From What I Remember...

by Stacy Kramer

KYLIE: Mexico? What a nightmare! I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY! Wait! Is this a wedding band on my finger
MAX: It started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics and it ended in Ensenada. It was hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded here, with less than twenty-four hours before graduation.
WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border - but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.
LILY: This cannot be happening. It's like some cruel joke. Or a bad dream. I close my eyes and when I reopen them, they're still there. Max and Kylie Flores, freak of the century. In bed together. If Kylie thinks I'm giving him up without a fight, she's dead wrong.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, High School, Road Trip, Realistic Fiction, Humor

480 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2012

About the author

Karma Bites is a first novel by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas. Kramer is a comedy writer, whose television credits include "Lizzie McGuire" and "Less Than Perfect." She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Mini interview and international giveaway (for 2 SIGNED copies!) on my blog! You can check it out HERE! ♥**

Rating: 4.5 hilarious stars out of 5!

Oh wow, I have a HUGE and absolute crush on this book! It had me smiling and aching and wishing it could be turned into a movie. I just couldn't get enough!

Mostly taking place over the span of three days, From What I Remember is told through 5 different POVs — which normally wouldn't be my cup of tea, but totally works here! Each of the characters are distinctive and fun and have their own personalities that make it so easy to tell them apart and even easier to connect with them.

The romance between Kylie and Max starts out rocky but progresses beautifully through whacky events like being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. It's more than your average serious-smart girl and heartthrob jock love story. They compliment and bring out the best in each other, and everything was realistic and sweet and SO genuine! ♥ The pacing — both with their relationship and the storyline — was perfect, and I was never, ever bored!

But the rest of the characters also stand out and make From What I Remember even stronger than it already is! There's Will, the gay best friend who is literally the funniest guy ever. His love for Kylie and their habit of quoting movie lines to each other made me smile. Somehow I even found myself empathizing with Lily, the resident mean girl.

Another thing I loved was the amount of self-discovery and growing up in this book. So close to graduation, each of them go through their own epiphanies and growth. I think that this would be the perfect book to read especially if you're a teen who doesn't know where you're going. I was inspired by these characters and I feel everyone will be too! :)

With an amazing cast, a perfect pace, and an absolutely sweet romance, From What I Remember was an entertaining story about self-discovery and unexpected romance. I was captivated for all near-500 pages and I almost wished I could've had more!

BUY or BORROW?: I love owning this book not just for the big amazing things, but the little amazing things too — like the fact that each chapter starts with a quote from a well-known movie. Buy buy BUY! :)

(Original review at Mimi Valentine's YA Review Blog)

[Eunice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Normally too many POVs in a book would've peeved me out. Three is my limit but apparently I can actually manage more than that. Because this book has five POVs. Yes, FIVE! Yet I seriously freaking adored it! I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much but boy, no matter how many povs it had or how cliched it was it still kicked my ass! This was a fuuuuuun read but had its deep and insightful moments too that definitely made it more wonderful and enjoying!

The characters were the best part of this book! Kylie and Max were both adorable and fun characters. Despite being flawed their characters seems to be so genuine. They were opposite characters (you guys know how I loved that kind of arrangement) and had zero interest to each other but through their forced and unexpected journey they discovered so much more about themselves and realized things they might actually really liked about each other. I love how these two grew and developed throughout the story.

The romantic build up was great. I adore authors who can manage to write a well developed romance even when the story was set for a short period of time. I loved how Kylie and Max's relationship progressed. The attraction between them doesn't feel forced. It was well paced and very genuine. Their chemistry was really good so when the final moment came, it was absolutely swoooooooooning! It was just so sweet, sexy and cute!

Supporting characters like Will, Jake, Lily and Charles were never left on the side too. They had their own moments that didn't feel unnecessary to the story. Aside from Kylie and Max's pov I really enjoyed Will's! Being inside the head of a gay was just really fun. He was also a very wonderful and caring best friend and I like how much he loved Kylie. Jake's pov (Kylie's younger brother with asperger syndrome) was a touching one and Lily's, although she could be a bit bitchy, I found myself empathizing her situation. The five povs in the story were all so different but what was so good about that was it gave us some level of understanding to these different kinds of people without being one-sided or too judgmental.

With awesome characters, intriguing plot, and sexy and fun romance - all I could do was just to simply adore this book. I would absolutely recommend this especially if you're looking for a fun and sweet read but with great and in depth lessons.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion for providing a copy of this awesome book!

This review is also posted at Book Overdose

[Jasprit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded in Mexico with no passports and just a few hours from their graduation is the situation Max and Kylie find themselves in. Kylie’s adamant that if Max had agreed to do their partnered assignment yesterday as planned, they wouldn’t find themselves in this mess in the first place. But if Kylie hadn’t gone sprinting off after two scary thugs who had her laptop Max would have been enjoying his last ever day at school and not be stuck here, that’s what he keeps telling himself. But Max and Kylie ended up getting a bit more than they bargained for when they ended up stuck together. They’ve never said more than five words to each in the last six years they’ve spent at school together, with Max being the school’s hottest jerk and Kylie considered a social geek their social circles never mixed, that’s until they’re forced to partner up for an assignment on the penultimate day of school. Kylie needs to get it done, she’s school valedictorian and has always handed every piece of work on time, so she’s not going to stop now for all she knows it could affect her GPA. Whereas Max is the complete opposite, he doesn’t give a damn. So both you can say are thrilled to be partnered together.

From What I Remember was a book full of misunderstandings and misconceptions. A lot of the characters went into situations thinking they knew what to expect or what a person was like but time and time again they were proven wrong. I liked the fact that we were treated to five separate pov’s, initially I found myself wanting to zip through the pov’s of certain characters and get back to the pov’s where the real action was happening. But then as the book progressed I found myself warming to all the pov’s, they provided great insights into the characters and proved me wrong in a lot of assumptions I’d made of them too.

Max and Kylie were an unlikely pair, but the more time they were forced to spend together, the more they realised how much they had in common. Kylie’s initial character reminded me a lot of myself. I was always pre-occupied or stressed out about studying and just never had or made the time to sit back and have fun. And so I liked how in Mexico, Kylie was a lot less uptight, she was able to let her hair down and finally have fun. Max also had initially come across as a jerk, but in Mexico he was able to open up a bit more. He was genuinely a sincere and nice character, I may have also been a bit biased towards him because of his floppy hair (this does me in every time) I just loved getting into his head. The secondary characters Lily, Will and Charlie also brought so much fun to the story. When together with their high speed car chase, unexpected announcements and try as they might to make it to graduation on time, made their escapades so much fun. I would have loved to be part of their group!

Stacey Kramer and Valerie Thomas did a brilliant job with From What I Remember. I loved the unusual premise they provided us with, the fun loving characters and the endless banter along the way. I especially loved how the characters were able to take the mick out of themselves from time to time and not take each other so seriously.

“we both smile at the classic misunderstanding.
It’s all so cliché-ridden, it’s embarrassing. I wish
our stay could have some more original twists
and turns. Maybe one of us will turn into a
vampire or something.”

From What I Remember was a fun adorable adventurous read. If you’re looking for something to kick back with over the summer I definitely recommend picking this up.

This review and more can be found on The Readers Den

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a TOTAL TRAIN WRECK. But I LOVED every minute of it. Man, just when you think it couldn't get any better/worse, Thomas and Kramer throws yet another surprise at you. This was such a FUN book to read, and it kept me on my toes the entire time.

First, let's talk a prologue. Can you get a better hook-in! It was kind of like The Hangover except even more intriguing. It kind of made me want to flip to the end of the book because I didn't want to rewind to two days earlier. But I kept myself in check, and I read the book in the order I was suppose to.

You would think this book was cliche, and maybe it was, but the story goes so much more beyond that. I admit, the book was a bit long because so much was going on. I mean a special brother, a father who's had a tragic past, overbearing parents with expectations, a father with cancer, gay issues when to step out of the closet, being an uptight valedictorian and looking beyond the surface and getting to really know people. This book also had its deep moments.

And the characters in the book, I just loved each one of them for their own strengths and faults. I love banter as well as the soul-searching conversations between Kylie and Max. I like how each have their own problems and how they learn there is more to each other than they originally thought. I think they had great chemistry, and I think the progression of their relationship from between to end was well paced and exciting.

And I'm not usually a fan of authors who have the token gay best friend who's just overly flamboyant - not because I have anything against gay people but that I'm not a big fan of annoying sidekicks in general - but Will's role in this book fit perfectly. It just somehow worked really well how they would become friends and they connected on a level that's beyond understanding.

And I don't really like it when authors throw in more than two or three points of views - and there were FIVE in this one - but for some reason, it worked in this one too. Somehow Thomas and Kramer managed to take everything I normally hate in a book and twisted them in a way that I really enjoyed. Like I said, a total train wreck but I loved it anyway.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted at Bewitched Bookworms


How do you usually find your next favorite books? Well, sometimes they just happen to find you!From What I Remember... was a book I wouldn't have picked up myself, but when I got a Galley I couldn't resist giving it a try. Boy - how glad I was this book jumped my like this!!

Wooot! Smashing Opening &  you jump right into this story!

When we open the book, we are confronted with a scene where Kylie lays in bed with gorgeous Max somewhere in ....Mexico. But, she has no idea how that happened and.. more importantly why on earth Max is lying beside here...

The opening scene was perfection, it teases you to the point where you want, no - where you need to know how the hell all this happned to Kylie! I love beginnings like this!

