Publisher: PUFFIN
Page Count: 336
I am on a roll right now, folks, and I have to use that energy to get as many blog posts out as possible before it fades. Even if my Goodreads time stamps might claim something different, I also seem to read books in a day now … this is new … or at least hasn’t happened in a while. I knew I’d eventually get back into reading once I was in Vienna.
Anyhow, the book! Considering how long it took me to jump on the Simon vs. (read my review here) bandwagon, it should come to no one’s surprise that it took me forever to read Upside as well (even though I did pre-order it!). I was ready to love this book with all my heart and even though it wasn’t exactly as I expected, it easily won me over. Becky has this incredible talent to write a super fluffy story but with the most relatable and realistic characters.
When I look at Molly, I could do a checklist of how similar the two of us are … so, that’s what I am going to do because it shows why this story worked so well for me.
- We are both chubby girls. ✔️
I’ve seen how dismissive or over-reactive some people have found Molly’s thoughts. I always feel like some guys and girls might not understand how deeply rooted self-criticism and doubt can be in a person that doesn’t have the societal normative body type. It hurts double when your friends and family are the ones suggesting you should lose weight, because it just makes you feel all wrong and like you don’t fit in even with the people that love you. So, yes, during my days on this planet, I have wondered if I could possibly crush a potential love interest and how someone could possibly like me when they saw me next to my much skinnier/taller/cuter/whatever-you-have-it friend. It takes time and work to come to terms with your body and yourself but it instantly made me bond with Molly because we shared the same insecurities. Also, going shopping is a nightmare! - We both have a lot of crushes but rarely do anything about them. ✔️
Admittedly, my crushes are either actors, actresses or fictional characters and I am never serious about them nor do I want to actually date any of them, but I do get the sentiment of how a simple kindness or a brief look might spark an epic crush. It happens!
Still, it’s hard to put yourself out there, especially when everyone else makes it seem so easy and you’re just sitting there, wondering how to even start. It’s easier to not even let anyone close enough to do any damage in the first place.
- All my friends had relationships before me as well and drifted away/thought I could not possibly understand their life now. ✔️
I don’t think I had the time during High School to date. It’s not even that I studied that much, but thinking back, I just don’t know how a person would have fit into my life. Heck, I don’t even know how a person is supposed to fit into my life now. But I digress, I may not have a twin sister like Molly does, but I do get the pain of drifting from the people you were once closest to because they now hang out with their significant other. I do understand that balancing friendships and a relationship can be tricky, especially if you are new to it or have no experience, but you can hang out with one person at a time. Believe me, it is possible. And getting this opportunity, I just want to say that I was really strongly siding with Molly during that entire story as well. Cassie found a tough audience in me. This in no way means that Molly always handles every situation the right way, but I would have felt hurt by some of the stuff Cassie did too. She was hella condescending at times. - We both have anxiety. ✔️
Does this need explaining? Social gatherings with new people or new situations in general trigger anxiety in me and it seemed like Molly felt similarly. - We are artsy in our own way. ✔️
Just threw that in there to have one more point for the list, but it’s true.
In addition to me really clicking with Molly, she had just the cutest love interest that I would have loved to know even more about. And I also sense a story or two (or a hundred) for the broader friend circle (Will and Olivia – I am especially looking at you!). I definitely haven’t given the most detailed account of what’s going on in this book, but I would love for you to find out by yourself. It is heartfelt and lovely. It deals with so many questions I had as a teen and shows that you are rarely ever alone in having them. For that and so many more reasons, I think it will be a great book for teens as they figure out life, just like Simon’s story was as well.
Speaking of him! The shortest but most certainly favorite part of it all were the brief crossovers to Simon and his friends. I shrieked with happiness whenever it happened, which just makes me all the more excited for the upcoming Leah on the Offbeat!
Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! Definitely a worthy and great addition to Simon’s universe!
Have you read The Upside of Unrequited? How did you feel about it?
Life and Other Disasters 
A few months back on twitter when the tag going around where you posted selfies and had people fancast you as book characters i knew immediately that you were Molly’s doppleganger! So happy to see that not only can you identify with her physically but mentally as well. It’s so good that you found a book you can see yourself in, everybody needs that
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Oh yes, I remember that! Thanks for making that connection right away 😊 I really did connect a lot with her, it’s so rare that that happens. 🙈
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I really loved this post, Kat, and loved to see how much you related with Molly. I feel like I could relate to her as well a lot, especially when it comes to drifting away from people, anxiety and crushes haha. I haven’t read this one just yet, as you could have guessed it ahah, but I neeeeed need need neeeeeeeed to now 😀
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You know I always like recommending you books 🙂 it’s another great one from Becky – definitely go ahead and read it someday!!
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Great review for this book Kat, and oh every review I’ve seen for The Upside of Unrequited has just made me want to pick up this book even sooner. I may have to bump it even higher up my to-read list than it already is! 😀
I think it’s great how you were able to relate with Molly (just from your checklist she sounds like a character I’ll be able to relate to a lot as well) and hearing there are Simon Vs cameos in this book makes me so excited to get around to it. I loved Simon Vs so so much ! 😀
Again great review. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much, Beth!! ❤
The Simon cameos were seriously the best. I needed a moment to remember all the names hahaha but as soon as that was done, I just loved them. Now the wait for Leah continues!!
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That’s all right. 🙂
I’ll probably end up re-reading Simon before starting The Upside, and yeah I am so so excited for Leah as well! 😀
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No truer words have been spoken, Kat! I also personally love The Upside of Unrequited because Molly is indeed the sweetest girl out there. She is so gosh darn relatable and her story is so fun to read.
And also… can we talk about those CAMEOS? Love it! 😍
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Thanks so much, B! I legitimately squealed when I read Simon’s name. The text messages – the video call!!!!! LOVE!!!!!!!!
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I agree. Molly was so relatable, but I have to say, Albertalli is so good at writing characters you want to be friends with . Great review!
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Thank you so much and I agree as well! It’s Becky’s true talent!!
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*sighs* I actually still haven’t read Simon vs… even if I do own it. I have read this one, though, and I loved it so much! I also found so many things I could identify with, even if nothing was exactly the same for me as it was for Molly.
Great review!
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Oh really, but then you missed all the cool cameos! haha Still, I am glad you enjoyed Molly’s story as well. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
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Gosh this sounds really relatable!! I think I would click with her as well. I do still want to read Simon vs (haven’t had the chance yet) and this is on my tbr too- I’m really looking forward to checking them both out- great review!
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I would definitely recommend reading Simon first, just because it makes the cameos for Molly better hahaha but I do adore both books fairly equally.
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Great- thanks for the tip 🙂
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I haven’t read this one yet, but it sounds really good! ❤ I can relate to everything you’ve mentioned, especially the chubby part and everything else that come with it! Your review was lovely! ❤
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Did you read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda? I really recommend reading it first, just because the cameos will be so much more fun in The Upside of Unrequited afterwards!
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Yap, I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and I really liked it! ❤ I love when old characters make cameos, you never expect them and I always get very fangirl-y.
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Becky is doing a whole string of books set in the same world, so I just LOVE the inevitable crossovers like crazy!
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I read The Upside of Unrequited last week and I really liked it. It’s great seeing how much you related to Molly, she was a fun character 🙂
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I am glad you liked the book as well! 🙂
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