Author: Katie Cotugno
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harper Teen (April 21, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Description:
Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.
Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”
Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.
Having liked Katie's debut novel last year, when I saw this I didn't hesitate to grab it.
And while this wasn't quite what I was expecting from her, it was a good solid read and a good coming of age story but with some twists.
Molly made a lot of mistakes, in the past and in the present when this novel takes place and because of them, she was a hard character to like sometimes. Not because of the mistakes that she made but rather because of what she did after those mistakes.
She ran. Sometimes literally from them. And honestly, what does that ever solve? Not only that but most of the time she had a woe is me attitude that could be pretty hard to handle.
The good part of the story? The redeeming part? Molly does grow up. She does learn from her mistakes...eventually.
This was a cute, sometimes difficult story to read with characters that I struggled to love and at times even like and I don't think it will be for everyone but I did enjoy it and it was a great escape read to just get awry for a few hours and get lost in someone else' troubles and drama, just maybe not a favorite or one I will even remember months down the road from now.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Oh it is hard when a character is like that but awesome when you can see them growing and dealing with the past like that even if it does take a while :)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard. :(
DeleteYour rating is actually much nicer than me, I gave it a 1 star. I didn't like Molly's character at all :( It's one thing when someone makes a mistake and learns from it, this girl didn't which frustrated me to the max. Anyway, I did like Gabe and Tess' characters xD Great review though <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteYeah, honestly I could have rated it a two and been fine with it but...I don't know, I was feeling generous because it wasn't all bad.
DeleteI like to be able to get behind the characters 100% even when I don't necessarily agree with them. Still, this one sounds a little different, so I might just give it a try :) Beautiful review!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ramona and I hope you like it if you do decide to try it. :)
DeleteI have this to read very soon. I haven't seen many reviews about it but I'm glad it's an good average read of you. I always love when the character grows up, it's amkes the work worthwhile. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Emma! I will be curious to see what you thought.
DeleteHm. I think I'd have trouble with Molly for sure Ali. I completely understand the desire to flee from a mistake, but like you said, nothing good ever comes from that. I know I'll want her to just deal with it instead of run away:) Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny!
DeleteI'm not great with love triangle so this book isn't for me but I'm glad you at least found a few things to like about it even if it wasn't a favorite.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Thanks Karen, it was a harder triangle to stomach because of all the cheating. :(
DeleteIn a way I think that's a realistic portrayal of someone going through the motions of growing up. I know I wasn't always likable (until now actually). lol
ReplyDeleteLOL! You might be right. I am sure I had my moments as well. :P
DeleteI'm not sure this one would be for me. I think I'd be frustrated with Molly's choices. Glad you were able to enjoy it as a quick escape read. And I do like that cover! Great review :-)
ReplyDeleteIt does have a nice cover. ;)
DeleteI might get a little annoyed with this character, I might need character growth a bit sooner or something, I don't know. This did remind me that I'm in need of some fun summery reads!
ReplyDeleteYeah more growth would have been better overall but at least there was some growth in it. If not this would have gotten a one star for sure. ;)
DeleteI can't remember the title of her debut to save my life, Ali, but I do remember almost everyone liking it! It's too bad that this didn't quite meet your expectations. Unlikeable characters are a deal breaker for me, and I't totally be frustrated here, I just know it.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thanks Maja. :D
DeleteHappy Easter Ali, Nice review. I love it when a character is redeemed, but usually if I don't like her/him at first it's hard to end up liking them. Did you find it that way?
ReplyDeleteYes! I think that is exactly what happened Debbie. :)
DeleteOh man. It sounds like her running from problems could be an annoying trait. :/
ReplyDeleteA little yeah. :(
Deleteoh my God Molly KILLED me… i HATED how she dealt with things and i hated that she kept on making THE SAME mistake over and over again with no remorse… like you said, this was a great escape.. i also ended up giving it 3 stars because katie cotugno is an awesome writer… but i just couldn't stand the characters. great review, you pretty much summed up how i feel about the book.
ReplyDelete- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
The writing was good I will give the author that. :)
Deletethe book sound okay but I know this is not a book I will enjoy reading, I don't know anymore I think I'm just not in the mood for this type of books :) Lovely review
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to get overloaded with this genre sometimes.
DeleteIt's good to see that Molly is growing up because I think she would have annoyed me. Sorry this book wasn't that good but good to see you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :D
DeleteI understand that she eventually grows from them, but you'd ask if all that development was worth all the frustration you experience from her being such a wussy >_< It must have been terribly exhausting when she kept running away from her mistakes! I would be banging my head on a wall lol
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
It was frustrating. ;)
DeleteSounds good, but I have to LOVE my characters, you know?
ReplyDeleteI do know. ;)
DeleteI liked your saying: ''getting lost in someone else's drama''. That is very true. Great review, Ali! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lola!
DeleteThis sounds really good, but I'm conflicted about Molly's character. Guess I'll put this on the "maybe" pile, lol. Thanks for sharing, and great review!
ReplyDeleteBlessie @ Mischievous Reads
If you do try it, I hope you like it more than I did. ;)
DeleteThis book just was not for me, but I'm glad you enjoyed it - at least some. I thought I was going to like it at first, but then ... just ... no. :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I know exactly how you feel. ;)
DeleteI'm crossing my fingers that I'll enjoy this more. I tend to have a soft spot for characters like this, so hopefully!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do Christy.
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting story, but I don't quite know if it is one for me. The review was great though and Molly sounds kind of like one of those characters I might love to hate ;). Still on the fence :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Becca!
Delete