History YMMV / TheFreshman

** Even the MC gets this. While many fans [[AudienceSurrogate Self-Insert]] through her, the ones who treat her as her own character consider her a Black Hole Sue because the story always paints her as a nosy ControlFreak obsessed with having a boyfriend and meddling in her friends' problems and she's never wrong in the conflicts. On the other hand, other fans love her because she is always a NiceGirl who is always trying to help her friends with all their problems.
** ''The Sophomore'' turned Becca (previously an EnsembleDarkHorse) into this by essentially forcing the MC to invite her to live with the gang and still being rude, controlling, vindictive and mean, not helped by the fact that [[spoiler:she sabotaged Madison by ruining the pledge event, claiming that Madison betrayed her]]. Her fans defend her actions by claiming she has a HiddenHeartOfGold and is going through very difficult moments, while others argue that it doesn't excuse her selfish behaviour or the game virtually giving no options to turn the back on her.

** Book 1 had this about Kaitlyn turning out to be the third Romantic Interest. Some fans already suspected this by the "Relationship Affected" message and were glad there was a gay option. On the other hand, there are two groups who didn't like this outcome. The first criticize Kaitlyn's character for being too selfish and annoying to be a good girlfriend for the MC, while the others think that she was just fine with being only the Best Friend character, also adding that it essentially came either too forced or out of nowhere.

** Becca became this in Book 2 after she helps the group by providing dirt on Sebastian. And in Book 3 she cemented this position when [[spoiler:she revealed a softer side towards MC, told her parents were divorcing and also gets PromotedToLoveInterest]].

** Becca antagonizes the Main Character without a break and is never called out on her attitude by Chris or other characters. Choosing Chris for the Game of Love special has him wondering what he ever saw in her.

** After the 8th episode, fans started considering ''The Sophomore'' this, the chief complaints being a lack of a central plot and multiple subplots thrown in, with most of them being completely irrelevant to the narrative, creating a pile up of conflicts. It doesn't help that the MC's only role is to be AudienceSurrogate to see what is going on with the other characters (even for minor characters) and to be everyone's life coach; her only personal plots are sex scenes offered as premium choices.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Book 3 takes a brief moment during Chapter 1 where MC, Zack and Kaitlyn talk about stereotyping Gay people, detailing that sometimes people trying to be nice end up coming across as "InnocentlyInsensitive", like Kaitlyn's parents, while supportive, starts assuming all of the LGTB people are TheFashionista or know everyone else from the community. After the talk is done, it has nothing else to do in the plot.

** In Chris' case, players who didn't choose him often comment that Book 1 essentially forced MC to gravitate towards him.

** Kaitlyn's {{Gayngst}} in Book 2. While some readers sympathize with her situation after she accidentally outs herself to her parents, she spends more than 5 chapters locked in her room crying and avoiding the Main Character alltogether. She gets better for the final chapter of the book by simply brushing it as "I needed space".

** James gets upset with the Main Character when he finds out that [[spoiler:Professor Vasquez is dying of cancer and MC knew about it. While understandable, he takes it out on MC, and while he forgives her, he still doesn't want to get back together, despite the fact that it was Vasquez himself who didn't want anyone to know. And unless a player chose to spend diamonds on dates with him or alone time, he completely breaks up with her because he has bad experience with liars.]]

** While it's pretty clear that Natasha was introduced to be hated by the readers, many still think that the drama between the band and MC's group could have been avoided if Abbie didn't jump and get defensive on them. For many of the readers, Abbie was the one who overreacted, got overprotective of Tyler over a tease and, for the cherry on top, started taking it on Kaitlyn for not taking sides, even holding the grudge for days. It didn't help her that in the following chapter she got judgemental on Zig after hearing about his criminal record. The heat against Abbie lowered a bit after she recognized that she got very oversensitive against the band, and also is genuinely worried by Kaitlyn's grades dropping. She officially got RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap after showing sympathy towards Kaitlyn by not rubbing it in her face and offering her help as soon as she needed her.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: In one scene, Harold is cleaning off a mirror, which reveals the reflection of Peggy, who has just entered the room. His hand continues rubbing the mirror, making it look (in the reflection) like he is caressing her breasts. Moments later, there is a shot of them standing face to face, with an upward pointing mop handle angled between them in a phallic manner.

