Becky Albertalli: The Upside of Unrequited

I've been dying to read this ever since it was first announced. I didn't LOVE Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but I liked it a whole lot. So I needed to read more from this new author.

This novel is about Molly, and how she's almost obsessed with boys, crushes, kisses and sex. But only in her head. She's had 26 crushes, but hardly even talked to any of those - because she lacks the courage and self esteem. When her twin sister gets a girlfriend, Molly finds herself lonely and abandoned. The transition from BFF sisters to teen-aged sisters with love lives is hard on Molly.

I can't not say it. I'm overwhelmed by the diversity in this book. In a good way of course! It's just different. Still in a really good way. I love how everyone's just themselves and it's all good. Like it should be! I hope this novel gets read a lot, to understand how everyone is just human with different layers of style and flavors. I love it!

I think I loved all the characters in this book. Molly and Cassie are such good persons, their mom's too. Mina seems like an awesome chick which I would love to befriend.  And the boys are great too. Will is cool in every way, both as in actual cool and hip but also as a good guy. And Reid is the best! I must admit I have a soft spot for Reid, because he's such a geek and I love geeks.

The main story in The Upside of Unrequited is about growing up and apart, but still not apart. More like changes. And how changes can basically fuck you up while they're ongoing. How insecure and unimportant it can make you feel. Even if the changes aren't necessarily bad. It's also about how unfathomably scary it is to let oneself open up to love (first or any) and risk getting your heart broken in a million pieces. And about how important it is to brave this in order to experience love.

I didn't love Simon vs. ..., but I loved The Upside of Unrequited. You should read it and love it too!

/menenia

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