Different POV - and a sexy, cute & thrilling story

Kylie the the school nerd! Always learning, having the best grades and clearly, she does not belong to the popular crowd.. at all! Her only friend is Will - gay and rich outcast who is the best friend you can always wish for!

Then there is Max - school's most popular and incredibly gorgeous boy who never looked twice at Kylie before. In addition we have Max's grilfriend Lily.

Although I am usually not a big fan of so many POV in one story, here, it worked effordless and each voices was honest and very distinct from each other!However, May and Kylie are the real protagonists and their voices are the driving force of the story!

Who you are from the outside is not Who you really are...

Apart from the fact that this story is simply cute, sexy and fun. There is much more to it. Each character has their own problems none of them truly liked talking about. It's a story about finding your own self. How are you on the outside but who do you really want to be. Self Finding, Growing Up and disvering who you could be!  This mix worked perfectly together and truly gave a little depth to this otherwise  super fun and romantic storyline.

I simply loved getting to know each one of them better and discover what who they really want to be.


Sexy and Romantic Love Story!

The surprising, unfolding love between Max and Kylie was made of wonderment and cuteness. Those two couldn't be more different from each other - on the outside. But, forced on this trip to Mexico together made them realize that this is not true, in fact they share much more than both of them would have ever imagined! I loved their romance so much,  I loved following them falling for each other. I had butterflies in my stomach! Sexy and unbearably cute romantic scenes stirred the emotions that will touch your heart. With me being me, I had tears in my yes so many times - heartbreaking and incredibly touching scenes made sure to trigger emotions!


Bottom Line

Smashing, Cute and Sexy. From What I Remember... is a excitingly  beautiful story with love, self-discovery and a thrilling set of characters. If you look for a lovely coming of age novel, that will touch your heart, make you laugh and cry - then you most definitely should pick this one up. This book is movie material, explosive and romantic!

[Andreea Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read this review here: http://raftul-cartilor-vampiresti.blo...

God, I don’t even know where to start! This has been a hell of a ride and I loved it! From What I Remember might look similar to Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, which is the best YA Romance ever! Strike that, folks! From What I Remember is actually very different. Better. Funnier. Crazier. And I liked it even more than Perfect Chemistry, if that’s possible! I recommend this to everyone who wants to have a fun time reading a 465-page book. Yeah, it was kinda big. Very big, but whatever: I wasn’t bored at all and I devoured every single word.

So here is the plot -- I’ll try to not spoiler too much, because it’s just so lovely to discover this amazing story on your own :)

The book follows the adventures of more high-school, almost graduated and very different teenagers, but the main ones remain 4 freaky characters (3 were really awesome and one less awesome) from Freiburg Academy in La Jolla, San Diego. Dios Mio! That’s far far away… :) They are:

1. Kylie, the smartest girl in school, half Jewish, half Latino, with some skills in car burglary and some nasty problems waiting for her at home (her brother has special needs). She’s the clever kind of girl, the one who has won a scolarship to NYU from her own work (she made a roleplay) and dreams about making screenplays for some big movies.

2. Max, the hottest guy around and the biggest asshole in the history of Kylie (which is like 17 years or so). He plays squash, he can be a total jerk (that’s the popularity talking over there) and he spends most of his time with his buddy, Charlie, but he’s got problems too. His dad has cancer and his mother is still on the denial phase. Everyone expects him to be a great lawyer, but he loves doing pictures and he’s also good at it.

3. Will, who is Kylie’s best friend, happens to be gay and… oh, yeah, he’s her only friend unfortunately. Talk about social levels… God, that must be pretty depresing…

And

4. Lily – Max’s bitchy girlfriend (if you haven’t realised, she’s the less awesome character). I get it, she’s got some big issues going on and her life kind of sucks. But no need to panic. We’ve all been there once.

Kylie and Max, 2 persons who barely spoke to each other, manage to get in some big trouble one day before Graduation Day. And it’s like Mission Impossible from their point of view. Their texts were way beyond awesome:

MAX: WTF WER U THINKING?
KYLIE: IDK. GUESS I WASNT.
MAX: YEA.
KYLIE: IM REALLY SORRY. REALLY. REALLY.
MAX: SAVE IT. NOT GOOD ENUF WEN IM DED.
KYLIE: I KNOW. I MESSED UP.
MAX: BIG TIME.
KYLIE: I GET IT. YOU HATE ME. IM AN IDIOT.
MAX: OK.
KYLIE: U DON’T HAVE TO B SUCH A DICK.
MAX: IM GONNA DIE CUZ OF YOU. HOW SHD I B?
KYLIE: NICER?
MAX: R U SUICIDAL??

KYLIE: NOT GOOD.
MAX: YA THINK? CANT IMAGIN HOW IT CD GET WORSE.
KYLIE: THEY CD KILL US.
MAX: YEA. THAT WD B WORSE. THNX 4 THAT.

KYLIE: THEY’LL STOP AGAIN SOON. WE’LL JUMP OUT THEN.
MAX: IN TIJUANA? PERFECT. BEEN DYING TO GO THERE.
KYLIE: I HEAR IT’S NICE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

From mine? Well, it was more like a Valentine’s Day and The A-Team mash-up. In a very gooood way.

They bond in order to get out alive from this messy and shitty situation and they start to trust each other. When they’re able to escape from the worst situation ever, they find themselves stuck in Mexico without any passports to get home until Graduation Day.

But here comes the cavalry, who happens to be named Will. Exactly, the gayest guy on Earth who rocks on heels and kilts better than anyone. Let me start by saying that their friendship is more than awesome! They can rely on each other and their movie dialogs makes me love them even more. I have to admit, I was laughing all by myself like an idiot at some stupid lines they shared.

“Baby, I was born this way…”

In the meanwhile, the adventure continues in Ensenada, where Kylie’s father grew up. They found old friends and discover family tragidies, but also a lot of questions are answered here. When Will finally shows up, the mood lights up like a Christmas Tree. There are huge and crazy parties going on and our beloved characters are wasted in like 50 pages.

They let themselves dance to Latino beats, eat so much like is the last day of their lifes, hook up with gay people, marry on the beach and all that stuff for what? It’s a pretty easy guess.

“You mind if I dance with your date?” Kylie asks the dude.
“He’s all yours,” he says shimmying off to another partner.
“Okay, that was weird,” I say.
“Sorry, things got a little chaotic. I ended up with a guy who looked like Justin Bieber.”
“Think I’d rather have fendora guy.”
“I’d rather have you,” Kylie says.

Exactly, for love. And when the night ends we’re having so much fun along with the characters that we think it’s too good to be perfect.

“Lies, deceit, mixed messages… This is turning into a real marriage.” – FACE/OFF

And we’re right. Bitch Lily shows up with Charlie in Ensenada to find her dream guy in a bed with the school freak, meaning Kylie. Sure as hell, she is pissed. Good thing Will is there to shut her mouth up while Max and Kylie can sink into a great hangover.

But when Max tries to make things right, he oscillates between Lily and Kylie and he’s making things worse (asshole!). But they have to move on for a bit. The problems are bouncing up and seconds pass by as their school ritual is coming up in a few hours.

The story here is predictable; of course they’ll make it. But the road until there is full with ups-and-downs and chit chatting and pressure and tension and drama and heartbreaks and… OK, I realised I’m rambling. But I can’t describe it with words, unless I copy paste all of the pages. Which I’m not gonna do. Not right now, anyway.

In the end, things are great. Lovely friendships, new beginnings, awesome jokes and good romances. Their world is pink and puffy and I hope it will last as long as possible.

My Opinions:

This is a must read for every YA Romance fan out there. It’s really not what I expected. It’s excellent. Romance in a foreign country, Mexican parties and tequila shots, funny quotes and some of the best characters I’ve got the opportunity to meet! And I consider it one of the best stand-alone book in ages. The cover is awesome, btw. A well-written story who won me by the first page. Love it!

A special thanks to the authors for giving me the chance to read this wonderful book! Your writing is amazing! Keep doing it!

ENJOY! <3

[Janina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not have high expectations for From What I Remember, to be honest. The summary sounds a bit too much like an MTV reality show, and the cover doesn't really do anything to contradict that. Yet, I can't deny that for the time being, the book entertained me. It did not blow my mind, no, but it was definitely a welcome distraction on an otherwise uneventful, (partly) sunny Sunday afternoon on my back porch.

At Freibury Academy, Kylie is an outsider in every possible way. Coming from the wrong side of town, scholarship student, determined to succeed and working hard for it (even on the last day of senior year). She and her best friend Will are okay with spending their time alone watching movies, waiting for college to start and life to move on away from Freiburg and its rich posse.

But when Kylie is forced to work together with school heart throb Max to get back her stolen computer and ends in a Mexican border town with him but without passports, things are about to get interesting. While best friend Will comes to the rescue, Kylie has to ask herself one question: Is Max maybe not the dumb and arrogant jock she always thought him to be?

Seriously, does that not sound like one of those movies always starring Freddie Prince junior? Okay, maybe I did my best to make it sound like one, but the similarities are definitely there. Loner heroine who thinks she's ugly but in reality just manages to hide her beauty well (hello there, strict bun and baggy clothes) and spends a lot of time at home taking care of her younger brother. Gay best friend who likes to wear ourageous clothes to attract attention, is somewhat of a drama queen, but really just wants to be accepted like he is. Popular jock who deep down is interested in books and photography and might be rich, but has his own package to carry. Not to forget the beautiful girlfriend ready to scratch Kylie's eyes out.