* ShipToShipCombat: Now it's nearly impossible to find a forum or group that doesn't feature a poll asking who is the better Love Interest: Chris, James or Kaitlyn. After Book 3 was released, the options also added Zig, Becca or "Single" as options.
** Book 2 also still has the ongoing debate about who should date Madison. Logan or Tripp?

** Zig is either a misunderstood Bad Boy with a relatable backstory, or a Hot-Headed jerk who flies off the handle at the slightest provocation.
*** Groups after Book 4 ''exploded'' after Zig offhandedly admitted to being bisexual. Some fans expressed disappointment because of this revelation (with some girls thinking that being bisexual ruins the whole deal with him), while others applauded the nod. Others were fine with Zig being into guys but disappointed that there was no opportunity to pair him with Zack.

** ''The Sophomore'' turned Becca (previously an EnsembleDarkHorse) into this by essentially forcing the MC to invite her to live with the gang and still being rude, controlling, vindictive and mean, not helped by the fact that [[spoiler:she sabotaged Madison by ruining the pledge event, claiming that Madison betrayed her]]. Her fans defend her actions by claiming she has a HiddenHeartOfGold and is going throught very difficult moments, while others argue that it doesn't excuse her selfish behaviour or the game virtually giving no options to turn the back on her.

** Book 1 had this about Kaitlyn turning out to be the third Romantic Interest. Some fans already suspected this by the "Relationship Affected" message and were glad there was a gay option. On the other hand, there're two groups who didn't like this outcome. The first criticize Kaitlyn's character for being too selfish and annoying to be a good girlfriend for the MC, while the others think that she was just fine with being only the Best Friend character, also adding that it essentially came either too forced or out of nowhere.

*** Fans often argue if Abbie was right to be pissed at Kaitlyn for not standing up to Natasha's mocking towards Tyler and her, others that Abbie was overreacting and Kaitlyn did nothing wrong (until she started to act like a jackass), and a thrid camp who was annoyed with both of them and wanted MC to literally do anything else other than stay in the middle of the drama.

** Fans either are glad that ''The Sophomore'' has been confirmed as the sequel books for the series, while others think that ''The Freshman'' already run it's course and Pixelberry Studios should end the series for good instead.

** Book 3 with it's BrokenBase has become one to a fair amount to players. The main issues addressed by the fans were mostly the pileup of drama and that Chris, Kaitlyn and James' problems were too simmilar and repetitive.
** Same case with Book 4, which is even considered ''weaker'' than Book 3. not helped by the fact that [[ItsShortSoItSucks it only lasted 8 episodes]], Zack became annoying to many of the readers, the episodes were formulaic and simplistic and the Premium Options weren't worthy mostly (the most laughed of those was "the saving the lobster option").
** After the 8th episode, fans started considering ''The Sophomore'' this, since there's a lack of a central plot and multiple subplots thrown in, with most of them being completely irrelevant to the narrative, creating a pile up of conflicts. It doesn't help that the MC's only role is to be AudienceSurrogate to see what is going on with the other characters (even for minor characters), be everyone's life coach and her only personal plots got reduced to be offered sex scenes as premium choices.

*** Things get no better in Book 3 for her. Her personal arc to find herself and a new group to fit in at college, resulting in her joining Natasha's band and rubbing the gang in a bad note. Tt's still divisive on who is right between Abbie and Kaitlyn's fight, and many find difficult to defend Kaitlyn's attitude after she refuses to hear any of Abbie's attempts to explain herself and make peace, but also when Abbie explains that Kaitlyn has been skipping classes after fully joining the band.

*** Groups after Book 4 ''exploded'' after Zig offhandedly admitted to be bisexual. Some fans expressed dissapointment because of this revelation (with some girls thinking that being bisexual ruins the whole deal with him), while others applauded the nod.
** Even the MC gets this. While many fans tend to [[AuthorAvatar Self-Insert]] throught her, the ones who treat her as her own character consider her a Black Hole Sue because the story always paints her as a nosy, ControlFreak obsesed with having a boyfriend and meddling in her friends' problems and she's naver wrong in the conflicts. On the other hand, other fans also love her because she is always a NiceGirl who is always trying to help her friends with all their problems.

