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Happenstance #1
Happenstance
Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2014
220 people are currently reading
10393 people want to read
About the author
Jamie McGuire
46 books42.8k followersJamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.
Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with the international bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel, Walking Disaster, debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists in all four categories. Beautiful Oblivion, book one of the Maddox Brothers series, also topped the New York Times bestseller list, debuting at #1. In 2015, books two and three of the Maddox Brothers series, Beautiful Redemption and Beautiful Sacrifice, respectively, also topped the New York Times, as well as a Beautiful series novella, Something Beautiful. In 2016, Beautiful Burn made an appearance on the New York Times and USA Today, and was also named iBooks' Romance Book of the Year. The same year, A Beautiful Funeral also topped the New York Times bestseller list.
Novels also written by Jamie McGuire include: apocalyptic thriller and 2014 UtopYA Best Dystopian Book of the Year, Red Hill; the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy; Apolonia, a dark sci-fi romance; and several novellas, including A Beautiful Wedding, Among Monsters, Happenstance: A Novella Series, and Sins of the Innocent.
Jamie is the first indie author in history to strike a print deal with retail giant Wal-Mart. Her self-published novel, Beautiful Redemption hit Wal-Mart shelves in September, 2015.
Jamie lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with her husband, Jeff, and their three children.
Find Jamie at www.jamiemcguire.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Instagram.
Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with the international bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel, Walking Disaster, debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists in all four categories. Beautiful Oblivion, book one of the Maddox Brothers series, also topped the New York Times bestseller list, debuting at #1. In 2015, books two and three of the Maddox Brothers series, Beautiful Redemption and Beautiful Sacrifice, respectively, also topped the New York Times, as well as a Beautiful series novella, Something Beautiful. In 2016, Beautiful Burn made an appearance on the New York Times and USA Today, and was also named iBooks' Romance Book of the Year. The same year, A Beautiful Funeral also topped the New York Times bestseller list.
Novels also written by Jamie McGuire include: apocalyptic thriller and 2014 UtopYA Best Dystopian Book of the Year, Red Hill; the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy; Apolonia, a dark sci-fi romance; and several novellas, including A Beautiful Wedding, Among Monsters, Happenstance: A Novella Series, and Sins of the Innocent.
Jamie is the first indie author in history to strike a print deal with retail giant Wal-Mart. Her self-published novel, Beautiful Redemption hit Wal-Mart shelves in September, 2015.
Jamie lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with her husband, Jeff, and their three children.
Find Jamie at www.jamiemcguire.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,178 reviews
May 12, 2014
This was only OK, I guess.... There is this girl Erin, bullied in school by two other Erins for years and no one really gives a shit about it, not teachers, not other kids. And then suddenly, this popular highschool jock Weston stands up for her after keeping his mouth shut all the other times. They become friends and the rest you will have to read beacuse I don't want to spoil for anyone who decides to read it.
All I can say is that the blurb is more exciting than the book itself. Everything just felt flat here, there was no emotional depth, the characters were unintersting, I didn't find any scene between Wes and Erin captivating or making me feel "wooah". Things happened really fast and were not developed properly as far as I am concerned. But I guess it was just as much as the author could do with that story on 100 pages. The ideas were quite all right actually, but only if delivered differently...
It's one of those short books that you can read on Sunday afternoon and then forget about it really quick. I'm sure I won't remember characters' names next week.
All my friends who know me, will say that I'm a mild reviewer and that I give my stars easily, but only when something clicks and it didn't click here, sorry. I am still giving it 3 stars because it wasn't that bad and it would be unfair to give it less comapring to the books I gave 2 stars. But overall, whatever, I don't care.
I don't even have any quotes to share because seriously there was nothing to highlight and that didn't happen for a long time for me.
I'll be giving last chance to Jamie McGuire with Beautiful Oblivion and Trent's story, but only because I loved BD (though WD not really). If it doesn't turn out good I guess I will be saying..... to this author
May 6, 2017
I read Happenstance in 2015 and was immediately hooked! I was so excited to find it and couldn't wait for the others. Jamie McGuire is one of my favorite authors and I've been pleased with pretty much everything I've read by her.
I really loved the characters in this novella. Erin Easter is a high school student who deals with bullying and a not so great home life. She's basically alone in the world until popular Weston comes along and surprisingly he has problems of his own. I loved the interaction between the two.
The ending of the book is what shocked me most and I had to find out what was going to happen with Weston...
5*****
I really loved the characters in this novella. Erin Easter is a high school student who deals with bullying and a not so great home life. She's basically alone in the world until popular Weston comes along and surprisingly he has problems of his own. I loved the interaction between the two.
The ending of the book is what shocked me most and I had to find out what was going to happen with Weston...
5*****
May 9, 2014
3.5 ~ 3.75 Stars
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This short novella made for a quick but entertaining read. Erin Easter is approaching high school graduation and is just holding on and surviving those last few months till her time in Backwell, Oklahoma will be over (college).
Erin lives with her mess of a mother and works at the local Dairy Queen. For years she has the object of bullying by the two other girls at her school named Erin. The Erins thing was a bit Heatherish (80s movie) or Jenniferish (Big Time Rush) to me. Anyway, one of the Erin’s has been dating for the last five years, Weston Gates who decides to step away from his perfect social bubble and pursue a friendship with our Erin.
”I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, Erin. I’m just…I’m winging it. I was kinda hoping you would wing it with me.”
Once a reader hits a little past the midway point of this story, a tragic event happens in which a truth will be revealed (I guessed the truth and I’m guessing you will too).
Overall, this was a well written story which was too short for the topic but I’m assuming that this is only the beginning for Erin and Weston.
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This short novella made for a quick but entertaining read. Erin Easter is approaching high school graduation and is just holding on and surviving those last few months till her time in Backwell, Oklahoma will be over (college).
Erin lives with her mess of a mother and works at the local Dairy Queen. For years she has the object of bullying by the two other girls at her school named Erin. The Erins thing was a bit Heatherish (80s movie) or Jenniferish (Big Time Rush) to me. Anyway, one of the Erin’s has been dating for the last five years, Weston Gates who decides to step away from his perfect social bubble and pursue a friendship with our Erin.
”I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, Erin. I’m just…I’m winging it. I was kinda hoping you would wing it with me.”
