Book Review: This Is Not the Jess Show

THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW | Anna Carey
(This Is Not the Jess Show #1)
02.02.2021 | Quirk Books
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Jess Flynn is just like any other teenager trying to get through her junior year without drama…but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister’s worsening health, the constant is change – and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. It’s also getting weirder by the day. Half the population has been struck down with a mysterious flu. Conversations end when Jess walks into the room. And now she’s seen a mysterious sleek black device with an apple logo fall out of her friend’s backpack. Jess knows something is wrong, but the cost of finding the truth is high.

Hello major 90’s vibes! THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW is an absolute delight! This book easily absorbs a reader and makes them forget what’s going on in the real world. The main character, Jess, was easy to bond with from the start of the book. I was immediately invested in her life, her suspicions, and her determination to find out the truth. Pair that with the town of Swickley and all of its strange happenings and for me this book was a winner from the first few chapters. Carey does a fantastic job of pacing the plot just right so that nothing feels rushed. The direction the book takes at the end gives a perfect amount of closure while still leaving room to wonder about Jess’ future.

Thankfully that closure doesn’t have to be long lived because this is the start of a series! The next book will be out shortly and it’s at the top of my TBR!

This book is available to buy from: Amazon | Book Depository

A huge thank you to Quirk Books for my gifted copy!

Disclosure: What Jess Reads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way influences my opinion of the above book.