Don’t Read the Comments is a sharp, heartfelt exploration of online gaming culture, tackling heavy issues like sexism, racism, and toxicity with humor and heart. Divya and Aaron are relatable characters navigating personal struggles while forming a genuine connection. Gamers will appreciate the authenticity, but the story’s themes make it engaging for everyone. A thoughtful and timely read!

I'm marking it as a romance because they do develop a relationship, but it is more of a sub-sub-plot.

It really goes into the darker side of gaming and how some people are just horrible to gamers who aren't straight, white men and also how people who make games are taken advantage of. It is surprisingly heavy, but mixed in with some sweeter moments of Aaron and Divya exploring games and talking passionately about their hobbies. The game they play sounds a lot like No Man Sky, so I definitely feel like picking that back up.
The ending... I'm happy there was a win, but wish it was more satisfying even if it wouldn't have been as realistic.

Really enjoyable and fun reminds me of books I loved when I was much younger I really hope to read more from this author

i loved this book! i connected with the author and helped get copies sent to my local library because the story was so good.

***Did not finish, review based on first 35%***

I was really excited to start Don't Read the Comments as I enjoy gaming myself. However, I quickly lost interest. This book follows a girl gamer of color who becomes the target of internet trolls, how she overcomes it, and even finds love along the way. The MC is an Indian girl known for her player role in a popular online game. The platform she's playing on reminds me a little of Twitch where people can see what she is doing and comment along. The harassment she faces is widespread.

I really struggled to stay engaged with the story. I liked how the author used the video game and action occurring as a part of the plot, however it didn't flow well (and that may have been due to reading an advanced copy). Regardless, this avid gamer couldn't stay focused long enough to enjoy the story which is what led to me abandoning it.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

I enjoyed the concept of this book! however, I just felt as though the build-up of the romance between the two main characters was lacklustre. The main characters individually were well-established and the reader would be able to empathize and resonate with each of them.

Wow this is a late review but 5/5 stars for this one. Loved it. The characters and world stayed with me long after I read it.

Geeky, charming, and altogether brilliant, DON'T READ THE COMMENTS is an authentic look into the world of teen romance, college prospects, and fighting to not give up what you love.

With an empowering plot and a cast that simply leaps off the page, it's quickly shot to become one of my top books of the year (so far).

Definitely don't miss out!

I thought this would be different, and I started it more than once and was unable to get farther than the third chapter. It felt a little bit like a guide to how to have a youtube channel or being an influencer, and that's not what I expected of it. It's me, not the novel, though. I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy this.

This book was exactly what I needed. A quick read with important topics, squishy romance, and a bit of escapism. If you're into YA and/or gaming, this is a must read.

This book was so fantastic! The whole concept of this book, of trolls going after these two, was just infuriating, and I wanted to see how these characters would deal with it! Especially Divya, given that gaming is portrayed by the media to be male dominated, and is most likely like that in real life.

So much of this book, of the way that both of these characters were treated, just boiled my blood! The Vox Populi, like really, you're really going to be that immature and awful? It's just a game, and you escalated it to real life, and that's not cool! And how Aaron slowly became disillusioned about his so-called friends actually paying him for his work.

Divya is supporting her family by being a gamer streamer. Since her dad left, and her mom is almost done with going back to school, she's earning money to pay the bills, which puts a lot of stress on her. This situation with the trolls makes a difficult situation even harder.

I really enjoyed their relationship, because he's pretty awed by her, and they really had a chance encounter that really grew into something bigger! But that they never met in person-until the con, and things go down in a big way! That was so satisfying to read, on so many levels!

I had such a great time reading this book, and I can't wait to see what Eric Smith writes next!

The Review

A truly remarkable and engaging YA Contemporary Romance. Delving into the world of gaming and online streaming was an inspired and relatable choice, as so many people turn to games and streamers for entertainment and for a sense of belonging in their lives. The tone and atmosphere the author crafted allowed readers to feel connected to the gaming world, and the imagery the author utilized in both the fictional world the characters found themselves in and the “real” world was profound, really creating a picture of these scenes in our minds.

The character growth and interaction were the heart of this narrative. Behind the amazing gaming material and exploring the gaming industry as a whole, (including the online troll population that can become quite toxic), the story focuses on two amazing yet struggling young people. The author does a great job of highlighting the need for young people in this day and age to go out into the workforce to help out their struggling parents, as this happens far more often than people think. The bond formed between Divya and Aaron is heartfelt and complex, making the reader root for these characters.

The Verdict

A fantastic, entertaining, and immersive reading experience, author Eric Smith’s “Don’t Read the Comments” is a must-read for any fan of YA Contemporary Romance. The novel really draws the reader in and gives a great balance of atmosphere with the gaming industry element and character growth for both protagonists. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

This book definitely speaks to the current experiences of young adults and older in regards to the phenomena of streaming gaming. Add in the desire to financially assist their family, and some IRL stalking, this is a relatable story!

Don’t Read the Comments took me a while to get into, mainly because I wasn’t in the right mood for it. (There’s also the gameplay, which while makes the book realistic, it’s not for everyone.) Smith’s latest novel follows Divya, a streamer with a large following who goes by the name D1V and takes steps to make sure she’s safe while online.

I loved how Don’t Read the Comments makes commentary about real-world issues such as misogyny and racism, especially as someone with a huge platform. I especially loved how this is a nod to virtual relationships being built and how while they can be meaningful, they can also be harmful

Dnf - did not finish. I did not connect with this young adult novel and will not be finishing it. Thank you for the early copy.

This was a cute geeky read. It reminded me of Ready Player One with modern day elements of social media.

This was a story about Divya (D1V), a famous gamer who streams her gameplay. With Divya’s fame comes the trolls. She is determined for this not to bring her down, with her motto being “Don’t Read the Comments”. Aaron is an aspiring video game creator, who games for fun. The two of them meet one night on the video game and become fast friends. When the threats start to become personal and lead to physical threats, Divya is truly tested. Aaron is there to support her.

This was a story about being yourself. Something that is even harder these days with social media. The reasons given in this book for this group to go as far as they did were truly baffling. Sadly, there is truth to it. There was a tiny bit of romance in the story and what there was sweet.

3.5 Stars for me – Rounding to 4 for Goodreads

Thank you to NetGalley and Ink Yard Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I had to wait quite a while to be able to read this book and wow, it was worth the wait.

Every character had a perfectly unique voice, especially in Divya’s chapters - I could feel the panic she felt during tense moments and her fondness for Aaron during their conversations.

The prose was perfect. The plot was phenomenal, slow enough for character development and still fast-moving enough to keep a reader interested. And who wouldn’t get a kick out of terrible place name puns like “Quarter Slice Crisis” and lines like that beautiful finisher?

I LOVED this book.

Contemporary gamer nerds will enjoy this read. Authentic characters, genuine world building and relatable for todays teens.

This was surprisingly great but it might not be for everyone. Anyone who is into gamer culture, I think, would love this. If you’re not, then I would say pick up a different book. It deals with internet/gaming culture but also racism, mysoginy, and online harassment. The girl MC is a badass and the guy is a total cinnamon roll. I really enjoyed my reading experience.