Once a reader hits a little past the midway point of this story, a tragic event happens in which a truth will be revealed (I guessed the truth and I’m guessing you will too).
Overall, this was a well written story which was too short for the topic but I’m assuming that this is only the beginning for Erin and Weston.
May 14, 2014
3 “Happenstance” Stars.
Erin is a victim of bullying. For years and years, the other Erin who used to be her best friend and her group of friends has picked on her and made her life miserable just because Erin doesn’t come from the same healthy upbring as them.
Until one day, Weston, the beautiful guy who belongs on the “popular side” of their high-school, stands up for her and in that moment everything changes for them. And as they try to understand their feelings and what’s happening between them, tragedy happens and in that moment… things will never be the same for Erin. For better or for worse.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Storyline: A sweet YA story but kind of lacking originally and depth. Being a short-story didn’t help, but the plot should be more developed because some aspect just weren’t explained properly and some things just hung there in the air. Kudos for the twist near the end, it was the only unexpected part in this book.
Writing Style: First person, female POV. Jamie always writes amazingly… but for some reason she didn’t quite get there with this book. Either that or is just me who is growing tired of YA books.
Character Development: Weston was good, but not great. I liked him after he grew a backbone, but everything before that… we was just a little coward. And book heroes shouldn’t be coward. Erin as “meh”. Not bad but nothing special. The supportive characters were predictable and a little pointless, except for Frankie. Frankie was awesome!
Steam: Nope.
HEA:
Erin is a victim of bullying. For years and years, the other Erin who used to be her best friend and her group of friends has picked on her and made her life miserable just because Erin doesn’t come from the same healthy upbring as them.
Until one day, Weston, the beautiful guy who belongs on the “popular side” of their high-school, stands up for her and in that moment everything changes for them. And as they try to understand their feelings and what’s happening between them, tragedy happens and in that moment… things will never be the same for Erin. For better or for worse.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Storyline: A sweet YA story but kind of lacking originally and depth. Being a short-story didn’t help, but the plot should be more developed because some aspect just weren’t explained properly and some things just hung there in the air. Kudos for the twist near the end, it was the only unexpected part in this book.
Writing Style: First person, female POV. Jamie always writes amazingly… but for some reason she didn’t quite get there with this book. Either that or is just me who is growing tired of YA books.
Character Development: Weston was good, but not great. I liked him after he grew a backbone, but everything before that… we was just a little coward. And book heroes shouldn’t be coward. Erin as “meh”. Not bad but nothing special. The supportive characters were predictable and a little pointless, except for Frankie. Frankie was awesome!
Steam: Nope.
HEA:
Want to read
April 16, 2014 OMG!!!! NEW JAMIE MCGUIRE BOOK!!!!!!!!
#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
May 11, 2014
4 Knight In Shining Armor Stars!
Erin Easter is a 17 yr. old girl living in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She lives a sad life, and prefers being at her job at Dairy Queen with her friend Frankie, instead of school or home. Erin lives with her rough mother, who only cares about drinking, and getting high. Erin tries to be home as little as possible.
Erin is a senior attending Blackwell High School. She grew up with two other girls that she shares the same first name and birthday with. They were all close till 5th grade, and then everything changed, and they began to bully her. Now she has become their #1 target, and she tries to avoid them as much as possible. Even though she keeps to herself, they continue to seek her out, and find joy in making her miserable.
Erin only has three months left till graduation, and is counting the down the days till she can leave for college, and finally be free, and start a new life at Oklahoma State University. Leaving this town is all she has to look forward to, until a gorgeous guy at her school starts showing interest in her.
Weston Gates is an 18 yr. old guy that is one of the most popular guys at Erin's school. He is the school jock, playing football, baseball, & basketball. Erin has attended school with Wes since kindergarten and always thought he had a beautiful smile, and kind eyes.
Wes begins showing up at Erin's work, and starts to pursue her. They spend time together, and become friends. Wes is in the click of the popular group that mistreats Erin, so their friendship isn't well received by others, especially when Wes starts to defend her against his so called friends.
Just as they begin to have feelings for each other a lot of secrets are revealed, and we get some interesting twists and surprises.
I really liked Wes and Erin as a couple, and look forward to more books in this series. I can't wait to see what is in store for their future after high school.
-"When you think about something enough, you start dreaming about it. And when you dream about something enough, you just have to hope that it becomes a reality."
"I think about you all the time, Erin.
"She's perfect for me."
Erin Easter is a 17 yr. old girl living in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She lives a sad life, and prefers being at her job at Dairy Queen with her friend Frankie, instead of school or home. Erin lives with her rough mother, who only cares about drinking, and getting high. Erin tries to be home as little as possible.
Erin is a senior attending Blackwell High School. She grew up with two other girls that she shares the same first name and birthday with. They were all close till 5th grade, and then everything changed, and they began to bully her. Now she has become their #1 target, and she tries to avoid them as much as possible. Even though she keeps to herself, they continue to seek her out, and find joy in making her miserable.
Erin only has three months left till graduation, and is counting the down the days till she can leave for college, and finally be free, and start a new life at Oklahoma State University. Leaving this town is all she has to look forward to, until a gorgeous guy at her school starts showing interest in her.
Weston Gates is an 18 yr. old guy that is one of the most popular guys at Erin's school. He is the school jock, playing football, baseball, & basketball. Erin has attended school with Wes since kindergarten and always thought he had a beautiful smile, and kind eyes.
Wes begins showing up at Erin's work, and starts to pursue her. They spend time together, and become friends. Wes is in the click of the popular group that mistreats Erin, so their friendship isn't well received by others, especially when Wes starts to defend her against his so called friends.
Just as they begin to have feelings for each other a lot of secrets are revealed, and we get some interesting twists and surprises.
I really liked Wes and Erin as a couple, and look forward to more books in this series. I can't wait to see what is in store for their future after high school.
-"When you think about something enough, you start dreaming about it. And when you dream about something enough, you just have to hope that it becomes a reality."
"I think about you all the time, Erin.
"She's perfect for me."
Want to read
April 16, 2014Is it bad that I really just want this for the long sneak peek into Beautiful Oblivion that will be in the back? :)
I mean, it does sound good too, but I need some more Maddox's in my life, and stat!
I mean, it does sound good too, but I need some more Maddox's in my life, and stat!
