“Hard to empathize with characters I’ve spent hating for over 200 pages” — JUST LIKE THE MOVIES reviewed
Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
Reviewed by Anupya
I don’t know if there are 17-year-old girls centring their lives on a guy, and who call sex “hanky-panky” in our world. I hope not. After reading Just Like the Movies, one wonders if we need to put another cliché romantic novel with weak female characters and hunky male ones on our bookshelves.
The book is about the unlikely high school friendship of Marijke Monti, an elite track runner and Lily Spencer, a nerdy, shy girl. Don’t be fooled. It is not a real romance like Eleanor and Park. It is Marijke in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend Tommy, while Lily in an unhealthy stalkerish obsession with Joe Lombardi who does not know she exists. The two girls ruin each other by offering advice to get the guy’s attention — Lily is told to stop being “so nerdy” and show some skin to get Joe’s attention. Marijke believes that “I need to get him to focus on me and only me… I want him to love me.” The metaphorical bile is rising in my chest, but my final breaking point is when the title makes sense.
They decide to act romantic movie scenes to impress their men.
The theme of the book is setting unrealistic and unhealthy romantic standards. I fear for all who read Just Like the Movies, and want someone who is never punctual, denies flirting with other women, distracted and does not take relationships seriously to be their dream guy. The characters feel like puppets for the author to let out her romantic fantasies instead of real people.
The girls grow out of their stupid selves, but it is hard to empathize with characters I’ve spent hating for over 200 pages. I love romance but this book is the epitome of everything that could go wrong with a book. I suggest that people read it ironically. Host book-bashing sessions with your friends and start with Just Like the Movies.
7 thoughts on ““Hard to empathize with characters I’ve spent hating for over 200 pages” — JUST LIKE THE MOVIES reviewed”
I knew from the moment I saw this book that I didn’t like it. Normally, I would never judge a book by its cover but it just seemed so sappy and fake. I do agree real life romances do not work out like movies and both girls have an unhealthy relationship with their boys.
Yes, I’ll admit it, I hate the cover, just hate it. Seems like every romance novel I despise (which is nearly all of them, but this one takes the crown!) with sappy moments and perfect lives. You are just “Just like the movies”. I probably will read it, but then get all fed up and start ranting to myself like a mad person.
We have to read it just to bash on it.
Great review, very honest and insightful. You should really continue with more reviews, I really enjoyed this one! 😀
This was a great review. Even though most people tend not to like these unrealistic books centred around a childish relationship, I see more and more of these books on book shelves.
Thanks! I was wondering if I was being too harsh. I did hate the book. My friend came over at the library and we book-bashed it together. It saved me the mental trauma of reading it alone.
Exactly! I just don’t understand, shallow books everywhere!