4/5 stars
Harlequin Teen, 2013
288 pages
YA Contemporary
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the biggest book revelations for me last year was reading Confessions of an Angry Girl. I was just blown away by its compulsive readability and the relatability of main character Rose. The ending was a bit abrupt, which makes sense when you realize there is a sequel covering Rose's sophomore year of high school and chronicled in this book.
The book opens in the summer and follows Rose through another crazy year at school: continuing to deal with the aftermath of her father's death, her anger with both parents and her older brother, drama at school, and of course her ongoing crush on Jamie Forta who is almost her boyfriend if not for a ton of extenuating circumstances.
As in the previous book, I appreciated Rose's vocabulary and the care she took to express herself to the best of her ability, which is far more eloquently than a lot of us could manage especially as teenagers. She does not always make the best decisions as she acknowledges but she knows right from wrong and she can stand up for right.
I was also touched by some of her self-conscious thoughts, in particular the following quote, which really spoke to me, even today when I am (thankfully) far away from my teenage years:
"What bugs me is that what I see in the mirror doesn't match what I see in my head. In my head, I'm prettier than I am in real life, so when I look in the mirror and see what I see, I feel let down. And also a little crazy. Where did I get that image in my head if not from the mirror?" (page 148)
My big problem nowadays is thinking that I have much thicker voluminous hair (kind of like a Disney princess) when I have quite the opposite. It's often a shock to look at myself in the mirror and realize that I don't have nearly as much hair as I think I do and how that changes my perception of myself. Quotes like this and others really helped me click with Rose.
Of course I couldn't finish this review without mentioning the situation with Jamie. The first book ended with him standing her up and though she tries to shake her Jamie problem she just can't, which is well articulated in the book (there is some kissing). I personally don't much see the appeal of Jamie on his own but I fully understand the way he makes her feel.
Overall: A great sequel-that fans of the first book must pick up (if you haven't read the series, definitely start with the first before moving on to this second; it will make more sense and be more meaningful that way.)
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Aw, that quote about what she sees in the mirror - I can't imagine how many girls think the exact same thing. Can't wait to read this - great review!
ReplyDeleteI am sure I'm not alone in strongly identifying with that quote unfortunately-I pray for all of us who battle those feelings. I think people who liked the first book will probably enjoy this one too.
DeleteThat is a fantastic quote. I couldn't get into the second one so I am thinking it must have been my mood because I liked the first book.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised to learn you didn't like this one-I saw your DNF review and will need to investigate your reasons why.
DeleteI haven't read either of these but they sound really fun...
ReplyDeleteThey're really great, well-written articulate contemporaries-I bet you'd enjoy them!
DeleteI just read your review of the first book and really enjoyed it. I will have to check this series out. Too bad the romantic interest doesn't live up to his potential but the rest of the story and the main character make it appealing.
ReplyDeleteI reread that review in preparation for this book and I thought it turned out rather well-it reassured me about my blogging abilities.
DeleteI have been hearing really good things about this one. I read the first one and loved it so I definitely have to give this one a shot!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, if you liked the first, you definitely need to check out this sequel!
DeleteI have this one on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it. I really liked Confessions of an Angry Girl--I loved just how ANGRY she was. That track scene where she finally confronts that wicked cheerleader?? LOVED IT. It was GREAT to read that in a YA female protag!
ReplyDeleteSo since you have chatted with the author, do you know if this is the last book in the series or will there be more? Can't find anything on Goodreads.
I have not heard if there will be more but I would be very upset if there wasn't! This book did not end on a conclusive note!
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