Alex, Approximately

Jenn Bennett’s Alex, Approximately is the terrific summer read with a fun, beach setting and adorable first love story at its center. Bailey Rydell hates conflict. She’s more likely to retreat into herself than face any of her problems head on. The mounting tension between her mom and stepfather is almost too much to handle, but instead of sticking it out, she hops on a plane and travels across the country to move in with her father in California. This new town means new possibilities. It also means that Bailey might just get to meet her online crush, “Alex” with whom she shares a passion for old movies. Bailey doesn’t expect Porter Roth to ruin all her summer plans. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Bailey’s tendency to evade uncomfortable situations might derail their relationship.

I loved that even though this contemporary focuses on Bailey falling in love for the first time, it also gave the protagonist an important character arc that revolved around her alone. A traumatic past experience has caused Bailey to retreat into herself and as a result, she isn’t always good at forming new relationships. She’s used to compartmentalizing and this tendency to keep parts of her life separate makes it hard for her to open up to new people. Her online relationship with Alex that mostly revolves around their love of old Hollywood classics is only one facet to who she is and although I would have like to have seen more of this relationship, I think it was important to give Bailey’s real life relationship with Porter more of the spotlight. It is through this relationship that Bailey is forced to confront her propensity to bail when things get tough and though it’s a slow process, she does end up understanding that running away is the worst possible way to deal with her problems.

Porter was a really sweet love interest for Bailey. At first he does come across as a real jerk and though I don’t think this was really necessary, it thankfully doesn’t last long because it would have been really hard to root for this relationship if Porter had continually antagonized Bailey. I appreciated that Bailey wasn’t the only one hesitant about their relationship. Porter’s last serious relationship didn’t end well. These trust issues made him more relatable when he could have very easily been a cliché love interest. Several of his interpersonal relationships play vital roles in the story which gave him added depth.

The book does have some shortcomings. If you read the synopsis, the main plot twist isn’t meant to be concealed from the reader. I went into the novel knowing important information the characters didn’t. I thought the author would play with the idea of mistaken identity more, so was kind of disappointed that the identity of Bailey’s online friend really wasn’t much of a factor until the very end of the book. I also found it really hard to wrap my brain around Bailey’s mom’s complete absence. There is absolutely no contact between the two of them during the entire duration of the novel and although we’ve given a semi-convincing reason as to why at the end, I still found it hard to believe. I feel that this relationship was a missed opportunity. Part of the reason behind Bailey’s attitude toward conflict stems from what she’s learned from her mother, so it would have been interesting to actually explore this relationship rather than be told about it.

Bennett does a wonderful job of capturing those new, exciting feelings that come with your first serious relationship. I also appreciated that the author allows her characters to make mistakes and learn from these experiences. If you’re looking for a summer read that will have you swooning and agonizing over the ending Alex, Approximately is the one for you.

Alex, Approximately is a young adult standalone romance by author Jenn Bennett. This book was so stinkin' cute and amazing, I can't stand it! In the best way of course. I expected to enjoy Alex, Approximately, but I didn't expect to fall so completely head over heels in love with it like I did. This is one of my favorite reads of the year! I mean business when I say Alex, Approximately deserves every bit of these five stars.

Alex, Approximately is the story of Bailey and Alex. Bailey, or Mink, and Alex, met online where they instantly bonded over their love of classic movies. Bailey knows that Alex lives in the same town in California as her dad, but she gets gun shy when it comes to telling Alex that she has moved in with her dad. She is nervous about taking her online friendship offline. Bailey is trying to search Alex out with the bits of information she knows about him. At the same time she starts working with this guy, Porter. I Absolutely loved seeing Bailey's internal struggle over her online friendship with Alex and her real life hate fest with Porter. Watching Bailey with Porter was hilarious, and awesome and OH-SO-SWOONY! I seriously loved them. Porter for sure takes the top spot of Book Boyfriend of the year. I love him so much.

