Knowing that this book wouldn’t be featuring Oseman’s Solitaire cast of characters, I was a little nervous going into it. Would I like these characters just as much? Would the story, one that felt almost too close to where I was as a teenager, resonate with me? What would Oseman’s take on fandom be?

Strangely enough, the things I was concerned about didn’t end up coming to pass. Oseman portrays fandom culture not with the scorn of someone removed from it or on the receiving end, but more so as an appreciator. The story itself definitely hit close to home for me – I was an active member of fandom as a teen/young adult – but not in the harsh way I’d feared. In fact, I wish I’d read this as a teenager in fandom; maybe things would have ended differently for me if I’d had a book like this to help guide me along the way.

The one sticking point for me was the characters. The story is told from two perspectives by two different narrators, Angel and Jimmy. Angel reminded me of the wonderful friends I made in fandom, in all the best ways, and I enjoyed her sections very much. Jimmy, on the other hand, really got on my nerves – I’m guessing it’s because I too struggle with severe anxiety, and seeing myself on the page felt too bizarre to me. I didn’t dislike Jimmy; I just got frustrated with him the same way I’d get frustrated with myself. That’s a testament to Oseman’s writing: I can’t say the characters don’t feel real and don’t have their flaws.

I’m so glad I read this book, and I wish I hadn’t put it off just because the Solitaire cast weren’t featured. I should know by now to trust Oseman to provide real, solid characterization and a plot that keeps me reading into the wee hours of the morning.