[Review] Happy Messy Scary Love - Leah Konen

Summary: As everyone at her Brooklyn high school announces their summer adventures, Olivia harbors a dirty secret: Her plan is to binge-watch horror movies and chat with her online friend, Elm. Olivia and Elm have never shared personal details, apart from their ages and the fact that Elm’s aunt is a low-budget horror filmmaker. Then Elm pushes Olivia to share her identity and sends her a selfie of his own. Olivia is shocked by how cute he is! In a moment of panic, assuming she and Elm will never meet in real life, she sends a photo of her gorgeous friend Katie. But things are about to get even more complicated when Olivia’s parents send her to the Catskills, and she runs into the one person she never thought she would see. (Pub Date: May 14, 2019)

A very fun YA romance, this is perfect for fans of the genre. It's more like a 3+.

After not writing a movie script for an application and spending her whole time talking with her internet friend Elm, Olivia's plans for summer are gone now she's sabotaged herself out of the filmmaker course in NYU. Her mother then sends her to work at the small town they're staying, where she meets Jake. Who happens to be Elm. Who happens to think the photo of Olivia's best friend is Olivia and has no idea he's really talking to his internet friend. The situation only gets worse as Olivia is unable to tell the truth the closer they get in real life.

Olivia's situation is all too familiar to anyone. She borderline-crushes on her best friend Katie, who she calls the manager of her life and seems to have everything Olivia doesn't. While she faces a writer's block she meets Elm online and the two connect all too well until he asks for a picture and Katie's is the one he gets. Olivia lacks that much in self-esteem. Of course it wasn't supposed to make a difference until they end up meeting in person, but she still can't come out to him. I don't know if I'd have the nerves to let it snowball like that, but her internal conflicts are undoubtedly relatable to teenagers and even to me. Who doesn't compare themselves to someone close, right? I think that was the best part of this story, how real it seems.

There are also lots of horror films references but since I'm not a fan (at all), I can't say if it'll entice those. What I do tell you is that it was interesting to learn about it and it wasn't too much to a point it becomes a school book or something. I think the writer knew the exact amount she could include to make it real horror was her hobby.

There are also side characters and it's a pity there wouldn't be room to learn about everyone because they did seem interesting. On the other hand, I feel the important ones acquired depth enough, especially Katie. There's a lesson there for anyone reading.

So why didn't I rate it higher? There's nothing actually wrong. This was quick and pleasant to read. But there isn't enough to get it more. It's a good YA but it's just like any other good YA. It'll surely be great for fans but I don't think it'll go beyond that.

Which doesn't change anything. If you like contemporary YA including romance, this is a read you shouldn't miss this summer.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Rating: 3 out of 5.