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We Got the Beat
Jordan Elliot is a fat, nerdy lesbian, and the first junior to be named editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Okay, that last part hasn’t happened yet, but it will. It’s positive thinking that has gotten Jordan this far. Ever since Mackenzie West, her friend-turned-enemy, humiliated her at the start of freshman year, Jordan has thrown herself into journalism and kept her eyes trained on the future.
So it’s a total blow when Jordan discovers that she not only didn’t get the editor-in-chief spot, but she’s been assigned the volleyball beat instead. And who is the star and new captain of the volleyball team? Mackenzie West. But words are Jordan’s weapon, and she has some ideas about how to exact a long-awaited revenge on her nemesis.
Then things get murky when forced time together has Mack and Jordan falling back into their friendship, and into something more. And when Mack confesses the real reason she turned on Jordan freshman year, it has Jordan questioning everything—past, present, and future. If Jordan lets her guard down and Mack in, will she get everything she wants, or will she be humiliated all over again?
So it’s a total blow when Jordan discovers that she not only didn’t get the editor-in-chief spot, but she’s been assigned the volleyball beat instead. And who is the star and new captain of the volleyball team? Mackenzie West. But words are Jordan’s weapon, and she has some ideas about how to exact a long-awaited revenge on her nemesis.
Then things get murky when forced time together has Mack and Jordan falling back into their friendship, and into something more. And when Mack confesses the real reason she turned on Jordan freshman year, it has Jordan questioning everything—past, present, and future. If Jordan lets her guard down and Mack in, will she get everything she wants, or will she be humiliated all over again?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
About the author
Jenna Miller
2 books178 followersJenna Miller (she/her) writes Young Adult books about fat, queer, nerdy girls who deserve to be seen and have their voices heard. When she’s not obsessing over words, she can be found making charcuterie boards, befriending people online, cross stitching, or adventuring in the Minneapolis area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
May 22, 2024
We Got the Beat is a hard book title to say without singing the song. Try it. I dare you. I've been trying to make my through as many of the YA 2024 new releases as possible and this one was next on the docket. While I did have an okay time reading this one, I think that it suffered from lack of tension and character development.
We Got the Beat follows main character Jordan who is attempting to score it big with her high school newspaper and become editor. Unfortunately, instead of getting the editor position she is assigned to cover the high school volleyball team. On that team is former friend turned rival Mackenzie. Jordan sees this as opportunity to get revenge on Mackenzie for dropping her as a friend freshmen year. Fortunately, things don't go as planned when the two spend more time together and Jordan learns that their "rivalry" might simply be a laundry list of miscommunications.
What Worked: This was an easy book to consume. I think if readers go into this one anticipating a light, cute, and fluffy romance they will have a great time. I particularly loved that Jordan was a book nerd that was comfortable in her queerness and body size. While I appreciate all body positivity, it's nice to dive into a YA book that immediately emphasizes that the main character's journey will not center on their body weight. It's great to see plus size characters on page that are already comfortable in their skin.
What Didn't Work: The characters were so perfect that they felt one dimensional and untrue to the teen experience. While it was great to see communication and healthy relationship dynamics, it felt very surface level. In fact, it's the primary reason why I was unable to completely by into the relationship between Jordan and Mackenzie. They were some what interesting as individuals; however, their compatibility felt stifled. To be rivals, there was little to no tension which led to an anti-climatic resolution. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that they were able to get things worked out and Jordan came to some critical realizations, but the character development lacked the necessary oomph that I need to buy into a narrative.
Overall, this was a solid read. I think that a lot of readers will probably enjoy this one; however, the simplicity of the story took away from my reading experience.
We Got the Beat follows main character Jordan who is attempting to score it big with her high school newspaper and become editor. Unfortunately, instead of getting the editor position she is assigned to cover the high school volleyball team. On that team is former friend turned rival Mackenzie. Jordan sees this as opportunity to get revenge on Mackenzie for dropping her as a friend freshmen year. Fortunately, things don't go as planned when the two spend more time together and Jordan learns that their "rivalry" might simply be a laundry list of miscommunications.
What Worked: This was an easy book to consume. I think if readers go into this one anticipating a light, cute, and fluffy romance they will have a great time. I particularly loved that Jordan was a book nerd that was comfortable in her queerness and body size. While I appreciate all body positivity, it's nice to dive into a YA book that immediately emphasizes that the main character's journey will not center on their body weight. It's great to see plus size characters on page that are already comfortable in their skin.
What Didn't Work: The characters were so perfect that they felt one dimensional and untrue to the teen experience. While it was great to see communication and healthy relationship dynamics, it felt very surface level. In fact, it's the primary reason why I was unable to completely by into the relationship between Jordan and Mackenzie. They were some what interesting as individuals; however, their compatibility felt stifled. To be rivals, there was little to no tension which led to an anti-climatic resolution. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that they were able to get things worked out and Jordan came to some critical realizations, but the character development lacked the necessary oomph that I need to buy into a narrative.
Overall, this was a solid read. I think that a lot of readers will probably enjoy this one; however, the simplicity of the story took away from my reading experience.
