Alissa DeRogatis' "Call It What You Want" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that delves into complex themes of identity, relationships, and self-discovery. The narrative unfolds with a gripping plot and richly developed characters, each grappling with their own struggles and growth. DeRogatis' writing is both evocative and insightful, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience. The story's exploration of personal and societal issues is handled with nuance and depth, making it a compelling and reflective read. "Call It What You Want" is a powerful and engaging book that will resonate deeply with readers long after they turn the final page.

Detailing the ups and downs of a situation-ship, we follow Sloane and Ethan as they navigate a love that never really makes it. Set against the backdrop of a small college town, and then New York, during 2016-2018, it’s a book that tries to capture that time period, and the emotional rollercoaster of young infatuation.

Unfortunately, I found this book to be stale and frustrating.

The warning signs went off in my head pretty early on when Solane had a stereotypical ‘I’m not like the other girls’ moment, which was then followed up by Ethan having a ‘I’m a messed up guy who never lets anyone in’ moment, within pages of each other. That’s the story you’re getting into. Heed the warning!

Ethan is a frat boy. Most of the first half of this book is set during fraternity parties, so if that’s not your vibe, you’ll struggle with this book. There’s no arc to his story either. He’s a person who struggles to let people in, for understandable reasons, but that’s it. There is nothing more to him. Solane is just a pretty, privileged, ex-fraternity girl, who obsesses over Ethan. The worst thing that’s ever happened to her is her parents divorcing, just before she left for college.

One of the most frustrating things was the way the author would rehash events, when switching POVS. While we spend most of the time with Solane, Ethan’s POV does appear sometimes, and we usually get the exact scene we’ve just read, just with his thoughts. It was repetitive, and pointless.

For a relatively short book, there’s also an absurd amount of Taylor Swift references. I suppose I should have expected that, given the title, but seriously. I’m saying this as a swiftie, who yes, if you wrote the story of my life, word for word, a large chunk of that time would be spent listening to Taylor Swift, but that’s likely to bore the audience. Some of it has to be cut out.

There’s also a brief mention of how the group of friends put ‘Closer’ by The Chainsmokers and Halsey on repeat, while on their way to a college party, specifically scream-singing the lines ‘we ain’t ever getting older’. I get that the author wanted to root the book deeply into 2016-2018, and highlight that specific feeling of youth, but there is the act of showing, not telling, that this book constantly fails at doing, and it just felt deeply cringe-worthy. There’s also the fact that the only thing that really sets this book in its desired time period are these musical nods.

At the end of the book, the author states that writing this book was cathartic for her, as someone who couldn’t find a book that she related to, after going through a similar situation in terms of an ‘almost’ relationships. I’m glad the experience of writing it helped her, and maybe this will be the book that reaches out to others in a similar situation, but I still feel like it lacked substance. It was quite dry, and I didn’t see the chemistry between these two ‘magnets’ who were supposed to be constantly drawn to each other. Yes, the potential for someone to change and finally choose you might be intoxicating, but I just couldn’t see it in this book.

This wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but it definitely wasn’t the best. I feel like it was in need of more editing, and I also feel like I wasn’t the right audience for it. I just felt exasperated.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

I really wanted to like this book, the summary sounded like something that was a perfect summer read for me! However the characters were SO unlike able and cheesy that it really put a dampener on the story. Sloane was gullible, whiny & a pick-me, Ethan had more issues than vogue. Overall, not the summer read I’d hoped for!

Have you ever watched those TikToks of “what Americans sound like to non-Americans”, and it’s just a bunch of North America-centric terminology which makes absolutely no sense to the rest of the world?

Well this is the book equivalent and it truly is awful. Here’s a particularly excruciating paragraph for a non-American reader:

“Graham invited us to pregame the jersey party at his apartment, and then pledges would sober-drive us to the house.” Followed shortly by “‘believe it or not, I found this Celtics jersey at Goodwill a few years ago, hours before a Pike party’. I took a sip of my PJ. ‘Damn, quite the snag. I’m impressed to hear you were at a Pike party though. I thought you only fucked with Sigma Chis back then.’”

I can’t even be bothered to read any more. It was horrible to endure and at 13% I can already see the miscommunication issues which other reviewers speak about ruining this book.

DNF. No amount of Taylor Swift references (and there are lots) will get me through this 4th July ‘what the F&@% is a kilometre’ patriots senior freshman democrats ass contemporary book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book (but is it really an advanced copy since it’s already got nearly 4,000 reviews on Amazon, or is it a ploy from the publisher to get more people to review the book for free?) in return for an honest review.

☆ ☆ . 5

first and foremost id like to say thank you to both netgalley and the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review - lets dive in.

𝐢. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭
ᡣ𐭩 the idea of the plot was decent, but the whole thing comes down to how it’s executed. the plot was very repetitive especially with the miscommunication trope and the constant toxicness.

𝐢𝐢. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
ᡣ𐭩 there wasnt very much development within our main characters from what i saw, which disappointed me.

𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐞 - i wish i could defend her and i do but i just cant. three times, it took her three times to learn. i mean no hate to her as im sure weve all been in a similar situation but like.

𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 - ick. if you have problems and you know you do - STAY IN YOUR LANE.

𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝?

ᡣ𐭩 i would if anyones been in a toxic situationship yes. there was some great parts about this book and some i even related to - ig it just wasnt for me

I did find this book to be really jumpy between time frames especially at the beginning. I was hooked at first but the time jumps and the plot just seemed….. I don’t know I found it really difficult to get into and follow along! I will pick it up at another time and give it a go because I did enjoy the characters!

I have heard so many amazing things about this title! I absolutely cannot wait to share my full thoughts and review. I apologize I had to be admitted back to the hospital last night, but at least I have a lot of great reads to keep me company. Is this possible a Taylor Swift reference in there? I see you Swufties. Much more to come soon. This book perfectly en captures today’s relationships and I think it is going to be so relatable to most.