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Book summary: I had no idea GirlOnline would take off the way it has - I can't believe I now have 5432 followers, thanks so much! - and the thought of opening up to you all about this is terrifying, but here goes...
Penny has a secret.
Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.
But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.
Disclaimer: I've read the book in Polish translation as an Advanced Readers Copy. Translation can always affect my overall opinion of the book.
I was very curious about Zoella's book. Everyone was talking about it everywhere: goodreads, blogs, youtube... I don't like to read popular books when everyone else does but I've decided to pick it up and check what the fuss is all about.
The story itself is really sweet but a bit typical. Shy and lacking confidence teenager from Europe has a chance to live an adventure of her life going to New York and meets a handsome musician. She experiences the taste of first love, gain self-confidence, finds the strength to stand up to her frenemies. All that with a leitmotiv of writing a blog.
The book was advertised as written by a blogger about a blogger. If I'm honest - personally I think there was too little about the whole blogging thing. I was expecting more chapters in style of blog posts, more descriptions of the whole online life... To get only that what is in Girl Online was a bit disappointing.
I can say that I liked Penny and her best friend Elliot, but other characters seemed a bit like a background to me (even Noah was a bit flat).
The thing that didn't quite please me was the typical storyline. Other than that the book was nicely written and sweet. It was a relaxing and fast read. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone not interested in YouTube life or not being a teenage girl though. It's a bit too naive for older readers - but you should totally pick it up when you're tired of reading more demanding books.
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I have seen this book around the internet so much that I'm kinda curious but I've heard enough about it to know it's not my cup of tea (also my over towering TBR pile is going to kill me if I add any more books to it, lol). Plus I was a annoyed when it came out Girl Online was actually ghost written and Zoe wouldn't admit it until all this evidence and the ghost writer came forward. Plus the fact that "sold more books the first week then when the first Harry Potter book came out, therefore it's waaaaay better!" line drives me INSANE. Zoella had 6million+ fans under her belt eagerly awaiting the release of Girl Online and J.K Rowling had NONE when the first harry potter book was published! *foams at mouth* -_-
ReplyDeleteGreat review and new follower via GFC and Bloglovin!!
Ella @ Once Upon a Bookish Time
Thank you! I'd recommend this book to you only if you'll have nothing to read and you'll be extremely bored... or waiting in a long line to the dentists... in other case - definitely no. The thing with ghost writer was a bit off putting. Why not admitting it in the first place? It's nothing unusual that people (especially celebrities) use ghost writers.
DeleteAnd the thing about HP - totally agree with you.
I followed your blog too! xx
I actually didn't know anything about Zoella before the internet exploded with tweets and posts about Girl Online! Honestly, based on your review, I can definitely see myself disliking this book a lot. The only part I'm looking forward to is of course, all the blogging aspects, and I'm disappointed that it isn't really talked about in depth here. :( Fabulous review though, girl!
ReplyDeleteAimee @ Deadly Darlings
I have seen this book around, but have been hesitant to read it. Great review! I my read it now. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog by the way!
New GFC follower
I was really curious about this one, but then the whole ghost writer thing surfaced, and I backed away. I might give it a go if I find a used copy or something.
ReplyDeleteI actually DNF this novel, it just felt the writing was underdeveloped. I did enjoy your review though, atleast you enjoyed some parts of it <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is your typical girl-meets-boy type story. I actually smacked my head a few times because what parents let their daughter wander a city they've never been to with a boy they've just met for literally 30 seconds? I mean, really. Who does that.
ReplyDelete