March 16, 2024
This was such a CUUUUUUTE YA lesbian romance!!! It makes me wish I stuck with volleyball, but alas. It even had some Mean Girls inspo. I’m also such a slut for Minnesota rep. I learned about this book and met the author at Steamy Lit (and got some cool swag) last year, so I can’t wait to tell her I read it when I go this year! Ooo maybe I can grab a signed copy at Tropes & Trifles 👀
January 16, 2024
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: internalized fatphobia
3.5
This book has an interesting premise- forced allies/forced proximity is a love of mine, and the idea of having to follow around your ex-friend/ex-crush and write gushing articles about her is great. The tropes of the whole friends to enemies to lovers as well a the ones I already mentioned are ones that tend to be winners, so this book may succeed for some readers. All in all, it's a quick read with some healed hearts leading to a sweet, romance- though not much else.
This is one of those books where the author obviously wants these characters to be as unproblematic as possible- the books where you go "these characters all went to therapy?". This takes away some of the most interesting parts of characters, in my opinion- especially teen characters, and especially these characters. They feel sanded down and rounded off. They should've been allowed to be messy and confused.
As much as I would've liked to like Mack, she has the thinnest personality in the world, and she and Jordan simply don't have chemistry. The tension that should've been there from the premise is twisted away, as Mack fights against the dynamic they're placed in, but then that energy isn't redirected. The tension lasts for a few pages, and then it's gone and there is very little of anything between them.
This book is cheesy- in good ways and in bad ways. If you're looking for a quick and easy read of sapphic crushes, then you may enjoy it, but if you want messy, complx characters and strong feeling, you won't get that here.
TW: internalized fatphobia
3.5
This book has an interesting premise- forced allies/forced proximity is a love of mine, and the idea of having to follow around your ex-friend/ex-crush and write gushing articles about her is great. The tropes of the whole friends to enemies to lovers as well a the ones I already mentioned are ones that tend to be winners, so this book may succeed for some readers. All in all, it's a quick read with some healed hearts leading to a sweet, romance- though not much else.
This is one of those books where the author obviously wants these characters to be as unproblematic as possible- the books where you go "these characters all went to therapy?". This takes away some of the most interesting parts of characters, in my opinion- especially teen characters, and especially these characters. They feel sanded down and rounded off. They should've been allowed to be messy and confused.
As much as I would've liked to like Mack, she has the thinnest personality in the world, and she and Jordan simply don't have chemistry. The tension that should've been there from the premise is twisted away, as Mack fights against the dynamic they're placed in, but then that energy isn't redirected. The tension lasts for a few pages, and then it's gone and there is very little of anything between them.
This book is cheesy- in good ways and in bad ways. If you're looking for a quick and easy read of sapphic crushes, then you may enjoy it, but if you want messy, complx characters and strong feeling, you won't get that here.
November 27, 2023
Look, this would have gotten five stars alone based on the fact that Jordan's favourite Doctor is 11. She has *taste.*
There's no sophomore slump for Miller here. Plain and simple. This book took every wonderful aspect of her debut and applied it here perfectly. Nerdy, fat-positive, and full of queer love and joy. I literally could not have asked for more and adored every word of this. It was just so cute and sweet and heartfelt and perfect.
There's no sophomore slump for Miller here. Plain and simple. This book took every wonderful aspect of her debut and applied it here perfectly. Nerdy, fat-positive, and full of queer love and joy. I literally could not have asked for more and adored every word of this. It was just so cute and sweet and heartfelt and perfect.
May 16, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I liked the idea of it and the cover. My only complaint is how I felt like it was slow in some parts. That could have been from me being in a slight reading slump, but other than that I really liked this book!
March 1, 2024
The thing you should know about me is that I love YA contemporary.
I was a massive fan of Jenna's first book Out of Character so I literally jumped at the chance to read this one.
Okay, so I may haveforced made my way to be Jenna's friend, and it's all kinds of wonderful. We share memes, I love her a lot.
But that wouldn't hinder my opinion of a book if it was bad.
The plot is super engaging, I was hooked from start to finish.
Jordan wants to be a hard hitting journalist (sure, she's a teen working on the school paper, but any experience is good experience to her) and she wants a coveted editor position, even though she's only a junior.
Much to her annoyance, not only does she not get an editor's position, she also gets assigned the volleyball beat - the one her arch nemesis is now the captain for.
But Jordan is nothing if not professional, so she isn't going to let this stop her from doing her job.
This book was phenomenal to me.
Not only do we start the book with Jordan (the main character) saying right there on page that she's a fat teen lesbian (we LOVE explicit representation!) but she's someone who owns her shit. She goes through a lot during this book, but she owns her shit - and she owns her mistakes, too, which is even better for teens.
There is a fantastic cast of characters who all have their own personalities and flaws, too. Each of them shines through on page. So much so that I couldn't even be mad at the 'bitch' for long, either.
Jenna's writing is engaging, it's entertaining, and it will leave you very satisfied.
I can't wait for everyone else to be able to read this book - so get those pre-orders in now!
Content warnings: alcohol consumption, references to fat shaming, references to parental neglect (not MC), bullying.
Rep: Jordan (MC) is cis, white, fat, and lesbian. Cis lesbian LI, side cis Korean-American bisexual bestie. Side cis, white, Jewish bestie. Other POC. Non-binary teacher using they/them pronouns and Mx for their title.
First read: 10-11/08/2023
Second read: 20-22/02/2024
I was a massive fan of Jenna's first book Out of Character so I literally jumped at the chance to read this one.
Okay, so I may have
But that wouldn't hinder my opinion of a book if it was bad.
The plot is super engaging, I was hooked from start to finish.
Jordan wants to be a hard hitting journalist (sure, she's a teen working on the school paper, but any experience is good experience to her) and she wants a coveted editor position, even though she's only a junior.
