A review by colorful_lulu
After Eight by Meg Cabot

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

Content Warning: Mia's BS. Mia not getting character development. Michael, at least a college sophomore, complains that Mia, a high school junior who said she's not ready to have sex, won't sleep with him. A twisted view on virginity. Lilly and Mia's "LIlly just being Lilly" toxic friendship.

<spoilers>I have just so many questions on why this book even exists. I don’t think I ever hated Mia this much before. She’s just so !!! Her being so irrationally mad at Michael because he didn’t tell her his sexual history that she breaks up with him after spending the whole book saying what she wants him to say is absolutely crazy. I don’t even like the book Michael in the slightest, complaining that he can’t have sex with Mia who said multiple times that she isn’t ready for sex, and then pressured her and made her feel guilty that she can’t meet his sexual needs is just… no. But for once I do feel bad for him. Everyone from Tina (I love her so much but her stupid book Your Precious Gifts is absolute BS like she finally realized) to LILLY, who is always so mean to Mia, and GRANDMERE, who never understood Mia and treated everyone like shit, recognized Mia’s BS. That’s BIG. The idea that virginity is so important to Mia is fine. But she can’t punish Michael who does not share the same values by breaking up with him is not okay which Lilly told her. Is Mia ever going to mature? I’m the same age, same grade and this is so crazy. Even this level of drama won’t happen in my school.

Why is Michael allowed to date Mia? I know Mia is the same age as his younger sister, which as the oldest daughter with a brother 2 years younger and a sister 4 years younger, is weird. He’s at least 3 years older than her which is illegal and was mentioned multiple times by Mia herself. And seriously, a college boyfriend? Michael, she’s literally your sister’s best friend. Personally, that’s too close but I GUESS.

I have never been to a public school, let alone an American public school, but do people lose their virginity between 9th grade and college? Is that a thing? Odd I guess they didn’t have the IB haunting their life.

Also, why does every boy Mia knows want her? (Except for Borris I guess) Michael wants to sleep with her. Kenny insists on continuing the “tradition” of being lab partners even though Mia is taking advantage of him and Kenny obviously wants to get back with her. J.P. insists that her standing up for herself, especially against Michael, is good for her even though she’s being irrational then tells her that he enjoyed the kiss??? Why?

Omg, I forgot the most annoying thing about Mia. We all know how privileged Grandmere is. But at least when she’s “struggling” she doesn’t make a big deal of it. It usually ends up quite quickly. BUT MIA? THIS GIRL IS SO ENTITLED. YOUR NOW EX-BOYFRIEND COULD SAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH HIS ROBOT!!! BUT YOU CARE SO DEEPLY ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SUFFER WITHOUT HIM BEING NEXT TO YOU THAT YOU FORGET SO MANY PEOPLE WOULD NOT DIE. STOP WITH YOUR “FEMINIST” BS. HOW ARE YOU A FEMINIST IF YOU ARE GOING TO SACRIFICE LITERAL LIVES SO YOU CAN SMELL YOUR BOYFRIEND’S NECK?????


As a Japanese girly, I have to say that the job of a Geisha (芸者) is just an entertainer, not a prostitute. The job of a Geisha is complicated but as of 2023 and I assume in 2007 they just meant a Japanese entertainer, a professional in traditional Japanese performing arts, etc.</spoilers>

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