This wasn't just your cliche age gap romance, in fact it's beyond a "rollercoaster of emotions" it was rather anger point thought provoking and I love books that make me go through every emotion under the sun. I didn't agree on the ending in terms of FMC moving on and the MMC was carrying the guilt like it was only his burden to carry, while I wasn't siding with either of the characters I found myself wishing the MMC got more "closure" as they were both at fault, yes Brooke was only 14 but nothing was forced she wanted the relationship just as much so in that aspect I thought the ending was unfair on his behalf

This book wasn't it for me. The characters themselves were selfish, demeaning, and just plain obnoxious, that was the teen part of the book for me. A bunch of high schoolers. I get why it was written as a Young Adult Novel. There were other parts that I felt were too dark and to adult for being a Young Adult Novel.

The book started as though I was about to read the Sweet Valley High Series all again and turned into something more like one of those books that will take you to a place you aren't supposed to be. (and it wasn't good like those books because it was still Sweet Valley High takes on the world| don't get me wrong I actually loved Sweet Valley High.

It was all about some wrongs, and some rights. I think that it didn't have a great message for mental health and that it missed a lot of marks in writing.

Overall, there were good parts, I didn't hate it. But, I definitely didn't fall in love as I hoped to.

Thank you to Netgalley and Unbound for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Taylor Swift title and Shakespeare plot (plus that gorgeous cover!) had me desperate to read this one. And the first chapter had me immediately intrigued; opening in a therapy appointment was rather creative. It showed the future impact of all that was about to happen. I thought it was a creative twist on a Shakespearean prologue,

But sadly, I didn’t past the first few chapter. The plot isn’t much of a plot….the stakes are immediate. The story relies on you immediately caring about the characters, which is difficult even with that therapy opening. The narration is a lot of ‘I did this, then I did this.’ While a lot of the events were in line with teenage behavior, it was lacking a lot of demension.

That being said, I think this book will appeal to readers who love books like “If he had been with me.” I see this for young teens who are not only discovering a love for reading but also discovering themselves. Those who wanted to love Shakespeare in school but struggled with its linguistics.

THANK YOU TO UNBOUND AND NETGALLEY FOR THIS ARC!!!

(spoilers ahead)

this book was a.. ROLLERCOASTER RIDE. i DO like however, how she ended up with no one. like no man, her just truly finding herself and her own happiness. let’s start from the beginning, MATT. i did NOT like him from the start. i also just didn’t like how brooke was when she was with him. she was too young, too young to comprehend or understand what was going on. she hadn’t even had sex ed for goodness sake!! she was too in love with matt in my opinion. like the way she held him to such a high standard that THE MOMENT something went wrong in THEIR relationship, it affected to her mental health. like she relied on him too much and personally, while she dealt with declining mental health after, breaking up with matt was definitely one of the BEST things in this book. like every time she saw him afterwards, even the DAY OF HER DEPARTURE (not in a death way) he was the last she was with. she had too much of an attachment that ANY TIME he made even a BIT of effort she put in 20% more than he did. then with them being co stars? i BLAME the person who cast them. an 18 year old AND 14 year old as the mains who had to kiss? that’s so messed up. and what matt did that night? so messed up. i truly believe that it was because of matt that everything with brooke and her mental health happened. matt should’ve moved on, not LED her own in which she literally tried to TAKE HER OWN LIFE, like boy, just stay in college. just get with whatever her name is, kayleigh. you could’ve been happy with that ending except when brooke left, you held on to the IDEA OF HER, not the real her. not the person you wants to accept. and as much as matt hates it, it WAS RAPE, he IS A PEDOPHILE. like the moment i read those words and truly understood, it was GAME OVER. and you tell me this man became a TEACHER???? i felt sick, like i wanted to cry. brooke, did NOT DESERVE THIS. he was TOXIC. and yeah, she LEAVES. leaves her family with NO INTENTION of ever coming back. off to america where she has NO PLAN, NO IDEA what she was gonna do. she finds a guy, pete. pete is like her stepping stone, someone she relied on way too much who is a GOOD THING that he left her life. and then, she meets CHARLIE. a guy who introduced her to his sister who soon becomes her new best friend. three years pass basically, she meets charlie again and he’s a good guy. he’s stable, treats her well, is KIND. their genuinely was very little wrong with him, he cared for her a lot. in the end i think it was good she didn’t end with him because it was him, as cliche as it is “it’s me not you” she needed to reconnect with her mum, her sister and FIND HERSELF TRULY. and for that, i love brooke. also special mentions to LUCY!! because this girl was one of my favourite pasty’s about this book!! when she found out brooke was back she wasn’t sad or angry she was just HAPPY!! i just love her. the dad? brooke’s dad? HATED HIM. even him coming back home, like it definitely redeemed himself in my eyes, BUT STILLL. overall, this was a VERY interesting book and a VERY long review.

