I received a complimentary copy of Instant Karma from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

What a great book! With the perfect balance of humor, conflict, animal rescue, and romance, this was a fantastic read. Prudence and her nemisis lab partner Quint are well fleshed-out and easily believable. I loved this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

INSTANT KARMA was such a fun contemporary novel! Prudence is a very organized and determined main character, and in turn doesn't get along well with her scattered and fun-loving lab partner, Quint. Over the course of the summer, they strike up a deal to work together at a marine rescue center, which brings them closer together. I absolutely loved both Quint and Pru; they were written so well and were some of the most realistic teenagers I've read in a while. Their relationship developed perfectly and their dialogue was A+. I also loved the marine center setting. Seeing all the sea lions and otters and other marine animals being nursed back to health was so much fun and an element I was not expecting. The karmic justice aspect of this book wasn't as center-stage as I expected, but its constant presence added a very unique twist to the story and also allowed for Pru to ask questions about herself that sparked a lot of development. I adored this cute romcom and think it is the perfect quick and heartwarming story!

I enjoyed Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles and thought I would like Instant Karma. I was not disappointed. And if you are a Sarah Dessen fan you will enjoy this book. The “instant karma” that main character Prudence (Pru for short) receives after a knock on the head did not add anything to the story to me. The developing relationship between Pru and Quint was the real story and it was fun to watch uptight overachiever Pru become a likable character due to Quint’s quiet nonjudgmental demeanor. A great middle school read.

I absolutely love all of Marissa Meyer’s work, and I am so excited to see her cross over into contemporary fiction with a fantastical twist! I was very eager to read this and it was everything I had hoped for. Absolutely wonderful debut in this genre that I know my clients and students will love. Pru is such a relatable character; even as you can see her making mistakes you totally understand why she’s making them. Quint was the star for me, though, with his kind heart, seemingly infinite patience, and easygoing attitude, I loved getting to meet the animals at the marine rescue and thought the book did a great and realistic job depicting the organization. I used to work at a wildlife rehab and many of the concepts rang true for me, especially the difficulty of not getting emotionally attached to your “patients”—they’re wild animals, not pets. I also appreciated Pru’s large family and their dynamics. Most of all, I loved the concept of instant karma. For a bibliotherapist, it’s the perfect opportunity to have kids think about how we treat each other and what comes from our actions. Pru’s intentions versus Pru’s actions are also a very rich topic for discussion.

Marissa Meyer has been an auto buy author of mine for a few years now. I cannot tell you how often I have pushed the Lunar Chronicles onto others.

When I saw she was writing a YA rom com I knew I needed it. It did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this one. Prudence was such a fun character. Her large family and weird tendencies make her such a likable character.

Quint was the perfect guy for her. Watching their story play out was such fun. I love how Meyer threw in her signature supernatural bits, but that it wasnt over the top. The marine biology aspects were also quite fascinating.

I did wish the pace went a bit faster, bit overall this was a win in my book.

Job well done! Thank you to Fiewel and Friends, MacMillan, and Netgelley for this advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

While not has fabulous as Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles or Renegades series, her latest novel is a delightful treat. An opposites attract tale with a little bit of magical realism combine well.

I've enjoyed everything that Marissa Meyer has written, so when I saw that she was venturing into contemporary romance I was STOKED! And rivals to lovers is my JAM. I've been super excited about this release and I'm so thrilled that I got a read an early copy. Though this book is fullllll of cheesiness and many-a-secondhand-embarrassment-omg-i-am-suffering-moments, it was actually SO MUCH FUN and I really enjoyed it.

I was a bit disheartened in the beginning. Prudence enters this book as an overachieving, holier than thou type, which brings her to clash with her laid-back and seemingly irresponsible lab partner, Quint. But actually, there's times when she's just straight-up unlikable. It definitely took me some time to warm up to her, but by the middle of the book she becomes much more tolerable and her overall arc was really satisfying. Quint, on the other hand, I liked immediately. He's goofy and kind and cheesy as all hell but it was so much fun to read about him! I don't think I've read a single POV romcom in a while, and while I would've loved to have his perspective, I thought he was just as enjoyable through Prudence's eyes only.

