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Paper Airplanes
Cassie Witter had a perfect life until one night when everything came crashing down around her. Now she’s spending the summer in the town where she grew up, trying to find herself again. But nothing fits like it used to – old friends, old habits and even old boyfriends. What she needs is a fresh start, a chance to get her life back or to at least reshape it in some way that resembles who she used to be. And maybe with someone like Jared Lansing, the cute, quiet guy she who trains her for her new job, she can do that. The only problem is, Jared doesn’t seem to like her very much.
Jared Lansing hates Cassie Witter and what she represents. She was the girl who ignored him throughout high school because he was a nobody and then stood by and laughed as her friends made his life a living hell for four years. But he now finds himself linked to her in more ways than one. Cassie has no clue who he is or what she did to him, which makes it that much worse when he has to work with her. He doesn’t have time for the former Homecoming Queen and all her drama with everything else going on in his life.
But something about Cassie pulls Jared closer, even though it goes against everything he’s ever thought. Something happened to her. She’s different, broken somehow, and he can’t ignore that. He starts to think that it’s possible that they have more in common than he ever thought, and Cassie Witter just might be the kind of girl he could fall in love with – that is if she can let go of the demons that haunt her enough to let him in. But after everything she’s been through, he and Cassie both know that might not be a possibility.
Jared Lansing hates Cassie Witter and what she represents. She was the girl who ignored him throughout high school because he was a nobody and then stood by and laughed as her friends made his life a living hell for four years. But he now finds himself linked to her in more ways than one. Cassie has no clue who he is or what she did to him, which makes it that much worse when he has to work with her. He doesn’t have time for the former Homecoming Queen and all her drama with everything else going on in his life.
But something about Cassie pulls Jared closer, even though it goes against everything he’s ever thought. Something happened to her. She’s different, broken somehow, and he can’t ignore that. He starts to think that it’s possible that they have more in common than he ever thought, and Cassie Witter just might be the kind of girl he could fall in love with – that is if she can let go of the demons that haunt her enough to let him in. But after everything she’s been through, he and Cassie both know that might not be a possibility.
373 pages, ebook
First published February 16, 2014
1 person is currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Monica Alexander
31 books454 followersMonica Alexander is a writer of contemporary, new adult, and young adult fiction. In 2011, she turned her lifelong love of reading and books into a career when she published her first novel, “Just Watch the Fireworks”. When she's not reading and writing, you can find her at the beach, in the mountains, or hiking through a city, soaking all the beauty of the world around her and turning her experiences into inspiration for her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 28, 2014
A HIDDEN GEM OF A BOOK!!!
Paper Airplanes is my biggest surprise for the month of February. The title doesn't really give out anything. You don't know what you're getting... just that there will be a cute couple involved in it. I don't read blurbs nowadays, so I honestly didn't know what I would be getting with this book. It's a very lucky coincidence because I LOVE THE BOOK!!! This is a winner and by far my best for February.
First things first, you have to know that this novel is very "TIMELY". I don't know if I'm being unfair by giving out this biggest hint, but I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO READ THIS, so here it is... The theme of this book is about how life goes on after people survive a shooting incident. I won't go into details, but yes... This books tackles that. I hope to God that I can capture your attention with just that.
The story revolves around two people who had fate indirectly bring them together. Jared, the ex-awkward-teen who hid from people because of a sordid past. is now a changed man. He grew up into a hot, seriously smart and broody guy. Then we have Cassie, the ex-cheerleader-slash-homecoming-queen. She went through a very traumatic thing and is trying to turn things around. Their paths collide and sparks start to fly.
It was very cute and endearing, the way these two reacted to each other. It's like a reverse of roles for the female and male gender. Cassie is more aggressive than Jared so it's just... so cute (for the lack of a better term, I'd risk redundancy.. So sue me lol). I was so glad for the alternate POV's. I wouldn't want to miss out on Jared's thoughts, or Cassie's for that matter. They were both just so intriguing. The dynamics between the geek and Ms. popular? PRICELESS.
