Call It What You Want by Alissa Derogatis is a captivating novel exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and relationships. Sloane Hart’s journey from hopeless romantic to self-aware individual resonates deeply, offering a poignant reflection on life’s complexities. The book’s nostalgic tone and relatable characters make it a compelling read for fans of contemporary fiction.
1.1 Overview of the Book
Call It What You Want by Alissa Derogatis is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. The story follows Sloane Hart, a hopeless romantic whose belief in fairy-tale love is shattered by her parents’ divorce. She navigates a complex relationship with Ethan Brady, a charismatic yet elusive figure, over years. The novel is structured in parts, reflecting the evolution of their almost-love story, which spans from college to adulthood. Derogatis’s nostalgic prose and relatable characters create a poignant narrative about the unpredictability of love and life, resonating with readers seeking authentic emotional depth.
1.2 Author Background
Alissa Derogatis is an emerging author known for her debut novel, Call It What You Want. This book marks a significant milestone in her career, blending personal insights with universal themes. Derogatis’s writing style captures the nuances of human emotions, making her a compelling voice in contemporary fiction. Her work reflects a deep understanding of love’s complexities and the journey of self-discovery, resonating with readers seeking authentic storytelling.
1.3 Main Themes and Tone
Call It What You Want explores the elusive nature of love, self-discovery, and the complexity of relationships. The tone is nostalgic and poignant, reflecting on the bittersweet moments of almost-love stories. Derogatis weaves a narrative that balances hope and heartache, offering a raw yet empathetic portrayal of human emotions. The book’s introspective tone invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, making it a deeply relatable and emotionally resonant read.
Plot Summary of “Call It What You Want”
Call It What You Want follows Sloane Hart, a hopeless romantic, as her belief in love is shattered by her parents’ divorce. She meets Ethan Brady in college, and their relationship evolves over years, navigating the complexities of an almost-love story.
2.1 Sloane Hart’s Journey
Sloane Hart, a hopeless romantic, begins her journey with an idealized view of love, only to have it shattered by her parents’ divorce. This event leads her to swear off love, embracing a practical approach to relationships. However, her life takes a turn when she meets Ethan Brady in college. Their relationship evolves over years, transitioning from a college romance to a complex, adult connection. Sloane’s journey is marked by her struggle to reconcile her romantic ideals with the realities of love and relationships, leading to significant personal growth and a deeper understanding of herself and others.
2.2 The Almost Love Story with Ethan Brady
Ethan Brady enters Sloane Hart’s life during her college years, marking the beginning of a complex relationship. Their connection is intense yet label-less, evolving over time without clear definitions. Despite the undeniable chemistry between them, their relationship remains ambiguous, leaving Sloane grappling with her feelings. This “almost love story” becomes a central theme, reflecting the challenges of modern romance and the uncertainty that often accompanies it. Ethan’s presence significantly influences Sloane’s journey, challenging her views on love and relationships.
2.3 The Impact of Family Dynamics
Sloane Hart’s family dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping her views on love and relationships. Her parents’ divorce shatters her idealized notion of romance, leaving her disillusioned. This emotional upheaval influences her interactions, particularly with Ethan, as she struggles to reconcile her shattered ideals with her own experiences. The novel portrays how family experiences can deeply impact personal expectations and perceptions of love, adding depth to Sloane’s journey of self-discovery and growth.
Key Themes Explored in the Novel
The novel delves into themes of love’s elusive nature, self-discovery, and the complexity of relationships, intertwined with nostalgia. These themes resonate deeply, adding depth to Sloane’s emotional journey and universal appeal to the narrative.
3.1 The Elusive Nature of Love
Alissa Derogatis masterfully explores love’s elusive nature through Sloane Hart’s journey. Sloane, a hopeless romantic, grapples with the disparity between her idealized notions of love and its unpredictable reality. The novel captures the fragility and complexity of romantic connections, highlighting how love often defies expectations. Through Sloane’s experiences, Derogatis illustrates that love is both beautiful and heartbreaking, leaving readers to ponder its true essence. This theme resonates deeply, making the book a relatable and emotional read for many.
3.2 Self-Discovery and Growth
Sloane Hart’s journey in Call It What You Want is deeply rooted in self-discovery and personal growth. As she navigates her complicated relationship with Ethan and grapples with her shattered beliefs about love, Sloane learns to redefine her sense of identity. Through heartbreak and introspection, she uncovers the importance of embracing her authentic self, moving beyond societal expectations. This transformative process highlights the novel’s focus on resilience and the power of self-awareness, making Sloane’s story relatable and inspiring for readers seeking growth and understanding.
