Olivia was ready to change her life. She and her two best friends Dre and Eli do everything together. After a disastrous Halloween, Olivia decides to try saying yes to things, instead of hiding in the shadows. She was already busy with work, Dre and Eli's band, and schoolwork. But when her new lab partner invites her to audition for the school play, she says "yes." One "yes" leads to another and Olivia is reinventing herself to the point where she doesn't know herself at all.
This book is a sweet little love story where the main point is to learn to love yourself.

Francina Simone captures the drama of high school, the angsty and lusty feelings of being a teenager, and more specifically the complicated perspective of being a black girl trying to fit into a white space. Olivia James, the main character of the book is struggling with letting her insecurities dictate her life and decides in true Shonda Rhimes Year of Yes fashion to make a "F*ck It List" in an effort to live her best life. One of the first things she decides to do is audition for the school's rap musical Othello and much like the cover states "Mistakes Were Made".

Now I am vaguely familiar with Othello and apparently this book can be considered a modern retelling. I do know that Shakespeare lived for the drama and this book does not disappoint! Book Fam, between the unrequited love, awkward friendship love triangle, theater kid shenanigans, jealousy, and gossip, things escalate really quickly and I fell right into the drama. One of my favorite things about Simone's writing is the depth she provided to each of the characters and how their distinct personalities seemed to just jump off the page. Overall, I loved the book and look forward to reading more of her work.

Smash It! is absolutely spectacular.

I was clapping and awkwardly white girl rapping and soaking up all the sass laid down by Francina Simone in her newest book, Smash It! (Which, I didn’t realize ahead of time is a modern #ownvoices Othello retelling, what?!)

Our main girl, Liv, is fantastic and totally flawed, but you see, that’s why we love her.

Tired of blending in (she wore shorts and a hoodie to a halloween party!), she makes a F*ck It List to push herself out of her comfort zone. But it turns out being bold and embracing change doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes. Oops.

This book is hilarious and bold and full of truth bombs.

I laughed out loud, cringed a little, and was taken back to my high school days, filled with boy drama, band practice, and spontaneous sleepovers with my girls (and lots of homework--looking at you, AP classes).

Honestly, I didn’t even mind the love triangle between Liv, Eli, and Andre (and I hate love triangles). The whole book just felt so authentic to the teenage experience. Like Liv, I was also overcommitted, exhausted, and an overachiever. I could totally relate. I was insecure and searching for acceptance. I was lucky to have friends like Liv’s Lennox and Jackie, who genuinely cared about me and drew me out of my shell. (And who provided me with a similar colorful education not covered in the classroom.)

I seriously cannot say enough good things about this book. I give it all the stars.

Teenagers now will love this book. Adults who remember being a teenager will love this book. Frankly, if you’re breathing, chances are you’ll love this book.

(Incidentally, I wished I had the audiobook because man, I really wanted to hear those Othello musical numbers. I hope they do them justice!)

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an advance copy for review.

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like this book because who doesn't want a character who just decides to own their life. I just could not connect with liv, the main character. Obviously, from the other reviews people disagree with me and think this book is worth checking out. But honestly if I hadn't received an ARC and had to write a review I would have given up on this book in the first few chapters. The decisions Liv makes irritated me over and over again and the ending didn't feel satisfying. I really didn't care how things ended for Liv. Based on the other reviews sure check it out but not for me.

She has two guys as her best friends. She plays the flute. She is in high school and worried about what people think about her. She wishes she could be more. Inspired by the book “Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes, Olivia decides to make a “Fuck It” list. (Kind of like a bucket list but for teenage girls.) The list starts with three things.

1. Be bold - do things that scare me.
2. Learn to take a compliment.
3. Stand out instead of back.

As things arise, the Fuck It list grows. And so does Olivia. This is her coming of age story - F-bombs, embarrassing mistakes, uncomfortable risks and bad-ass bitches.

As some of the other reviews mention, there are a few things that were brought up in the story that seemed to have no real import as they were not resolved. And while I thought they would be brought up later, they never were.

