*ARC* Book Review: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Title: The Upside of Unrequited
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: April 11, 2017 

PLOT: 

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back.

There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.

Right? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novel Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. She is a clinical psychologist who has had the privilege of conducting therapy with dozens of smart, weird, irresistible teenagers. She also served for seven years as the coleader of a support group for gender-nonconforming children in Washington, DC. Becky now lives with her family in Atlanta, where she spends her days writing fiction for young adults. 

You can visit her online at www.beckyalbetalli.com

or follow her on twitter @beckyalbertalli

REVIEW: 

         I was so excited to read this book because I know that I would truly relate to the main character, Molly Peskin-Suso. Due to the fact that I am very insecure, especially when it comes to my body image. I like this book but I am not totally in love with it. I definitely have some problems with it. I like how diverse the characters are in this book and how the author truly provided a discourse for the LGBT community and plus size people, such as myself. This book also features; religion and mental health illness, more specifically anxiety. Furthermore, the author showed themes such as first love, sexuality, and coming of age, which I believe are important subjects to discuss especially to young adults so that they have an idea in regards to those issues.

        What I did not like about this book is one of the messages that it gives of, which is that you need a male (or someone) for you to feel that you are beautiful. I just hope that the Molly's realization of her beauty was more of her self discovery and not because of affirmation from other people. I also have a problem with how Molly was characterized. She is obsessing about boys and crushes most of the time that we don't get to know more about her. I know that she like Pinterest and baking but that is it. I want to know more about her and I want to connect with her, to feel like I am her but that is not that case. There were times wherein I just could not connect with her. 

       Nevertheless, I like the family dynamics in this book. Molly's relationship with her sister, Cassie, is so interesting to read. I like their conversation with one another. I want that kind of relationship with my sister but I am just not that open with other people. You can really tell that they love each other very much. I do recommend this book. It is a funny and quick read, with a dash of fluffy romance. I believe the author did well on the topic of diversity and I cannot wait to read more of her books, especially Simon vs  The Homo Sapiens Agenda, since I have heard so many great things about it and with the movie coming up real soon; I definitely need to read it as soon as possible. 

XOXO,
Isabel