Enjoyed the sophomore novel of Jenna Miller. It was a fun light read definitely worth reading and getting to know the characters.

This was fun but not amazing. The storyline was great, but the pacing was weird and the stakes felt fake. A lot of the problems the characters experienced could’ve been solved with just talking to each other, rather than letting it bloom into larger plot issues.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book gave me all the YA teenage angst I was looking for in a book whilst working through real issues of today’s young adults.
I found the characters really relatable and interesting and was routing for the friendship to be reunited.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

"We Got the Beat" by Jenna Miller is a lively and nostalgic dive into the vibrant world of music and teen camaraderie. Its energetic narrative and relatable characters create an engaging, rhythmic experience.

This is quite the cute YA Romance and I loved the main character of Jordan Elliot, a self described fat, nerdy lesbian, whose greatest desire is to be named editor-in-chief of the school newspaper as a junior. Things take a turn when she's assigned the girl's volleyball beat instead and will have to write a feature piece on her nemesis, Mackenzie West, newly minted team captain.

There were so many things I liked about this book, Jordan is such a relatable high school character, with a good sense of self, but also filled with self doubt. She strives to do the right thing, but screws up in pretty relatable ways. I love her and I love her friend group.

This is a soft no for me because there were just a few too many cringy moments with what felt like a lot of cookie cutter advice phrases. *spoiler* It was also very obvious that a smear piece against Mackenzie was going to be published and it would be Jordan's "fault", but I thought it could have happened in a more realistic way.

"Question everything, assume nothing, learn the truth."

Jordan Elliot has worked hard to become the school's first editor-in-chief for her school's newspaper as a junior. So, how come she doesn't get it? Instead, she is assigned to be the volleyball beat for the semester while her two best friends get editor positions. And to make it worse, her arch-nemesis and ex-friend, Mackenzie West, is on the team and is the volleyball team's captain.

With a passion for journalism and determination to make the best of the situation, Jordan is adamant that she will write the best pieces to engage her audience and improve her chances of getting into college, even if it means being around the person who hurt her.

When Jordan feels herself being pulled back into the friendship she lost with Mackenzie, all she can worry about is getting hurt again. Will she be able to look past everything and move on? Or will she use her position of Volleyball beat to her advantage, considering she needs to write up a story about the volleyball captain?

We Got the Beat was an intense and heartfelt novel. I enjoyed reading about the different characters and seeing how the conflicting relationship between Jordan and Mackenzie shifts and changes. I also really loved Jordan's passion for writing and her refusal to let the position she was given tear away that passion.

Also, I need to note that Olivia's love for Bonnie and Clyde the Musical is valid in every sense, and that scene alone makes her my favourite character, lol.

This book combines messy feelings, silly mistakes, and learning to adapt to a new environment, especially when it is changing rapidly. I highly recommend it!

A fun, compelling, queer rom com that feels relevent and timely and special all at the same time. Im grateful to NetGallley and publisher for the chance to review an ARC copy.

We Got the Beat is one of my favorite LGBTQ reads of this year, thus far.

Jordan Elliott has set her sights on being editor in chief of her school newspaper. She's got a passion for journalism and telling the stories that really matter to high schoolers. Sadly, she's put on the volleyball beat and the star athlete she'll be covering is none other than her "ex best friend" Mackenzie. But Jordan needs to get this right if she wants a spot in the newspaper and, later on, journalism schools in the future. Get this right she will, and also learn a secret Mackenzie's been keeping for a long period of time. One that she must decide what to do with that may change more than just one person's life.

I enjoyed reading Jenna Miller's sophomore novel, as I felt that I could easily see the heart and care she brought to all her characters- both main and side. While I wasn't always convinced with the conflict happening as fast as it did towards the end and the romance, I do recommend this novel to those wanting a fresh YA LGBTQ read.

Thank you to Harper360Ya and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for a review!