*** After Becca gets PromotedToLoveInterest, some fans were ecstatic about this, while others dissaprove of this by arguing that Becca going from bully to love interest makes a really dysfunctional relationship.

** In recent chapters, Becca became this in Book 2 after she helps the group by providing dirt on Sebastian. And in Book 3 she cemented this position when [[spoiler:she revealed a softer side towards MC, told her parents were divorcing and also gets PromotedToLoveInterest]].

* StrangledByTheRedString: Readers feel this towards any of the Love Interests.
** In Chris' case, players who didn't choose him often comment that Book 1 escentially forced MC to gravitate towards him.

** People who stayed single for ''The Sophomore'' complain that this default setting is forcing the player to be with Becca (since none of the other four love interests don't have these romantic options if they were rejected in ''The Freshman''). It doesn't help that there're no options to dump her after all the nasty things she does in the book, forcing MC to still help her adapt.

** James gets upset with the Main Character when he finds out that [[spoiler:Professor Vasquez is dying of cancer and MC knew about it. While understandable, he takes it on MC and while he forgives her, he still doesn't want to get back together, despite the fact that it was Vasquez himself who didn't want anyone to know. And only if a player didn't choose to spend diamonds on dates with him or alone time, he completely breaks up with her because he has bad experience with liars.]]
*** Book 3 averted this during it's first half [[spoiler:until Chapter 13, when he rejects the MC's help after Yasmin tries to sleep with him. Fans couldn't get on his side considering that he essentially is allowing ''sexual harrassment'' from his editor.]]

** ''The Sophomore'' tries hard to give Becca sympathy by explaining she's going throught a rough patch after falling from grace. The reason it doesn't work is because she is not even trying to be nice unless MC reminds her that she's living under their roof, sabotaged Madison (who was nothing but loyal to Becca since Freshman) under the assumption that she backstabbed her and took away the leadership of the sorority, insults people as default reaction and barely apologizes unless things have reached breaking point.

* ''The Sophomore'' turned Becca (previously an EnsembleDarkHorse) into this by essentially forcing the MC to invite her to live with the gang and still being rude, controlling, vindictive and mean, not helped by the fact that [[spoiler:she sabotaged Madison by ruining the pledge event, claiming that Madison betrayed her]]. Her fans defend her actions by claiming she has a HiddenHeartOfGold and is going throught very difficult moments, while others argue that it doesn't excuse her selfish behaviour or the game virtually giving no options to turn the back on her.

** While it's pretty clear that Natasha was introduced to be hated by the readers, many still think that the drama between the band and MC's group could have been avoided if Abbie didn't jump and get defensive on them. For many of the readers, Abbie was the one who overreacted, got overprotective of Tyler over a tease and, for the cherry on top, started taking it on Kaitlyn for not taking sides, even holding the grudge for days. It didn't help her that in the following chapter she got judgemental on Zig after hearing about his criminal record. The heat against Abbie lowered a bit after she recognized that she got very oversensitive against the band, and also is genuinely worried by Kaitlyn's grades dropping. She officially got RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap after showing sympathy towards Kaitlyn by not rubbing it in her face and offering her help as soon as she needed her.

** Book 3 with it's BrokenBase has become one to a fair amount to players. The main issues addressed by the fans were mostly the pileup of drama, that Chris, Kaitlyn and James' problems were too simmilar and repetitive and, for many, Kaitlyn's CharacterDerailment.

* SeasonalRot: Book 3 with it's BrokenBase has become one to a fair amount to players.

** James gets upset with the Main Character when he finds out that [[spoiler:Professor Vasquez is dying of cancer and MC new about it. While understandable, he takes it on MC and while he forgives her, he still doesn't want to get back together, despite the fact that it was Vasquez himself who didn't want anyone to know. And only if a player didn't choose to spend diamonds on dates with him or alone time, he completely breaks up with her because he has bad experience with liars.]]

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Book 3 takes a brief moment during Chapter 1 where Emily, Zack and Kaitlyn talk about stereotyping Gay people, detailing that sometimes people trying to be nice end up coming across as "InnocentlyInsensitive", like Kaitlyn's parents, while supportive, starts assuming all of the LGTB people are TheFashionista or know everyone else from the community. After the talk is done, it has nothing else to do in the plot.

