Member Reviews

**"See Jane Snap" by Bethany Crandell** is a contemporary young adult novel that explores themes of anger, self-identity, and the pressures of fitting in. This darkly comedic yet emotionally charged book centers around the life of Jane, a high school student who has always played by the rules—until the weight of everything she’s kept bottled up forces her to snap in a big way. The novel is an engaging mix of humor, tension, and poignant moments, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking for readers.

### Plot Overview:
At the beginning of *See Jane Snap*, **Jane** is the quintessential high school overachiever: smart, responsible, and well-liked, but deeply frustrated. She’s the girl who always does what’s expected—whether that’s acing her tests, meeting everyone’s expectations, or trying to hold it all together for her family. But under the surface, Jane feels suffocated by the demands placed on her, and her perfectionism is starting to crack.

When an incident at school sends Jane spiraling, her carefully controlled facade begins to break. Jane "snaps" in a way that surprises everyone—including herself—and it changes the course of her life. Instead of sticking to the straight-and-narrow path she’s always followed, she starts to embrace her anger and makes bold, often reckless choices that challenge the status quo. As Jane unravels, she begins to question who she really is, what she wants, and whether she even likes the person she’s been trying so hard to be.

Through a series of events, including interactions with friends, family, and a potential love interest, Jane starts to understand that it’s okay to feel anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction—emotions that she’s spent so long suppressing. The book follows her emotional journey as she grapples with her inner turmoil, her relationships with others, and her quest for self-acceptance.

### Character Development:
Jane is a relatable and multi-dimensional protagonist. Initially, she might seem like the "perfect" student and daughter, but her internal struggles are what make her character so engaging. Jane’s emotional arc is one of self-discovery, as she confronts the various aspects of herself that she’s either ignored or suppressed for far too long. The tension between her desire to please everyone and her growing urge to rebel against those expectations makes her a compelling character.

Her journey to "snapping" is a cathartic one, and readers will likely find themselves empathizing with her need for release. At times, she may seem impulsive or even reckless, but her actions are grounded in a deeper desire for freedom and a sense of control over her life.

The secondary characters, especially her family and friends, are essential to Jane’s transformation. Jane’s interactions with her mother, father, and younger brother reveal the complexities of her family dynamic and contribute significantly to her internal conflict. Additionally, her friendships and budding romance add depth to her character, as she learns what it means to truly connect with others without the filter of perfectionism.

### Writing Style:
Bethany Crandell’s writing style is sharp, witty, and accessible. The novel’s tone balances humor with emotional depth, making it both lighthearted and serious when it needs to be. Crandell has a knack for capturing the inner monologue of a teenager who is struggling with her emotions and identity—her writing is relatable and often amusing, even as Jane deals with heavy themes.

The pacing is fast and engaging, with plenty of moments of tension and humor to keep the reader invested. The chapters are relatively short, which keeps the narrative moving swiftly and maintains a sense of urgency as Jane begins to take more risks in her life.

The book also features an element of social commentary, particularly on the pressures placed on high school students to succeed and fit in. Crandell doesn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of modern teenage life, including academic pressures, family dynamics, and the social cliques that define high school culture.

### Themes:
**Anger and Suppression**: One of the key themes of *See Jane Snap* is the idea of bottled-up anger and the consequences of suppressing emotions. Jane has spent much of her life trying to be perfect and meet other people's expectations, leading her to suppress her true feelings. The book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and expressing emotions, rather than letting them fester.

**Self-Identity**: Jane’s journey is one of self-discovery. Throughout the novel, she grapples with who she is versus who others expect her to be. Her quest for authenticity is a central aspect of the story, and readers will find her struggle with identity both relatable and moving.

**The Pressure to Succeed**: The novel touches on the high academic and social pressures faced by teenagers. Jane’s initial perfectionism reflects the ways in which societal and familial expectations can shape a teenager’s life, often to the point of burnout. The book critiques the notion that success and achievement are the only measures of worth, instead encouraging readers to consider the importance of personal fulfillment and emotional well-being.

**Freedom and Rebellion**: Jane’s “snap” represents a form of rebellion against the rigid structure that has defined her life. The novel explores the tension between the need for control and the desire for freedom, highlighting the emotional liberation that comes from breaking free of societal constraints.

### Emotional Impact:
*See Jane Snap* is both a humorous and poignant exploration of the challenges of being a teenager. The book addresses the internal and external pressures that many teens face, particularly the weight of expectations placed on them by family, school, and society. Jane’s emotional journey resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the need to be perfect or feared the consequences of deviating from the expected path.

The novel’s portrayal of Jane’s inner turmoil—her anger, frustration, and longing for freedom—is deeply relatable. While the book has its comedic moments, it doesn’t shy away from the more serious aspects of Jane’s emotional growth. By the end of the book, readers will likely feel a sense of catharsis alongside Jane, as she learns to embrace her true self and let go of the expectations that have been holding her back.

### Final Thoughts:
*See Jane Snap* is a fun, emotionally charged, and insightful read that will appeal to fans of YA literature, particularly those who enjoy stories of personal growth, rebellion, and self-discovery. Jane’s journey is one of empowerment, and her story will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of expectations or the desire to break free from societal constraints.

Bethany Crandell’s ability to balance humor with emotional depth makes this book a standout in the YA genre. It's a great pick for readers looking for a light, yet thought-provoking story about the importance of embracing one's true self. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, *See Jane Snap* offers something for anyone who has ever struggled with the desire for perfection—and found freedom in letting go.

