Thank you net galley and st Martins press for sending me an arc of ‘please send help’ by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin in exchange for an honest review. To be honest when I first started this book I didn’t think I’d enjoy it due to the format being a combination of emails and texts rather than traditional pov chapters. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to connect to the characters, but that couldn’t be further from truth. ‘Please send help’ is a fun fast paced story about long distance bffs trying navigate their way through their post college lives. Gen and Ava are not perfect character they are flawed and make mistakes but I think that’s what makes their story so relatable. I would definitely recommend picking up a copy when it hits shelves on the 16th of July 2019.

This book was not for me. I found the story boring and it had explicit content that I didn't like. DNF

Please Send Help is the story of two friends in their early twenties, just starting out their careers, Ava in NYC as an intern for a tv talk show, and Gen, as the new staff reporter for a small local paper in Florida. It is written strictly in the format as a series of emails and texts between the two friends. It deals with a number of issues, from totally random ones, like how to capture a feral cat and make it one's pet, to relationship issues, issues of sexuality, and situations within the workplace. While Please Send Help is the follow-up book to I Hate Everyone But You, it definitely read as a stand-alone novel easily enough. Overall, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Parts of it had me snickering, other parts I thought were a little over-the-top, but overall is was a quick read and perfect when you need something light to read.

Thank you to St Martins Press, Wednesday Books, and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read the first book, I Hate Everyone But You, spring of last year and while I don't remember specifics, I do know I have a generally icky feeling when I think back to it. I remember some rep stuff not sitting well with me, and honestly just disliking both of the main characters. I couldn't tell you why I picked this one up except that book 1 had some funny moments and epistolary novels tend to fly by so quickly. I'm happy to say I did enjoy Please Send Help a lot more but it wasn't perfect.


First, this book was just genuinely funnier than the first volume in the series. These characters are now college grads and they're trying to navigate the adult world on their own for the first time. I obviously could relate more to their situations, so the humor struck me more often this time. I had some laughing out loud moments while reading this book. Both the subtler attempts at witty humor and the in-your-face toilet humor worked for me.


The characters were less asshole-ish this time, too. Gen in particular was such a snob in the last book, but she mellowed out a lot here. I found Ava's anxiety to be incredibly hard to read about last time, and while the representation was still on point here, it wasn't so hard to read. I was overwhelmed by her being overwhelmed in IHEBY, but in PSH it was just relatable, if not a little over the top.


So while the reading experience was overall enjoyable and fun, I found the book to be lacking in depth in some more important areas. One of the characters is diagnosed with an incurable STD, and while she spent a good amount of time freaking out about it, I felt like it was brushed off rather easily. Yes, stigma around STDs should end, however, it's still a big deal and a life-changing moment. The other main character was making very questionable drinking choices to the point where the word "alcoholism" was being used, but again, it was brushed off. I think these books would have been better without the two very serious issues thrown in, instead of going the other way and fully unpacking them. Keep this as a comedy.


Anyway, I don't find this series to be absolutely remarkable, but they're easily digested even with my quibbles. I love reading epistolary novels and these, with their text and email formats, go down quick and easy. I didn't love the unexplained time jump, but I did enjoy these characters a bit more grown up with more relatable issues for me. If you're looking for a light, funny read, check these out from the library.

I honestly don’t remember requesting this one, but it certainly was not for me. I am definitely not the target audience on this one so perhaps other readers will enjoy.

This book was just what I needed - lighthearted and realistic. I'm 25 now, but I've been here. Navigating the adult world isn't as glamorous as it looked when I was 16. And keeping friendships? That's another world. This book was an enjoyable ride from start to finish. I felt like I knew Ava and Gen out here in the real world. I'd recommend this to all those about to graduate high school and anyone in their 20s, because this is one that you'll enjoy and don't want to miss.

2.5 stars.
I didn't realize this book was the second in a series when I originally requested it on NetGalley. I ended up tracking down and reading the first book before I read this one, and I didn't enjoy the first book. I still gave the second book a chance, and it was moderately better than the first book, which is why I gave it 2.5 stars, but still wasn't very good.
A major problem with the first book was the toxic relationship between the two main characters. It was slightly better in this book at first, but then fell back into a pattern of one character treating the other like garbage a lot of the time. I don't know if their relationship is meant to be toxic in order to carry/create the "story" (there isn't really a plot, otherwise?...), or if the reader is expected to see this relationship as normal, but either way, it doesn't work. Very little actually happens in this book, and the communication between the two characters becomes so uncomfortable to read that it's hard to ignore the many reasons they just shouldn't even be friends.
I just couldn't really understand the point of this book. There is no interesting/unique story being told. The characters are not particularly unique. The way the characters interact is borderline abusive at times, and it's treated as a normal friendship instead of pointing out the problems with this. I think the only "unique" thing that this book has going for it is the fact that it's written entirely through texts and emails, but that doesn't matter at the end of the day if there's no actual story being told.

