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This Is Not the Jess Show #1
This Is Not the Jess Show
Like many teens, sometimes it feels as though everything in Jess Flynn's life has been engineered for maximum drama--from her performance at the school talent show, to the reappearance of her childhood best friend and perennial crush Jeremy, to her friends trying to set her up with one of the hottest guys in school. It's almost as if everything might finally be going her way...until one day a tiny black phone with an apple logo on its screen falls out of her best friend's backpack and lands at Jess's feet.
The problem is, it's 1998, and the first iPhone isn't due out for another nine years.
Jess's friends refuse to acknowledge the strange device. Her sister Sara, on hospice care with a terminal blood disease, for once can't tell Jess what she should do. It's almost as if everyone is hiding something from her. Even her beloved dog Fuller seems different...like, literally different, because he definitely didn't have that same pattern of spots on his stomach last week...
Nothing in Jess Flynn's world is as it seems, and as the cracks begin to show, Jess will discover her entire life is nothing more than someone else's entertainment. Except in this reality, the outside world is no place anyone would want to escape to.
The problem is, it's 1998, and the first iPhone isn't due out for another nine years.
Jess's friends refuse to acknowledge the strange device. Her sister Sara, on hospice care with a terminal blood disease, for once can't tell Jess what she should do. It's almost as if everyone is hiding something from her. Even her beloved dog Fuller seems different...like, literally different, because he definitely didn't have that same pattern of spots on his stomach last week...
Nothing in Jess Flynn's world is as it seems, and as the cracks begin to show, Jess will discover her entire life is nothing more than someone else's entertainment. Except in this reality, the outside world is no place anyone would want to escape to.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2021
172 people are currently reading
15379 people want to read
About the author
Anna Carey
23 books2,308 followersAnna Carey has been a gift wrapper, face painter, nanny, horrific cocktail waitress, sofa saleswoman and children's book editor. She graduated from New York University and has an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she can be found writing, reading, and referencing 90s pop culture.
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October 12, 2019At long last, the YA Truman Show book I’ve been dreaming of
June 9, 2021
What a rollercoaster of a book! I’ll admit what started off as a slower read for me totally pulled the rug out from under my feet, and I ended up really enjoying the crazy trip that was This Is not the Jess Show.
Jess Flynn is a typical teenager living in 1998–she loves Alanis, likes hanging out with her friends and is nursing a crush on a boy in school. Her sister Sara has been sick for a while and their parents can be a little over protective, but Jess can handle all that! Her hometown of Swickley is safe, if not totally boring, and Jess spends her free time daydreaming about breaking out of her restrictive small town.
But it doesn’t take long for things to start to feel a little off. Jess hears voices nobody else seems to. Her best friends are acting weird and even Jess’s dog Fuller is behaving strangely, and nobody is willing to cop to what’s going on. There appears to be a line in the sand that Jess will have to decide whether to cross or not: keep asking questions and ruffling feathers, or go along with the way things have always been.
I’ll admit I was completely caught off guard by This Is Not the Jess Show. There I was, cruising through the first third of the book, which read like a typical YA contemporary (even if it took place a little over 20 years ago), and then BAM! The author hits you with an insane twist out of nowhere. After that point the book transforms into another story completely, a trippy adventure/thriller with an ending you won’t see coming.
I was really impressed at all of the social commentary Anna Carey was able to fit into this story. I think there’s an expectation in YA that those books don’t or can’t deal with complex topics because they’re typically faster paced, but clearly that is not the case. I can’t really list every single issue that Carey covers because some could be considered spoilers, but they include criticisms of celebrity culture, human commodification, capitalism, privacy and where the line is drawn for childhood abuse and trauma. All of that and more in a fast-paced YA thriller that comes in at about 300 pages.
The flip side of that, of course, is that if you wanted more of a deep dive into some of these topics, you might be a little disappointed. That said, there is already a sequel in the works and the author has promised to expand much more on the world outside of Swickley. I’m sorry to be so vague about the plot in this review, but trust that you would not want this spoiled for you!
*Thanks to Chelsea & Dennis with the Scared Suspense Book Club and Quirk Books for my copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
Jess Flynn is a typical teenager living in 1998–she loves Alanis, likes hanging out with her friends and is nursing a crush on a boy in school. Her sister Sara has been sick for a while and their parents can be a little over protective, but Jess can handle all that! Her hometown of Swickley is safe, if not totally boring, and Jess spends her free time daydreaming about breaking out of her restrictive small town.
But it doesn’t take long for things to start to feel a little off. Jess hears voices nobody else seems to. Her best friends are acting weird and even Jess’s dog Fuller is behaving strangely, and nobody is willing to cop to what’s going on. There appears to be a line in the sand that Jess will have to decide whether to cross or not: keep asking questions and ruffling feathers, or go along with the way things have always been.
I’ll admit I was completely caught off guard by This Is Not the Jess Show. There I was, cruising through the first third of the book, which read like a typical YA contemporary (even if it took place a little over 20 years ago), and then BAM! The author hits you with an insane twist out of nowhere. After that point the book transforms into another story completely, a trippy adventure/thriller with an ending you won’t see coming.
I was really impressed at all of the social commentary Anna Carey was able to fit into this story. I think there’s an expectation in YA that those books don’t or can’t deal with complex topics because they’re typically faster paced, but clearly that is not the case. I can’t really list every single issue that Carey covers because some could be considered spoilers, but they include criticisms of celebrity culture, human commodification, capitalism, privacy and where the line is drawn for childhood abuse and trauma. All of that and more in a fast-paced YA thriller that comes in at about 300 pages.
The flip side of that, of course, is that if you wanted more of a deep dive into some of these topics, you might be a little disappointed. That said, there is already a sequel in the works and the author has promised to expand much more on the world outside of Swickley. I’m sorry to be so vague about the plot in this review, but trust that you would not want this spoiled for you!
*Thanks to Chelsea & Dennis with the Scared Suspense Book Club and Quirk Books for my copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
March 22, 2021
Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.
Jess Flynn is your average, American, 90's teenager. Only she isn't.
This premise was too intriguing to pass up on reading but I worried that it would soon feel stale when the reader was given so much knowledge about Jess' predicament from the synopsis, and when she herself did not possess this for almost half of the book (the synopsis has since altered since I read this book, though). Carey did an excellent job of orientating the reader into Jess' nostalgic, 90's world and it remained interesting to see her both navigate through the average teenage worries as well as to organically puzzle out the façades surrounding her.
