Michelle Quach

Not Here To Be Liked

Not Here to Be Liked

Olivia 

“To be human is hard enough. Don’t make it harder for yourself.”

“Because everyone loves a girlboss until she tries to tell you what to do.”

"To be human is hard enough. Don't make it harder for yourself."

Falling in love wasn't part of the plan. Eliza Quan fully expects to be voted the next editor-in-chief of her school paper. She works hard, she respects the facts, and she has the most experience. Len DiMartile is an injured star baseball player who seems to have joined the paper just to have something to do. Naturally, the staff picks Len to be their next leader. Because while they may respect Eliza, they don't particularly like her - but right now, Eliza is not here to be liked. She's here to win. But someone does like Eliza. A lot. Shame it's the boy standing in the way of her becoming editor-in-chief....

Haley

“A smart romance with heart and guts and all the intoxicating feelings in between.” —Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes Emergency Contact meets Moxie in this cheeky and searing novel that unpacks just how complicated new love can get…when you fall for your enemy. 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.

Destiny Marley

fc ♡

I love love this book and have really grown fond of it. the mc was domineering and selfish at the start but despite her personality, you cannot help but somehow relate to her. she was never suppose to be likable at the start but as the book progresses she slowly grows as a person and individual. i would say it gears towards feminism and character growth rather than romance. the romance is more of subplot but the ml was super charming which was a nice touch to the overall plot

Lane Loyola

Daphne

Greer Andersson

4⭐️
People when main character who is advertised as unlikeable turns out to be unlikeable: 😨😨😨😨

** spoiler alert **
           people were not lying when they said that the main female character in this book is annoying af.

tbh, i found both her and her bff winona annoying. like imagine proclaiming yourself as feminists but still stereotyping girls, i.e., judging girls such as serena and natalie for how they act or for being pretty, popular, or having a jock boyfriend.

although I’ve got to admit that len publishing eliza’s manifesto was crossing the line, I couldn’t help but feel like the “campaign” that eliza started veered more towards being a hate campaign masked as a feminist one. i mean, eliza didn’t have any issue when james was the eic, but suddenly when len won and she lost, she has an issue with the lack of female leaders in the school? it’s just so performative, is what I’m saying, i guess… (this is not to deny any positive effects of the campaign of course.)

also, unpopular opinion, but len and serena had more chemistry in that last morning announcement scene than len and eliza had in the entirety of the book 🤷🏻‍♀️

Selin Igten

halfway through this book i realised they were in high school and not college and it ruined everything. oh and also this book sucks its terrible there’s nothing positive i can say about this

Meg Ma. Guerrero 

i'll be honest in saying that when i was reading the first few chapters, i had immediately written eliza, the main character, as a pick me girl. she'd said many versions of "i'm not like other girls" without actually saying it, and that irked me. but this book pretty much covered that as the story progressed.

it was like moxie but better. AND we got the half-white, half-japanese male lead in this, too, so that was fun.

speaking of the male lead: i know this book was heavy with themes of feminism but boy, was i charmed by len dimartile. i wish i wasn't, [SPOILER AHEAD LOL] much like eliza, but i was, and i'd be lying if i said i wasn't squealing into my pillow like the high school version of myself at 3am because of him. 

this was a fun, light read (while still managing to tackle sexism, performative activism, racism, etc.) that i'd probably enjoy a lot as a teen rom-com simply because i'm a sucker for those. PLUS, it's rivals to lovers so i'm definitely here for it.

Isabella 

I started this book with an expectation of it being an academic rivals to lover book. Instead, I got more, and I loved it. I expected more with the romance, and I was quite disappointed. However, the other topics discussed made up for it. This talked about feminism, internalized misogyny, sexism and patriarchy. The book shed light on what being Asian in America feels like. I loved it so much. I also loved the character development in the book. It showed their journey to understanding feminism. The romance was also cute, and the ending was something hopeful which I liked. The plot moved forward well as it tackled important discussions head on, and it was truly a journey to read. Although I grew detached to the story at times, I would still recommend this book to anyone since it is a very easy and quick read!

Recommended by a friend 🫶🏼 Imo, it has a very simple plot but it tackles a lot of issues (feminism, sexism)! It does not go deep into the issues but its simplified scenarios of it is very helpful especially for beginners and for those who are still confused with these issues. Some parts pissed me off so much because it's tooooo realistic. I know it happens daily and it can't magically disappear which makes me so frustrated and sad. The Asian family dynamics hit a little close to home 🙃 it's like reading your life in a book! I liked the male protagonist later on but during the first parts, he just makes my blood boil lol. The ending is cute ngl 🫡

yena 

kyra

1/5. havent disliked a fmc like this ever.

anita

pensando en que it was a little bit boring lo siento 🙈

This was such an adorable, cosy YA contemporary romance! I really liked how Michelle Quach brought up some very important topics such as feminism and I think she included these topics in a perfect and respectful manner. 

