*I received a digital ARC of this book in exhange for my honest review*

I loved this book! I love that it has dual POVs so you get to know both MCs, and the exploration of their complicated family relationships is something I wish I saw more in queer romances in particular. The characters have depth and the progression of their relationship feels real. Plus there’s a roller skating date and frankly I think the world needs more of those. Again, loved it.

2.5 stars

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Basics
Genre: YA, romance, LGBT, contemporary fiction
Setting: college campus during their freshman year
(fMC) Alex: the cool girl who's good at flirting and wants her ex back
(fMC) Molly: the shy girl who wants to hit it off with her crush

Pros
+ LGBT rep: sapphic
+ written by a married female duo
+ dating pro tutors dating clueless trope
+ bold/shy MC juxtaposition
+ friends to lovers trope

Cons
- I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I cannot remember anything about this book, despite reading it cover to cover. It was not memorable in the least.

Comp Titles - She's All That (movie)

ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

When I first heard of She Gets the Girl I immediately added it to my Goodreads TBR. Rachael Lippincott? Tick. Sapphic? Tick. Slow burn romance that apparently features a rollerskating date? Tick. It had everything I could possibly want in a romance/contemporary book and it was slowly shaping up to be my most anticipated read of 2022.

When I first opened the book, I was preparing to rate this five stars. This book was well written, it had great characterisation and an interesting plot. Who wouldn't want to read about a girl trying to help a friend out to "get the girl" but ends up falling in love with her instead? And when I was reading, it was everything my rom-com loving soul could've ever wanted.

I really liked the characterisation of Molly and Alex. Both were really interesting characters and I found that I liked the two perspectives equally which rarely happens for me in dual perspective books. They were both individual and distinct with how they narrated from their point of view and their personalities really shone through.

I also really enjoyed the build up of chemistry and romantic tension. I thought that was done really well in this book and how we could see how much Alex cared for Molly even when she couldn't admit it to herself and vice versa. It was definitely a highlight of the book and was one of the best elements that was executed really well here.

I was just waiting for the slow burn to turn into something more. The book spent a lot of time building it up and as someone who has previously read all of Rachael Lippincott's work both her co-written books and books written solely by her own hand, I knew that a slow burn would be delivered and I also knew that it would be executed well. And indeed it was. The book was leading up and building up to a grand finale that I became ridiculously excited to read.

With a strong lead up like that, you would've expected a perfect ending to the book. You would've expected the book to continue on the steady trend line here of pacing but unfortunately I found the ending to be really rushed. I was expecting a grandiose realisation scene that the two characters were in love with one another but I felt like that moment was really downplayed which was a shame because if it wasn’t for the ending then I definitely would’ve given this book 5 stars.

All in all, a fantastic book filled with slow burn chemistry, great characterisation and plot and dynamic character perspectives. The only major let down was the ending which kind of broke down all the fantastic build up the slow burn created which made me lower my rating to an overall 4 stars.

ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS

I read this book months ago and had reviewed it on goodreads but not uploaded my review to Netgalley. So 1000 apologies for being so tardy.

A YA/NA, queer romance, and I was all here for it. Molly is (and has been for years) infatuated with Cora. Alex and Molly attend the same college and Cora, and when Alex experiences a lull in her own relationship, she offers to help Molly win Cora over. The problem is, as Alex and Molly spend more time together, Alex begins to have feelings of her own for Molly. They are so different, and it's unexpected for both of them. What follows is a period of liking each other, and the feelings become stronger and more real. It's heartfelt and so very real. I liked both characters as they were so genuine. Both have very different experiences of growing up, and the impact of trauma and intergenerational trauma. There's also cultural differences as Molly is Korean. Her relationship with her mother was written beautifully, and I felt the many issues addressed in this book were done so sensitively and everything was heart felt.

ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.

Buddy read with my sister-from-another-mister and blog partner, Ashley!

4 HEARTWARMING STARS

Three Minute Thoughts:
This was just the sweetest, funniest opposites-attract contemporary romance ever! This book singlehandedly reminded me why I LOVE the opposites-attract trope – you get to watch as the two delightful MCs discover more about each other, bantering with one another and going through a variety of incredibly awkward and hilarious scenarios together. Plus the writing was so light and fun to read – I’m so glad I got approved for this ARC!

The Slightly Extended & Mildly Messy Review:
This book was just so much fun! The two mains had the absolute BEST banter, and I’ve never been so invested in a budding relationship as I was while reading this novel. The dual POV made the romance even more adorable, and our two mains were both so well-developed and realistic characters that I was incredibly attached to the both of them before I knew it.

