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~ Review 111 : I guess...I Have Feelings by @M-Sollene ~

Book Information
Book Title: I guess.. I Have Feelings
Author : M-Sollene
Genre : YA, Rom-com
Target Audience : 13 - 18
Current status : Complete 
No. of pages read : 11

Reviewed by jambudweep

Plot:

The story follows two teenagers—Thea Winslow and Callan Everett—both navigating the challenges life throws their way while searching for one common ground: love and emotional safety.

Although, at first glance, the storyline gives the familiar impression of a typical school love story, what makes this piece stand out is how it subtly explores the real issues young adults often face – career uncertainty, family dynamics, the pressure to be good, and the constant emotional roller-coaster of adolescence.

Moving on to the writing style and flow: the prose is simple, easy to understand, and carries a raw, unfiltered tone. The emotions are palpable, and the flow feels natural and cohesive.

While everything works well overall, one aspect that feels slightly off is the pacing. Even after reading eleven chapters, I still don't have a solid grasp of the overall plot direction. However, the story is progressing. Considering it's a short story, the brief chapters and limited information per segment might actually suit its structure.

So far, here's what I've gathered: Thea has a huge crush on Tyler, a jerk who lacks both politeness and empathy when expressing his opinions. Callan, on the other hand, has a deep crush on Thea but seems hesitant to make a move due to his own life circumstances. And lastly, it appears that things are beginning to develop between Thea and Callan after the assignment.

Character:

Let's talk about the main characters:

Thea Winslow:

At first glance, she comes across as a desperate girl – someone so deeply in need of love and emotional connection that, even after being rather rudely rejected by Tyler, she still wants to pursue him, talk to him, and simply be around him. The moment when Thea desperately asks Tyler what she might be doing wrong—what about her is so overwhelming or irritating—just so she can fix herself and become the kind of girl he would want to be with, feels painfully triggering.

However, after getting a glimpse into her relationship with her mother, a lot about her behavior and desperation starts to make sense.

By the time we reach the eleventh chapter, things seem to have settled a bit for Thea. She appears to be moving on from Tyler, and perhaps, slowly, toward Callan.

Callan Everett:

Callan comes across as a soft-hearted boy in love, yet someone who is equally determined to pursue his career and the goals he has set for himself, including the girl he quietly admires.

What truly stands out about Callan is the way he approaches situations. For instance, when Thea was still caught up in her attempts to gain Tyler's attention, Callan was watching from afar. He even tried to initiate a conversation with her but stopped the moment he saw her with Tyler, softly saying she seemed busy. This was the moment where his silent ache was almost tangible.

Another memorable instance is when he overheard Tyler speaking poorly about Thea and intentionally bumped into his shoulder. It was both hilarious and oddly satisfying. Then there's the scene where he offered Thea a red velvet cake and simply walked away, such a small yet thoughtful gesture that spoke volumes about his character.

Many of Callan's actions, in fact, speak louder than his words. One of the most touching moments was when he appeared both desperate and composed while trying to clear up a misunderstanding with Thea after unintentionally being rude to her during the chaos of his mother's medical emergency.

Overall Enjoyment:

So, did I enjoy reading this?

Of course, I did.

To sum it up – after reading the first five chapters, I didn't have a clear grasp of the plot to write a proper review. So, I went ahead and read five more chapters, and by then, I began to understand what the characters were actually going through.

It became evident that Thea wants Tyler, but Tyler doesn't want Thea back. Callan, meanwhile, wants Thea, but also has his ambitions and life goals to focus on. Then, just when Thea begins to feel a spark because of Callan's kindness, it's shattered by his distant or offhanded response.

Overall, the story flows smoothly, but the segments sometimes take longer than expected to deliver key information, unless that slow pacing is intentional and part of the story's core. That might even tie into the recurring line, "I guess... I have feelings". I'm still unsure who that line truly belongs to, because the female lead is so full of emotions. She neither doubts nor denies them, except when she's confused or heartbroken after being rejected by the boy she deeply, almost helplessly, wants.

In conclusion, I genuinely enjoyed the complex characters, the realistic setting, the occasional spark of humor, and the way it highlights common struggles among young adults.

So, yep. That's all!