I'm a sucker for reality TV but this was a little too random and disjointed for me. I think it tried to deal with a serious subject but never got serious enough to make me care about our protagonist and her journey. Seems like a wasted opportunity.

The reality TV part was actually kind of amusing though. ( )

CW: Suicide attempt

3.5 Stars ( )

Here's the thing about depression:
THE EMPTINESS IS REAL.

I'm SO GLAD somebody actually mentioned this. Because the void of no feelings is just as common as sadness. Or whatever other things exist instead of it. I only have experience with one thing, so THANK YOU, AUTHOR, FOR PUTTING IT ON PAGE!
Actually, this is the first ever time I've see it mentioned in fiction.

That said, this is a fun book. Yes, that's right. It's fun and sarcastic, and Jane is very, very real. The humour is exactly of the flavour I prefer.

RECOMMENDED ( )

teen/adult fiction (reality tv/social media meets clever psych student with issues; horrific betrayal plus revenge plans plus lots of snark; set in Canada).
I don't often enjoy reality tv, so was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm not sure how realistic Jane's existentialist suicide attempt was, so I probably wouldn't recommend this to someone trying to recover from depression, but for other people it is easy to be swept up in the drama of "House of Orange." ( )

Jane takes classes at community college after getting kicked out of high school. Participating in a budding reality show may or may not derail her chance at success. Jane has no idea what she wants. She is drifting after "the event," but keeps a journal recording all the things she thinks and feels, that she doesn't show or share. I could not stop reading Jane's story. I had to finish it.

Favorite quote: page 10.
"This is why I can't talk to the parents. They think you can get friends in high school the same way you get chips from a vending machine. Put in a little niceness, and some kid pops out ready to double-check your homework and paint your nails at a slumber party. Niceness is not a valid currency in high school." ( )