“‘Molly,’ I say, crossing one leg over the other. ‘I can’t fix your love life and your internal GPS. I’m only one woman.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

The book also had some really meaningful messages about alcoholism and neglectful parents – and the opposite with Molly’s mildly overbearing mum – and I thought the development that both characters went through was so beautifully done.

I also thought the take on Molly’s mother’s Korean ethnicity was definitely a change, but honestly very realistic, because I have no doubt that there would have been a number of POC that grew up hating their ethnicity due to the constant racism they faced. It’s heartbreaking but understandable. And of course, I loved the half-Asian rep, because it’s always wonderful to see other halfies like me in books!

“Some things have to fall apart because they don’t belong together, but some things belong so much they could never break.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

All in all, this was so sweet and heaps of fun to read, while still imparting some really meaningful messages! So glad I read this. Thank you so much to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy :)).

This is my first Netgallery book and so i wasn't super accustomed to reading on my phone, regardless, i really enjoyed this book! i loved the main characters, especially Alex. i felt like i could really relate to how Alex felt (or at least how she was made to feel)

the storyline is such a classic, lovely romantic comedy situation. such a fun and easy read and i absolutely love a duel pov book!

i loved the college setting as well

Great characters, great tension, great chemistry and plenty of fun. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book

“Some things fall apart because they don’t belong together, but some things belong so much they could never break.”

Rating: 4.5/5

She Gets The Girl is such a fantastic YA sapphic romance set during freshman year of college in Pittsburgh. Flirty and confident Alex teams up with shy and awkward Molly to help her get the girl. But they obviously end up falling in love in the process!

Alex and Molly were so different but I just adored seeing their friendship effortlessly bloom into something more with lots of banter and little moments of tension. Alex oozes confidence, but underneath her flirtatious nature is a hard worker and resilient girl carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, in the form of her alcoholic mum. It was so heartwarming to see her open up and share her true self with Molly.

Now, I definitely resonate more with Molly, who starts off the book by stating her mum is her best (and practically only) friend. Seeing her slowly but comfortably come out of her shell with Alex's help is guaranteed to make you smile. I love that she didn't change herself but just gained self-confidence.

She Gets The Girl is filled with nostalgic college moments and fun times. My only complaint is that... I wanted more! The book ended as the relationship began and I would have loved even an epilogue of Alex and Molly simply together. But overall, I still thoroughly enjoyed this YA romance and highly recommend the audiobook. The two narrators have distinct voices, so it was easy to follow along.

I absolutely smashed this book out in about four hours.

If you are looking for a sweet, funny, young adult college romcom about girls in love, may I present… She Gets the Girl?

Prepare to have Molly and Alex become your new faves. Both women are emotionally complex, well-established, relatable characters, and it is such a joy seeing them grow into themselves over the course of this book. That’s what She Gets the Girl is about, really – growth. Becoming who you are, learning what you’re worth, and knowing what you deserve (and don’t deserve). Molly and Alex are two incredibly authentic characters that I know a lot of people will be able to relate to.

I loved reading the way Molly and Alex’s relationship transformed over the course of the book. They’re a truly unlikely pair, with Molly’s social awkwardness and anxiety and Alex’s bolshy, bold attitude, but they just work together so well. I inhaled this book (like a horse eating popcorn out of a schoolgirl’s hand, or whatever the saying is), desperate to see the gorgeous, heart-breaking, heart-mending transformation happen.

In terms of plot, GOD, this book is just such a classic. Molly wants Cora, Alex wants Natalie, Alex helps Molly get Cora, Alex… has regrets. I love a good tropey book, and it is so damn good to get that with two lesbians in the leading role. I could just read this book over and over again and be happy forever. It’s our time to shine, baby! Tropes can’t be tired if it’s lesbians!

If you’re on the hunt for a well-written, sweet story with complex characters and a delicious romcom-ey energy (and sapphic leads, did I mention sapphic leads??????), you need to give She Gets the Girl a red-hot try. Trust me – your heart will thank you for it.

Speaking of thanks, thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Ahhh this book was a lovely fun read! While it had its tough parts, this book at its core is a rom com.

