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Wilder
I met Melissa in the rubber room, a.k.a. in-school suspension. And that’s not her real name.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.
Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths―outsiders from radically different backgrounds―they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.
"I am so crap. How can you stand being with me? Don’t answer that or I will crash this thing with both of us on it, swear to god, are you ready?”
Yes. No. Didn’t matter.
I reached both arms around Meili’s waist as we zoomed down the hill.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.
Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths―outsiders from radically different backgrounds―they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.
"I am so crap. How can you stand being with me? Don’t answer that or I will crash this thing with both of us on it, swear to god, are you ready?”
Yes. No. Didn’t matter.
I reached both arms around Meili’s waist as we zoomed down the hill.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2018
6 people are currently reading
3401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 18, 2019
This book is agonizing and beautiful without ever really trying to be. It just is. There's a level of honesty in it that I don't see in much other fiction, especially the other contemporary YA novels that I've read. The characters are comprised less of quirks and more of genuine humanity.
I really haven't read a book that made me feel this way in a long time. It's not always happy, if ever, and it's not tragic, either. There's elements of both. It just feels painfully real.
I really haven't read a book that made me feel this way in a long time. It's not always happy, if ever, and it's not tragic, either. There's elements of both. It just feels painfully real.
July 30, 2021
You can definitely tell that a white man wrote this. Anger issues aren't cute, and neither is sexualizing Asian women.
August 18, 2018
A definite swerve at the end, although I can't say the narrator didn't warn us of this from the beginning. A strange read, but I was pulled in by the characters and along for the ride.
October 13, 2018
Jason Wilder is spending his senior year in the Rubber Room, AKA in-school suspension. He landed there because he is considered to be a danger to his peers ... he is, after all, an arsonist, but he’d tell you otherwise. Jason wiles away the hours reading fantasy novels and not actually doing any of the schoolwork assigned to him. That is, until the mysterious Meili walks into the room.
The only thing Jason knows about Meili is that she ended up in the Rubber Room for breaking another girl’s finger. As Jason finds himself strangely drawn to this unusual girl, he feels like he is falling down the rabbit hole. Meili is wayward and enigmatic ... and everything Jason needs in his messed-up life right now.
Andrew Simonet makes his YA fiction debut with Wilder, a novel that explores what happens when troubled boy meets extraordinary girl. As the book cover and Jason forewarn, this isn’t a love story with a fairy tale ending. No, rather, this is one enormous crash and burn ... but that’s the beauty of it.
When I began Wilder, I was instantly worried that this was going to be another of those YA novels that is trying too hard to be edgy, unique, and quirky. Meili is an over-the-top character, and she can be a bit much to swallow in the beginning. My opinions quickly changed after a few chapters though as I found myself captivated by Jason and Melii’s story. I was especially intrigued by Jason’s character and the way he sees himself and how he navigates the world. He isn’t your typical male protagonist, and I found him refreshing and sympathetic.
If you’re thinking of reading Wilder, put on your seat belt (or in this case, motorcycle helmet), because this is one crazy ride complete with jail time, insane parties, rowdy fistfights, international crime, and two teenagers drawn to each other like moths to a flame. What makes Wilder so good, however, is not the wild drama packed within this novel’s pages, but rather the fragile human elements of this story. When you turn down the noise, Wilder is hopeful, and tragic, and so very very beautiful. Don’t think you have this one all figured out because like the cover states, “She swerves. So do I. So does this story.” Are you ready?
Thanks to NetGalley & Farrar Strauss Giroux for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The only thing Jason knows about Meili is that she ended up in the Rubber Room for breaking another girl’s finger. As Jason finds himself strangely drawn to this unusual girl, he feels like he is falling down the rabbit hole. Meili is wayward and enigmatic ... and everything Jason needs in his messed-up life right now.
Andrew Simonet makes his YA fiction debut with Wilder, a novel that explores what happens when troubled boy meets extraordinary girl. As the book cover and Jason forewarn, this isn’t a love story with a fairy tale ending. No, rather, this is one enormous crash and burn ... but that’s the beauty of it.
When I began Wilder, I was instantly worried that this was going to be another of those YA novels that is trying too hard to be edgy, unique, and quirky. Meili is an over-the-top character, and she can be a bit much to swallow in the beginning. My opinions quickly changed after a few chapters though as I found myself captivated by Jason and Melii’s story. I was especially intrigued by Jason’s character and the way he sees himself and how he navigates the world. He isn’t your typical male protagonist, and I found him refreshing and sympathetic.