Much to her annoyance, not only does she not get an editor's position, she also gets assigned the volleyball beat - the one her arch nemesis is now the captain for.
But Jordan is nothing if not professional, so she isn't going to let this stop her from doing her job.
This book was phenomenal to me.
Not only do we start the book with Jordan (the main character) saying right there on page that she's a fat teen lesbian (we LOVE explicit representation!) but she's someone who owns her shit. She goes through a lot during this book, but she owns her shit - and she owns her mistakes, too, which is even better for teens.
There is a fantastic cast of characters who all have their own personalities and flaws, too. Each of them shines through on page. So much so that I couldn't even be mad at the 'bitch' for long, either.
Jenna's writing is engaging, it's entertaining, and it will leave you very satisfied.
I can't wait for everyone else to be able to read this book - so get those pre-orders in now!
Content warnings: alcohol consumption, references to fat shaming, references to parental neglect (not MC), bullying.
Rep: Jordan (MC) is cis, white, fat, and lesbian. Cis lesbian LI, side cis Korean-American bisexual bestie. Side cis, white, Jewish bestie. Other POC. Non-binary teacher using they/them pronouns and Mx for their title.
First read: 10-11/08/2023
Second read: 20-22/02/2024
April 24, 2024
I did not expect such an emotional response to a YA novel about an aspiring journalist and a volleyball player, but I was, indeed, emotional. Kudos, Jenna Miller.
Jordan may not be popular and she may be fat (her term), but she has a two amazing best friends and is a shoe-in for an editor’s position for the high school paper her junior year. Except she isn’t given an editor role and instead is assigned to cover the volleyball team for the semester—the same volleyball team that Mackenzie (“Mack”) is on, which is bad enough on its own, but is infinitely worse when Mack is named the team’s captain. Because now Jordan will have to write a feature on her.
We Got the Beat is a former BFF-to-enemies-to lovers story that is really cute. I enjoyed watching Jordan figure out if she can trust Mack in any way, after Mack betrayed her in a truly awful way at the start of high school, while Jordan is also trying to prove to her journalism teacher that she’s ready to be an editor.
What Miller gets right is that her characters are realistically messy. She doesn’t make Jordan or Mack perfect characters. They each make mistakes and have to account for them. And the side characters were also multi-dimensional.
Where Miller falters a bit is the story felt a little shallow. Things came together too easily and I would have preferred more time spent on the development of Jordan and Mack’s feelings to feel like they’re earned.
And while it was probably a total coincidence, the act that caused the climax of tension in this novel is identical to a similar moment in a book I read last year. And the resolution of this moment in this novel (as it pertains to a particular character) didn’t ring true. It was another moment that Miller could have drawn out more and didn’t.
3.5 stars. I’m rounding up because I liked Mack so much.
Jordan may not be popular and she may be fat (her term), but she has a two amazing best friends and is a shoe-in for an editor’s position for the high school paper her junior year. Except she isn’t given an editor role and instead is assigned to cover the volleyball team for the semester—the same volleyball team that Mackenzie (“Mack”) is on, which is bad enough on its own, but is infinitely worse when Mack is named the team’s captain. Because now Jordan will have to write a feature on her.
We Got the Beat is a former BFF-to-enemies-to lovers story that is really cute. I enjoyed watching Jordan figure out if she can trust Mack in any way, after Mack betrayed her in a truly awful way at the start of high school, while Jordan is also trying to prove to her journalism teacher that she’s ready to be an editor.
What Miller gets right is that her characters are realistically messy. She doesn’t make Jordan or Mack perfect characters. They each make mistakes and have to account for them. And the side characters were also multi-dimensional.
Where Miller falters a bit is the story felt a little shallow. Things came together too easily and I would have preferred more time spent on the development of Jordan and Mack’s feelings to feel like they’re earned.
And while it was probably a total coincidence, the act that caused the climax of tension in this novel is identical to a similar moment in a book I read last year. And the resolution of this moment in this novel (as it pertains to a particular character) didn’t ring true. It was another moment that Miller could have drawn out more and didn’t.
3.5 stars. I’m rounding up because I liked Mack so much.
January 21, 2024
A sapphic YA friends to enemies to friends to lovers romance? Don’t mind if I do! This was a super enjoyable read. I loved getting to know Jordan, her passion for journalism, her nerdy interests, and her best friends Audrey and Isaac. At the beginning of the book Jordan is devastated to learn that instead of getting an editor’s position on the school newspaper, she’s been given the girls volleyball beat. Where she’ll have to interview her former friend turned nemesis, Mackenzie.
It was interesting learning about Jordan and Mackenzie’s friendship in the past, seeing where it fell apart, and then seeing them come back together again. Something else that was cool about the story was how Jordan is already an out and proud lesbian, and she’s a fat character who isn’t ashamed of her body. There are moments where she wonders if other people look down on her or don’t accept her because of her sexuality or her size, but she doesn’t personally feel that way about herself.
I do think that at times the book got a tiny bit repetitive with how many times Jordan would be having the same internal monologue about what happened with Mackenzie in the past and if she can truly trust her now. Also, the ending felt really rushed for my taste. I prefer to have a little bit of time to settle into the character’s lives and relationships in the resolution of the story rather than it just ending abruptly.