The romance was VERY slow burn, and at times it almost felt too slow.
The book had two povs, Molly and Alex. I significantly enjoyed Alex's pov more than Molly's. I found Molly to be awkward. I did relate to her in that sense, however She at times I had massive second hand embarrassment from her at certain scenes.
Asides from that, I loved the rest of it, and would 100% recommend it! 8/10

Date finished: 17/5/2022
Publish date: 4th May 2022

4⭐
📱

Thank you to Netgalley for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute and fun sapphic rom-com to read. It has the enemies to friends to lovers, as well as a practice dating tropes. It's my first time reading a book with the practice dating trope, and I have to say, I really loved it and want to read more of this trope.

I absolutely loved the rollerskating practice date scene. It is my favourite scene from the entire book. It was just filled with so much cuteness, I thought my heart might explode just reading it.

I found Molly to be such a relatable character. Almost everything she did or said, kinda felt like it was me saying and doing those things.
I really liked seeing Molly's character growth throughout the book. While I couldn't connect as well with Alex, I still found her character quite enjoyable to read and also liked seeing how she grew throughout the book as well.

Unfortunately, towards the end, there was a scene that hit a little too close to home. I definitely should have put this book down until a later date instead of pushing through and finishing it. Sad to say that by me trying to push through, I did find I was zoning out a little. So while I don't remember a small part towards the end, what I do remember was super sweet.

#netgalley #shegetsthegirl
This one is a bit of a slow burn but by the middle of the book I was hooked, it's your typical friends to lovers romance story, if your after a ya romance then this is great. 3/5 stars

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint! I loved the characters and their relationship together. I also loved how it started off as a proper friendship before the relationship began. I liked how the characters were properly fleshed out and developed outside of their relationship and the way that Alex's relationship with Natalie was sort of examined throughout the book and Alex learns that maybe it wasn't a healthy relationship to begin with. I think having a dual POV really helped understand the motivations and development of both of the characters and the chapters flowed really well with the switches in POV. I also really liked the scenes with them in the library and at the roller skating rink. I thought that they were really sweet. This book has left me wanting even more college sapphic romances and stories and I would also love to see this book adapted into a movie.

Alex and Molly are two girls about to start their first year of college. They are wildly different people, but for both it is a chance to leave their home and start fresh. In an effort to prove that she can have friends and do things for others, Alex takes Molly under her wing to help her get the girl she has been crushing on for years.

This novel by Alyson Derrick & Rachel Lippincott is an engaging YA romance. It tackles tough issues of personal identity and family inflicted trauma with tenderness. The writing is fun and the characters were intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the characters grew threw their experiences, made mistakes and continued to learn.

I would thoroughly recommend this book.

Content warnings: underage drinking, internalised racism (parent), alcoholic parent, parent who left, gaslighting.

Rep: Alex is lesbian. Molly is Korean-American and lesbian. Cora (side character) is sapphic (label not specified), Natalie (side character) is sapphic (label also not specified).

*
First read through review:
I loved absolutely everything about this book. I honestly don’t think that there is a single part about this book that I don’t like.

I loved how this book started, with Alex’s inability to connect with another person due to her own intimacy issues, and Molly’s lack of friends.


Alex and Molly are an unlikely pair – they seem to clash from the start with Alex being so confident, and Molly being the polar opposite. But that’s why their friendship worked so well.

I adored reading the way they got to know each other – how Alex helped Molly come out of her shell and be herself. I also loved the way that Alex was finally able to open up to someone about her own life and fears.

This book was so lovely, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of it.

I was able to read it in one day and it was just amazing from start to finish.

I love Molly and Alex, and they were so cute and precious and I just love them a lot. This is my new favourite YA romcom book. There is no comparison in my mind.

6/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
4.5/5 stars

I was honestly so excited to receive this book because it’s one I couldn’t wait to read and i’m really glad it lived up to my expectations.

I didn’t realise before reading this book how much i needed to read a wlw book set in college/university times until this book but now i cant go back !! we need more like this !!

The characters are so well developed, i loved the relationship, I loved the plot and everything was just amazing, and will definitely be recommending this book to others.

My only complaint was that I would have like to see something more at the end, it felt a little cut short but apart from that everything else was amazing.

eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

4/5 ⭐️

It is rare to get an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers sapphic book, so you can imagine my excitement and anticipation when I first saw this announced last year. Everything about this was so intriguing, but the thing I loved the most was the fact that the two authors are married (oh, my heart!). The fact I got an ARC for this still feels very surreal. She Gets the Girl takes off when Alex and Molly, two queer girls, move to go to university. On the one end, we have Molly, a very shy and clueless about love girl with a crush on Cora, a super popular girl that went to her highschool. On the other end, we have Alex, a self-labelled flirt who is trying very hard to prove to her (ex) girlfriend that she is able to maintain platonic female friendships while they are in a long distance relationship. These two cross paths when Alex decides to take Molly under her wing to help her pursuing Cora ... and then fluffiness ensues!

