Nostalgic and heartfelt‚ Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis explores themes of love‚ heartbreak‚ and almost-relationships‚ resonating deeply with modern romance readers․
1․1 Overview of the Novel
Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis is a heartfelt novel set in 2016‚ following Sloane Hart during her senior year of college․ As she prepares for a writing career in New York City‚ Sloane encounters the enigmatic Ethan Brady‚ leading to a complex exploration of love‚ heartbreak‚ and human connection․ This poignant story‚ a TikTok sensation‚ delves into relationship ambiguities‚ resonating with readers seeking relatable‚ contemporary romance․
1․2 Author Background: Alissa DeRogatis
Alissa DeRogatis is a Charlotte-based author whose debut novel‚ Call It What You Want‚ became a viral TikTok sensation․ Originally self-published‚ the book’s success led to a traditional publishing deal․ DeRogatis draws inspiration from personal experiences‚ crafting relatable stories about love and heartbreak․ Her work resonates with readers seeking authentic‚ contemporary narratives about human connection and almost-love stories․
Plot Summary of “Call It What You Want”
Set in 2016‚ Sloane Hart navigates her college senior year‚ balancing friendships and career aspirations in NYC‚ until she meets the enigmatic Ethan Brady‚ sparking a complex romance․
2․1 Main Character: Sloane Hart
Sloane Hart is a hopeful romantic navigating her senior year of college in 2016․ Shattered by her parents’ divorce‚ she focuses on her writing career in New York City․ Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Ethan Brady‚ leading to a complex relationship that challenges her views on love and commitment‚ making her question her future and identity․
2․2 The Enigmatic Ethan Brady
Ethan Brady is the mysterious and captivating figure who disrupts Sloane Hart’s orderly life․ His enigmatic nature draws Sloane into a whirlwind of emotions‚ challenging her perceptions of love and relationships․ Their connection is intense yet undefined‚ leaving Sloane questioning whether their bond is fleeting or profound‚ and whether Ethan truly understands the depth of her feelings for him․
2․3 The Central Conflict: Love and Ambiguity
The core conflict lies in Sloane’s struggle to define her relationship with Ethan‚ oscillating between love and uncertainty․ Their connection is intense but lacks clear boundaries‚ leaving Sloane emotionally conflicted․ As she navigates her feelings‚ the ambiguity of their situation forces her to confront the complexity of love‚ heartbreak‚ and the fragility of human connections‚ questioning whether their bond is worth the pain it brings․
Themes in “Call It What You Want”
The novel delves into themes of love‚ heartbreak‚ and the complexity of human relationships‚ exploring the pain and beauty of almost-love stories that leave a lasting impact․
3․1 Exploration of Love and Heartbreak
Call It What You Want poignantly explores the complexities of love and heartbreak‚ delving into the pain of almost-relationships and the lingering emotions they leave behind․ Sloane Hart’s journey reflects the universal struggle of loving someone who doesn’t fully commit‚ highlighting the bittersweet nature of human connection and the resilience required to heal from unrequited love․
3․2 The Concept of “Almost-Love” Stories
The novel beautifully captures the essence of “almost-love” stories—relationships without labels or promises․ Sloane and Ethan’s connection exemplifies this theme‚ illustrating how such experiences can deeply impact one’s life‚ leaving a lasting imprint despite their lack of formal commitment‚ and often becoming a defining chapter in personal growth and emotional understanding․
3․3 Nostalgia and Human Connection
Nostalgia permeates Call It What You Want‚ evoking memories of past relationships and shared moments․ The novel highlights how human connections‚ even fleeting ones‚ leave lasting impressions․ Sloane’s journey reflects universal experiences of love‚ loss‚ and longing‚ creating a relatable and emotionally resonant narrative that underscores the enduring impact of human bonds on our lives․
Literary Style and Tone
Alissa DeRogatis’s writing delivers a poignant exploration of love’s complexities‚ blending emotional depth with a reflective tone that resonates deeply with readers seeking catharsis and relatable storytelling․
4․1 Alissa DeRogatis’s Writing Style
