Buckle up for some teenage angst! Although I am about double the age of the characters and am not Arab, I found so many of Jamie's problems still relevant: issues with her mom, feeling left out of her heritage, missing relatives because of family issues, not being in control...and keeping my room clean.

I found the characters all quite realistic. I loved the quips from Amo Eli; he really made me laugh.

Honestly, I wish this book was available when I was a teen. It has some really relatable issues and provides hope. The author did a great job of moving the story along and providing an emotional rollercoaster without it being annoying. I loved the growth from several characters too!

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

Last year, I read Jackie Khalilieh’s debut novel Something More and as an autistic Canadian, adored the story. In my journey to start reading arcs, I found Khalilieh’s second novel, You Started It, available to request and I got accepted a few days later, jumping for joy. Khalilieh has been able to produce two female main characters who I have heavily related with even though they are very different, and two beautiful stories about autistic Palestinian-Canadian teenagers.

You Started It works on so many levels. As a romance novel, it captures teenage love perfectly: rushed, dramatic, fresh, and young. Jamie and Axel check every box that you’d expect when reading a YA romcom, and yet they still capture your heart because you just can’t help but root for them since they first meet to the very end of the book. As a novel filled with diversity, it delivers. Jamie is never confirmed to be autistic within the novel but her actions are so obviously autistic that it feels overwhelming sometimes. You get not one, but TWO Arab families dynamics with their children, both from different backgrounds and yet they both feel authentic. As a book targeted for a younger audience, it easily captures the feeling of being a corny teenager obsessed with Gen Z slang. Even if you cringe at times, it still feels realistic to the way that teenagers are.

My only problem is my disdain for the fake-dating-to-win-an-ex-back trope, but Khalilieh writes Jamie and Axel’s story so well that I can almost push aside my feelings for the trope. The way the fake dating trope is written feels like it transcends what I don’t like about it and creates a whole new trope that fits Jamie and Axel perfectly. You Started It is a wonderful book, with so much culture and diversity you will feel like you are drowning. Jackie Khalilieh is a name that future readers should keep in mind when they want a quick, easy romance to hit the spot.

This was a good read, i think it was a little teen angst for me, but it was a fun read! It was a fast read for me

ARC Review - Did I stay up until almost 2a to finish reading this because I needed to know what happened? ABSOLUTELY! From the moment I met Jamie, I knew she’d be my soul sister! As she navigates through the first half of school, she goes through so many emotional changes and works her way through her bucket list. As a girl with anxiety, I definitely connected with her and ways to cope. Once Axel comes along, things get even more complicated in the best ways! You can see his love of life while Jamie works through personal and familial issues. The growth of all of the characters, working through every day issues with life is great. So glad that I was able to read this ARC! Thank you, NetGalley!

I loved this SO much.
I read this author's debut Something More a little over a year ago and immediately fell in love with those characters & Jackie's writing. I've been following her on instagram and watching updates for her second novel and I was so excited to receive an arc of it!!

I was invested from start to finish and I absolutely LOVED Jamie. She's an incredible character and I related to her a lot haha. oh and her love of books & special editions was something that made me love her even more (for obvious reasons). everytime her "book buying ban" was mentioned bc she broke it by buying a special edition I laughed out loud bc that's *literally* me 🤣. I loved her growth & development over the course of the novel and I looooove Axel and her too. their chemistry was *chef's kiss* PLUS, you all KNOW I am *weak* for a good fake dating romance.

the only complaint I have is that some of the pacing felt just a little off at times? and it caused me to be pulled out of the story a teeny bit BUT it wasn't enough that it affected my overall enjoyment? it was just enough that I noticed 😅

anyways - first book of 2025 and it's obvi being added to my favorites list immediately. this releases towards the end of May and I highly recommend if you're in the mood for a contemporary romance with fake dating, he falls first 👀, senior year bucket lists, and a little opposites attract chemistry :)

I really enjoyed this book! Jamie was a great character; I thought she was very intelligent and quirky. I enjoyed the banter between Jamie and Axel. I will definitely check out more books by the author.

I tried so hard to finish this book but ultimately DNFd it at 50% I cannot stand the characters Ben and Jamie they drive me up the wall, I hate Ben’s attitude and the way he treats Jamie and Jamie oh my god, it was like being in High school again with every second being some sort of drama over one thing or another and quite frankly I hated the way she treats Axel… Honestly Axel is the only likable character in the book.

