J.A. Ironside's Reviews > The Rest of Us Just Live Here

Utter brilliance. Witty and meta with the overall message that choosing yourself, no matter how messed up you think you are, is an act of heroism in itself. You don't have to be teen protagonist TM with all the traits of the exceptional, you yourself as you are - however flawed - are enough.

I really liked this book. It pokes fun at the 'chosen one' trope and while it doesn't pull punches - highlighting some of the more ridiculous teen fiction staples - it's also done with love. There's snark but no spite. Meanwhile, MC Mikey is dealing with some very teen problems - graduating, getting ready for college, a long unrequited crush and life in general changing and being outside his control. And that's before you factor in his anxiety and OCD, his sistr's anorexia, his father's non abusive alcoholism and his ambitious, neglectful mother who doesn't seem to have noticed her family is crashing and burning around her. And then there's the weird shit that's going on. It goes on everywhere of course but no one ralks about it and the adults seem to forget. Only a select group of kids get involved - and Mikey and his friends are NOT that group.

I especially loved the sibling dynamics - really Mike, Meredith and Melinda were just adorable together but still believable. The friendships which are a huge focus are excellent too. Jared is just brilliant. And this book proves one of my long held YA bugbears correct - a rich and deep friendship is as good as any first love story.

Highly recommend this.