*** Book 3 averted this during it's first half [[spoiler:until Chapter 13, when he rejects Emily's help after Yasmin tries to sleep with him. Fans couldn't get on his side considering that he essentially is allowing ''sexual harrassment'' from his editor.]]

* BrokenBase: Book 3 is full of this.
** Fans argue wether or not to support Chris in Book 3 when he is too busy to hang with the gang because of his duties at the Student Council. One half is fully supportive because his cause is noble by helping with scholarships for the ones who really deserve them; another group can't forgive him for being a bad friend/boyfriend for neglecting them because of this; while others are instead upset with the MC for not giving him space because he is working on something important.

** While it's pretty clear that Natasha was introduced to be hated by the readers, many still think that the drama between the band and MC's group could have been avoided if Abbie didn't jump and get defensive on them. For many of the readers, Abbie was the one who overreacted, got overprotective of Tyler over a tease and, for the cherry on top, started taking it on Kaitlyn for not taking sides, even holding the grudge for days. It didn't help her that in the following chapter she got judgemental on Zig after hearing about his criminal record. The heat against Abbie lowered a bit after she recognized that she got very oversensitive against the band, and also is genuinely worried by Kaitlyn's grades dropping, and also she officially got RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap after showing sympathy towards Kaitlyn by not rubbing it in her face and offering her help as soon as she needed her.

*** Book 3 averted this during it's first half [[until Chapter 13, when he rejects Emily's help after Yasmin tries to sleep with him. Fans couldn't get on his side considering that he essentially is allowing ''sexual harrassment'' from his editor.]]
** While it's pretty clear that Natasha was introduced to be hated by the readers, many still think that the drama between the band and MC's group could have been avoided if Abbie didn't jump and get defensive on them. For many of the readers, Abbie was the one who overreacted, got overprotective of Tyler over a tease and, for the cherry on top, started taking it on Kaitlyn for not taking sides, even holding the grudge for days. It didn't help her that in the following chapter she got judgemental on Zig after hearing about his criminal record. The heat against Abbie lowered a bit after she recognized that she got very oversensitive against the band, and also is genuinely worried by Kaitlyn's grades dropping.

** Kaitlyn is either good as being just the Main Character's BFF, a great option for the romantic interest or annoying.

** Zig since his introduction in Book 3 as the fourth LoveInterest. Even some of the readers who already chose either Chris, James or Kaitlyn are thinking about dumping them to date Zig.

** Book 3 introduced Natasha as the new rival for Kaitlyn's affection. It didn't help that she was very blunt and rude to Kaitlyn's friends no matter if the player tries to be nice with her.

** While it's pretty clear that Natasha was introduced to be hated by the readers, many still think that the drama between the band and MC's group could have been avoided if Abbie didn't jump and get defensive on them. For many of the readers, Abbie was the one who overreacted, got overprotective of Tyler over a tease and, for the cherry on top, started taking it on Kaitlyn for not taking sides, even holding the grudge for days. It didn't help her that in the following chapter she got judgemental on Zig after hearing about his criminal record.

* LoveToHate: Becca antagonizes the Main Character without a break and is never called out on her attitude by Chris or other characters.
** Choosing Chris for the Game of Love special has him wondering what he ever saw in her.

** Leila, the GamerChick who has a crush on Tyler. She delivers a lot of [[FunnyMoments hilarious]] shade towards Abbie, who has been giving her the cold shoulder out of jealousy.

** James gets upset with the Main Character when he finds out that [[spoiler:Professor Vasquez is dying of cancer and MC new about it. While understandable, he takes it on MC and while he forgives her, he still doesn't want to get back together, despite the fact that it was Vasquez himself who didn't want anyone to know.]]

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Leila, the GamerChick who has a crush on Tyler. She delivers a lot of [[FunnyMoments hilarious]] shade towards Abbie, who has been giving her the cold shoulder out of jealousy.

** People think Chris is lovable, charming and sweet, while others consider him boring.

** Chet Trask lays his hand on his coaches knee at one point. The coach also describes Chet's skills in a flattering way to the rest of the team.

** When Harold first arrives at Tate College two women walk up to each other and kiss on the lips.

* HoYay: Harold's admiration for the local football star, Chet Trask, can seem like a one-sided crush.