I liked this book for the main storyline but I did have a couple of problems with the book as a whole. I wanted more of an ending. It didn't give me enough of a conclusion, which I really wanted to see. I did like the characters of Sonny, Amy, and Ryder. Some more than others but they kept me reading. This is't my first Hamilton High book having read the DUFF a few months ago. With that being said, I think the little sides of past Hamilton High characters was a little bit heavy and too much. I didn't like Bianca or Wesley enough as side characters and the other ones, while I hadn't read their books, I could tell were plants in the story line and not very organic.
Overall, I did like the book and could see this as a movie.

Story line good. Easy read which meant I read it in a day. BUT WAS THAT REALLY THE ENDING? Please someone tell me it doesn't finish just like that. I need more there could have been at least another 50 pages to finish off the book correctly and really make it a great book, like the duff. Her books finish too soon for my liking. The end of a book truly makes or breaks a book, the end is so important but in this book it's seems like she just couldn't wait to finish it and leave us hanging

It was enjoyable, but i liked the DUFF beter

Cringey dialogue. Characters annoyed me. But if you want something mostly light and a little enjoyable, then go ahead. I think those who have read The Duff would enjoy this more than I did due to the "cameos".

This can not seriously be the end.....

Lying Out Loud is the companion/follow up novel to The Duff. It was a funny, light-hearted read. Sonny is a likeable character, with Amy Rush, as her best friend. Amy Rush is Wesley Rush’s little sister. Wesley is one of the key characters in the DUFF.
I really liked how this book had characters who had their own set of problems to keep things interesting. I enjoyed reading about how Ryder, despite his “hipster” ego, had deeper problems. He really had a lot of things going for him that were good. His character was one that truly didn’t meet the eye.
I also felt sorry for Sonny. She clearly had no security in relationships. Her family unit was very dysfunctional, which led to her lying to everyone she cared about. Lying—even a white lie--- is never healthy. Constant lying, though? Not good. I did like how Sonny tried to make ends meet and repay the Rush family for their gratitude. It showed that she was capable of trying to do good, despite the mess she created for herself and for those that she cared deeply about.
In conclusion, I didn’t care about this book as much as I did the DUFF. It was okay, but just not as good. I did highly enjoy how Wesley and his girlfriend, Bianca made a comeback in this book. It was highly enjoyable to read about where they were, how they were doing, and what they were up to after graduating high school. I really think Kody Keplinger is a great author. I look forward to reading many more of her books. I really have mixed feelings about the possibility of another novel in this series, though. The Duff was great. This book was good. If there were to be a third, I’m just not sure how it would be. However, I think at this point, if there was, I would honestly read it just to see what it would be like. After all, she is a Kentucky author!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved seeing all the cameos and I thought Sonny's sense of humor was great. But it really could have used just one more chapter. :)

Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Kody Keplinger je môj kryptonit, ale ako vážne?! Ak by nebolo pol jednej ráno a pár metrov odo mňa nespala spolubývajúca, asi by som vykríkla na celé Brno jedno veľké WTF??! Skoro ma trafil šľak, keď som namiesto 33. kapitoly, uvidela na ďalšej stránke nadpis Acknowledgments. (aka moje pocity po dočítaní, keď som dnes -včera- uprednostnila knihu a nie učebnicu anatómie)

I'm not sure if I can ever understand what all the hate is about over Sonny's character... I have a messy childhood and work with homeless youth and let me say... she felt quite believable to me... People who never felt it don't get what desperation, loneliness and feelings of absolute inadequacy to face your reality can make you do, or turn into.

Yes, she makes shittie shittie choices, and lying is bad... I'm not for it for sure, but I can remember fibbing a whole lot when things were too bleak to share, when faking it was really the only way to make it (and I say make it as in keeping on with staying alive part of life... ) and I can't even begin to imagine how I would have felt having to deal with what life gave Sonny... Of course at that point she was completely self centered and a shitty friend... tends to happen when you are in survival mode. It's also really hard too really let people in because then you have to feel everything...

I found some of the critics here to be difficult to read, and not on behalf of the book. I think people should be a bit careful about what they say about the characters sometimes it comes out pretty mean.

Anyway. Liked the book. Like the unsure, good but not too full of HEA ending . Kody Keplinger sure understand fucked up people's nature, for one so young. And a lot of the exchanges between Sonny and Rider made me smile. And I cried at one point. So overall, a good read.