‧₊˚✧3.5 ✧˚₊‧

When Brooke and Matt get cast as Julliet and Romeo in their amateur drama club, it wasn’t their intention to fall in love. However a relationship bloomed between them. Despite Brooke being 14 and Matt 18. This book handles the challenges they face from childhood into adulthood.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, but it positively surprised me. You follow the situation from both Brooke’s and Matt’s perspective. There is a lot of inner workings of their characters. You’re basically in their heads and that made the book so so good.

What kept me reading?
- The Facebook relationship status change was a blast from the past.
- The scene with Georgia where she said “But… you’re a guy?” handled the topic of shitty stereotypes so obvious but so well.
- The britishisms were refreshing after all the American books I have been reading.
- The therapy sessions are so good and love to see how Brooke thinks about them in the future.
- Loved that this book had clear written trigger warnings. I love that authors add these as a first thought and not just an extra thing they got to do.

What were my thoughts on some of the characters? SLIGHTLY SPOILERY
- Brooke’s dad is an ass. I get that she’s still angry at her dad. He has no right to make her feel guilty over her actions.
- Matt at 18 needs a reality check and he got it. Way too late. However ‘mature’ Matt feels Brooke is. She’s really not at 14.
- Brooke. Girly. Not everyone is out there to help you.
- Pete is a slimy bastard. Holy shit.

All in all I loved this book a lot. It reads like a train and handles heavy topics with the respect they deserve. Well done Jenna Adams!

Last but not least I want to thank Netgalley, Neem Tree Press and Jenna Adams for the ARC of this book!

3.75 stars

thank you netgalley for the ARC! this book was very heavy and i enjoyed the writing style. tears were shed as the fmc was so realistic and understandable. however, i did not like the mmc at all and he made me feel quite uneasy. the topics discussed in this book are very deep, even though it is YA. i also will say that the plot kind of changed halfway through which did not bother me but some may not like it. i do think this book was a really enjoyable read and i would definitely recommend if you want to read something that will really make you cry.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC🌻
I'm not sure what I went in expecting, but this book blew me away and completely caught me off guard. While I was expecting a romance and was mostly excited for that (I admit), I stayed for the character growth. Brooke and Matt (My Shaylas 😭) were so beyond captivating to read about.
The author had me thinking back to my past relationships and even just how I've interacted with men and how I've perceived 'consent' in a relationship. It had me asking myself: "Who is responsible? Is it her fault? Is it his? Both? Is there a future for them? Should there be?"
It's been a week, and I'm still mulling over these questions.
This book dove deep into the psyche of both characters in a way where you could even consider them archetypes, based on how much I found myself relating to different parts of both.

It reminded me from the first page of Sally Rooney's "Normal People" (the first indicator that I was in for basically torture in the best way).
My heart was breaking over both Matt and Brooke, and the ending, although bittersweet, was also so real and perfect. This is not the "happy ever after" I was hoping for at the beginning (that I slowly lost hope for) but a call to dwell in the reality of these topics, and how there is healing as well.
I'd say that's a better happily ever after than most.

