Review: I Was Born For This

I Was Born for This
By Alice Oseman

Published By: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 3, 2018
Date Read: June 8, 2022
Genre: YA – Contemporary
Source: Bought
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 396

From Goodreads:
For Angel Rahimi, life is only about one thing: The Ark – a pop-rock trio of teenage boys who are currently taking the world by storm. Being part of The Ark’s fandom has given her everything – her friendships, her dreams, her place in the world.

Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark too. He’s their frontman – and playing in a band is all he’s ever dreamed of doing. It’s just a shame that recently everything in his life seems to have turned into a bit of a nightmare.

Because that’s the problem with dreaming – eventually, inevitably, real life arrives with a wake-up call. And when Angel and Jimmy are unexpectedly thrust together, they will discover just how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be.

I Was Born For This is a book that has been on my radar since it first released. I have been a huge Alice Oseman fan since her debut book, Solitaire, but when this one was released I was really struggling to get into contemporary fiction. So I shelved it, for when I was back in the mood for contemporary. Fast forward a number of years and I have finally read it. Guys… this book is so damn good. It’s so raw, and real and hits you right where it hurts.

This book is perfect for anyone who has ever belonged in a fandom. Whether that’s a bookish fandom, a movie/TV show fandom or a band. This book focuses on Angel, she is a huge part of a fandom for a popular boyband and I really associated with her. She fangirls over everything they do, and sees them as the most important thing in her life. This book really tackles this idea of having a parasocial relationship and how what we as fans see is not the reality of how it is for whoever we are following/admiring.

I really loved how Alice wrote this book as a split point of view so you see the perspective of the ‘fangirl’ and the band and how the two beliefs do not align. It’s such a wonderful and thought provoking novel, especially in times of social media where we can easily feel like we ‘know’ that actor, or singer, or author. I really enjoyed every moment of this truly wonderful book! Alice is such a phenomenal author and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.

If you’re a lover of contemporary books and want something real and thought-provoking, then this book is definitely for you. I really enjoyed it and will be recommending it to anyone who has ever been a ‘fangirl’ or a part of a fandom. It’s truly wonderful!

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