Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

A love story about opening your heart, by Rainbow Rowell, the New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park.

Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more – she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.

Without Wren, Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. She's got a surly room-mate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible . . .

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell comes with special bonus material; the first chapter from Rainbow's irresistible novel Carry On.

Reviewed by Leah on

5 of 5 stars

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is one of the most highly rated books ever to come onto my bookshelf. Everyone I know seems to have loved this book and it's part of the reason it's took my so long to read it. Because HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY LIVE UP TO HOW AWESOME EVERYONE SAYS IT IS?!? But it is! It's BRILLIANT.

I love the idea of the Simon Snow series and I'm super excited to read Carry On. It might take me a while to actually read it (knowing me) but I know when I do it came off the back of this excellent read. I loved Cath's fanfiction and, like Levi, I couldn't get enough of it! Cath is SUCH a great character. I related to her so much. I much prefer my own company, with a book rather than writing a book, and hate the idea of new spaces, new places, etc. I've never really thought I might be a tad socially awkward/anxious, because my job in customer services doesn't allow for that, but aspects of Cath's life are the same as mine, I never suffered to her extent, but I struggle sometimes with asking for things when I'm out, answering the phone, etc.

Levi. OH MAN, LEVI. *Swoon* I just... Every thing about Levi is summed up, for me, in this quote:
"He ever offered to walk you home?"
"I've never asked," Cath said quietly. "I've never asked you either."
"That's true," Levi said.
More quiet. More cold.
The air stung Cath's throat when she finally spoke again. "So maybe you shouldn't."
"Don't be ridiculous," Levi said. "That wasn't my point."


Despite the fact these two barely know each other, Levi is always willing to go the extra mile for Cath. He doesn't want her walking home alone, on campus, from the library so comes and meets her, unlike Nick who's a grade-A jerk. He's just always present, always there, and there's something about him that captivates and lights up this entire novel. He was the perfect love interest. *Happy sigh*

I loved Fangirl. I'm so annoyed at myself for taking so long to read it, because it is, by far, Rainbow Rowell's best work. I've read all of her books, except Carry On, and she's such a multi-talented writer and no matter what the plot, what the genre, what the age-range, Rainbow nails it. She's one of the most incredible, all-around storytellers. And this? This is her best work yet; I loved it.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 May, 2017: Finished reading
  • 6 May, 2017: Reviewed