But overall I thought this was a very fun read! It has cute and swoony moments, high school drama, romantic gestures, complex friendships, and queer joy. Definitely check it out if it sounds interesting. Also, I recommend listening to The Go-Go’s “We Got The Beat” either when the characters do in the book or just whenever!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was interesting learning about Jordan and Mackenzie’s friendship in the past, seeing where it fell apart, and then seeing them come back together again. Something else that was cool about the story was how Jordan is already an out and proud lesbian, and she’s a fat character who isn’t ashamed of her body. There are moments where she wonders if other people look down on her or don’t accept her because of her sexuality or her size, but she doesn’t personally feel that way about herself.
I do think that at times the book got a tiny bit repetitive with how many times Jordan would be having the same internal monologue about what happened with Mackenzie in the past and if she can truly trust her now. Also, the ending felt really rushed for my taste. I prefer to have a little bit of time to settle into the character’s lives and relationships in the resolution of the story rather than it just ending abruptly.
But overall I thought this was a very fun read! It has cute and swoony moments, high school drama, romantic gestures, complex friendships, and queer joy. Definitely check it out if it sounds interesting. Also, I recommend listening to The Go-Go’s “We Got The Beat” either when the characters do in the book or just whenever!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2024
This read was not for me, but others may like the MC more.
A sapphic romance with a plus sized MC should have been something I adored but I found it one I wanted to dnf.
I love Jenna’s writing style and still found Jenna’s style great with this book.
I read a lot of YA romance/ lit fic, and did enjoy Jenna’s other book a lot. However for me I really did not like the mc in this.
I found she made some really hurtful choices and comments, and just wasn’t a person I wanted to root for. That and there was also the ‘you’re more than sport’ commentary frequently that just had me feeling the ick.
In found myself hoping they don’t end up together because the romantic interest was treated so poorly by her and her friends.
I did like how coming out was handled in this however.
Rep// Plus sized Lesbian MC, Lesbian romantic interest. Relationship featured is WLW / Sapphic. Bisexual SC, non binary SC. Jewish & Christian rep with SC.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Tw// alcohol, coming out themes, homophobia, fatphobia, internalised fatphobia.
A sapphic romance with a plus sized MC should have been something I adored but I found it one I wanted to dnf.
I love Jenna’s writing style and still found Jenna’s style great with this book.
I read a lot of YA romance/ lit fic, and did enjoy Jenna’s other book a lot. However for me I really did not like the mc in this.
I found she made some really hurtful choices and comments, and just wasn’t a person I wanted to root for. That and there was also the ‘you’re more than sport’ commentary frequently that just had me feeling the ick.
In found myself hoping they don’t end up together because the romantic interest was treated so poorly by her and her friends.
I did like how coming out was handled in this however.
Rep// Plus sized Lesbian MC, Lesbian romantic interest. Relationship featured is WLW / Sapphic. Bisexual SC, non binary SC. Jewish & Christian rep with SC.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Tw// alcohol, coming out themes, homophobia, fatphobia, internalised fatphobia.
February 14, 2024
Last year I preordered Jenna Miller's debut... and I admittedly still haven't read it, for no reason whatsoever. I've clearly been missing out though, because her sophomore book is sooo good. I'll be picking up Out of Character ASAP as well!
I started We Got the Beat and immediately got sucked in by the fun, engaging writing. We immediately got to know the main character so well, and she truly carried the book. It's impossible not to love Jordan.
This book also felt like such a tight hug. Sure, there is conflict and messy situations arise, but underneath it all everything about this novel feels so incredibly kind, which made me feel so safe while reading it.
And one way this book really won me over was the MC's love for Doctor Who!
I started We Got the Beat and immediately got sucked in by the fun, engaging writing. We immediately got to know the main character so well, and she truly carried the book. It's impossible not to love Jordan.
This book also felt like such a tight hug. Sure, there is conflict and messy situations arise, but underneath it all everything about this novel feels so incredibly kind, which made me feel so safe while reading it.
And one way this book really won me over was the MC's love for Doctor Who!
February 15, 2024
This was such an enjoyable and sweet story, I absolutely loved Jordan and her bond with Audrey and Issac this was the perfect friends to enemies to lovers story and honestly any book with a nerdy sapphic mc is enough to draw me in, getting to know Jordan and her hopes, dreams and struggles was so fun because she was so real. getting to know her relationships between her parents was honestly my favorite part because I find it a little rare having a queer book where the parents are open, and happy with different identities. overall this was such an enjoyable book I finished it in less than 24 hours and I couldn't put it down I was sucked into Jordan and Mack's story
Thank you so much Harper collins for the e-arc all opinions are completely my own!
Thank you so much Harper collins for the e-arc all opinions are completely my own!
March 20, 2024
everyone in this book makes me so mad. when im less petty about it ill share a more elegant review
edit: okay so.
the romance was fine. the plot was fine. the chemistry was FINE. just that. fine. i would honestly solidly give it 3 stars. HOWEVER.
everybody in this book is infuriating. characters who made me the least mad (which is a low bar) are the mcs - jordan and mackenzie. they still did annoying shit though.
like jordan not deleting the goddamn breakdown journaling immediately after she finished writing it. it's like psychological breakdown 101. you delete evidence after it happens. NOT TURNING OFF THE RECORDER WHILE TALKING TO A CLOSETED LESBIAN ABOUT BEING A CLOSETED LESBIAN??? ARE YOU NUTS. and when shit went down, she never ONCE tried to even explain what happened. she didn't even have to make anything up - literally just explain what actually happened (i was spiraling and had to put it on paper as a coping mechanism), why did it take her literally several chapters to say??? you CAN take responsibility for what happened AND also literally just explain what happened?
