12 November 2013

4 to 16 Characters by Kelly Hourihan

4 to 16 Characters
Series: Standalone
Publication date: November 7th 2013
Publisher: Lemon Sherbet Press 
Genres: YA, contemporary
Format: Ebook
Source: Netgalley 



Fifteen-year-old Jane Shilling’s best friends don’t know her real name. In fact, they don’t know anything about her at all. Jane’s life has collapsed in the last few years; following the death of her mother, her father turned to drinking, and Jane is reeling from the double blow. To escape, Jane devises a number of online personas, each with a distinct personality, life history, and set of friends. But things become trickier when she finds herself drawing close to some of her online friends, and winds up struggling with the question of how to maintain a real friendship while masquerading as a fake person. With the help of Gary, a socially awkward classmate and competitive Skeeball player who is Jane’s only offline friend, and Nora, her therapist, Jane begins to sift through her issues. The only catch is that that involves taking a long, hard look at what her life’s like when the computer is shut off, and that’s a reality she’s been fighting for years.

This book starts out slow, but then it seriously hooks you. I could not put it down, I had to know what happened between her and Gary - and if there even happened anything. 

I loved getting to know Jane's "alter egos", it was so interesting. At a time I also had a lot of names I used on the internet, and I can totally relate to Jane thinking it is easier when she is Rachel, Ethan or another person. Things get easier when you are not doing it yourself. 

There was times when I laughed out loud and people would look at me like I was crazy, and there was times when I could not help to say "aaaw". This book is packed with emotions. 

I adored the Jane that she becomes. She evolves through out this book with the help of Gary and the fandom. When she reveals her secret is probably one of my favorite parts, it changes her. 

Gary, Gary, Gary. He is so sweet and awkward - in a way he reminds me of my boyfriend. 

I think a lot of teens can relate to this book and I really, really recommend it. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read it. 


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