I was unprepared for the adrenaline-filled and action-packed turn events took once Jess became privy to the truth. The outer world was opened up to both Jess and the reader for the first time and it proved just as intricate and intriguing as her hometown set. I really appreciated how both settings were constructed and how major differences between the two were all the more apparent for their close proximity to the other. Facets that are part of the reader's everyday life were also called into question through Jess' new exposure to them.
This last facet was something I wished was featured more heavily throughout. Jess was filled with wonder and bewilderment but I yearned for a deeper and more lingering focus on the heavier topics touched upon. I wanted the nature of society, the entertainment industry, and those who were meant to protect Jess to be called out for their influence and their failures. This could have become an insight to society's dark nature, in a Black Mirror-esque fashion, but remained a lighter and more surface-level read, instead.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Anna Carey, and the publisher, Quirk Books, for this opportunity.
Jess Flynn is your average, American, 90's teenager. Only she isn't.
This premise was too intriguing to pass up on reading but I worried that it would soon feel stale when the reader was given so much knowledge about Jess' predicament from the synopsis, and when she herself did not possess this for almost half of the book (the synopsis has since altered since I read this book, though). Carey did an excellent job of orientating the reader into Jess' nostalgic, 90's world and it remained interesting to see her both navigate through the average teenage worries as well as to organically puzzle out the façades surrounding her.
I was unprepared for the adrenaline-filled and action-packed turn events took once Jess became privy to the truth. The outer world was opened up to both Jess and the reader for the first time and it proved just as intricate and intriguing as her hometown set. I really appreciated how both settings were constructed and how major differences between the two were all the more apparent for their close proximity to the other. Facets that are part of the reader's everyday life were also called into question through Jess' new exposure to them.
This last facet was something I wished was featured more heavily throughout. Jess was filled with wonder and bewilderment but I yearned for a deeper and more lingering focus on the heavier topics touched upon. I wanted the nature of society, the entertainment industry, and those who were meant to protect Jess to be called out for their influence and their failures. This could have become an insight to society's dark nature, in a Black Mirror-esque fashion, but remained a lighter and more surface-level read, instead.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Anna Carey, and the publisher, Quirk Books, for this opportunity.
March 7, 2022
One of my favorite middle grade books is Running Out of Time, it is a great surprise and my kids loved it as well. I saw that this book was compared to The Truman Show meets Black Mirror and thought that it would appeal and it definitely did.
Jess Flynn lives a normal life as a teenager in 1990s Swickley. Navigating high school, overprotective parents, and her younger sister's grave illness is tough, but she has loving friends and family to help her through. Then some bizarre things begin to happen. A metal device with an apple logo falls out of her friend's bag. She hears mysterious chanting. Her dog looks different. What is going on?
The writing in this book is smart and catchy. The plot flows well and I never felt myself getting bogged down or bored. Although it's a YA book, it has many themes that will appeal to adults as well, especially with regards to the media and our relationship with it.
This installment is the first part of a duology which continues with This Is Not the Real World I will be interested to see what happens to conclude the tale and am rooting for Jess all the way!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Jess Flynn lives a normal life as a teenager in 1990s Swickley. Navigating high school, overprotective parents, and her younger sister's grave illness is tough, but she has loving friends and family to help her through. Then some bizarre things begin to happen. A metal device with an apple logo falls out of her friend's bag. She hears mysterious chanting. Her dog looks different. What is going on?
The writing in this book is smart and catchy. The plot flows well and I never felt myself getting bogged down or bored. Although it's a YA book, it has many themes that will appeal to adults as well, especially with regards to the media and our relationship with it.
This installment is the first part of a duology which continues with This Is Not the Real World I will be interested to see what happens to conclude the tale and am rooting for Jess all the way!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 24, 2020
Okay, this was EXACTLY what I hoped it would be! For those of you old enough to remember The Truman Show with Jim Carrey, This is Not the Jess Show is in many ways an updated version for a modern teen audience. It's smart, has a very well-crafted ending, and offers an unsettling blend of nostalgia and horror at the directions influencer culture could take (and perhaps some of what it already does at its worst).
The year is 1998 and Jess is a high school junior living in a small town in New York, crushing on her childhood friend, hanging out with her best friends, and struggling to cope with her sister's illness. But she's beginning to notice strange things and then one day her friend drops a sleek device with an apple logo on it. But the first iPhone won't exist for another 9 years....
Seriously, this was everything I was hoping for. It pairs 90's nostalgia with the disturbing feeling that nothing is actually as it seems, and maybe even your parents are lying to you for their own gain. It pushes the reader to consider the ramifications of
Suffice to say I thought this was fantastic with good pacing, strong characters, intriguing twists, and a pitch perfect ending. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The year is 1998 and Jess is a high school junior living in a small town in New York, crushing on her childhood friend, hanging out with her best friends, and struggling to cope with her sister's illness. But she's beginning to notice strange things and then one day her friend drops a sleek device with an apple logo on it. But the first iPhone won't exist for another 9 years....
Seriously, this was everything I was hoping for. It pairs 90's nostalgia with the disturbing feeling that nothing is actually as it seems, and maybe even your parents are lying to you for their own gain. It pushes the reader to consider the ramifications of
Suffice to say I thought this was fantastic with good pacing, strong characters, intriguing twists, and a pitch perfect ending. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2021
“Lower your voice. They’ll hear you,” he whispered. I stared at him, and my whole body went cold. “Who is they?” I whispered.
Basically, This Is Not The Jess Show is a young adult version of . . . .
And since The Truman Show is a film that is over 20 years old, I’m just going to go out on a limb and assume there are a metric shitton of youngsters who have never heard of or watched it so this book will be totally fresh and innovative to them.
The best part, though? Even an oldster like me who was super familiar with the original material and had watched the movie (more than once), still thought this was . . . .
Really the only thing I didn’t like? That it is labeled “#1” meaning it’s going to be a series. Your girl don’t like series.
Basically, This Is Not The Jess Show is a young adult version of . . . .
And since The Truman Show is a film that is over 20 years old, I’m just going to go out on a limb and assume there are a metric shitton of youngsters who have never heard of or watched it so this book will be totally fresh and innovative to them.
The best part, though? Even an oldster like me who was super familiar with the original material and had watched the movie (more than once), still thought this was . . . .