July 29, 2019
I lost yesterday a stupid bet with my 19 years old daughter 🙄, and so she forced me to listen her while reading this book ( knowing well that for me these kind of books are worse than a blasphemy)
I managed to get to the end after adopted children finding biological mothers, sudden youth deaths, bullying, kissing and sex...
she finished and I’ve finished it now.
AVE GRATIA!!!
(Don't want to offend, this is a personal feeling about this book😉)
Ho perso una scommessa stupidissima con mia figlia🙄, e così mi ha costretto ad ascoltarla a leggere questo libro -una specie di audiobook casalingo😡 ( sapendo benissimo che me è questi tipi di libri sono peggio di una bestemmia)
Sono riuscita ad arrivare alla fine dopo figli adottivi che ritrovano madri biologiche, morti improvvise, bullismo, bacetti e scopamenti...
AVE GRATIA, un nuovo giorno inizia!!!
L'ho e l'ha terminato. ( non me ne abbiano chi invece adora questa tipologia di libri, che non so neanche come si chiamino....)
I managed to get to the end after adopted children finding biological mothers, sudden youth deaths, bullying, kissing and sex...
she finished and I’ve finished it now.
AVE GRATIA!!!
(Don't want to offend, this is a personal feeling about this book😉)
Ho perso una scommessa stupidissima con mia figlia🙄, e così mi ha costretto ad ascoltarla a leggere questo libro -una specie di audiobook casalingo😡 ( sapendo benissimo che me è questi tipi di libri sono peggio di una bestemmia)
Sono riuscita ad arrivare alla fine dopo figli adottivi che ritrovano madri biologiche, morti improvvise, bullismo, bacetti e scopamenti...
AVE GRATIA, un nuovo giorno inizia!!!
L'ho e l'ha terminato. ( non me ne abbiano chi invece adora questa tipologia di libri, che non so neanche come si chiamino....)
May 10, 2014
Here's the thing with tough subjects: they need time to be processed. In a novella with 100 pages and a number of tough subjects, there's simply not enough space to handle them properly.
Happenstance offers several topics. Drugs, terrible home conditions, bullying to name some of them. We have Erin, bullied by two other Erins, all of them birthed on the same day, going to the same school. Our MC-Erin used to be friends with them until they began freezing her out, and the bullying started a couple of years before this novella takes place. With Erin struggling with her mom's drug abuse and her situation at school, I already knew here there wouldn't be space enough in this book to give this the proper care. There are so many things that are just touched upon, when they could've made and should make for a full length novel. To avoid spoilers, I won't spell out the plot twist around 60% or so, but this too got too little time. The explanations are loose, the reactions hushed by as is the resolution as well.
The real problem for me, however, is the characters. They're so stereotypical. Erin, bright girl coming from a terrible family, bullied, yet – according to our hero – amazing, and have always been. Short stories are always limited when it comes to character development, but there is nearly none here for any of the characters. They're all just stereotypes. Like our hero, Weston. Good guy, coming from an upstanding family, together with the most popular girl, great at sports, and is one of the popular guys in school. Yet, he's oddly genuine, kind, and so much more than he appears. Yes, and he's getting into Duke University on a scholarship, just like his dad wants. But Weston wants to do art, and his dad is completely ignorant of this. (Okay, I can't be the only one thinking about Chad Michael Murray's character in A Cinderella Story here, can I? Pretty much everyone is a character from this movie, to be honest.)
In conclusion this is nothing new, and doesn't bring much new to the table. Not with the shortness of the story and the already-seen characters. I'll admit to liking this better than Beautiful Disaster, but only because Weston wasn't an abusive love interest, even if Weston had his moments too.
For more reviews, visit AmandaSays on BookLikes and Leafmarks.
Happenstance offers several topics. Drugs, terrible home conditions, bullying to name some of them. We have Erin, bullied by two other Erins, all of them birthed on the same day, going to the same school. Our MC-Erin used to be friends with them until they began freezing her out, and the bullying started a couple of years before this novella takes place. With Erin struggling with her mom's drug abuse and her situation at school, I already knew here there wouldn't be space enough in this book to give this the proper care. There are so many things that are just touched upon, when they could've made and should make for a full length novel. To avoid spoilers, I won't spell out the plot twist around 60% or so, but this too got too little time. The explanations are loose, the reactions hushed by as is the resolution as well.
The real problem for me, however, is the characters. They're so stereotypical. Erin, bright girl coming from a terrible family, bullied, yet – according to our hero – amazing, and have always been. Short stories are always limited when it comes to character development, but there is nearly none here for any of the characters. They're all just stereotypes. Like our hero, Weston. Good guy, coming from an upstanding family, together with the most popular girl, great at sports, and is one of the popular guys in school. Yet, he's oddly genuine, kind, and so much more than he appears. Yes, and he's getting into Duke University on a scholarship, just like his dad wants. But Weston wants to do art, and his dad is completely ignorant of this. (Okay, I can't be the only one thinking about Chad Michael Murray's character in A Cinderella Story here, can I? Pretty much everyone is a character from this movie, to be honest.)
In conclusion this is nothing new, and doesn't bring much new to the table. Not with the shortness of the story and the already-seen characters. I'll admit to liking this better than Beautiful Disaster, but only because Weston wasn't an abusive love interest, even if Weston had his moments too.
For more reviews, visit AmandaSays on BookLikes and Leafmarks.
December 22, 2018
olmamış br Jamie. Türk filmi izler gibi oldum kitabı okurken .
July 28, 2014
Erin Easter wasn't always the target, she used to be their friend. But that was years ago, now she is just the one they pick on, the one that they bully. But Erin has just a few months left of school before she can leave it all behind. Weston Gates never teased Erin, but until now, he never stood up for her either. Weston realizes that he has something in common with Erin, the desire to leave this town.
Spending time with Erin gives him peace he's never experienced before and for Erin, she is suddenly finding her own voice. She has something that she doesn't want the others to be able to take away from her, she has him. But her life is about to change when a tragic accident occurs, only this time luck seems to be on her side.
*****************************
This was a very cute, short read that just reminded me how much I enjoy the style of writing that Jamie McGuire has. There was a bit of predictability as to the direction of this story, but even knowing what was going to happen, I found myself interested in how the characters would react to the events. Erin had years of being bullied but yet she still held on, knowing that one day she would escape it all. For Weston, he didn't suffer the same fate, but had his own struggles with embracing who he wanted to be when so many others expected him to be someone else. In the end, this one sits comfortably in the middle - I didn't go fan-girl crazy over it and I didn't dislike it. But part of me felt like my expectations were not quite met.