I struggled with some of the choices that Olivia made in this book. But I guess if it was my 17 year old story, people would have a lot of comments on the choices that I made.

Overall, Olivia was a fun character to follow and the book was a lot of fun.

<b>Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for an advance copy of this book. </b>

I was able to read Smash It by Inkyard Press for free from Netgalley for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ms. Francina Simone was able to show the issues young adult females deal with everyday. I like how the story shows the coming of age and how Olivia changes her own opinion of herself. She decides to make a F*ck it list and promises to herself to make it the year to accept herself, to be brave, just go for things and not be scared. The first thing she does is try out for a rap version of the Othello play at her school and from there she learns the importance of friendship, to love herself and accept herself.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants an honest story of a teenage girl finding her place in the world.

I could not finish this book. I read about 20% and then stopped. It was a type of painful cringe teenage experience that I have no desire to revisit. It was also exhausting to read how obsessed with a boy the main character was.
On the positives, the writing was very good and the characters were fully realized.

Smash It! by Francina Simone— This was a fun read with a perfectly imperfect main character I think we can all relate to. Olivia “Liv” is done. She is tired of not being seen and always being the buffer between her two best friends, who are guys. She decides once and for all she is going to make a list of all the things she should do to make this the best year ever and stick to it no matter how challenging or embarrassing or heartbreaking those things may be. For starters, she is going to actually try out for the school play. The spotlight scares her to death, but it is time for her to shine. She is also going to stop having that annoying unrequited crush (on one of her BFFs). Oh, and she is going to learn how to stop being so uptight about her body. It’s a big list and it keeps growing. Each time she thinks things are going her way, life has a way of throwing something else at her. The question is...will she be able to Smash It?
This is a fun, coming of age story with a diverse cast of characters. It’s refreshing to read a story with a main character that is a POC who isn’t involved in a real-world, headline-worthy plot (although those novels definitely have their merit as well). This is just a girl who is trying to navigate the waters of high school. She’s worried about getting a part in the play, a crush (or two), making friends, and making it through the teen years.
About 3 weeks ago in one of my librarian groups one of the librarians had a student who was looking for books with black characters who weren’t involved or didn’t have family members involved in gangs, shootings, drugs, etc. It was disheartening how few titles came to mind. There is definitely a need for this type of book. I hope Simone writes more. All students should be able to find themselves in books. Do be advised, there is strong language and they discuss sex, but truthfully, it’s realistic and nothing that teenagers haven’t heard before. Due out September 22, 2020. #netgalley #SmashIt #FrancinaSimone

I want to first thank NetGalley and Inkyard Press for making this arc available for me to read before it's publication.

Second, this is the best book I have read so far in 2020 (for context, this is the 41st book I've read this year). I related to Liv in many different ways. Sometimes she reminded me of my student self, and there were other times she made me think of my current self. And, I think many people - especially young women - will find many levels on which to connect with and understand this character who is so complexly and beautifully written.

Simone doesn't shy away from, and rather I think embraces, topics that are challenging, grey, uncomfortable for some, or without a clear 'answer.' While the big theme I saw throughout the book was learning how to be yourself, but still love and respect yourself and others, this book also touches on race, love, friendship, body image, and sexuality.

This is truly a must read, in my opinion.

The only caveat I would say is, if you are a reader who is not currently comfortable reading books that acknowledge sexual experiences or short PG13+ sex scenes, this might be a book to read later on.

I will admit I struggled to fall in love with Olivia and her story in Smash It! when I first started reading this amazing book. My issue sat completely in my own head, however. I always pick up young adult fiction thinking first about how I can use it in the classroom, and with Smash It! I struggled to find that sweet spot. This book is perfection for high school students - the way Olivia begins to truly love herself, step into who she finally starts to believe she can be, and figures out how to love the people around her is so true and real it was almost embarrassing at times - like I was peeking in on what my students go through, or looking back on all my dramatic moments in high school and college.