Really the only thing I didn’t like? That it is labeled “#1” meaning it’s going to be a series. Your girl don’t like series.
April 13, 2021
the fun of the truman show is in its slow and unrelenting psychological tension, and its purposefully ambiguous ending.
this remix rids itself of all of that. jess finds out the truth in the first fourth of the book, and the rest is essentially just a chase sequence.
not an awful novel, but a gross misuse of a fantastic concept.
this remix rids itself of all of that. jess finds out the truth in the first fourth of the book, and the rest is essentially just a chase sequence.
not an awful novel, but a gross misuse of a fantastic concept.
July 22, 2021
The concept of this book was really fun, but it didn't go deep enough to truly grip me. This is described as a thriller, but I was never particularly thrilled. I would have loved a more in-depth discussion of how society got to this insane point, but that conversation never happened. I know there is a second book, so I'm hoping that will come more to light in the sequel. For now, I don't love it, but I don't hate it either.
July 16, 2021
3.5 Stars
Well I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this short YA novel!
I had been on the brink of giving up as there was no discernible plot. Then an oddly intriguing vibe developed followed by a corker plot twist. I have read a few reviews since finishing this and I would suggest going in with as little information as possible. It is by no means a new concept but it is fun to see it play out in a YA book. I honestly can't say more than that without it being a spoiler. For those who won't read it here are the big spoilers . Once you get past the very dull first quarter it becomes quite the roller-coaster ride. Definitely ordering for the library!
Well I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this short YA novel!
I had been on the brink of giving up as there was no discernible plot. Then an oddly intriguing vibe developed followed by a corker plot twist. I have read a few reviews since finishing this and I would suggest going in with as little information as possible. It is by no means a new concept but it is fun to see it play out in a YA book. I honestly can't say more than that without it being a spoiler. For those who won't read it here are the big spoilers . Once you get past the very dull first quarter it becomes quite the roller-coaster ride. Definitely ordering for the library!
July 28, 2024
July 2024
SO GOOD AHBQUGFVETWIVTFCbRebo rtc!!
pre-read
Rereading one of my favesss (for the third time 🤭). hopefully i'll be able to write out a full review now lol
November 2023
I change the 4.7 to a 5. this book is so good, its seriously my comfort book, I could read it on repeat with no problem.
June/July 2023
4.7 stars. such a cool story and I can't stop thinking about it.
tbh I can't believe that Jess believed what was happening right away, like I would think Tyler was joking about everything.
And why did sara become such a brat in the end, like I get it but it wasn't necessary.
and Kipps, who would've thought... I shipped it from the very start.
SO GOOD AHBQUGFVETWIVTFCbRebo rtc!!
pre-read
Rereading one of my favesss (for the third time 🤭). hopefully i'll be able to write out a full review now lol
November 2023
I change the 4.7 to a 5. this book is so good, its seriously my comfort book, I could read it on repeat with no problem.
June/July 2023
4.7 stars. such a cool story and I can't stop thinking about it.
tbh I can't believe that Jess believed what was happening right away, like I would think Tyler was joking about everything.
And why did sara become such a brat in the end, like I get it but it wasn't necessary.
and Kipps, who would've thought... I shipped it from the very start.
December 28, 2020
2.5/5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly don’t have many feelings or thoughts on this book. It is short and fast-paced, but was not what I was expecting and I had way too many questions that were never answered. I don’t really understand how this is being marketed as a thriller, because it wasn’t really thrilling or did it keep me on the edge of my seat. I did have high hopes especially with the really fun and intriguing synopsis, but was just let down overall.
I’m not saying this was a bad book, I just think I went into it thinking it was going to be much different. For one, I thought it was going to be a much darker version of The Truman Show. So many things happened in this book that weren’t ever explained in depth that made me frustrated. I won’t spoil the plot twist of the story, but even though I did enjoy it and it was definitely not expected it just wasn’t explained. I needed more of the why and way more plot development. I think because it was so fast paced with minimal details that it was hard to connect to the main character, Jess, and it felt unbelievable.
I think the plot of this book is very clever, but the execution of the story just didn’t do it for me. I especially didn’t like the ending. I was honestly reading and went to flip to the next chapter and was super confused that it was over. I didn’t feel like anything was wrapped up and it was all too weird.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly don’t have many feelings or thoughts on this book. It is short and fast-paced, but was not what I was expecting and I had way too many questions that were never answered. I don’t really understand how this is being marketed as a thriller, because it wasn’t really thrilling or did it keep me on the edge of my seat. I did have high hopes especially with the really fun and intriguing synopsis, but was just let down overall.
I’m not saying this was a bad book, I just think I went into it thinking it was going to be much different. For one, I thought it was going to be a much darker version of The Truman Show. So many things happened in this book that weren’t ever explained in depth that made me frustrated. I won’t spoil the plot twist of the story, but even though I did enjoy it and it was definitely not expected it just wasn’t explained. I needed more of the why and way more plot development. I think because it was so fast paced with minimal details that it was hard to connect to the main character, Jess, and it felt unbelievable.
I think the plot of this book is very clever, but the execution of the story just didn’t do it for me. I especially didn’t like the ending. I was honestly reading and went to flip to the next chapter and was super confused that it was over. I didn’t feel like anything was wrapped up and it was all too weird.
December 1, 2020
This Is Not The Jess Show
is an imaginative, original, fun, YA thriller. I don't think I've said so much praise about a YA title since Karen McManus' One of Us is Lying! I am truly a stickler for this genre, but when books like this come around, it proves that I shouldn't be so quick to throw in the towel.
This Is Not The Jess Show focuses on 17 year old Jess Flynn and her family—her parents, her sister Sara, and her dog. The story takes place in the 90s, which had me reminiscing about all the things I did growing up then—so much fun! The story starts off with the standard YA troupe—a teenage girl conflicted about boys, friends, school, and all the other drama we've known to come from this genre. However, as the story starts to unfold, Jess starts taking notice of some peculiarities happening around the small town. Noticeably, half the town has become sick with a mysterious flu running rampant, a weird device with an apple logo appears in someone's possession (remember, this is the 90s), and, I have to be vague with this one, people start appearing different. What is happening in this town and why is Jess so compelled to get to the bottom of it?
