Genre: YA Realistic, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 1101575220
Published: June 1st 2012 by Dial Books
Series: none
Length: 416 pages
Source: ebook, borrowed via Overdrive
“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, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase’s family embraces Samantha – even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha’s world. She’s suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.
I’m not going to lie, I had heard so many things about this book. This book was everywhere—Goodreads, social media, other blogs, so I had really high expectations for this.
Samantha Reed is the perfect embodiment of an All-American girl—she’s rich, she’s loyal to her friends, and she has a hell of a high achieving mother, so she was someone I personally connected with. Add in a hot neighbor from next door and you have the dream of many teenagers across America.
I really liked how Sam connected so well with Jase, her neighbor. Her mother is slightly distant, her sister is basically out of the picture, and she also gets into several fights with her friends. Plus, her longing for a connected family, regardless of size, is shown so well in the book that you can’t help but feel the same way. Another aspect I liked about the novel was Fitzpatrick’s portrayal of first love and first times. I especially adored how she did not really make sex a be-all, end-all kind of theme, which was definitely refreshing.
Unfortunately, I did not feel like there was a solid plot about what Sam was going through in her life. Undoubtedly, this can be attributed for my liking for high fantasy kind of books, but I really did not see the underlying theme of the book. The novel went on until the very end, where the drama really kicked in, which was very much long-needed.
Overall, I know that many people liked this book, and I admit it was not the worst, nor was it the best. Despite my okayness about this book, I do feel like I want to finish this series.
arctic books 