mackenzie had so much issues with communication it's kind of stupid. she tries, ill give her that. but every time she says something it somehow comes out in ways that i personally would have found deeply insulting. and it infuriated me how the literal reason they fell out in the beginning (which is to me is actually a pretty serious transgression) is just treated like not a big deal. like if it was just ghosting (which could actually be explained by "i was a new kid scared to be shunned" narrative) that's fine. whatever. SHE CALLED AN OPENLY LESBIAN KID "A STALKER" PUBLICLY TO THE POINT IT STUCK AROUND. THAT'S INSANE TO SAY CONSIDERING LESBIANS ARE ALREADY STEREOTYPED AS PREDATORY. and no adult in this book can consistently decide whether they are treating the issues between these two seriously or not.
isaac barely had a personality beyond being down bad for his girlfriend. he consistently ditched everything and everyone for her and it was treated as something completely understandable. and i get it, usually i'd say it's completely fine as well. but THE NUMBER of times he does it was getting absurd. and i genuinely can barely remember anything else about him resembling a character. olivia is cute and i like her, i'll give her that. but my fucking god please remember your friends exist
and audrey. god FUCKING AUDREY. i liked her at first, okay? i even felt really bad for her because i can deeply relate to the feeling of being excluded. but then she went off and MASSIVELY TRANSGRESSED AN OBVIOUS FUCKING BOUNDARY, doing the most STUPIDEST IMPULSIVE SHIT that actively harmed AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE. and it's just treated as a fucking oopsie daisy. and it's your call to forgive or not forgive someone for shit like this. if you're capable of it, sure, whatever, even though i wouldn't. but not only she gets barely any consequences, she is forgiven just like that! and they are immediately talking about her girlcrush now! what!!!!! what the fuck!!!! are we just chill with her doing that now!!!! i don't care it's an accident on both sides, this is an obvious privacy breach!!!! okay, whatever, jordan posted it on public drive, her mistake. BUT WHO ALLOWED AUDREY TO POST THIS WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM ANYONE? NOT EVEN ASKING ***JORDAN***? she made me so mad i was getting actually violent.
and there are some other issues. telling instead of showing. repetitive writing style, to the point where i should have counted how many times a character "forced a smile" or said "i hate you both". but it's literally nothing compared to the petty fucking anger every character in this book made me feel.
and i thought at first it may be because i just don't like romcoms. and it is true. i don't. i needed something simple and mindless to listen go while playing a videogame so i could focus. but in comparison, i just read another sapphic romcom (with another fat protagonist with anxiety, mind you!) and rated it 4.5 stars.
so, no, i can safely say, it is not fhe genre issue. i am just really, really mad about this book.
fin.
edit: okay so.
the romance was fine. the plot was fine. the chemistry was FINE. just that. fine. i would honestly solidly give it 3 stars. HOWEVER.
everybody in this book is infuriating. characters who made me the least mad (which is a low bar) are the mcs - jordan and mackenzie. they still did annoying shit though.
like jordan not deleting the goddamn breakdown journaling immediately after she finished writing it. it's like psychological breakdown 101. you delete evidence after it happens. NOT TURNING OFF THE RECORDER WHILE TALKING TO A CLOSETED LESBIAN ABOUT BEING A CLOSETED LESBIAN??? ARE YOU NUTS. and when shit went down, she never ONCE tried to even explain what happened. she didn't even have to make anything up - literally just explain what actually happened (i was spiraling and had to put it on paper as a coping mechanism), why did it take her literally several chapters to say??? you CAN take responsibility for what happened AND also literally just explain what happened?
mackenzie had so much issues with communication it's kind of stupid. she tries, ill give her that. but every time she says something it somehow comes out in ways that i personally would have found deeply insulting. and it infuriated me how the literal reason they fell out in the beginning (which is to me is actually a pretty serious transgression) is just treated like not a big deal. like if it was just ghosting (which could actually be explained by "i was a new kid scared to be shunned" narrative) that's fine. whatever. SHE CALLED AN OPENLY LESBIAN KID "A STALKER" PUBLICLY TO THE POINT IT STUCK AROUND. THAT'S INSANE TO SAY CONSIDERING LESBIANS ARE ALREADY STEREOTYPED AS PREDATORY. and no adult in this book can consistently decide whether they are treating the issues between these two seriously or not.
isaac barely had a personality beyond being down bad for his girlfriend. he consistently ditched everything and everyone for her and it was treated as something completely understandable. and i get it, usually i'd say it's completely fine as well. but THE NUMBER of times he does it was getting absurd. and i genuinely can barely remember anything else about him resembling a character. olivia is cute and i like her, i'll give her that. but my fucking god please remember your friends exist
and audrey. god FUCKING AUDREY. i liked her at first, okay? i even felt really bad for her because i can deeply relate to the feeling of being excluded. but then she went off and MASSIVELY TRANSGRESSED AN OBVIOUS FUCKING BOUNDARY, doing the most STUPIDEST IMPULSIVE SHIT that actively harmed AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE. and it's just treated as a fucking oopsie daisy. and it's your call to forgive or not forgive someone for shit like this. if you're capable of it, sure, whatever, even though i wouldn't. but not only she gets barely any consequences, she is forgiven just like that! and they are immediately talking about her girlcrush now! what!!!!! what the fuck!!!! are we just chill with her doing that now!!!! i don't care it's an accident on both sides, this is an obvious privacy breach!!!! okay, whatever, jordan posted it on public drive, her mistake. BUT WHO ALLOWED AUDREY TO POST THIS WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM ANYONE? NOT EVEN ASKING ***JORDAN***? she made me so mad i was getting actually violent.
