2.5 stars

This was a not-at-all-subtle modern take on Pride & Prejudice. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. The characters are just awful. Julia is one of the most annoying, uptight, pretentious female protagonists I've ever read, especially in a contemporary YA. She is so OCD and know-it-all that she makes Hermione Granger look like a lazy simpleton. It's beyond obnoxious. And her character has absolutely no growth throughout the story. Her opinions regarding certain characters change when she learns their true character, but she is just as insufferable at the end as she was in the beginning.

Jason was terrible too. He acted like an 11-year old kid rather than a 17-year old. He continually acts out and makes Julia feel awful. I hate that he calls her Book Licker. What the heck is that? Am I supposed to think that's cute? Cuz...no. Just no.

The plot was silly, the ending was rushed, and the 'love story' felt rushed and inauthentic.

This is the author's first story. I could possibly see myself giving her another chance in the future, but this story just did not work for me. I would say that it was a fast read, but I don't know how much of it was a 'fast read' and how much was that I couldn't stand being in Julia's head and found myself skimming a lot of her inner dialogue.