Saturday, October 13, 2012

Book Review: Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill



Welcome back to day two of Meant To Be Weekend!


Here's how the weekend is going to go:
Today: Book Review
Tomorrow: Author Interview

I chose today for the book review because in exactly one month from today Meant To Be will officially be released into the world!




Title: Meant To Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
# Of Pages: 290
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Level: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 5 Hearts







Synopsis

(From Amazon.com)

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.


My Verdict

Author Lauren Morrill bursts onto the contemporary YA scene with an unforgettable debut novel that will leave you begging for more.

Meant To Be is a lighthearted and humorous love story set against the beautiful backdrop of London. This was a read-in-one-sitting kind of book. I started it in the late afternoon and read until I could barely keep my eyes open, finishing at 1:15AM. It was THAT good!

I knew I was going to like this book as early as page 23. The writing style and main character’s voice was instantly likable and oh, so funny!

The chapter titles were really cute and under each one was a text message (texting plays a big role in this story).

The whole story takes place in the span of a 10-day school trip abroad to the city of London. The details of London were so vivid, and rich I loved reading about all the museums and places they visited for school. I mean who doesn’t want to visit London?!

The main character, Julia, is a rule follower. Her bag is full of travel guides marked with hundreds of color-coded sticky notes and her idea of fun is sitting home and reading Shakespeare. Julia was such a unique and totally awesome character! She may get made fun of for her obsessive organization and being a stickler for the rules but I found these things made me like her even more, maybe because I could relate. I would rather sit home and read than go out partying. My day planner is color coded, and I’m quite the rule follower myself.

As for the leading male, Jason, he’s loud, obnoxious, and a perpetual flirt. At first I really didn’t like Jason but soon enough I found myself falling for him just like Julia. He’s funny, adventurous, and even likeable one you get to know him.

In conclusion, this has been one of my favorite YA books of the year all time, and I recommend that everyone go out and get a copy right now! I've had my own copy pre-ordered since July, that's how good it is. 

8 comments:

  1. I read Meant to Be around 2 weeks ago and it was great, though not an all time favorite but it was a great contemporary! and yea Jason wasn't that likable in the beginning but I grew to really like him later on!

    great review

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this one too Juhina! Contemporary has definitely become my new favorite genre =)

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  2. I agree on all counts. Loved this book. Loved the characters. It was a fun read and one I just couldn't put down. Realistic contemporary YA is my favorite genre and this is definitely one of the best!!

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    1. Happy to hear you enjoyed this book as well =) It was a very fun and lighthearted read that was impossible to put down!

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  3. Wow, I really, really want to read this book now—it sounds fantastic! I love books that are worth staying up until 1AM and beyond to finish. (:

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    1. I think your definitely going to enjoy it Cheyenne! If you ask me books that make you stay up late into the night are the best kind!! =)

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  4. EPIC CUTENESS. This book sounds like a cupcake of adorableness with sprinkles of love, Amanda! ♥ I guess you're right, I definitely would fall in love with this book! Oh my, I would buy this book simply because of the gorgeous cover anyway. ;) I can't wait to read this book when it comes out!

    Beautiful review, my dear! I so fall in love with this book weekend! We need more books and authors, Amanda! ♥ x)

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  5. This does not sound like my preferred type of book, but I may have to make an exception here. I love how positive your review is and how you dedicated a whole weekend to celebrating this book! Also not going to lie: the protagonist sounds a lot like how I would have acted had I gone on a European trip as a highschooler.

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