It has been a while since I read a romantic novel, one fully focused on love and romance. I was getting tired of the predictable love stories with sweet buildups leading to relationships through various hurdles. I have quite a lot of ebooks from some of my friends, since I find it hard to get hard cover, I decided to give ebook a try.
I had quite a hard time choosing what to read, but after some deliberation, I finally settled on “Call It What You Want” by Alissa DeRogatis. The title intrigued me— call what what? What could have happened that it defies a fixed name?
Call It What You Want // SUMMARY
“Call It What You Want” is a 2023 romance novel by Alissa DeRogatis that delves into youth love, relationships, situationships, friendship, and self-discovery.
The novel follows Sloane Hart, a senior year college student dreaming of becoming a fine writer, who spends her final months in college enjoying and partying with her best friends, Lauren and Jordan, without any thoughts of romance.
Sloane had avoided a relationship for several reasons, one of which is her belief that they rarely last after graduation and with few month to graduation, how could she allow a guy in the picture? However, even with all initial denials, she unexpectedly falls for Ethan Brady, her college mate and neighbour.
Ethan, overshadowed by his past, struggles to let Sloane in, even though he claims to love her. Their undeniable chemistry draws them together. As they grow closer, even after graduating, they find themselves wrapped up in a complicated dance of attraction and hesitation.
Just when it seems like their story might end, you find out it another ‘fresh start’, when it seems Sloane is actually letting go, Ethan reappears, bringing more emotional turmoil. The closer he gets, the more he pushes Sloane away, and the more she falls for him. Can Sloane let him go? Can Ethan truly let her go or let her in? When does this cycle end? What do we even call this kind of relationship?
MY THOUGHTS
The title and the cover design initially drew me to this book. What I love about “Call It What You Want” is how relatable it is for many young adults, even if I can’t personally relate. I have seen many relationships similar to Sloane and Ethan’s, and often, it is hard to define what they are.
The emotional connection and attachment in this book is profound. You can feel the intensity of the characters' emotions and understand their points of view. The internal battles they face are raw and real, making the story heartfelt and genuine.
The ending of the book stood out for me. It was realistic and not overly sweet or perfect, reflecting the true nature of life. Life is not always a bed of roses, some things happen just to build us. Sloane’s journey through the ‘situationship’ led to self-discovery and awareness, which I found very compelling. Plus, there are other side stories to enjoy.
“Call It What You Want” is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys romance or finds themselves in a complicated relationship. The story’s emotional depth and realistic portrayal of young love make it a standout. Overall, I would give it a 4.3 out of 5.
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Image from screenshot of my ebook. Thumbnail designed using Canva.
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