Like Geoff Herbach, Gebhart groks his demographic, but I could not even bring myself to hand this to a 19-year-old I know. Maybe the next book will be middle grade! ...more

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Nov 05, 2017 -RadioactiveBookworm- rated it it was amazing

Goodreads Synopsis:
Ten years after Earth sent messages out into deep space, there has been an answer. Music from a distant planet has reached the our radios. Are aliens about to invade? No one knows, and almost-eighteen-year-old Derek doesn’t really care, because at a wild end-of-the-world party, Jennifer Novak invites him to play beer pong. And things…progress from there. Derek is in love. Deeply, hopelessly in love. He wants it all—marriage, kids, growing old on a beach in Costa Rica. Jenny is ...more

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Jul 22, 2019 Imogen K. Kahn rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Instead of going into depth about why I do not like this book, I’m going to list the parts that caused this read to go down in star ratings for me. This is not a personal attack against the author.

1. Derek’s thought process about showing up to Jenny’s house uninvited in Chapter 10.
2. “She didn’t tell me she was going to a bar in Toledo.” And “She’s my girl. I pound my fists against the steering wheel. “She’s my fucking girl!”” On page 130.
3. “She’s my girlfriend and she knows she is.” On page 1 Instead of going into depth about why I do not like this book, I’m going to list the parts that caused this read to go down in star ratings for me. This is not a personal attack against the author.

1. Derek’s thought process about showing up to Jenny’s house uninvited in Chapter 10.
2. “She didn’t tell me she was going to a bar in Toledo.” And “She’s my girl. I pound my fists against the steering wheel. “She’s my fucking girl!”” On page 130.
3. “She’s my girlfriend and she knows she is.” On page 131.
4. The fight that Jenny and Derek have in chapter 11, and how he insults her physical appearance that she told him she was already insecure about. He deliberately tries to hurt her.
5. Derek legitimately believing he is in love with Jenny after two weeks on page 141.
6. The “te amo” thing. Oh my god. *eyeroll*
7. The way he treats his mom, what an ass. Pages 150-151.
8. How Derek keeps calling Jenny his girlfriend when SHE’S NOT.
9. “I could kill myself. I know I’m going to be in love with Jenny for the rest of my life, but I’m meaningless to her” on 157. God, shut up.
10. “I’m not depressed, okay? I just kinda don’t want to live anymore” (158).
11. “Stop saying that. She loves me just as much as I love her. She just doesn’t know it, or she’s scared of her feelings, or something” Or, she’s just NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU. (160).
12. “I have to help her discover who she truly is deep-down inside—devout, awesome, and mine” (160). The way he talks about Jenny is bordeline creepy, even if this is supposed to be a character arc. This is gross.
13. A lot of these early chapters are just him obsessing about Jenny. Not pining, not being romantically interested, literally OBSESSED. Why are you planning a future after two weeks?
14. The Spanish feels so....awkwardly placed? I don’t know how to explain it.
15. Birthday present on 166. I don’t feel like quoting it, so read it if you want.
16. Why. does. Jenny. smoke. so. much?
17. Jenny and Derek’s talk at Red Lobster. 170-173.
And that’s just what I felt like typing out while I read. If you want to read it, then go you I guess? I’m only finishing because I just DNF’ed a book before this and I want to feel accomplished even though this read may hurt.
...more

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Aug 10, 2017 Amber rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017, advanced-reading-copies, a-long-time-ago-in-a-galaxy-far-fa

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Candlewick Press and LibraryThing for this opportunity.

When I started reading this book, I immediately hated it. The characters are all jerks. I think if I met a single one of them in real life, the kindest reaction I would have would be a serious eye roll and getting as far away as possible.

Yeah, I know, I'm pretty judgmental.

But I kept reading the story. Just because I don't like the characters as people, doesn' ...more

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Jul 13, 2018 Jordan rated it did not like it

I read this book in June of 2017 and it has taken me this long to write the review because I thought I’d DNF and try again, but after a second foray into this story…I just can’t. I made it a full 25% before I had to back away or risk throwing my Kindle.

