I thought for sure Fangirl would receive five stars from me, but the story simply... ends. Abruptly.

Fangirl is about a timid wallflower who emerges from the shadow of her more confident twin sister. By the end of the story, it is Cath’s twin, Wren, who seems vulnerable and unsure. I could do without a certain essay excerpt at the end of the final chapter; it cheapens the story by being a little too on the nose. We don’t need basic metaphors to know what the book is actually about. I admit, the essay excerpt is a nice “coming of age”/“coming into her own” touch, but I’d prefer a more solid conclusion. Less “tell,” more “show.” The ending feels rushed, the loose ends tied together a little too quickly and without much oomph.

That said, the characters make the story. Anyone who is shy and searching for their voice (like me... still!) will see themselves in Cath. A wonderful story—one that deserves a better ending, yes, but a wonderful story nonetheless.