May 2, 2014
Review coming really really soon! LOVED LOVED LOVED (read in a couple hours last night)
Review:
Right from the start I immediately knew I would like Erin Easter. For someone to endure as much bullying as she does and push onward and never let them see her cry, that's a superpower in my book. She doesn't need a cape or or tights to show how strong she is. She proves that with her actions and words. Not everyone understand how tough it is when you get bullied when your young but Erin proves you can overcome it with your head held high.
Happenstance warms your heart and reminds you that even in a short novella why we love McGuire's writing. She was able to deliver so much in with fewer words and I loved every single part. At one point I thought I knew what would happen in the story and what do you know, McGuire went somewhere else I didn't expect. Kuddos to that!
You guys will love Weston, I have nothing bad to say about him except it was about time he woke up! These two together go like peanut butter and jelly (cue peanut butter & jelly sound in my head now). Not sure why he didn't man up earlier and let those year waste with Easter, but in Happenstance he corrected that.
I strongly suggest that YOU read Happenstance on May 9th. You won't regret it. This novella contains passion, sorrow, pain and happiness all bottled up under that beautiful book cover. You will read it in one sitting, so make sure to not have anything pending or waiting on you when you begin reading it. Happy Reading!!!
_____
"My head is spinning. My emotions are twisted into knots. My eyes are still wet from the spill of tears burning down my cheeks. My heart is overfreakingjoyed." -- Kim Parker Easton
"Erin Easter captured my heart with her resilience and determination. Her story is not only one of coincidence, but of significance. Jamie McGuire made Erin's story relatable to readers across the board. It carries a strong message of hope, survival and ... love. Don't miss out on your chance to experience HAPPENSTANCE. " -- The Autumn Review
"A softer, sweeter side of Jamie McGuire. It's fate, love and life converging in a touching tale that lingers long after you're done." -- Vilma's Book Blog
"McGuire fulfilled everything I look for in a book to be amazing when she penned Happenstance." -- Yara, Once Upon a Twilight (That's ME!!!! So Honored)
"I cannot wait to see how the Erin's story plays out. You can bet I will be there every step of the way." -- Andrea, The Bookish Babe
"Make room on your Favorite Books I've Ever Read shelf, because Jamie McGuire has done it again! All the things we love and expect from one of her novels, with the addition of an amazing curveball that will knock you off your seat. I'm desperate for more!" -- Amber, Me, My Shelf, and I
Review:
Right from the start I immediately knew I would like Erin Easter. For someone to endure as much bullying as she does and push onward and never let them see her cry, that's a superpower in my book. She doesn't need a cape or or tights to show how strong she is. She proves that with her actions and words. Not everyone understand how tough it is when you get bullied when your young but Erin proves you can overcome it with your head held high.
Happenstance warms your heart and reminds you that even in a short novella why we love McGuire's writing. She was able to deliver so much in with fewer words and I loved every single part. At one point I thought I knew what would happen in the story and what do you know, McGuire went somewhere else I didn't expect. Kuddos to that!
You guys will love Weston, I have nothing bad to say about him except it was about time he woke up! These two together go like peanut butter and jelly (cue peanut butter & jelly sound in my head now). Not sure why he didn't man up earlier and let those year waste with Easter, but in Happenstance he corrected that.
I strongly suggest that YOU read Happenstance on May 9th. You won't regret it. This novella contains passion, sorrow, pain and happiness all bottled up under that beautiful book cover. You will read it in one sitting, so make sure to not have anything pending or waiting on you when you begin reading it. Happy Reading!!!
_____
"My head is spinning. My emotions are twisted into knots. My eyes are still wet from the spill of tears burning down my cheeks. My heart is overfreakingjoyed." -- Kim Parker Easton
"Erin Easter captured my heart with her resilience and determination. Her story is not only one of coincidence, but of significance. Jamie McGuire made Erin's story relatable to readers across the board. It carries a strong message of hope, survival and ... love. Don't miss out on your chance to experience HAPPENSTANCE. " -- The Autumn Review
"A softer, sweeter side of Jamie McGuire. It's fate, love and life converging in a touching tale that lingers long after you're done." -- Vilma's Book Blog
"McGuire fulfilled everything I look for in a book to be amazing when she penned Happenstance." -- Yara, Once Upon a Twilight (That's ME!!!! So Honored)
"I cannot wait to see how the Erin's story plays out. You can bet I will be there every step of the way." -- Andrea, The Bookish Babe
"Make room on your Favorite Books I've Ever Read shelf, because Jamie McGuire has done it again! All the things we love and expect from one of her novels, with the addition of an amazing curveball that will knock you off your seat. I'm desperate for more!" -- Amber, Me, My Shelf, and I
May 12, 2014
The setting is in a little town not too far from where I call home in Oklahoma! Jamie McGuire has nailed the small town “feel” and the characters are captivating. She’s done a great job on this novella introducing her new series. I’ll definitely be back for more.
While life isn’t already hard enough for Erin Easter, she endures bullying every day at school. But everything can change in a moment’s time and it did just that for Erin Easter. Not going to say anymore -- enjoy Erin's story for yourself.
I recommend this novella to those who enjoy a small town romance filled with a little drama, along with a happy for now ending. The story introduces a new series. Hopefully, Erin will find college a less hurtful experience than her high school years and that her new “fortunes” will help make her future a little brighter.
While life isn’t already hard enough for Erin Easter, she endures bullying every day at school. But everything can change in a moment’s time and it did just that for Erin Easter. Not going to say anymore -- enjoy Erin's story for yourself.
I recommend this novella to those who enjoy a small town romance filled with a little drama, along with a happy for now ending. The story introduces a new series. Hopefully, Erin will find college a less hurtful experience than her high school years and that her new “fortunes” will help make her future a little brighter.
May 15, 2014
After I read Happenstance, I started thinking about books I have in my library that discuss bullying. I'll admit I don't have a lot. It's an uncomfortable subject for me for some reason. I wasn't bullied and I didn't bully others. I think it's just that it hurts me to think that other people could be so cruel for no reason. But, I found myself consumed by this novella. Erin Easter captured my heart with her resilience and determination. Her story is not only one of coincidence, but of significance.