This Is Not The Jess Show is being called Black Mirror meets My So-Called Life, but it's so much more than just that. This story completely stumped me and had me guessing until the end. I have to be vague here, so please take my word for it and try this book out. Anna Carey, you are a twisty, twisty, writer and I love how you developed this story. I want more. I hope we can get more. When are we getting more?! I haven't seen so much world building in a YA novel in possibly ever. Go in with zero expectations of the story, because This Is Not The Jess Show is so much deeper than you will ever expect it to be.
This Is Not The Jess Show focuses on 17 year old Jess Flynn and her family—her parents, her sister Sara, and her dog. The story takes place in the 90s, which had me reminiscing about all the things I did growing up then—so much fun! The story starts off with the standard YA troupe—a teenage girl conflicted about boys, friends, school, and all the other drama we've known to come from this genre. However, as the story starts to unfold, Jess starts taking notice of some peculiarities happening around the small town. Noticeably, half the town has become sick with a mysterious flu running rampant, a weird device with an apple logo appears in someone's possession (remember, this is the 90s), and, I have to be vague with this one, people start appearing different. What is happening in this town and why is Jess so compelled to get to the bottom of it?
This Is Not The Jess Show is being called Black Mirror meets My So-Called Life, but it's so much more than just that. This story completely stumped me and had me guessing until the end. I have to be vague here, so please take my word for it and try this book out. Anna Carey, you are a twisty, twisty, writer and I love how you developed this story. I want more. I hope we can get more. When are we getting more?! I haven't seen so much world building in a YA novel in possibly ever. Go in with zero expectations of the story, because This Is Not The Jess Show is so much deeper than you will ever expect it to be.
July 23, 2022
I went into this book expecting a YA version of 'The Truman Show', and I was not disappointed. I've been in a slump for a couple of months and this is the first time this year I've truly devoured a story, excited to see how it ends, sleep be damned. I will say, though, that the premise did most of the heavy lifting. The story needed at least a couple hundred more pages of action, tension and world-building to truly live up to its potential, at least in my opinion. I did really like both main characters, so I'll be looking out for the sequel, and I'm hoping it will have a bit more substance that this one.
February 6, 2022
3.5 stars
Full review to come...one day...maybe
Don't have much to say about this one, other than it was an interesting, quick read with such an abrupt ending, I couldn't believe it when I reached the last page.
There's a sequel coming out in a few months and it will hopefully give me some kind of closure.
Full review to come...one day...maybe
Don't have much to say about this one, other than it was an interesting, quick read with such an abrupt ending, I couldn't believe it when I reached the last page.
There's a sequel coming out in a few months and it will hopefully give me some kind of closure.
July 15, 2025
Anna Carey brings meta-reality to life through the experiences of Jess Flynn, a seventeen-year-old living in 1998 who is trying to figure out why nothing around her feels quite right as of late. Small-town Swickley, New York isn't geographically far from New York City, but Jess has never gone there. Her mother is overprotective, and Jess hears stories of awful things that can befall a person in the Big Apple. As a talented singer, she dreams of one day living and performing in Los Angeles, but that's at least a few years away; for now, Jess has all she can handle at home. She and her childhood friend, Tyler Scruggs, are becoming more than friends. Jess feels the heat when they're together, but her best friends Amber and Kristen say she would be better off with Patrick Kramer, one of the athletic, popular guys at school. Beyond her love life, Jess's stress levels rise as her younger sister Sara takes a turn for the worse. Diagnosed with Guignard's Disease, Sara's condition is deteriorating, and Jess may have to face losing her sister. It's a lot to cope with as she enters the home stretch of her high school years.
Little mysteries have always lingered at the edges of Jess's life, but recent events magnify them. It's as though Sara is trying to tell her something without saying it out loud, and the same goes for Tyler. What was that strange device Jess saw fall out of Amber's backpack, which Amber quickly hid? Why has Jess never been able to set foot outside Swickley's town limits, even for vacations or trips to the city? And why does her dog, Fuller, suddenly look slightly different and treat her like a stranger? She dismisses these concerns as long as possible, staying focused on Sara, but the façade falls away one day after Jess takes an unscheduled detour with Tyler to his house. Pressed for answers by Jess, he reveals a truth that rocks her to the core.
What Tyler says feels impossible, but too much makes sense for him to be lying. Jess could be in mortal danger, and so could he for revealing the secret. What about Sara? Slipping in and out of a coma, she can't defend herself if bad people leverage her to get at Jess. Or isn't Sara as sick as they'd led Jess to believe? The nature of reality has flipped upside down, and Jess doesn't have long to sort out her friends and enemies. Trusting the wrong person will bring terrible consequences, but she has to trust someone if she has any chance of saving herself. What will tomorrow look like now that Jess's old life is no more? If all goes well, she'll have time to explore that for herself in the days and years ahead.
I wonder if part of the reason This Is Not the Jess Show is set in 1998 rather than some other year of the '90s is in homage to the 1998 Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show. The idea behind this novel is similar, but isn't just a redo of that movie for teens; unfortunately, it also isn't as good. There are countless opportunities for plot twists in This Is Not the Jess Show that aren't taken advantage of. There are also a few narrative implausibilities I won't elaborate on in the interest of avoiding spoilers, and the public's reaction to Jess's secret is difficult to entirely believe. Were there really so few people who would take her side rather than shrug at how she was being exploited? Had Neal Shusterman written this book, I suspect it would have turned out brilliantly. That's somewhat unfair to say—Anna Carey is not Neal Shusterman, and has her own style and themes she wants to explore—but I can't help feeling this could have been a smarter, more thrilling story with a better philosophical basis. I'd consider rating it two and a half stars, and I'm interested in reading the rest of the series. It has plenty of potential.
Little mysteries have always lingered at the edges of Jess's life, but recent events magnify them. It's as though Sara is trying to tell her something without saying it out loud, and the same goes for Tyler. What was that strange device Jess saw fall out of Amber's backpack, which Amber quickly hid? Why has Jess never been able to set foot outside Swickley's town limits, even for vacations or trips to the city? And why does her dog, Fuller, suddenly look slightly different and treat her like a stranger? She dismisses these concerns as long as possible, staying focused on Sara, but the façade falls away one day after Jess takes an unscheduled detour with Tyler to his house. Pressed for answers by Jess, he reveals a truth that rocks her to the core.
