Freshmen

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is honestly such a difficult book to review... I need to remember that just because the characters aren't perfect or don't always do the right thing or be the hero, doesn't mean it isn't a good book. In fact, these flaws make the characters more lifelike– this is a totally relateable book.

This book deals with some harder issues like identity, fitting in, and sexual stuff, which I think is really important for teens to read about. Life is not always smooth and easy. Life can be much like this book and by the end of your first semester, you don't always know who you will marry. This is a decently realistic book and that is what makes it hard to read. Luke doesn't have this life together, he is kind of just barely keeping afloat and he doesn't always do the right thing. He isn't the classic book character, but he is totally like real person, so I had to learn to be understanding of his lack of wisdom on life and not just be annoyed. An 18 year old isn't always going to know how to go through his first break up. Although... he really annoyed me with how indecisive he could be.

I did prefer reading things through Phoebe's POV and really envied her nights out and her dorm. I feel like I missed out on college fun haha. Although, we can see she makes mistakes too and learns from them. Her group of friends were super amazing and totally goals.

In the end, I did enjoy this book– which is why the 3.5 stars, but I wasn't always taken with it. I read to escape reality, and this just had too much of it for me. Yet, I can totally see people really enjoying this and preparing for college not to be all sunshine, rainbows, and grumpy professors. I will definitely recommend this to a more mature teen because of all the drinking, drug use, and sex and hope they keep in mind the cultural differences, since this book is set in England.