Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

I loved Hayley and Lewis! The dual narrator perspective is one of my favorites. Yes there’s some cliches but the characters were strong and interesting. I loved the friendship between the two and the ending was sweet.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I loved this book!

Senior year is full of changes, and Hayley Mills is no exception. She wants everyone to forget about her very public breakdown—and who she used to be—and remember her as the overachiever she once was. But it's difficult to be seen as a go-getter when you're forced into TV Production class with all the slackers like Lewis Holbrook.

Lewis, though, is ready for his year. After a summer spent binging 80s movies, he's ready to upgrade from being self-described fat, funny sidekick to leading man of his own life—including getting the girl. The only thing standing in his way is himself.

When the two are partnered up in class, neither is particularly thrilled about being paired together. But then they start making mini documentaries about their classmates' hidden talents… and suddenly Hayley Mills is getting attention for something other than her breakdown—and Lewis Holbrook isn't just a background character anymore! It seems like they're both finally getting what they want—except what happens when who you've become isn't who you really are?

I enjoyed this book. This book is about two teenagers who must work together even though they might not enjoy it though they start making documentaries about people's hidden talents to show who those people really are. I really enjoyed this amazing coming-of-age novel. I learned so much from it as the writing was well done and the author did a good job with sending the right message to the reader. The setting was well done in this book and I also thought the pacing was great. The plot structure was well done with the story flowing smoothly. This book deals with mental health and body shaming which was great to see how both the characters dealt with it and seeing how they grew from it.

This book is written from both Hayley and Lewis' PoV. Hayley has to face her classmates after her public breakdown and Lewis is trying to get skinny in order to get the girl he likes. I enjoyed both characters as they both had amazing character development. I also felt a little connected with them as I went through the same problem. I also have to say that the side characters were well written and were also very supportive of the main characters. They brought in positive energy and I enjoyed reading about them too. There is romance in this book but I didn't really enjoy it as much. It was cute but I have to say that it wasn't needed in the book in my opinion.

The ending was well written and ended off with the right note. In this book, I just enjoyed the message I received as I thought it was well written especially for this current time period. I only had a problem with the romance in this book but overall it was greatly written. I will most likely be reading more books from this author in the future. I recommend this book to fans of Our Fault in Our Stars and All the Bright Places.

This book is exactly the feel-good, coming-of-age senior year story that I knew I would love. The documentary aspect of this book really seals the deal on it's lovability.

I really enjoyed this high school romance. The characters are genuinely likable and had me pulling for them. The writing is tight and the plot moves at a steady pace. Perfect beach read!

Secondary school (or high school, as is applicable here!) is hard, whoever you are, and wherever you are in the world. When you're trying desperately to not be remembered for something that you don't want to define you, it's even harder.
A cute story with characters that will make you laugh and warm your heart, this coming of age tale is ready to remind us all just how much teenagers go through every day.

Let's get one thing out of the way - this book is pretty predictable. Its ultimately a teen romance and thus can only end a couple of ways. Hall has successfully elevated the plot, though. Hayley and Lewis could follow simple character arcs - Hayley learning to loosen up and be okay with making mistakes, Lewis learning to take chances for things that he cares about. Instead they both make a fair amount of progress following their same old toxic patterns. They both seem like they are at the bottom at the book's opening but we eventually discover they have much farther to fall. They make huge mistakes in the name of fixing things. Their choices and relationships aren't simple. This standard plot isn't turned completely on its ear but it's tilted enough that we look at some new angles and examine behaviors through a different lens.

teen fiction (funny fat kid befriends stressed-out overachiever during their senior year of high school)

funny characters, lots of senior year stress! This was a fun read.

A wonderfully heartfelt, smart and touching look at a life coming into being. The author’s deft hand with humor was matched only by his ability to reach deep into the heart and reveal truths and deep human connection

Last year, perfectionist Hayley had a very public (in that it went viral) breakdown. This year, in an attempt to support her mental health, her parents and school officials have decided that she needs to take a few things off of her plate. She ends up in Video Production as an elective, and is paired with goofball Lewis. The pair decides to film mini documentaries of select members of the senior class to show another side of them, and get to know their classmates (and each other) better as a result.

