You Started It by L.C. Rosen: A Mixed Bag of Emotions and Expectations
When I first came across You Started It, I was drawn in by the intriguing premise of a fake dating trope layered within the complexities of high school life. The book, penned by L.C. Rosen, promised a colorful blend of romance, Arab representation, and mental health themes. As someone who finds the rollercoaster of teen love endlessly fascinating, I was eager to dive into Jamie’s world. What I found, however, was a journey filled with unexpected frustrations and disappointments.
The story revolves around Jamie Taher-Foster, a high school senior, who is blindsided after her long-term boyfriend, Ben, decides to call it quits. In an effort to win him back, Jamie attempts to navigate the choppy waters of teenage emotions by engaging in a fake dating scenario with Axel, a younger TikTok dancer who is also Arab. While the premise sounds ripe for juicy, heart-fluttering moments, I couldn’t help but feel weighed down by a myriad of narrative missteps.
The principal themes of the story—identity, mental health, and the messiness of teenage relationships—are ambitious and, at times, compelling. However, the execution often left me wishing for more depth. Jamie’s obsession with her ex, who is mentioned an exhausting 668 times, overshadowed any tenderness that might develop between her and Axel. Instead of a magical, swoon-worthy romance, I found a girl wrestling with emotional immaturity and a love triangle that felt more irritating than engaging.
On the character front, Jamie is presented as a complex protagonist but ends up feeling like a frustrating enigma. With her emotionally immature behavior, she swings between lauding her independence and repeatedly yearning for her ex. As someone in the same age bracket as Jamie, I expected to connect with her. Still, her inconsistent actions often left me exasperated. Axel, while charming in his own right, felt sidelined, not getting nearly enough narrative room to express his own complexities. I found myself craving his perspective, which could have added richness to the story.
Rosen’s writing style felt conversational, which I appreciated at times. Each scene moves quickly, akin to the pacing of a TikTok video, but this rapidity often sacrifices the emotional weight that could have made significant moments hit harder. I encountered numerous instances where the emotional stakes seemed underdeveloped, and insights about mental health and cultural identity felt glossed over.
While there were bright spots—like Jamie’s supportive friends and her gradual realization of her worth—the overall experience, unfortunately, felt disappointing relative to my initial expectations. The character dynamics were often superficial, and the nuanced exploration of relationships I craved just wasn’t there.
That said, You Started It may still resonate with younger readers who enjoy high school dramas filled with relatable angst and romantic confusion. If you’re in the market for a lighthearted read that explores the sometimes messy world of teen dating—especially through the lens of social media—this book could find an eager audience. However, for those looking for a deeper dive into emotional development or multi-dimensional characters, you might want to look elsewhere.
In conclusion, my journey through You Started It was like a flashy TikTok dance—exciting in the moment but ultimately lacking substance. As I ponder my own high school escapades, I acknowledge that youth can often be turbulent and messy, much like Jamie’s story. This read left me both satisfied and disillusioned, and as always, I’m curious to see what others might think! Happy reading, everyone! 💖
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