The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I

by Carolyn Mackler

Six months after Virginia decides to ignore the ‘Fat Girl Code of Conduct’ and make her relationship with Froggy Welsh the Fourth official, things are getting complicated. She’s not sure she still likes Froggy, her mum has betrayed her to the meanest girl in school, and her feelings about her brother Byron are still a mess since he was suspended from university for date rape.

But then police come to their apartment and arrest Byron. As Virginia tries to figure it all out, she meets Sebastian – a guy with his own private drama. They make a pact not to talk about their troubles, but then a terrible secret comes out that could ruin everything.

This year Carolyn Mackler will re-release her beloved coming-of-age novel The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things in a newly updated edition. Now she drops readers right back into the hilarious, haphazard life of Virginia Shreves in this long-awaited sequel! Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Dumplin’.

• ISBN10: 1408897040
• ISBN13: 9781408897041
• Publish Date: 9 August 2018 (first published 29 May 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Imprint: Bloomsbury YA
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I enjoyed meeting Virginia in the previous book, and I was happy to see her grow and define herself even more in this book. But, I must confess, I almost feel like this book is a response to all those, who felt Byron wasn't punished enough in the last book, because once again, the family drama focused on him, and was a major plot point in this book. I think some readers will be happy that it was revisited, but I was most excited about the romance.

Virginia had that one awesome romantic at the very end of book one, but in this book, she has a full-on, wonderful, swoony romance. The problem was that it was sort of a forbidden romance, and let me tell you, it's quite a sticky situation. But I loved it! And adored the pairing and their dynamic. They were sweet and adorable and perfect together.

It was great to have Anias back with the rest of the Shreves clan. We didn't really get to know her in the first book, but I knew she was a big influence on Virginia. I don't think the Shreves family has worked through all their issues, but I thought they made some headway, and Virginia continued to find her voice and come into her own.

I was a little caught off by how open the ending was. I would be delighted to read more of Virginia's adventures, especially given the romantic possibility we were left with, but if you are looking for closure of any sort, there is none.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Kelly]

Find my series review here. The Virginia Shreves Series is a wonderful, conversational and often confrontational read. I cannot emphasise enough the significance of reading both novels consecutively. Thoroughly enjoyed it.