The Trueman shows meets a 90s YA book, I cannot explain this and more clearly.

Jess believes she is a normal teenager, living in the 90s where people still listen to music on CDs and the dial up internet means if your Mom is on the phone you can’t get online. Things have been strange with her two best friends and everybody is pushing her to date a guy she doesn’t really like, when actually the boy she does like is right there. But the hardest thing in Jess’ life is that her sister Sarah is dying.

But when half of the towns population seems to have disappeared and a strange device with an apple logo on falls out of her friends bag, Jess starts to wonder whether there’s more going on than meets the eye. Her curiosity and confusion is heightened when her sister is admitted to hospital and things just don’t seem to add up.

This book was super easy to read and I did enjoy it. However, it did feel a little bit like a rewritten version of the Truman show with jus the added twist of the different decade, although I’m presuming the Truman show probably wasn’t totally original either. I don’t know, it was okay, I’ll probably read the sequel just out of curiosity when it’s released but it didn’t knock my socks off.

One of my favorite books that I've read in recent years. I really enjoyed how the author basically took the plot of a great movie like The Truman Show and turned it into something new and exciting.

Thank you @netgalley and @quirkbooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I knew what the book was about as soon as I read the synopsis and I knew I would love it. There's a movie with the same basic premise but this book went way beyond that. It was faster and darker and just so good. Although I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the end. It felt a little anti-climactic. Might be a me problem though.

It was the unusual blend of comp titles and the mystery of exactly what’s going on in the small town of Swickley that made me request this novel from NetGalley. And what a surprise it turned out to be.

This is a difficult review to write without revealing spoilers. The first several chapters are Jess’s average teen life – high school, friends, crushes on guys – you get the picture. I especially enjoyed the 90s setting that was full of nostalgia – music, fashions, magazines, and food. But strange things pop up that will leave you as puzzled as Jess. Her friends are acting weird, a mysterious flu has overtaken the town, and her dog undergoes a serious personality change. Then the story takes a sudden turn that may have you asking “What the $*@# just happened?” And then it all makes sense.

Fun, clever, and imaginative, this novel is also full of action sequences and a bit of romance. It took me by surprise, and I finished the book in less than a day. I was excited to learn a sequel will be released later this year, and I’m anxious to see what happens next with Jess.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute, fun read. It turned out to be more exciting that I thought it would be, not quite an edge of the seta thriller, but pretty exciting.
Looking forward to reading the sequel that should come out later this year!

Jess Flynn is a typical teenager living in the '90s, or so she thinks.

When Jess comes to find out that her parents have turned her whole life into a reality television show that everyone was in on but her, her whole life is called into question. Her dying sister isn't really dying at all, she's a paid actor working for the show, just like everyone else in Jess's life. Jess must learn to find her own new reality and find out what about her mostly fake life is real, and to live in a world that is actually decades in the future, as her world is spun on its head.

This book reminded me a lot of The Truman Show and I'm surprised that comparison wasn't in the blurb, but I guess that does make it a bit of a spoiler. It wasn't really for me but I do think a lot of people will enjoy it, especially those who haven't consumed any media with a similar concept before, so it will be perfect for a lot of teens which is the intended audience!

This is so reminiscent of The Truman Show and brings all the 90's nostalgia to this mystery novel. I couldn't put it down, though I did find some parts a bit unrealistic. I really felt for Jess as her life begins to crumble around her and she's gaslit by her friends and family. It's not too farfetched to think that we'd watch something like this, as evidenced by the large amounts of reality TV on the air now. The suspense was built nicely and I'm interested in the next novel, though I'm not sure where they're going to go with it.

*Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This is Not the Jess Show by Anna Carey, 304 pages. Quirk Books, 2022. $11.
Language: R (32 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Jess (17yo) has just realized that she is in love with her best friend, Tyler, but her other friends are being all weird about it – not to mention it feels like they’re keeping secrets. And why is Jess’s sister also acting weird? Even the dog is suspicious. As the little things pile up, Jess has to fight to see what’s really going on and if there’s anyone left who hasn’t lied to her.
Carey has taken The Truman Show and pulled back even more of the curtain, taking readers with Jess as she flees the set of her life and realizes she doesn’t know what to do without the lies. This reimagining of the classic story had me riveted the whole time – while Jess is on set in the ‘90s and when she leaves to find a future she never could have imagined. Having turned the last page, I am struggling to wait for the sequel to find out what happens next. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, partial nudity, innuendo, and mention of sex.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The "Truman Show" on steroids. I hesitated as I started this book since it was obviously a YA "Truman Show" knockoff. Well, excuse me for being a snobby snot. "Truman Show" is a great movie, a wonderful star turn for Jim Carrey, and a subtle existential mood piece with a banging soundtrack. "The Jess Show" starts from the same setup but moves in a slightly different direction. It addresses all of the practical questions that "Truman" evaded, adds a convincing YA gloss, presents us with a bright and engaging teen lead, and burrows into how our unwitting heroine would feel about being conned and manipulated. Of course, both versions are wildly implausible, but this one is very successful at aiming for an air of authenticity. Along the way there are lots of edgy bits and tart throwaway lines, so the story stands up well even when you move beyond the goofy premise. Bottom line -- it turns out I enjoyed the Jess show a good deal.

I'll keep this review short as the most interesting points I've noticed in the book are most likely spoilers... So let's start with saying I really liked the concept of the story. Of course, it's basically an alternative written YA version of The Truman Show, but it's still extremely entertaining! I loved following Jess in her little town of Swickeley, evolving in the 90's, and just basically living her teen life as best as she can.

