I think this book was very very promising, but just fell flat due to a lack of character/plot development.

A good portion of this book just felt like it kept circling back to the exact same thing with little to no change, which made it difficult for me to really connect with the characters and the plot line. I do think the side characters were very interesting, and I personally enjoyed their characterization.

I discovered Alissa DeRogatis through Diana Elliott Graham after reading When We Were, and I just had to apply for an ARC on NetGalley for Call It What You Want!

This story totally tugged at my heartstrings in so many ways. It felt like I was reading about my own college days. Falling for a "situationship" and wondering if it's "the right person, wrong time" is something so many of us can relate to.

Alissa's writing is raw & honest - it's evident this comes from a place of personal experience. I found myself falling into the same 'traps' and 'patterns' as Sloane. This book is just a beautiful and humble reminder that we are all human wanting to be loved and accepted but sometimes pick the wrong people.

Amazing job for her first debut! I am so excited to see what she comes up with next! ♡

Thank you to Alissa DeRogatis and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review!!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book is titled Call It What You Want, so I’m calling it what I want: A Realistic and Emotional Manifestation of how messy relationships and love can be.

Call It What You Want is about Ethan and Sloane, two complicated people in a complicated relationship.

This book was eye-opening in a way. There were so many moments that were so incredibly relatable that I wondered if the author had peered into my head for a second. This book taught me some things about myself and made me feel justified and validated.

Call It What You Want is a perfect palate cleanser for fantasy readers and a perfect summer read for all readers!

Please be advised that if you just went through a break-up, this book will make you think of your EX several times. At the same time, you might get that closure you need.

The Paperback Edition of Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis releases June 18th! The Kindle Edition was released on June 2nd!

✨️🩷✨️

Some quotes I loved:

“I think we jumped into things extremely fast, and while I have no regrets, I don’t want to keep putting effort into a relationship that I’m not sure about, especially while we’re hundreds of miles apart.”

“Losing someone means you’ll eventually gain someone even better.”

“But if we weren’t meant to last, then the best I can hope for is that you use our time together as a learning experience, a source of wisdom, a reason to change.”

“The most important thing that I’ve learned over the last six months is that you need to show up for yourself.”

“Unconditional love is someone breaking down the cage of your ribs to get your heart and you trusting they’ll protect it just the same.”




This review has been posted to bookstagram and goodreads!

Thanks to net galley for letting me read this ARC. I saw this all over my TikTok and wanted to give it a go as I heard it was about situationships… It was surprisingly accurate I felt like Sloane (although 50% of the book I thought she was CRAZY) I think she encapsulated what every person thinks when they are in the situationship. I really enjoyed part 1 I think it was really honest and found myself relating to a lot of it but I think part 2 annoyed me a bit. She sabotaged her relationship with lovely Reese and cheated on him (which I thought was so out of order, it just made me turn on Sloane a little). It was quite aggravating reading about how little self respect she had and kept going back to Ethan even though he kept saying he wasn’t ready for a relationship- which I guess was the point of the book which is why it was 4 stars for me!

thank you so much to alissa & netgalley for this arc! call it what you want releases on 18/06/24🩷

this book.. it tugged on my heart strings! alissa very beautifully delved into the intricacies of situationships. how they feel like they could be so much more but you feel torn.. you “shouldn’t” feel a certain type of way because technically, you’re not even dating. you “shouldn’t” feel your heart rip into pieces when it ends because how can this even be classed as a heartbreak?

this book is a love letter for all the girls that have been told any of that. your experiences are real. no one can tell you shouldn’t feel a certain way. you can feel however you want! this book is for all the girls that love so deeply it hurts. for the girls that are willing to go through anything just to keep that person around.

my heart absolutely ached for sloane. i wish i could give her the biggest hug and tell her just how much she is worth! the years of pain, the hurt, the not thinking she’s enough made my heart hurt. no one deserves to feel like that. LOVE shouldn’t make you feel like that. sloane tried, she tried SO hard. she fought for something she wanted so badly that she was willing to do anything for it. but sometimes, not matter how hard we try, it’s never enough🥺

ethan.. oh ethan. i cant bring myself to hate him. (THIS DOES NOT MEAN I LOVE HIM) i understand that he has so much trauma that he hasn’t dealt with which made him act the way he did but deep down, he knew what he was doing. he knew how it would affect sloane and yet he still continued to do it. he made the decision to not deal with his trauma which resulted in hurting sloane. as a grown man, you should be more than aware that your actions can hurt people deeply, sigh :(

if you’re in a similar situation, please know you are enough. you are MORE than enough. the right person will come into your life and give you everything your heart needs & more without you having to ask. they will love you just as fiercely as you love them. they’ll never make you question your worth or string you along. never settle for less💗

4,5 Stars— absolutely adored this. A gut wrenching exploration of finding one’s self after a relationship ends.