What Tyler says feels impossible, but too much makes sense for him to be lying. Jess could be in mortal danger, and so could he for revealing the secret. What about Sara? Slipping in and out of a coma, she can't defend herself if bad people leverage her to get at Jess. Or isn't Sara as sick as they'd led Jess to believe? The nature of reality has flipped upside down, and Jess doesn't have long to sort out her friends and enemies. Trusting the wrong person will bring terrible consequences, but she has to trust someone if she has any chance of saving herself. What will tomorrow look like now that Jess's old life is no more? If all goes well, she'll have time to explore that for herself in the days and years ahead.
I wonder if part of the reason This Is Not the Jess Show is set in 1998 rather than some other year of the '90s is in homage to the 1998 Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show. The idea behind this novel is similar, but isn't just a redo of that movie for teens; unfortunately, it also isn't as good. There are countless opportunities for plot twists in This Is Not the Jess Show that aren't taken advantage of. There are also a few narrative implausibilities I won't elaborate on in the interest of avoiding spoilers, and the public's reaction to Jess's secret is difficult to entirely believe. Were there really so few people who would take her side rather than shrug at how she was being exploited? Had Neal Shusterman written this book, I suspect it would have turned out brilliantly. That's somewhat unfair to say—Anna Carey is not Neal Shusterman, and has her own style and themes she wants to explore—but I can't help feeling this could have been a smarter, more thrilling story with a better philosophical basis. I'd consider rating it two and a half stars, and I'm interested in reading the rest of the series. It has plenty of potential.
March 9, 2021
The plan was to write a long review, but I am just not getting the words out for this amazing and fun book! Meet Jess, a girl who thinks she is living a pretty good life in the 90s... but then things start to fall apart and she notices that her world may not be what it looks like. It was really well written and reminded me of Truman Show which I absolutely loved. My heart broke for Jess and that her parents would do something like this. Poor girl, I can only imagine how hard it is going to be for her to adapt to There is plenty of action, some romance, and tons of twists and turns. While I do think the book ends perfectly as it is, I am kind of tempted to see what the next book will bring.
November 28, 2021
Thank you to Quirk Book Publishing for kindly sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review whatsoever.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5
This is not the Jess Show by Anna Carey is a young adult thriller and a second one is coming soon! It was also named one of Brightly Best YA Books Being Published in 2021 (rightly so).
Plot
Like any other teenager, Jess Flynn is just trying to get through her junior year without drama ... but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister's worsening health, the only constant is change--and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. Swickley is getting weirder by the day, too. Half the population has been struck down by a mysterious flu. Conversations end awkwardly when Jess enters the room. And then one day, a tiny, sleek black device--with an apple logo on it--falls out of her best friend's backpack and lands at Jess's feet.
All the characters were deeply developed and had many layers. My favorite part was that you didn’t know who to trust, and who to not. In my opinion this is a very important aspect in a thriller. Also, it was interesting to watch the characters change over the course of the book.
The worldbuilding was minimal because it was in the modern(ish) world so most readers knew what was going on. The only worldbuilding that was necessary and included was more information about Jess’s hometown and daily life. Overall the worldbuilding was easy to understand and spread out so the reader didn’t become overwhelmed.
The plot was amazing! The book was a short 300-and-something-pages, but the author somehow fit so much into it without overwhelming the reader. It was delightfully fast paced and there were so many twists and turns. It was a very well written and developed plot, and you can tell the author really put all the love into this book.
Some of my favorite quotes :)
“I’d never needed things to be perfect. I still saw the missing shingles and the dented trash cans Turn over near the curb, and I knew life outside the set would have its own problems. I didn't know anyone here besides Kipps. I only had $3 in my wallet, and even if I could get one of those device things I had no idea how to use it. But racing forward out over the potholes and broken concrete, my small town and my parents and that hospital felt far away, like it was a story I'd heard about someone else. I let the speedometer climb above 30 which I never done in the Home Depot parking lot. The car responded to even the slightest way on the pedal, every tilt of the wheel. I was in control”
“I've never felt so safe-not even in Swickley, when I was home.”
“He covered my hand with his hand, and I didn't have the sweet, buzzy feeling I used to. Everything in me went cold. I tried to smile and tilt my head to one side, like it was the same as it had always been between us, but I didn't feel it. Something was wrong.”
Considering all of this, and the fact that the book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through, I think it definitely deserves a 5 star rating from me! I am also preordering the second one (set to be released May or 2022) as soon as possible! The characters, worldbuilding, plot and overall theme of the book was perfect for my taste.
If you enjoyed We Were Liars and Everything, Everything- This book is for you!
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/This-Jess-Show...
Don't forget to check out my blog (www.shesreading.blog) for more reviews and bookish content!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5
This is not the Jess Show by Anna Carey is a young adult thriller and a second one is coming soon! It was also named one of Brightly Best YA Books Being Published in 2021 (rightly so).
Plot
Like any other teenager, Jess Flynn is just trying to get through her junior year without drama ... but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister's worsening health, the only constant is change--and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. Swickley is getting weirder by the day, too. Half the population has been struck down by a mysterious flu. Conversations end awkwardly when Jess enters the room. And then one day, a tiny, sleek black device--with an apple logo on it--falls out of her best friend's backpack and lands at Jess's feet.
All the characters were deeply developed and had many layers. My favorite part was that you didn’t know who to trust, and who to not. In my opinion this is a very important aspect in a thriller. Also, it was interesting to watch the characters change over the course of the book.
The worldbuilding was minimal because it was in the modern(ish) world so most readers knew what was going on. The only worldbuilding that was necessary and included was more information about Jess’s hometown and daily life. Overall the worldbuilding was easy to understand and spread out so the reader didn’t become overwhelmed.
The plot was amazing! The book was a short 300-and-something-pages, but the author somehow fit so much into it without overwhelming the reader. It was delightfully fast paced and there were so many twists and turns. It was a very well written and developed plot, and you can tell the author really put all the love into this book.
Some of my favorite quotes :)
“I’d never needed things to be perfect. I still saw the missing shingles and the dented trash cans Turn over near the curb, and I knew life outside the set would have its own problems. I didn't know anyone here besides Kipps. I only had $3 in my wallet, and even if I could get one of those device things I had no idea how to use it. But racing forward out over the potholes and broken concrete, my small town and my parents and that hospital felt far away, like it was a story I'd heard about someone else. I let the speedometer climb above 30 which I never done in the Home Depot parking lot. The car responded to even the slightest way on the pedal, every tilt of the wheel. I was in control”
“I've never felt so safe-not even in Swickley, when I was home.”