But I also loved so many other things about Alex, Approximately. I loved Bailey and all of her quirkiness. I loved her new friendship with Grace. I loved how the whole online and offline relationships were handled, I loved all the movie references and I really loved the freakin' awesome mansion turned museum that Bailey, Grace and Porter work in. I want to visit!! In fact, there was not a single thing about this book that I didn't like. Jenn Bennett cast a magic spell of love over me. I fell in love with everything about Alex, Approximately. This is a book that you need to read. You need to read it now and you need to read it over and over again. This is one of my favorite books of 2017. It gave me all the feels. (and honestly, writing this review is making me want to re-read this beauty right now!) Do yourself a favor and read Alex, Approximately.

*Disclaimer- I was sent a complimentary copy of this book. I was not compensated for my thoughts.

I actually devoured this book in 2 days. And while it had been an entertaining read, I thought it wasn't as good as "Starry Eyes." The characters for this novel were also hormonal, easily aroused teenagers. And again, my aro ace self can't relate. Besides that, I liked the premise and the idea that the protagonist is a film junkie. I can relate to her because I also like films. There had been some quotes in the beginning of the chapters that I was familiar with because I've heard or have seen the film.

As for the protagonist, I thought she was immature and I couldn't help but roll my eyes, cringe, or groan while reading her POV. I just wished there had been more father-daughter bonding moments and/or more moments with her friend, Grace.

The love interest distinctly reminded me of Digby from Trouble Never Sleeps and I didn't really like it. Ugh. The "Porter likey" is such a Digby thing as well. I expected the romance for this novel to be a bit more realistic compared to the laugh out loud fest that is the "Trouble Is a Friend of Mine" series.

Speaking of "Trouble Is a Friend of Mine," this book was also ridiculous (not in a good way). The reader was supposed to be aware of the plot twist while the protagonist knew nothing about it (or who Alex was). However, I didn't think it was done well because it had been annoying and frustrating to read about (it dragged way too long). I guess it's because I expected something different from the author especially when I read "Starry Eyes" before this one.

Finally, there was just something lacking in this book. Too much sexual stuff, violence, and drama. I didn't like how the antagonist was a hopeless drug addict, and then it was sort of unclear whether this character was sent to jail or was treated for the character's addiction. I felt somewhat unsatisfied with this novel. The denouement did not feel like a denouement.

2.5/5

I wanted to like it I really did.

Grade: B+
An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Jenn Bennett has done it again. The Anatomical Shape of a Heart was a successful blend of romantic conflict and plot outside of the romance, and Alex, Approximately is no different.
Both Bailey and Porter have personal problems that they are trying to overcome, and they both have their own goals, although Porter's were featured a little less than Bailey's. I also liked the focus on family and friendship. Bailey's mom isn't perfect, but she isn't vilified either, and her dad is great and he tries hard, and Bailey isn't mad that he's dating again. I also liked that Bailey and Grace's friendship wasn't all smooth sailing, but their fights aren't petty. Their friendship pushes Bailey to trust people more and not keep them at arm's length.
I love any book reminiscent of You've Got Mail, and this one delivered - for a bit. Bailey and Alex stop messaging altogether, and I honestly thought that would be a bigger part of the plot. I also thought she'd hate Porter for longer, so they get together a bit too quickly for my tastes. I mean, I liked them together of course, but I wanted more drawn-out tension. They didn't need to get together on the last page, but I would've liked a little more build-up.
I did like how the online friends plot resolved and that Bailey's dad was smart enough to figure things out, and I liked how "Alex" and Bailey bonded over movies and then each chapter began with a film quote (and the last chapter got a You've Got Mail one, which made me exceedingly happy).
The Davey subplot bugged the heck out of me. I know it was there for good reasons, but it still rubbed me the wrong way.
A smattering of foul language. I think I only caught the f-word once or twice and the s-word around a dozen times. More sexual content than I like in my YA books, but it's less graphic than other books.

One small little note: both Bailey and "Alex" have just finished their junior year, but Porter's already eighteen? So I'm not sure how that would work, and I don't remember it ever being addressed.

The Verdict: So, so good. I'm really liking this crop of You've Got Mail-inspired stories cropping up (and not just because I'm writing one).

