Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. I always struggle with stream-of-consciousness writing, and that was how Liv expressed herself in her inner monologues. It was constant, and for me, that's exhausting to read. I think this book will really appeal to older teenagers who struggle with self-esteem and not feeling "good enough", but as I am past that age I found it hard to connect with the main character.

i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the plot of the book. I look forward to more from the author.

Oh to be young again. When I say young I mean in high school, full of bustling insecurity in the midst of finding yourself and being surrounded with other people trying to find themselves too. This book captures the essence of that feeling through the eyes of Olivia, a teenager trying to navigate through her own insecurities and sexuality. Writing on a piece of paper labeled “the Year of Fuck It” she list the things she wants to change about herself and begins this journey. But discovery comes with change and mistakes, lessons Olivia is learning a ong the way.

I loved this book. I loved Olivia’s story. I loved seeing her growing and changing. Told in first person Smash It does an amazing job encapsulating that feeling of being a teenager. I loved the way Simone tackled the relationship Olivia had with best friends Dre and Eli and the way she developed her relationships with Jackie and Lennox, the only girlfriends Olivia has. This story is complicated, in a way that teenage lives tend to be. But this story is also extremely entertaining. I couldn’t put this down. I was having too much fun mixed up in Olivia’s world and her drama.

It all starts at a Halloween party in Liv’s junior year. She’s there to support her best friends, Dre and Eli, who are performing at the party. Liv chose not to wear a costume because she didn’t want to look ridiculous, and now she looks ridiculous as the only one who isn’t in costume. Even the club’s bartender, working the teen night event, has a costume and calls her out for being “too cool” for a costume and missing out on the fun. With that, and Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes echoing in her ears, Liv decides to make this the year she does things. She’ll stop caring what other people think, she’ll do what she has been scared to do so far, and she’ll get over her crush on Eli, who has been sending her mixed signals for far too long. A chance pairing in her Biology lab course introduces her to Lennox, a member of the drama club, and sends Olivia into the world of high school theatre at her arts magnet school. Things will never be the same.

There’s a lot going on in this book, but it seemed like most of it was crammed into the last third. Until that point, I had trouble maintaining interest in the book. Aimed at more mature YA readers, Smash It! is a body positive and sex positive book, focusing on Liv’s relationship with herself as well as her friends. The lyrics to the Othello rap musical and the five act structure that frame the book seemed a bit forced, they didn’t add much to my reading. Your mileage may vary, it’s possible that some of the Othello allusions passed right by me, since it isn’t one of Shakespeare’s plays that I have read or seen. There are teens and other readers who will love this book, it just wasn’t quite right for me.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC.

We need more Olivia "Liv" James in the world. We need more girls who don't give AF anymore. Girls who are there to work and make change.
Liv decides she's done living a "safe" life and begins to do things that are out of character for her. Some work out and some don't

This will hit home with a lot more of the generation that is in HS, middle school now and they will be able to related to Liv much more than this old fart here can!

I still enjoyed the book, and really enjoyed the journey!

okay i LOVED this book! Francina Simone's writing is poignant and real, and just refreshing! I also really loved the Orlando setting and the theatre story

Olivia has never been one to stand out - that's a role better suited for her two (male) best friends. But when she decides to take a page from Shonda Rhimes and do her own version of the "Year of Yes", she finds herself auditioning for a musical, finally moving on from a long-term crush (maybe), making new friends, and learning a whole lot of lessons.

This novel is incredibly relatable and surprised me by making me cry toward the end. Olivia's trials and tribulations are the right balance of out there and totally reflective of real life for a YA romance. Teenage hormones are confusing beasts, and this book helps to capture the inner turmoil all teens face and the amazing joy that comes from finding your people.

Olivia James is ready to leave her insecurities behind. She’s inspired by Shonda Rhimes’s book “Year of Yes” to make a list of things she wants to do to smash her junior year of high school. She auditions for the school play, which is something she’s always wanted to do. She also falls into a “love square,” when she starts crushing on three different guys, two of whom are her best friends. Olivia tries to make this the best year ever, but with so many mixed feelings, someone is bound to get hurt.

There were a lot of feelings in this book. Olivia and her friends had to figure out their own feelings while also discovering the complicated relationships of the adults around them. They experienced a lot of “firsts” that go with teenage love. The love triangle Olivia had with her two best friends was very uncomfortable. They all seemed to have feelings for each other but didn’t speak up until it was too late. These were awkward situations, but they also felt authentic.

