This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell's earlier novel, broke my heart. But Fangirl patched it up again and made me smile. 
 I am a child of the Harry Potter fandom. Midnight book releases, movie opening nights, the whole deal. And since it's been over no other fandoms have quite filled that gap. Thankfully the Harry Potter community is alive and well - we're not going anywhere anytime soon. Rainbow Rowell is a part of the community and as a result she has provided us with a book that perfectly sums up how we all must feel in the wake of such an amazing series. If for no other reason, you should read this book for nostalgia it will make you feel. 
 That, however, is not the only reason to read Fangirl. There's also an incredibly charming and irresistible love story. I would love for Levi to be real. He's just so sweet and adorable. And brings coffee. But more than that, I loved that for Levi and Cath it wasn't love at first sight. No insta love here. Cass had room to grow as herself before she got involved with anyone. Rowell gives Cath room to tackle her own issues independently, and she comes out a stronger character because of it. I also liked that Levi didn't try to change Cass (and vice versa). They liked the other person as is and that mutual respect brought out the best kind of relationship. 
 Fangirl isn't all love story, though. It also deals with family. Cass has a complicated relationship with all the members of her family. With Wren, her twin sister, she's trying to balance what's comfortable and Wren's desire to be her own person (instead of one half of a set of twins). And then there's her father, who she looks after as much as he looks after her, and a mother who has suddenly resurfaced years after she first walked away from them. Cath's home life is a difficult one but that doesn't necessarily mean it was an unhappy one. I appreciated that Rowell illustrated the shades of grey that exist among families. 
 Since this takes place during Cath's freshman year of college this fits into the "New Adult" category. And this kind of book is what I wanted since the term first started floating around. It deals with issues unique to setting out on your own for the first time, but it also has universal elements that would make it an enjoyable read for almost any age. (Be prepared to explain fanfiction to some less internet-obsessed people though)