But slowly, strange things start to happen. People disappear, odd objects catch her attention, and her dog seems to no longer be the same dog she always knew. So Jess starts investigating her town, and her whole life. Is she really where she is supposed to be? Why does it look like Swickeley hides a secret?

Jess is a fantastic main character. She's cute, smart, and I just generally loved her attitude about everything. She's just cool! I really enjoyed following her journey, and seeing her evolution through the pages. She adapts to every situation, and uses her brain properly, which is not always the case in such YA contemporary books.

I thought it was a standalone at first, but I'm happy to see this is actually only the first book in a series. I really like this Truman Show's aspect of the book, and I think I'd love reading a bit more about it!

If looking for a retro read or a blast from the past, look no further. As a 90s baby, the nostalgia was incredible, even if I was a bit too young for some of the references. But hang in there, it all becomes clear what This Is Not the Jess Show is really about. It was fast and fun to read and I'm already excited for Anna Carey's next book.

Black Mirror meets The Truman Show in the 1990's 📺

This was very cleverly written, although not altogether an original storyline. Having been a young adult myself in the 90's I was able to appreciate the nostalgia, more so than some of the YA of today.

''𝙇𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪"

Jess is a typical teenager, listening to music, watching tv & fawning over her favourite shows heartthrobs. She also has to cope with her younger sister Sara's deteriorating illness & face up to the fact that she may lose her.

"𝙒𝙝𝙤'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮?"

When she starts hearing voices & strange events start occurring, Jess finds out that her life is nothing but normal!

Can't wait to read the next book in the series & am curious as to how it carries on from this.

This Is Not The Jess Show by Anna Carey was a fun, thrilling, intriguing, and throughly captivating story.
The book was perfectly paced, the characters were expertly developed.... Everything about this story was the greatest!
This book was addictive and honestly so hard for me to put down!
The writing was compelling and gripping. Anna couldn't have a down a better job if she tried!
This is the book you didn't know you needed!
This amazing 90s coming of age story, was seriously hands down one the greatest books I've read in along time.
I couldn't help but be pulled into this world, and I cannot wait to see where this story goes.

PS. Quirk Books, I will do anything to read This Is Not The Real World by Anna Carey!

Quirk Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

While noting many similarities to the Truman Show, the book still presented new and fresh ideas offering a fun and entertaining read. Worth the time.

First sentence: Three things happened the week I found out. Titanic won a bunch of Oscars, and my sister and I stayed up late to watch because we'd never miss a chance to see Leo in a tux. Meanwhile every news anchor was talking about the president, and everywhere I went people repeated that phrase, how he "didn't have sexual relations with that woman." I probably should have cared (president, impeachment, important stuff) but another, more pressing matter, had consumed me: I'd fallen in love with my best friend. Tyler.

Premise/plot: What if your whole life was a lie?!?!?! Jessica Flynn begins to question--to doubt--EVERYTHING as her life begins to unwind slowly but surely. It starts small--hearing voices yelling, chanting. Catching a glimpse of something that seems off/odd. But it isn't until HER dog is seemingly replaced with a look alike that she is like SOMETHING is wrong and NO ONE will tell me the truth. Just enough is "off" with her reality to make her start questioning everything. And once the questions start, there's no going back...

My thoughts: Part of me wishes that This is Not the Jess Show had been set in JUNE 1998--or should that be "June 1998"--so that Jess could go see THE TRUMAN SHOW with her friends. Though probably the powers that be--Life-Like Productions? Like-Life Productions?--would have banned that film from their universe. Still it would have been great.

The Truman Show is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite movies. I don't think it gets enough love. Perhaps the intended audience of this YA novel--tweens and teens--haven't seen it or heard of The Truman Show. For better or worse? On the one hand, This Is Not The Jess Show is a total and complete copycat of The Truman Show. On the other hand, it is a total and complete copycat of The Truman Show. Except instead of the "star" of the show being an adult--she's a teen girl--a minor.

Still, I loved so many things about it. It reminded me of The Truman Show, The Twilight Zone, and Margaret Peterson Haddix's awesome book, Running Out of Time. I did enjoy all the 90s references.

Save yourself some time: just watch the Truman Show, but picture a normal girl from the 90s as the main character. There. Now you don't have to read this. It's not a bad book, but it's very predictable and the characters are fairly terrible. Also, the ending feels forced and I'm not sure where they can go with it for the sequel. And don't get me started on the stupid character names.

Really enjoyable and addictive young adult novel, with some great characters and an intriguing storyline.

Jess lives a great small town life, until.ahe starts to notice some odd things and is suddenly thrust into a world she could never imagine.

A sometimes funny often melancholy tale where entertainment is king to the detriment of everything else, This is Not the Jess show is, indeed wildly entertaining.

Looking forward to what comes next.

Black Mirror and The Truman Show come together in this YA thriller. I loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

This is an intriguing tale of life turned reality show. The writing is engaging when the main character is on the run/fighting back.

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A completely enjoyable and bingeable trip into the 90s with a plot twist turning everything upside down and putting everything into question.

THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW has to be one of the most fun books I have read in a minute. Carey brings all the 90s goodness while still layering in questions about Jess’s world and who the people around her really are.

Honestly, I thought I would like this book because of all the 90s pop culture references and maybe an interesting plot twist here and there. What I didn’t expect was to truly invest in Jess as a character while being captivated by the duplicity surrounding her. And let us not forget, the complete unraveling of her entire life. I will not give spoilers, but in her small-town nothing is as it seems. Within these pages, you will be right there, step by step, as she discovers the truth.

This book is just as entertaining as it will cause you to consider just how much we all take on face value. THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW is a fast-moving tale with twists, turns, and a hint of romance on the side. Oh…and so many 90s references that I am wishing for the days of TGIF on Friday nights.