I love reading about sibling relationships, they often have the best dynamics to read about. Often, they are the most complicated relationships portrayed in a story, or the ones that give the most love. So when Marie announced she was going to publish a book, I absolutely had to read it! And I’m so happy and lucky I got Us Against the Likes as an ARC and could read it early! Continue reading to find out how I liked it.
Synopsis
An (anxious) travel influencer, a sister (first and forever), a (hopefully) future award winner.
Against her mother’s wishes, Abby Martins drops out of university to follow her dream: share her travel stories with the world.
With over 90 000 followers and her sister’s help, a talented photographer and her forever best friend, Abby’s thriving on this new path. She’s managing her anxiety (for the most part) and she’s (almost) making a living out of her passion.
Winning a prestigious travel influencer award might just be the thing to push her off that ledge.
Desperate to prove herself, Abby steps out of her comfort zone. From Scotland to Italy, from unexpected influencer trips to thrilling collaborations, Abby stretches herself and her own mental health thin for the likes.
But what, and most importantly, who, will she risk to lose on her way?
Book: Us Against the Likes | Author: Marie Voinson | Published: 20.10.2024 | Pages: 336 | Genre: YA / NA
About the author
Marie was born with stories in her head.
From loose pages to notebooks to computer, she started writing stories about made-up characters in fantasy and real world as early as she can remember.
Copywriter by day, Marie now lets the words loose by night to tell heartfelt, emotional coming of age stories she hopes can make people feel all the things.
What interested me most in Us Against the Likes was the sister relationship which was one of the main focus points in the story. But I also liked the idea of the portagonist being a travel influencer and also by her having anxiety.
Us Against the Likes is a great package that wonderfully combines all of these things. With Abby and Lizzie, it gives us two sisters that are each others’ worlds and have each others’ backs unconditionally. Or so Abby thinks. But the more Abby focuses on her career as a travel influencer, the more she tries to change herself to get better content, the more the two of them drift apart. I liked how this process was written, how Abby spirals with her need for more, her need to prove herself, her need to become someone potential followers and cooperation partners like, and how all of that strains the sisters’ relationship. I liked how this wasn’t a picture perfect relationship but one that felt real and despite everything held so much love. There were ups and downs, fights and making up, talking sense into each other and accepting that the other has to learn. The sisters were there for each other but they also realized, Abby especially, that she also is her own person and can exist without her sister. But doesn’t have to. I truly liked how Lizzie and Abby’s relationship was written and how it influences Abby.
I also liked Abby’s character development and growth. She’s a complex character with dreams but struggles, mostly thanks to her anxiety. But she doesn’t let that get her down and she tries her best. I really liked how she was written and how her thoughts and actions really show how she feels and what motivates her.
While the characters make this story interesting, I also adored the travelling aspect of Us Against the Likes a lot! I could imagine the different cities really well and could see how Abby (and other influencers) might make content there. I enjoyed the descriptions of the views, how the wind feels, what Abby feels while being there. Marie Voinson managed to give each place its own story and feeling, making them come alive.
Us Against the Likes wonderfully and realistically combines sisterhood, mental health and the dream of travelling across the world, while not omitting the downsides what being an influencer and being in the public eye can mean. Marie Voinson really did an amazing job with Us Against the Likes, a story full of warmth and love, growth and acceptance. I absolutely adored it!
Rating
YOU MIGHT ENJOY US AGAINST THE LIKES IF YOU LIKE…
travelling | mental health rep | anxiety rep | complex characters | interesting character dynamics | stories that fill your heart with warmth | characters accepting themselves | celebrities
Do you plan on reading Us Against the Likes? What places across the world would you love to visit? What’s your favourite place you’ve ever been to?
Until next time,
