Review Detail

Freddie and Stella have decided that they are going to take down their former best friend who is now the popular girl, beloved by the students and teachers, Levi. The best way to do this is by winning the Beaumont-Gardiner Award which goes to the collest, smartest, and hottest girl in the school, even if the teachers like to pretend it isn’t a popularity contest. So Freddit and Stella come up with a plan to make their way in with the cool girls, and this includes Levi and her friends. As this happens, Freddie starts to worry that Stella is becoming someone she doesn’t recognize and is using her power for evil to take down others without thinking about the cost. Freedie now needs help and has no choice but to turn to Levi to help to stop Stella.

What I Liked: From the moment I started reading this book, it gave me Mean Girls vibes, which made the journey through the book enjoyable. It did mean that there were moments that were predictable but it was fun to see how the book played out those moments.

Freddie was the only really likable character throughout this book. The other two main characters were mainly focused on themselves and hurting each other, which overshadowed any good qualities they may have. Some side characters were quite enjoyable, which would’ve been nice to have more of.

The reveal as to why Levi stopped talking to Freddie and Stella is heartbreaking for both Levi and Freddie. While you get glimpses of this throughout the book and can kind of guess what this reveal is going to be, the actual moment everything is revealed still has quite an impact. This moment is realistic to being a queer female, and the feelings that Levi had as the falling out happened, and now are captured perfectly on the page.

Freddie going along with Stella was frustrating to read, as you are hoping that she stands up to her, and what would be the final straw? Freddie being easily manipulated is important to see, as you see the impact that someone going along with another’s plans impacts others, and how not speaking up is just as problematic as being the ringleader for the plan.

Final Verdict: Freddie and Stella got Hot is a realistic portrayal of high school cliques and friendship, and the extent to which someone will go to belong to a group. Young adults ages 14 and up will enjoy this book, be able to see how being left out impacts others, and how their actions have consequences that may not be reversible. The ending to this book does a great job of wrapping things up and providing closure for all of the characters so you aren’t left wondering what becomes of any of them or their friendships.