Review: Broken Heart, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend

Author: Katie Finn
Series: Broken Hearts and Revenge #1
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Genre: YA Contemporary
Format: ebook
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Source: egalley received from publisher via NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***  

 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Gemma just got dumped and is devastated. She finds herself back in the Hamptons for the summer—which puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friend that she wronged five years earlier. Do people hold grudges that long?

When a small case of mistaken identity causes everyone, including Hallie and her dreamy brother Josh, to think she’s someone else, Gemma decides to go along with it.

Gemma's plan is working (she's finding it hard to resist Josh), but she's finding herself in embarrassing situations (how could a bathing suit fall apart like that!?). Is it coincidence or is someone trying to expose her true identity? And how will Josh react if he finds out who she is?

My Review:

I was originally attracted to this book because of the cover. It just seemed so beachy and summery to me. The kind of book that’s just perfect for when the weather is starting to get warm and you’re daydreaming of a warm, sandy beach all day. It definitely delivered on the beachy, summer feel. It also delivered on the drama and craziness.

I really liked the main character, Gemma. She did some horrible things when she was a kid, but she truly feels terrible about it. You got to cut her some slack. She was eleven. And the fact that she wants to make it right more than anything definitely gave her credibility. The way she went about it wasn’t so great, but her intentions were good.

The one thing that I felt a disconnect with was the breakup. Supposedly, Gemma is devastated, but I never really felt it. In fact, there’s not much mention of Teddy past the breakup. After being in a relationship for two years with this boy, I would have thought she would have been a bit more broken up. Granted, they really weren’t right for each other. I could see that from the very beginning, but still. Two years of your life with someone means something. And she seemed to forget about him just a bit too easily.

I was also a bit annoyed by the typical absentee parents. She goes to the Hamptons to stay with her dad because her mom and stepdad are going to be in Scotland all summer, but then her dad is hardly ever at the house, constantly away on weekend trips to Manhattan or week-long trips to LA. Um, what was the point in going to the Hamptons then?

But other than that, the book was fantastic. I loved Gemma’s relationship with her best friend, Sophie. You could really tell these two girls were best friends no matter what and I loved seeing that. And the drama was wonderful. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me, I’m going to say it. I love reading/watching all the crazy drama unfold. That’s why I love Gossip Girl so much and that’s why this book worked so well for me. It’s just purely entertaining to be sitting there reading, waiting for everything to blow up in Gemma’s face (because you KNOW it’s going to). A quick, fun, summer read. I can’t wait for more in this series. The author wrapped things up enough to not drive me completely crazy, but I’m also anxious to see what happens next. Happy reading all!

Let's talk! Have you read this one? What did you think of Gemma? Did you like the way the author ended it?