Genre: YA, Romance
Pages: 388
Published: April 2017
Writing Style: First person perspective of Bailey (aka Mink)
Writing Style: First person perspective of Bailey (aka Mink)
Warnings: Mentions Sex and masturbation
Summary:
Classic movie fan Bailey "Mink" Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online as Alex. Two coasts seperate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.
Faced with doubts (what if he is a creep in real life - or worse?), Bailey doesn't tell Alex she's moved to his hometown. OR that she's landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she's being heckled daily by the irritating hot museum security guard, Porter Roth - a.k.a her new arch-nemesis. But life is a lot messier than the movies, especially when bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love and whatever it is she's starting to feel for Porter.
And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realises, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex...Approximately.
Description above taken from Goodreads.com -> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34927042-alex-approximately
Classic movie fan Bailey "Mink" Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online as Alex. Two coasts seperate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.
Faced with doubts (what if he is a creep in real life - or worse?), Bailey doesn't tell Alex she's moved to his hometown. OR that she's landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she's being heckled daily by the irritating hot museum security guard, Porter Roth - a.k.a her new arch-nemesis. But life is a lot messier than the movies, especially when bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love and whatever it is she's starting to feel for Porter.
And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realises, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex...Approximately.
Description above taken from Goodreads.com -> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34927042-alex-approximately
What made me pick up this book?
I was browsing the shelves at the Library (as i always do) and this bright blue cover jumped out at me. The concept seemed pretty straight forward, and I do love my young adult love.
Overall Enjoyment
I actually really enjoyed this book. I thought teh writing was well executed, and the character development worked well. There was no Insta Love which was an absolute bonus. It was a really fun and simple read (even though it took me 1 week to finish)
Overall Enjoyment
I actually really enjoyed this book. I thought teh writing was well executed, and the character development worked well. There was no Insta Love which was an absolute bonus. It was a really fun and simple read (even though it took me 1 week to finish)
Characters
Bailey Rydell
AT first Bailey annoyed me, she was a self confessed evader. Someone who chooses to run away from problems instead of tackling them head on.
I guess I am just sick of reading about these young woman who don't take responsibility for their actions, and require these young men to come and save them. But thankfully this was not the direction that Jenn Bennett took this novel. Bailey actually turned into quite a badass character in the end.
AT first Bailey annoyed me, she was a self confessed evader. Someone who chooses to run away from problems instead of tackling them head on.
I guess I am just sick of reading about these young woman who don't take responsibility for their actions, and require these young men to come and save them. But thankfully this was not the direction that Jenn Bennett took this novel. Bailey actually turned into quite a badass character in the end.
Porter Roth
So Porter is a typical YA Romance hero - Tragic back story, bad boy facade, surprising nice guy. But I didn't find it to be cliche. I particularly liked the difference in conversation with Porter and Alex (even though they are the same person).
Positives
Bailey. Bailey became a completely different person by the end of the book.
Backstories. These were not overly pressed upon. They both suffered tragedies but it was not the only thing that defined these characters. In fact both back stories were discussed and opened when the time came.
Intimate Moments. These were so cute! Not only did they feel natural but there was no awkwardness even in the writing.
Backstories. These were not overly pressed upon. They both suffered tragedies but it was not the only thing that defined these characters. In fact both back stories were discussed and opened when the time came.
Intimate Moments. These were so cute! Not only did they feel natural but there was no awkwardness even in the writing.
Negatives
Porter aka Alex. I just found it so hard to believe that Bailey could not see any similarities between Alex and Porter. Jenn Bennett explained this as they never talked about their personal lives. BUT - one thing does not sit with me. Porter loved quizzes, so I fine it hard to believe that he never brought that into his online life. Among other reasons.
Bailey's Mum. I just got so annoyed on two counts. Bailey left her mum because the marriage to her step father was falling apart. THEN Bailey got annoyed that her mother never called her. Which I must admit annoyed me a little bit.
Porter aka Alex. I just found it so hard to believe that Bailey could not see any similarities between Alex and Porter. Jenn Bennett explained this as they never talked about their personal lives. BUT - one thing does not sit with me. Porter loved quizzes, so I fine it hard to believe that he never brought that into his online life. Among other reasons.
Bailey's Mum. I just got so annoyed on two counts. Bailey left her mum because the marriage to her step father was falling apart. THEN Bailey got annoyed that her mother never called her. Which I must admit annoyed me a little bit.
Did this book make me cry?
No. There was a moment that maybe could have sparked tears, but I wasn't as invested.
Did this book make me laugh?
Yes. Quite a lot actually.
Did this book frustrate me? Why?
Did this book frustrate me? Why?
Yes. How did Bailey not realise Porter was Alex?! How did Alex not give any indication of who he was?!
Did this book get Tedious? Why?
I think it was a bit too long and it started to feel like some events were shoved in for the sake of it. But it was fast paced.
Would I recommend this book?
Absolutely. It is one of the better YA Romances I have read.
I would give this book
4 out of 5 stars for Writing
3 out of 5 for Creativity
4 out of 5 stars for Overall Enjoyment
***I do not intend to offend, anger or upset anyone over a book that I write a review about. This is just my opinion.***