Overall, I found Kind of Sort of Fine to be compelling, heartfelt, and fun to read. In this trope where the uptight girl meets the more go-with-the flow guy who teaches her how to live in the moment, I always relate to the guy, and this was no exception. I really liked Lewis as a character. I loved the depiction of mental health in this book, and the way that therapy is discussed. For example:
"I used to think that my brain was damaged and Dr. Kim was supposed to help me fix it, but I don't think that anymore. Now I think I'm just someone who went through something hard like so many other people have, and working through difficult things takes time and other people."

On the other hand, one thing I had conflicted feelings about what the way that weight, body image, and dieting were discussed. On one hand, I thought Hall's choice to have a male MC openly discuss body image challenges was great, and as someone who struggled with my body image in adolescence, I found Lewis' internal experience relatable. On the other had, I think that the way that this is framed here (aligned with diet culture in a lot of ways, self-deprecating comments about weight and body image) runs the risk of being triggering rather than validating to others, so will advocate that readers check content warnings.

One thing I have to get off my chest real quick: you can’t name your protagonist Hayley Mills, have the story center around viral web prescence, and not address the fact that there’s like...a very famous actress with the same name (spelling and all). The shared name almost convinced me not to pick up this book, and I wish this had been addressed during editing.

Otherwise, this was sweet and hopeful, and had good discussion of mental health. I recommend this to young adult readers and to adult readers of YA, with the caveat to check content warnings.

TW: This book contains Dieting/Food,Bullying, Alcohol consumption, Anxiety and Panic Attack.

If you have already graduated from high school, you should remember having the desire of - "making the last year memorable"? If you haven't graduated yet, well, you will have the urge - believe me almost everyone does.This book revolves around the very same theme but is brought to life by the characters.

The things I loved about the book ~

first, and foremost I really loved the way Haley's growth and development as a person as I could really relate to Haley to some extent.

the overall plot development was really good with the right pace and the everything was summed up beautifully.

this book deals with two major topics - mental health and body shaming and it felt really good to see the main protagonists dealing with them and growing as a person. really loved the overall positive energy of the book.

I really enjoyed the book - with its perfect balance of seriousness and humor, I felt connected to this book.

I will be looking forward to read more books by the author.

Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall, 288 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon and Schuster), 2021. $19.
Language: R (79 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
After her public breakdown at the end of junior year, everyone is walking on eggshells around Hayley. She’s forced to lighten her schedule by taking TV production as an elective, and Lewis, another senior, is assigned as her partner. When Hayley overhears Lewis trying to get out of their partnership, she determines to do whatever it takes to prove that she isn’t her breakdown.
Hall has captured a rawness that invites every reader to empathize with his main characters. Though their situations are different, Hayley and Lewis both struggle with being self-conscious, as we all are all about our flaws. The truth is, we are not defined by one attribute or characteristic. We are complex people, and it is okay to be flawed. Furthermore, I like that there is a romantic subplot that sits in the background without taking over the story because the book isn’t about a romance -- it’s about who these seniors discover that they are as individuals. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, illegal activity, innuendo, and mentions of masturbation and sex.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Hayley and Lewis needed image make-overs. Hayley was always known for her over-achieving and academic prowess, but now she was known for her mini mental breakdown. Lewis was the funny fat kid, but he was determined to become the leading man. When they were paired together for TV Production class, they set out to show different sides of their peers, and ended up discovering different sides of themselves.

Can I just say, I loved the premise of this book. It’s so easy to put people in boxes, and to allow people to keep you in those boxes. That was a big part of this story for both main characters. They had been living up to other people’s expectations for so long, that it took its toll on them. The time they spent together gave Lewis and Hayley the space and freedom to examine their own lives and figure out who they were and what they wanted. I truly loved watching them grow and change over the course of this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by where they were at the end.