For seventh graders (which I teach) this book is just a bit too mature, but in the best possible way. Seventh graders are not ready yet to feel this wholly in their bodies and souls, are still trying to figure out which end is up, so to speak. But when those students become eighth graders? When those students send me messages asking for book recommendations as they move into high school? This book has moved to the top of the list.

I can't wait to get a copy for my "behind the desk" shelf at school - a place of high honor, reserved for the books I know my students need, even if they may not be ready for them just yet.

Francina Simone is a profoundly phenomenal writer, and I am so excited for her to continue to use her voice to tell stories of young women again and again!

The DRAMA shines in Smash It! Liv was afraid to stand out until she decides to smash her junior year of high school with a F*ck It List. She decides to be bold, do what scares her most, and over the course of several months finds herself questioning her relationships, taking chances, and learning to lover herself. Francina Simone wrote a brilliant #ourvoices novel filled with honesty, angst, and relatable characters that brought me back to my years spent in theater and all the drama that unfolded.

Advanced copy provided courtesy of #NetGalley for an honest review.

I was intrigued by a modern YA taking on Othello. The juxtaposition of Olivia's story with Othello never quite clicks. We are hammered over the head with how Othello fits into Olivia's tale late in the novel. I wanted to see it and not be told it. That's what kept me turning the pages. Any play could have been used as it never comes together.

We're also hammered with how sexually liberated Olivia is because Olivia keeps telling us she is. Let the reader decide what Olivia is.

This novel works so hard to smash stereotypes, it actually ends up creating them. I'm tired of female characters calling each other 'bitch''. I'm also weary of females who think talking about their vaginas is empowerment.

Many issues are glossed over. Domestic abuse is a family matter. It's implied that it's cultural. A person has anger issues and those are ignored. The problems with Othello aren't fleshed out. The N-word is used and the issues with it are briefly mentioned - and again, we're told what to think. The F-word is overused - just like real teenagers overuse it.

Olivia's quest to get more out of life and where that leads her intrigued me but fell short. Characters are diverse.

I look forward to reading more from Francina Simone. Her teens talk and act like teens I've met. I just wish the characters were allowed to live and breathe and not tell us who and what they are so literally. And, if you are going to take on Othello, you really need to smash it!

While my enjoyment of this book was closer to 3.5 stars, I realize that I'm a little old for the content. Some of the scenarios or reactions seemed a little far fetched, and it pulled me out of the story. However, in the spirit of drama and high school, it worked. The characters were fleshed out and diverse. Everyone had their flaws, and it was nice to see that no character was immune to making mistakes.

There were a few storylines that I felt were either unnecessary or could have been put forth another way, mostly the parental affair. For me, everything was a little too much inside Liv's head, waffling with her emotions, explaining her reasoning to herself. I wish there was a little more showing and less telling. But overall, the read was enjoyable and Simone is an excellent writer.

Loved the idea behind this book. Love the cover. Felt like the narrative was a little weak, and I wanted more from the character development. I really had high hopes for this one but it ended up just being okay! I think a lot of readers will really appreciate this one, though. And maybe if you read more Shakespeare retellings in general, you will enjoy this Othello retelling more than I did.

I jumped into this novel without knowing who Francina Simone was. I saw this cover and and the blurb and I knew I had to read it.
Francina Simone did amazing delivering this masterpiece that deals with major issues that teenagers deal with everyday...especially young adult females. She touches on the topics of body positivity and acceptance, dating, friendships, sex, and being African American in a problematic white society.
I really love Olivia's character. She decides to make a F*ck it list and vows to make it her year to accept herself, be brave, and just go for things and not be scared anymore. The first thing on her agenda is going to try out for a rap version of the Othello play at her school. Her friendship with her friends was admirable as well. Simone did an amazing job with putting us in the shoes of a 17 year old and having us imagine ourselves being there at that very moment going through everything with her. Thanks to Simone for reminding us that it's okay to be ourselves and that we shouldn't be so harsh with ourselves either. Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of SMASH IT! by Francina Simone from NetGalley, Harlequin Books, and the author in exchange for an honest review.