The original premise is a bit corny. The "magical karma powers" that Prudence somehow inherits play a fairly small role in the overall story and there's not much substance to it other than to drive home the message of second chances. However, the actual plot was really entertaining. The real story lies in Prudence's volunteer work at the animal center and how she grows as a person, both individually and in her relationship with Quint. I was a bit unsure how well I would actually like Prudence and Quint together since the beginning starts out so rough, but after the initial 30%, they're adorable and so much fun to read about. There are many laugh out loud moments and overall, the second half is just a frickin' joy. Really, really cute and fun!

Pru and Quint are forced to be partners on a school project. She is an overachiever. Quiet more layed back. Their grade is not up to her standards. The summer is spent working at a marine animal rescue. They become friends. I liked the premise of the story. The idea of putting karma out for good and bad. Making that decision. I found it hard to believe they were only sophomores. I though Pru was not likeable. She was self centered. Didn't listen to others. Not a good family member. I was disappointed in Quint and his mother for the way they treated her after the robbery. Not a bad read but Pru learned no lesson. Thank you, Netgalley.

Instant Karma is painfully boring. I’m sorry, Marissa Meyer. But this is simply not up to your standards. It’s a “contemporary romance YA” but it’s 512 pages long and 1/2 of that could have been edited out. It’s about a girl named Prudence forced to work with a boy named Quint on a biology school project about ecotourism and the whole book turns into a save the animals biology lesson that bored me to tears. So. Much. Biology. And animals. Info that the book didn’t need for a YA contemporary romance. I liked the last 25% of the book a lot. But honestly if this wasn’t an ARC I would have never gotten to it because I would have DNF’d this book. They can’t all be winners :(

Instant Karma has a cute premise that will attract young readers. I think I would have enjoyed this concept more if it applied to adult scenarios rather than teenagers in high school. I kept waiting for a big central event to take place instead of the several small instances of karma. The last 10% of the book takes a turn I wasn't expecting with an unlikely whodunit that gets quickly resolved. The story focused mostly on a science project that I personally had little interest in and didn’t realize how large of a role this would play in the development of the plot. I think someone with more of a passion for marine biology and animal rehabilitation would enjoy the subject matter. The instant karma element took a major back seat to the everything happening at the rescue center.

Prudence is a smart, overachiever, who like most is nervous about an upcoming presentation. Will people like me, will I forget everything I'm supposed to say in my presentation, and will my lab partner come through with his end of the project. When the book began, I was on her side. I mean, who didn't have a terrible lab partner at some point? However, as you get further into the book...chapter 2...she is really the character that you love to hate. After a fall, Prudence has the ability to grant instant karma to those she deems deserving of payback for their misdeeds. With her new ability in hand, she decides that she can try to convince Quint, the wayward lab partner, to help bring up their grade.

As the book progressed, I was really thankful for the supporting characters. Jude (Pru's brother), Ari, and Quint really help smooth out Prudence's mean girl vibe. Prudence judges the guilty and instantly doles out their karma payback. However, the reader learns, as does Prudence, that there is more than one side of the story. She learns that karma is always going to throw a different twist into the mix...especially when it comes to the heart. I would totally recommend this book.Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read the book.

Started off as a good book - evoking strong feelings about the main character ( either you will identify with and love her, or you will feel disdain for her). I admit I stopped reading half way. Not simply because I loathed the main character, but because I’m not a fan of the way underage drinking was handled. It’s definitely not a book I would recommend to my students as they’re 5th and 6th graders.

Most of this book was cute and enjoyable. The chemistry between Prudence and Quint was good. I liked that Prudence, while in many ways annoying, was still likable and redeemable, and learning from Quint really helped her to be a better person. I'm not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but I thought this one worked so well because rather than needing a redemption arc for Quint, we quickly learn that he's not a bad guy after all, and it's Prudence's perception of him that needed to change. The small mystery arc is built up throughout the book too and comes to a fairly satisfying ending.