The characters of Alex and Molly were absolutely amazing! I loved both of them and how unique their personalities were, although I would have liked their voices when we were in their POV to be a bit more distinctive. I really liked how both Alex and Molly had things to deal with outside of their relationship; it made them seem a lot more real. Also, I love reading queer YA books that do not feature any coming-out storyline, so I was super happy to read how comfortable they both were with their queerness (I giggled so much when Molly blurted out "I'm gay" to frat guy!). Great characterisation was not limited to the main couple: almost all side characters were fun to read. However, warning - almost every side character is built up for the reader to kind of hate them in comparison to the main couple. I definitely felt that some of them were redundant and wished that the main couple would have made friends; I love reading about friendship dynamics in YA books, so I felt this was a bit of a missed opportunity! That being said, it is probably also true that any possible friendship buildup would have been overshadowed by Alex and Molly's relationship - they were so cute! I will be honest, for the first 60% I was really not feeling them as romantic interests: I felt they were too much like friends and I did not see them as ever ending up together. But...BUT the way that they passed from enemies (ish) to such cute friends to lovers...ahhhhh! I am not too sure what happened, but around the 70% mark my brain clicked and I was like YES THEY ARE CUTE TOGETHER. It was such a realistic relationship that it made my little cynical heart sing. So yeah, I would advise to go into this not necessarily expecting lovey-dovey scenes to begin from the start, but rather to let the relationship develop naturally.

The one thing which I wished this book did better at was the pacing, especially in the beginning. I found this book had a very slow start; it took me way too long to get to the 40% mark. I am not sure if it was a me-problem or a book-problem, but I felt it had a lot of set up for the one thing which I actually wanted to see play out (aka, Alex-helping-Molly-get-Cora-but-falling-in-love-with-each-other-instead). I wish we just got to see more of Alex and Molly interacting with each other, rather than the setting up of their scheme. I understand this was done to buildup their eventual friendship, but it was just a bit boring continuously reading about how Molly was nervous/stressed about doing pretty much anything (although I could definitely relate!). In retrospect, I think this is probably why I struggle a bit to see them as romantic partners for such a large chunk of the book. Another downfall of the book, albeit to a smaller effect, was the iffiness I had with the writing. Not sure if this was due to there being two writers, but I felt the writing could have been more polished and flow better. This did improve as the book progressed, though.

While this book is labeled as YA (and I can see why that is), I would specify that this definitely features more upper-YA than some other books. Either way, it was a delightful read and I recommend everyone read it!

TW: alcoholism, toxic relationship with parent and significant other (not between main couple), mentions of internalised racism.

no tw for homophobia in a queer book, whaaaaaat? Amazing!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

She Gets the Girl is your typical opposites attract with a smidge of enemies to lovers (though not true enemies, not really). It’s sweet and funny and a little bit sad and just the perfect combination for a contemporary romance.

I enjoyed watching both these characters grow together and independent of each other. They really brought out the best in each other and it truly made my heart full.

I ADORED Alex. She’s such a great character. She’s fun and flirty and loud but underneath she’s soft and more than a little damaged. Her journey was absolutely my favourite. Her relationship with her boss in particular unexpectedly warmed my heart.

I did like Molly, but I sometimes found her insecurities annoying. I get it, and she’s not alone, and I’m sure a lot of readers would connect with her, but sometimes I just couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her.

I absolutely recommend this book! It comes out on May 4 and I’ll definitely be grabbing myself a physical copy as soon as I can.

Oh gosh, I loved this book! It's such a sweet rom-com, as I was giggling and swooning throughout. Alex was a fantastic character and I think stole the show a bit. I really enjoyed getting to know her and seeing how she developed during the novel. Molly was sweet and innocent, but eventually she was able to stand up for herself and I loved watching her build her confidence. These two as a pair initially seemed like an odd fit, but through the character development they really began to shine together.

I highly recommend a read if you're into sweet, low-angst rom-coms.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful YA sapphic novel full of all the best parts of 90’s romcoms!
I also loved both main characters which is very rare for me.
This is now on my all time favourite YA’s list!