So cetainly, if you are in the mood for it, you can find heaps of faults with this book. I did try to stop the analytical part of my brain from paying too much attention - I just wanted a few fun hours, after all - but some things just couldn't go unnoticed. I am not completely sure what this book tries to be - does it want to comment on minorities at posh private schools or is that just the most convenient setting for the story to unfold? Does it want to show us what it's really like to live with a sibling with Asperger's, or is that just a way to add tension to the heroine's family dynamics?

More often than not, I felt like problems where just created to add a "special flavour" to the story, not to really explore them. Characters were ladened with issues, but did not truly seem to suffer under them. The altogether five point of views did not really help much with that either. I always had the feeling that the realness in each character only simmered through in rare moments - real depth was often missing.

In the end, the book remained quite forgettable - precicely like all those high school flick starring Freddie - but I had a good time with it nevertheless. Still, I have already forgotten some of the characters names although it has only been two days. That means I honestly can't give out more than two stars.

And, seriously, what are those ellipses doing in the title?!

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and Hyperion for the review copy.

[oliviasbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Read for the first time and reviewed in 2009: Before I start having difficulties to remember I need to voice my impressions of From What I Remember... by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas, for I thoroughly enjoyed reading the review copy, the publisher, Hyperion, had been so kind to provide me with via Netgalley.

When I first stumbled across the up-coming book’s description, which promised four points of view (I usually love that), flashbacks, a trip – possibly a road trip (Yay!)– to Mexico, fleeing criminals, a high school graduation, and a drug- or alcohol-induced accidental wedding of the goody-two-shoes valedictorian girl, I guessed that the story might provide lots of fun in a Meg-Cabotish-style.

A cover-reveal and some early reviews later my expectations felt a little dampened. That chihuahua and that sombrero, those four stereotypically American Teen Movie kids and comparisons to films like She’s All That, which I have not watched, but which I have come to fear as an allegory for everything soppy and shallow. Still, the possibility to snatch a digital ARC presented itself (Thank you, Jasprit!) and the switching points-of-view kept enticing me. So I decided to have a go and see for myself.

Now I can say that the the novel’s chemistry did remind me a little of one of those few American teen movies I happen to know: 10 Things I hate About You. There is also a slightly prickly girl who wants to gain entry into her dream university, there is also a boy who pretends that everything is sunny and easy-going and problem-free for him, there are some mean girls, there is an embarrassing drunk scene, which involves inhibited dancing, and there are attracted opposites and the probability that the unlikely attraction will be buried under a number of obstacles. I don’t know about you. But I liked that film and did not find it too superficial. And I have been rather surprised by From What I Remember..., its depth, its characters and points of view and by how much I craved to go on reading. The latter, the pull a story has on my willingness to spend time with a book, is a great indicator for my personal enjoyment. I must say that have been very reluctant to let go of this book.

Some might argue that five points of view are main character overdose, but apart from bitchy Lily’s narration I thought they were all crucial to getting the big picture and to growing close to Kylie and Max, the main players. Although I have no means to check his fictional personality against reality, I enjoyed the chapters told by Kylie’s 13-years old brother Jake, who has Asperger’s, and followed his way of thinking with interest. Kylie’s best friend Will felt a little forcefully gay to me - as if for demonstration effect -, but not annoyingly so. Kylie herself is not depicted as the brainy, mousy girl with a secret wonder body under some rags, who always dreamt being one of the in-crowd, but is too shy to make a move. Kylie is someone who has her hands full with balancing her 80s-and-90s-film-addiction, her grades, her scholarship and her much-needed, but only marginally appreciated input at home and is truly contented with having one wonderful best friend on her side. Max learns to his own astonishment that Kylie really did not deem the rest of her rich and inambitious classmates to be interesting enough to spend her time with. All in all, Kylie is someone very spontaneous, very brave bordering on dangerously stupid and very likable. Someone, who - like Max, too - fears to find her family broken into pieces rather soon. Someone, whose conversations with her father, whose realizations about her father and whose introduction to strangers - who consider her family - moved me to tears. Someone, who still has A-Cup-boobs and a rather large behind after shedding her gray jeans. Max’ behavior angered me at times, but I liked it that there was more to Max than what meets the eye.

What I did not buy was Kylie’s obsession with getting her stolen laptop back and the measures she takes for reaching that goal. A girl as structured as her simply has to have some back up files of her private and academic writings, by the way. Also the idea that a teacher might fork out an assignment on the day before graduation, which is to be dealt with in pairs selected by said teacher and will have effect on the final grading of the course, seemed to be eyeball-poppingly farfetched to me. But once the unlikely pair got to Mexico I did not care so much about the unbelievable premise anymore.

One note concerning sex: It occurs as a part of the plot, and I am always grateful, when authors do not turn it into something dirty or inappropriate only because of an underage readership. Thank you, authors, for not being cowardish on that front!

And one last - second - note on the (final?) cover: I wish there was enough time to exchange it. Kylie, for instance, has a mop of dark corkscrew curls and big, light-brown eyes. How difficult would it have been to reflect her being half-Mexican by a fitting stock photo? I personally would have loved a picture of her and Max relaxing together in a frayed garden-hammock with a tray of Sangrias nearby or of the two of them standing dishevelled in front of a small, cosy boutique with that figure-hugging, red evening-dress decorating the window display. I know, I know ... but a girl can dream ... and remember.

[Bookaholic (reads every mortal thing) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is basically cliched characters, slut shaming and boredom, all inside one very pretty cover.

There was little to no chemistry between Max and Kylie. And to be honest, Max needs to get some balls and man up.

And couldn't Max and Kylie have waited an, oh, 1 DAY to rip their clothes off and start making out with each other? I mean, pfft, it's not like Max has a girlfriend or anything, right?

Yeah. I didn't think so.

[Allyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a lot like the John Hughes movies I grew up with, so I can very much see it as a movie. However, from a parent's persective, there was just too much about the book I can't support - the language, drinking, allusions to sex... Again, the "good girl" finally becomes "normal" when she loosens up and gives in to what all the other kids are doing. I know I'm in the minority, but I still don't understand why adults, and especially educators, are saying this is what makes a great story. What is wrong with being a teen who follows rules, doesn't drink or have sex?

Also, I was very disappointed in the number of times the word "retarded" was used. Not only would I ever imagine an author using that word so flippantly, but there is no way the main character would use that word having a sibling with a special needs. The first time I saw the word I wanted to shut the book; I was hoping there was a purpose to it, but no such luck.

Being a parent of a teen (with Aspergers) there is just so much about this book that makes me not want to pass it on to her.

[Zizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars
It was that awesome. I. FREAKING. LOVED. THIS.

With the female lead and her token gay best friend quoting lines from Reservoir Dogs, Some Kind of Wonderful, Almost Famous, Reality Bites and I Love You Man among many others - you can be damn sure that this would be CLEVER. It was and it was more.

This had a plot Sixteen Candles-style where everything happens overnight - with so many twists and turns crammed in this brief adventure. It all started with a homework assigned two days before graduation, pairing the class valedictorian with the most popular/cutest guy in class. We follow these two from an argument in a squash court to a stolen backpack that led them all the way to Tijuana to an all-night party in Ensenada honoring St. John the Baptist to a car chase scene in the streets of Mexico and to finally making it in record time to graduation in a police patrol car.



But beyond all these crazy happenings was a message - typical of any YA books. AND who cares if there were numerous cliche's that riddled this book if the package was as shiny as this. Bottomline is this: High School has such an inhospitable climate. Prejudices run amok. People judge and are judged. To survive, kids compartmentalize themselves in these little cliques. The need to belong is urgent and pressing. BUT

Hopefully, in the Venn diagram of their lives, they can find a little more overlap.

This is exactly what happened one crazy day before graduation. Max and Kylie inadvertently fell into this adventure together and ended up falling in love hard and fast. She rallied and took charge in times of crisis while pretty boy bucked under the pressure. He's never had to work for anything in his life - what can you expect? But it is when you deal with the unexpected and crossover that you learn most about yourself. This was Max's lesson among other things.

Hobbies are for wimps who dan't have the guts to follow their passion.

Max eventually learns a thing or two about bravery and risk-taking as opposed to his usual style of shutting down to protect himself. And anal, little-miss-organized Kylie learns the same thing.

I learned I can survive outside of my tiny little world. I learned that even if it hurts sometimes, I'd rather be out there in the big, wide world than hidden safely inside my own cage. My heart may be broken, my clothes may be lost, my speech many no longer be relevant, but I'm stronger for it.

There were also a million other side characters thrown into the mix. There's Will whom I've mentioned as gay and who cross dresses for the shock value. While I loved Kylie's biting sarcasm and Max's equally sharp mind (surprisingly), Will delivers the best lines in the book.

Did I actually get this lucky, or is Juan a serial killer?.

There is also Jake, the brother who suffers from Asperger's. His brilliant mind and his need for familiarity was an amazing thing to behold. We have Lily, Max's girlfriend, the token HS prom queen bitch who puts social status as her priority above all else. She's the only unlikeable character in this group. There are a whole slew of cameos to add to the funny, one memorable one was Jess Stern - the nice Jewish boy from La Jolla who thinks he's gangster.

Sounds crazy? It didn't read like that even when you had a million POVs working together. Everything just gelled. In fact, it read almost like a screenplay of a John Hughes movie where the dialogue was spot on engaging. This was smart. This was witty. This was freaking awesome. YA done right beats 100 run-of-the-mill NA plots by a mile. Aren't you sick and tired of the broken male MCs? The secrets? The dominants? The same sex scenes? I found From What I Remember so refreshing.

