By Claudia Recinos Seldeen
Romance | Young Adult
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quick Summary
Like and Subscribe is written from the perspective of Gabby, a high school teenager. In this book, we explore Gabby’s quandary of growing up in the internet age and the issues she faces at school, from the lack of friends to her desire to be a part of something bigger and her loneliness.
Gabby is a teenager with a YouTube channel where she reviews books. She has two followers. Her mother is one of them. The other is a spammer.
Then, one day, Gabby gets another follower, Ghostboy. Ghostboy appears intelligent, and she enjoys interacting with him.
Just as she begins to enjoy their interaction and lets her guard down she finds out that her new subscriber is Marco, a boy with a channel where he shares the latest gossip.
In spite of her desire to be seen, Gabby does not want to attract the type of attention being featured on Marco’s channel will bring.
First Impression
I gained my first impression of Like and Subscribe from the book cover. It caught my attention and caused me to check out the description. The cover is apt, and it suits both the story and the genre.
In the first section of the story I was struck by the imagery of today’s youth who wakes up not to the light of the rising sun but the light of the phone screen. The first sounds are not of animals waking up but rather the sound of an app on the phone.
It was a striking contrast to my own childhood that set me in a mood of reflection.
The story is so real and relatable. I felt Gabby’s loneliness and insecurities. This book aptly describes the struggles of teenagers growing up in this technological age.
What I Loved
I love that Like and Subscribe is easy to read—you can get through it in one sitting. Claudia Recinos Seldeen did a masterful job of touching on many issues affecting young people today.
The book touches on the dangers of social media and how to stay safe online. It also explores the way we change as we grow up and grow apart.
It also touches on our deep need to belong and the insecurities of an introvert.
I believe that most young people growing up in this technological age will be able to relate to this book.
What Could Have Been Better
I really did not like the editing style. For instance, the fact that the spoken words were not enclosed in uplifted commas was different and took some getting used to.
A Final Thought
When we send our children to school, we hope that an education will help them to navigate the world successfully. However, this book highlights the stark contrast between Gabby and her sister Elena.
It reminds us that book smart does not mean street smart and that older is not always wiser.
I highly recommend this book for children and parents of children growing up in this age of technology. It contains some important lessons for all ages.
Before You Go
Have you read, Like, and Subscribe? Drop a comment below. We would love to hear what you think of it.
If you are looking for more great reads you may be interested in, here are three that may grab your interest:
- A surprise pregnancy, a marriage of convenience, and an undeniable attraction—can Riley and Nash turn necessity into love? Read Make Your Play!
- Accidentally in Bloom: Forced to save her father’s flower shop, Rose clashes with Gray, her infuriating yet irresistible rival. Will sparks fly or burn out? Read to find out.
- Triquetra Prophecy Book 2 (Gods Among Us): Captured by the Wild Hunt, Shannon must escape a deadly planet to protect her unborn child—while Loki prepares for war to bring her home.
Happy reading!