I loved this book, it made me want to give Brooke who is the main character a way out! Make her life better, and just hug her and support her!
The stuff she goes through throughout the book opens your eyes, I have been very sheltered from this so I felt I learnt a lot! More than i expected.

My mum always taught my brother consent and I feel men really need to have this drummed into them from a young age!
The book shows you through this important it is to say yes or no!
I really did enjoy it! Thank you for marvellous story and it’s a real page turner!

Thank you for being the first book I was an arc for on netgalley!

4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Wow! Such an emotional book I was sobbing every other chapter. The character progression of Brooke felt realistic and her emotions were almost tangible while reading. Recently, I’ve struggled to fully feel immersed in a book but I think this is one of the strengths of this book in my opinion. I definitely enjoyed the shakespeare aspect and this perspective of consent and societal standards. Jenna Adams made me feel like Brooke’s and Matt’s thoughts were my own, I felt so heartbroken and I was gut-wrenchingly in despair. My only dislike about this book is the feeling of being slightly rushed in the last chapters. I can’t wait for this to be released so I can recommend it to all my friends.

This book was hard to put down but hard to pick up (in a good way... I think) The emotional roller coaster ride I just went through had me confused with which was way up or down and what was right or wrong.

The story follows a 14 year old Brooke and 18 year old Matt as they grow up and all the challenges they face based on past decisions.

I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just leave this here: Don't judge either character even though it's so hard to want to. As an adult, I'd love to get a younger readers pov on this book!

Thank you Jenna Adams, Neem Tree Press, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! Make sure you check out the book when it releases October 14th :)

Let me say upfront that I did not get very far into this book, but I read the end to make sure my feelings on it were at least somewhat informed. I’m giving it three stars because I didn’t develop strong feelings about the story either way, but if I had read it all the way through I have a feeling I’d give it less.

Content Warnings: statutory rape, toxic relationships, suicidal idealization, self harm, substance abuse, depictions of depression

This book made me want to jump in and give the FMC, Brooke, a hug huge. My heart broke for her in every which way.
This book deals with very real things that are happening in the real world. Consent is such a big thing and I really appreciate the way she took the time to make us see how important it is to have a voice.

As someone who has been in Brooke's shoes, I wish that more high school students could read this as a foreshadowing. Don't lose yourself

I definitely enjoyed this book and will be looking into other works from this author.

Thank you to Unbounders for letting me read this ARC
4.5 stars

3.5/5 ☆.

This story was something else. It was well done. The writing, the characters, the storyline. Chef Kiss. Even I appreciate that, sadly, it wasn't for me. The story was heartbreaking. More realistic. I feel like I'm not at right momento to read something like this. What a pity!

Everyone should read this because it is really good. ♡

This is Me Trying by Jenna Adam’s was a wonderful ARC read. Unexpected, important and moving this story follows 14 year old Brooke and 17 year old Matt as they play across one another in Romeo and Juliet. The two develop a relationship, which because of their age gap becomes complicated. Years later the two meet again, searching for redemption. Well written, moving and centered around important topics, pick this book up in July!

This is a complex book about a relationship that should never have happend it was tumultuous, it was wrong on both sides. It raises awareness that these issues that are highlighted in these books like : mental health, codependency, unhealthy relationships and sexual assault do that and are taking seriously.

Brooke ( 14 ) and Matt (18 ) are cast as leads in their drama groups play Romeo and Juliet. But lines are blurred and they start to catch feeling. Matt knowing he shouldn't cross the line as it's wrong starts resisting the feelings of what he has with Brooke. Brooke gets hurt each time matt backs of and distance himself but she herself has a bad relationship with her father who she knows abandoned her and her mother, so she's has that in her mind, her self esteem is so low and how she thinks of herself and the real at 14 you don't know what real love is but she wants a version of love to capture on to. When she and Matt is a relationship and she has to keep it hidden from everyone she knows and love and they sneak about. Breaks ups, arguements. Him leaving for university. It doesn't help the guilt he has when they have sex for the first time and they both know it's wrong but they didn't talk about it first and they both said I love you to each other. It's just all very complicated. Matt knows he shouldn't have done that and his always carrying around the guilt throughout the book I know he know its wrong each time they re meet up and she attempts to take cut herself. It's just I think they both needed not to be together. I mean she definitely needed to see a therapist when her dad left. I think that would have helped her mental health more in the beginning of the book and I think she should have opened up to her mum.

