JULY 2020 - AudioFile
Narrators Katie Koster and Christian Barillas steal the show in this mostly lighthearted, though sometimes serious, YA story, told entirely through text messages. Koster portrays the main character, Haley, an intelligent and quirky self-identified nerd whose tone is often straightforward and serious. Martin—Martin Nathaniel Munroe II, to be exact—is portrayed by Barillas, who characterizes him with a snarky sense of humor and undeniable charm. While Martin and Haley’s online conversation originally stems from a class assignment, their bond soon deepens as they share stories, facts, and secrets. The kicker? There are two Martins in school, and though only one of them is interested in Haley, she doesn’t actually know which one she’s befriending. V.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for Technically, You Started It
"Poignant and hilarious, nerdy and joyful, Technically, You Started It reminds us that true connection transcends any medium, evenin-especially in-the digital age." —Adib Khorram, author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and Darius the Great Deserves Better
"A quick and compulsive read." —The Washington Post
"Johnson's clever debut speaks to Generation Z's cyberculture by validating online friendships." —Kirkus Reviews
"Debut author Lana Wood Johnson serves up a summer sweet, emotionally fraught-slash-hilarious teen romcom plot line perfect for fans of Netflix movies like To All the Boys I've Loved Before." —BookRiot.com
"Inventive.... The all-text format could be a gimmick in less talented hands, but here the dialogue sparkles as it lets readers inside these teens' heads. It's a surprisingly powerful way to illustrate the true value of connection." —The Austin American-Statesman
"Told entirely through texts between the two main characters, Johnson takes a risk with her unconventional format-and it more than pays off." —The Columbus Dispatch
JULY 2020 - AudioFile
Narrators Katie Koster and Christian Barillas steal the show in this mostly lighthearted, though sometimes serious, YA story, told entirely through text messages. Koster portrays the main character, Haley, an intelligent and quirky self-identified nerd whose tone is often straightforward and serious. Martin—Martin Nathaniel Munroe II, to be exact—is portrayed by Barillas, who characterizes him with a snarky sense of humor and undeniable charm. While Martin and Haley’s online conversation originally stems from a class assignment, their bond soon deepens as they share stories, facts, and secrets. The kicker? There are two Martins in school, and though only one of them is interested in Haley, she doesn’t actually know which one she’s befriending. V.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