“He covered my hand with his hand, and I didn't have the sweet, buzzy feeling I used to. Everything in me went cold. I tried to smile and tilt my head to one side, like it was the same as it had always been between us, but I didn't feel it. Something was wrong.”
Considering all of this, and the fact that the book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through, I think it definitely deserves a 5 star rating from me! I am also preordering the second one (set to be released May or 2022) as soon as possible! The characters, worldbuilding, plot and overall theme of the book was perfect for my taste.
If you enjoyed We Were Liars and Everything, Everything- This book is for you!
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/This-Jess-Show...
Don't forget to check out my blog (www.shesreading.blog) for more reviews and bookish content!
January 4, 2023
u guys.
There was not much more you could do to make this book more perfect for me. Period. Humor me… the main characters name is Jess, she’s my age, in my grade, blonde, the trope of the book is one of my fav tropes ever, AND they reference one of my favorite shows in the book. 🤯 loved this one, can’t wait to read the second one. ALSO: the romance was so unexpected and beautiful, I had never read about a romance like this!!
t r i g g e r w a r n i n g s :
-cussing (several uses of the f word, along with others)
*I HATE cussing and that’s why I took away the fifth star*
-use of a gun
-lying/deception
There was not much more you could do to make this book more perfect for me. Period. Humor me… the main characters name is Jess, she’s my age, in my grade, blonde, the trope of the book is one of my fav tropes ever, AND they reference one of my favorite shows in the book. 🤯 loved this one, can’t wait to read the second one. ALSO: the romance was so unexpected and beautiful, I had never read about a romance like this!!
t r i g g e r w a r n i n g s :
-cussing (several uses of the f word, along with others)
*I HATE cussing and that’s why I took away the fifth star*
-use of a gun
-lying/deception
January 13, 2021
Slap on your slap bracelets, get out that Britney CD, and pull on a skort - it’s the late 90s, everyone!
Or at least, that’s what Jess in This is Not the Jess Show knows. A simpler time before cell phones and social media. When tragedies happen every May and her friends disappear outside of school hours. Just your typical teen experience.
What Jess doesn’t know is her life is curated and live-streamed. Guess they hid The Truman Show from her when it premiered in theaters. This fact is not hidden from readers, making our voyeuristic look into her life all the more real. You’re invested like a soap opera, because it is. Questions of exploitation abound.
I loved this book for not only helping me relive my teen years but because it held my attention all the way through. The not too distant future juxtaposed to the not too distant past is a fascinating ride of questioning reality, especially as we experience Jess experiencing both worlds simultaneously.
Where facts are questionable and you never know who to trust, This is Not the Jess Show is the perfect pick for those of us missing the questions Black Mirror poses. Going into it, I didn’t realize it’s part of a series. Fans will be pleased with this book but also be ready for what comes next. I can’t wait to see how they clean up this mess!
Or at least, that’s what Jess in This is Not the Jess Show knows. A simpler time before cell phones and social media. When tragedies happen every May and her friends disappear outside of school hours. Just your typical teen experience.
What Jess doesn’t know is her life is curated and live-streamed. Guess they hid The Truman Show from her when it premiered in theaters. This fact is not hidden from readers, making our voyeuristic look into her life all the more real. You’re invested like a soap opera, because it is. Questions of exploitation abound.
I loved this book for not only helping me relive my teen years but because it held my attention all the way through. The not too distant future juxtaposed to the not too distant past is a fascinating ride of questioning reality, especially as we experience Jess experiencing both worlds simultaneously.
Where facts are questionable and you never know who to trust, This is Not the Jess Show is the perfect pick for those of us missing the questions Black Mirror poses. Going into it, I didn’t realize it’s part of a series. Fans will be pleased with this book but also be ready for what comes next. I can’t wait to see how they clean up this mess!
December 6, 2021
I'm sure you can tell from the title of this book that there are some The Truman Show vibes here, but I'll let you read it for yourself in order to find out just how much is real versus how much is orchestrated. This was unlike anything I have ever read!
From the inside flap: "The year is 1998, and like any other teenager, Jess Flynn is just trying to get through her junior year without drama . . . but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister's worsening health, the only constant is change–and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. Swickley is getting weird by the day, too."
This book made me think about how many people are forced into a certain lifestyle simply because they were born into it. This was a coming-of-age story that speaks to having the courage to create your own legacy. It was also so much fun to see so many '90s pop culture references, including Dave Matthews, Friends, and Full House! I cannot wait to see how the sequel unfolds. My thoughts summed up in four words: Mims, what the fuck?
If you liked this book, check out Most Likely.
From the inside flap: "The year is 1998, and like any other teenager, Jess Flynn is just trying to get through her junior year without drama . . . but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister's worsening health, the only constant is change–and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. Swickley is getting weird by the day, too."
This book made me think about how many people are forced into a certain lifestyle simply because they were born into it. This was a coming-of-age story that speaks to having the courage to create your own legacy. It was also so much fun to see so many '90s pop culture references, including Dave Matthews, Friends, and Full House! I cannot wait to see how the sequel unfolds. My thoughts summed up in four words: Mims, what the fuck?
If you liked this book, check out Most Likely.
March 1, 2021
So, I'm not sure why this is classified as a thriller - there's nothing too "thrilling" about it. It's hard to say too much without giving away the entire plot but I will try.
Jess Flynn has what you would call a fairly normal life. Has two really close friends and a crush on her childhood pal. But she also has a a sick younger sister and two detached parents. Then weird things start to happen around her - her dog is not her dog anymore, secrets are being kept, and her friend has an iPhone even though its the 90's. As Jess tries to figure out what's going on around her, she finds her life spiraling out of control and everything she thinks is true is not.
I felt really bad for Jess this entire book. Everyone around her failed her. Her parents were absolutely horrible and I could not believe what was actually going on when it was revealed. I guess everyone has a price but it just all rubbed me the wrong way.
Another thing that was hard for me to get into was how out there everything seemed. We are never really given the full history of this world and how it came to be, and then once Jess figures out the secrets we're just jumping through everything super fast until it's all wrapped up perfectly. I also felt like Jess's reaction to what was happening was very light. I wanted more from her. I wanted her to confront her demons. But we didn't get any of that. It was just unsatisfying. I heard this was going to be a duology and I might pick up the second one if only to see if everything falls down around her parents because again, they are horrible.