This may not be groundbreaking but this sure was a whole lot entertaining. I. COULDN'T. PUT. IT. DOWN.

I just looked up Stacy Kramer online and found out that 'the movie rights to FROM WHAT I REMEMBER has been bought by paramount pictures for josh schwartz to produce." That is big and I so called it ;) I feel that my love for this brilliant book has been validated.

Thank you for helping me get rid of my book rut.

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

From What I Remember is exactly what that synopsis makes it sound like: fluff. Utter, complete, involving, engaging, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, and compelling fluff. It's light, it's charming and it's fun, despite the near 500-page length. Aside from a few (5) vocabulary choices that had me seeing red, this was an unexpected and amusing roadtrip coming-of-age story.  The characters may veer a little too close to stereotypes at times in their presentation, especially the flamboyant, cross-dressing Will and the uber mean-girl Lily, but on the whole, From What I Remember does what it aims to - it entertains the reader while making them care about these flawed, human and vastly entertaining characters. It's a beach read for teens and adults that enjoy a fluffy, sweet romance.

I'm usually wary of a rotating POV scheme, especially when it's used by so many characters, like it is here. Kylie, Max, Will, Lily and Jake (Kylie's brother with Aspberger's) all get a shot to share their inner monologue. Fortunately for both myself and the novel, each of these unique perspectives actually managed to bring something different to the table, while adding to the overall picture and plot of the novel. I do wish Lily and Will had been less of cliches in their expected roles (seriously, Lily mean-girls the shit out of Kylie for 460 out of 475 pages and it got old fast), but Will, especially, grows into an actual, rounded person instead of a caricature. These are characters that actually evolve and grow over the course of the book - it's refreshing to read and makes it easy to invest in most of the cast.

This is a happily-ever-after type of novel, and that's not a spoiler. The romance is the most obvious part of the entire plot, and though one of my least-favorite plot devices (the miscommunication!) stalls the inevitable for a while, this remains engaging to read through the predictable ups and downs of teenage love. The payoff in reading From What I Remember... isn't in seeing if these two end up together, but in reading how everything comes together as they grow up significantly this 48-hour adrenaline-fueled adventure. Max and Kylie are two interesting people who work well together; one of the few YA pairings that aren't based off instalove or pure lust. Kylie is the perfect foil for Max's studied cool-act, and he complements her outrageousness nicely.

This was so close to being a perfect, lazy read for a relaxed and lazy day. But. There's always a "but." For From What I Remember, the problem honestly surprised me. It wasn't isntalove, or Mysteriously Missing Parent Syndrome, but something else I've been noticing in a fair few YA novels. Kylie has a brother with Asperger's syndrome and persists in using the word "retard" as an insult. Repeatedly. That bothered me immensely, enough that I was jerked out the book every time it was uttered. No. Just no. First: it's wrong. Second: Kylie has a brother that in all likelihood, would've heard that leveled at him in a mean way. That is life, but that doesn't make it okay, especially for his sister to use so glibly. For a novel that takes care to show so many awesome examples of gay youth, I was disappointed not to see the same civility and consideration for the handicapped.

From What I Remember... was a nice escape for a few hours. Despite its impressive length, this is a book that reads both easily and well. It's cute, and for the most part, inoffensive as it tackles growing up and moving on from high school. It's brain candy - a bubblegum book for when you just want to read something cute and predictable instead of a literary meal that needs digesting. It easily could be billed as The Hangover In Mexico - for teens. Buckle up for one hell of a road-trip, filled with border dodging, illegal gangsters, mass weddings, and even a police chase of sorts. From What I Remember is best termed a fun "romp" - one that will engage and please its readers from the get-go.

[Devyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Feeling screwed
up at a screwed-up time
in a screwed-up place
does not necessarily
make you screwed up."
-—PUMP UP THE VOLUME

The start of every chapter with famous lines from movies . gay best friend . uber hot guy . kickass girl . the essence of 'the hangover'. And Mexico ....

AND YOU HAVE A WINNER !

oh boy , this has been quite a ride .

From What i Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas , starts with a 'Hangover-ish' opening with our main protagonists stranded in Ensenda , Mexico on the day of their graduation with only 5 hours left with them to make it back .

Kylie Flores , the school valedictorian , topper of the class , micro-manager , half-Latina-half-Jewish and master planner has always been the one to stay away from three things -> drinking , drugs and dating .
She's comfortable with her lonely MoJo going on for her as she hates the popular crowd and tries her best to stay away from them along with her only companion and best friend for life , Will Bixby .
Will's character was one i loved a lot ! i for one was shocked to death when i came to know about him being gay and then i kept on thinking that damn ! a potential character would be wasted for nothing because that's what usually happens . you start with a gay guy and don't even give him more than 20 pages . but i was so wrong .
this guy was just hilarious ! and damn-right the best of all the protagonists in the whole book .
Kylie's and Will's friendship was highly adorable . Their way of easy talking with each other , the 'i've always got your back' feelings for another and the 'whatever best friends do we'll do better' vibes brought together by extreme knowledge of movie lines was just fantastic ! :D

“This is an incredibly
romantic moment, and
you’re ruining it for me.”
—PRETTY IN PINK.
yeah , it has this one too . and i was literally squealing because this line had to be one of my favorites .

Coming back to the topic , It's the last day of school i.e is the day before the Graduation day . due to some uneventful , highly dumb , a bit kick-ass things , Kylie and Max find themselves stuck in Mexico . but what they see as their worst living nightmare might just be the best fantasy come alive .
Max was hot .
He's the perfect asshat with qualities that make him a certified jerk .
Though , When in Mexico , we get to see his awesome side .
at some point of time i felt sympathetic towards him , because what can a guy do when he's falling for a sexy Latina by his side while he already has a barbie Girlfriend .
Enters the barbie girlfriend , Lily .
She's the bitch . The classic cliche Beyatch .
enough said .

This was a fun read but with deeper things going on under the surface as well . All the above characters have problems in their personal spheres . the way they overcome it ,participate in trying something new and being different felt like a breath of fresh air .
and what more can be said when all's being said and done in Mexico..

the Fuentes Boys anyone ?

This book is on a longer side though it wouldn't fail to entertain . i can proudly say that i loved it :D

“We’re all
pretty bizarre. Some
of us are just better at
hiding it, that’s all.”
—THE BREAKFAST CLUB

it has Breakfast Club too !!

my advice -> go on , read it and give it a try :)

[Zoe and the Edge · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Rant
Okay, this soooo did not work for me. First, it's ridiculously long-winded. Soliloquy after soliloquy. 5 different viewpoints? Are you kidding me?! Who writes a book like this? The icing on the cake was definitely when the author started justifying cheating in the most ridiculous and inappropriate way.

The Review
For anyone else it would be social suicide, but I was dead on arrival years ago.

Kylie is extremely unlikeable. She's weak in all the wrong places. True, she has a head for crises but it's not enough to make up for her less-than-stellar personality.

Max is a huge pushover and a drama queen. Neither characteristic is particularly attractive. It was amusing to see his attitude toward Kylie change from viewing her as a freaky nerd to a real person.

There are make out scenes but they're not hot at all.
There are a few laugh-out-loud moments that surprised me but they're few and far in between. Gah! So not worth the read.

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is--just as Deniz said--a roller coaster ride in which I think I barely held on. I sincerely liked it from the start. It's really intriguing to have a Prologue like that. Kramer knows how to get the reader's attention, in my opinion. I honestly want to pull my hair out sometimes though. But as I mentioned before, the book is annoyingly good.

One minute, I like it, another minute, I want to bang my head to the wall. Seriously, what's up with you Max? You have some bipolar issues or something? I do have a tendency to be bipolar but man, you have some serious problem. Cause in my case, I only have it for like 5 to 10 minutes. LOL.

Kylie is soooooo over thinking about things and sooooooo uptight too about almost everything. I mean, I totally understand she's an achiever and all that. But still... anyway, it's good to see her release some of that tension inside her. And Max... Max, oh for God's sake. He's a... a... selfish one. >:( and seriously mental.

Story-wise... It's good. I feel like I'm in high school once again. Not that I partied up late or have been in an adventure like that. Maybe the it's just the issues I could relate to. And it's cause there's a bit of Spanish. I could understand some words cause we are colonized by the Spaniards way, way back. And we still use some Spanish words in daily life. The way the Mexicans partied, almost the same with ours. We also have lively Fiestas and all of the people in the community would join the fun. :)

Can I just say I love Will? I totally like his gayness. And I like that he's the type of gay who STILL loves to wear manly clothes. And also, I quote "What the fuck?" to some scenes that really made me cuss in shock. :P

I was contemplating between a 3 or 4 stars or even less. But when I got to the speech, man, I know I should give it a 4stars cause it deserves it. :)

[■©atherine■ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry but Kylie annoyed me too much that I just couldn't do it anymore. Max is not really that bad. At least, he sees his own flaws. But Kylie, she's so judgemental and superficial. Ugh, it really frustrated me.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Stars: A fun contemporary with real and flawed characters.