Erin Easter is the girl that's been targeted by her classmates to pick on. From her clothes, hygiene, looks, and intelligence...she gets full blown insults thrown her way. Somehow, Erin manages it in her own way. See...she has a goal. That goal is to get out of Blackwell and not look back. There's nothing that can hold her back from starting fresh someplace else. At least, that's that plan. What she didn't expect was that the school's golden boy would have any interest in her.
Weston has always noticed Erin Easter. The problem is that he dates one of the other Erin's. He's watched as Erin Easter was bullied, but never really did anything about it. But, he had enough and started sticking up for Erin. If I hadn't already liked Weston, this stand is what would have sold me. Sure, Weston had an interest in Erin, but I think he could identify with her in a lot of ways too. They both felt trapped, but they both have plans that reached further than the city limits of Blackwell.
Then, tragedy strikes and rocks the whole town. Erin Easter is left questioning everything she thought she knew and what she wanted. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the story from this point. A lot could happen and there will certainly be major changes for both Erin and Weston.
Jamie McGuire made Erin's story relatable to readers across the board. It carries a strong message of hope, survival, and...love. Don't miss out on your chance to experience HAPPENSTANCE.
Quotes:
~"You smell like ice cream."
My breath caught. "So?"
"I'm just kind of wondering if you taste like it."-Loc 379
~"...I know that I have shitty timing, because we're both getting ready to move in different directions, but I've gotten really good at loving you from a distance."-Loc 694
~"I'm happier than I've been in a long time. They might give us shit during school, but they can't touch what we've got."-Loc 723
Erin Easter is the girl that's been targeted by her classmates to pick on. From her clothes, hygiene, looks, and intelligence...she gets full blown insults thrown her way. Somehow, Erin manages it in her own way. See...she has a goal. That goal is to get out of Blackwell and not look back. There's nothing that can hold her back from starting fresh someplace else. At least, that's that plan. What she didn't expect was that the school's golden boy would have any interest in her.
Weston has always noticed Erin Easter. The problem is that he dates one of the other Erin's. He's watched as Erin Easter was bullied, but never really did anything about it. But, he had enough and started sticking up for Erin. If I hadn't already liked Weston, this stand is what would have sold me. Sure, Weston had an interest in Erin, but I think he could identify with her in a lot of ways too. They both felt trapped, but they both have plans that reached further than the city limits of Blackwell.
Then, tragedy strikes and rocks the whole town. Erin Easter is left questioning everything she thought she knew and what she wanted. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the story from this point. A lot could happen and there will certainly be major changes for both Erin and Weston.
Jamie McGuire made Erin's story relatable to readers across the board. It carries a strong message of hope, survival, and...love. Don't miss out on your chance to experience HAPPENSTANCE.
Quotes:
~"You smell like ice cream."
My breath caught. "So?"
"I'm just kind of wondering if you taste like it."-Loc 379
~"...I know that I have shitty timing, because we're both getting ready to move in different directions, but I've gotten really good at loving you from a distance."-Loc 694
~"I'm happier than I've been in a long time. They might give us shit during school, but they can't touch what we've got."-Loc 723
May 14, 2014
I really dont know what I just read. I think Jamie Mcguires only master piece was beautiful disaster. Everything else has just been trying too hard. I liked the idea of the book but making it a novella was just wrong.There was too much to explain, why Erin was bullied so badly, why the 2 erins stopped talking to her, whats up with the mother, how could Weston sit back and let them treat her like crap for however many years and then on the second day boon i love you? wtf? and she just willingly gets in his car, as if all the crap in her life never happened and he wasnt close to the very thing that caused her grief, Shouldnt she have questioned why he is all of s sudden being so nice and if its a trap? I think Jamie Mcquire meant to write this as a book but got lazy, posting on facebook and instagram and going to book signings for beautiful disaster. I think the fame from BD has her thinking all her books will be great. not so! BD was released in 2012, she should concentrate on what shes working on make it good and not let the fame get to her head. just saying. Also seems like shes trying to drag out BD for all its worth, with the beautiful wedding that just screamed desperation. Come on man seriously? the book was good, everyone loved it now get our yourself!
May 13, 2014
Really enjoyed it...
But when I got to chapter eleven... I hoped at least one or two more chapters...
You have the bomb, and then... well, bye... Happy Ever after!
Anyhow... wonderfully written, nothing less expected from Mrs. McGuire!
The 3 stars are purely directed to the story itself and all overturns it took...!
But when I got to chapter eleven... I hoped at least one or two more chapters...
You have the bomb, and then... well, bye... Happy Ever after!
Anyhow... wonderfully written, nothing less expected from Mrs. McGuire!
The 3 stars are purely directed to the story itself and all overturns it took...!
July 4, 2015
Surprisingly good! I don't really like YA and I was a bit disappointed with Jamie's last book - the Zombie thing - but I really liked this - and I will definitely read the next books in the series!!
Not so sure about the message though - is it that when you want something bad enough and have suffered enough in life, that the universe sends you......whateverhappensinthisbook??? (Spoiler!) ☺
But I still loved it! It was a really cute romance with an anti-high-school-bullying theme ☺
May 9, 2014
Note: Just a reminder that Happenstance is the first novella, there will be other ones released by Jamie.
Loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS!!!
Happenstance totally left me blown away. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t get the pages to turn quick enough. When I started reading it, I was unsure of what to expect, even after reading the synopsis. Honestly, I never saw a lot of what happened in the book coming.
Erin (Easter) and Weston are absolutely amazing. I loved them together. Though at first, I must admit I was worried what Weston’s intentions with Erin were. My biggest fear was that he was just going to be cruel to her but I knew Jamie would never let that happen. She would never let me down as a reader like that, and she didn’t.
I don’t want to ruin the plot for anyone, and I don’t like to re-state the synopsis of the book in my reviews. What I can tell you is that you NEED to read this. You will not be disappointed because a.) Jamie McGuire is amazing, b.) this book was so well written and the plot was great, and c.) Jamie McGuire is one of the most talented writers out there.
Loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS!!!
Happenstance totally left me blown away. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t get the pages to turn quick enough. When I started reading it, I was unsure of what to expect, even after reading the synopsis. Honestly, I never saw a lot of what happened in the book coming.
