Not Here to be Liked by Michelle Quach

Eliza Quan is the perfect candidate for editor in chief of her school paper. That is, until ex-jock Len DiMartile decides on a whim to run against her. Suddenly her vast qualifications mean squat because inexperienced Len—who is tall, handsome, and male—just seems more like a leader.

When Eliza’s frustration spills out in a viral essay, she finds herself inspiring a feminist movement she never meant to start, caught between those who believe she’s a gender equality champion and others who think she’s simply crying misogyny.

Amid this growing tension, the school asks Eliza and Len to work side by side to demonstrate civility. But as they get to know one another, Eliza feels increasingly trapped by a horrifying realization—she just might be falling for the face of the patriarchy himself.

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It's another mixed review!

I love the new wave of feminist fiction for teens, highlighting important issues in society. It's a really important topic, and any book that brings attention to it is good. However, there's definitely a spectrum, and for me personally this book is somewhere slightly below middle.

It's not awful! I was engaged and I wanted to find out what would happen at the end. Our main character, Eliza, is (as the title says) not very likeable; she's cold, critical, and hyperfocused on her own goals, to the point of being dismissive of anyone who isn't as focused on theirs. It's hard to root for someone who's always judging other people. And I didn't find the romance very believable; they spent only a few hours together over a couple of weeks, but that's fairly par for the course in this kind of novel.

There was some good banter, though, and the story overall was fun. It definitely touched on some important topics. It was just hard for me to get past how mean Eliza was. But I think this will do well.

Not Here to be Liked publishes on the 16th September, 2021 in the UK (top image) and on the 14th September 2021 in the US (lower image). I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.