One of the strengths of this series is that the main character’s voice is very strong. She feels like a teenager. She’s funny and sassy. One of my favorite lines is: “Maybe if you and your walking skyscrapers didn’t bulldoze down the hall in a straight line, people wouldn’t have to dive out of your path to avoid destruction. I’m sorry if someone pissed in your Froot Loops this morning, but please do us all a favor and check your issues at the door. Finding a hobby or going to group therapy could really help you with your social problems. So thanks for the friendly welcome to your school, but I’d like to get to class now.” Amelia says this to Aidan during their first interaction. He runs into her, she tries to take the high road, and then ends up putting him in his place. While the initial interaction is cliche, Amelia’s status as a WITSEC causes things to go awry, which complicates their dynamic especially once Aidan and her become friends. Aidan is the classic popular bad boy who gets straight A’s and ends up tutoring Amelia, but he has a hidden agenda: to find out Amelia’s secret.
I loved how the main plot was drawn out by the side characters’ problems and the trouble Amelia constantly gets into—it kept me hooked as I was slowly being fed information about Amelia’s history.
I feel like the series is predictable in the sense that you can see Amelia’s mouth getting her into trouble, but it’s also page-gripping because you never know what’s going to happen next.
I fell in love with not just Amelia but her friends, especially Annalisa. She is fierce and loyal to the bone. My favorite quote from her is “If you love me, you’ll let me claw her face off.” She says this to Julian, who is holding her back from attacking Aidan’s ex. Julian, her boyfriend, a playboy reformed by none other than herself, is her rock. Their relationship gave off Jade and Beck vibes from Victorious. He was the calm, she was the storm. I really appreciate how they consistently supported and cared for each other. Based on what was described about Annalisa’s backstory, she could’ve had her own book, and I would’ve immediately bought it.
Alongside Julian are Mason and Noah. Noah gives golden retriever vibes—he is warm and likes to make jokes. He is the definition of comic relief for his friend group. He likes to ease the tension of the chaos they are going through, yet he is every bit a playboy, just as Mason is. Mason is the easygoing, flirts with anyone, kind of guy. He is the one who initially begins to fold Amelia into their friend group. He is protective and supportive. Mason and Noah feel similar but opposite at the same time. They perfectly balance each other out. I really enjoyed their dynamic.
One of the drawbacks of this heavily drama-driven plot is that we don’t see Amelia slowly befriend Annalisa and Charlotte. She’s often thrown into the chaos with them, and we don’t see many of their quiet friendship moments. I feel like this both works in favor of Amelia being in hiding, displaying how she doesn’t get to have many of those moments anymore, and against her when we see the three girls acting really close.
Overall, this series holds a special place in my heart, from Amelia never backing down, to all her friends being there and adding to the chaos.
Natalia Williams, Pine Reads Review Writer
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