Erin (Easter) and Weston are absolutely amazing. I loved them together. Though at first, I must admit I was worried what Weston’s intentions with Erin were. My biggest fear was that he was just going to be cruel to her but I knew Jamie would never let that happen. She would never let me down as a reader like that, and she didn’t.
I don’t want to ruin the plot for anyone, and I don’t like to re-state the synopsis of the book in my reviews. What I can tell you is that you NEED to read this. You will not be disappointed because a.) Jamie McGuire is amazing, b.) this book was so well written and the plot was great, and c.) Jamie McGuire is one of the most talented writers out there.
September 9, 2016
The art of miniature painting reached its apogee or zenith in the late 16th century, with the artistry of Nicholas Hilliard, who was renowned not only for his technical skill, but also for the way his work was sensitive to the character of the persons he portrayed. His well-known tiny portrait of Queen Elizabeth I gives us a glimpse of her as a real person I think, not the shellacked and overcoiffed official image we usually see. And what a crazy time that was in England right? John Donne, Shakespeare, William Byrd, John Dowland - an astonishing flowering of works that still speak to our contemporary ears.
I'm not going to get super carried away and say we're in a literary renaissance of Elizabethan proportions, but the outpouring of awesome that has occurred since Jamie first published Beautiful Disaster, Colleen Hoover published Slammed, Abbi Glines published Breathe, E.L. James published the Fifty Shades trilogy, Tammara Webber published the Between the Lines series, Steph Campbell published Grounding Quinn, Tarryn Fisher published The Opportunist ... okay, I'm going to stop, and leave those as examplars, not an exhaustive enumeration, because although there are so many that I don't want to leave out, this is supposed to be a review of Happenstance, right? So my point is that there has been an outpouring, an explosion, even, of talent that while maybe not straight outa Cheapside, is reminiscent at least of another British invasion, when four lads from Liverpool ignited a storm of talent that blew up the charts, the music business and the ears of young listeners in much the way Jamie and her coterie of charming codebreakers (they broke the publishing code, is what I'm driving at) burst onto the scene just a few short years ago (wow, 2011, right? So much has happened and changed!).
Happenstance is a beautiful miniature in the mold of those sixteenth century portraits (just in case you wondered how I was planning on tying that in, lol). It's technically proficient, clever, artful and, conveys a vivid sense of its characters and their circumstances. And while small in scale, it delivers a big emotional punch. Proficient and clever, you ask? Well, consider the names of the characters for example. Erin Easter, our protagonist, is ripe for the rebirth and renewal of the season whose name she shares (treading close to spoiler territory, sorry!) And Weston Gates? Maybe he's the entryway to something beyond the circumscribed circumstances of Erin's current choices. And Erin works at Dairy Queen, where she's a bit of a scullery maid, replete with a cruel mother, as well. So there are archetypal elements of fairy tale, legend and myth, mingled in with the down home realism that Jamie is at great pains to create. I've worked in a Dairy Queen (okay, technically it was a Tastee Freeze, fine) and Jamie nails the sights, sounds, smells and spatters of that experience. She also creates a vivid and touching portrait of a sensitive girl in tough circumstances, one whose knight without armor relies on his inhaler in socially stressful situations, and a provincial society that is kind of Gene Pitney-esque in its "without pity" aspects. Her imagery is vivid, but relatable, in a way that reminded me of my old high school production of Our Town, finding poetry in the pedestrian details of small town life.
Okay, suffice it to say, I loved Happenstance, and I think you will too, if you love a tender and emotional contemporary YA. It's fun to watch a master at work, and to enjoy the atmosphere and characters she creates as she wields that miniature brush so lovingly and effectively.
September 23, 2016
Okuduğum her anlamda en kötü kitaptı diyebilirim galiba. İbretlik diziler gibi saçma bir kurgu, yazarın berbat anlatımıyla kombinlenip böyle bir şey olmuş. Ama aslında olmamış -_-
July 4, 2016
''Bir şey hakkında düşünürsen o şey hakkında hayal kurmaya başlarsın. Ve bir şeylerin hayalini kurmaya başlamışsan elinden onun gerçek olmasını ummaktan başka bir şey gelmez.''
Erin Easter, yıllar boyunca Erin M. ve Erin A.tarafından zayıf noktalarına, acımasızlığın kırbacıyla vurulmasına göğüs germek zorunda kalan ve böylelikle hem okul içerisinde hem de kaderin ona çizdiği yolun üstünde aşağılanmanın simgesi haline geldiği bir hayat yaşayan genç bir kızdır. Ancak adlarını paylaşmakla kalmayıp doğum günleri de ortak olan bu iki kızla arasındaki tüm kötü düşünceleri ve hisleri mıknatıs gibi kendisine çeken bir ilişki, birbirlerini gördükleri andan beri paylaştıkları bir şey değildi; ana okulundan ilkokula kadar ayrılmaz üçlü gibilerdi. Fakat Erin'in, önüne uzanan yıllar boyunca hala mantıklı bir açıklama bulamadığı şekilde, Erin A. ve Erin M. ilkokuldan sonra yaralarını sobeledikleri bir oyunu eğlenceli bulmaya başlamışlardır. Erin'e kendi elleriyle açtıkları bu yarayı göremeyecek kadar eğlenen; ya da görmezden gelmeyi, durmaktan daha cazip bulan aciz düşünceleri ile vicdanlarının sesine kapılarını kapatmış olan bu iki kız, Erin'i, küçüklüklerinde oynadıkları ve istedikleri hareketi yaptırdıkları oyuncak bebeklerinden biri bellemişlerdir.
Kaçış planının, farklı bir eyaletteki üniversitede iyi bir burs kazanması ile taslakları yavaş yavaş çizilmeye başlanınca, kötü bir sürpriz vermek dışında kapısını tıklatmayan şansının cephesinde yer alan herkesi ardında bırakabileceği düşüncesi ile lisenin son iki ayına katlanması için yeni bir amaç ortaya çıkmıştır. Fakat hiç beklemediği bir zamanda, aklından çıkmayan birisi olan Weston Gates bütün bu planlarını tersine çevirebilecek kapasitedeki benliği ile çıkageldiğinde, Erin'in, ne yapması gerektiği konusunda attığı her adım sallantıda kalacak; bunun tek sebebinin Weston olmaktan çıktığı birkaç olayla beraber hayatını yönlendirecek bir seçim yapmak zorunda kalacaktır.
