Technically, You Started It
Author: Lana Wood Johnson
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: June 25, 2019
Pages: 384
My Rating: ★★★★
When a guy named Martin Nathaniel Munroe II texts you, it should be obvious who you're talking to. Except there's two of them (it's a long story), and Haley thinks she's talking to the one she doesn't hate. A question about a class project rapidly evolves into an all-consuming conversation. Haley finds that Martin is actually willing to listen to her weird facts and unusual obsessions, and Martin feels like Haley is the first person to really see who he is. Haley and Martin might be too awkward to hang out in real life, but over text, they're becoming addicted to each other. There's just one problem: Haley doesn't know who Martin is. And Martin doesn't know that Haley doesn't know. But they better figure it out fast before their meet-cute becomes an epic meet-disaster . . .
A girl thinks she's texting a completely different guy over text messages and falls for him.
I went into this novel knowing absolutely nothing about it and immediately started smiling while reading the book. The whole book is told in text messages between main characters Haley and Martin. Having two narrators throughout the book made it extremely interesting. I loved the format of Technically, You Started It. 

However, Haley ultimately thinks she's texting a completely different person. The person she does end up texting is the boy that she initially does not like. There are two different Martin's that she knows and is actually texting the one that she does not like thinking it's the other Martin. You would think that this concept and book would be super cheesy... At times it is but in all the best ways. This was the perfect mistaken identity romance and exactly the type of romance that I like to read. 

Many times while reading the book I laughed out loud because it was super funny. I breezed through this book because it was so entertaining. The characters are relatable and well developed. It definitely is a character-driven story and plot which are very strong. The story flows seamlessly. I applaud the author and her writing because it was absolutely stunning. The author had a great way of conveying all of the character's innermost thoughts. 

Don't be fooled this is a contemporary romance but it also deals with some hard topics. It gets pretty deep at times. Looking into identity, divorce, affairs, etc. Technically, You Started It looked into virtual relationships and how they can start without face to face communication. Also, how you shouldn't judge someone until you get to know them. 

The ending is quite predictable and for this reason, I give the novel four big stars. I needed a little bit more of a surprise ending. At the end of the day, I will read any enemies to lover books and this one did not disappoint! Author Lana Wood Johnson is an amazing storyteller. 
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Lana Wood Johnson was born and raised in Iowa in the time before the internet but has spent the rest of her life making up for that. After years working in wireless communication for companies of all sizes, she now works doing the same for a local youth shelter. Lana lives in Minnesota with her husband and their English bulldog.