The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I

by Carolyn Mackler

Six months have passed since sixteen-year-old Virginia Shreve decided to ignore the supposed "Fat Girl Code of Conduct" and make her relationship official with Froggy Welsh the Fourth. But as sophomore year comes to an end, she finds her life once again thrown into chaos--her relationship with Froggy is losing its spark, her mom just betrayed her to the meanest girl in school, her sister is coming home from the Peace Corps, and her feelings for her brother Byron remain . . . complicated ever since he got suspended from Columbia for date-rape.

Then the unthinkable happens--the police show up at their apartment and arrest Byron. As Virginia struggles to cope with everything, she meets Nate, a guy with his own baggage he doesn't want to talk about. They make a pact to spend time together without sharing any drama. But just as Virginia is starting to enjoy herself around Nate and figure out what she wants, a terrible secret is revealed that could ruin everything.

Fifteen years later, this sequel to Carolyn Mackler's highly acclaimed, Printz Honor-winning The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things drops readers seamlessly back into Virginia's life and offers a compelling contemporary story of forgiveness and accepting that the beauty of life is in the imperfections.

• ISBN10: 1681195992
• ISBN13: 9781681195995
• Publish Date: 29 May 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 14 June 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Imprint: Bloomsbury YA
• Format: Hardcover
• 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.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[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.