I Like Me Better is a charming summer read that explores themes of personal growth, first love, and self-acceptance. The story centers around Zack, a talented soccer player who takes the blame for the prank done by his mentor, Ryan. Zack’s main goal for the summer is to lead his team to victory during the annual 4th of July match, with the hope of becoming the new captain. Thanks to his dog Odin, he meets Chip during one of his morning runs and decides to start volunteering at the Marine Life Institute, not at all because Chip works as an intern there. As the story progresses, Zack's encounter with Chip triggers a series of events that inspire him to reassess his priorities, values, and sense of self.
Zack might appear somewhat inexperienced and immature at times, but I loved seeing his character grow throughout the story. He's still in the process of self-discovery, and trying to figure out what makes him genuinely happy.
“While the sharks swim, seemingly aimlessly, I can’t help but relate to them. If I’m a shark, I’m one of these guys. Here I am, confined by this lie – limited and tamed and trained – while Ryan is out in the ocean, living his best life, being a great white. Though, as I stand here in silence, engulfed in a vibrant blue with the cutest boy I know, I wonder for the first time if I even want to be an apex predator at all.”
The dialogues between characters felt natural, fun, and relatable. I loved the wit and humor in this story, and it had me giggling quietly to myself throughout the whole book. Zack's friends were also an enjoyable aspect of this story for me, as they were always rooting for Zack and Chip's romance, and their unwavering support helped Zack mature as a person.
I also appreciated how the story emphasized the significance of preserving the ocean ecosystem and admiring the beauty of nature from a distance, without causing harm or disruption.
“I think respect can be earned through admiration or fear. So, we can respect sharks because we admire their power and their role in the ecosystem, and we can be aware of the potential risks of being in their environment. Or we can fear them. I think the first is better.”
I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Zack and Chip, as it was sweet and felt real. Even though they had very different personalities (extrovert x introvert trope), they encouraged and challenged each other to overcome their fears and reach for their dreams.
“I catch myself glancing over at Chip every time we slow to a stop and his smile is illuminated, warmer than the red glow and orange streetlights. I don’t know what it feels like to fall for someone, but I imagine it’s something like this, when my heart pauses with every simple wiggle of his nose and shy laugh as he turns away.”
I would recommend this book to everyone who’s looking for a lighthearted, low-stakes summer romance read!
The cover design of the book is very pretty - the hand-drawn style and vibrant colors are eye-catching and match the summery vibe of the story perfectly!
Thank you, Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! I Like Me Better by Robby Weber is due to be released on May 2, 2023.
Zack might appear somewhat inexperienced and immature at times, but I loved seeing his character grow throughout the story. He's still in the process of self-discovery, and trying to figure out what makes him genuinely happy.
“While the sharks swim, seemingly aimlessly, I can’t help but relate to them. If I’m a shark, I’m one of these guys. Here I am, confined by this lie – limited and tamed and trained – while Ryan is out in the ocean, living his best life, being a great white. Though, as I stand here in silence, engulfed in a vibrant blue with the cutest boy I know, I wonder for the first time if I even want to be an apex predator at all.”
The dialogues between characters felt natural, fun, and relatable. I loved the wit and humor in this story, and it had me giggling quietly to myself throughout the whole book. Zack's friends were also an enjoyable aspect of this story for me, as they were always rooting for Zack and Chip's romance, and their unwavering support helped Zack mature as a person.
I also appreciated how the story emphasized the significance of preserving the ocean ecosystem and admiring the beauty of nature from a distance, without causing harm or disruption.
“I think respect can be earned through admiration or fear. So, we can respect sharks because we admire their power and their role in the ecosystem, and we can be aware of the potential risks of being in their environment. Or we can fear them. I think the first is better.”
I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Zack and Chip, as it was sweet and felt real. Even though they had very different personalities (extrovert x introvert trope), they encouraged and challenged each other to overcome their fears and reach for their dreams.
“I catch myself glancing over at Chip every time we slow to a stop and his smile is illuminated, warmer than the red glow and orange streetlights. I don’t know what it feels like to fall for someone, but I imagine it’s something like this, when my heart pauses with every simple wiggle of his nose and shy laugh as he turns away.”
I would recommend this book to everyone who’s looking for a lighthearted, low-stakes summer romance read!
The cover design of the book is very pretty - the hand-drawn style and vibrant colors are eye-catching and match the summery vibe of the story perfectly!
Thank you, Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! I Like Me Better by Robby Weber is due to be released on May 2, 2023.