and there are some other issues. telling instead of showing. repetitive writing style, to the point where i should have counted how many times a character "forced a smile" or said "i hate you both". but it's literally nothing compared to the petty fucking anger every character in this book made me feel.
and i thought at first it may be because i just don't like romcoms. and it is true. i don't. i needed something simple and mindless to listen go while playing a videogame so i could focus. but in comparison, i just read another sapphic romcom (with another fat protagonist with anxiety, mind you!) and rated it 4.5 stars.
so, no, i can safely say, it is not fhe genre issue. i am just really, really mad about this book.
fin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
3.5 Stars
Cute. Very high school and the antics made me cringe from PTSD and thankful I’m over that stage.
I really liked that the main character Jojo was written in a (for lack of better word) woke way. Not riddled with the old formula of teenage self hatred and brooding manner. It’s refreshing. The dialogue was funny and not too gen Z that it was alienating to “older” readers (such as myself) unlike that one YA book I read that gave me a headache.
An adult version of Jojo and Mack after high school and uni would be amazing.
Cute. Very high school and the antics made me cringe from PTSD and thankful I’m over that stage.
I really liked that the main character Jojo was written in a (for lack of better word) woke way. Not riddled with the old formula of teenage self hatred and brooding manner. It’s refreshing. The dialogue was funny and not too gen Z that it was alienating to “older” readers (such as myself) unlike that one YA book I read that gave me a headache.
An adult version of Jojo and Mack after high school and uni would be amazing.
July 21, 2024
pre-read: i need to read this because i too was a fat, nerdy, (lesbian?), journalism student when i was in high school
post-read: god please free me from this hell of mediocre ya sapphic romances
post-read: god please free me from this hell of mediocre ya sapphic romances
March 20, 2024
Sapphic fat MC & nonbinary side character.
I liked the story, but some characters really frustrated me. I don't even know how to explain it. The brother was the worst.
I think in real life people at that age would've acted different.
It just missed some depth and development.
Other than that it was still a nice story with good representation!
I liked the story, but some characters really frustrated me. I don't even know how to explain it. The brother was the worst.
I think in real life people at that age would've acted different.
It just missed some depth and development.
Other than that it was still a nice story with good representation!
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 25, 2024DNF at 52 pages.
I am super sad to be DNFing this book. I read and liked Jenna’s first book, Out of Character, but I think this one for me fell flat with the plot and main character. And I will add that I think the audience for this one is much more directed toward the younger YA crowd and not “adult YA readers” like myself. So I’m going to just say why the book didn’t work FOR ME. And this in no way means that the book is bad at all! I hope that others will like it.
First, the plot feels like every ya sports rom com plot except both characters are female. They met for a summer, had a falling out and now are forced to work together. Nothing really new there. So I was already a bit bored bc I don’t like journalism nor sports. 🤷♀️
Then we have the MC… oh boy. I love unlikeable protagonists but this girl was too unlikeable for me. She was actually very mean: from the dog park lady to dissing her mom three times in like two pages, to judging every single person we meet in the book! (Even her brother!) And Mack actually seemed kind of nice from her dialogue and actions? So I’m sure that there was a misunderstanding and they’ll figure their stuff out.
It truly didn’t feel like there was much of a plot to where I got and I didn’t feel connected to much of anything. I was reading about a girl judging everyone around her and complaining. But she gets upset when other people judge her. 😅
Anyway, I think maybe Jenna’s work just isn’t for me. And I hope that she finds her audience and others love it.
I am super sad to be DNFing this book. I read and liked Jenna’s first book, Out of Character, but I think this one for me fell flat with the plot and main character. And I will add that I think the audience for this one is much more directed toward the younger YA crowd and not “adult YA readers” like myself. So I’m going to just say why the book didn’t work FOR ME. And this in no way means that the book is bad at all! I hope that others will like it.
First, the plot feels like every ya sports rom com plot except both characters are female. They met for a summer, had a falling out and now are forced to work together. Nothing really new there. So I was already a bit bored bc I don’t like journalism nor sports. 🤷♀️
Then we have the MC… oh boy. I love unlikeable protagonists but this girl was too unlikeable for me. She was actually very mean: from the dog park lady to dissing her mom three times in like two pages, to judging every single person we meet in the book! (Even her brother!) And Mack actually seemed kind of nice from her dialogue and actions? So I’m sure that there was a misunderstanding and they’ll figure their stuff out.
It truly didn’t feel like there was much of a plot to where I got and I didn’t feel connected to much of anything. I was reading about a girl judging everyone around her and complaining. But she gets upset when other people judge her. 😅
Anyway, I think maybe Jenna’s work just isn’t for me. And I hope that she finds her audience and others love it.
November 14, 2023
2.5🌟
Cute story with great rep but there were just too many repetitions (inner monologue, conversations between the characters, entire scenes) with not enough depth for me
Cute story with great rep but there were just too many repetitions (inner monologue, conversations between the characters, entire scenes) with not enough depth for me
January 17, 2024
****3.5
June 16, 2024
3.5
cute! messy & unrealistic at times, but cute
cute! messy & unrealistic at times, but cute
August 4, 2024
"I bullied you because I'm a closeted self-hating bigot, sorry." Babes, it's 2024, this is so fucking tired. And all the forcible outing?