At first, I thought I'd hate Cassie because she may turn around and be mean, but no... She was consistently nice and she really just wants to change everything. Jared on the other hand, is so insecure at first and just so sensitive. He was so rude to Cassie that I wanted to pull him out of the book and make him understand that Cassie is being nice to him! I understand his reservations though. His past speaks for himself. Anyway, he's a good guy and completely got over his preconceived thoughts about Cassie quickly. They made up and they battled everything together. This book has a really nice slice of life touch. I love the fact that they fight and then make up right away. It's just soooo cute. :)
I admit to feeling scared though, because of the gravity of what happened to them. I thought, oh hell.. maybe the best friend will die! However, no... the author is such a nice person that she didn't let anyone get killed in the end! haha I'm just plain morbid like that.
Everyone got their happy ending. Hmmm... speaking of the ending... It made me feel as if I'm still waiting for something. I wish there's a novella that will continue their love story. I wish Jared would just propose hahaha. That's actually what I'm just looking for. ^___^ LOL
The only bad thing that I noticed here is the lengthy explanations/internal monologues. I don't know if I would've loved the story more if they were shorter though. I just know that it felt tiring to read through all of them.
Anyway, all in all, I am giving this a book a five because of the originality and the various emotions that the author can evoke from me. I love laughing and crying with characters like they're real people and I'm just reading their real life story. THAT is exactly what happened to me while reading this book, so to me... it deserves all the praises.
This review can also be seen on our blog! Visit us for more! Musings of the Bookaholic Fairies
Paper Airplanes is my biggest surprise for the month of February. The title doesn't really give out anything. You don't know what you're getting... just that there will be a cute couple involved in it. I don't read blurbs nowadays, so I honestly didn't know what I would be getting with this book. It's a very lucky coincidence because I LOVE THE BOOK!!! This is a winner and by far my best for February.
First things first, you have to know that this novel is very "TIMELY". I don't know if I'm being unfair by giving out this biggest hint, but I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO READ THIS, so here it is... The theme of this book is about how life goes on after people survive a shooting incident. I won't go into details, but yes... This books tackles that. I hope to God that I can capture your attention with just that.
The story revolves around two people who had fate indirectly bring them together. Jared, the ex-awkward-teen who hid from people because of a sordid past. is now a changed man. He grew up into a hot, seriously smart and broody guy. Then we have Cassie, the ex-cheerleader-slash-homecoming-queen. She went through a very traumatic thing and is trying to turn things around. Their paths collide and sparks start to fly.
It was very cute and endearing, the way these two reacted to each other. It's like a reverse of roles for the female and male gender. Cassie is more aggressive than Jared so it's just... so cute (for the lack of a better term, I'd risk redundancy.. So sue me lol). I was so glad for the alternate POV's. I wouldn't want to miss out on Jared's thoughts, or Cassie's for that matter. They were both just so intriguing. The dynamics between the geek and Ms. popular? PRICELESS.
At first, I thought I'd hate Cassie because she may turn around and be mean, but no... She was consistently nice and she really just wants to change everything. Jared on the other hand, is so insecure at first and just so sensitive. He was so rude to Cassie that I wanted to pull him out of the book and make him understand that Cassie is being nice to him! I understand his reservations though. His past speaks for himself. Anyway, he's a good guy and completely got over his preconceived thoughts about Cassie quickly. They made up and they battled everything together. This book has a really nice slice of life touch. I love the fact that they fight and then make up right away. It's just soooo cute. :)
I admit to feeling scared though, because of the gravity of what happened to them. I thought, oh hell.. maybe the best friend will die! However, no... the author is such a nice person that she didn't let anyone get killed in the end! haha I'm just plain morbid like that.
Everyone got their happy ending. Hmmm... speaking of the ending... It made me feel as if I'm still waiting for something. I wish there's a novella that will continue their love story. I wish Jared would just propose hahaha. That's actually what I'm just looking for. ^___^ LOL
The only bad thing that I noticed here is the lengthy explanations/internal monologues. I don't know if I would've loved the story more if they were shorter though. I just know that it felt tiring to read through all of them.
