by Rachael Allen
To be published on June 17, 2014
by Harper Teen
Source: Thanks to Harper for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Synopsis from Goodreads: No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment. Until Claire meets Luke. But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible. With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.
My take: I went into this expecting something sweet and romantic, and, although I got a story with a much harder edge, I liked that. There's a fair amount going on here: Claire's desire to get out of her small town, her friendship with Megan, her love of soccer, her worry about her mom, and her seeming belief in the whole "you have to kiss a lot of frogs" etc. etc.
The whole thing with Claire describing all of her kisses with so many different guys was my least favorite part of the book. Not because I had a problem with all her kissing, but because most of the time I always felt impatient to get the flashbacks over and get back to the present.
What did I like? I loved that Claire was an athlete. I thought that Claire and Megan's complicated friendship -- part love, part rivalry -- was realistic and interesting. As I saw the triangle-y part of the story developing, I thought I'd hate it, but I didn't. In fact, it was one of the best parts of the story. And I loved the ending, even though it was not exactly what I was expecting.
This sounds good, I do love me some books that get a bit heavy. Its nice to see the old rivalry friendship best friend thing in here, though. That's just about as realistic a friendship can get, I guess. Great review, Jen :)
ReplyDeleteI do think if we are honest about it, many of our friendships have to balance a little envy and rivalry. So I loved that it was included in the story!
DeleteI had this on my tbr at one time, but I lost interest in it somewhere along the way. I do love a good triangle, so I may have to pick this up from the library.
ReplyDeleteIt's a girl-girl-guy triangle, so something a bit different!
DeleteThis one sounds good, I do hate it with the flashbacks since I'm those readers that like reading what's happening now. But definitely adding this one to my TBR pile :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading
Patrick @ The Bookshelves
I am not generally a fan of flashbacks, but I loved this author's writing style, so I didn't mind too much....
DeleteThis sound skins of sad.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading quite a few stories with flashbacks lately and I'm always impatient to get back to now too, although I see why it's important.
lol your autocorrect is on a rampage again!
DeleteIt has moments that are definitely bittersweet, but I liked that!
I thought this would be a sweet book too, so I'm glad to have your heads-up that it really isn't. I'll have to see what I think.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not all sweet. But good!
DeleteHmm a love triangle that you didn't hate? This sounds like a cool story! Glad you enjoyed it. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Instead of the usual "girl who has to choose between two gorgeous guys" it was two girls fighting over a guy.....
DeleteI liked Claire's and Megan's friendship the best. It was my favorite part of the novel. & the plot twist. I wasn't in love with the story, but it's still pretty good.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Their friendship felt very real to me, and I loved it!
DeleteHaving to read about 17 kisses via flashbacks would be frustrating to me too. I like when everything happens in the present.
ReplyDeleteSame. Forget the past, I say!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed this overall! It was a not-so-good read for me, but that all depends on perspective. :) The flashbacks got on my nerves a bit as well. Lovely review, Jen!
ReplyDeleteI saw that you really didn't enjoy this. Reviews like yours helped me go in with the proper expectations -- that cover makes you think it will be all sweet and romantic, when it really wasn't like that at all!
DeleteI still cannot decide if this is one for me, but that was a great review. I do have to admit though, that I like flashbacks....unless they get to be too much.
ReplyDeleteIf you like flashbacks, you should definitely try this!!
DeleteI have been suddenly super into contemporary books and adding them to my TBR pile like crazy. This is definitely getting added to the stack. Plus, I have to read the triangle-y part that YOU loved. Very intriguing. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I'm glad 17 First Kisses worked out for you. I kind of like flashbacks myself, but I'm trying to picture 17 different guys - LOL in the flashbacks. I'm curious now about the love triangle-y thing as well. I love a good romance - keeping my eye on this one :)
ReplyDeleteWell, the kisses are throughout her whole life, so starting when she was a little kid. But I got impatient with that part...
DeleteThis is coming up on my review list and good to prepare it has a harder edge
ReplyDeleteBrandi, I think you'll like this one. There are some family issues and I know you like books with those :)
DeleteWow, did she actually describe ALL 17 kisses in this book? That's kinda... a lot. Haha. In any case, I'm glad you liked this one. My co-blogger reviewed it months ago and was kinda put off by the main character. I'm curious still, though, especially now that you mention a love triangle that was actually the best part of a story. THAT RARELY HAPPENS. O_O
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato Reviews
I didn't count, but I think so. At least most of them...
DeleteHearing that it's darker actually makes me a lot more interested in this, especially given the "I love him but my best friend wants him!" story.
ReplyDeleteAnd uh yeah, I wouldn't be wild about hearing about 17 kisses, either. That is..a lot of kisses.
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
I've seen similar thoughts on this one, that it's not nearly as cute as it sounds. But I think I'd like that aspect, too, especially with the way it sounds like the love triangle plays out.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this one. I don't like I would like the flashbacks either, unless flashbacks are REALLY pertinent to the story, I just want the book to keep moving forward. I'm still on the fence for this one, but thanks for your great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sick of best friends going after the same guy. Me and my best friend never had the same interest in guys, I find it frustrating and a bit unbelievable that in so many books the friends end up fighting/competing over one guy =P
ReplyDeleteDon't know if this topic is for me, but I am glad that you still enjoyed it, Jen. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book yet *Gasps* I like a book with a bit of edge and sweetness to it. I hope it won't disappoint me. :D Great review, love.
ReplyDeletewww.lite-rate-ture.com
I'm really curious about this. It's been recommended to me a few times. I'm curious about the love triangle... I don't hate them, but I do prefer them brilliantly executed.
ReplyDelete