This was a really light and fun YA romance. As a GTA girl myself, I loved reading a book set in Toronto with all the mentioned gems like Budweiser Stage, Wonderland, Ripley’s, etc. I thought Axel was a really sweet character and I enjoyed watching the romance evolve between him and Jamie. I also love a good fake-dating to lovers trope and I feel that it was done well here, especially since it was in a high school setting. My rating is a little lower because I can’t help but feel like this book lacked a certain level of depth. The dialogue was sort of cringe at times which made more serious aspects of the plot feel a little disingenuous. I also had a hard time finding Jamie likeable as a character on her own. I loved finding out she was a book lover and was obsessed with buying books, but at times this felt like a forced quirk. I did like watching her character grow throughout the book but I had a hard time feeling genuinely connected to her.

This book overall was very cute and I’d recommend it to a younger reader as a nice romance story

I loved her last book and this was also so much fun! The fake dating is one of my favorites and I enjoyed how Khalilieh handled it. I also loved learning more about Arabic culture through the characters and their journeys. The main character's bucket list around the city reminded me of Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, which is one of my favorite books, so i really loved that aspect. I also think its a great tactic for fleshing out a city since setting is so important in literature. My one little gripe with the novel is that she fell for the guy a bit quickly for my taste. I usually prefer when characters become a bit closer before they start feeling that attraction. However, I still had a great time and would definitely recommend this book!

There are so many things that I want to talk about that happened in this book. First of all, I didn't even realize that the FMC and MMC were Arab. Literally requested this book because I thought the cover was cute and thought maybe the author might be Arab because of her last name. I was so excited when I started reading, I messaged the author right away.

If my younger self read this book in high school, I would have been so seen and so obsessed. I didn't have a ton of friends in high school, I was boy obsessed and had no idea who I was. I am half-Arab, my mom is from Iraq and speaks Arabic but like Jamie, my mom didn't really do traditional Assyrian things in my home and also never told people what her background was. She only spoke Assryian or Arabic with her sisters and friends but not to us. I can understand my language but can't speak it. I felt like I related to Jamie in that sense or being told I wasn't really "Arab" because I'm only half since my dad is Canadian.

Having an uncle that owns a Shawarma restaurant? I have one of those!
Have a mom that blamed everything on everyone else and couldn't take responsibility or apologize? Same!
Have a mom that married someone their family didn't approve of? YUP!
Was told to stay away from Arab men? lolol yes.

So yes, being in my 30s now, I would have absolutely LOVED this book when I was in high school or in my 20s. I don't think I've ever seen myself represented in a book like this before. I don't think I've read a book with an Arab MMC. The way that Axel is portrayed is so refreshing to see.

Thank you so much Jackie for writing this. You have no idea what it means to me to see themselves represented in a book like this.

The beginning of the book threw me for a loop—if I’m being honest, I didn’t expect to dive into teenage slang so quickly. At first, it caught me off guard, but as I kept reading, I found it more tolerable, and the characters’ actions started to feel more natural.

That said, this book was the cutest thing ever! I haven’t read a teen romance in a long time, and You Started It delivers a perfect blend of romance, humor, self-discovery, and self-love. The added layer of cultural identity makes it feel even more personal and heartfelt.

One of the novel’s strongest points is how it offers a fresh perspective on the new generation and Arab culture without falling into clichés. It beautifully balances characters who break away from past traditions while also portraying struggles like anxiety in a way that feels genuine and relatable.

The only small flaw was the (somewhat predictable) third-act conflict, which I saw coming from a mile away.

Overall, You Started It is a delightful, heartfelt, and captivating read. If you love YA romances filled with humor, warmth, and complex characters, this is a story you won’t want to miss

**You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh – The YA Romance That Just *Gets* You**

Okay, imagine this: You just got dumped, and instead of dealing with it like a normal person, you come up with a *brilliant* (aka totally chaotic) plan to fake-date your ex’s neighbor to make him jealous. Sounds foolproof, right? Well… Jamie quickly realizes that playing with feelings—hers included—is way messier than she expected.

