Holding Up the Universe

Author: Jennifer Niven

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

Genres: YA, contemporary, romance

Pages: 391

“Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.” –Goodreads

Review:

“I think what an amazing world this would be if we all danced everywhere we went.”

Next time someone thinks hmm how do I want all my emotions shattered, then put back together, then shattered again, beaten with a hammer, and then put back together they should read Jennifer Niven’s books.

Honestly I cried. Like not like a sad, miserable cry like I did for her other book All the Bright Places, but a happier cry. One where you are in awe of a relationship so you cry because how perfect is that moment kind of cry. Ugh, Jennifer is really getting in touch with my feelings.

So to start the review, I want to say this book is jaw-dropping. Going into this book I was super cautious, like SUPER cautious. Jennifer’s other book All the Bright Places literally threw me and my emotions into a wood chipper so I was very protective of my feelings for this books. I was okay and didn’t come out to unscathed just my impossible expectations for a relationship list just got a little bit longer.

“People can be great, but they can also be lousy. I am often lousy. But not completely lousy. You, Libby Strout, are great.”

With great detail and intensity, this story takes you through these two teenagers lives together. The basic story line is pretty common no surprises really. I mean honestly, if you’re looking at it by taking away the lovability of the characters and the great writing then you got your basic story of the broken girl and boy meet and fall in love till the end of time with minor difficulty in between. But Jennifer’s ideas and detailed writing bring this story to another level. There are very few flaws I feel wth this and the biggest is that the ending seemed really rushed like there was some build up and then the resolution fell into your lap. I thought it could have been a little longer and she could have worked her way up into the ending a little bit with more glam and fireworks if that makes sense. I thought she could have drawn out the ending to give a little bit more torture to the predictable ending. That was another thing, it was kind of predictable and I kind of knew what was gonna happen but most contemporaries are like that.

As for my two precious little characters they are now two of my favorite fictional couple. Libby for one is this incredibly smart and strong girl who even though everyone is out to get her she still is tough and stands up for herself. I love how independent and how she does the right thing all of the time. I hope one day I can be as smart and strong as she is like honestly everyone should aspire to be here she is astonishing. Jack, while being a jerk is in his cool guy description, he actually is a very sweet and caring guy. Yes, he was one of those cool guys and some things he does in the story are bad the reason he does those things are good and you gotta love him for his good intentions (even if there were other ways to get to there).

This story was stunning, beautiful, and hands down one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I love this story so much. I cannot way to tell my friends about this book as soon as I see them. I think everyone should read this book, literally, everyone because not only is it cute and who doesn’t need a little cuteness in their life, but I think people can learn about a few things about how to accept people in this story and to not bully. I love this book so much I want to read it again and I probably would if my TBR list wasn’t five miles long.  Anyways so this is where I leave you. If you liked this review goo read this book. If you didn’t go read this book. If you follow me then go read this book. If you don’t follow me, first follow me then go read this book.

Star Rating: 4.5

Have you read this? If so what was your favorite part (try and have no spoilers)? If you havent read it are you planning to?