✼ We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.
What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter is a story about a love triangle that really only has two people in it. I normally shy away from books about social media or books since they are generally cringey, but this one has a little more depth to it. I enjoyed the balance of wholesome moments with more heavy ones, but the main character became a little bit frustrating. The love triangle is meant to be a nice tension, but since Halle brings all the drama upon herself and technically has the power to end it at any time, it is difficult to feel sorry for her. However, I still liked the overall concept, and I enjoyed reading the book.
Title: What I Like About YouAuthor: Marisa Kanter
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Rating:
Can a love triangle have only two people in it? Online, it can... but in the real world, it's more complicated. In this debut novel Marisa Kanter explores what happens when internet friends turn into IRL crushes.
There are a million things that Halle Levitt likes about her online best friend, Nash.
He’s an incredibly talented graphic novelist. He loves books almost as much as she does. And she never has to deal with the awkwardness of seeing him in real life. They can talk about anything…
Except who she really is.
Because online, Halle isn’t Halle—she’s Kels, the enigmatically cool creator of One True Pastry, a YA book blog that pairs epic custom cupcakes with covers and reviews. Kels has everything Halle doesn’t: friends, a growing platform, tons of confidence, and Nash.
That is, until Halle arrives to spend senior year in Gramps’s small town and finds herself face-to-face with real, human, not-behind-a-screen Nash. Nash, who is somehow everywhere she goes—in her classes, at the bakery, even at synagogue.
Nash who has no idea she’s actually Kels.
If Halle tells him who she is, it will ruin the non-awkward magic of their digital friendship. Not telling him though, means it can never be anything more. Because while she starts to fall for Nash as Halle…he’s in love with Kels.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter
This book follows Halle, a popular book blogger who moves to a small town. She is friends with a graphic novelist named Nash online, and when she ends up at his school, she finds herself falling for him in real life. The only issue is that Nash doesn’t know Halle’s real life identity, and his feelings for her online persona start to hold him back. There are many interesting details in the story such as Halle’s parents being prominent documentary directors and the fact that she is a book blogger. The book also has a good mix of fun and seriousness since the wholesome moments are juxtaposed with the main character grieving the loss of her grandmother. It is a pretty far-fetched story, but these elements make up for it.
❀ Authentic Main Character
There is great representation through the characters in the book, and they feel realistic for their age. Halle is Jewish, and I could appreciate how hard she works to maintain her blog. That being said, she is such a frustrating character since she refuses to share her true identity with Nash. She has multiple opportunities to tell him the truth, and her brother reminds her of this, but she continues to complain about what she did as if she can’t undo it if she tried. It is hard to sympathize with her in that sense, especially since she outright lies to Nash, pretends not to know anything about him despite them being best friends online, and then ghosts him. However, I did like her authentic voice.
❀ A cute story
What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter is a cute story about online relationships vs. real world relationships. I enjoyed the book’s representation and its more serious themes, but Halle’s drama with Nash was not easy to sympathize with. I did enjoy the book despite this frustration, but I am hesitant to recommend it since it is not for everyone.
About Marisa Kanter
Marisa Kanter has worked in publicity for major publishers and covered YA books for MTV. Currently, she works in sales, on the distribution side of the publishing industry. She can often be found searching for the best iced chai in NYC, or reading on the 3 train. What I Like About You is her first novel.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
This sounds adorable but it would frustrate me the way the MC refuses to share her identity with Nash. Whyyy
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…ARC Review: The Earl Takes a Fancy by Lorraine Heath
Right??!! I don’t get it.
I totally read that title in my head to the tune of the song! 😀
lol You and me, both! 🙂
I still can’t decided if I want to read this one or not. All the hype going on around it makes me hesitate. Your review has me leaning towards yes, though.
It’s definitely a cute read. I look forward to hearing what you think! )
That one seems so cute!!!!
Absolutely! 🙂
Lovely review! I’ve been anticipating this one for a little while now and, despite how frustrating the main character might get, I think I might enjoy it! 😀
Thanks, Marie! I hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
Sounds very interesting. I was wondering how a love triangle could only consist of two people. I was initially turned off because I don’t like love triangles but this is very different and I’m curious to know what happens.
Haha! Yes! I know what you mean. 😉
I’d heard about this one! This sounds like it might be a good read despite the MC’s strange decision to not…reveal herself? I’m confused. Sounds like an easy-fix situation haha. I kind of want to see how it all goes down.
Right?! I hope that you love it! 🙂
I usually like books about books (and everything that revolves around them) so I’d probably like this novel…I’ll add it on my TBR list! I really enjoyed your review because I can tell that you actually liked it, even if you’d have gladly slapped the protagonist!
Same here! I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
This sounds cute and adorable! I like books with online romance tropes. I’m adding it to my TBR list! I’m glad you enjoyed it, despite issues! Great review!
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…Daughter of Shades (The Venatrix Chronicles #1) By Sylvia Mercedes [Review]
Thanks so much, Raven! I hope it is one you enjoy. 🙂
It’s fun that the MC is a book blogger, but it sounds like the drama might be a bit annoying overall. Thanks for sharing.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Life Lately: Things Are Weird
Yes the drama did wear on me! 😉
This sounds like a great book.
Thanks for the review! I’m getting this book for my daughter. It sounds like a book she would really like!
I hope that she loves it! 🙂
Sounds good. Like the cute cover.
NANCY recently posted…Most Effective Ways to Lose Weight & Keep It Off
The cover is super cute! 🙂
book sounds cute
I am all about the cute relationships, and I love that the MC is a book blogger. I am reading this next week, and I have high hopes for it
I can’t wait to find out what you think, Sam! 🙂
I love cute stories. I’d probably like this one.