For four seniors the upcoming graduation means something very different for each of them. Kylie is anxious to give her valedictorian speech and finally be free of the snobby private school where she has been a social outcast for the last four years. Max is just looking forward to the parties and all the mayhem. Will is gay and tired of being rejected. He longs for freedom and perhaps a reprieve from his ridiculous flashy wardrobe. Lily is desperately trying to hide a family secret that will ultimately ruin her popular girl reputation. What none of them plan on is an unexpected detour to Mexico that results in a night of magic and reckless abandon for Max, Kylie and Will. A night that changes everything and allows them to explore and learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible. The problem is that things are now complicated and the morning after brings a steep price. The clock is ticking and the gang only has a few hours to make it back over the border in time for graduation. Can they make graduation?

What I Liked:
*I loved that this book was at times light and funny, while at other times it dealt with real and difficult issues such as: cancer, autism, bankruptcy, societal and peer pressure and being gay. The book seamlessly blends the fun with the serious and in the end you get a book with hilarious situations, flawed characters and new beginnings. It isn't always easy to step out of your comfort zone and dare to explore and try new things. Our four main characters are at the major crossroad in their lives where high school will soon be the past and ahead is a future filled with big changes. Do they have the courage to dream of something new?
*I am a big fan of books with multiple view points especially when it is done right. This book utilizes five different voices: Kylie, Max, Will, Lily and Jake. I thought the integration of the POVs was well done and it added so much depth to the story to get inside each of the character's heads. I always enjoy seeing scenes from two different view points, especially when it comes to the romance. I really liked that each of the characters was unique. You have the uptight, driven, smart Kylie, Max the handsome jock, who hides his intelligent side, Lily the spoiled rich mean girl who will stop at nothing to get her way, Will the flamboyant gay boy who isn't afraid to be himself, and finally Jake, Kylie's younger brother who has Aspergers. I was interested in each of the characters and liked that this book incorporated a gay teen and a young boy with a form of autism. If you enjoy boys with alternating view points you should check this one out.
*This book goes on a wild adventure as Kylie and Max are thrown together for a last minute school assignment, and then everything turns chaotic when Kylie's computer is stolen and she is hell bent on getting it back, even if that means chasing the thieves and ending up in Mexico. What ensues is a day filled with revelations, changing perspectives, and ultimately romantic sparks. The romance that ensues is sweet and amazing as two people who thought they were complete opposites learn that they have some common ground. This is one of those romances that starts out as antagonistic acquaintances and moves into something more. I am always a big fan of these types of romances and this one certainly was fun!
*I loved how each of the character was flawed, it made them all human and relatable. Max especially had moments where I was shocked that he didn't step up and be the hero, and at first I was disappointed, but then I realized that it just made him more vulnerable and realistic and in the end I loved him even more because he does have flaws and he makes some big mistakes.
*I liked that a good portion of the book takes place in Mexico. When Kylie and Max first venture over the border, they are a bit put off by their surroundings, but once they get to Ensenada, they begin to see things with new eyes. Mexico ends up showing them some wonderful things, and they meet some fantastic people. I loved seeing how they changed their mind about Mexico and how they fell in love with the people and the town.
*This book was a fun, fast read with lots of drama and a surprising romance, and the best part was that it all concludes neatly at the end. No cliffhanger! I love books that keep me entertained throughout and then come to a satisfactory conclusion!

And The Not So Much:
*This book is full of adventure, and at times some of the events felt a bit far fetched and contrived. This is not a big issue, just roll with it and have fun.
*At the end of the book there was an epilogue and it showed how the characters were faring six months down the road. I loved knowing what happened to them, but I was a bit perplexed to not gain any insight into Lily's fate. Granted, she wasn't my favorite character, but I would still like to see how she fared.
*I liked the story line concerning Kylie's father, and I was a bit disappointed that there just wan't a touch more resolution on that angle. Did he return to Mexico to visit his old friends? Was he happier?
*Charley was another character that didn't have a big role, but at the end he has his own big revelation, and I would love to know how things worked out for him, and if he found his path.
*This book does have quite a bit of drinking. I realize this is the way things are when it comes to teenagers, but if you prefer to keep this type of material away from your younger reader, this book is probably best suited for readers sixteen and up.

From What I Remember is a great, pick me up read. It is filled with all the things you love in a good contemporary: real issues, drama, romance and more. I loved that this book presents varying view points and that we meet some flawed and realistic characters. This is a book about change, new beginnings and opening your eyes and daring to see things in a new light. I had a great time with this one, and if you are looking for a book to perk you up in the winter months, grab this one. It is also a perfect summer read!

Favorite Quotations:
"Popular people are from Mars. The rest of us are from a distant galaxy that no one has ever heard of."
"I know it is cliche' to hate Starbucks and while I try not to be a cliche', I can't help it. Starbucks is ruining what used to be great about the city. They're taking the cool, old buildings down and replacing them with big, brown boxes."
"I guess just that there's dignity in death. That if you live your life right, maybe it makes the dying part not so bad."
"He is so white, they've named a shade of Benjamin Moore paint after him (Bright, Uptight White #7)."
"The best preparation for the rest of your life is, maybe no preparation at all. Dive right in. Make mistakes. Break a few rules. Wing it."
"Figuring out what you want comes from failing and then trying again. It comes from questioning everything, falling love, fighting the power, living without limits. It doesn't come from getting straight A's, playing by the rules, and listening obediently."
"It's all so cliche'-ridden it's embarrassing. I wish our story could have some more original twists and turns. Maybe one of us will turn into a vampire or something."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.
Posted@ Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Keertana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

The only reason I found myself reading From What I Remember… was because I was desperately in need of a contemporary fix after devouring paranormal novels the past few days. Thus, on that account, From What I Remember… proved to be exactly what I needed – mindless entertainment. In all honesty, this novel brings absolutely nothing new to the pool of contemporary fiction written over the past few years. It features the same goody-two-shoes female protagonist whose family life sucks, the same jock love interest who is actually a lot deeper than he is given credit for, and the same over-dramatic jealous girlfriend who stands in the way of these two unlikely lovers. Yet, From What I Remember… managed to throw in a few twists, add a little bit of originality, and was written with spunk that I just could not put it down. In other words, it may not be thought-provoking or particularly unique, but it was definitely a lot of fun.

Kylie, one of the five scholarship students at her prestigious private high school, wakes up on the morning she is supposed to be delivering her graduation speech in Mexico, a good five-six hours away from home. She also happens to wake up next to Max – gorgeous, athletic, and entirely too popular to belong in the same social outcast group she does. Kylie, who has a hangover, only briefly remembers what happened the night before and how they somehow managed to land themselves in Mexico. Yet, before she can question the extent of what went on between them, Max’s girlfriend, Lily, and best friend, Charlie, show up along with Kylie’s gay best friend Will. From What I Remember… is told in medias res, going back to when Kylie and Max’s crazy adventure began and continuing on to their future adventures, lessons, and love.

I’ll admit it: I was ready to put this book down when I realized there were more than three different POVs. In fact, there are five. Normally, I would have run away screaming by now, pulling out my hair and giving this a 1/5 Star rating, but for some reason, I’m not. Why? Well, I actually liked the multiple POVs. For once in my life I actually enjoyed a novel with more than two or three different perspectives. Even if the POV changes had not been named, I would have definitely recognized each character’s voice for their own unique characteristics. I loved the manner in which this story was told and although Kylie and Max’s perspectives take up the majority of the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Will, Lily, and Kylie’s brother’s perspectives as well.

As I’ve mentioned before, the plot of this novel isn’t very different. Instead of waking up in the same town though, this protagonist wakes up in a different country. Yet, despite that, I think From What I Remember… did manage to bring in something new. For one, it focused a lot on delving into the mind of a homosexual teenager – a slowly emerging genre of literature. Furthermore, this novel managed to be an expose on the social differences that separate teens due to their financial situation. No child is responsible for how much money their parents make or have, yet it plays a huge role in defining class stereotypes. Kramer tears these walls down, allowing us to get a closer look at the messed up lives even rich children face. Yes, this has been done before, but I liked the manner in which Kramer managed to convey these messages.

In addition, I loved this cast of characters. Kylie and Max’s relationship was slow-to-build and very sweet. Plus, I liked how both of them were able to make the most of their situation and grow from their experiences. I felt as if their growth was rather rushed and unrealistically quick, but I’m still glad we got to see the repercussions of their actions on their lives. Furthermore, there is no Missing Parent Syndrome in this book! I’m not saying their parents are hanging around everywhere (or even in Mexico with them), but they do get their fair share of space in this novel through the perspectives of these teens. I liked seeing how their lives were directly impacted by those of their parents and those consequences were extremely important to note in my opinion as well.

Overall, From What I Remember… was a lot of fun to read. Although this was a novel that lacked originality and re-iterated many of the age-old themes and mantras that teens have come to recognize from contemporary novels, this story still managed to hold its own through a few subtle changes and rather exemplary writing of multiple perspectives. I wouldn’t outright recommend this novel – especially not for those searching for a provocative contemporary read – but if you’re looking for something easy to read, fun, and relaxing, then you should definitely pick this one up! :D

You can see this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted at Amaterasu Reads

What a sweet, thoroughly entertaining, gem of a read! I have not had this much fun reading a YA book as much as I did when I was reading this book. It is THAT awesome!

Let me tell you this: it's a YA contemporary book that is over the top in hilariousness, it's got toe curling romance sprinkled with a healthy dose of action and also a tiny bit of angst. Superb combo, if I may say so myself.

Let me start this review by saying that this book has one of the most amazing set of characters in a YA book I've ever read. They're as different as the next person but their personalities are so typical and still they match so well in the most peculiar of ways. Kylie might be the valedictorian but she's a social pariah and is friends with Will, who is rich and is also gay. Max and Lily are the golden couple at school, and can never be caught dead talking to someone like Kylie. But what they didn't know is that the next 24 hours leading to their graduation day will change their lives forever.