Jackie Khalilieh nails the *Gen Z experience* in this book. Jamie is funny, awkward, and constantly overthinking everything (relatable). The banter is top-tier, the emotions sneak up on you, and Axel? Let’s just say you *will* have a new book crush by the end. But beyond the romance, this story is about figuring out who you are, standing up for yourself, and realizing that love doesn’t always go as planned—but sometimes, that’s a good thing.

If you love fake dating, slow-burn romance, and main characters who feel like your besties, *You Started It* is *the* book for you. Prepare to scream into your pillow in the best way possible.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Let me start off by saying Jamie and Axel were ADORABLE! I was fully rooting for them and some of their scene had me kicking my feet! There were unfortunately a few things that threw me from the story, though. I will say some of the dialogue felt a bit unnatural, perhaps a bit buzzword-y. Additionally, the back-and-forth nature of the relationships and the miscommunications left me a bit frustrated. I understand that some of this was due to the MC’s anxiety, but I felt like some of this could’ve been cut down while keeping the weight of the story the same. Overall, while imperfect, this book was such a sweet read! I would recommend this to a teen reader who loves the fake dating trope and would like to diversify their reading.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc!

I loved the dynamic characters and the representation in this book! The fake dating trope is an immediate yes for me! Axels character is *swoon*. Jamie’s story arch & finding her self was so wonderful! Honestly the growth in this book was so great for each individual character. I love how axel pushed Jamie out of her comfort zone in exchange for fake dating ahhhh!

I loved the banter between the main characters, it made me smile and laugh! I am really glad I got the opportunity with this ARC to leave a review. I enjoyed the representation in the book of people with different experiences and how the main characters move through the book. Jamie is the protagonist, we see the book through her eyes, but we also catch a few glimpses into Axel's life and his motivations. I really enjoyed seeing Jamie come into her own and fight for what she wants in all aspects of her life. Overall, this was a great read though I would have liked to see a little bit more relationship building with Jamie and Axel. Maybe another book when she's in college and he's in his senior year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tundra Book Group, and the author for this ARC.

When Jamie’s longterm boyfriend, Ben, ends things suddenly, her world feels like it’s flipped upside down. All her plans and check lists feel impossible without Ben. Then she meets Axel, and they start fake dating to make Ben jealous. Through this fake relationship Jamie opens herself up to new ideas and heals parts of her she didn’t know needed healing.

This book explores familial issues, finding yourself through your teen-angst, and that sometimes you need to deviate from your plans to live your life to the fullest.

It was a captivating and charming young adult romance. Axel is truly irresistible—I found myself developing feelings for him right alongside Jaime. He understood Jaime’s anxiety and insisted that Jamie embrace her biracial identity and significance without minimizing it.

I truly valued the depiction of anxiety and panic attacks in this novel. As someone who experiences these challenges intensely, I was grateful for accurate portrayal. That includes my favorite quote “when I'm with you, the anxiety that lives within me is a whisper." ☺️

Read her authors note too! It was nice to see her speaking out on the stereotypes placed against Arab men, their culture, as well as her speaking up for Palestine. It's refreshing to see Arab men and BIPOC protagonist taking center stage as the main characters. We need more of that.

Thank you Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for this ARC reader copy. Get it May 20th!

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version with a different tone and style:

I really wanted to love this book. The concept was charming, and it had plenty of potential. As a YA novel, it touched on meaningful themes like personal growth, navigating hardships, and owning up to mistakes. I also especially appreciated the cultural elements woven into the story.

That being said, I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Jamie. She makes plenty of mistakes, which isn’t a problem in itself, but the way she handles them left me frustrated. Her lack of communication, immaturity, and somewhat judgmental nature made it difficult to root for her. Axel and Ben didn’t leave much of an impression either, though Axel at least had the potential for depth. Unfortunately, that depth wasn’t explored enough to make an impact.

The romance had its sweet moments, but because I wasn’t invested in the characters, it didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d hoped. In the end, while this book had its strengths, it wasn’t one that will stick with me.

First, thank you so much to Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for this ARC reader copy.

