It Only Happens in The Movies by Holly Bourne

5/5 Stars

Um, where the actual hell has Holly Bourne been all my life. Literally. I don't think I've ever loved a female protagonist in a YA teen fiction novel this much EVER. I identify so much with Audrey it's literally insane. Some things to know about Audrey: - She despises romcoms and the way they set unrealistic expectations for women and relationships. - She's a powerful, badass girl who knows exactly what she wants and doesn't want in relationships. - And lastly... she knows what she deserves. And that, I feel, is the biggest part about the way these girls are written into the plots of these types of novels. Girls are going to be reading these books, for the most part, and they need to be shown an example of a girl who knows what she wants and doesn't settle for a boy who isn't anything special. Some other awesome things this book contains: - MUCH NEEDED feminist criticism of romcoms. - A takedown of the bit in The Fault in Our Stars where Hazel and Agustus have a makeout sesh in the middle of the Anne Frank House. - AN AGGRESSIVE RANT ABOUT THE WHOLE PICK ME "I'm not like other girls" trope. - A powerful heroine who has her own trauma, but despite most romance movies, heals herself and doesn't need the help of any man. - A group of nontoxic female friends who support one another and understand that each and every one of them goes through trauma and deals with it in their own way. - A ROMANCE THAT DOESN'T REVOLVE AROUND THE HAPPY EVER AFTER. This book has single handily just pointed out to me everything that is wrong with romcoms and how it is so unhealthy and damaging for me to hold these beliefs so close to my heart. I am literally so in love. It calls out so many misogynistic viewpoints that are drilled into women's brains and society. EVERY GIRL MUST READ THIS. This book is so much more than a teen fiction novel. Holly Bourne challenges so many notions that are romanticized in society. It is completely and utterly brilliant. BUT ANYWAY ENOUGH SAID. There is so much to this story that I could go on about, but I am going to leave it unsaid and for the reader to explore.