The part that I didn't like was the whole "karma" element that the story is named for. Somehow, Prudence seems to get the power to make bad things happen to people who she thinks are doing bad things. The "universe" seems to intervene by making good things happen when she wants bad things to happen to Quint, because he's actually a good person - but it doesn't intervene for anyone else, even though she realizes later that some people weren't really doing bad things. Besides the issue of why or how this happened - which I suppose there is no good answer for from the author, which is why it's never explained - these parts of the book pulled me out of the story every time it happened. If the entire karma plot line were removed, the story still would have been completely intact, and I personally would have enjoyed it a lot more. I'm not sure why Meyer felt the need to rely on a gimmick for this book, especially one that wasn't well thought out. Prudence could have learned all of the same lessons without this power.

That being said, still 4/5 stars because the romance was cute and I mostly enjoyed reading this!

This book was such a fun, magical, sea creature rescuing aka tore at my animal loving heart plus a slow burn enemies to lovers romance! Save a spot on your tbr for this beauty❤

Marissa Meyer's entree into contemporary fiction is a sweet, if somewhat predictable romance. The premise of being able to deliver karmic retribution at will had promise, but is underdeveloped and somewhat extraneous to the story. The premise of that power, and what one can and should do with it and the unintended consequences of doing so is underdeveloped. As a hook to the oil-and-vinegar love story, It doesn't deliver. I also found the large number of pop culture references problematic. As an adult woman, if I know what they are first-hand, it's already past it's prime for my students. Meyer is a talented world-builder, but this one didn't pull me in. It's not poorly written by any means, there are just better choices in the genre with broader representation and meaningful conflict.

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have never read a Marissa Meyer book that I did not like and this one where it took a complete 180 and went in the direction of finding passion for a career rather than love. Pru was a chronic overachiever and wanted to do her best at everything without any site of a career. Now when she volunteers at a local rescue center for sea animals, Pru discovers her love for sea creatures especially otters and the animals and then of course meeting Quint the polar opposite of her. When her time grows from volunteering at the rescue center she grows more and more fond of Quint and the otters are not the only things she loves, that is truly Instant Karma.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Well, that’s a cute premise! And a satisfying story to go with it, actually. I was skeptical to begin with, just based on the grudge I have against book characters who are so willfully obtuse about that which is clear to the rest of us. I mean, Prudence, god love her, can be really freaking annoying. But, truly, thank god for Quint. He definitely smooths out a lot of her pain-in-the-ass-ness, if you will. It’s sweet. 💜📚

Marissa Meyer is a YA author best known for The Lunar Chronicles, her science fiction fairytale quartet that spawned a graphic novel sequel duology and a handful of short stories set in the same universe. Since their publication, Meyer has published a handful of other titles, but Instant Karma is her first foray into realistic fiction. It's a YA romance, set in a Florida beach town just when summer is getting started. 

Prudence is not just an over-achiever, she's the over-achiever. Unfortunately, her lab partner, Quint, is the worst kind of slacker, and after a disastrous final project, Pru is determined to resubmit their assignment. However, their teacher won't accept it without Quint and Pru's input, and Quint is not inclined to spend his summer on schoolwork. Pru makes him a deal, but to hold up her end, they have to spend a lot of time together- like, a lot.

Not only does Prudence have to spend an unfortunate amount of summer with her nemesis, after a weird karaoke accident she finds herself the instrument of karmic justice. Pru realizes that with a gesture, she can dish out the universe's recompense on anyone, and they will be rewarded or punished. Unfortunately, it isn't up to Prudence to decide what people deserve, and karma can really be a bitch. When faced with the consequences of karmic retribution, Pru has to to figure out if the upside of instant karma is worth the potential fallout. 

This book runs a little long for a YA realistic fiction title, and it definitely takes a while to get into. Prudence is an unpleasant, off-putting character, difficult to like. She has a tendency to judge and write-off others, and while she certainly has her moments, she's not the best character in the book. Quint is more interesting, he has a lot of depth to him, and I enjoyed the parts with him most. The story does work, as Prudence is written to be unlikable, but it could have been a bit more subtly done. It's supposed to be a big deal for Prudence to realize that she's wrong and she's been making snap-judgements, but the reader picks up on that from the third chapter. The pacing isn't great, the story drags its feet for the first half of the book, and then picks up and doesn't stop running.