I picked up and put down this book multiple times but reading this book felt like a chore and I just could not get into it nor could I connect to any of the characters. I love enemies to lovers so I was sure I would enjoy this book but one of the main things besides the characters personalities that turned me off at the beginning was the cheating I hate hate hate cheating in stories especially when the character who chests continues to be a big part of the story.

This book was not for me

Thank you Netgalley and Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books

Jackie Khalilieh's You Started It is a delightful YA romance that's as charming as it is heartfelt. While I usually gravitate towards spicier reads, this book was simply too cute to resist, and I'm so glad I didn't! It's a story that explores first love, second chances, and the importance of embracing your true self, all wrapped up in a fun and relatable package.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie Taher-Foster has her senior year all planned out, complete with a list of must-do experiences with her boyfriend, Ben. But when Ben unexpectedly breaks up with her, Jamie's carefully constructed world crumbles. Enter Axel Dahini, a TikTok-famous dancer whose bicycle becomes collateral damage in Jamie's post-breakup turmoil. Their ensuing fake-dating scheme, born out of revenge, leads to unexpected connections and discoveries.

Khalilieh's portrayal of Arab characters, particularly Axel, is refreshing and authentic. Axel is a truly wonderful character – sweet, smart, charming, and caring. He's a testament to the fact that there's so much more to people than stereotypes. Jamie, on the other hand, is a wonderfully flawed and relatable protagonist. Her anxieties, insecurities, and occasional impulsiveness make her feel incredibly real. Watching her grow and learn throughout the story is a genuine pleasure.

The dynamic between Jamie and Axel is the heart of the book. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, sweet moments, and a genuine connection that blossoms despite their initial differences. The scenes they share together, especially one particularly memorable moment at an Arab wedding, are truly heartwarming. Even Amo Eli, a side character, makes a lasting impression.

While I'm generally not a fan of third-act breakups, I understood the reasons behind it in this case. And the ending? Absolutely perfect! Khalilieh handles the resolution with grace and maturity, even bringing Ben and Olivia back into the picture in a satisfying way.

You Started It is a testament to Khalilieh's talent for crafting compelling characters and stories that resonate with readers. It's a celebration of self-discovery, the power of connection, and the courage to step outside of your comfort zone. Four stars. I can't wait to see what Jackie Khalilieh writes next!

This was such a satisfying follow up sophomore novel to Something More! I did kind of wish for more explicit exploration of Jamie’s anxiety and stimming but this was really good. Axel was so endearing and charming as a love interest. I loved the background untangling of family trauma and letting go of assumptions, working to communicate better, and pushing ourselves to do things that scare us or move us out of the comfort zone.

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is about Jamie Taher-Foster, a senior in high school who’s got everything in her life planned out until it all falls apart. This book is her journey of finding herself as well as embracing and accepting change.

I was so excited when I got the email that my request for the arc was accepted and oh my goodness was this book absolutely amazingly phenomenal!! It made me feel every emotion and I fell in love with the characters. The Arab culture made me feel at home and I loved seeing Jamie’s journey of connecting with that culture. I loved how every character actually grew in the book and worked through their own problems and the communication that progressed each relationship was really wonderful. The one thing I wish was in the book was uni applications (only because I was in grade 12 last year and I want to be nostalgic about less than a year ago apparently?). I love Jamie’s book obsession since it’s VERY relatable and I loved seeing the Canadian elements in the book.

This book was a predicted 5 star read and it definitely delivered! I actually had the absolute best time reading it (I procrastinated an essay that was 20% of my grade for this book whoops) and basically I need more Jackie Khalilieh books immediately, thank you!

A cute YA book about Jamie going into her senior year thinking she is going have it all. Her and boyfriend Ben have been for 3 years. She all about books and her checklist. Her plan for senior was all written out until Ben breaks her heart. she finds out that Ben is dating someone else.then she backs her car into a bike "betty white" that belongs to Axel. They come up with a plan to fake dating to make Ben jealous. axel falls first for Jamie really hard and she has no idea. Jamie realizes it's too late to do anything about it. She hopes to try fix things with axel before it's too late.

This is such a fun YA romance - the characters were so good. Jamie captured my heart and I was rooting for her from the first page. Axel, sweet sweet Axel - he deserves everything. I was such a fan of Jamie’s personal growth arc (we love a girl that learns her worth!). This was such a fun read from start to finish - even if I felt old for Jamie calling “Baby” by Justin Bieber an old song 😂

Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Book Group for this eARC!

