1.5 Stars
Book Rating: PG-13
Language: PG-13 (Multiple uses of sh*t, one f*ck, multiple d*mn, h*ll)
Sex: PG-13 (Things get pretty steamy on several occasions between the characters. No actual descriptions of the "act," just a lot of making out)
Violence: PG (one guy gets a black eye. There's a pretty traumatic car crash that we don't actually witness as the reader but we're there for the aftermath)
Drugs/Alcohol: PG-13 (Tons of underage drinking. I'm wondering if that's all these kids do. Lots of talk of getting completely hammered and the main character talks about getting drunk and being taken advantage of by a boy)
This book follows the journey of JJ (Jadyn) Reynolds from fourth grade into adulthood. I thought this was an interesting premise because you don't usually find 300 page books that cover such a huge span of time.
You know, I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was a quick read and had an interesting storyline, as in following a main character for twelve years. The writing was simple which I hope will get me out of my reading rut and into reading something more complex. I liked watching the three main characters grow up together. I thought it was an interesting dynamic.
The real downer for me in his book was that JJ was the most immature, whiny, arrogant, entitled little worm. I like her POV's when she was in elementary school through ninth grade because the things she thought and how she spoke were absolutely believable. I could see myself in her 7th grade POV. But as she gets older, I don't see her mature at all. She's snotty and bratty and her only thoughts are about how she's going to get drunk this weekend and hook up with this guy because he's a total smoke show. She just didn't have any depth. The only time I was able to see her as a real human being was when she was out playing football with Danny and Phillip and when she was crying on her parents' bed. She was just SO shallow. She's got a new guy every month, makes out with whoever she likes...I just....She was always talking about how she would never be one of those girls who always croons over the boys and how hot they are, BUT THAT'S LITERALLY ALL SHE DOES.
Honestly, the downside to this book was just JJ and the writing (SO BAD, SO JUVENILE) which would amount to JJ's thoughts. So really JJ was the only thing to drag this book down into the depths of Hell.
I was okay with both our secondary main characters, Danny and Phillip. Both had different personalities that really made the book a lot easier to read. But they were both just f-boys. I loved the relationship the three of them had together and how easy their relationship was. Danny was the football star, playboy, sweet, devious one and Phillip was the smart, caring, grounding, think-before-you-act one. Both of their dynamics with JJ were interesting. (Lol. If only I liked her).
I can say though, this author really knows how to write chemistry. I mean, Danny and JJ's chemistry was through the roof. Like those two were like actual electricity together. I loved reading their chapters. I feel like JJ was more believable and human as well when she's with Danny. I feel like if she was hanging out with him throughout the book, I would like her better. (Now if only the writing were better and JJ didn't sound like a 12 year old 24/7).
There is one thing that REALLY bothered me about this book though. I felt like, especially in the college years, things started getting a little uncomfortable to read. JJ would go on and on about getting drunk and finding someone to take advantage of her. There was this one line which really disturbed me. I don't know if the author is just uneducated on how these things may sound to people who are very aware of how rape culture works nowadays but she turned this line into something JJ found "sexy."
"You know I haven't quite figured out if I should attack you or go into business with you."
This is said while at a college party where things are getting pretty heated between JJ and an older student. They're drinking. She's already pretty intoxicated and girls are being told that they're worth nothing if they don't get down and dirty with one of the boys at the party. It just rubbed me the wrong way. A lot of what JJ said rubbed me the wrong way as she talked about hoping to get taken advantage of and "going up to his room where he could have his way with me." I don't know. I feel like it was just classless with no concern for people that have actually gone through this and experienced something where someone just "had their way" with them.
If you want a quick read with not much substance, this is the book for you. If you're not a fan of that, move on to bigger and better things. I know I will.
"I sigh big." (pg. 208) <---A clear example of the terrible writing
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adjö,
lauren
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