The way Hall transferred that concept to the mini-documentaries was fantastic. For their TV Production project, Hayley and Lewis made documentaries highlighting other students. Their objective was to show that each person was not defined by a single attribute. It delighted me to watch Hayley and Lewis uncover these little known pieces of their classmates, and the accompanying hijinks had me in stitches. Very fun stuff.

I had such a wonderful time reading this book. The friendship, the adventures, the 80s movie references – I ate it all up. I adored both Hayley and Lewis. I was cheering them on as they attempted to break out free from who people thought they should be and became who they wanted to be.

3.5 stars = Good+

I would have liked more drive to the story, but the focus instead was on the passage of time (senior year) and growth of the characters. The characters are enjoyable and the story was interesting. (Language, sexual references)

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by Book Terminal Tours. Special thanks to the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. 4 feel-good nostalgic stars!

CW/TW: MC who experiences high anxiety, mental breakdown (off-page, mentioned repeatedly), bullying

I've been in a bit of a weird reading slump lately but this book pulled me right out of it. I laughed, even teared up a little bit, and it made me kinda yearn for my high school friendships and the pre-adulting life when passing a test was one of my biggest concerns and having a conversation with a long-time crush in the hallway made me feel accomplished! Spencer Hall's debut was funny, engaging, easy to read and gave me all the warm and comforting hug feels.

This was such a relatable read and I have no doubt that many who pick this up will be able to relate to the characters, their high school experiences, worries and struggles, in at least one way or another. There were so many times as I was reading when I found myself reflecting on my high school days—remembering the stress of finals and the overwhelming (but admittedly also kinda thrilling) experience of applying to uni. Beyond that of course there's high school drama, bullies, cliques but also crushes and the best friendships.

I think Hall managed to capture the general high school experience perfectly but on top of that, he also captured the teenage voice so well. Our two main perspectives, Hayley and Lewis, had very distinct and personable voices and I really enjoyed both their POVs! What I appreciated about Hayley's POV was seeing how she worked on coming to terms with not being that 'perfect overachiever' and being okay with the change in her person from previous years. I liked that her therapy sessions were included in her perspective as it normalises talking to someone when you need support—and although Hayley doesn't take it seriously at first, I liked seeing that change as she realises that the sessions actually help.

Although I didn't relate as much to Hayley, Lewis was basically me but a dude. I related so much to his personal struggles with being the 'bigger kid' and especially being that person who made the self-deprecating jokes before anyone else could make fun of me—honestly, I'm still that person sometimes! It was so easy to root for him and his determination to do better for himself, not only in terms of his health but also finding love for himself and seeing himself in a better light, was really motivating. He was a genuinely sweet, funny and down-to-earth guy, though that's not to say he doesn't make some pretty cringeworthy mistakes during the story (same for Hayley)—although he is quick to admit to his faults and make amends in the best way he knew how.

I loved the friendship that grew between the two because it was so natural and although they're opposites, it was clear they brought out the best in each other. Although there were some romantic elements to their story, I was happy that the focus remained on their friendship and on their personal growth. Alongside the plot, their growth and 'journey of self-discovery' was well-paced and realistic. I loved the message of how you're not simply just "one thing" and that's it for the rest of your life—people grow and it's okay if what you wanted before is no longer what you want now or if you're no longer the same person as you were then. There's no one role we're meant to play forever!

Overall, this was such a lighthearted and feel-good read that will leave you smiling at least a little bit, if not full on laughing out loud (like me)! There are definitely more serious moments as both characters face up to their anxieties and worries, especially about life after high school, but Hall does a great job balancing those moments with humour and a sarcastic tone that I personally loved! This was a great debut and I look forward to seeing what Hall comes out with in the future.