DNF I am 29 and should not be reading YA books like this. I have read a lot of adult romance books with a similar plot to this that were way better. This was just not for me. If I was YA aged I would have loved this.

I started this one not knowing what it would be about and I was so pleasantly surprised. This was definitely a cute teen romance and I loved the way the fake dating trope was written! Watching the characters develop and grow was so great. Plus, I loved all the callbacks to Toronto! The little details definitely made it better.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Fun, Emotional, and Engaging Read!

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is a charming and heartfelt YA contemporary that perfectly captures the ups and downs of friendship, romance, and self-discovery. The story follows Layla, who finds herself caught in an unexpected situation when an anonymous social media post sparks drama between her and her childhood friend-turned-enemy. As the tension builds, so does the nostalgia and chemistry between them, making for a compelling read.

I loved how Khalilieh infused humor and emotion into the story, making the characters feel authentic and relatable. Layla’s voice was engaging, and the slow-burn romance had the perfect mix of angst and sweetness. While I thoroughly enjoyed the character dynamics and witty dialogue, some parts felt a bit predictable, and I wished for a deeper dive into certain emotional moments.

Overall, You Started It is an enjoyable read with great banter, lovable characters, and a fresh take on second-chance romance. Fans of YA contemporary novels with a mix of humor and heart will definitely want to pick this one up!

dnf at 10%- this is not for me, it felt so forced :( (also, the arc i received was messed up and hard to read, which isn't the author's fault ofc but i wanted to make a note of it)

Jamie Taher-Foster can't wait for her boyfriend Ben to return from summer camp so they can tackle all of the activities on her senior year bucket list. But his first day home, Ben breaks up with Jamie, triggering her anxiety and kicking off a master plan to win him back. Enter Alexander "Axel" Dahini, a dancer and YouTube star who agrees to pose as Jamie's boyfriend so she can make Ben jealous. And Jamie can help Axel with his parents by pretending to be his "good Arab girlfriend." Jamie even drafts a contract to define the limits of her relationship with Axel, but free spirited Axel never signs it, and Jamie's plotting doesn't go as she planned.

What I liked
This is a fun YA romance with a "fake dating" trope that works. The chemistry and banter between Axel and Jamie works well, and each of them discovers something important about themselves over the course of their unusual relationship. It was interesting to learn a little about Arab culture - honestly, I would have liked to see more. Khalilieh tackles relevant issues for teens, including self-discovery, strained family relationships, and learning to make healthy choices. Jamie battles anxiety and demonstrates constructive ways to manage it - most of the time. When she doesn't, she deals with the consequences. The cast of characters is diverse and interesting.

What I didn't like
Sometime the dialogue, especially for the teen characters, felt too on the nose or heavy handed with counselor speak. However, since Jamie has anxiety and works with a counselor, perhaps it's reasonable to expect her to adopt some of the language from her therapy sessions. I did at times feel like I was being hit over the head with character revelations and would have preferred that the author allow me to draw my own conclusions instead of so blatantly pointing them out to me.

Recommendation
You Started It is a fun YA romance that would appeal to fans of Jenny Han or Nicola Yoon. It tackles relevant issues for teens and explores healthy ways to manage communication, relationships, and mental health.

🎡 High School (YA)
💙 Diversity
🎡 Anxiety Rep
💙 Fake Dating
🎡 Bucket List
💙 Family Issues
🎡 LGBTQAI+ Rep
💙 Third Act Breakup
🎡 Self-Growth
💙 Golden Retriever MMC

Axel and Jamie's meet cute was definitely a disaster at first sight. Jamie needed Axel's help results to fake dating. Axel was such a sweet and caring fake boyfriend to Jamie. Of course, feelings are developed!

Jamie had some family issues to figure out. Also, some self-growth throughout the book as well. I understand how Jamie felt in the situation involving her family. However, I wished Jamie had talked to Axel about it instead of how she acted towards him.

Honestly, Axel was my favorite character in this story when he's such a golden retriever overall, especially to Jamie. He tries to encourage Jamie outside of her comfort zone, but he never makes her feel uncomfortable in any circumstances. He is a sweet soul. 🩵

I enjoyed the characters and story! I do think the story fell a bit flat toward the middle. It might just be a me think. Overral solid YA.

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. The writing felt very childish and not in a refreshing way. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book!