I wish 19 year old me had this book

This book is like living through my 6 year on and off situationship all over again. The love; the pain, the confusion. All of it was articulated perfectly. I held off reading this book because I knew it would hurt, that those heart strings that still fill raw would be pulled. And it was. But I’m also glad I read it. It reminds me that other women get this. They understand. I’m not alone

Unfortunately I couldn't finish this I. DNF'd at 65 percent. I feel like I started to get bored and I think this type of romance book may not be for me.

I liked the chemistry to begin with between Sloane and Ethan, and even when they were fighting I think my main issues of boredom came around when Reese was entered I just really struggles with this book. I think a lot happened early on and it just wasn't for me. Thank you so much I did love the chemistry and the T swift references. The friends supporting each other too.

Wow. Everyone should read this book. This was a devastating story about loving someone who can't love you back with beautiful and important messages within it, like loving yourself. I will remember this book for a long time and it now holds a very special place in my heart. If you're thinking of reading this, do it!!!

This book dives into the tangled web of modern relationships, capturing the essence of situationships and the ambiguity of almost-love. This book will resonate with many who have experienced the exhilarating yet frustrating limbo of having great chemistry with someone without ever fully committing.

The novel revolves around Sloane and Ethan, two characters who share an undeniable connection but remain stuck in the “almost” phase. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are loaded with the kind of tension and unspoken feelings many of us recognize from our own lives. Their relationship teeters on the edge of romance, but they never quite take the plunge, reflecting a common theme in contemporary dating where fear of commitment and emotional baggage often keep people from fully engaging in a relationship.

One of the strengths of this book is author's keen observation of these modern relationship dynamics. The back-and-forth, the mixed signals, and the "what if" scenarios are portrayed with a raw authenticity that makes the characters’ experiences feel incredibly real. Many readers will find themselves nodding along, having faced similar dilemmas in their own love lives.

However, the story takes a controversial turn when Sloane, while being emotionally entangled with Ethan, cheats on her official boyfriend. This subplot introduces a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity that can be difficult to digest. It highlights the messiness of human emotions and the sometimes blurry lines between right and wrong. Yet, for some readers, this might feel like a betrayal of their investment in the characters' potential romance.

While the depiction of situationships is spot-on, the cheating aspect can be off-putting. It shifts the narrative from a light-hearted exploration of almost-love to a more serious commentary on infidelity and the consequences of emotional recklessness. This might leave a sour taste for those hoping for a more traditional love story.

In essence, this book feels less like a romance novel and more like a slice-of-life tale about the complexities of modern relationships. It’s a bold narrative choice, but one that may not appeal to everyone. The lack of a clear resolution or traditional happy ending might disappoint readers looking for a satisfying romantic conclusion.

For those who appreciate stories that mirror the messiness of real-life relationships, *Call it what you want* offers an honest and unfiltered look at the confusion and heartache of situationships. However, if you’re looking for a feel-good romance with clear lines of fidelity and a definitive ending, this might not be the book for you. While I admired the realistic portrayal of modern love, the infidelity subplot ultimately made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story.

In conclusion, this book is a mixed bag. It nails the portrayal of almost-romances and the struggles many face in today’s dating world, but the moral ambiguities and lack of a traditional love story might not be to everyone’s taste. It’s a thought-provoking read that reflects the chaos of contemporary relationships, but it’s definitely not for those seeking a conventional love story.

i always feel bad giving bad reviews to free books but this was...terrible. what was the point of this? they were terribly written characters who were all horrible people and horrible friends. i saw none of that supposed chemistry between the main couple that kept them going back to their toxic relationship. i'm only surprised there was no reference to taylor swift's the way i loved you.
the girl was so selfish and whiney over some mid guy it's so embarrassing! i'm sorry but that can never be me! and of course she loves to write! she's a writer! just a bad one...
and who needed the guy's pov?! are we supposed to feel sorry his mother didn't come back for him and left him with a rich, loving family instead?
i'm trying to be kind here but this book got on my nerves so hard ughhhh no more cute covers for mediocre books please!

A perfect vignette of how it felt to be a college senior with a loser boyfriend in 2016.

Ethan and Sloane were maddening and toxic, but I was living for every Taylor Swift reference.

Call It What You Want is a moving and heartbreaking story that will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves in a situationship or toxic relationship. Despite knowing from the outset that the story wouldn’t have a happy ending, the journey still wrecked me and broke my heart

2.5/5 ⭐️

This book follows Sloane and Ethan and their "situationship" throughout their last year of college and the following years in their post-grad lives. I'm a bit conflicted about this book. On one hand, I appreciate the raw portrayal of being in a situationship—loving and wanting someone more than they love you—which is relatable and can resonate with many who have experienced similar situations.