Stop. This isn't romantic. At this point, after the hell that was Out of Character, Jenna Miller needs a very good therapist, not another book deal. This is harmful, regressive, and disgusting.
Signed, A Fat Queer Woman.
Stop. This isn't romantic. At this point, after the hell that was Out of Character, Jenna Miller needs a very good therapist, not another book deal. This is harmful, regressive, and disgusting.
Signed, A Fat Queer Woman.
December 20, 2023
5 out of 5 stars
Rep: Fat lesbian main character, lesbian love interest, non-binary secondary character, bisexual Korean secondary character, Jewish secondary character
Content Warnings: Fatphobia, internalized homophobia, underage drinking, overbearing parent, bullying, mentions of drugs and sex
This is such a wonderful book that felt like getting a hug! The entire cast was delightful. I love that all the characters get to act like teens -- yes, they act stupid sometimes, but they're 16. It's expected since they aren't adults. It's genuinely fantastic that teens will be able to read this and actually see themselves and the way they act represented.
As a former journalist, I also adored re-entering the newspaper world. It's nice to read about young people who share that passion and want to make the field even better. Plus, having a non-binary journalist teacher in their late 20s? I feel SEEN.
This will be an immediate purchase when it's published. Jordan is one of my new favorite YA protagonists for how unapologetically she embraces her nerdiness and body. I too am fat nerdy lesbian, and the representation is impeccable. Mack is also precious, and I love their romance (which is rare for me when it comes to teen characters). I'm already excited to read what Jenna Miller writes next.
**HUGE thank you to Quill Tree Books for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Rep: Fat lesbian main character, lesbian love interest, non-binary secondary character, bisexual Korean secondary character, Jewish secondary character
Content Warnings: Fatphobia, internalized homophobia, underage drinking, overbearing parent, bullying, mentions of drugs and sex
This is such a wonderful book that felt like getting a hug! The entire cast was delightful. I love that all the characters get to act like teens -- yes, they act stupid sometimes, but they're 16. It's expected since they aren't adults. It's genuinely fantastic that teens will be able to read this and actually see themselves and the way they act represented.
As a former journalist, I also adored re-entering the newspaper world. It's nice to read about young people who share that passion and want to make the field even better. Plus, having a non-binary journalist teacher in their late 20s? I feel SEEN.
This will be an immediate purchase when it's published. Jordan is one of my new favorite YA protagonists for how unapologetically she embraces her nerdiness and body. I too am fat nerdy lesbian, and the representation is impeccable. Mack is also precious, and I love their romance (which is rare for me when it comes to teen characters). I'm already excited to read what Jenna Miller writes next.
**HUGE thank you to Quill Tree Books for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
June 10, 2024
Another book where the two love interests treat each other terribly and we’re expected to think it’s romantic? I especially hated the homophobic overtones in what Mac said about Jordan. Also the consequences for literally bullying a classmate were essentially nothing and in the end everyone was forgiven and everything worked out perfectly (insert eye roll).
February 20, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is an interesting enemies-to-girlfriends, YA romance that doesn’t feature the usual romantic elements. Jordan wants to be professional and aloof, making sure she’s setting up her best-possible future, but she’s also got a scarred heart and deep inferiority complex, fueled by issues surrounding her weight. Jordan’s low self-esteem makes her a target for manipulation, but she’s not sure who’s trying to sway her: Mack or Brie. Or, is she just letting her own issues cloud her judgment? Unfortunately, Jordan believes the worst, at exactly the worst time, leading to writing a feature that calls into question her journalistic integrity and harms Mack in the process. Though her intentions were not revenge motivated, Jordan’s pent-up resentment needed a better, less public, outlet.
As a reader, I really liked the discussion and focus on personal responsibility, and judicious use of power.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is an interesting enemies-to-girlfriends, YA romance that doesn’t feature the usual romantic elements. Jordan wants to be professional and aloof, making sure she’s setting up her best-possible future, but she’s also got a scarred heart and deep inferiority complex, fueled by issues surrounding her weight. Jordan’s low self-esteem makes her a target for manipulation, but she’s not sure who’s trying to sway her: Mack or Brie. Or, is she just letting her own issues cloud her judgment? Unfortunately, Jordan believes the worst, at exactly the worst time, leading to writing a feature that calls into question her journalistic integrity and harms Mack in the process. Though her intentions were not revenge motivated, Jordan’s pent-up resentment needed a better, less public, outlet.
As a reader, I really liked the discussion and focus on personal responsibility, and judicious use of power.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
April 24, 2024
If you give me a book by Jenna Miller, I'm going to read it. Fat lesbian rep is few and far between and Jenna is fantastic at it.
This book is super cute. it's a YA with a friends to enemies to friends to lovers. We've got these two girls who met one summer but then ended up enemies when they started high school and now a couple years in, they're still enemies and avoid each other at all costs. But when Jordan is assigned the volleyball beat for the school newspaper, she has to come face to face with her rivalry with volleyball team captain Mack.
I think this book does a really great job at highlighting how teenagers make mistakes and fuck up all the time and a lot of things can be overcome.
My favorite parts of this book were the friend group and also the relationship between our main character and her brother. So cute.
I didn't dislike the love interest but I feel like we didn't get a lot about her. I wish we had gotten more backstory and depth to Mack in the way that we did for Jordan. Their love story and friendship and everything is super cute and adorable but it is a little bit surface level for me and I would have liked to see more development there.
