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annagwritesandreads 's review for:

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
1.5
sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

1.5/5 stars.

Description: Libby was dubbed "America's Fattest Teen" when she had to be cut out of her house. After years of recovery, Libby heads back to public school, where she gets targeted in Fat Girl Rodeo by Jack. Jack has prosopagnosia (cannot recognize/remember faces) but hasn't told anyone about it. This both focuses on both of these teens growing as people and growing together.

The good:
- Libby's letter is the only part I somewhat liked, but that's literally it.

The bad:
- I did not appreciate the representation in the book, I felt like it wasn't deep and just fed into stereotypes.
- I have struggled with weight and this was just upsetting to read how the unhealthy relationship with food (when Libby would mention not eating) was brushed under the rug. 
- Jack's refusal to get his prosopagnosia out to at least his family who he has a generally good relationship with (minus his dad) was bugging me the whole time.
- There is an affair storyline that I also just felt gross about.

Overall: read at your own risk. I personally regret this, but to each their own.