I enjoyed my time reading this! This was a cute book, I loved seeing the relationship develop between Jordan and Mack. While this book had a lot of miscommunication, I feel that it was resolved well. Also, I loved seeing the friendship between Jordan, Audrey, and Isacc! Overall, a cute book that I would recommend!
(*3.5)

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

Young adult fun romcom with amazing queer characters.

What a cute story! Great fat and queer rep, and I’m always in for newspaper/nerdy stories and anything with a dog. I’m ready for whatever comes next from this author!

I loved the idea of this book and the idea of a fat, queer protagonist would’ve meant so much to high school aged me. I have to give this book props for the representation. However, I really did not love the romance in this story and I found some of the characters making such dumb decisions that it really took me out of the story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy! I really enjoyed this fun queer YA by Jenna Miller. Very fun, compelling and entertaining overall!

I wish I liked this book more but i just couldn't connect to the characters. I nearly dnfed it .
Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children's Books for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a fun read but I felt slightly underwhelmed by it.
The characters and romance didn’t feel very fleshed out, and the entire plot was based on a few weeks one summer.
Having said that, it was light and funny. I thought the plus-sized rep was good (minimal fat-shaming!).

This was so cute! I loved Mack and Jordan and they were so adorable! If you’re looking for a sweet story with lots of queer rep this is it. :)

This was really fun. Jenna Miller is really great at writing friendships and I loved the queer, plus size rep. However, the romance did fall a little flat. The love interest felt slightly one dimensional. I never fully saw why these two connected romantically, but I liked them both. Also, I there is a transgression towards the end I this that the MC’s best friend is partially responsible for and she never takes accountability for being vindictive and mean, and potentially ruining a relationship and future.

Still, there’s coming out story in this that’s handled well. I liked a lot of the side characters and the MC’s bond with her brother. There’s a lot to like here, and I think teens would enjoy the positive coming out storyline and the message about following your passion. This wasn’t fully for me, but I still recommend it.

It's so cute, so good, so joyful, so real! I loved this story with my whole heart. I loved the characters and their chemistry, the plot and the vibes. All immaculate.

"We Got the Beat" by Jenna Miller is a vibrant and heartwarming contemporary YA novel that hits all the right notes. Set against the backdrop of a small town's battle of the bands competition, this book captures the essence of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of music.

The story follows the journey of protagonist Lily, a shy and reserved teenager who finds solace in her drumming. When her best friend, Harper, convinces her to form a band and enter the local battle of the bands competition, Lily is hesitant but ultimately decides to take the leap. Joined by a diverse cast of characters, including the charming guitarist Jake and the quirky bassist Ava, Lily embarks on a musical adventure that will change her life forever.

One of the standout aspects of "We Got the Beat" is its authentic portrayal of teenage friendships and the challenges of adolescence. Miller skillfully navigates themes of identity, self-expression, and the pressure to conform, making the characters relatable and endearing. Lily's journey of self-discovery is particularly well-developed, as she learns to embrace her passion for music and find her own voice amidst the chaos of high school.

The dynamic between the band members is also a highlight of the novel, with each character bringing their own strengths and vulnerabilities to the table. The chemistry between Lily and Jake is palpable, adding an extra layer of tension and excitement to the story. Additionally, Miller's vivid descriptions of the band's performances and the exhilarating atmosphere of the competition are sure to resonate with music lovers of all ages.

While "We Got the Beat" may follow some familiar tropes of the YA genre, including the classic battle of the bands storyline, Miller injects enough originality and heart into the narrative to keep readers hooked from start to finish. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue is sharp, and the emotional payoff is immensely satisfying.

Overall, "We Got the Beat" is a charming and uplifting read that celebrates the transformative power of friendship and the joy of pursuing one's passions. With its lovable characters, infectious energy, and toe-tapping soundtrack, this book is sure to strike a chord with readers of all backgrounds. Jenna Miller has crafted a delightful coming-of-age story that will leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page.