Summary: NerdCrush
Ramona is a shy 16-year-old who loves cosplay. After she leaves a picture of her cosplay character with a poem in her crush’s locker, the two start communicating via email. In class, though, she can’t seem to work up the courage to talk to that same crush, Caleb. But when Caleb suddenly starts working at the same restaurant she does, the two form a friendship that forces Ramona to re-evaluate their internet relationship.
The Good
I’d read so many meh reviews of this one and was very hesitant to try it, but I was pleasantly surprised! I also have little to no interest in cosplay nor understand why people do it so I was sure I wouldn’t get this book. Thankfully, none of those fears materialized for me. I enjoyed getting to know Ramona, and I think this is one thing the author does really well: creating a portrait of a girl who feels like an outsider everywhere and who just wants to be seen and heard.
Then we meet Caleb, this guy whom Ramona has liked from a distance for so long, and finally gets the chance to know as more than just a character in her daydreams. I liked Caleb and loved watching him and Ramona get to know each other in real life and over emails. Ramona loves cosplay and attending related conferences, but she does have one friend with whom her relationship is evolving, and much like in Bryant’s Happily Ever Afters, Ramona has to learn to balance her vibrant inner world with caring about her friend’s life too.
Another interesting element of this story is the way Ramona’s parents deal with her. It’s obvious to the reader and to Ramona that they have this child they don’t understand, and her mom especially wishes she was more interested in less niche hobbies. I liked seeing the way the author handles this narrative arc and helps Ramona and her parents find a healthy baseline.
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None
- Bullying: Ramona’s cousin bullies her for liking “white people stuff”
- Sexual content: Ramona and Caleb share a kiss or two
Diversity
- Ethnic: Ramona and her family are Black, and her love interest is of Italian descent
- Sexual orientation: Most main characters are cued straight
Recommended for ages: 12+
Good for Kids Who Like:
- Elise Bryant’s Happily Ever Afters
- Cinderella retellings
- Sweet high school romances
- Stories about cosplay
Publisher Details
Publisher details | Running Press Kids |
Author: | Alisha Emrich |
Illustrator: | N/A |
Publication date: | February 7, 2023 |
Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.fm |
Page count: | 273 |
Cover artists | Designer: |
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