I honestly felt detached reading this like I couldn’t really connect with the story. Eliza and Len’s relationship felted so rushed and underdeveloped. Their relationship isn't really academic rivals/enemies to lovers at all like they were just competing for the editor in chef position and THATS IT! and that competition was cut short in the beginning so there wasn't really any element of rivalry. there wasn't any foundation or any hints of the two's dynamic before so i felt like the characters are just put together you know

I love all the diverse representation especially the asian rep with the asian market setting and the family histories from their homeland but it was TOO REAL at times like the asian family experience triggered me !! I got flashbacks

I like the book’s potential in teaching feminism but I felt like this wasn’t executed well. i like how the book introduces the basic issues of feminism but the issues weren’t fully discussed (then ignored) such as intersectional and slut shaming. the fmc is still learning about feminism and towards the end, we get a glimpse on how feminism isn't a straightforward concept but equality for all is still the aim

overall, i felt like this book was trying to be so many things but in the end it was lacking for me

this was disappointing

I honestly felt detached reading this like I couldn’t really connect with the story. Eliza and Len’s relationship felted so rushed and underdeveloped. Their relationship isn't really academic rivals/enemies to lovers at all like they were just competing for the editor in chef position and THATS IT! and that competition was cut short in the beginning so there wasn't really any element of rivalry. there wasn't any foundation or any hints of the two's dynamic before so i felt like the characters are just put together you know

I love all the diverse representation especially the asian rep with the asian market setting and the family histories from their homeland but it was TOO REAL at times like the asian family experience triggered me !! I got flashbacks

I like the book’s potential in teaching feminism but I felt like this wasn’t executed well. i like how the book introduces the basic issues of feminism but the issues weren’t fully discussed (then ignored) such as intersectional and slut shaming. the fmc is still learning about feminism and towards the end, we get a glimpse on how feminism isn't a straightforward concept but equality for all is still the aim

overall, i felt like this book was trying to be so many things but in the end it was lacking for me

2.5 stars

Antes que nada, he de decir que, me compré este libro por su portada, me dirán que no es preciosa?????. No obstante, tenía miedo de que sólo fuera una linda portada y no, un buen libro con una linda portada. Pero, afortunadamente me encantó la historia también.

Sí bien hacia la parte media del libro la cosa decae un pelín, pero eso no le resta encanto a la historia en general, la disfruté mucho. Por otra parte, me encantaron los personajes, creo que son muy entrañables.

Me gustó mucho Eliza y su ímpetu y fortaleza al querer defender sus derechos como mujer y los de las demás también buscando igualdad sin pecar de ser egocéntrica. Me gustó mucho también el romance, lo vi muy graduar y bonito sin ser empalagoso o muy predecible.

Así que sí, me gustó bastante. No es el mejor libro que he leído de este género ni mucho menos, pero es una lectura que vale la pena.

Estefany 

Antes que nada, he de decir que, me compré este libro por su portada, me dirán que no es preciosa?????. No obstante, tenía miedo de que sólo fuera una linda portada y no, un buen libro con una linda portada. Pero, afortunadamente me encantó la historia también.

Sí bien hacia la parte media del libro la cosa decae un pelín, pero eso no le resta encanto a la historia en general, la disfruté mucho. Por otra parte, me encantaron los personajes, creo que son muy entrañables.

Me gustó mucho Eliza y su ímpetu y fortaleza al querer defender sus derechos como mujer y los de las demás también buscando igualdad sin pecar de ser egocéntrica. Me gustó mucho también el romance, lo vi muy graduar y bonito sin ser empalagoso o muy predecible.

Así que sí, me gustó bastante. No es el mejor libro que he leído de este género ni mucho menos, pero es una lectura que vale la pena.

miraj

DNF'ed at page 184, i just do not care anymore.

i usually don't drop books ever, out of principle and a bit of spite, but my time could be much better spent reading things i actually enjoy instead of... whatever this was.

getting into this book was a so hard and the first 80 pages or so were just a chore to read. not that Quach's writing style is bad, i quite enjoy her voice. but this book is so, unremarkably boring. 

like, if you are going to be so obnoxious and lack any semblance of subtlety and nuance in your message of "feminism good", the least you can do is be entertaining. 

eliza is so not a feminist it made me snort a couple times like, is this the girl i am supposed to root for? i saw a lot people say "her character being unlikable is the point! you are just not getting it!" and i need to clarify myself — i love unlikable narrators and i am getting that this is "the point" of the book. 

but why is it being "the point" synonymous for "exempt from criticism"?

boring plot, unlikable characters, cartoonish antagonists and you couldn't even give me a believable rivals to lovers? the only reason this book isn't 1 star is because i did not absolutely hate it. and that must say a lot about the book, alone.

#WinonaAndLenDeservedBetter

lisa roeling 

i was a bit bored, but i did like the discussion about feminism

aamna

okay so this book was alright, i love her character growth and all but i felt like it was all a bit too much, don’t get me wrong, i loved the authors writing style i just didn’t enjoy what she wrote about. overall it was a nice and surprisingly quick read.

