http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5677882/1/Nicknames_and_Rumors

Official Description: Small towns are notorious for their gossip & while Bella does her best to ignore it, it doesn’t take long before she’s the subject…AH/AU Canon couples.

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saranic says: Do you ever just need a story that contains a sweet and lighter story line? I know that I am a habitual angst reader. I prefer it; I live for that ache when the characters are dealing with melancholy times in their lives. I love it even more when it feels like my heart is going to break and then I am left thinking about it after I have read and digested the latest chapter. I have no idea why I love it, I just do. Sometimes, though, I just need a break from it, I need some time to let my brain clear up from feeling so heavy. I was doing a fic dive where I look at other people’s favorites a couple of weeks ago and came across the story Nicknames and Rumors. It had a low review count, which is another factor I look for lately, and I started reading the first chapter and didn’t stop until I was all caught up.

Nicknames and Rumors is a high school fic with a super sweet Bella. She truly is one of a few Bellas I have read that is just all around sweet, sarcastic, funny, and doesn’t want to stir up any drama. She is new to Forks after coming to live with Charlie. Bella is befriended by Jessica and quickly adopted into their group of friends. Bella quickly realizes that the small town of Forks is all about rumors, especially when it comes to the Cullens and the Hales. Bella doesn’t follow the rumors; she feels that everyone deserves to not be judged from what someone else has said. As she adapts to the new town and school, she has fun with her new group of friends. It isn’t one of those stories where you hate Jessica or Mike. I actually like the secondary characters of Nicknames and Rumors.

Bella, of course, meets Edward and he is one broody guy. He obviously has socialization issues and tends to treat Bella rather poorly at first. She feels as if he hates her, like canon Bella and Edward. But, as time goes on, they develop a friendship. Bella also is befriended by Alice which also helps Bella become closer with Edward. As high school goes, though, there are plenty of rumors involving Bella and Edward. As much as Bella doesn’t care for being the center of these rumors, she doesn’t let it bring her down. Edward has turned out to be a sweet guy with her, as you read you find out how one rumor can cloud your perception of someone else.

Nicknames and Rumors is a funny and sweet story. I have enjoyed reading it very much; it is my time away from so much drama. Suitablyironicmoniker has done a good job of making this story fun and easy to read. She updates frequently, which is always a plus too.

AmeryMarie says: I found this fic by accident when it was only a few chapters in. Okay, to be honest I was dumpster diving on ffn in order to avoid doing anything that could be even remotely construed as productive, but whatever. The story was only a couple of chapters in and had the paltriest amount of reviews ever, which rather angered me. It became a personal mission of mine that this fic get the recognition that it deserves, and I started mentioning it to everyone I know, rec’d it on my thread at Twi’d, and in my last update.

I can’t—nor would I ever presume to—take credit for the increase in reviews, but I was thrilled for her when they finally began to; I just adore this story.

I like angst. A lot. I like to read it and am virtually incapable of writing anything but…even when I try. On occasion, if it’s not too syrupy sweet, I will read fluffy/happy fic, and this story is currently my go to ‘makes me smile’ story for so many reasons.

It’s a simple story—no complicated story arcs, crazy plotlines, or forced fuckery for fuckery’s sake—that I find to be realistic and relatable. It captures so much of what I remember from my high school/teenage years—the uncertainty about…well, everything, trying to find a sense of self while navigating your way through the hell that is teenage girl drama, the highs and lows of a first relationship, making out and starting to experiment sexually. The making out and experimenting was the only part I would care to repeat, truthfully, but it’s still entertaining to watch Bella go through it all.

Normally, I would find a fic of this nature to be as enjoyable as reading the poetry of a teenage girl, because that is most likely what it would be. Suitablyironicmoniker avoids all the purple prose, oh-woe-is-me, it’s-just-so-hard pitfalls, and actually manages to write a believable, likable Bella, something that seems to be pretty hard to do. She is so levelheaded and grounded, but in a totally age appropriate way, because she’s not above acting like an irrational, emotional girl on occasion.

I completely commend SIM for choosing to write this entirely in Bella’s point of view. This is Bella’s story, and she owns it entirely. Never once have I find myself giving a fuck what Edward’s point of view would be. I probably would have flounced had she chosen to include other POV’s.

While the story is not entirely drama free, the little bit that is there does not feel elaborate or contrived in any way, isn’t dragged out unnecessarily, and it only goes to further my love for this Bella. She is just so fucking unsure, and has no one to help her find her way through the maze; I just want to hug her or be her big sister.

If you aren’t reading this fic, do. I don’t know if it’s possible to dislike it, but if you really hate it, feel free to spam me regarding your disappointment. Unless this story goes completely off track and takes a left onto What-the-Eff Way, I feel safe saying that I don’t think I will regret my decision to recommend it. (And, apropos of nothing, can I tell you how much I lol every time I see the authors penname? Lots.)