"People like us ... we're brave. We're the ones who get up and face our worst fears every day. We keep fighting."
This book can be so important to so many people, and really, it should be. While the writing is average and the plot is cheesy, there are so many important messages woven into this story. From a girl with the high anxiety on the autism spectrum to the bisexual girl who was emotionally torn from an ex-boyfriend. Taylor and Charlie are two characters I hadn't thought I needed until I was presented with them.
Jen Wilde did manage to write a completely and utterly adorably dorky and cheesy story set inside SupaCon, where everyone binds together with the security of their fandoms. As a self-declared "geek", whose friends are also self-delared geeks, I was drawn immediately to the plot of the story. While it seems like the culture of geeks and nerds are becoming more and more appreciated in society, there still seems to be more stories about the popular kids, or the nerdy kids who don't go into their worlds as much as this story did. I truly appreciate Wilde for bringing this world into play.
The two plot lines are simple, but incredibly cute. One is with the cliched best friends, and the other with two girls who had unknowingly had crushes on each other. Both of them were done really well, while also being realistic. I wished there could have been a bit more external conflicts running a round, but since the story really only takes place over the course of two-three days, I suppose I can't be too upset about it.
I orignally hadn't intended on writing a review for this, but I felt the need to gush over how well Wilde had been able to send out hte message in this book of not being ashamed of who you are. There are so many lines and conversations involving the encouragement of the individual self. And, honestly, I don't feel like I've ever related to a character more than I had with Taylor. Wilde had written her so incredibly well. I've experienced every single one of those struggles she's faced. I cannot, however, truly speak for those who do have Asperger's, as I have not been diagnosed with it and I prefer not to relate everything to my boyfriend's own diagnosis, but for the anxiety aspect alone, she did amazing. It was really nice to see a character I can sympathize with and really understand her struggles along her journey. I am unfortunate to say, I can't say too much for Taylor's story line. I am not the outgoing type, and I haven't really experienced too much with my own bisexuality.
Anyway... this story is truly cute, and I really love the message that stands out among it. It's a nice little reminder to have.