Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: YA Contemporary
Format: ebook
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Source: egalley received from publisher via Netgalley
Rating: 3 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:
Everyone has a lot to
say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The
rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one
night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of
those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all
Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other
person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the
perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie,
and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep –
Alice down.
My
Review:
This book reminded me
of high school. In the worst way. I went to high school in a small town so I
know how it is. And let me tell you, anybody who thinks that the whole “everybody
knows everything about everybody” is exaggerated is wrong. Because everybody
does know everything. And guess what? If they don’t know something interesting
about you, they will make it up. Case in point: this book. I think this book
really captured the way small town schools are. And that my friends, is rough.
High school is hard enough, but put it in a tiny town with only like 150 people
in your graduating class and it’s even worse. I felt so bad for Alice in this
book, but I also respected her. As much as she had to be hurting, she still
came to school with her head held high. She was strong and I really admired
that strength.
The book isn’t narrated
by Alice though, it’s narrated by Elaine, Josh, Kelsie and Kurt. Let me tell
you something. The only two who I could remotely stand were Josh and Kurt.
Let’s start with
Elaine. She was horrible. Typical popular bitchy cheerleader type. She was
stuck-up, self-absorbed and just generally a pretty terrible human being.
Josh was okay. Yes, he
made some mistakes, but Josh seemed to be the only one who was truly hurting
over Brandon’s death and I liked seeing that side to him.
Kurt was nice, and was definitely
the best of the bunch, but I still had issues with him. I do believe he cares
about Alice, but I also was pretty upset with him for not standing up for her
like he should have.
And Kelsie. Let’s talk
about this stupid f***ing person. I HATED Kelsie. I have never despised a
character so much. Did she go through some hard things in her life? Yes. Did
that give her an excuse to treat Alice, her former best friend, like complete
and total shit? No. I can’t even think about this girl without my blood
boiling. She was so awful and all her logic and reasoning for what she did was
complete and total bullshit. Sorry for all the swearing. I just can’t.
But even with three
highly unlikeable characters, I still managed to enjoy this book. I loved
watching Alice through these other characters eyes. The whole time I was just
sitting there basically laughing at them because they couldn’t break her. Sure
you could tell she was hurting, but she kept showing up and for that, I applaud
her. If you want a real picture of what it’s like to go to school in a small
town, you should read this book. Be prepared for some pretty awful characters,
but what is also a pretty good story. Happy reading all!
Have you read this one? What did you think? Did the characters make you all ragey too? Did you go to high school in a small town? Could you relate?
I'm totally intrigued by this one. The author is going to be at the fierce reads stop coming here in 2 weeks! So I want to read it. I didn't grow up in a small town but I did go to a tiny high school - my graduating class was 88. Oh, and it was a K-12 school. Basically everyone knew everything about everyone. Which is why I'm def intrigued by this book!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you will enjoy it then and be able to relate to it. My graduating class had 110 ppl in it so I feel you.
DeleteI thought this book was so well done even though it definitely wasn't a feel good book. The voices were so distinct and I loved how we don't hear from Alice until the end of the book, but at the same time we feel like we know her so well. And yeah, I felt the same way about Kurt, I wish he had said something, but at the same time, I don't think it would have changed anything. ~Pam
ReplyDeleteYeah, truth. I don't think it would have made a difference at all. It was really good though. Very real.
DeleteMy co-blogger, Samantha, read and enjoyed this one. However, coming from a small town myself and understanding all the things you said above about rumors and how people not only 'can be' but ARE in small communities, I think this one would make me feel uncomfortable in a bad way... :/
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can understand that. I just really enjoyed how realistic it was.
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