Of Jenny and the Aliens is the worst parts of The Catcher in the Rye meets Bright Lights Big City. It’s full of crude and sometimes downright repulsive and exploitative depictions of women from the mind of a sexually frustrated teenage boy. Maybe ...more

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Aug 24, 2017 Amy rated it liked it

Of Jenny and the Aliens was a cute story about Derek and Jenny who get together at an "End of the World" party on the day that aliens contact earth from Pud 5. Jenny and Derek were never really meant to be, but Derek falls helplessly in love with the girl who only wants a fun, open relationship. Derek makes friends with Karo, an alien from Pud 5, and uses him to help solve his love problems with Jenny.

Overall, this book kept my interest throughout. However, it was not my favorite read of the sum ...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Chris rated it really liked it

Shelves: not-graphic, life, sci-fi, ya

An authentic exploration of first love, the type of confusing, all-consuming obsession that can't be brought into perspective by anything on earth. So Derek is lucky to have the advice of a friendly alien. Of course, that doesn't mean everything is easy. He is still on a roller coaster ride of emotional extremes as he tries to figure things out, with regular dives into alcohol, drugs, and extraterrestrial encounters adding a hallucinatory quality to the experience. He doesn't have time to join e ...more

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Jul 28, 2020 G Su rated it liked it

Not too bad. Felt pretty chaotic at times, but overall the plot was driven along well through development and revelations of character and backstory. One complain I have is of the reactions to the aliens themselves. I don't think people, especially Derek's family, would actually react that way to Derek's escapades... Also, Jenny's motivation confused me. (view spoiler) ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 gillion added it

Shelves: dnf

I have never given a book an one star rating. I was given this ARC through NetGalley so thanks to them. I wanted the copy because it looked like a cute book, I was wrong. This book is science fiction which I don't mind but can the author at least write it right? Like yeah aliens cool but have fun with it! Also, the "couple" had sex and it will casually mention it like teenagers are having sex daily (which again is scary to me but hey you do you) and I was disgusted. Please do not read this if yo ...more

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Jul 01, 2017 Samantha Myers rated it it was ok

I received an advance copy of this via Netgalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this. The cover seemed fun and I've always been interested in "alien" portrayals in fiction going back to when I was a teen but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I don't know if it was Derek or Jenny or the both of them or maybe I missed something but this book just didn't work for me. ...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Mandi Schneck rated it really liked it

Thanks to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SO different than what's out there right now. Yes it was boy meets girl, but it was so much more than that. It was a quick read, but one that sticks with you. What Derek did for Jenny I think will hit home with a lot of people, not just in the sense of how much you love someone, but the existentialism of how much is really out there, the meaning of life, all that jazz. I think this book had a lot o ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Mandy rated it it was ok

Shelves: fya, young-adult, science-fiction, contemporary, 2017, july-aug-2017

Did not love the MC—at all—but the book could have been entertaining were it not for him.

Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult. ...more

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Sep 16, 2017 Lupita rated it liked it

Shelves: teen-older, scifi

Definitely a very weir ride with a very unsatisfying romance. It seemed like a smash up of a romance and lighthearted sci-fi. It seemed to work at times but at others left one feeling annoying. The visit to the alien world was extraordinary and would almost give it another star for that.

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Sep 22, 2017 Ashley rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, fiction, sci-fi

I got a couple of laughs from this book, but I think I might be too old to fully appreciate this tale of heart-wrenching first love and first heartbreak. Ryan Gebhart's writing reminds me of Jesse Andrews (Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl; Haters) and Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle. ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Jennifer Wrage rated it did not like it

Started and stopped. Maybe it is because I am "old" and a "teacher," but I can't dedicate myself to the time it will take to finish this. If you like racy, trashy teenage escapades, this is for you. It's just not for me. ...more

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About Ryan Gebhart

Ryan Gebhart

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Ryan Gebhart was born and raised in Maumee Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a master's degree in Spanish (he can hablar some español like a boss). His debut middle grade There Will Be Bears, about getting older, best friends, and a bear, is a selected title for seven state reading lists. His debut young adult Of Jenny and the Aliens, about first love and discovering that we're not alon ...more