Author: Emery Lord
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Bloomsbury (March 31, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Book Description:
Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances.
Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.
It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?
It is funny how you can go into a story not expecting anything and end up loving a character so much that they just made the whole book for you.
This is what Max did to this story. He took an ordinary story and breathed life into it. This story wouldn't have been the same without him in it. In fact, I don't even know if I would have liked this story as much as I did if it wasn't for him. I did like the other characters, in fact I adored Ryan and Tessa, Grammy (especially Grammy!), and Paige but Max, he stole the show.
I never have been able to resist the cute, funny nerdy type and in books it is just the same and Max definitely fits this description but he was so much more than that. I don't even know how to describe him other than he was amazing. To Paige, to Ryan, to the girls, and to complete strangers.
Smart, honest, kind, and truly a heart of gold. He is the type of friend and boyfriend you hope your daughter will bring home and love and be worthy of.
This was an excellent coming of age story that wasn't just about growing up and moving on but about grief, friendship, and choices as well. The choice to move on. The choice to be better. The choice to truly live and the choice to love and be happy.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Great review! Just added this one to my TBR. :)
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteI loved Max so much, although I think I liked this book a teensy bit more than you did. The friendships in this book were awesome.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali!
Max was the best part of this story!
DeleteLike Nick, I think I was a bigger fan of this book than you were Ali - I liked it even more than Open Road Summer, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it overall! Max was definitely awesome:) I loved the friendship between the girls too though, it could have devolved a number of times into petty jealousies and things, but it never did. Yay for positive female relationships!
ReplyDeleteSo true Jenny about the female aspect, sad that we come to expect that though right?
DeleteGreat review Ali and I totally agree with you. For me there's nothing sexier than a nerdy guy :)
ReplyDelete*high fives you*
DeleteI have a copy of this one I AM DYING to finally get my hands on and read! I love the sounds of this one and hopefully I love it just as much as you did :) *crosses fingers*
ReplyDeleteLily @ Lilysbookblog
I hope you love it Lily!
DeleteNerdy guys are the best! Max sounds like a winner~ I can't wait to read about him :)
ReplyDeleteHe really was! You will love him Eileen. :)
DeleteMax sounds AWESOME! I would read this just for him. :)
ReplyDeleteHe is so worth it. ;)
DeleteI haven't read a coming of age story in ages! I love the sound of this, will definitely add it to my wishlist
ReplyDeleteOh cute funny nerdy types are the best. He sounds like an amazing character :)
ReplyDeleteThey really are. ;)
DeleteI like the sounds of this one. it sounds realistic enough & sweet too. I like Max already Ive always wanted a cute nerdy boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteMax is fabulous. :)
DeleteI seldom read YA contemporary but this one sounds pretty good. I like a sweet romance occasionally and a nerd hero sounds different. Coming of age can be good too. I am glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorna!
DeleteI love it when a character like Max makes a book for you. Contemporary YA isn't my thing, but love a geeky hero :)
ReplyDeleteDon't we all? :P
DeleteSounds like Max is the type of character you can really root for. I've definitely had my eye on this book, and it sounds like something I'd really like!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I am so glad, I hope you try it and love it!
DeleteI have this one. I think. I'm pretty sure. -sigh- I haven't got through my March books yet.
ReplyDeleteYou still have a couple of days. ;)
Deletelovely review, glad you enjoyed it :) I was planning to buy this book but I will wait a bit more before that :)
ReplyDeleteI do hope you still get it though because it is worth the read for sure.
DeleteMax does sound perfect! Thanks for your review. I think I may look this one up :)
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteMax sounds completely cute, sweet and nerdy! I love it when a male character can make you just adore a book (and them) while giving you some warm fuzzy feels like this.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali :)
Thanks so much Kim!
DeleteWow, I love the sound of Max. It's so fun when a character can change the whole book for you.
ReplyDeleteMax really was fabulous!
DeleteYay! I'm so happy that you liked it. I live Emery Lord's first book and I'm totally looking forward to this one too. I thought the first one was super cute and I'm hoping that this one will be as well.
ReplyDeleteAly @ My Heart Hearts Books
I am glad you really like her work, I think you will like this one too!
Delete