"You Started It" is a delightful and heartwarming read that perfectly captures the ups and downs of teenage love and self-discovery. It's the kind of book that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

This story follows Jamie as she navigates the tricky waters of first heartbreak, family dynamics, and finding her place in the world. The author perfectly captures the relatable experience of overcoming those first heartbreaks and the journey of finding love again. Jamie's struggles with anxiety and the pain of her father's departure, coupled with the sting of her first breakup, resonate deeply. It's heartwarming to witness her rebuild her relationships with her mom and uncle, finding strength and support in their love.

One of the things that makes this book so special is its exploration of the challenges faced by millennial children of immigrants. Jamie's journey to embrace her cultural heritage while living in Canada is both nostalgic and deeply relatable. The author skillfully weaves these themes into the narrative, creating a story that feels authentic and meaningful.

The book's easy-to-read pace makes it a quick and enjoyable read. It's a feel-good story with a satisfying happily ever after (HEA) that will leave you wanting more. If you're looking for a sweet, relatable, and ultimately uplifting story, "You Started It" is the perfect choice. I highly recommend it!

You Started It is a young adult novel following 17 year old Jamie who is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend of 3 years. Jamie upset from this sudden news makes her want to make her ex jealous and she starts a fake relationship with Axel.

I love how the author made Jamie a type of character that readers can fall in love with and relate to. As readers read this book, they see the growth Jamie goes through and the struggles she deals with such as anxiety, self-hate, phobias etc. I was totally rooting for Jamie and Axel as I was reading the book. There were so many cute banters between the two and I loved how Axel supported Jamie through her struggles. I loved that this book had both characters supporting each other and ugh made me miss young love.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this to other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jackie Khalilieh for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. I have always been a fan of YA romances because of the emotions they bring and this book was no exception, it was an incredibly enjoyable read. From the very beginning, the story kept getting better. Although it went slightly off track toward the end, I still couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting.
I’m a big fan of the fake dating trope and it was executed so well in this book. From their very first encounter, I was rooting for Jamie and Axel to be together. Their interactions were so fun and tender that I found myself giggling and smiling like an idiot while reading. I absolutely love heartfelt moments, especially in YA romances and this book did not disappoint. It perfectly captured the essence of teen romance, balancing all the right elements.
I really appreciated the way Jamie’s character was written, she was a flawed teenage girl, much like many others we come across in real life. There were moments when she frustrated me but I could understand where she was coming from. Axel, on the other hand was a complete green flag and I adored every aspect of his character. That said, he had his own flaws as well which made him even more realistic because, at the end of the day he was also just a teenage boy.
I also loved how the author delicately handled sensitive topics (please check the trigger warnings). The portrayal of Jamie and Axel’s family dynamics was especially well done, it wasn’t just surface level but deeply explored and well balanced alongside the romance. This was the first time I read a book featuring Arab main characters and it was both refreshing and fun to experience. The side characters also played a significant role in the story and added their own charm, except for Ben- whom I absolutely hated.
The only thing I disliked about the book was how unnecessarily drawn-out the third act breakup was. While I don’t mind third act breakups since they add drama to the story, this one was overly stretched to the point where it became frustrating. Unfortunately, it felt overdone and affected my enjoyment a little.
Overall, I had a great time reading this book. If you’re looking for a YA romance with the fake dating trope, flawed yet lovable main characters and a well-paced plot that keeps you hooked, then you should definitely give this one a try!

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is a YA book that’s about Jamie who, all of a sudden got dumped by her boyfriend of three years, Ben. Only for her to see him with another girl the next day he dumped her! She made up a whole plan to get him back and that’s where Axel, an Arab boy, whose bike she totally wrecked came in the picture after trying to not get caught checking out his ex-boyfriend’s house.

Jamie. I honestly didn’t like her at first because of how she treats other people. She may or may not have been a mean girl in my eyes. However, she’s been through so much that I also get her at times because of how relatable she is. Her, controlling her life in the fear of losing it was really relatable because of her anxiety.

She pushed herself to go out of her comfort zone, do things that she wasn’t used to because of Axel because he was the one who made her realized that it’s definitely okay to not plan things up until the very last second.

Axel. Seriously, where can I find an Arab boy like him? I loved the representation—it’s rare to read about an MMC who’s Arab. He had his own struggles because of how his passion doesn’t seem to be important enough for his dad, and it made me really sad because he is really in his element whenever he does what he love.

