Arthur A. Levine Books, 2010
258 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Bronwen has never felt like she fits in with her family: her blonde mom, her perfect brother, and the stepfather who can't replace her deceased father. But when she meets Jared, she meets someone who listens to her and when he proposes on her eighteenth birthday, she jumps at the chance to be part of a Real Family. As the day approaches though, she starts to question if marriage is what she really wants...
Thoughts: This book really hit me hard. I definitely had some issues with weird ideas about relationships, namely that it would be super easy and romantic to get married in high school/college, mostly thanks to Boy Meets World (seriously-I wanted to find my Cory), so I thought the idea of someone getting married right after graduating high school sounded really intriguing as a plot for a YA novel.
But what I really liked was the emphasis on family. Bronwen doesn't feel loved and accepted by her family but she does by Jared and his family. The most heartbreaking scene occurs between her, her mother, and her stepfather toward the end. I kind of already suspected what happened but it made me cry and so thankful for my parents who really pretty much do accept me, anti-social nerd bookworm that I am.
At first it seems like Bronwen has everything together but as they near the wedding day, their differences (he just graduated college while she just graduated high school, placing them at very different stages of life) magnified and I just wanted her to think about what was best for her. The ending hints at healing for her family and for their shattered relationship as while as between her and Jared but nothing definitive is said.
Overall: Just what I needed!
Cover: Cute-combination of books and wedding but it was the concept that really drew me to the book.
I like the concept! Some people who don't feel like they have a real family do tend to marry fast to get one. That's sad, but interesting to read about, I'm sure.
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