ARC Review // Bye Forever, I Guess

Ingrid’s online persona is more popular than she is. IRL, she’s the quiet one—until a wrong-number text message offers her a chance at connection. Can this guarded gamer girl lower her shield for a new friend… or more-than-friend?

Thirteen-year-old Ingrid’s been living a double life. At school, she’s the Girl With Dead Parents, her popular friend Rachel’s charity case. In her online fandoms, she can be her own person: one who’s constantly talking to her long-distance BFF Lorren, crushing it at her favorite MMORPG, and geeking out over her favorite book series. But when Ingrid stands up to Rachel and “starts drama” at school, it suddenly feels like she has no life at all (and nowhere to sit at lunch).

Until she gets a wrong-number text from another gamer. . . and everything starts to go right.

Guarded, prickly Ingrid isn’t quick to trust, but spending time together playing Ancient Tomes Online as “Stitches” and “Traveler” makes Ingrid feel like she can lay down her sword of standoffishness. But when she starts to suspect that Traveler may be a student at her school, she faces a difficult choice. Can she open up when getting close to people has hurt her before? Or is making friends only fantasy after all?

Online friendships, real-life drama, and a mystery crush make Bye Forever, I Guess a middle school girl's dream read. Nerdy girls will love chronically online Ingrid and her video game obsession as well as her love for that one series that lives rent-free in her head (think back to when you first read Harry Potter or The Lightning Thief). Girls who are into social media will like reading about Ingrid's super secret Scrollr account and how she navigates that secret in her everyday life. I think everyone will connect with the friendship drama. There's a lot that young readers can learn including setting boundaries, speaking up for themselves, and communicating your feelings. Then there is a mystery crush who is pretty obvious to me but it also has a lot to do with miscommunication. The romance is sweet and wholesome although frustrating at times. There are great examples of healthy relationships including her Yarn Star grandma who makes YouTube videos and gives great advice. There's also Lorren who may be a friend Ingrid knows only online but is a true friend who not only has her same hobbies but is always there for her when she needs to talk.

Bye Forever, I Guess is an ode to nerdy girls and a great read for those who love realistic stories about friendship drama, secrets, and crushes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of Bye Forever, I Guess in exchange for an honest review.