My first novel by Kelly Anne Blount will not be my last. I must now devour everything she's ever written. The story is compelling, but it's the characters that really stand out to me. Too often, the story is really good, but I don't particularly like the characters, but I fell in love with both Wren and Fuller from the beginning, which is hard when one of said characters is a giant-ass douchebag. But Blount gives us a glimpse into his life and immediately softens our hearts. No matter what he's done to Wren in the past, his devotion to his family makes him a hero everyone can root for. And anyone who has ever been bullied by the mean girls can immediately identify with Wren. Dumped by her best friend at a middle school dance after an unfortunately embarrassing situation that was only made worse by one Fuller James, Wren distrusts girls and has a small group of friends in high school. Both are the type of guy friends every woman deserves. Wren hates Fuller James so when she is caught on video engaging in a lunchtime food fight with him, both are hauled into the principal's office. Captain of the boys state-champion basketball team, Fuller may find his senior year riding the bench instead of being scouted by colleges. Wren is on a smooth track to class Valedictorian and the logical tutor for Fuller. Except she hates him. Loathes him. Would literally prefer to do ANYTHING other than spend one second with Fuller James.
It's clear from this opening scene that this is going to be an enemies to lovers story, but it's a delicious path they take to get there. Fuller comes to first appreciate Wren before realizing all those years of making her a punchline prevented him from seeing her inner beauty but the outer as well. Not only does she have legs for days, but eyes he could get lost in. Wren sees another side of Fuller when he stops by her house to pick up some notes. This is a side she can't fully grasp, but it forces her to realize there may be more to this this arrogant, cocky jerk than meets the eye. The more time they spend together, the more they both realized they've completely misjudged each other. If only Fuller hadn't made that stupid, regrettable bet.
Plot
Expertly plotted, most of the story follows a formula that isn't full of surprises, but the character's depth and breadth shine through in those moments when the inevitable unfolds. While the plot may not be original, the imaginary friends I made while reading this story react in original ways, bringing a deeper level of enjoyment to a lighthearted romance. The nod the author gives to some of the best romcoms ever, including Say Anything, only made this a tale nearer and dearer to my heart.
The Characters
Simply amazing. I have to remind myself they're not real, and that is the saddest part of this book. Fuller is fully-developed and has the most complete character arc, because frankly, he needs it more than he needs an A in AP Lit. His journey is both honest and organic as he realizes he's been far too shallow for too long. Wren is so relatable and though she has her own arc, it's not as significant as she transitions from the victim of bullying to someone who can hold her head high even through new humiliating events. The best part of the characterization is not only being able to see Wren and Fuller through the eyes of each other, since it's dual first-person point of view, but also in the eyes of their family members. Nothing humanizes someone more than seeing them among loved ones, who not only love them unconditionally, but absolutely won't take any of their crap.
Top Five Things I Loved About I HATE YOU FULLER JAMES
1. Fuller. He's perfectly imperfect, making him a flawed hero who's easy to love.
2. Wren. She's so complex and completely relatable. I love how she learns to stand up to her bullies.
3. Hudson. Fuller's younger brother is both hilarious and loyal. The interactions between Hudson and Fuller bring out the best of Fuller James.
4. Gramps. Wren's basketball loving grandfather is a breath of fresh air and helps show Wren's devotion to family in a way that would have been harder without him in it.
5. Angsty romance. Just enough angst without being over the top made this a total page-turner for me.
Bottom Line
A fun romance with amazing characters and a stellar supporting cast.
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Reviews with images
A Modern Take on a Classic Romance Trope
Kelly Anne Blount takes the classic nerd and jock story and creates such lovable characters in a heartfelt story!In I Hate You, Fuller James, we follow Wren who has been required to tutor Fuller so their school's star player won't be benched for the first game in the basketball season. Their romance is fun and flirty but what I love most about this novel is their personal lives. Wren and Fuller are both very family oriented which is something I don't see often in a romance but is very realistic for high schoolers. In the story, there are many references for all of the book nerds reading! Wren and Fuller's English assignment is on The Hate U Give, they both enjoy The Office, Marvel, and even more classic stories you will come across while reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, romantic, and high school reminiscent book.
Top reviews from other countries
E
I need a second book. It was AMAZING. Es INCREIBLE
Reviewed in Spain on May 27, 2020