This review was originally posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog.

I don't usually say this but the last few YA contemporaries I've read have been glorious! I think part of their appeal for me is that they're standalones. One book and you're done. I can't remember the last time I read a standalone book before I started my ARCs for this last month.

Alex, Approximately was the YA You've Got Mail retelling I never knew I needed until I picked it up. Despite Jenn Bennett being one of my favorite authors, I was kind of nervous going into this book. You've Got Mail is one of my top five favorite rom-coms so I was worried I was going to overhype myself for the story and be disappointed. But Bennett totally pulled it off! This classic hate-to-love story felt fresh and modern while staying true to the original!

This book was everything I love in a contemporary romance! It was swoony and the romance was everything! It's a classic hate-to-love story with the requisite witty banter between Porter and Bailey! The quips they volleyed back and forth were clever and those scenes were adorable! I loved that they manage to stump one another every once in a while and it just added to the dynamic. And hallelujah! There's no instalove in sight with this book. We get to watch Bailey and Porter's relation change over the course of a summer and it felt completely realistic and unrushed. Also, like Bennett's other YA contemporary, this book was very sex positive! There are open and honest conversations about and portrayals of sex, masturbation, and female pleasure in this book and we need so much more of that in YA.

I could continue to gush about the romance but there were so many other great things that worked with it to make the book so amazing. There's great friendships and awesome family dynamics! It was so refreshing to read a YA book that didn't have absentee parents! I seriously loved Porter and Bailey's families! Bailey’s dad is wonderfully nerdy and earnest and obsessed with Settlers of Catan. He was such a fun character to read! Porter’s family was just as great! They're a surfing family and I loved seeing their interactions in their shop and at home.

The other great thing in this book is the setting! The small town California atmosphere worked so great and only added to the story. I LOVED the museum Bailey and Porter work in! It's a weird mansion-turned-museum that was delightfully strange and quirky! It was almost like it was another character in the book!

If you can't tell by all of my gushing, I ADORED THIS BOOK! If you're looking for a fun summer beach read, Alex, Approximately is definitely one to add to your list!

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

I became a Jenn Bennett fan after reading 'Starry Eyes' this past week -- I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down, and immediately bought all of her other books the second I had finished it. I began reading 'Alex, Approximately' two days ago and completely devoured it as well! I honestly can't say enough great things about this book, and I throughly enjoyed it and didn't want it to end. The only good thing about being done with it is that I'm now beginning her newest work, 'Serious Moonlight'. I highly recommend this book, and I hope you love and enjoy it as much as I did!

Shipped promptly. Good price.

I LOVED this book! And I particularly loved the way the plot unfolded. Let me explain... The summary tells you who is Alex, so, if you read the blurb before settling into the book, you're almost in on the secret. You get little quirks and tidbits that come along with knowing something the characters don't. It's not a spoiler, per say, and I really enjoyed this aspect about the book—knowing why Porter freaks out, that the whale watcher wasn't Alex, that the guy Bailey loathe at the start is the guy she's fallen for online. It makes it all that much more interesting and made me want to keep reading until everyone knew the secret I knew from the start.

As for the actual story. I also loved it (you'll find there was little about this book I disliked, if anything at all). Bailey is such an interesting person with her love for old movies, and her backstory was well flushed out and not unrealistic. I like how Bennett created the little town around the story and felt like I was in that world when reading. Porter was also quite complex. He's not just another surfer boy. He has a past with Davy and the shark attack (and rescue). But he also loves old movies, which you wouldn't expect from the outside. Then there's Grace, who is a great secondary character and friend to Bailey. She provides the support she needs as a newbie to town. However, I wish we got more of her story since all the other characters—from Mr. Roth to Davy—were flushed out more than hers. We get the bit with her boyfriend, but it seems incomplete.

Anyway, if you can't tell already, I adored this book and actually started to get sad when I realized I was getting towards the end. It'll definitely be one I come back to and read over and over again.

Now excuse me while I go watch You've Got Mail.

I devoured this book in two days. It was the perfect mix of romance and angst.