What a fun read! Reading the exchanges between Ava and Gen is almost like cyber-stalking someone's Facebook account. You're prying into their private conversation, but it's so interesting you can't stop. At times I was shaking my head over their attitudes, but they were so realistic for that age group that I never felt like they were just fictional characters. I was caught up in their dramas.
I didn't read the first book, but I didn't feel like it was necessary. However, it's going on my list and I will read the first one soon.

3.5 Stars

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reading copy of Please Send Help by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin. I can't wait to start this book. Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin are YouTube personalities.

This book is a sequel to ”I Hate Everyone But You.” It is about two best friends Ava and Gen. They have known each other since high school. This novel takes place in their adulthood while living across the country from one another. This book is formatted through emails and text messages and was a nice change of pace. I love that the main focus of the plot was on friendship rather than relationships (although there are relationship talks within it).

For a book that is humorous, light hearted, and an easy read it did cover a lot of topics and issues. There are frequent discussions of sexuality and mental health. There are also conversations about past and present decisions that both girls make about their futures. I also liked that Gen was very openly feminist and was a voice to the LGBTQ+ community. Whereas, Ava is very anxious and suffers from bouts of depression.

I think that someone who suffers from mental health issues (such as anxiety, OCD, and depression) and people who identify as LGBTQ+ would enjoy this book and be able to relate to these characters as this is an own voices novel.

Thank you to Net Galley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think Im going to give this 2.5 stars. There were a lot of important things talked about like sexuality and STI’s, but the only interesting part were the pages between 220 and 300. If the book had kept its good pace til the end it would have gotten three stars.

Onto the characters, the main characters are the stereotypical Type A and Type B personality. There isn’t a lot of cross over between personality traits and I understand that peopel are like this but it just made the characters seem like empty shells of what they could be. The characters also made some wierd ooc choices. Like Gen, she is sturggling for money yet she does something that could get her fired and when she gets fired shes upset she cant afford to live anymore. SHE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS. No rational person would lose their job when they are in desperate need of money. I guess its supposed to be casue shes “unpredictable” but seriously?

The plot was kind of lacking, honeslty i dont even think there was one. It was driven a lot by character and I liked that. I dont really have much else to say.

I liked the ending, it made me happy and reminiscent of my friends. This was a sequel and I never read the first one and honestly i dont think you need too? The beginning is very expostionaly heavy, to the point that the writing lacks because of it, so you get the gist of everyone characters and where they’re going and what their goals are.

Yeah so that was that book, it could have been better but it was ok none the less.

Wow, ok so i actually struggled so much with this book and actually following along with the story line. The emailing back and forth was so hard to follow, which i felt really took away from the story, which was ok.

File this another another book Deanna read and had NO idea it was actually a sequel. HOWEVER, I feel like not reading the first book didn't take away from this novel AT ALL. I love books that are written in interesting ways, and this one was written in emails and texts, and was really fun to read. It reminded me a lot of Meg Cabot's The Boy series that was written similarly. I LOVE books like this, mostly because they are quick to get through and are just an interesting way to tell a story.

There were parts of this book that really just made me laugh so hard because Gen and Ava are just so outlandish, mostly it was Gen. Gen was a CHARACTER! She was a lot of fun to read about, and Ava's neuroses was something I could definitely understand. I loved reading their correspondences and it really rang true that they have a strong friendship. It also made me realize that I am really bad at being friends with people, because I definitley don't have any close friendships like this. GUYS! Do I have friends??

I also liked the representation in this book. Early on Gen mentions between gender fluid, although I believe she used She/Her pronouns, but it's also clear that she's bisexual. I love all the bisexual characters I am finding in books lately. There is also a side character that is trans, but it's almost like it's a footnote in this book. I was still glad it was included, and I wonder if it's more prevalent in the first book.

I ripped through this book. It was a funny look at friendships in the digital age, while also dealing with the issues that a lot of young people right out of college deal with. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a funny read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press And NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I would have known this book was a sequel, I want to read the first one! I loved the format of the book by including Texts and emails, and was struck by how much I loved Ava and Gens relationship! I was able to put myself and one of my best friends in Ava and Gens place while reading and it made the book even more relatable! Must read for anyone who it’s a bestie!

I would officially like to apologise to Gen.
I was a little bit harsh on her after the first book.
But, yes, she's grown and I actually found her character interesting and funny.
Problematic, but funny.

Storywise, I wasn't as impressed as I was with the first book.
Maybe I just didn't expect for it to jump from girls' freshmen year at college to their after-graduation life.
I signed up for a fun contemporary YA, not NA!