Spontaneity. It's all about seizing the moment and throwing caution to the wind. It was one of the things Kylie could never afford to do because her brother had specific, special needs that sometimes only she can fulfill, that she can't manage to just have fun when she's the one holding her family together. Kylie can be very serious, boring at times and as Will would say, had never truly lived life because she never let herself have fun. But you know what? I liked Kylie. She's smart and she doesn't let anyone walk all over her. She might not be rich, but she had things she was grateful for. She loved her family fiercely and she's a great friend, never one to judge.

I had my doubts on Max. Because really, what can you expect from jocks? But Max is hiding an impressive personality underneath that golden boy facade and has a complicated life to boot. I like characters that surprises me, and Max did a great job of doing just that. He's that character that will show you to not be quick to judge. He's the complete opposite of Kylie and he's just what she needs. I love how he was obnoxious one minute and then suddenly transforming into a completely different, better character the next. He's sweet, he definitely knows how to have fun and even if he messes up quite a bit with his decisions in life, that flawed personality gives him character. Who says rich, hot guys have it all?

Will is probably the most interesting character in this book and I know a lot of people will agree with me. He definitely has personality. He's gay, so what? He is what he is. But underneath all those funny jibes, the wild conversations, the funky eye catching outfits, Will just wants to be someone who's happy. Not be the gay freak, just Will. And you know what? For all his outrageous lines and his generous support to Kylie, I loved him. Reading about him gave me the biggest laughs of my life and made me think of just how much real he is like Kylie. He doesn't want attention, he wants to just be himself, and be loved and accepted for who he is.

I can't say much about Lily, except that she's a spoiled girl who isn't as invulnerable as everyone thought she is. Her life is falling apart and through that experience, readers will see that there's more to her than just the spoiled, rich brat at the top of the social web.

There are other characters like Juan and Charlie that added color to what is already a great reading experience. They all just mesh together and create the most vibrant, alive, set of characters in YA I've read this year. Who knew the last day of school can bring about such great changes to all of their lives? Their experiences in Mexico made them realize how much growing up they had to do and made all of them face the future after high school a little braver with their heads held high. And I can really relate to that.

Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas teamed up to create a book a lot of teens these days can relate to. So what if you get lost once in a while? Let loose once in a while? Those unexpected, little decisions you make might lead to something great. It's amazing how such a simple plot can bring out the best in the book's characters and make the story so interesting and fun to read. With outrageous lines, observations and conversations, heart stopping car chases, and one of the most inspirational graduation speeches to ever grace the pages of a YA book, From What I Remember... is worth reading over and over. Give in to the urge and buy a copy! I guarantee you it's a good book! I fell head over heels in laugh and love with this one!

[littlebookbosomed bookreview]

March 24 2013

Judging from the synopsis, it was a fun ride. I giggled when reading Will Birxby introduction. He sounds gay! But seriously, i think he will be my fav char. As for Max, he sounds HOT!

How i pictured them from what i read :

Kylie

Hmmm, i think you're OK. Just fine. Average. Nothing to hate.



Max

Max George. Yes. He is a sexy man. Max please do not disappoint me. I hope you are as sexy and gorgeous as Max George and i do hope you have a naughty side too



Will

You sound gay, but i pretty much gonna love you and will be my fav char. I have no idea why i thought you were gay "Maybe because i'm so high on Chocolate"



Lily

Your name is Lily, you better not ruin the good names of Lily. Harry Potter's mother named was Lily, and she was a kind woman. Better not ruin the good names of Lily.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine, if you will, The Hangover in book form for teenagers. There were some good moments, but ultimately it tried way too hard. The pop culture references are so in the moment that the book will be outdated within a year. I particularly enjoyed one of the chapter headings quoting The Hangover, as though the whole plot wasn't inspired by it in the first place. The cast is scrupulously PC--the main character is Hispanic, her best friend is a cross-dressing gay boy, and her little brother has Aspergers (although I wish the author had gone with autistic, since that seems to be how she's playing him). The only blond-haired, blue-eyed character is an evil harridan. I never really warmed to the main character, which is weird, because she's a lot like me. I guess I couldn't take seriously her ability to become an action hero in a crisis and fall in love with a boy within 24 hours. I think my favorite character was Will, the gay boy. He is fabulous, if a little selfish. But I find his being cured of the desire to cross-dress at the end kind of conflicts with the book's ostensible message. And the jerky rich boy suddenly having depth and feelings for the mousy valedictorian, and the OCD valedictorian suddenly winging her speech and being fantastic at it, never became more than the cliches they are.

[Adriyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that "From what I remember" is THE best road trip novel. Ever!
It's the kind of book you're reading with a huge smile on your face and it leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling after turning the last page.
It has enjoyable characters; action, humor and romance in perfect doses; it takes place in Mexico AND it mentions the Fifa World Cup!! so I just have to give it 6 (that's right, I said six) stars and recommend it to everyone who wants to have a fun read. Truly amazing book!

[Belle Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came out of nowhere.
Then...POW.

It flips back and forth from FOUR different POVs. Not something I usually like but it worked.

I loved it. I don't usually read young adult but this one rates high up there.

[Tabitha (Bows & Bullets Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews

Kylie Florres is freaking out. She just woke up in a bedroom in Mexico half naked next to an equally unclothed Max Langston with a fuzzy recollection of last night. Graduation is a scant few hours away and she and Max both have wedding rings on. What the hell happened last night?!? Okay, so that tinsy summery is a tad cliché, but that’s exactly how the novel starts off before jumping to 2 days prior when all the shit started. The whole crazy mess gets started because Kylie is a perfectionist, so when a teacher gives an assignment during the last week of class for each student to interview a predetermined classmate and write a paper on the books that have influenced them most, she has to do it. She may be the ONLY one doing it, but she must keep her valedictorian spot. The assignment really becomes her downfall, leading to a chain of events where her computer gets stolen and she chases the thief, and somehow manages to end up in the back of a Uhaul full of stolen electronics on its way across the Mexican border….with Max in tow. From there, this crazy ride just gets worse…or is it better? And Kylie ends up learning more about herself (and Max) than she ever imagined.

Can I just say wow? My sister keeps using the phrase “mind-blown” in her reviews and I must say I feel the need to borrow it now because that is exactly how I feel. Here, I’ll express it in a language we all understand:





…okay, I’ve got to stop. But you get the point, right? I loved this, I mean seriously, LOVED it. It was exactly what I have been looking for. It gives me hope, just like My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling did, that sometimes there are amazing books that made wading through all the terrible ones worth it. Okay, okay, enough fangirling. Let’s get on with the review, shall we? I was lucky enough to be approved to for this via netgalley, but unfortunately at the time I was having issues with my internet and wasn’t able to log on to download the eARC until after it was archived. Boy am I kicking myself now. I saw that my library had a copy and was excited to give it a shot.

Characters seem to be what I focus on these days, so let’s start with Kylie Flores. Despite the fact that I’m not overly fond of her name, I really liked her. She’s uber smart, whose goal in high school isn’t simply to climb the ladder of popularity, but to actually learn and get into a good college. She spends her downtime taking care of her little brother, Jake, who has Asperger Syndrome because her mom works all the time and her dad is well, just absent either physical or mentally all the time. She is so incredibly patient with him that I was amazed. Most teenagers would just ignore him, but not Kylie. She takes it all in stride though, soldiering on and even making valedictorian.

Will Bixby, Kylie’s one and only friend, is an out of the closet gay guy who prides himself on shocking his small community. He’s spent his entire high school career cross-dressing just to make the people around him uncomfortable. He has also spent his entire high school career saving Kylie from herself. He spends most of his weekends with her, having never-ending movie marathons while trying to push her out of her comfort zone. So when she calls him to say that she’s ended up stranded in Mexico with no way home, stuck with Max Langston (aka the most popular, hottest boy in school), he’s thrilled.

Max Langston is exactly what you’d imagine the most popular guy to be, hot, arrogant, rich, and a total dick….or is he? There is more to him than meets the eye, though he does play the jackass role extremely well. So when Kylie storms up to him and calls him on his shit, he’s pissed and…a little impressed. Most people just allow him to get away with murder and this chick clearly isn’t down for that….maybe there is more to that outcast than he initially thought.

The other two “main” characters are Lily Wentworth (Max’s girlfriend) and Jake Flores (Kylie’s brother). I didn’t care for Lily at all. Bossy, prissy, and a complete bitch, her tale of woe didn’t garner a shred of sympathy from me, but it was good to see the other side of the story. Jake was an interesting character. The Aspergers makes his thought process a little different, but I liked seeing his side of things too.

The whole crazy romp is told via alternating first perspective. You mostly get Kylie and Max, but there are several chapters from Will, Lily, and Jake. I honestly don’t think I could pick a favorite character because they were all so great, but I think if I had to, it will be Max because he’s so perfectly flawed that it’s crazy. I think I knew when I started reading this that I would love it because each chapter starts with a movie quote. I’m such a film junkie (it’s almost as bad as my book addiction) and the fact that Will & Kylie are film nerds too just made my day. They quote movies to each other (something my husband and I have a habit of doing) and their very friendship was formed over a quote from The Breakfast Club. Some of my favorite movies are used, such as Fight Club, Fired Up, Easy A…then they quote 10 Things I Hate About You towards the end and I fell in love all over again.

