“She never meant to start a movement. She just wanted what she earned.”
The Plot
Eliza Quan has always believed that hard work, passion, and talent would get her where she deserves to be like becoming editor-in-chief of her high school paper. But when Len DiMartile, a popular ex-jock with zero experience, runs for the same position and becomes everyone’s favorite, Eliza realizes something deeper is at play systemic sexism.
Frustrated, she pens an essay that unintentionally sparks a feminist movement, pushing Eliza into the spotlight as a reluctant leader. Things get more complicated when the school decides Eliza and Len should work together to promote civility only for Eliza to discover that Len might not be the clueless antagonist she thought... and worse, she might actually like him.
Why It Works
Eliza’s voice is sharp, intelligent, and painfully real. She’s not perfect she’s driven, sometimes prickly, and fiercely protective of her ideals. Watching her navigate public pressure, internal conflicts, and her unexpected feelings for Len creates a compelling and deeply relatable journey.
Len is also more than he first appears. He's awkward, kind, and genuinely wants to grow which makes their slow-burn, push-and-pull relationship feel earned rather than forced. The novel dives into how gender and race intersect, especially in leadership and visibility. Eliza’s struggle isn’t just with sexism it’s with letting herself be seen as soft, confused, or emotional Len doesn’t magically “get it” overnight. His evolution is messy, making the story feel authentic.
Favorite Part?
The tension between Eliza and Len. It’s filled with banter, vulnerability, and mutual challenge. They're opposites, but their connection grows from tension into understanding and it’s addictive to watch.
Not Here to Be Liked is for anyone who's ever felt underestimated, spoken out and been misunderstood, or fallen for someone when it was least convenient. It’s both empowering and vulnerable a reminder that real change and real relationships are rarely easy, but always worth it.
Smart, swoony, and unapologetically bold.