He was very considerate of Jamie, making sure that he doesn’t do anything that would make her uncomfortable. I definitely enjoyed his side that was not scared to show his love for other people. He loves loudly, and may everyone finds that kind of love.

One thing I definitely questioned with this book is how she ended up friends with her ex who was clearly an asshole, but that’s just my personal opinion about it. I don’t think I could ever be casual again with someone who did me dirty, no matter how long has it been, it’s more of a self-respect to not let them in my life again because I’ve given them the chance to be in my life but they chose to waste it.

Overall, the pacing of this book was great. It wasn’t too quick, but also not too slow that you’ll get bored in the long run. Even though there were times that I got frustrated because of the characters—especially Jamie. Adding to that was the miscommunication of this trope because I absolutely despise this trope and no one could ever change my mind about it, I would still say that this was good read. I would like to give my appreciation to the author for breaking down stereotypes, and using her voice to speak about Palestine. It can really be an eye-opener for the people who will get to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tundra Books, and the author for this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

"With one look he made me feel like the most important person in his world"

You Started It is a fairly regular teen fake dating book at its core. When Jamie's boyfriend Ben comes back home from camp and out of nowhere breaks up with her for another girl, she sets out to make him jealous. In comes Axel to play the part of the new boyfriend.

The story was very cute, while it took me a bit to warm up to Jamie's character, I loved Axel and was rooting for him. The dialogue was sorta cheesy but that's my kinda vibe in a romance. If you can get past the weird mix of modern Gen z references and odd therapy talk that pops up occasionally it fills it's role of a romance pretty nicely.

Overall I enjoyed, not life changing but I am glad I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with an ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was so cute! I loved how inclusive it was for so many different people and situations. Probably the first book I’ve read that had an issue or rather topic for most things all in one book. I absolutely would recommend this book to others.

I also love that there was a happy ending, one we didn’t expect towards the middle of the book for sure. 💜

As an adult, I often struggle to stay engaged with YA novels because many feel like unrealistic portrayals of that stage of life. However, You Started It felt refreshingly authentic and relatable. I loved how the book tackled a variety of real-life struggles, and my younger self could deeply connect with many of Jamie’s experiences. The diverse representation throughout the story was another highlight—it was so refreshing to see, and I hope to read more books that embrace inclusivity in this way. I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my shelf and share it with my teenage son.

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is an utterly charming and heartwarming read! The banter between the characters was delightful, and I loved how their quirks made them feel so real and relatable. The romance had the perfect balance of tension and sweetness, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Khalilieh’s writing is engaging and full of personality, making this book an easy, fun, and satisfying read. If you love cute, feel-good stories with lovable characters, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I almost quit reading this book 3 times....
WAIT! Hear me out!

I tried reading this multiple times and I couldn't find myself getting past the 2nd chapter. I was thinking "this is just like 'Never Have I Ever'" and "the guys name is even BEN!"

But BOY was I glad I finished this book!!

The books is real, heartfelt, relatable and down right hilarious! The author touches on a variety of issues you'd see every day, from anxiety, alcoholism, deculturation and not to mention that 'First Love'.

Jamie Taher-Foster has her whole life planned out, shes a planner. After a summer away from her boyfriend Ben, she's finally ready to pick up where they left off! Starting highschool together! But all those plans come to a screeching halt as Ben dumps her, claiming he wants to be free. Does free mean dating Olivia Chen not even 24 hours later?!
Axel Dahini is definitely a boy you can not judge on appearance! Jamie accidentally runs over Betty White... Wait not the real Betty White, Axel's bike 'Betty white'... and she finds her self in a fake relationship with the hottest, new kid on the block. Axel agrees to help Jamie win Ben back, but he has some conditions of his own! Axel pushes Jamie out of her comfort zone, he leads Jamie the whole way, she finds herself not even scared to let him.

This story is absolutely adorable, I love the realistic approach for deculturation, high school dating, family trials and ultimately how we all tend to jump to conclusions. I ADORE how Axel really brought out the best and worst of Jamie, really made her think about her actions and how they affect others. There was a lot of growth for not only Jamie but every character in this book!