Her decision of running away to America, brooke is now 18 , it was her to block everything out and I think she definitely needed that but what I wanted was her to atleast communicate with people but she just disappeared making everything else just stand still for 4/5 years. I'm glad it made her father realise what I terrible mistake he made throughout her life I'm just gobsmacked with everything and I'm glad she met Charlie. She needed to make the mistakes she made and to actually know getting the help. But the ripple effects were felt back in her home with Matt and all those years. Atleast. They had forgiven each other eventually and they knew what transpired between them was a mistake and should never have happend.

Please do read the twigger warning for this book just incase you have any issue raised in this book.

This Is Me Trying is a profound and thought-provoking novel, divided into three distinct acts. Although categorized as Young Adult, I firmly believe that its themes and tone resonate more closely with adult literature.

This book tackles complex and essential topics, including trauma, consent, and mental health, which are crucial for teenagers to explore and discuss. The narrative presents these issues in a raw, honest, and relatable manner, which, although uncomfortable at times, fosters a safe environment for learning and reflection.

Ultimately, the novel conveys a powerful message of hope and empowerment, emphasizing that even in darkness, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Net Gallery and Unbound for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this arc!

God, where do I even start with this book?

Every now and then, a YA novel will come along and rip my heart from my chest - this was one of those YA novels. Jenna Adams has written about the teenage experience of love in such a raw, open, unfiltered way that I was sent back in time to being 14, infatuated with my first crush. I am a sucker for anything related to Shakespear, so knowing this was a retelling of Romeo & Juliet had me sold straight away, but I did not expect to cry the whole way through.

Brooke's mental health is a big focus in this novel and I think that is so, so, so important in this current day and age. The list of resources and support at the end of the book was a lovely addition.

I could not leave this book alone. I read it every chance I got. I am absolutely obsessed and will be recommending this to everyone I can, and I absolutely will be picking up a physical copy on release day.

10/10. 5 stars.

Thank you for allowing me to read! Talk about an emotional rollercoaster. The characters might be young, but the topics are definitely adult. Mind those trigger warnings at the beginning! THEY NEED TO BE IN BOLD.

This story definitely had me hooked and wanting to know what would happen to Brooke and Matt. I liked that it was dual POV. I felt like there wasn’t a ton of character development, but I think Brooke’s innocence was captured really well. The more I think about what happened, the more sick I feel though. I think I started out feeling one way, and the more I think about it the more messed up it seems. Also, the way the self harm scene ended was never discussed between the characters again, and I think that’s wild. They just never addressed it! Overall, it was very thought provoking and relevant, but a little too heavy for my usual tastes.

WOW. Incredibly impactful and thought-provoking. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as YA because of its very mature themes and extensive trigger warnings (TW: sexual assault, drug abuse, self-harm, suicide), but it’s a very strong coming of age piece. Jenna Adams evokes deeply visceral emotions for the reader with this story. I was very angry, frustrated, and confused throughout for the main characters and the ending felt very relieving for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development of the FMC!

I liked the book and I think it’s a good book, but I don’t think it’s for me. Personally, I thought that it was too long and ut covered a lot of serious topics, but that is all me because there should be books like this out there that do talk about serious topics and i just think it wasn’t for me! Great story and great writing! 3 stars! <3

Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5hWOOBxYuUdirvsso5Vc9G?si=J6kVW_8TRbaVc8UX4IZkMw&pi=I59cIbMeQFusi