I read some reviews for this book when I started reading it, and there were many negative comments about the racism in the story. One character is half Israeli and half Palestinian. This was a controversial choice, and I’m not sure why the character had this background because it didn’t really have anything to do with the plot. I found that the characters made a lot of racist comments about the Black characters. Even though the characters and author are Black, these comments were offensive. The characters briefly pointed out that these comments were offensive, but I think there could have been a firmer stand against these racist comments.

I wish some of these sensitive topics were treated more delicately in this story. However, this was an authentically emotional teenage story.

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

At first I thought this was going to be a typical storyline which at the end it was but I loved how everything took a turn and everything it made me feel. Quite surprising.

Super enjoyed this.

Oh I loved this book. It is about self-discovery and trying to to what is right for you instead of what is right for everyone else. I will say there are some parts that I consider to be for a very mature YA audience.

This was a really refreshing teen contemporary story. I laughed out loud numerous times. The teen awkwardness, drama, and feeling like the world is ending is very much relatable and Francina nailed it on the head. I loved the dynamic of friendship and learning and developing self-identity. I thought the conversation about sex and gender roles and feminist discussion was done well and important to have in the story. Looking forward to Francina's other stories.

Smash It started off really strong. I am all for a thick black girl rocking her natural hair and wanting to make changes in her life. I love YA books but I have to constantly remind myself these are kids when they make bad decisions. It comes with the territory.

Olivia James decides to make a change in her life when she goes to a Halloween Party to watch two best friends perform and she doesn't wear a costume. Olivia is sort of in a love triangle with said two best friends, Dre and Eli. After that night she makes a bucket list to face her fears and finally starts experiencing life..

This book is funny and filled with a boatload of teen angst with a dose of body shaming from Olivia's mother. I was not a fan of hers. I was glad when Olivia made friends with Jackie and Lennox who poured positivity into her. and hooked up her wardrobe. Also, her friendship with Al, her elderly coworker gave me all the feels. I have a soft spot for older people. He had the best advice.

I didn't love the Shakespeare at the beginning of the acts. Not a fan and I skipped over those parts. I felt the book started to drag on and on in Act 4. The story could have really wrapped after the school performance and I felt the author was building up to something that never materialized. I felt sort of let down towards the end. Overall this was a good book and I would recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oliva is like so many other teenage girls lacking confidence, insure with their body, in love with their best friend, who by the keeps on giving her those mixed signals. After a moment self reflecting after some unwanted advice from a bartender at Halloween party she decides to make same changes. To take charge of her life, to be seen, to do it, to say yes more. So she makes herself a list, "the year of fuck it" And well things they are starting to go well....until they don't.

The story it's self is a play on Shakespeare's Othello, which also just happens to be the school play that O wants to try out for as part of her year of yes, her year of "fuck it".

I liked how the story it's self is broken up in to Acts, like they would be for a play with a modern spin on the lines, because the play in the book is a modern rap musical version.

I'm torn, torn when it comes to this review. One side I laughed so much, I was feeling Liv's nerves and insecurities. But then on the other hand I was like this is a bit much.

Over all I liked the story, it kept my attention, made me laugh, had me hooked but still it had some problematic areas.

My copy is an uncorrected proof from Netgalley so maybe things got ironed out before published.

Do I want to read book 2?
Of course I want to see how Oliva's live turns out, what's next for her, to see her grow some more.


3.5 stars

10/07/2020: Changing my star rating for this book because I don't feel good about its some of its—problematic—content.

Specifically, this book contains:
– trivializing of conflicts in Palestine (TW: one character makes the joke (view spoiler))
– blatantly discriminatory comments toward Pacific Islanders, and Hawaiians specifically

———————

Have you ever fantasized about two hot rockstar best friends who are men of colour and together the three of you create goofy steamy banter? No? just me?

Well if you have, you’re in luck—Smash It! will be the most glorious sparkly wish fulfillment for you! (Eli and Dré, UGH—*chef’s kiss*)

I seriously tore through this novel because it was so damn entertaining. Every other page provided fodder for my angst—angst that I wasn’t even expecting, because the book started on such a lighthearted, quippy note. But that isn't to say there weren't parts that were painfully real; the characters touch on slut/body-shaming, self-acceptance, and the uniquely intersectional experience of Black women.