Jess Flynn has what you would call a fairly normal life. Has two really close friends and a crush on her childhood pal. But she also has a a sick younger sister and two detached parents. Then weird things start to happen around her - her dog is not her dog anymore, secrets are being kept, and her friend has an iPhone even though its the 90's. As Jess tries to figure out what's going on around her, she finds her life spiraling out of control and everything she thinks is true is not.
I felt really bad for Jess this entire book. Everyone around her failed her. Her parents were absolutely horrible and I could not believe what was actually going on when it was revealed. I guess everyone has a price but it just all rubbed me the wrong way.
Another thing that was hard for me to get into was how out there everything seemed. We are never really given the full history of this world and how it came to be, and then once Jess figures out the secrets we're just jumping through everything super fast until it's all wrapped up perfectly. I also felt like Jess's reaction to what was happening was very light. I wanted more from her. I wanted her to confront her demons. But we didn't get any of that. It was just unsatisfying. I heard this was going to be a duology and I might pick up the second one if only to see if everything falls down around her parents because again, they are horrible.
April 2, 2021
3.5 - 4 Stars
Jess is like any other normal and average girl from the 90s. Crushing on boys, going to school, hanging out with friends, and obsessing over her favorite shows. But then, Jess starts to question things. Things she’s hearing, thing’s she’s noticing. What is that weird glass looking object that fell out of her friend’s backpack and that has an apple logo on it? Why does everyone give each other a sort of look when she mentions that the dog that’s at her home, isn’t actually her dog, and has been replaced?
Jess is going to find out that her 90’s life, is nothing like anyone else’s.
I’m not going to go into it anymore than that because I think I would’ve enjoyed this more if I hadn’t really known what I was getting in to. Because I knew what the story was going to turn in to, I felt like the first quarter to third of the book was pretty slow. Also, this is going to be a series. Not sure how I feel about that. I seems like it could’ve ended with this book but, then again, I kind of want to know what’s going to happen with her family given the events that occur at the end of the story.
Copy received from Quirk Books via Goodreads giveaway
Jess is like any other normal and average girl from the 90s. Crushing on boys, going to school, hanging out with friends, and obsessing over her favorite shows. But then, Jess starts to question things. Things she’s hearing, thing’s she’s noticing. What is that weird glass looking object that fell out of her friend’s backpack and that has an apple logo on it? Why does everyone give each other a sort of look when she mentions that the dog that’s at her home, isn’t actually her dog, and has been replaced?
Jess is going to find out that her 90’s life, is nothing like anyone else’s.
I’m not going to go into it anymore than that because I think I would’ve enjoyed this more if I hadn’t really known what I was getting in to. Because I knew what the story was going to turn in to, I felt like the first quarter to third of the book was pretty slow. Also, this is going to be a series. Not sure how I feel about that. I seems like it could’ve ended with this book but, then again, I kind of want to know what’s going to happen with her family given the events that occur at the end of the story.
Copy received from Quirk Books via Goodreads giveaway
November 15, 2021
I give this book 3.5. It said it was a thriller and I did not find myself thrilled. I’m old enough to be familiar with the Truman Show and I was hoping for a different twist with this one, but in general it was fun. I definitely will be reading the second book when it comes out. Jess is just a normal girl living in the 90’s…until she finds out it’s not the 90’s and she’s the only one not in the know about her whole life being a tv show. I liked the glimpses of life in the future, but I wish it had explored a little more about how society got to where it is.
February 28, 2022
Rating: 3.75
Author: @annacareybooks
Publication Date: 2/2/2021
I absolutely love the idea behind this book and want you to experience it for yourself so my review will be kept short. When I was reading the synopsis it reminded me of the movie “The Truman Show”. This book takes place in the 90’s which I totally related to because I was born in the 90’s. The author did a great job of making it seem like it was actually the 90’s and reading this brought back so many memories. This book started out a little slow for me but I stuck with it and am happy I did. Once you get further into the story it starts to pick up. I really liked Jess’ character even if she had me screaming at her a few times. It wasn’t particularly her fault but I wished she said and did more but due to spoilers can’t really say why/how. I felt really bad for her and hated seeing how she was treated. Her parents are so terrible!! Gosh, I really hate them. One complaint I had is I don’t think this book should be categorized as a thriller. I think when readers see that they expect one thing and never get it. While I did enjoy this book it wasn’t a thriller in my opinion and wasn’t fast paced or had the typical thriller elements to it.
Overall, I think the author did a fantastic job taking a unique idea and creating a story that people will want to read. I cannot wait to see more from the characters and am interested in knowing what will happen in the sequel. I recommend this book but I recommend you go into it knowing as little as possible that way you keep wanting to know more while you read.
*Thank you @quirkbooks for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
Author: @annacareybooks
Publication Date: 2/2/2021
I absolutely love the idea behind this book and want you to experience it for yourself so my review will be kept short. When I was reading the synopsis it reminded me of the movie “The Truman Show”. This book takes place in the 90’s which I totally related to because I was born in the 90’s. The author did a great job of making it seem like it was actually the 90’s and reading this brought back so many memories. This book started out a little slow for me but I stuck with it and am happy I did. Once you get further into the story it starts to pick up. I really liked Jess’ character even if she had me screaming at her a few times. It wasn’t particularly her fault but I wished she said and did more but due to spoilers can’t really say why/how. I felt really bad for her and hated seeing how she was treated. Her parents are so terrible!! Gosh, I really hate them. One complaint I had is I don’t think this book should be categorized as a thriller. I think when readers see that they expect one thing and never get it. While I did enjoy this book it wasn’t a thriller in my opinion and wasn’t fast paced or had the typical thriller elements to it.
Overall, I think the author did a fantastic job taking a unique idea and creating a story that people will want to read. I cannot wait to see more from the characters and am interested in knowing what will happen in the sequel. I recommend this book but I recommend you go into it knowing as little as possible that way you keep wanting to know more while you read.
*Thank you @quirkbooks for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
February 1, 2021
I couldn’t get over the premise for this one, so I was quite eager to get to it.
I liked Jess. She’s determined and loyal and really has her wits about her when shit goes down. There are a good amount of characters here, but this is 100% the Jess show.
Plot wise, it was fast paced once she learns what’s going on, but wasn’t the thriller that I’ve seen it described as. I loved the commentary on influencers and vloggers and really would have loved more in that aspect. The ending felt a little abrupt, yet also had a finality to this chapter of the story. I’m curious to see what the sequel will contain.