Shareca

Not Here To Be Liked (NHTBL)
Michelle Quach
★★★★★

The iridescent and commanding "Not Here To Be Liked" by Michelle Quach was the last of the 50 books I had to read for my reading challenge 🍾

Quach has captured my attention in a way that I have not received from a YA novel for many years—especially one concerned with feminist issues. Through its prose, its overzealous characters (that romance gave me butterflies... ermagawd, y'all), and its feminist perspective, it provides a defining moment for zoomers and millennials. The multiculturalism and the potential for extending those characteristics throughout the narrative was effortless; Eliza's best friend Winona is rendered in exceptional detail as the Black (film) student in this neighborhood. Additionally, the culture of Eliza is portrayed in a manner that is easily digestible, relatable, and engaging to read. Quach's use of language and culture was exquisite; by the end of the novel, I had even begun to memorize the words/phrases. The inclusion of the cultural component in "NHTBL" enriches this book—it is refreshing to read.

A book like "NHTBL" celebrates culture, heterogeneity, women, authenticity, courage, and tenacity. Performing a coup d'état in support of womanism is something that my adolescent brain in the year 2010/11 would have been unable to comprehend, lol. Since feminism is such a broad concept, I love that the novel discusses whether or not dating a particular type of guy/human would make you "un"—feminist. This question between Eliza and the feminist characters (Serena, Kim, Eliza's mother) is a valuable addition for YA readers. There is a genuinely inspiring narrative about the conflict between boomers, millennials, and zoomers in relation to generational feminism. It is wonderful. Eliza and Len are everything I did not know I needed but so desperately desired. They are shippable, and I cannot get enough of them. Len and Eliza had a very engaging dynamic, and Len's patience made me feel like they were adults, not high school students. I enjoyed it very much. (It made me want to pretend my boyfriend and I were staging a coup d'état with a "feminist manifesto.")

Ashley

70% read

I can't do it. I'm disappointed 😭

I had to force myself to try to read this book since the first chapter, honestly I thought it would get better as I kept reading but it sadly didn't. Don't get me wrong tho, it's a  me  reason.

The main reason why I'm leaving it DNF is because I feel zero romance in the book. I went in expecting romance to be the main and center topic but it isn't. 

I'm not saying the book is bad, I think it's very well written but the plot just isn't for me. I believe that the plot of the book is feminism, activism, friendships, etc. 

I did love the Chinese representation in this book; I truly felt related to it. 

Overall, I  would recommend

Kerstin 

Heather Crawford

Right at the beginning you get the vibe of the character, headstrong, purposeful, confident in their skills and knows what they want. Like the title says, they are not here to be liked. The obstacles the main character faces are realistic, and any reader (female or otherwise) could identify with the struggles and challenges from the other characters. This book makes you feel related to, heard, and frustrated with the patriarchy.

This was a good book and worth the read.

Vajas Johanna 

Anna

Bon. J’ai lu ce livre en anglais, et vu que je n’ai pas l’habitude (j’en ai lu que 2 dans ma vie de façon sérieuse) je pense que ça va jouer sur mon avis. Parce que forcément, du coup c’est plus de contraintes que si j’avais pu le lire en français : c’est plus long à lire et surtout tout n’est pas compréhensible à la première lecture. Donc à tout moment je suis passée à côté de choses importantes qui m’auraient fait aimer le livre encore plus.

Mais voilà, si on laisse l’aspect anglais de côté et qu’on prend ce que j’ai compris du livre (c’est à dire à peu près tout, car j’ai quand même un bon niveau d’anglais merci bien) j’ai bien aimé sans plus. Après, pas assez pour donner 4 étoiles et encore moins 5. 
Dans le sens où le livre « Today, Tonight, Tomorrow » aborde la même trope qui est « academics rivals to lovers ». Et ce livre pour le coup valait vraiment 4 étoiles tellement j’ai aimé. Et aujourd’hui, je ne peux pas mettre « Not here to be liked » au même niveau. Mais alors vraiment pas ! Le personnage principal féminin m’a vraiment saoulé dans sa quête du féminisme parce que c’était vraiment abusé la façon dont elle extrapolait tout. Je sais pas comment le protagoniste masculin pouvait supporter ça.

C’était juste une lecture sympa !En plus, à aucun moment je n’ai eu de papillons dans le ventre ou un minimum d’excitation en pensant à ce couple, donc bon.

Ellie Mai Bonass

I have mixed thoughts on this book, I love the different thoughts on feminism and how it's is viewed from different perspectives. However, as someone who has been on a romance binge lately, I think my own expectations disappointed me. That being said, I thought it was a good read, it's just took me a while to get through. Especially, in my opinion, it only starts getting interesting when you're already half way through the book, but a good read nonetheless.

That's it, that's the review bc this is sorta forgettable.

aurelia 

Liked this one.

That's it, that's the review bc this is sorta forgettable.

Not Here To Be Liked

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