Wow, this show hit me like a ton of bricks

Well geez, I did not expect to get this engrossed with a story I knew nothing about as of two days ago lol I finished it immediately, then ran to Reddit and realized it's based off a book series, and I got through most of the book today.

I'm sure none of my commentary is new, and I know opinions are divided, but I gotta say, I absolutely adore how these characters came to life on screen.

I think Ella being on the younger side was a really smart choice. In the show, there's an innocence, shyness, and nervousness to Hannah that I didn't pick up on in the book. It's not about crushing on a guy who doesn't notice her yet (Justin) or wanting to avoid falling for a pretentious jock (Garrett). She's genuinely out of her depth with guys, and you don't really know why until she reveals her past. And until that reveal, Ella does a fantastic job portraying that without words.
I also love that this is the version of Hannah we see Show Garrett fall for. Immediately, you see a deeper appreciation for the more vulnerable sides of Hannah, like who she is when she's dancing alone or playing her music, not just the fact that she's the kind of girl who can keep up with him.

Which brings me to Garrett. I love that he's a bit more serious than the book's portrayal. After growing up in an abusive home, it's easy to mask that toll by being a noncommittal, cocky, career-obsessed athlete. But it also makes sense that any woman he lets himself get close to he's going to act serious with and treat with the utmost respect. We see his shell fade pretty instantly with Hannah because he lets himself get invested in her pretty instantly, so you see a more tender Garrett and less of the "I use sarcasm as a defense mechanism" Garrett even before they reveal their heavy pasts to each other. Even with Belmont's expressions, you don't think he's thinking the naughty, sarcastic thoughts Book Garrett keeps to himself. You're just thinking this guy's falling hard and having a hard time hiding it.

One of my favorite scenes is at the party when they're alone in the bedroom. There's so much vulnerability in that room in that entire scene. Them starting to open up about their lives is certainly poignant, but it's the subtlety in Ella's and Belmont's performances that really get me. When Garrett says he has to tell Hannah something (in regards to watching her song), Ella makes this absolutely perfect grimace like she's bracing for impact and hoping it doesn't hit too hard. And when they're on the bed and Garrett learns about the showcase, Belmont shows this quiet internal moment of contemplation about suggesting Justin help her. He even gently bites his nail as physical evidence of Garett's internal debate like, "Should I really suggest this?" because he already likes her, and he decides to because that’s what would make HER happy. Or after her karaoke song - Show Garrett quietly compliments her and smiles nervously versus his usual sarcasm.

These are the chef's kiss moments for me, because as much as I love the playful banter and smut, I love watching emotionally vulnerable characters falling for each other even more. I much prefer the show’s haters to friends to couple progression versus haters to friends with benefits to couple, most beautifully handled when trust was the focus of the orgasm plot line. For me, the quiet tenderness and adoration that comes first is what makes the buildup and payoff so sweet.

And with that, I'm going to go watch it again...