The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
4/5 stars
HarperTeen, 2013
312 pages
YA Contemporary

Source: Library

After adoring Pivot Point, I was thrilled to discover that not only did West have another book coming out, but that it was going to be in my favorite genre: contemporary. How could I resist?

Caymen has grown up always knowing that she is separate from the rich people in her town. She lives with her single mother above their doll shop and she sees the financial struggles they endure. So when Xander Spence walks in and beckons her, she's ready to give him his grandmother's doll and get him out of there. But somehow he gets under her skin

Almost immediately I found myself caught up in West's addictive writing. I don't know what her secret is but I just click with it. Then, sadly, life got in the way and I had to put the book aside for a full day (see work, Taylor Swift concert, etc.) When I picked it back up, I found myself less enthused but I don't think it was necessarily the distance between us (haha) so much as some of the plot points that were increasingly emphasized.

Or rather one particular plot point, being Caymen's insecurity over how rich Xander is. This keeps hitting the reader over the head as the book progresses and I don't feel like it was dealt in a real and meaningful way. It was just the same observation repeated ad nauseam and Caymen unable to handle their socioeconomic difference. Another storyline that bothered me was involving Caymen's mother-a lot of information about her is thrown at us toward the end and I disliked how nothing was resolved. It is merely introduced-this is actually a case where I would have liked the book to be longer to more fully explore these issues.

So while those two elements bothered me and kept me from rating this higher, there were still a lot of things I liked. For one, Caymen is hilarious, maybe a bit rough around the edges with her sharp words but I clicked with her. For another, Xander reminded me very strongly of Dexter from Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby; this is not a compliment I give lightly but his sweet adoration of Caymen even when he found her bewildering struck a chord with me. One of my book weaknesses is reading about rich people so I also loved the peek into Xander's privilege like his own recording studio and jet.  While Caymen and Xander are definitely the main characters, it was also fun to meet her best friend Skye, her boyfriend Henry, another possible love interest for Mason (don't worry, it's not a love triangle) and Xander's grandmother were some of the other standout characters. Also as I mentioned above, the writing was just my taste.

Overall: Though I didn't think the ending really resolved anything, I am still very happy I read this book and it was just what I need to perk myself up! Trying to squeeze in one last contemporary before the end of summer? Make it this one :)

Cover: Love the cover-her dress is super covet worthy and I can't even see all of it!

Other Opinions: I almost feel like I didn't need to write this review because my blogging friends have already been so prolific about it. Sometimes I struggle just to find three other opinions but here I went with seven because there were just so many good ones!
A Reader of Fictions
I Want to Read That
Into the Hall of Books
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
Katie's Book Blog
Rather Be Reading
The Flyleaf Review

Pivot Point

Pivot Point by Kasie West
4.5/5 stars
HarperTeen, 2013
343 pages
YA Paranormal Contemporary

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

So I had read some really positive reviews of this book but I still didn't pick it up with the highest of expectations. I think that maybe ended up being a really good thing since it led to me able to abandon myself fully to the story.

I know I picked this up after reading how the plot hinged around the main character's unique ability to see multiple futures. The story's catalyst is Addie's parents' divorce where she must choose: remain with her mom on their secret paranormal compound or go with her dad to live in "normal" life?

I had been told that it was always very obvious what future we were reading about and can confirm that is true with the chapter headings cleverly conveying that information although the characters and plot also make it clear. I've never been very good at predicting twists and turns so the fact that this story took me on a wild ride may not mean much to you. Still West always kept me on my toes, trying to see how each little decision Addie made in each future would affect other decisions and trying to follow the parallels between both lives.  Addie really does have a tough decision to make especially as she sees the ultimate consequences from those choices. I was so proud of her grace and strength in both futures.

Beyond Addie there is best friend Leila who was a fun and dynamic character too-I loved the combination. Of course there are also boys: paranormal Duke and normal Trevor. I don't want to give spoilers but I vastly preferred the same one that Addie ends up preferring (although I knew it from the start). I also must mention Stephanie, a mean jealous cheerleader, just because we share the same name. She's mean because of a boy and I can tell you that I've never been like her.

The thing I probably like least about this book is that there is currently a sequel listed on goodreads and I'm just not sure there should be one. If it is set in the same world but focuses on someone else, I might be okay with that but if it tries to continue Addie's life, it feels unnecessary to me. However I can't find a synopsis so I'll reserve judgment for now. If you've read this book, what do you think about a sequel?

Other Opinions (my google reader was filled with almost universal praise so here is just a small selection):
Books Live Forever
In Bed With Books
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
Once Upon a Prologue
The YA Kitten