It’s amazing for many reasons, definitely for more than just the movie quotes. The characters all felt vivid and real. I can definitely add both these ladies to the list of female authors who can wrote a believable male perspective. The plot is complex and takes me both exactly where I thought I would go and places I didn’t expect. It’s also highly addictive. Once you get about 50 pages in, you just can’t put it down. I stayed up later than I should last night to finish it. I kept glancing at the clock. I remember look around 10:30 and thinking “Just a few more chapters and then I’ll stop for tonight”…yeah, that so didn’t happen.

Bottom line? If you are looking for a fun romp in Mexico, this is for you. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, this is for you. If you are looking for a book that is deeper than you expected, this is for you. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I think this novel has something for everyone and I think there will be many people out there like me who will treasure it.

****Thank you to Disney-Hyperion for providing me with an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review****

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

The cover and summary of From What I Remember both scream fun! Who doesn't love to read a book that's got adventure, craziness, fun and romance ? I know I do ! This is the kind of book that's perfect when you're looking for nothing more than a good time.

Kylie, high school senior and valedictorian, has always been somewhat of a loner only hanging out with her gay best friend, Will. In fact, she spends most of her time in the library at school and has never resorted to have some fun time while in high school. Max Langston, is the jock who hangs out with the popular crowd at school and has a hot bitchy girlfriend, Lily. Kylie and Max don't really like each other. A wild set of circumstances lead to them stranded in Ensenada, Mexico a day before graduation. Soon, these two begin two learn about each other and come to realize that what their opinions of each other were way off.

The characters in the book were ridiculously cliched. You have the quiet studious girl who doesn't realize that she's a beauty, the popular gorgeous jock, the gay best friend and the gorgeous bitchy girlfriend. Yet, I found myself really enjoying them for some reason. They did so many insane things that reading the book was like watching one of those romantic comedy movies. Kylie was a serious and academically driven girl. She was the kind of girl who would complete an assignment that a teacher would give you a day before your last day of school. Fun wasn't something that she had experienced throughout her high school years. In fact, the funnest activity she had ever done was watch movies with her best friend, Will. So when she found herself in Tijuana, she went into sort of an panic attack mode, stressing about the fact that she had an assignment to submit the next day and that she had to proof-read her valedictorian speech she took 3 months to write. To top it off, she's with the good-looking Max, who always acted like people should kiss the ground he walks on. In Mexico, Kylie transformed to become someone different. She shed the serious shell she had surrounding her and decided to make the most of her trip. It eventually dawned on her that she had missed out on a lot in high school. It was kind of enjoyable to see her set loose the wild side of her since I initially found her to be a little uptight and a little too serious. Max was also a character who had a lot going on underneath that jock image. He wasn't the kind of guy who opened up to people easily. Around Kylie he found himself a lot more comfortable to talk about himself. Although I thought that Kylie and Max kind of fell for each other a little too fast, I also felt like they got to know each other really well since they really did talk about nearly everything. Also, Max already had a girlfriend back home and he basically cheated on her, so that nagged me a little since I don't approve of cheating. In the end though, I thought their romance was very cute because they let fall the prejudices they had about each other and began to see what was beneath the image they projected.

I also really liked some of the other main characters in the book, but I mostly appreciated Will's personality. He was such a fun and bubbly kind of guy. Honestly, I would have loved to befriend him because he exuded cheerfulness and you can't help but love him. He actually wore dresses and male clothes together just to piss off others and because he wanted to stand out among the crowd at his school. He was very protective over Kylie and it was adorable how he always attempted to make her happy when she was down. He was one of the most colorful character I've come across, in every sense of the word. Now, Lily, Max's girlfriend, wasn't so likable. She acted bitchy most of the times and believed that the world revolved around her. She kept pitying herself on all occasions so I had a tough time identifying with her, but I think that was the authors' goal. The crowd that Max and Kylie come across in Mexico was a fun bunch as well. It's like they lived in a bubble of happiness and nothing could pop that bubble.

The prologue of the book really set it off in a dramatic and exciting way and shortly after reading, I was yearning to find out what had happened to Max and Kylie. It was fast-paced and highly entertaining. Like I mentioned above, it was almost like watching a movie. The ride was wild and insane, but highly entertaining. The book was told in 5 POVs. At first, I thought that would really bother me, but it ended up surprising me in a good way and I didn't have a tough time figuring out who was who since the personalities of these 5 characters are nothing alike. There's not much of a plot because essentially, the story was at the core one about finding out who you truly are and feeling comfortable in your own skin. The writing of Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas was gripping and very addictive. Word of advice, set aside some time to read the book because you won't want to stop!

Overall, From What I Remember was an enthralling and lively read that will leave you with a happy feeling in the end although it's filled with cliches. You want something fun to read for a vacation ? Then, I highly recommend you read From What I Remember!

[starryeyedjen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

Oh. My. Gawd. This book was bad. So bad that I couldn't even finish it, making it my first official DNF of the year. I can tolerate a lot when it comes to books, but this book pushed my limits. I was actually buddy reading this with my younger sister. It seemed perfect for us, like it was meant to be or something. We'd been at Half Price Books and they had a paperback copy for $2 and I had a finished copy already, and the book was on my Summer TBR pile -- had been on my shelf for ages -- so we thought we'd read it together, hoping it was as funny and charming as it sounded.

Nope. It was just full of stereotypes and insane situations and it was just plain awful. We kept trying to like it, to connect with the story, but it was just impossible. When I asked Mendy how she'd review the book she said, "Um, well, it was gay, and so were the characters." Now, I know that's not PC, but at least three characters in the book actually were gay, so it's a fair assessment, I think.

Considering the insanity that bled forth from the pages of this novel, I find is highly suspect that the story itself was so unbelievably predictable. Everything my sister and I anticipated happening came to pass. We stopped at the halfway point in this book, and even then we continued to entertain thoughts of what might occur in the latter half of the book, and much to our chagrin, we were pretty spot-on. I won't list examples here in case you still have plans to read this nonsense, but suffice it to say, if you envision it happening in this story, it probably will. Is the book able to read the reader's mind? Or is it just that badly written? As awesome as the first possibility is, I'm not inclined to believe that's the case here.

Initially, I had wanted to check out this novel because the main character sounded a lot like me in high school:  intelligent, introverted, hot-tempered, and a little bit weird. And Kylie is those things, but in the worst way. I hated her voice, how she treated people, how she continued to make terrible decisions. Ugh, and the movie quotes. That aspect can be fun when done right, but it was just so annoying in this book, whether the quotes were being spoken sporadically throughout the text or were the precursor to each chapter. They just felt forced and not at all entertaining. The same goes for all of the pop culture references. I mean, there was a mention of browsing in a Circuit City before they went under. That company's been gone from Texas for over a decade at least, and even the store that took over the old building it was in has since gone under and a new business has moved in. I think this mention was to make the story feel relevant and real, but none of these pop culture references worked for me. I realize that contemporary novels have a harder time standing the test of time, not dating themselves, but the mentions of brands and stores was just in overabundance in this one.

The novel as a whole -- or at least what we read of it -- was just off-putting and there are just so many other books to spend time with. I think too much time was spent getting the reader and the characters to the point that they're supposed to be at in the synopsis, and I just couldn't be bothered to care how it all came to fruition any longer. Especially once Mendy perused the last few chapters and told me that we would have been pissed had we kept reading to the end, only to discover that everything went down just as we'd guessed.

GIF it to me straight:

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Remember all those Disney Channel movies that you grew up on? From What I Remember is like the slightly more grown-up MTV version of one, which means it doesn't even have the advantage of catchy music. A great deal of this book is about people trying to remember what happened, The Hangover-style, so I will state a series of facts about this book.
Fact: This book is 462 pages, of which at least 150 are unnecessary. From What I Remember is practically crying out for an editor, as event after event happens but nothing seems to change.
Fact: This book has all the elements of an inferior Disney Channel movie. Nerdy girl who's beautiful beneath her baggy clothing and superior to every other girl in the book? Check. Attractive popular boy with a hidden sensitive soul? Check. Token gay best friend who only exists to sing the heroine's praises? Check. Popular girl who is inevitably mean and blonde? Check.
Fact: The serious issues in this book (dying father, coming out, bankrupt family) seem to be there to give this book a sense of gravity, not because the author wants to make a statement on these issues.
Fact: I am beyond tired of girl-on-girl hatred, as our intrepid heroine Kylie insults every girl who isn't her and equates beauty with cruelty (except for her, of course).
Fact: Every plot twist is tied up neatly and completely unconvincingly in the last 30 pages of the book.
Fact: According to this book, everyone in Mexico is either trafficking in stolen elecronics or throwing fiestas.
Fact: Five POV's is far too many, as every switch in POV slows the book down and contributes to the 462 pages.
Final verdict: Unless you can shut every critical part of your brain off, not worth the time it takes to read it.

[Samia Ruponti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the movie quotes, and will!! too bad he's gay!!! :(

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog, The Book Fairy's Haven, as well as Women24.com, a South African women's lifestyle website where I manage, amongst other things, an online books section.

Sometimes the best things happen when everything goes to hell and you're left stranded in a place with the last person you want to be with.

One would think that, based on From What I Remember's cover, that the book is all cotton candy and fluffy goodness.

Well, you'd be right in a sense.

But you'd be wrong in assuming that it's just that and nothing more. Because the truth is, that From What I Remember is one of those books that end up really surprising you with its layers. And I mean that in the best way possible.