Alissa DeRogatis’s prose is deeply evocative‚ blending nostalgia with contemporary wit․ Her ability to capture nuanced emotions and relatable scenarios creates an intimate connection with readers‚ making her storytelling both authentic and engaging․ The narrative flows seamlessly‚ reflecting her keen observational skills and sensitivity to the complexities of human relationships and personal growth․
4․2 Emotional Depth and Catharsis
Alissa DeRogatis masterfully weaves emotional depth throughout the narrative‚ creating moments of raw vulnerability and poignant reflection․ Readers experience a cathartic journey alongside Sloane‚ as her struggles and triumphs evoke tears‚ smiles‚ and introspection․ The novel’s ability to linger in the mind long after the final page underscores its emotional resonance and universal appeal․
Reception and Popularity
Call It What You Want became a viral TikTok sensation‚ resonating with readers for its relatable portrayal of almost-love stories․ The novel has garnered widespread acclaim for its emotional authenticity and universal appeal․
5․1 Viral TikTok Sensation
Call It What You Want gained immense popularity on TikTok‚ with users sharing heartfelt reactions and quotes․ Alissa DeRogatis’s authentic portrayal of almost-love stories struck a chord‚ making the novel a viral hit and driving its rapid rise in popularity among contemporary romance readers․
5․2 Reviews and Reader Feedback
Readers praised Call It What You Want for its raw emotional depth and relatability․ Many connected with Sloane’s journey‚ calling it a poignant reflection on love’s complexities․ The novel’s authentic portrayal of almost-relationships resonated deeply‚ earning it heartfelt reviews and a loyal fan base among contemporary romance enthusiasts․
Availability and Formats
Call It What You Want is available in eBook formats like PDF‚ ePub‚ and MOBI․ Published by Sourcebooks‚ it can be accessed via platforms like Rakuten Kobo and hoopla for digital readers․
6․1 PDF and eBook Formats
Call It What You Want is widely available in popular digital formats․ Readers can access the novel in PDF‚ ePub‚ and MOBI‚ ensuring compatibility with various e-readers and devices․ Platforms like Rakuten Kobo‚ hoopla‚ and online bookstores offer convenient downloads‚ making the book easily accessible to a global audience seeking contemporary romance stories․
6․2 Publishing Details
Call It What You Want was published by Sourcebooks on June 18‚ 2024‚ under the imprint Sourcebooks Landmark․ The book is available for download in various formats‚ including PDF and eBook‚ making it accessible to readers worldwide․ Its release has been supported by strong digital distribution channels‚ ensuring it reaches a broad audience interested in contemporary romance and heartfelt stories․
Target Audience
- Fans of contemporary romance seeking emotional‚ relatable stories․
- Readers drawn to almost-love stories and heartfelt narratives․
- Those who appreciate introspective explorations of love and loss․
7․1 Fans of Contemporary Romance
Call It What You Want captivates fans of contemporary romance with its emotional depth‚ relatable characters‚ and poignant exploration of almost-love stories․ The novel resonates with readers who appreciate heartfelt narratives about modern relationships‚ offering a nostalgic yet cathartic experience that lingers long after the final page․
7․2 Readers Interested in Relatable Stories
Call It What You Want offers a deeply relatable exploration of almost-love and human connection‚ making it a compelling read for those who appreciate stories that mirror real-life experiences․ The novel’s nostalgic tone and emotional honesty resonate with readers seeking authentic narratives about love‚ heartbreak‚ and the complexities of modern relationships․
Key Quotes and Moments
A poignant quote captures the novel’s essence: “You’re never going to forget him․․․ it’s an empty kind of love․” This line resonates with readers‚ highlighting bittersweet memories and unrequited emotions․
8․1 Memorable Dialogue
The novel’s dialogue shines in moments like‚ “Maybe I should text longboard guy and see if they want to come down to post-game․” Such lines capture the essence of Sloane and Ethan’s dynamic‚ blending humor with vulnerability‚ while also highlighting the uncertain boundaries of their relationship․ These exchanges resonate deeply‚ making the characters feel relatable and their interactions unforgettable․
8․2 Emotional Highpoints in the Story