Jamie'nin kitapları benim için bir kumar gibi aslında. Çünkü kitabın içeriğini iyi kullandığında ve o potansiyeli güzel işlediğinde karşılığında beğenimi kazanıyor ama işin kumar tarafından bakarsak, en az bir eli düzgün oynamadığı oluyor Mesela genel olarak konuşmak gerekirse Bela serisi fena değildi. Araf serisi çok daha iyiydi ondan ama son iki kitabı saf bir hayal kırıklığıydı çoğu zaman. Bu kitapta da beğendiğim kurgusuydu ve o kurgunun potansiyeliydi ama gelişen olaylar her seferinde beğenimden bir parça kopararak onları hayal kırıklığımı besleyecek yem haline getirdi. Belki kitapları ile aramdaki ilişkinin beş sene kadar önceye dayanmasındandır. Eski bir arkadaş misali, konuşunca duramıyorsun ve eğleniyorsun ama o yılların eksikliği büyük bir yükle aranızda asılı kalıyor. Yinede her piyasaya çıkan Jamie kitabına şans verir misin diye sorsalar, iki kere düşünmeden evet derim.
Tüm yorum için blog'a bakmayı unutmayın! ^-^ *tık tık*
Erin Easter, yıllar boyunca Erin M. ve Erin A.tarafından zayıf noktalarına, acımasızlığın kırbacıyla vurulmasına göğüs germek zorunda kalan ve böylelikle hem okul içerisinde hem de kaderin ona çizdiği yolun üstünde aşağılanmanın simgesi haline geldiği bir hayat yaşayan genç bir kızdır. Ancak adlarını paylaşmakla kalmayıp doğum günleri de ortak olan bu iki kızla arasındaki tüm kötü düşünceleri ve hisleri mıknatıs gibi kendisine çeken bir ilişki, birbirlerini gördükleri andan beri paylaştıkları bir şey değildi; ana okulundan ilkokula kadar ayrılmaz üçlü gibilerdi. Fakat Erin'in, önüne uzanan yıllar boyunca hala mantıklı bir açıklama bulamadığı şekilde, Erin A. ve Erin M. ilkokuldan sonra yaralarını sobeledikleri bir oyunu eğlenceli bulmaya başlamışlardır. Erin'e kendi elleriyle açtıkları bu yarayı göremeyecek kadar eğlenen; ya da görmezden gelmeyi, durmaktan daha cazip bulan aciz düşünceleri ile vicdanlarının sesine kapılarını kapatmış olan bu iki kız, Erin'i, küçüklüklerinde oynadıkları ve istedikleri hareketi yaptırdıkları oyuncak bebeklerinden biri bellemişlerdir.
Kaçış planının, farklı bir eyaletteki üniversitede iyi bir burs kazanması ile taslakları yavaş yavaş çizilmeye başlanınca, kötü bir sürpriz vermek dışında kapısını tıklatmayan şansının cephesinde yer alan herkesi ardında bırakabileceği düşüncesi ile lisenin son iki ayına katlanması için yeni bir amaç ortaya çıkmıştır. Fakat hiç beklemediği bir zamanda, aklından çıkmayan birisi olan Weston Gates bütün bu planlarını tersine çevirebilecek kapasitedeki benliği ile çıkageldiğinde, Erin'in, ne yapması gerektiği konusunda attığı her adım sallantıda kalacak; bunun tek sebebinin Weston olmaktan çıktığı birkaç olayla beraber hayatını yönlendirecek bir seçim yapmak zorunda kalacaktır.
Jamie'nin kitapları benim için bir kumar gibi aslında. Çünkü kitabın içeriğini iyi kullandığında ve o potansiyeli güzel işlediğinde karşılığında beğenimi kazanıyor ama işin kumar tarafından bakarsak, en az bir eli düzgün oynamadığı oluyor Mesela genel olarak konuşmak gerekirse Bela serisi fena değildi. Araf serisi çok daha iyiydi ondan ama son iki kitabı saf bir hayal kırıklığıydı çoğu zaman. Bu kitapta da beğendiğim kurgusuydu ve o kurgunun potansiyeliydi ama gelişen olaylar her seferinde beğenimden bir parça kopararak onları hayal kırıklığımı besleyecek yem haline getirdi. Belki kitapları ile aramdaki ilişkinin beş sene kadar önceye dayanmasındandır. Eski bir arkadaş misali, konuşunca duramıyorsun ve eğleniyorsun ama o yılların eksikliği büyük bir yükle aranızda asılı kalıyor. Yinede her piyasaya çıkan Jamie kitabına şans verir misin diye sorsalar, iki kere düşünmeden evet derim.
Tüm yorum için blog'a bakmayı unutmayın! ^-^ *tık tık*
August 4, 2015
4.5 Stars.
AH!!! I knew it! I had a feeling on how this would all play out :). This was my first Jamie McGuire read and I loved everything minute of it! Full review to come.
Update: Full review below!
First Impression
I first came across Happenstance when I signed up for a Book Blitz for Happenstance, #2. After signing up and reading the summary for the first book I went on the hunt for it. I feel like I know what's going to happen/how this will play out but let's just dive in and see!
Opening Lines
The Good
Can I just drool over this cover first? It's so simple, yet so beautiful!
This is my first Jamie McGuire read. I own Beautiful Disaster but haven't felt like reading it. After reading the synopsis I felt like I knew how this was going to play out and I was right...well partially, allow me to explain. I don't want to spoil what happens but what I thought would happen does indeed happen, but there is a certain turn of events that lead up to it that I didn't see coming! I was shocked that Jamie McGuire did that.
While some might complain that Happenstance was too short, I actually happen to like the idea of a novella series. McGuire did an excellent job of giving us all the information we needed within the short span of 100 - 131 pages, although there was only one thing I felt was missing (which you can find below).
I loved Erin, having been bullied myself I could really relate and connect with her. This book made me so angry at all the different parts in which they bullied her. They were all just so cruel!! I enjoyed how she gradually built up to standing up for herself and the support she got from Weston. Now Weston, SWOON! There was just something about his character I can't place exactly what it is but he's just so sweet and you can tell he truly cares about Erin.