It's like biting into an already iced cupcake and discovering a hidden, gooey centre that will have you chewing the cupcake for much longer than you originally thought you would.

Between all the fun shenanigans and road-tripping mayhem and madness, I found myself not only giggling my way through From What I Remember, but genuinely feeling a kinship with the characters too.

Not only that, but I was also left feeling rather nostalgic, because reading about the characters experiences, had me wishing I could redo my last few years and high school - except I wouldn't be the chronically awkward wallflower who spent more time hiding from her peers instead of going out and grabbing life by its lapels.

And this, in essence, is to me what the book is about.

Written by Stacy Kramer (who by the way, just so happens to be a screenplay writer) and Valerie Kramer, From What I Remember is a delightful, laugh-out-loud read that introduces us to a cast of colourful characters; characters we've all come across at least once in our lifetime.

The four main characters in the story are as follows:

There's Kylie - hardworking, studious, movie-addict Kylie.

Being a scholarship student, life isn't exactly easy for her, and because she's surrounded by rich and entitled teens, she has to work extra hard for any form of recognition.

Not that that helps her in the long run.

With only a wealthy and gay cross-dressing film nerd for a friend (who is just as much an outcast as she is), Kylie is the awkward turtle of awkward turtles when it comes to any form of social interaction; not to mention having the dubious honour of being the school's social pariah.

Between being left with the responsibility of looking after her brother (who has Asperger's syndrome), and pursuing her dream to become a screenplay writer with only Will for company, Kylie's life is filled with a routine that's monotonous, but safe.

Will, on the other hand, is loud, flamboyant and flaunts his homosexuality in the only way that he knows how: by dressing up in the most fabulous and outrageous clothes he can find.

While he desperately tries to get Kylie to believe in herself, Will is forced to deal with his own issues on identity and fitting in. And while the two of them are fiercely protective of one another, it becomes clear that the world is not a bubble, and sometimes the best way to experience life, is to go wherever life decides to take you.

On the flipside of the coin, and at the top of the social food chain, are golden boy Max and his girlfriend, mean girl Lily.

Max has it all - the classic good looks, the popularity, the wealth and all the best opportunity that life could offer him. With queen bee Lily at his side, it looks like he's pretty much set for everything fabulous and so much more.

And yet they too, have their own share of issues to deal with - issues that make them as relatable as Will and Kylie are to the reader.

Now you might be asking the following: just how do these teens' lives cross and collide with one another?

The trouble all starts with one final assignment before graduation.

When Kylie and Max are paired up to work on said task, neither of them anticipate that it would lead to Kylie chasing after a punk who steals her laptop and Max following after. Nor do they expect to end up in Mexico without passports.

As a result, they do what any teens stranded in a place, with no means of getting back before graduation day, does: they make the most of their time getting to know the locals and party up a storm.

And of course, on the other side of the world, Will and Lily are both left wondering where on earth they are.

Now with a concept like that, how could this book be anything but fun?

For me, From What I Remember was such an incredible joy to read ; a joy I certainly didn't expect to feel when I first picked up this book.

I went into this book thinking that it would be nothing but a sugary antidote to all the angst-ridden novels I've been reading lately, only to come out applauding Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas for not only creating characters that are funny, flawed, entertaining and surprisingly well-rounded, but for the heart-warming message about what it really means to have the courage to follow your dreams.

Kylie is the kind of character that you can instantly relate to. She's got so much going for her, but is so insecure about herself, that she doesn't realise how awesome she really is.

Even though my school days are behind me, there are still days that I feel exactly the way she does, which is a big part of the reason I couldn't help but encourage and root for her all the way.

For someone who is so likeable and self-sacrificing, you just can't help but want the best for her. Her fiercely protective and loving behaviour towards her younger brother, Jake (who has Asperger's) is incredibly moving too.

What I also loved about the novel was all the colourful descriptions of life in Mexico. Think Sangrias at Sunset, hot and spicy Mexican food and drunkenly fabulous fiestas where people revel in life and go from one house to the next to partake in festivities.

One thing is clear from this novel - the Mexicans definitely don't need an excuse to party.

It's this backdrop that makes for the perfect unfolding of the spicy-sweet and budding romance between Kylie and Max. Yes, Max-with-the-mean-girl-Lily-for-a-girlfriend Max. Perhaps this concept is clichéd, but there's no denying how much fun it is to read about these kind of situations.

Plus, the chemistry between Max and Kylie is just too hard to ignore. As for how Lily and Will fit in (you're going to love the outrageously fabulous Will) with the story - well, you're going to have to read the book to find out more.

The one thing I can tell you is that after reading From What I Remember, you're going to be wishing for your own, fall-in-love-in-a-foreign-country story.

Be prepared - this book will take you on the trip of a lifetime.

[Judith (Judith'sChoiceReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Summary


KYLIE: Mexico? What a nightmare! I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY! Wait! Is this a wedding band on my finger
MAX: It started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics and it ended in Ensenada. It was hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded here, with less than twenty-four hours before graduation.
WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border - but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.
LILY: This cannot be happening. It's like some cruel joke. Or a bad dream. I close my eyes and when I reopen them, they're still there. Max and Kylie Flores, freak of the century. In bed together. If Kylie thinks I'm giving him up without a fight, she's dead wrong.

My Thoughts

This book is just so fresh, it had humor, wit, and characters so loveable, that I just know I’m going to need a more permanent copy ASAP.


Hardback, that is, baby! Keeping it legit…

Thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title! I’ve wanted to read it for a while now, and this book ended up making me smile and “aw” in all the right places. I’ll do a rundown on the more memorable characters, just so you guys know who to watch out for, and an overall summary will be at the end.

Exhibit A: Kylie Flores, the main girl is anything but ordinary, and such a treat! She starts off majorly uptight, wanting to do an assignment even on the last day of school, and this is what ultimately lands her and Max - the other lead guy - in trouble, but Kylie lightens up by the end thankfully. I loved how smart she was, and how well she seems to manage stress. There are examples of her level-headedness throughout the book, the car-jacking incident being one, along with her brother’s Asperger’s; she has a lot on her plate. In her family, Kylie takes responsibility, mostly, and she manages not to be typical nerdette/braniac in personality despite being her high school’s Valedictorian. The girl had spunk, smarts and a voice that kept me reading, wanting more even past the end.

I especially love her and Will’s quirky habit of spouting off script from various movies, this was such an interesting facet to their characters and definitely played up their relationship in a really good light. You have to be good friends with someone to quote Pretty in Pink back and forth, amIright?? I also have to comment about her sense of humor: it’s quirky and I like it.

Exhibit B: Max Langston, you guessed it, the main guy, wasn’t what I expected either. He’s selfish and conceited, the jock who’d rather not care about anything or anyone but himself…until Kylie changes him. D’aww. Yeah, I’m a sucker for the romance and especially when it happens to be good. Kylie and Max together…these two are really good. Max, while trying to get Kylie’s laptop back from two thieves ends up in Ensenada, Mexico on the last day of high school. He didn’t mean to cross the border, but he’s stuck and both he and Kylie need to find a way home before graduation the next day, all while avoiding the same thieves from earlier.



This boy…he perplexes meh.

Max had me rooting for him when he was a decent human being; stepped up to the plate and acted like a man, but then I wanted to actively throttle him when he left everything to Kylie and spazzed like a little girl over a pimple when tensions ran high. Dude, are you for real. He could have been better then, and looking back, there really is little excuse for his douchey behaviour in the beginning; good thing he cuts that shit out fast. Max proves himself, and I love that he ends up falling for Kylie for her, he made me crush - hard - on him. *Grins* This is also a weird addition, but his curiosity is very winning, the respect he uses to approach Kylie’s culture makes me think that the two of them could work long-term. He might annoy some readers because of his whiny behaviour, however, I think his transformation overall should even things out.

Exhibit C: Lily. I will not bother with a last name, all you need to know is that Lily is the girl you hear about, the psychotic Queen B rarely perfected in YA fiction, this is her. My gosh…this girl bitched like it was a freaking national sport and she was going for platinum, forget bronze, silver, or gold! I flinched at her bitchiosity and had to concede that no other character really compares from any of my more recent reads. Even her semi-nice act at the end was laden with selfish motivation. Lily cares about Lily and she will do everything in her power to ensure that she is well taken care of. *Sigh* She’s a piece of work and manipulates the emotions of others to her benefit. This girl was so nasty to Kylie! There was no sympathy on my end for her situation.

There are people in this world who do not need to speak. I am firm in my belief that Anne Coulter is first and foremost one of them, Donald Trump being second, and Lily undoubtedly third.



Here guys, take it, duck-tape is on me. *Silence* Ah, that’s better.


Exhibit D: Will! I loved Will! He is by far my dearest fictional homosexual. He’s a bundle of life and humor, the authors did a great job with him. He also excels as Kylie’s wingman, this boy took Lily down. I am well pleased. Will’s personality added lightness to the whole book, I loved him.

Overall: This book is a solid 4 stars out of 5. I recommend it to Young Adults within the age bracket of 15 and up, it has sexual situations and rougher language, coarse, so be mindful. Like I mentioned, I want it semi-mandatory that Stacey Kramer and Valerie Thomas always collaborate together. They’re magic together and should make another book about Will, Max and Kylie’s adventures in college; this would make me very happy. Obviously, if I’m looking for a sequel then this book has to be worthwhile. Read it, and tell me what you loved/hated. I enjoyed it!

4/5 stars