I REALLY liked Liv. I think she’s so down-to-earth—a curvy Black girl who’s neurotic and a self-professed prude, who can’t help laughing when people get mad, who’s dorky and struggling to own it. I also think I loved Liv because I got SO into her head. I was stressed as all hell when she ventured out of her comfort zone, and exhilarated-psyched for her when she said "fuck it."

She’s also just freakin’ HILARIOUS:
"My jaw drops. Like, I don’t have it anymore. R.I.P. solid foods."
"I’m going to be the bigger person. I’m going to be so big I blot out the fucking sun."
"I’m not uncool, but I do these uncool things as if I’m addicted to self-sabotage."

I know Smash It! was melodramatic at times but I was so into the story I didn’t even mind. I also think I was okay with the moments when Liv gets really wrapped up in herself and her insecurities because there was always someone to call her on her BS—her mom, Dré, Lennox, Jackie. I’m never going to expect a perfect protagonist—and I’d honestly rather NOT have flawless characters because they’re just so boring. I can’t help thinking of Jerzie from Roman and Jewel, who was talented and driven and beautiful and loving—and so low-stakes I really couldn’t connect to her at all.

And that was genuinely the best part of this book: Liv is selfish and fucks up (really badly, as it’ll turn out, again and again) but her growth and willingness to listen make this a character arc and not character flaw.

CONCLUSION: Funny, angsty, and vocal about sex positivity, self-acceptance, and owning being a Black woman—I seriously had so much fun reading Smash It! I think I’ve fallen in love a little with every single character because they were each so vibrant and imperfect and endearing in their own way—definitely one of the most memorable casts I’ve ever read.


💘Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this whirlwind of an e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review! 💘

I will not be reviewing SMASH IT at this time due to the insensitive jokes about Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders as well as the Palestinian genocide. Representation matters, so I am taking OwnVoices reviews very seriously about this matter.

I wanted to love this one, the premise seemed perfect for my high school students, but too many of the characters came with problematic elements and for that, I cannot recommend it. Perhaps with discussion about the elements, the book can be a useful tool, but overall it was not for me.

SMASH IT by Francina Simone paints a fascinating picture of life as a teenage girl -- a girl who just wants to have the guts to be herself. While I was never into the theater scene, I certainly was a girl who wanted to be myself. Problem was . . . figuring out who exactly that was! Simone does a great job of exploring that idea within the pages of SMASH IT.


One way the main character tries to find herself is by stepping out of her comfort zone and auditioning for the school play. (You don't have to be a theater buff or a teenage girl to enjoy this book!) The process allows her to meet new people and have experiences she would have missed out on otherwise.


I'm not a huge Shakespeare buff, so a lot of the references within the story were lost on me. But this didn't diminish my ability to enjoy the story line. Another element that was lost on me was much of the slang. I don't know if it was because I'm from a different region of the country or because I'm older or because I'm white, but nonetheless, I had fun extrapolating the intended meanings.


There are a lot of sexual themes and a few scenes in the book - but when you're trying to figure out who you are and how to grow into yourself and love yourself - your sexuality plays a significant role in that process. The author did a fabulous and thoughtful job with this topic.


Because she's working on finding herself, she creates a "F*ck It List" to help her overcome her insecurities. So, obviously, be forewarned if you have a huge aversion to cuss words; they are used a lot in this story. But also, keep in mind, her list serves a terrific purpose. Here's an example of it:

1. Be bold - do the things that scare me.

2. Learn to take a compliment.

3. Stand out instead of back.


Page after page, I found myself smiling because:

Simone is a great writer with an ability to fully immerse the reader within the story world.


Some of my favorite lines from the story:


"I look like the freak who has no social shame. The truth is I have too much social shame. So much shame that it seeps out of me like fresh cut garlic on the back of the tongue."


"I'm not uncool, but I do these uncool things as if I'm addicted to self-sabotage."


"I don't drink -- I think alcohol is nasty. Like, who chooses to drink that burn-your-throat-flavor when you could drink a smoothie? I'd rather die fat than from liver problems."


"If I'm going to stand out, then I have to start standing on my own."







[I received an early copy for free from the publisher via Net Galley. This did not influence my opinion.]

SMASH IT! is a lot in some great ways and a few problematic ones. First, the great stuff:

I love that the story tackles body image but isn’t about conformity. Liv faces her own insecurities about her body and learns some lessons about the value of having friends who celebrate you for you rather than tear you down, even if it is meant to be teasing.