The In-Between
Maybe it's just me, but I really would have liked it if there was a chapter or two from the other Erin's perspective. It would have been nice to have some insight as to what went wrong, why did the Erin's and other students feel the need to bully Easter? Why did they stop talking to her? I don't think we'll get that in the upcoming book but I could be wrong, although I doubt it.
Lasting Impression
Overall, Happenstance was so good, SO GOOD! I was in a really bad reading slump and this brought me out of it. I'm really impressed with Jamie McGuire's writing style and I can't wait to read more books by her! But mainly, I can't wait for Happenstance 2 to be released! 4 more days!!
AH!!! I knew it! I had a feeling on how this would all play out :). This was my first Jamie McGuire read and I loved everything minute of it! Full review to come.
Update: Full review below!
First Impression
I first came across Happenstance when I signed up for a Book Blitz for Happenstance, #2. After signing up and reading the summary for the first book I went on the hunt for it. I feel like I know what's going to happen/how this will play out but let's just dive in and see!
Opening Lines
"Go home. Turn off the lights. And kill yourself."
The Good
“Neither of us felt the need to fill the silence as we watched the storm clouds slowly close in on the stars above.”
Can I just drool over this cover first? It's so simple, yet so beautiful!
This is my first Jamie McGuire read. I own Beautiful Disaster but haven't felt like reading it. After reading the synopsis I felt like I knew how this was going to play out and I was right...well partially, allow me to explain. I don't want to spoil what happens but what I thought would happen does indeed happen, but there is a certain turn of events that lead up to it that I didn't see coming! I was shocked that Jamie McGuire did that.
While some might complain that Happenstance was too short, I actually happen to like the idea of a novella series. McGuire did an excellent job of giving us all the information we needed within the short span of 100 - 131 pages, although there was only one thing I felt was missing (which you can find below).
I loved Erin, having been bullied myself I could really relate and connect with her. This book made me so angry at all the different parts in which they bullied her. They were all just so cruel!! I enjoyed how she gradually built up to standing up for herself and the support she got from Weston. Now Weston, SWOON! There was just something about his character I can't place exactly what it is but he's just so sweet and you can tell he truly cares about Erin.
“You smell like ice cream.”
My breath caught. “So?”
“I’m just kind of wondering if you taste like it.”
The In-Between
Maybe it's just me, but I really would have liked it if there was a chapter or two from the other Erin's perspective. It would have been nice to have some insight as to what went wrong, why did the Erin's and other students feel the need to bully Easter? Why did they stop talking to her? I don't think we'll get that in the upcoming book but I could be wrong, although I doubt it.
Lasting Impression
Overall, Happenstance was so good, SO GOOD! I was in a really bad reading slump and this brought me out of it. I'm really impressed with Jamie McGuire's writing style and I can't wait to read more books by her! But mainly, I can't wait for Happenstance 2 to be released! 4 more days!!
April 19, 2021
La storia è un po’ surreale ma, tutto sommato, è anche vero che queste cose sono capitate.
L’atmosfera, però, è parecchio strana. Vedere la familiarità che Weston ha con i genitori di Erin e le situazioni tra tutti loro e non pensare che le stesse cose le faceva con Adler, è un filino inquietante.
Per il resto, mi hanno colpito principalmente due cose:
1) la tenerezza della storia tra Erin e Weston
2) il bullismo
Le storie di bullismo mi lasciano sempre disgustata, soprattutto perché, spesso, rispecchiano la realtà. Pensare che delle persone così giovani raggiungono simili livelli di crudeltà e destabilizzante, e sapere che spesso, per i motivi più disparati, si fa finte di non vedere fa male.
Questo tema è ben affrontato dalla McGuire.
EDIT rilettura
L’atmosfera, però, è parecchio strana. Vedere la familiarità che Weston ha con i genitori di Erin e le situazioni tra tutti loro e non pensare che le stesse cose le faceva con Adler, è un filino inquietante.
Per il resto, mi hanno colpito principalmente due cose:
1) la tenerezza della storia tra Erin e Weston
2) il bullismo
Le storie di bullismo mi lasciano sempre disgustata, soprattutto perché, spesso, rispecchiano la realtà. Pensare che delle persone così giovani raggiungono simili livelli di crudeltà e destabilizzante, e sapere che spesso, per i motivi più disparati, si fa finte di non vedere fa male.
Questo tema è ben affrontato dalla McGuire.
EDIT rilettura
May 11, 2014
4 "It is, what it is" stars
... And what it was, in short, was a really decent novella, which I couldn't put down. The short length, and fluid flow of writing style made this easy to devour in one sitting.
Recommend, especially of you are a fan of ice cream ;)
... And what it was, in short, was a really decent novella, which I couldn't put down. The short length, and fluid flow of writing style made this easy to devour in one sitting.
Recommend, especially of you are a fan of ice cream ;)
August 13, 2014
This is a really bizarre novella. I mean, really just...weird. And kind of uncomfortable. It made me feel kind of icky reading it.
October 17, 2017
Samanyolu senaristlerine taş çıkartacak bir senaryo,tebrikler Jamie!
z-2014
January 7, 2016 Jamie McGuire's NEW book!!
Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
Need Book NOW!!
Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.
Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.
But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.
Need Book NOW!!
May 9, 2015
3 stelle e mezzo
Ahhh… se solo la McGuire avesse deciso di non concentrare tutta la storia il 116, misere, pagine e di svilupparla a dovere, che gran bel libro sarebbe stato!
Così, invece, si perde troppo!
Ci sono stati scelte e comportamenti che sono andati oltre la soglia della mia comprensione più elementare. Ma sono rimasta stupita lo stesso, perché con poco più di 100 pagine l’autrice ha saputo comunque catturarmi di nuovo!
Aspetto il secondo volume!
Ahhh… se solo la McGuire avesse deciso di non concentrare tutta la storia il 116, misere, pagine e di svilupparla a dovere, che gran bel libro sarebbe stato!
Così, invece, si perde troppo!
Ci sono stati scelte e comportamenti che sono andati oltre la soglia della mia comprensione più elementare. Ma sono rimasta stupita lo stesso, perché con poco più di 100 pagine l’autrice ha saputo comunque catturarmi di nuovo!
Aspetto il secondo volume!
June 15, 2015
La recensione della serie Happenstance sul blog qui http://www.leggereromanticamente.com/...
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