This book is super cute. it's a YA with a friends to enemies to friends to lovers. We've got these two girls who met one summer but then ended up enemies when they started high school and now a couple years in, they're still enemies and avoid each other at all costs. But when Jordan is assigned the volleyball beat for the school newspaper, she has to come face to face with her rivalry with volleyball team captain Mack.
I think this book does a really great job at highlighting how teenagers make mistakes and fuck up all the time and a lot of things can be overcome.
My favorite parts of this book were the friend group and also the relationship between our main character and her brother. So cute.
I didn't dislike the love interest but I feel like we didn't get a lot about her. I wish we had gotten more backstory and depth to Mack in the way that we did for Jordan. Their love story and friendship and everything is super cute and adorable but it is a little bit surface level for me and I would have liked to see more development there.
February 19, 2024
Jordan Elliot is starting her junior year in HS and disappointed to learn her assignment for the school newspaper is girls volleyball. It is the best team in their school but their new captain and she are no longer friends. Mackenzie West is the first junior to be named team captain and wants a successful year for her team. She also knows she messed up a budding friendship with Jordan at the start of their freshman year. She wants a do over to see if they can be friends now.
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Out of Character (Feb 2023) and that one hit me more emotionally than this one. This one is a good story dealing with navigating friendships and disappointments. It is realistic that even though Jordan is talented and done her best it doesn’t mean she gets to be editor and chief like she wants. Mack has her own struggles that Jordan didn’t realize from their one summer friendship. I like that the story teaches empathy and has supportive friends, family and teachers. But I didn’t get why the whole original drama was so devastating. Mack didn’t do anything unforgivable and was trying to make her place in a new school. And I didn’t get the build up to the grand gesture. I can easily see this for younger teens and YA’s. It doesn’t move beyond kissing. Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Book, and Quill Tree Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Out of Character (Feb 2023) and that one hit me more emotionally than this one. This one is a good story dealing with navigating friendships and disappointments. It is realistic that even though Jordan is talented and done her best it doesn’t mean she gets to be editor and chief like she wants. Mack has her own struggles that Jordan didn’t realize from their one summer friendship. I like that the story teaches empathy and has supportive friends, family and teachers. But I didn’t get why the whole original drama was so devastating. Mack didn’t do anything unforgivable and was trying to make her place in a new school. And I didn’t get the build up to the grand gesture. I can easily see this for younger teens and YA’s. It doesn’t move beyond kissing. Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Book, and Quill Tree Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)
March 1, 2024
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jordan Elliot is starting her junior year and she really wants an editor position at the school's paper. Only, she doesn't get it. Instead she gets the volleyball beat. And not only does she hate sports, her nemesis is the new captain so she has to write a feature on her. But Jordan is a professional and she'll do anything she has to, even if it means talking to Mackenzie again.
I loved this one. The drama, the relationships, the friendships. I was even invested in the whole school newspaper thing. I was sucked in from the first chapter to the last. I had a lot of fun but also felt everything the main character felt, good and bad. All the relationships and the drama just felt so vivid and true. It felt like I was right there with them. I found it simply great. I could not stop reading.
This sophomore book by Jenna Miller was even better than the first one and I cannot wait to read all the ones after that.
Jordan Elliot is starting her junior year and she really wants an editor position at the school's paper. Only, she doesn't get it. Instead she gets the volleyball beat. And not only does she hate sports, her nemesis is the new captain so she has to write a feature on her. But Jordan is a professional and she'll do anything she has to, even if it means talking to Mackenzie again.
I loved this one. The drama, the relationships, the friendships. I was even invested in the whole school newspaper thing. I was sucked in from the first chapter to the last. I had a lot of fun but also felt everything the main character felt, good and bad. All the relationships and the drama just felt so vivid and true. It felt like I was right there with them. I found it simply great. I could not stop reading.
This sophomore book by Jenna Miller was even better than the first one and I cannot wait to read all the ones after that.
February 16, 2024
Jenna Millers We Got the Beat is a sapphic romance, that focuses on second chances, fighting for those you love, and forgiveness. I liked reading this. It was fun, occasionally emotional, and very easy to read.
Overall though, I wouldn’t say that I loved this book. There was just a spark missing for me. The. Nara tears often fell flat in personality, often online having one trait, and that was disappointing. Plots and themes were set up (like Mack’s parental issues) but nothing ever really became of them. Tension was built and then too easily resolved.
While I liked lots of things about this book: the characters, the relationships/friendships, the plot . . . I think so much could have been done with them all — it felt like we were skimming the surface.
All in all this was a decent read, but it’s not memorable.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Overall though, I wouldn’t say that I loved this book. There was just a spark missing for me. The. Nara tears often fell flat in personality, often online having one trait, and that was disappointing. Plots and themes were set up (like Mack’s parental issues) but nothing ever really became of them. Tension was built and then too easily resolved.
While I liked lots of things about this book: the characters, the relationships/friendships, the plot . . . I think so much could have been done with them all — it felt like we were skimming the surface.
All in all this was a decent read, but it’s not memorable.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2024
3.5
Pretty cute sapphic YA centered around volleyball and high school journalism
Pretty cute sapphic YA centered around volleyball and high school journalism
June 14, 2024
Cute but just okay through the whole thing. I wanted more romance between the 2 main characters.
July 17, 2024
did not like this book. was a quick read though.
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