3.3 The Complexity of Relationships
The novel delves into the intricate dynamics of human connections, particularly through Sloane’s relationship with Ethan and her family. Sloane’s bond with her parents, fractured by their divorce, shapes her views on love and commitment. Her relationship with Ethan is a nuanced exploration of attraction, vulnerability, and unresolved tensions. The interplay between familial ties and romantic entanglements underscores the complexity of relationships, revealing how they can both heal and hurt. This layered portrayal resonates with readers, offering a realistic view of love’s unpredictability and resilience.
3.4 Nostalgia and Its Role in the Narrative
Nostalgia plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Call It What You Want, as Sloane’s reflections on past relationships and experiences evoke a bittersweet longing. The novel often revisits memories of her parents’ marriage and her almost-love story with Ethan, creating a sense of wistful yearning. This nostalgic undertone not only underscores the passage of time but also serves as a catalyst for Sloane’s self-reflection. By weaving nostalgia into the story, Alissa Derogatis highlights the enduring impact of past experiences on present emotions, offering readers a poignant reminder of love’s transient yet transformative nature.
Character Analysis
Sloane Hart evolves from a hopeless romantic to a self-aware individual, navigating love and heartbreak. Ethan Brady remains an enigmatic figure, influencing Sloane’s journey profoundly. Supporting characters add depth, shaping her growth and understanding of relationships.
4.1 Sloane Hart: A Hopeless Romantic
Sloane Hart embodies the quintessential hopeless romantic, clinging to ideals of fairy-tale love until her parents’ divorce shatters her illusions. Her journey explores the tension between romantic fantasies and harsh realities. With a tendency to overthink relationships, Sloane navigates the complexities of love, particularly in her almost love story with Ethan Brady. Her character evolution from idealism to self-awareness highlights the struggle to balance hope with practicality, making her relatable to readers grappling with similar emotional landscapes.
4.2 Ethan Brady: The Enigmatic Love Interest
Ethan Brady is the enigmatic figure at the center of Sloane Hart’s almost love story. His presence in her life spans from college to adulthood, creating a connection that defies clear labels. Ethan’s character is marked by his quiet intensity and the undeniable chemistry he shares with Sloane. His role in her journey adds depth to the narrative, exploring the complexities of relationships that linger between friendship and romance. Ethan’s enigmatic nature keeps readers engaged, wondering about the what-ifs of their relationship.
4.3 Supporting Characters and Their Influence
The supporting characters in Call It What You Want play a crucial role in shaping Sloane’s journey. Her family, particularly her parents, influence her views on love and relationships through their divorce. Friends and acquaintances, like the longboard guy, add layers to the story, offering different perspectives on love and life. These characters help Sloane navigate her emotions and grow, while also enriching the narrative with their unique voices and experiences. Their presence underscores the complexity of human connections and the impact others have on our lives.
Literary Style and Structure
Derogatis employs a nonlinear narrative, weaving past and present to explore Sloane’s journey. The structure mirrors the fragmented nature of relationships, enhancing the emotional depth and complexity of the story.
5.1 The Use of Nonlinear Narrative
Alissa Derogatis masterfully employs a nonlinear narrative in Call It What You Want, seamlessly weaving together past and present moments from Sloane Hart’s life. This structure allows readers to witness her growth and the evolution of her relationships firsthand. By jumping between pivotal moments in her journey, the narrative creates a sense of depth and complexity, mirroring the fragmented nature of memories and emotions. This technique keeps readers engaged and invested in Sloane’s story, making the exploration of her almost-love story with Ethan Brady even more poignant and relatable.
5.2 Symbolism and Metaphors
Alissa Derogatis intricately weaves symbolism and metaphors throughout Call It What You Want, enriching the narrative with deeper meanings. The recurring theme of the longboard guy symbolizes missed opportunities and the unpredictability of love. Sloane’s journey itself serves as a metaphor for self-discovery and growth, while her relationship with Ethan Brady mirrors the fragility and beauty of almost-love stories. These elements create a layered story that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with love and identity.
5.3 The Significance of the Title
The title Call It What You Want reflects the novel’s central theme of labeling emotions and relationships. It suggests the ambiguity and fluidity of human connections, where love stories often defy clear definitions. This phrase mirrors Sloane’s internal struggle to categorize her feelings for Ethan, emphasizing the complexity of love’s nature. The title’s simplicity contrasts with the depth of its meaning, inviting readers to ponder the ineffability of love and the ways we choose to define—or redefine—it in our lives.
Reception and Reviews
Call It What You Want has garnered critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling and relatable themes. Readers praise its emotional depth, resonating with Sloane’s journey and the raw honesty of her experiences. The novel’s nostalgic tone and exploration of love’s complexity have struck a chord with audiences, making it a standout in contemporary fiction. Its popularity in PDF format further highlights its accessibility and appeal to a wide readership.