All in all, not a great work of art, but still very enjoyable and easy to read.
Probably more like a 3.5 stars.

Definitely the book to get you over any reader's funk. Like its predecessor, Please Send Help is a terribly fun, silly, yet smart book that incorporates feminist-forward themes in a conversational style between two best friends. If you're a young adult, but not an ADULT adult woman who wants something to look forward to reading after a long day of quarter-life-crisis-ing, settle into Gen and Ava dishing their own navigation of their early 20s.

It's a pleasure to be able to enjoy something so fun that I don't feel the need to mark with a 'problematic fave' disclaimer. Please Send Help can renew your hope in friendship, or at the least keep you on your toes for the Ava to your Gen, or Gen to your Ava that is STILL OUT THERE SOMEWHERE. Personally, I'm bisexual Ava. Much appreciation to the publishers for allowing me early access to this delightful read!

Wow! This book was so good! It was super relatable while also being intersectional and funny and it was also an emotional roller coaster (in a good way). Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! I really enjoyed being able to read and review this book.

*Book received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I like Gaby and Allison's YouTube channel, and I enjoyed their first book in this series.

When I was younger, a favorite book duo of mine was "PS Longer Letter Later" and "Snail Mail No More", both written by Ann M. Martin and Paula Danziger. This book and the one before it have aspects of them that remind me of those - all those books do talk about different, very real issues (queerness, anxiety, Being an Adult, to name only a few of the ones that this book discusses). It was fast paced and interesting, and I am glad I read it.

It is a fun, modern epistolary novel, and the voices of the two main characters are distinctive in voice and make it an enjoyable read.

3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for letting me read this!

4.5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review.

Last year I, very belatedly, discovered the YouTube channel Just Between Us, and quickly fell in love with the banter between hosts Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn. I quickly checked out their first novel, I Hate Everyone But You, from the library, and read it in one day. I was so excited when they announced the sequel, Please Send Help!

Just as with the first novel, Please Send Help is written through texts and emails exchanged by best friends Ava and Gen. Now 22, they have graduated from college, and are starting jobs for the first time. Ava is at an unpaid internship in NYC, and Gen is working at a small, nearly-forgotten newspaper in Florida. The book follows the first few months of their new jobs, and the adventures that ensue in post-college life.

I read Please Send Help in just two days, and I completely fell in love with it. These novels are extremely fast-paced, and the writing style is addictive. What makes the experience so enjoyable for me, is that I can hear Allison and Gaby's voices while reading. If you're not a fan of their YouTube channel, you will not get this added layer, and you might not connect to the characters as much as I do. Nonetheless, Ava and Gen's friendship is incredible. I love that they have disagreements, but they always work though them.

Moreover, it's great that Please Send Help touches on important topics in a light-hearted way. Discussing STDs, alcoholism, and other issues are more approachable through a comedic lens. I think this approach is good for young adults who are reading this book, and learning that it's okay to talk about these "taboo" topics.

In the end, my only critique of Please Send Help is the abrupt ending. Readers go from spending three or so months with Ava and Gen, and then jump to a future day in a one-page epilogue. I would love a bit more! It almost feels like the authors reached their page count so they stopped writing. Perhaps I'm just sad there was no more Ava and Gen for me, at least in this book.

I highly recommend Please Send Help for fans of Just Between Us, and I encourage non-fans to read this series as well. If you enjoy modern epistolary novels, these books do not disappoint. I look forward to any and all sequels that may follow!

Please Send Help is a thoughtful, funny, endearing, and relatable look into the lives of two young adult best-friends trying to find their place in the world as working adults. Already being fans of the authors from their Youtube careers, I expected to look this book, but I can honestly say that it greatly exceeded all my expectations. The characters and their experiences felt truly genuine, the relationships in the book felt organic, and the plot line was realistic but also entertaining throughout. There were never any slow points and drags, and the writing was fantastic. On top of all that the book is genuinely hilarious, like laugh out loud, goofy smile on your face funny, I read the book in one sitting, and the book left me with a happy and satisfied book hangover. Gen and Ava's friendship feels super supportive, while also showing the ups and downs even best friends go through. The quick and witty style of writing make it a quick and easy read, but it has genuine substance and depth, overall would highly recommend this read!

This was just the book I needed after a string of books that didn't hold my interest.

I read the first book, 'I Hate Everyone But You', I enjoyed this one more. It was a quick read both because of the format (emails and text conversations) and because I liked reading about Ava and Gen.I liked reading what each of them was up to post-college.

The book tackles some heavy topics in a somewhat lighthearted manner (excessive drinking, dysfunctional childhood, work relationships, mental health, etc), but I didn't mind. I think I was too focused on the dynamic between the two friends to really be bothered by the superficialness. My only gripe would be with the ending, which seemed really rushed. I would love to read more about Ava and Gen. :)