The pacing problem comes from the book trying to do too much- this is a stand-alone novel, and it doesn't have the space for character development a series does. There are too many sub-plots, which leaves the novel feeling bulky without adding at all to the narrative cohesion. The karma aspect of the plot is underdeveloped and seems as though it was put in just to justify some of the plot-twists rather than as a novel concept. It reads more like a romantic drama than anything else, which does work for the story. 

While the book certainly has its flaws, Meyer's fans will certainly enjoy it. The book is just as romantic as her previous work, and it's a pleasant read. There are a lot of really fun characters, and the setting is really inventive, but it's not what you might expect from the premise. The book veers less towards supernatural justice and more towards environmentalism, which isn't a bad thing, but certainly isn't something expected, given the cover and the publisher summary. 

I did like the Pride and Prejudice-like relationship between the two protagonists. Their animosity is amusing, and it's fun to watch that slowly melt away. There are some pretty great side characters, and overall, the story holds together and ends satisfyingly.   

Instant Karma will be available for purchase November 3, wherever books are sold, or at your local library. The reviewer was provided with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

The back of the book plot description of a girl who gets the power of making sure karma happens is not much of the book. Still, I really really enjoyed this YA summer romcom.

Karma is much more of a metaphor/theme throughout the book, which is really interesting still, as Pru discovers how unfair it is to judge people based on their worst moments or when you don't know motivations and the whole story. (view spoiler) The "supernatural" aspect is introduced then really not utilized and never explained and honestly I think was a stronger book because of that. Prudence does so much personal growth in other dimensions, like not being a control freak and recognizing other types of intelligence that I didn't want to waste any time with her exploring her super power or wrestling with her conscience about if she caused any bad things. I was pleased that while the animal rescue center was central to the story, we didn't get bogged down in minutae (and this from the woman who LOVES minutae in books) or become swept up in that story rather than Pru's as a whole. It's a well focused book.

This is just a perfect summer book, taking place in a beach town from the second to last day of school onward. During this pandemic, I haven't been able to get to the beach and probably won't even be able to do our usual September trip. This honestly filled some of that craving with this summery beachy vibe. There's only a little bit at the beach, but biking everywhere and hanging out at the restaurant and planning summer jobs all screamed summer for me in a kind of nostalgic way.

Pru and her siblings are all named after Beatles songs, and while that's usually a too cutesy thing that is really annoying, it actually worked here. It was the correct name choices to show the parent's priorities and loves without having them give their kids horrible names for a fandom. (I have read so many books where a character named Luke reveals his middle name is Skywalker, why is this almost a trope now) I love in media when a child's name says something about the parents, it's such an underrated character shorthand. It also gave Pru and Quint something to connect over.

My one quibble is the ending, which involves a few week time jump, skipping over some important emotional stuff I would have liked to spend time on. [ And then I feel Pru forgave everyone really quickly for accusing her of stealing over a thousand dollars. We're told and shown this is a small town atmosphere where everyone knows each other at least by sight and she is treated pretty badly by several characters because of this accusation. (I get that we aren't supposed to really like Morgan, but her attitude in the record shop was pushing me to my limit.) For someone so ambitious, this accusation could really harm her future, even if it isn't on any official record. I really wanted some groveling, of any sort, from anyone. Rosa is more focused on the mission of the Center, not the business, but she is an adult that should have paid attention to literally any of this and yet gets no blame for either putting it entirely on the shoulders of a teenager or being wrong about it. If the answer can be solved by a simple firstname lastname google, then she should have done due diligence. Honestly, I could do an entire blog column judging the actions and parenting in middlegrade and YA novels. (hide spoiler)]

So if you like Marissa Meyer's stuff for the scifi/fantasy aspects, you won't find that here, but her writing remains captivating, and her worldbuilding is just as interesting in a real world setting. This town feels realized.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a contemporary YA novel and kind of different for this author. I loved the hate to love relationship that developed and felt the characters were very real. I hope Ms. Meyer will continue to write in this genre.