This is a heartwarming read that explores important themes about what it means to be a high school student today. Hayley was once one of the top students at her high school, taking the most challenging course load while also leading the tennis team. But after she has a very public breakdown at the end of her junior year, she is forced to take a step back -- drop tennis and join the school's TV production class. There, she is partnered with well known slacker Lewis. At first, they seem like oil and water. But as Hayley and Lewis partner on a project for their TV production class, they realize they may have more in common with each other than they first thought -- and less in common with the expectations their peers, parents, and teachers had for them and their futures.

This is a touching book, with very compelling characters and an interesting story. Recommended!

Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall follows Hayley Mills and Lewis Holbrook through their senior year of high school. After Hayley had a bad mental break down over the summer, she is forced to take a less intense elective class for her senior year. That class happens to be TV production, where she is partnered up with Lewis for their first semester assignment. The book follows Lewis and Hayley as they finish their high school career with all the ups and downs.

Despite it being a character driven story, Kind of Sort of Fine was incredibly well paced and an easy read. The point of view switching allowed for well developed characters and also helped move the plot forward. Reminiscent of Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, it was a fast paced read perfect for getting you out of a reading slump.

3.5/5
I was really excited to read this book, however it did not end up reaching the expectations I set based on the premise.
The story had great pacing, and the relationship and friendship developments were very realistic over the span of an entire year. I enjoyed reading from both Hayley and Lewis’s perspectives. Both of their voices were distinctive and they were both likable characters.
The way different relationships were treated was very nice to read; the evolution of friendships, the downfall of friendships, the changing of the guard (so to speak), and the growing of feelings overtime from friends to more. It all worked well in the narrative.
From the onset, this book set up one overarching theme for each of them: mental health for Hayley and body image for Lewis. The mental health was addressed throughout and I was satisfied with that representation (though I felt there was a bit to be desired form the therapist as she felt too attached to Hayley, more than a doctor would be with a patient). The body image, however, had such great groundwork and then left me so disappointed when there was no follow-through. I thought Lewis was going to maybe find he did enjoy running in the evenings, but learned to accept and love his body in whatever form it was. That he found running to be a form of escape when the stress of senior year became too much, but he wasn’t doing it to be a better or more attractive person. By the end, he’s lost weight but it was never addressed how he felt about it, or even why. The premise felt ditched, and I was let down.
Hayley was a stronger character than Lewis. I felt that Lewis had barley any context outside of existing for Hayley’s characterization. He could have been built up by his own body image issues but as it fell flat, so did he. He and Cal (a minor character) were nearly as rounded as each other, and for a main character who’s perspective we are reading from, it was not enough.
I would label this book as a lighthearted, easy, and quick read for teens (not adults reading YA) but I would not purchase it myself.

This was the book I was needing. Exactly this book! "Kind of Sort of Fine" has it all! I a little humor, a little romance, a little emotion, a little adventure, a little angst, and a whole lot of fun! It kind of reminded me of "It's All Your Fault" or "Stranger Than Fanfiction." There's not a road trip in this book, but there's a similar ensemble of friends having wild experiences in between dealing with real life issues.

The plot of this book is easy to get into and moves along quickly. The pace of the book is helped by the fact that each chapter is relatively short, and the chapters flow smoothly together. Additionally, the main characters are believable and likeable. Part of the believability comes from the fact that Hayley and Lewis are also flawed - they put their focus in the wrong places, say and do hurtful things, and make rash decisions, as teenagers are wont to do. But their flaws fuel the plot and make them infinitely more real and endearing.

But, without a doubt, the best part of this book is the numerous laugh-out-loud lines!!! A lot of the humorous YA that I find is targeted at boys and relies on immature humor. I'm sorry, but once you're out of kindergarten, poop and farts need to stop being considered funny. But life can get dark; we all need to laugh once in awhile. So when I find a book that manages to be funny without sinking to bathroom jokes, I am SO excited. This book is one of those YA humor unicorns!

The only thing that kept me from giving this five stars is that it has its cheesy, trope-filled moments - like the grand gesture at prom then the boy and girl dancing together in the parking lot. But these moments are few and far between. Overall, this is a WONERFUL, immensely enjoyable read that I will absolutely be purchasing for my classroom library!