Audiobook Review: Girl Online: Going Solo by Zoe Sugg

---

Girl Online: Going Solo
Girl Online #3
Author: Zoe Sugg
Narrator: Hannah Tointon
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 22nd 2016
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

The third novel in the New York Times bestselling Girl Online series by the award-winning YouTuber and blogger Zoe “Zoella” Sugg.

Penny’s life is back to normal.

As Penny starts the school year she’s ready to face the world—alone. Noah has gone off the radar after ending his world tour early, and no one, including Penny, knows where he is. So when she accepts Megan’s invitation to visit her performing arts school, it seems like an opportunity to make some new friends.

Helping everyone else seems to be the right remedy—Elliot needs her friendship more than ever, and she meets Posey, who she can really help with her stage fright. But is charming Scottish boy Callum the right kind of distraction? And can Penny truly move on when Noah’s shadow seems to haunt her around every corner?

Girl Online has been an utter delight! I have listened to all three books on audio and they have been some of my absolute favorites. I love the accent of the narrator, they really make it sound authentic, adding in typing sounds, everything. This makes it an absolute delight to listen to and really pulls me in only to focus on what’s happening in Penny’s life.

Girl Online: Going Solo picks up after Noah broke my heart. I mean Penny, my bad ;). Penny’s back in school, back to blogging, back with her favorite sidekick Wiki aka Elliot. She’s trying to navigate life after Noah, who has been radio silent since the breakup, but it’s tough when she doesn’t know if he’s okay and always feels his ghost. We’ve watched Penny battle anxiety throughout the entire series, but we also watched her grow to accept it and find ways to healthily battle anxiety attacks. This is one of the main reasons why I have enjoyed this series, aside for the cute fun stuff, Penny does deal with some heavy anxiety that many people deal with, and to incorporate that into this story was important to me. I also can appreciate the growth Penny has with her friends, whether it was making new ones, strengthening current ones, and ending toxic ones; we’ve all been there at some point in life.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series on audio, Hannah Tointon was perfect, so entertaining and authentic. I have completely enjoyed the Girl Online series and Girl Online: Going Solo was a great conclusion to this series. I hate saying goodbye but I loved to get to know Penny, Elliott, Noah, and everyone else we met on this ride.

Book Review: Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg

---

Girl Online On Tour
Girl Online #2
Author: Zoe Sugg
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: October 20th 2015
Review Source: Atria

The sequel to the number-one bestseller Girl Online. Penny joins her rock-star boyfriend, Noah, on his European music tour.

Penny's bags are packed.

When Noah invites Penny on his European music tour, she can't wait to spend time with her rock-god-tastic boyfriend.

But, between Noah's jam-packed schedule, less-than-welcoming bandmates and threatening messages from jealous fans, Penny wonders whether she's really cut out for life on tour. She can't help but miss her family, her best friend Elliot . . . and her blog, Girl Online.

Can Penny learn to balance life and love on the road, or will she lose everything in pursuit of the perfect summer?

Girl Online On Tour is another "OMG, I cannot believe I love this cheesy story". Gosh, this story may be cheesy and predictable, however, it is a great love story and I cannot help but love it. From book one, Noah and Penny have me hooked on their romance adventures. It’s been one heck of a ride with their ups and down. And once again, I’ve been left emotionally drained.

Girl Online On Tour is more than a clumsy girl following her rockstar boyfriend on tour. It's more of a self-discovery story than anything else. Just because one may be lost, it doesn’t mean you will be stuck forever, well only if you fight your fears. On this story, we learn more about Noah and his love for music. How he is becoming this international sensation. Every girl wants him, including myself.

On the contrary, we read how Penny is having difficulties choosing a professional path. I mean, after all she is young. Yet, she is seeing Noah do what he loves best and she is feeling a little left out. As she travels from town to town, she will soon stumble and break down. With a little bit of help, she will learn that sometime you just have to let go of things, face your fears, and let life teach you one or two lessons. It was heartwarming seeing her grow.

What I love most about this story is how real Penny feels. It’s like reading your best friend’s personal diary. I love how aware of her experiences. I feel her pain, her love for Noah and her family, as well as trying to figure out life.

I do hope there is a third book because the ending is my only complaint. I did not like how it ended. Well, it’s more of a I NEED MORE request than anything. I do hope everyone, especially those lovers of romance, would give this a try.

Book Review: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg & Siobhan Curham

Girl Online
Girl Online #1
Author: Zoe Sugg, Siobhan Curham
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 25th 2014
Review Source: Atria

I had no idea GirlOnline would take off the way it has - I can't believe I now have 5432 followers, thanks so much! - and the thought of opening up to you all about this is terrifying, but here goes...

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.

Funny how life turns out to be.
When Yara shared this book to all of us and I saw the cover of Girl Online, it immedately reminded me so much of a banner I created years ago. With the exact colors and all. I can’t help it, I love pretty covers! I asked her to send it to me without knowing anything about the book nor the author.

When I received the book, I was still awe with the cover. I opened the book and started reading. I must say, the story is very predictable from the start. Like I told the girls, you know when you watch a romance movie and you already know what will happen but you still watch it? This is what happened with this book. I pretty much had it figured it out but I still kept reading because I have to admit:

• This book is funny and entertaining.
• I really liked Penny.
• I wanted to switch places with Penny.

As I kept reading, I slowly felt in love. Yeah sure, the plot may apply to many books, but the fact is, the story is worth reading. I couldn’t put it down. I shared a couple of laughs, tears and heartfelt moments.

It all begins with you.
Penny is one of those girls people tend to ignore in school. She is socially awkward but the truth is, she is covering how wonderful she is. She is as clumsy as it can get. But as clumsy she is, she has such an amazing heart. She suffers from panic attacks and she tries to hide it. She wants to feel normal. As much as she tries, real life just keeps throwing her lemons. Then, her awesome best friend recommends her to write down her feelings and about her panic attacks... With this, she comes up with the idea of blogging.

Who knew sharing your feelings online would be helpful? Penny’s anonymous online life was having such a positive turn out. Her followers’ comments were genuine and Penny started to learn how to control her panic attacks. She started to gain self-confident with their help. Yet, when she shared some information about a boy she met while visiting New York, she also learns that no matter what, bullies are everywhere. Her posts were turned and twisted, and a scandal was created. But like JK Rowling said, “Happiness can be found even in darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light”. No matter what, Penny remember that little light of hope and this help her cope with the craziness. It was incredible to see her change for the best. She finally learned to take charge of her life.

Life is what you make of it.
HOLY-WOW! I’m extremely surprised how much I loved Girl Online. To say the least, I did not know who this Zoe person is. Little did I know she is an actual “influential YouTube vlogger”. After I finished reading the book, I seriously looked up her name up and started following her on her blog and subscribing to her channel. I guess I’ve been stuck in the TWILIGHT zone. Which by the way is the only thing I did not like about this book. Who in their right mind wants to kill Edward Cullen??? Seriously, guys are so freaking jealous of him (you would have to read to understand). Aside from that, I loved it. It was saddening to see how people can make such negative comments about her using her vlogger fame to be published. I have to say, we all would be doing the same in her shoes.

I honestly think people should give Girl Online a chance. I was REALLY surprised how much I enjoyed this story. It’s a romance story but most of all it is a heartfelt coming-of-age novel. I highly recommend Girl Online to everyone.

And Zoe - you go girl! I’m a new fan!