Even her insecurities, which are the main reason for her lies - and which I had as well, at her age - felt like weak justification for the ongoing and nonsensical drama. Olivia didn't read like a legal adult - she acted and treated others like she was closer to 15. And, unfortunately, Happy Messy Scary Love is riddled with childish decisions and dishonestly. If you've been reading my reviews, you know that needless miscommunication and stupid MCs are some of my biggest YA pet peeves (well, it's a pet peeve in any genre, but it's particularly pervasive in Young Adult). Like, truly, scratching-my-head-huh mistakes, including but not limited to: not telling Jake she's the one he's been messaging, continuing to forge an entirely new personality so Jake won't put two and two together and realize she's his internet pen-pal, lying to him every step of their friendship, having her best friend Katie pretend to be her internet persona because Jake runs into her and recognizes Katie from the photo Olivia sent. But, since they are apparently 18, I'm docking points for how downright silly the MC is. I might've be able to rate the book a little higher if Konen didn't wrote the characters as 18 year olds, recent high-school graduates. There's no harm! Until she shows up at her summer job and meets the other new employee, Jake - who just so happens to be the very same boy who sent her his selfie over reddit. So instead of sending him a photo of herself, she decides to send him one of her best friend, Katie. When Olivia's reddit friend and fellow horror-movie connoisseur sends her a selfie and asks for one in return, has two thoughts: oh no, he's cute and I have a giant pimple on my chin.
It's probably the hopeless romantic in me. There's no harm! Until she shows up at her summer job and meets the other new employee, Jake - who just There's something about secret one-pals who meet in real life. There's something about secret one-pals who meet in real life. This sweet and funny summertime romance is perfect for fans of Love and Gelato and The Unexpected Everything. But things are about to get even more complicated when Olivia’s parents send her to the Catskills, and she runs into the one person she never thought she would see.
Olivia is shocked by how cute he is! In a moment of panic, assuming she and Elm will never meet in real life, she sends a photo of her gorgeous friend Katie. Then Elm pushes Olivia to share her identity and sends her a selfie of his own. Olivia and Elm have never shared personal details, apart from their ages and the fact that Elm’s aunt is a low-budget horror filmmaker. Then Elm pushes Olivia to share her identity and sends As everyone at her Brooklyn high school announces their summer adventures, Olivia harbors a dirty secret: Her plan is to binge-watch horror movies and chat with her online friend, Elm. As everyone at her Brooklyn high school announces their summer adventures, Olivia harbors a dirty secret: Her plan is to binge-watch horror movies and chat with her online friend, Elm.