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I’ve had this in my TBR pile for a couple of years, when I had initially seen it I had been really intrigued but then there was something which always put me off starting. Now I’m so glad I finally read it. I really enjoyed it and there were times I was laughing so hard my husband thought there was something genuinely wrong with me. I would recommend!

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I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

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I'm honestly so upset I waited so long to get into this one! This is such a brutal and raw book that displays so much honesty I'm sure all of us can relate too in one way or another. Jane works hard to keep up the perfect, happy, and smiley facade. But when given earth shattering news and facing a heartbreaking betrayal, inevitably Jane snaps.

Watching her lie and and bend over backwards to keep up this perfect life front was equal parts sad and so very relatable. We don't want others to know that the life we portray on Instagram may not be the whole truth. It also resonated with me deeply that sometimes you can do everything right, plan your life perfectly, yet you can still experience pain and misfortune. Watching her take the mask off and live her truth was the very best part of the story. There were also some truly amusing parts interspersed! Really great read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Bethany Crandell. ❤️

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While this covers some deep issues it’s done in an entirely entertaining way! That sounds strange but it just works! Delightful! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

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This was a cute, fun book. Honestly, not that memorable - but I did laugh at some parts during the book.

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See Jane Snap was a hilarious and entertaining read overall. I felt bad for her in many parts because I tried to put myself in her shoes and imagine how I would react to the news and betrayal that she has to go through at those moments.
An enjoyable read altogether that many will love.

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This is Quite the Story, as we follow Jane's life or what is hanging by several threads.

Its a good read. I laughed and gasped, and shook my head in disbelief.

Enjoyable.

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DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

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Entertaining, Honest…
Jane has it all. The perfect family, the perfect life. Unfortunately, that’s all on the surface. Underneath is a whole different ballgame. Then Jane snaps. Horribly, brutally. Open hearted romp, candid and funny, with a quirky and eccentric cast. Entertaining and honest.

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Can we talk about relatable? I thoroughly enjoyed reading about seemingly normal Jane and her life as it all falls down around her. Can she keep it together? As the title tells us, that answer is no. Jane can only take so much when she learns some world-shattering news.

This book did it for me. The craziness of domesticity under the guise of normal is something many people can relate to. I know I did and I believe that's why this novel is now in my top ten favorites. Check it out!

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This was an interesting book. Sometimes laugh out loud funny with situations that were plausible and others that were outrageous. The egregious error that took me out of the story was when Jane stole the zoloft. I think she probably meant a xanax or valium.

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This book has a lot going on in it! Unfortunately, I might be the wrong audience for this book. The characters just did not resonate with me and they came across as highly unlikeable.

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This book was an entertaining read . It talks about forgiveness , trust and love. It was an easy read , there was even moments of laughter.

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This was a fun, quick read. I absolutely loved Jane and at times she made me laugh out loud. If you’re looking for a feel-good read, then this is it. I highly recommend.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review,

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There's so much about "See Jane Snap" that I enjoyed, and I think it will resonate well with a number of women.

Jane has worked hard to craft her ideal life - she's married a successful surgeon, ensured her daughter attends private school, and is the head of the PTA. All of her hard work starts to fall apart though when her husband reveals his infidelity with another man, and so Jane is forced to lie and try to maintain her perfect exterior all while everything is actually imploding within her life. There's a lot of questions and points that this novel points out, especially when it comes to the pressures placed on women, repressed anger, and the importance of being honest with oneself.

There's so much in the novel that's relatable, and I appreciated the humor that Crandell was able to weave in between all the chaos and anger.

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Thank you so much to Let's Talk Books Promo, Bethany Crandell, and Montlake Publishing for the advanced copy of See Jane Snap.

Jane has had herself quite the life. She went from a barely making it waitress to the wife of a well respected and sough out heart surgeon. Little did Jane know though, her entire life has been a lie. Her husband has been hiding a huge part of his life. Her "friends" are each keeping secrets. Her daughter is keeping secrets. Jane herself has been keeping secrets herself. Until one night, she snaps. Her snapping is uncharacteristic & it's a huge snap. It's a snap that could cause all sorts of problems for everyone in her life. Jane is fortunate enough to have people on her side and they help to make sure that her life doesn't literally go down the drain.

See Jane Snap is a look into all the burdens we carry and how we react to them. To me, Jane's snapping wasn't just he snapping when she almost lost everything, it was her snap judgements she made. She made snap judgments on the women who she surrounded herself with at the beginning of the story. She snapped judged the women she met later. She even snap judged her own family. I thought that this story was an engrossing story on human nature. It had moments of stress and moments of levity.

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The premise sounded great and so I was excited to start reading this. But it quickly became clear that this ultimately would not be the book for me. I found the main character to be grating and quite superficial, and I became so annoyed with her that I had a hard time reading more than two chapters at a time. I endured it for as long as I could, but sadly I never did enjoy my time spent with this book.

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The main character in this story sure had me cracking up a lot. I loved Jane and this story is so becoming of her as we see her snap.. This is a book list can relate to, not Jane’s particularly situation but the moment you snap and the second guessing and consequences after the fact. An enjoyable funny empathetic read.

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“People get upset all the time, it doesn’t mean their feelings change”

Handsome, successful husband. Adorable daughter. Chairwoman of the PTA. Security for her ailing mom. Jane’s got everything life has to offer. Including the lie that could destroy it all.

Do you like it when a book doesn’t take itself too seriously? because I do! I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but I found this to be a fun read! It’s not very deep and carries a humorous tone even though our protagonist is dealing with a lot of stressful situations. This was a great palate cleanser in between more serious reads.

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