SMASH IT! is about Olivia James, a high schooler, that has allowed her insecurities get in her way of becoming the young adult she wants to be. She decides to create a F*uck It List in order to get past her fears. She makes a bold step in trying out her school's musical production of Othello. Olivia makes new friends and attracts a few boys' attention, and in turn, her world is totally turned upside down. Olivia must navigate her new relationships, school work, a job at Orlando Studios, and play practice. Like every high schooler, Olivia is pulled in many directions, it gets the best of her, and her relationships are tested.

I really enjoyed this novel. I saw a lot of my students in Olivia and believe they will easily relate to her numerous struggles and successes. I appreciate Simome's approach to Jackie and Lennox's (Olivia's close girl friends) attitude in regards to sex. They believe in celebrating sex and its enjoyment rather than sex shaming, which is so prevalent, especially during high school.

The numerous messages of believing in oneself, being a good friend, taking risks, exploring one's sexuality, having a hard work ethic, all while exploring friendships, family relationships, and intimate relationships creates a fantastic story that all teenagers can get something from.

This is the kind of coming-of-age story teenagers need! Olivia was such a fun character to follow with all of her quirks, personality, and imperfections. Even when she's in the wrong, you have to root for her because you know she's just a teenager trying to figure out who she is and how that person fits into the world, and that's all due to Simone making her so believable and fleshed out as a character.

I feel that a lot of teenagers and young adults will find something to relate to in this story. Olivia, or Liv, is a teenager who decides she's had enough with blending into the background and decides to take a leaf out of Shonda Rhimes' book by making a Year of F*ck It list to help her come out of her shell, starting with auditioning for the school musical version of Othello. Along the way, we see her find some female friends, something she realizes she appreciates far more than she thought he would, and try her hand at the pool of teenage dating.

I personally really enjoyed all of the little details that made this book a fun read, from Olivia working at Universal Studios to her references to Harry Potter and Shonda Rhimes. Everything about her makes her so incredibly real, and I can't wait to have this book in my classroom for students to borrow because I know this is more relatable than most of what they've been given to read in school.

This book deals with so many issues that teenagers face on a daily basis, and the diversity in this particular story is so important for young readers to be able to see people who look like them OR be faced with characters who aren't like them because these people aren't just fictional characters; they're real people sharing the world we all live in.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, but honest story of a teenage girl finding her place in the world. I promise you'll find yourself rooting for Liv as much as I did.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for giving me an e-arc of Smash It! by Francina Simone in exchange for an honest review.

I. Love. This. Book! Olivia is a relatable, powerful, lovably flawed main character with a compelling voice who is working hard to come into her own. I am in awe of the way Francina Simone was able to pack so much into this book without letting any of the balls drop. In an effort to push herself out of her comfort zone by (sort of) following Shonda Rhimes's Year of Yes advice, Olivia navigates everything from trying out for a musical version of Othello to learning the importance of girl friends to figuring out how she went from being "one of the guys" to being in the middle of a messy friends-to-lovers triangle. Along the way, she figures out that her comfort zone was never that comfortable and learns to love and accept herself. One of the best things about this book is the frank, sex-positive tone that feels real, down to earth, and never preachy. I know that so many of my students will seem themselves in Olivia, and I can't wait to put this book in their hands.

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. I really liked the character development. All of the various relationships, friend, cousin, parent, etc. we’re all well thought out and real. The dialogue was on point and entertaining. I am not a fan of Shakespeare but it worked really well in the story and made the story more cohesive.
Since it’s discussed in the book, I’ll throw it out here. I liked the discussions of sex, protecting yourself, and giving yourself the power to decide when to have sex with someone. (This was my favorite part of the book).
I did get frustrated with Liv and her inability to voice her thoughts. She also didn’t seem to know her own mind. I get that that was the point of the book but it did get annoying at times. If she had just spoken up......
All in all though, I really enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this young adult novel. It felt real in a way that not many young adult books feel. There was wonderful diversity, interesting perspectives and the awkwardness and challenging feeling of being a teen.