Overall, it was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for. If there really is more, I’ll definitely be reading.
**Huge thanks to Quirk for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Jess. She’s determined and loyal and really has her wits about her when shit goes down. There are a good amount of characters here, but this is 100% the Jess show.
Plot wise, it was fast paced once she learns what’s going on, but wasn’t the thriller that I’ve seen it described as. I loved the commentary on influencers and vloggers and really would have loved more in that aspect. The ending felt a little abrupt, yet also had a finality to this chapter of the story. I’m curious to see what the sequel will contain.
Overall, it was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for. If there really is more, I’ll definitely be reading.
**Huge thanks to Quirk for providing the arc free of charge**
April 24, 2023
This one has been on my tbr for around 2 years now. I am so excited to have finally read it! My friend, Krissy, raved about it! I didn’t realize going in that is was YA, but that made it a super easy, quick read! This has been compared to The Truman Show, and I can totally see it!
Jess lives in Swickley. The time frame is the 90’s. Every year around the same time something big happens in her life. This year, it is her sister’s disease getting progressively worse. She soon learns a secret that shatters her world. Her whole life has been a lie. Everyone living in her town are paid actors and extras working for a reality show. She is the only one who isn’t in on it. Obviously she gets pissed off and makes the decision to try to leave. What ensues is her trying to get away to have a normal life.
I enjoyed this one! I would be livid if I was in Jess’s situation! I really felt for her, and for her sister. I couldn’t stand her mom and dad. The story really takes place in the year 2037, it was only the show that was “Stuck in the 90’s.” So the culture shock for Jess when she escapes is real. The 90’s nostalgia was real and so fun! It took me back to my youth. Those were the good ol days!
There is a sequel out, This is Not the Real World if you decide to read this one and enjoy it!
Jess lives in Swickley. The time frame is the 90’s. Every year around the same time something big happens in her life. This year, it is her sister’s disease getting progressively worse. She soon learns a secret that shatters her world. Her whole life has been a lie. Everyone living in her town are paid actors and extras working for a reality show. She is the only one who isn’t in on it. Obviously she gets pissed off and makes the decision to try to leave. What ensues is her trying to get away to have a normal life.
I enjoyed this one! I would be livid if I was in Jess’s situation! I really felt for her, and for her sister. I couldn’t stand her mom and dad. The story really takes place in the year 2037, it was only the show that was “Stuck in the 90’s.” So the culture shock for Jess when she escapes is real. The 90’s nostalgia was real and so fun! It took me back to my youth. Those were the good ol days!
There is a sequel out, This is Not the Real World if you decide to read this one and enjoy it!
November 1, 2022
I really liked it. Actual review to come?
I JUST REALIZED THE SECOND BOOK ISNT OFFERED AT MY LIBRARY :(((((
I JUST REALIZED THE SECOND BOOK ISNT OFFERED AT MY LIBRARY :(((((
October 13, 2025
With elements of The Truman Show, Black Mirror, Disneyland, Battle Royale 2 and The Village, this is an utterly bizarre book, but one I couldn't stop reading. I did have some issues with the story being poorly written at times, but just how compulsively readable it was pushed it up a star.
Jess starts to realise that her life is an elaborate lie, and that everyone around her is lying too. When the boy she has a crush on explains what is really going on, she chooses to leave town, helped by clues left by her sister, Sara and a guy she assumed was a brainless jock, but who actually has a lot more going on under the surface.
The biggest issue I had was Jess herself, who had very little reaction to finding out that her entire life was a lie, her parents weren't who she thought they were, her dog had been replaced and the boy she was crushing on was actually a total douchebag. I felt like she should have been going through the stages of grief, but that never happened.
I did however, like Jess and Kipps relationship. As he knew the world outside Jess's town, and what was going on, he was very much needed in the story to explain everything to Jess and I felt that the duo bounced off of each other really well.
This is the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to the next, because I have some unanswered questions - I have a feeling that at some point Jess will go back to her town, she's supposed to be legally an adult and can make her own choices at 18, but I'm wondering if the people in charge will simply allow her to walk away.
Jess starts to realise that her life is an elaborate lie, and that everyone around her is lying too. When the boy she has a crush on explains what is really going on, she chooses to leave town, helped by clues left by her sister, Sara and a guy she assumed was a brainless jock, but who actually has a lot more going on under the surface.
The biggest issue I had was Jess herself, who had very little reaction to finding out that her entire life was a lie, her parents weren't who she thought they were, her dog had been replaced and the boy she was crushing on was actually a total douchebag. I felt like she should have been going through the stages of grief, but that never happened.
I did however, like Jess and Kipps relationship. As he knew the world outside Jess's town, and what was going on, he was very much needed in the story to explain everything to Jess and I felt that the duo bounced off of each other really well.
This is the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to the next, because I have some unanswered questions - I have a feeling that at some point Jess will go back to her town, she's supposed to be legally an adult and can make her own choices at 18, but I'm wondering if the people in charge will simply allow her to walk away.
March 1, 2021
I think I put this book on hold solely because of the name, and I would like to congratulate my past self on her excellent foresight.
I started to read this book with no idea what it was about, and I'm not going to ruin any aspect of it by telling you anything except:
OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! I HAD TO READ PARTS ALOUD TO MY HUSBAND.
Just go get yourself a copy. Bookstore, library, whatever. Just get it, read it, thank me later.
I started to read this book with no idea what it was about, and I'm not going to ruin any aspect of it by telling you anything except:
OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! I HAD TO READ PARTS ALOUD TO MY HUSBAND.
Just go get yourself a copy. Bookstore, library, whatever. Just get it, read it, thank me later.
May 6, 2021
3.75/5 Stars.
It's been a while since I thoroughly enjoyed a ya contemporary, i also wouldn't call this book a 100% contemporary since it's a mix with different kinds of genres.
I won't talk about the book much because that'll include lots of spoilers. But all in all I really enjoyed this and if the author decides to turn this into a series i'll gladly read the rest of them.
It's been a while since I thoroughly enjoyed a ya contemporary, i also wouldn't call this book a 100% contemporary since it's a mix with different kinds of genres.
I won't talk about the book much because that'll include lots of spoilers. But all in all I really enjoyed this and if the author decides to turn this into a series i'll gladly read the rest of them.
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