totallyteenbuddyread

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Kevin van Whye's Date Me, Bryson Keller was absolutely the right book at the right time. (I feel like that I've been saying that a lot lately, which feels fortunate!) I read this one with the #totallyteenbuddyread, and it was a one-sitting read for me. I found it to be compelling and so, so sweet.⠀

Here's the premise: Bryson Keller is one of the most popular students at Fairvale Academy, but he's never dated much. ⬇️

UnabridgedPod He accepts a challenge: he'll accept an invitation each week from someone different and will date that person for a week. As long as he's asked every week and follows through with the week of dating, he wins. But if there's a week that doesn't work out, he loses.⠀
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Main character Kai Sheridan is one of the few students of color at his private school, he's super shy, and he is keeping secret the fact that he's gay. ⬇️ 4y

UnabridgedPod So, he surprises himself one week when he ends up being the one who asks Bryson to date him for a week.⠀
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I liked Kai so much, and his little sister—who is super smart, spunky, and accepting—is one of my favorite characters. During our buddy read discussion, we acknowledged that this isn't a perfect novel, but I unreservedly loved it. ⬇️ 4y

UnabridgedPod So, as long as you can accept some characters who are maybe a little too kind or too perfect, I think you'll enjoy this one, too. 4y

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UnabridgedPod

They Wish They Were Us | Jessica Goodman

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I read Jessica Goodman's They Wish They Were Us with #totallyteenbuddyread. This is a fast-moving YA novel of suspense with some great intrigue. ⠀
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The novel's protagonist is Jill, a scholarship kid at an exclusive prep school, who has made it to the pinnacle of the student body's high society, The Players. Each year, this group of seniors chooses a small selection of freshmen to invite into their extravagant world of parties and drugs, ⬇️

UnabridgedPod with the benefit of keys to all the tests and favors from alumni. The freshmen just have to survive some extreme hazing first. Jill is now a senior and riding high with the chance at Player-assisted admission to the school of her dreams. But she can't forget the tragedy from her freshman year: the murder of her best friend by her boyfriend (both Players). ⬇️ 4y

UnabridgedPod With its focus on extreme wealth and privilege, central mystery, and smart teenagers, They Wish They Were Us gave some Veronica Mars vibes, and I appreciated Goodman's ability to depict this world vividly. It had an interesting focus on sibling relationships, the college admissions system, and gender roles (though I'd love to have seen more development of this last topic). ⬇️ 4y

UnabridgedPod I figured out the mystery fairly early, but I do think many teenagers would find the story to be engaging. For me, though, I felt as if I've read many stories similar to this one before.⠀
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Do you like books that take on wealth and privilege? What are some of your favorite YA mysteries? 4y

erzascarletbookgasm I think the only ones I‘ve read are One Of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep A Secret. 4y

UnabridgedPod @erzascarletbookgasm I enjoyed One of Us Is Lying, but I haven‘t read the sequel yet! 4y

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