6.1 Critical Acclaim and Praise
Call It What You Want has received widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced exploration of love and self-discovery. Reviewers praise Alissa Derogatis’s ability to weave a narrative that resonates deeply with readers. The novel’s emotional depth and relatable characters have been highlighted as standout elements. Critics also commend the author’s fresh perspective on contemporary romance, making it a notable addition to the genre. The PDF version’s popularity further underscores its accessibility and appeal to a broad audience seeking poignant and thought-provoking fiction.
6.2 Reader Responses and Fan Reactions
Readers have warmly embraced Call It What You Want, praising its relatable narrative and emotional depth. Fans highlight Sloane’s journey as a reflection of their own experiences with love and self-discovery. The PDF format has made the book easily accessible, sparking widespread discussions on social media and reading forums. Many readers appreciate the nostalgic tone and the way the story resonates long after the final page. The novel’s ability to evoke personal reflections has cemented its place as a favorite among contemporary fiction enthusiasts.
6.3 Comparisons with Other Works in the Genre
Call It What You Want draws comparisons to works by authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover, known for their emotional depth and relatable characters. The novel’s focus on unrequited love and self-discovery aligns with the contemporary romance genre, while its unique voice sets it apart. Fans of The Hating Game and Verity have praised its similar blend of wit and heart. The PDF version’s popularity has further solidified its place alongside other beloved eBooks in the genre, making it a standout read for fans of modern love stories.
The Significance of the PDF Format
The PDF version of Call It What You Want enhances accessibility, allowing readers to enjoy the novel on various devices with ease and convenience, fostering wider reach and engagement.
7.1 Accessibility and Popularity of the PDF Version
The PDF format of Call It What You Want has gained popularity due to its accessibility across multiple devices. Readers can easily download and read the novel on smartphones, tablets, or computers, making it a preferred choice for modern readers. The PDF version ensures that the formatting remains consistent, preserving the author’s intent. Its widespread availability has contributed to the book’s growing fan base, allowing more people to connect with Sloane’s emotional journey and reflective insights on love and self-discovery.
7.2 The Convenience of Digital Reading
Digital reading offers unparalleled convenience, allowing readers to access Call It What You Want anytime, anywhere. The PDF version ensures compatibility across devices, from smartphones to tablets, making it easy to dive into Sloane’s story on the go. Adjustable font sizes and night modes enhance readability, while instant downloads eliminate waiting. This modern format caters to busy lifestyles, providing a seamless reading experience that aligns with today’s fast-paced world, making Alissa Derogatis’s poignant narrative even more accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
7.3 The Future of eBooks in Literature
eBooks, like the PDF version of Call It What You Want, represent the future of literature. They offer instant access, portability, and cost-effectiveness, appealing to a diverse audience. As technology advances, interactive features and enhanced reading experiences will further popularize digital books. Alissa Derogatis’s work exemplifies how eBooks can seamlessly blend traditional storytelling with modern convenience, ensuring literature remains accessible and engaging for future generations. This shift underscores the enduring relevance of eBooks in shaping the literary landscape.
Call It What You Want leaves a lasting impression, offering lessons on love, resilience, and self-discovery; Sloane’s journey inspires readers to embrace authenticity and growth, making it a must-read for contemporary fiction enthusiasts.
8.1 The Lasting Impact of the Novel
Call It What You Want resonates deeply with readers, leaving a lasting impact through its exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Sloane Hart’s relatable journey challenges conventional notions of romance, offering a fresh perspective on love’s complexity. The novel’s nostalgic tone and authentic characters create a memorable experience, making it a cherished read for those seeking stories that mirror real-life emotions and growth.
8.2 Lessons Learned from Sloane’s Story
Sloane Hart’s journey teaches us the importance of embracing imperfection and letting go of idealized notions of love. Her story highlights that true growth comes from self-discovery and understanding one’s own needs. The novel emphasizes that love doesn’t always fit neatly into fairy-tale endings, and sometimes the most profound connections are the ones that don’t last. Sloane’s resilience and ability to find herself amidst heartbreak serve as a powerful reminder of the value of self-love and the beauty of life’s unpredictability.
8.3 Recommendations for Readers
Call It What You Want is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and romance. Readers seeking stories about self-discovery and the complexities of love will find Sloane’s journey deeply relatable. The novel’s nostalgic tone and poignant exploration of relationships make it a perfect choice for those who enjoy character-driven narratives. Available in PDF format, it offers a convenient reading experience for digital book lovers. This book is ideal for anyone looking to reflect on love, loss, and personal growth through a beautifully crafted story.