The story reaches emotional peaks as Sloane grapples with love‚ loss‚ and self-discovery․ Ethan’s enigmatic presence intensifies her internal conflict‚ while moments like the impromptu Uber call and the bittersweet reflection on past love (“its an empty kind of love”) leave readers emotionally invested․ These scenes poignantly capture the complexity of almost-relationships and their lingering impact․
Comparisons to Other Works
Call It What You Want draws comparisons to works by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover‚ yet its poignant exploration of almost-love offers a fresh‚ unique perspective in contemporary romance․
9․1 Similar Themes in Other Novels
Call It What You Want shares thematic similarities with works by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover‚ exploring complex relationships‚ unrequited love‚ and personal growth․ Like these authors‚ DeRogatis delves into the emotional depths of almost-love and heartbreak‚ resonating with readers who appreciate relatable‚ poignant storytelling․ However‚ her unique voice and modern perspective set the novel apart in the romance genre․
9․2 Unique Aspects of the Book
DeRogatis’s raw‚ introspective prose and the novel’s focus on “almost-love” stories distinguish it from traditional romance narratives․ The exploration of Sloane’s emotional journey and the bittersweet nuances of her relationship with Ethan offer a fresh‚ relatable perspective on love and heartbreak‚ making the book a standout in contemporary women’s fiction and romance genres․
Author’s Inspiration
Alissa DeRogatis drew inspiration from her personal experiences with situationships and heartbreak‚ crafting a story that resonates with many․ Her viral TikTok videos also influenced her writing journey․
10․1 Personal Experiences Influencing the Novel
Alissa DeRogatis’s personal journey with situationships and heartbreak deeply influenced Call It What You Want․ Drawing from her own emotional experiences‚ she crafted Sloane Hart’s relatable struggle with love and ambiguity‚ creating a narrative that echoes the complexities of modern relationships and the lingering impact of “almost-love” stories․
10․2 Creative Process Behind the Book
Alissa DeRogatis’s creative process for Call It What You Want involved introspective writing sessions and raw emotional expression․ She aimed to capture the messy beauty of unrequited love and the ambiguity of modern relationships‚ crafting a story that feels deeply personal and universally relatable․ Her viral TikTok teasers also played a role in shaping the novel’s engaging narrative․
Cultural Impact
Call It What You Want sparked widespread conversations about modern relationships and heartbreak‚ resonating with younger audiences and becoming a viral TikTok sensation that influenced contemporary literature trends․
11․1 Impact on Social Media
Call It What You Want became a viral TikTok sensation‚ sparking widespread discussions about modern relationships and heartbreak․ Its relatable themes and emotional depth resonated with users‚ fostering a community of readers who shared quotes and personal stories‚ further amplifying its popularity and cultural relevance in the digital space․
11․2 Contribution to Contemporary Literature
Call It What You Want offers a fresh perspective on modern love‚ resonating with younger audiences through its raw exploration of almost-relationships․ Its viral success highlights its ability to capture the complexities of contemporary dating‚ making it a standout contribution to the romance genre and a defining voice for millennial and Gen Z readers navigating love in the digital age․
Call It What You Want is an unforgettable exploration of love‚ heartbreak‚ and human connection‚ leaving readers with a poignant reflection on relationships and their lasting impact․
12․1 Final Thoughts on the Novel
With its emotional depth and relatable narrative‚ Call It What You Want offers a cathartic journey through love‚ heartbreak‚ and self-discovery․ Alissa DeRogatis masterfully captures the complexity of human connections‚ making this novel a resonant and unforgettable read for anyone who’s ever navigated the ambiguities of almost-love and the bittersweet nature of growing up․
12․2 Recommendations for Readers
Call It What You Want is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and relatable‚ emotional storytelling․ Perfect for readers who enjoy exploring complex human connections‚ this novel offers a poignant and cathartic experience․ Ideal for those who appreciate stories about love‚ heartbreak‚ and self-discovery‚ it’s a great fit for fans of authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid or Colleen Hoover․