Rating: 3/5 stars

Author: Kasie West

Stand-alone or series: companion (set in the same world as The Distance Between Us)

Page Number: 296

Another Kasie West mini review! Unfortunately, this is my least favourite book so far. The idea is great, but the execution, not so much. I’ll talk more about it below!

SPOILERS BEYOND THE QUOTE

We can’t let boys define how we feel about ourselves. You have to know who you are before you should let any boy worth anything in.

Okay, so the synopsis promises a really cute story. Fence talks, brother’s best friend, sports, they’re all ingredients for a fantastic story.

But the story itself didn’t grip me that much.

This was written a some time ago, and much has changed since then, and I understand that. I think if I’d read this when it came out, then I would have loved it. But at this time, I don’t think this book aged well.

The whole idea that an athletic girl can’t be girly, or can’t be attractive, is outdated and annoying. I’m not an athletic girl, but many of the girls I know are. And they’re all beautiful and “feminine” girls. They wear dresses and make-up, do their hair while also playing soccer and rugby and every other sport imaginable. You can be both.

The book did eventually find a sort of balance, but it could have been developed more.

With that, I defiantly understand Charlie’s hesitance in revealing the girly side of her to her brothers. Brothers and boys can be jerks sometimes, and they’ll defiantly make fun of you for doing something different. I have brothers and I know.

The romance in this book felt like it came out of the blue. When they first kissed, I was shocked. There was no building up to that point. I feel like it could have taken a little longer to develop their feelings and the relationship properly.

I did love the family dynamic. West has shown time and time again that she knows how to write great families. The mystery of the mother was also well done.

So this is my least favourite Kasie West book but I’m sure I’ll find another one I love in no time!