I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book read like a PSA. The way it's written is unlike anything I've read before. It just seems off.

I wanted to like this book the characters were something else. Jared knew his girlfriend was going to a party to get rapped and did nothing because his brother would hurt him? Seriously! Nothing he did redeemed himself for me. I just can't with his character. Kenzie was said girlfriend who got rapped and 2 years later is still dealing with the trauma (her character I understand). Bree was Kenzies friend but totally betrayed her. Seth is Jared's brother aka the boy holding a rape party. Great guy, right? 🙄

Jared regrets what happened that night and wants to make it up. I get it, I do. But sorry not sorry no matter what you do you are still an ass in my eyes.

I love the Sidestreets series, and this book is no exception. It tackles a very difficult issue that is very relevant in today’s society of social media and cell phones. It’s a quick read, and very to the point, and it outlines the aftermath of the horrific event, and the healing, rather than the event itself.

If you haven’t read a Sidestreets book, I highly recommend it. It’s a great series for teens, on very real issues, and it’s Canadian (yay!).

Whilst the plot of Epic Fail was well thought out and interesting, the writing felt rushed and superficial at times making it hard to be invested in the characters and story

I went through and requested every book by this publisher on NetGalley. Have to say I am very impressed. I highly recommend their books. This book is just another hit from them. This book follows the aftermath of a party where ninth grade girls were raped as part of a game for twelfth graders. It is a really sick concept, one that I don't doubt is completely possible.

The story follows Jared and Kenzie. Kenzie was one of the ninth grade girls at the party. Jared was the younger brother of the twelfth grader that threw the party. It has created a great deal of emotional trauma for both of them. Kenzie is spiraling downward in depression and anxiety. Jared is being bullied and has his own issues brewing around family drama.

The book allowed for a very simple look at a very complex issue such as date rape and the repercussions for everyone after the fact. The book didn't dwell on what happened, but instead focused on what was happening. The book takes place two years after the rape. This book opens the door to talk about rape culture and the way that women are allowed to navigate in the world of sexuality. It is a great introduction and I wish I had copies to give out to the inmates I teach at the jail. This book is a lower reading level and most of them would be able to handle it. It is brilliant.

I did wish the story was longer. I read it in two or three hours, but that is the perfect length when you are trying to get reluctant teens to read a book. I think I can suffer through wanting more if it means that this book will be able to reach more people.

I like this series of books because they are not afraid to tackle the hard subjects.

Epic Fail is about date rape and what it does to not only the victim but the people around her.

While the story was compelling, the characters needed to be a lot more developed. Kenzie, the victim and Jared, her friend who feels guilty about what happened are the two most developed characters and yet, I still haven't figured out much about them. Bree and Seth, two more important players in this story are mentioned on occasion, but absolutely nothing is said about them other than they are bad.

I do like that the author chose to make Kenzie work on getting better with a combination of therapy, friendship and self-esteem. The message, while hard to hear, is, in the end a positive one.

Having said all of this, there were some incredibly important moments that were completely missing in this book. ALL the parents are written as either non caring, clueless or self involved.

Jared was a good character, other than the fact that he went back and forth between being strong and extremely weak, which I would not have minded so much, if he didn't seem to spend all of his time second guessing himself on everything. But, I like that he was there for Kenzie when it mattered most and that he never judged her for what happened.

This is an interesting read, but there are some elements missing here.

Jared, Bree and Kenzie have been friends for a long time, until the events that took place at a party two years ago. Jared knew his brother planned this party with his Year 12 friends with the sole purpose of having sex with as many Year 9 girls as possible. Apparently these get togethers are a common occurrence. Jared fails to warn his friends and Kenzie is raped at the party. Jared's guilt comes to a head when a photo of Kenzie from the night she was raped is posted on social media.

This book needs to come with a trigger warning. Its themes include sexual assault, victim blaming, suicidal thoughts and actions, and physical abuse.

Before reading this book I'd never heard of a Hi-Lo book. For those as in the dark as I was, Hi-Lo are high-interest, low-readability books; basically books with more mature themes for reluctant readers if my understanding is correct. I love the concept. Anything that helps non-readers become readers is something to be applauded in my world.

I felt this book had potential as it addressed rape culture. It saddens and horrifies me that rape is so prevalent in society that it has its own culture. I'm not sure you can ever say that you enjoy a book where the central theme is sexual assault but in the context of a Hi-Lo book, I think the author did a good job.

I liked that this story is told from the point of view of a 16 year old boy. The majority of books I've read about sexual assault are told primarily from a female perspective. I like that at the end of the book the author listed some website resources. I didn't really find a connection with any of the characters, although that may be in part because this was a quick read and as such there wasn't the opportunity to get to know the characters as well as you do in longer novels.

I can understand Jared questioning why Kenzie never reported what happened to her. Until you've been there you don't know what you'd do in that situation and there is no right or wrong answer. Some people report. Others don't. I can understand both sides.

I appreciated the growth shown in Jared's character throughout the book and how he kept trying to reach out to Kenzie. Jared talks about how useful the mediation training sessions he's been attending have been but I would have liked to hear more about what he learned so readers could take something else away from the book.

I felt as though some of language attributed to the teens in the book didn't work for the target audience or as examples of how young people speak. I'm not sure 15 and 16 year olds would be using terms like 'young man' used to describe a teenager in a video, or 'compromising photos' used to describe nude selfies or revenge porn. Also, some of the conversations read like they belonged in a pamphlet found in a counsellor's office, not coming out of the mouths of teens.

It really frustrated me that while the author mentioned Kenzie was getting slut shamed on social media, the photograph in question constituted child pornography and no one did anything about it. While the focus is on Kenzie's rape, there's all of this blame from the characters towards Bree. Yes, Bree made really bad decisions, but... Maybe there are different laws where the author lives but where I come from a 14 year old girl is not old enough to legally be able to give consent so even if she was all for it, it's still statutory rape.

I would have liked to have seen at least one person other than the victims experience consequences. Cam gets away with raping Kenzie. Seth gets away with physically abusing Jared, the statutory rape of Bree, and the production and distribution of child pornography. Who knows how many unnamed Year 12 boys raped how many unnamed Year 9 girls at their parties. Countless people in social media land do nothing when they see child pornography being distributed except shame the victim. Bree distributed child pornography and deserves to go down in history as being one of the worst friends ever. Jared's father gets away with the blatant neglect of his son. No one at the school appears to even acknowledge the fact that Kenzie barely attends. I could probably go on, but that's enough frustration at the lack of accountability.

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you very much to NetGalley and James Lorimer & Company) in exchange for honest feedback. I'd recommend watching Audrie & Daisy to anyone interested in a great documentary that complements the themes of this book quite well.