Anyway, all in all, I am giving this a book a five because of the originality and the various emotions that the author can evoke from me. I love laughing and crying with characters like they're real people and I'm just reading their real life story. THAT is exactly what happened to me while reading this book, so to me... it deserves all the praises.
This review can also be seen on our blog! Visit us for more! Musings of the Bookaholic Fairies
February 18, 2014
This is a very sweet, very real book about a couple finding themselves facing a tragedy. The emotions, feelings, and insecurities in this book really grabbed me. I'm a huge fan of Ms. Alexander and this book did not disappoint.
Jared is a nice break from the tatted up bad boys that most of the YA books feature these days. He's sensitive, he's smart, and he's fiercely loyal to those he loves.
Cassie is finding herself a different person than what she'd always thought herself to be in the wake of a tragedy. She starts to put her life back together and realizes the person she was isn't the person she wants to be.
But together, she and Jared start making their way back into a comfortable life. It's not all sunshine and roses as they face their demons, but it brings them closer to the life they hope to have.
This book brought me to tears a couple of times and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters.
Jared is a nice break from the tatted up bad boys that most of the YA books feature these days. He's sensitive, he's smart, and he's fiercely loyal to those he loves.
Cassie is finding herself a different person than what she'd always thought herself to be in the wake of a tragedy. She starts to put her life back together and realizes the person she was isn't the person she wants to be.
But together, she and Jared start making their way back into a comfortable life. It's not all sunshine and roses as they face their demons, but it brings them closer to the life they hope to have.
This book brought me to tears a couple of times and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters.
February 17, 2014
I love how this book turned out, and I am so excited for you all to read it. I hope you love it too!
February 16, 2014
Another amazing book. Loved it!
December 8, 2014
This was a really great book. Cassie Witter was popular, beautiful, former Homecoming Queen, and college Sophomore. Her life was pretty great - she had great friends, she had great sisters as part of her sorority, and she had a gorgeous boyfriend. But one night that all changed when they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. She's not the same girl anymore - she's returned home and she doesn't know where she fits or what she is supposed to do with her life now. She decides to get a job as a waitress at a local restaurant even though she never had to work before. She meets two guys she went to high school with at her job but they were not popular and were considered dorks/freaks. Jared Lansing doesn't care for Cassie Witter because she was part of the popular group that abused and harassed them through high school. She might not have actually done anything to them personally but she was there and she sometimes laughed. Jared was accepted into Columbia University and other great schools but he didn't go because he couldn't leave his younger brother. He became a parent at a young age and had more responsibility than most people. To support his brother, he started working out with him and gained some muscle, cut his hair, gained height and turned into a hunk. These two do not seem to have anything in common but they find each other when they need someone else.
Definitely worth reading.
Definitely worth reading.
September 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The author tackles the tough subject of bullying, and the first chapter holds a school shooting.
Cassie Winter was injured in the school shooting and goes back to her hometown to recuperate, there she meets Jared and Scott. Two young men that her group of friends bullied constantly. The school shooting has changed Cassie in many ways, made her grow up and not be the person she was before.
Jared was also injured in the school shooting and there is a subtle connection between Cassie and him. At first he's too angry about the bullying to let her in, but eventually they do sort things out.
I thought this was a realistic portrayal of how people can react after something so devastating had happened. One persons action causes so many life changing effects forever in others.
Cassie Winter was injured in the school shooting and goes back to her hometown to recuperate, there she meets Jared and Scott. Two young men that her group of friends bullied constantly. The school shooting has changed Cassie in many ways, made her grow up and not be the person she was before.
Jared was also injured in the school shooting and there is a subtle connection between Cassie and him. At first he's too angry about the bullying to let her in, but eventually they do sort things out.
I thought this was a realistic portrayal of how people can react after something so devastating had happened. One persons action causes so many life changing effects forever in others.
