Title: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe
Author: Shelley Coriell
# Of Pages: 320
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Level: Young Adult
Rating: 3 Hearts
Synopsis
(From Amazon.com)
Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.
My Verdict
It took me a long time to get into this book (over 100 pages). But once I did I really did start to enjoy myself. This is definitely a unique and fun book.
I can’t say I really cared for the writing style of this book. I felt like a lot of things were unnecessarily repeated and some of the language used was just plain annoying. If I ever have to read “Oh my gawwwwwwwd!” written out like that again I might hurt someone. Other parts made no sense at all, as if a line or two were missing, which left me reading the same paragraph over and over.
As for the main character, Chloe, I felt that she was way too over the top. Her obsession with old shoes, the way she thinks she can make anything fun, her need to be happy and smiling all the time. She thought of herself as all that and a bag of chips. I did, however, like having a main character that had such a positive outlook on life. Even when her former best friends start circulating horrible rumors about her around school, Chloe doesn’t sink to their level and start plotting her revenge. No, instead she brushes if off and throws all of her efforts full force into her JISP project.
Another downfall was the fact that I couldn’t connect with her on any level. She is more than outgoing to the point of obnoxiousness and I am the complete opposite: shy to the fullest extent of the word. If I could never leave my house and just read books for the rest of my life, I would. I understand everyone is different, and this might not bother you about Chloe at all. Maybe you’re just as outgoing as she is and will be able to connect with her in a way I couldn’t.
I did really like Duncan’s character. Duncan works at the radio station working the control board and also fixing anything and everything that breaks. He is quiet, and can never find the right words to say, which is something that drives Chloe crazy since she can never stop talking.
My favorite aspect of this book was Chloe’s radio show. I just thought the whole idea was fun and old fashioned. Chloe’s big personality and people skills make her perfect for a talk show host.
Another one of my favorite aspects of this book was the quiet romance. It was cute and heartfelt, not at all forced or rushed.
In conclusion, I was about 50/50 on this one. Part of me liked it part of me disliked it. There were things I loved and things I hated. If it sounds like one you’ll like it, I definitely encourage you to give it a try.
I saw that you were on the Comment Challenge list and thought I would stop by to say "hi". I will spend time looking through your post.
ReplyDeleteHi Russ, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds good but I think maybe some of the things that bothered you might bother me as well. I do like that she didn't let things get to her and didn't play into the drama though. I'll have to wait and see. Maybe I'll get it from the library one day. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteIve had this on my throw list Torvalds while. It looks cute but for some reason I haven't been motivated to read it yet. I am shy with hermit tendincies. And would never leave my house if allowed. Although I am peppy and it sometimes annoys people. Lol so I think I will give this a try at some point. Thanks for being honest in your review
ReplyDeleteOh, I hate it when books are written in an annoying way. I like my writing to be normal. However, this book does sound fun! Too bad that you couldn't connect with the main character. I think I'll still give this one a try because I do like fun reads! Great review!
ReplyDelete