Out of Character by Jenna Miller: A Review

Hiii! I'm so excited to say that this is my first review for a gifted ARC from Harper YA 360! Out of Character is publishing tomorrow and I'm so excited for you guys to be able to read this beautiful book!

'Out of Character' follows the story of Cas Williams;  the seventeen-year-old is fat, queer, and perfectly happy with spending her nights roleplaying with her online friends. When she is lost in the world of Tide Wars and the façade of a badass pirate captain, she can escape from the problems of the real world and avoid all anxieties. The only problem is that Cas hasn't told anyone she knows in person about her roleplaying addiction, and with her grades slipping and lies building against her, she must decide if she keeps it a secret or finally lets in those who matter most.

When I first saw this book and looked through the synopsis I was so excited to see more inclusivity and diversity slipping into the modern literary scene. The novel is beautifully realistic and a brilliant representation of modern struggles as a student. As a student myself, the way that Cas navigates her problems and faces her internal conflict is somewhat comforting and made me feel less alone.

Cas faces problems with relationships between friends and potential partners as well as family difficulties, both of which I think are presented in a very blunt way, rather than being sugar-coated which I appreciate too. Rowan, Cas, and the rest of their roleplay group have a wonderful dynamic that runs parallel to Cas' in-person friendship dynamics. Her playful relationship with Tate is something I wish everyone had and her relationship with her dad is the sweetest.

There is a brilliant balance of lightheartedness and seriousness that ensured the read was not too heavy and easy to pick up at the end of any day. For me, this book is a brilliant 4.5 stars, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and bold YA novel.

A brilliant debut from Jenna Miller and I hope to see more from her soon!

Happy reading,

- Mei