[sighs for five years] — what am I gonna do with my life now. this book was so cute and fluffy and great. it actually read like fanfiction. (I am pretty sure I am going to reread it) ♥

once you get into it its really good. i loved the story line and the charters. amazing love story. i searched love stories online and this showed up so i read it and i was very pleased. 10/10 would recommend if you like love stories.

I could not put it down. Ms. Rowell captured my attention from sentence one and wouldn't let me go.

I can't believe I waited this long to read this book! Honestly, I was a bit scared that all of the hype would ruin the story for me but damn... I loved it so much. I can't even express how perfect this was. Is there a "I want to reread this immediately" star option? because that should be a thing.

This book talked to me on a very personal level, which was good and bad.

So Cath is a freshman at uni, full of anxiety because of the new situations, being apart from her twin (who wanted a roommate instead of sharing a room with her sister) and leaving their mentally ill father at home alone (their mother left them when they were small, wrecking havoc to the family). Cath's a successful writer of fanfiction (of pseudo Harry Potter fanfiction with a Harry Draco pairing, it's hilarious) and takes an advance writing class at uni. She doesn't connect well with her new, weird roommate or the latter's boyfriend who seems to be constantly around. While her sister goes partying and hooks up with men, Cath's anxiety takes over and she stays inside, escaping into the fictional world of Simon Snow (aka Harry Potter, lol).

The novel was very funny in parts and I could relate to Cath a lot. I had nightmares about my mother after reading the book, which is not a good thing, but it shows how close to home this novel was. I also had to take care of my dad after my mother left and my relationship to my brother was also problematic in the past. I also had immense anxiety and wondered whether I'd be actually made for academia. Books and fictional worlds also give me immense security, although I never was one to write fanfiction --- or anything else. Maybe I should start again? I mean, now's the time to write a book! :D Oh and Cath's boyfriend studies agriculture just like my partner (who also isn't a great reader and to whom I also read out books aloud!). That was a weird coincidence!

On the same note, it was - typically YA - a bit over the top. I also did not really like the ending, it felt a bit rushed, but it was wholesome. YA is always giving me the feeling that things might be shitty and might've been shitty for a very long time, but that there's always positive things and that things might get better.

4,5 Stars because this was wholesome af

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was the right balance of light hearted and serious, and was a great way to get back into reading. Looking forward to reading more of her books!

Never really felt like there was a big plot twist. likeable characters and perfect description of a writer's personality. Still not as good as Eleanor & Park.

I love Rainbow Rowell's writing. It is so immersive. I really enjoyed reading this book, even if it was a bit juvenile for me. I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and this is clearly meant to pay hommage to that series. I wanted more from the ending, but I'm not sure what exactly. Maybe a sequel?

I feel like someone put Rainbow Rowell on this earth to write this book just for me. I need a million sequels.

I immediately related to Cath's character in so many ways, at first this book felt like reading a story about myself at 18 years old. She's shy, which makes most of her interactions deeply awkward, which encourages her to spend most of her time alone in her room. She throws herself into her writing, is terrified of change, and hangs out in the library a lot.

I was never a fanfic writer/appreciator, so I found the discussion of the merits of the genre very interesting. Fanfic writers are validated in a way-- Cath is a highly successful writer who has thousands of appreciative fans. However, her single-mindedness and refusal to experiment with other genres makes the reader question her ability to be a flexible writer and thinker. In other words, fanfic can be great, but try other stuff, too.

Well-rounded characters, an engaging plot, and thought-provoking discussion of writing. Rowell is becoming one of my favorite authors!