March 2, 2014
im surprised that i find this book interesting.
oh i don't know what to say. things in this book really can happen. i think it's very important addressing issues about bullying how it can affect the person resulting things that can affect many lives. how one person can move on after a devastating event. it describes the reality. the now. what's happening around us. little did we know people experiencing things like this either can make or break them.
oh i don't know what to say. things in this book really can happen. i think it's very important addressing issues about bullying how it can affect the person resulting things that can affect many lives. how one person can move on after a devastating event. it describes the reality. the now. what's happening around us. little did we know people experiencing things like this either can make or break them.
February 27, 2014
My Jared (after high school)
February 23, 2014
I sincerely loved this book. Monica Alexander is one of my favorite authors because her characters are all so likable and real. I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t wait until her next one comes out.
March 10, 2014
Loved it! This book is so full of emotions. And I loved how well devolped the characters were. Very well done!
February 21, 2014
School shootings don't happen here in Australia, so while this book was good, it didn't hold the same sort of sadness to me as it does to people reading this in the states. Apart from that, this book was well written (asides from a few spelling and grammatical errors that made me want to scream with frustration), and thought provoking.
I liked Cassie's character and I really liked Jared and Scott, too. Seeing how Cassie used to be and then how she's changed after the shooting, was really interesting. And when she tried to shove the guy's head in the toilet in retaliation for what her friends did in high school was a nice touch.
I love how at the end of every book there is a playlist of songs that were listened to when this book was being written. I always find it interesting to see just how many bands are on this playlist that I listen to (that Mayday Parade song is spectacularly fitting for this book in parts). It's a nice touch having that playlist there; it makes the book more tangible to me.
I liked Cassie's character and I really liked Jared and Scott, too. Seeing how Cassie used to be and then how she's changed after the shooting, was really interesting. And when she tried to shove the guy's head in the toilet in retaliation for what her friends did in high school was a nice touch.
I love how at the end of every book there is a playlist of songs that were listened to when this book was being written. I always find it interesting to see just how many bands are on this playlist that I listen to (that Mayday Parade song is spectacularly fitting for this book in parts). It's a nice touch having that playlist there; it makes the book more tangible to me.
July 1, 2016
I was planning to give this book five stars, but I think I'll settle with four.
What I like the most in this book is its characters. Cassie and Jared is an adorable couple who have to overcome their fears and problems in life; they're part of a tragic incident that can either make or break them. Scott is a very funny and innocent individual that I would really like to be friends with in real life. Marley is a bitch, but not really. She's a girl friend anyone will want to hang out with.
The plot works great for me. If it wasn't for the draggy scenes and conversations, this book got five stars.
Reading this book is very timely. Weeks ago, Christina Grimmie was shot and there was a mass shooting in a gay bar/club in Orlando. In this book, the protagonists were part of a mass shooting in a college cafeteria. How Monica Alexander wrote their experience was very realistic and made me cringed. I don't really know how victims of an incident like this really feels, but I am sure it's something no one wants to experience.
What I like the most in this book is its characters. Cassie and Jared is an adorable couple who have to overcome their fears and problems in life; they're part of a tragic incident that can either make or break them. Scott is a very funny and innocent individual that I would really like to be friends with in real life. Marley is a bitch, but not really. She's a girl friend anyone will want to hang out with.
The plot works great for me. If it wasn't for the draggy scenes and conversations, this book got five stars.
Reading this book is very timely. Weeks ago, Christina Grimmie was shot and there was a mass shooting in a gay bar/club in Orlando. In this book, the protagonists were part of a mass shooting in a college cafeteria. How Monica Alexander wrote their experience was very realistic and made me cringed. I don't really know how victims of an incident like this really feels, but I am sure it's something no one wants to experience.
March 6, 2014
I almost thought I'd give it 4 stars. While it has the potential to be a great read, the cheesiness was just a bit much for me towards the end. It could also do with less stereotyping and self-proclamations (I've changed, I'm nice, etc.). Still enjoyed it for the most part.
July 15, 2016
Loved this book. It dealt with somewhat of a difficult topic, and i think the author did a great job portraying the characters before and after. I didn't want to put it down (and only did to sleep and work lol)
February 19, 2014
3.8 stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews