4 M&M cookies.
Cover Love: Yes. A perfect cover for a contemporary romance.
Why I Wanted to Read This:
I adore contemporary YA romances. They are like candy to me! I loved the synopsis to this one and was so excited when I was given access to the egalley from Penguin Young Readers Group! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another
“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.
I Kept Reading Because: I fell in love with Jase and Samantha.
Romance?: Yes!
What I Liked:
(this first part is what I wrote while I was reading the book):I am about halfway through the book right now. I just deplore Samantha's mom. Such an odious woman. The author has done a good job setting up the story because I just feel as though something really big is about to happen. I just hope Samantha and Jase can make it through because I adore him. Luckily the girl on the cover of the book is smiling so that gives me hope for a happy ending.
Back to Samantha & her mom: I don't like how Samantha hides everything but the author certainly gives us reasons for Samantha feeling she has to do that. I can't believe that her mom pays so little attention to her daughter that she has no idea Samantha is a) in love and b) babysitting for the Garretts sometimes!
(this part of the review is after I am done):
I was so proud of the growth Samantha made by the end of the book! She really became her own person. I LOVED Jase. In fact, I loved all the Garretts.
I was right, something big did come along. After all was said and done Jase handled it like a champ. He was amazing.
Samantha's mom ended up not as horrible as she was, but she has a long way to go to redeem herself.
I loved the romance between Jase and Samantha. It did not move too fast and was pretty believable. They got to experience so much about their first love together. It was so sweet and tender, just wonderful.
To Sum Up: Great summer read! Love romance novels like this!!
Book requested and received from Penguin Young Readers Group via NetGalley. Thanks!
Too often Sarah Dessen's name gets tossed around to describe another book or another author. Inevitably I am always disappointed because they are never anything like Sarah Dessen and only wish they could be as great as her. Not this time. The writing and the story was very Dessen-ish, and yet still totally new and fresh. I can't wait to see what Fitzpatrick comes out with next. This is a book I can read 50 more times and never get tired of it. I still miss these characters like I do with any great book. One of the best books I have read this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good start to a career, I agree. I hope she sticks with contemporary teen romances! So glad you enjoyed it that much!
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