SMASH IT! really celebrates girl friends in a way that I love as well. At the beginning of the story, she mostly spends her time with Eli and Dré, two boys. She reluctantly makes friends with two girls and, though it’s not always easy to navigate those new relationships, she comes to really value the way they affirm her and check her behavior when she needs it.

The writing is solid. I always struggle with books that have as much profanity as this one does, and so that’s true here, but I feel like Francina Simone’s writing is strong and her characterization is super consistent through the course of the story. Liv is funny and vulnerable and flawed, and I loved reading about her journey.

I also struggled with some of the racial comments, particularly those directed at a Hawaiian character and an Israeli-Palestinian character. Though they were uttered by pretty irreverent characters, and Liv sometimes frowned on the insensitive or racist comments, they were just hard to read, and I don’t think they were necessary.

On the other hand, I felt like some of the conversations about race that the story explored were great for opening up discussion on things and showing some nuance that’s often overlooked. When Jackie gets into it with a white theater kid because she’s using the N-word and he calls her out, Liv serves as a referee, giving another perspective on the conversation.

The story also explores a lot of ideas about sex. Liv wants to have sex, but hasn’t yet. One of her friends encourages her to sleep with someone she doesn’t care about but who’d be a good lover to get the experience. Another friend doesn’t believe in casual sex and encourages Liv to wait until she’s found someone she wants to be with. Liv views having sex as taking ownership of her body in a new way, but the motivation to do it seems to overtake other reasoning. Ultimately, she causes some hurt, and at first is super unrepentant about that– as though feeling bad for her choice is synonymous with feeling guilty or ashamed of sex and of her body.

Though she does stop and re-examine those feelings and take another look at how her actions have affected others, I felt like the emotional fallout sort of fizzled if that makes sense? Like everyone kind of shrugs and says it’s all cool. Could that happen? Maybe, but in my experience, it usually takes a lot longer for people to feel okay for something they initially viewed as a huge betrayal.

At any rate, on the whole, I loved some things about this book a huge ton. Liv is a flawed character, for sure. But she’s also trying to learn and grow as a person and willing to face her mistakes, and I loved that.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Smash It! by Francina Simone is juicy, messy, and highly entertaining (in a good way!)
In Smash It! by Francina Simone, Olivia is living her life hiding her talents, her interests, and even her curves. She is young, insecure, and after a come-to-Jesus moment with a bartender at a club, she is determined to change her life. To ensure she sticks to her plan, she creates a list of rules that, she is sure, will help her keep her on track—be bold, learn to take compliments, stand out.

Soon after, Olivia finds herself saying yes to a variety of unexpected and scary opportunities life presents her, including joining her school’s production of Othello (which central to the development of the story). On her journey, she meets new friends, figures out how she feels about the old ones, explores her teenage carnal desires, and learns to embrace herself.

The good…
I enjoyed this book because Olivia is not perfect, but she learns from her mistakes. The story is an authentic and beautiful coming of age story. The main characters, Olivia and her two male best friends, struggle with being different, stereotypes, popularity, insecurities, sexual awareness, and first loves as well as with their cultural and ethnic heritages. But in the short time we spend with them, they grow. No, they blossom!

The meh…
Unfortunately, I didn’t love the breaks in the narrative to add excerpts from Shakespeare’s Othello. I’m not even sure if they were actual excerpts or Olivia’s thoughts in Shakespearean-style monologues. Truthfully, I skipped through some parts of them. I’m not a Shakespeare fan (go ahead and judge, idc), but I understand why Othello served as inspiration. The parallel between Olivia’s progress and Othello’s storyline as she prepares to be part of the play was pretty creative and well explained for those of us who last gave Othello a though in 2001 when “O” came out.

The great…
I loved the sass, the banter, and the boldness of all the characters. There were really cringy moments, but overall I had a lot of fun with Olivia and her friends. I consistently chuckled while reading this book. Simone did a great job making sure each character’s personality had time shinning in the spotlight. In the end, I felt that usual emptiness that only comes when I’m left wanting more time with the beautiful characters.

I recommend you pick up this book with an open mind and an open heart.

Smash It! by Francina Simone will be available on September 22, 2020. Pre-order it now!

I was so excited to read this book. It was on my TBR for so long! However, I was extremely disappointed with the overtly racist themes in this book. It surprised me, frankly, that this book even passed through the editing process. I just can't in good conscience recommend or review this book because of some of the names people are called in it.