Ugh, I just. I'm writing this review after reading the entire Neopolitan series and I'm just blown away. I love everything about this series. The intricate web of characters and their relationships, the writing, the world! I liked how grounded and real this first book felt. Everything that Elena felt and went through was so relatable and brought me back to my own childhood, even though my family and hometown could not be more different than hers. Simultaneously with her, I felt frustrated and impressed and jealous and petty about Lila and her accomplishments. I loved their relationship and its intensity and how it ebbed and flowed throughout their childhood and adolescence. The whole neighborhood of people were so well-rounded and interesting even in the brief periods each one was on the page. My Brilliant Friend sucked me in so quickly and I am so glad it did.