What I Like About You

Hally Levitt leads a double life online as a book blogger named Kels, building a devoted following through her cupcake baking and young adult novel reviews. In real life, she moves to a new town with her brother and grandfather, where she encounters Nash, an online friend who knows her only as Kels and has no idea about her true identity. Nash and Hally begin spending time together in person while continuing their virtual friendship as Nash and Kels, creating an increasingly complex web of interactions. Their shared passion for books and baking brings them closer, but Hally's secret identity threatens their growing connection. The story explores authenticity in the digital age, examining how online personas affect real-world relationships and personal growth. Through Hally's journey, the narrative considers questions about truth, identity, and the courage to be oneself both online and offline.

Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of online friendships and social media dynamics among teens. Many connect with the Jewish representation and family relationships depicted in the story. Positives: - Realistic portrayal of anxiety and online vs offline identity - Strong sibling relationships and family dynamics - Authentic teen voice and dialogue - Representation of Jewish culture and traditions Negatives: - Main character Halle's decisions frustrate some readers - Several reviewers found the love triangle plot predictable - Some felt the pacing dragged in the middle sections - A few readers noted the ending felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "The portrayal of online friendships vs real life interactions hit close to home," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader commented, "The protagonist's choices made me want to throw the book across the room, but that's exactly how real teenagers act."

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord Two rival classmates run competing family restaurants while engaging in an anonymous Twitter battle that parallels their growing offline connection.

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon Two academic rivals spend their last day of high school competing in a senior class game while discovering unexpected feelings for each other.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum A grieving teen receives anonymous emails from someone at her new school who helps her navigate her unfamiliar surroundings and develops into something more.

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett A film buff moves across the country to find her online friend while unknowingly working alongside him at a vintage movie theater.

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith An accidental email exchange between a small-town girl and a teen movie star leads to an unexpected summer romance when he films a movie in her hometown.

🎬 The main character, Halle, runs a popular bookstagram and book review blog under a pseudonym - mirroring the real-world phenomenon of teen book influencers on social media. 📚 Author Marisa Kanter drew from her own experience working in children's book publishing to create authentic details about the publishing industry in the novel. 💻 The book explores the complex dynamics between online and offline identities, particularly relevant as 95% of teens have access to smartphones and actively use social media. 🧁 Jewish representation is woven naturally throughout the story, including family traditions and holiday celebrations, reflecting the author's own Jewish heritage. 🌟 The novel was released in April 2020 during the height of COVID lockdowns, when many readers were particularly relating to the theme of maintaining connections through virtual spaces.