On the other hand, I honestly couldn't stand either of the main characters, they were seriosuly difficult to like. Sloane was incredibly frustrating; I wanted her to have more self-love and respect rather than continually going back to someone so clearly uninterested in a serious relationship. Ethan, meanwhile, was toxic and desperately needed therapy (I understand he had trauma, but enough is enough).

Regarding the writing, I understand this is a debut novel, but some of the dialogue felt a bit forced and didn't flow naturally for me.

Thank you, NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alissa DeRogatis’s Call It What You Want explores the concept of “almost love” stories—those intense, label-less relationships that leave lasting marks. The narrative centers on Sloane Hart, a hopeless romantic who has sworn off dating after her parents’ divorce. Determined to focus on her studies and career, Sloane’s plans are disrupted when she meets Ethan Brady, a mysterious and guarded man who avoids deep connections.

Sloane and Ethan embark on a passionate, undefined relationship, fully aware that it can’t last forever. While Sloane envisions a future with Ethan, he’s unable to give her the commitment she desires. Their story is a bittersweet journey of love, self-discovery, and the painful realization that some things just aren’t meant to be.

The premise of exploring undefined relationships is intriguing, but the book struggles with its execution. The plot often feels repetitive, with Sloane and Ethan stuck in a cycle that lacks significant development. This repetition makes the story drag at times, losing the emotional impact it aims to deliver.

The characters, while relatable in their struggles, can be frustrating. Sloane’s persistent need for Ethan’s attention, despite numerous red flags, makes her hard to empathize with. Ethan’s aloof nature and commitment issues are well-depicted, but his character lacks depth, making it difficult to understand his true motivations.

The writing style is straightforward but occasionally falls flat. Dialogue between characters can feel awkward, and the narrative sometimes misses the emotional depth needed to fully engage readers. Additionally, the lack of backstory for both Sloane and Ethan leaves gaps that could have enriched the story.

Despite these shortcomings, Call It What You Want does capture the messy reality of undefined relationships and the heartache they bring. It’s a nostalgic ode to the almost-love stories that many people experience. However, the lack of character development and repetitive plot may leave readers wanting more substance and depth.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, you might find aspects of Sloane and Ethan’s story relatable. For those looking for a light read on complicated relationships, this book might be worth a try. However, it falls short of delivering a fully satisfying and impactful narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I read this quickly. It's definitely for NA than adult. Also, not sure if these notes are read, but there is a part where is says December 2018 and should be 2016 as a chapter title.

✨Book Review: Call It What You Want by Alissa Derogatis✨

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an arc reader through NetGalley. I went into this completely blind and I am so happy I did. This book follows our two characters Sloane Hart and Ethan Brady who meet in college and it follows them and their situation. This book perfectly captures how it feels when you love someone more than they love you and wanting something so badly and it just never working out. Anyone who has ever been in a situationship will absolutely love this book and make you feel so seen. Everything our main characters were going through felt so relatable and made me tear up at points. The messaging behind this book is so beautiful and shows that you don’t need to stay in the situation with someone just because you love them and how hard that is. 17 year old me felt extremely validated when reading this. I would 1000000% recommend getting your hands on this when it releases on June the 18th 🩷✨

Yikes this was just bad. Going into it blindly with just the book description, I had high hopes for a good read but was wrong so fast.
There’s literally no plot, the characters are pathetic if put nicely, absolutely no backstory for the characters relationship and also really lacking in the chemistry department.
The whiniest, more immature characters ever come across. If the author was going for a Magnolia Parks type book, this was definitely the wrong way to do it.

As a girl that's been through quite a few toxic relationships in her life, this book really hit home for me. Sloane absolutely broke my heart with her optimism and how much she loved Ethan. The want to believe she didn't deserve Ethan's love but also feeling like she deserved better than him broke my heart because I know so many people feel that way. I loved the college atmosphere and how the story was told over a span of timelines that showed how much she was trying to grow up and mature. I loved the close knit set of friends on both sides that never gave up on their friends even if they were doing something stupid. The author did a fantastic job of articulating everyone's feelings so well that as the reader I was feeling everything alongside them. I know others have said the writing is really clunky and disjointed but I disagree. I thought it was perfect to truly give voice to Sloane and Ethan.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the review copy!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this E-ARC!

rating: 3⭐️

This situation-ship was wild to say the least. I honestly didn’t love Ethan and Sloane together to begin with so I wasn’t rooting for them to much. But girl I was SCREAMING at Sloane every time she got back with Ethan. Like her and Reese were great, WHY DID YOU RUIN IT! They say you never forget your first love, and Sloane definitely couldn’t. The way she just kept running back to Ethan just for him to lead her on once again, I hated Ethan by the end. UGH. I still ate this book up in less than 24 hours though. Overall it was a very easy read but the story did get confusing at times with the time jumps forward. It felt like there was a little something missing but this was a strong debut novel!