If you’re thinking of reading Wilder, put on your seat belt (or in this case, motorcycle helmet), because this is one crazy ride complete with jail time, insane parties, rowdy fistfights, international crime, and two teenagers drawn to each other like moths to a flame. What makes Wilder so good, however, is not the wild drama packed within this novel’s pages, but rather the fragile human elements of this story. When you turn down the noise, Wilder is hopeful, and tragic, and so very very beautiful. Don’t think you have this one all figured out because like the cover states, “She swerves. So do I. So does this story.” Are you ready?
Thanks to NetGalley & Farrar Strauss Giroux for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2019
I’m not even sure I *like* this book, but it’s unlike anything I’ve read, especially in YA. Four stars for a swerve that I absolutely did not see coming.
March 7, 2020
Sexy and dangerous this book was interesting in many ways. I liked some parts and disliked others. In the beginning, I disliked it. In the middle, it got a little better. By the end, I did end up liking the book once I got the whole picture and story.
I am questioning how the book ended. Is there going to be a sequel? What ended up happening to Meili? Is Jason now a total nutcase? It kind of left you hanging there.
I am questioning how the book ended. Is there going to be a sequel? What ended up happening to Meili? Is Jason now a total nutcase? It kind of left you hanging there.
December 14, 2018
"I wanted her to remake me... And that disgusted her. She didn't want me to be like her; she wanted me to be like me."
Holy crap, man, this book was insane! Even though it warns you that the characters "swerve," I still was not prepared. This whole book is one crazy, wild ride- and I'm still not sure if I've fully processed it all clearly yet. It starts with a bang, a whole lot of "what!?", and only accelerates from there. A chaotic whirlwind- that's what these characters are. And after the initial shock and confusion began to wear off, I actually found myself getting pulled in and enjoying myself.
This will be a book that not everyone likes. It is raw and unflinching about hard facts of young adult life, and chooses to stare down the ugly truths instead of washing over them. Meili is a difficult character to connect to at first. She is blunt and sarcastic, but there is a deep honesty to her character that I admired. It is much easier to bond with Jason and the situation of his crappy life.
The roller coaster nature of this books makes it both exhilarating and confusing. I am so conflicted over the ending. I still don't know what to believe: I have a million questions and a pressing urge to reread the entire thing to find all the clues I didn't catch the first time around. Honestly though, the open-endedness and my confliction is why I bumped this from a four to a five star rating. It was utter chaos but it was fun and, strangely enough, enlightening. It is quite honestly unlike anything I have ever read before. And holy cow, I want to read it again already.
Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways and the author for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Holy crap, man, this book was insane! Even though it warns you that the characters "swerve," I still was not prepared. This whole book is one crazy, wild ride- and I'm still not sure if I've fully processed it all clearly yet. It starts with a bang, a whole lot of "what!?", and only accelerates from there. A chaotic whirlwind- that's what these characters are. And after the initial shock and confusion began to wear off, I actually found myself getting pulled in and enjoying myself.
This will be a book that not everyone likes. It is raw and unflinching about hard facts of young adult life, and chooses to stare down the ugly truths instead of washing over them. Meili is a difficult character to connect to at first. She is blunt and sarcastic, but there is a deep honesty to her character that I admired. It is much easier to bond with Jason and the situation of his crappy life.
The roller coaster nature of this books makes it both exhilarating and confusing. I am so conflicted over the ending. I still don't know what to believe: I have a million questions and a pressing urge to reread the entire thing to find all the clues I didn't catch the first time around. Honestly though, the open-endedness and my confliction is why I bumped this from a four to a five star rating. It was utter chaos but it was fun and, strangely enough, enlightening. It is quite honestly unlike anything I have ever read before. And holy cow, I want to read it again already.
Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways and the author for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 29, 2018
review to come.
February 25, 2019
I finished this book quickly because even with its flaws, I found myself wrapped up in the story. Jason is a well-written unreliable narrator and though Meili is often lumped into this manic pixie dream girl role, she has enough humanity to make the book feel real. My main problem with this book is that it took 250 pages for it to turn into what I wanted it to be. There was just... too much YA romance and explicit sex to a point where I considered giving up and calling it a loss. In hindsight, though, the story progresses beautifully. Would recommend if you don’t mind some “woe is me” romance and are patient.
November 26, 2021
DNF at 17%
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
My reoccurring thought: What the fuck? Wilder was crazy and extremely convoluted. It was often difficult to follow their conversations, because they were random and bounced all over the place. I could tell the author was trying to build suspense, and I'm sure there would have been a big reveal later on, but I didn't want to stick around to find out.
Melissa, Meili, or whatever her name actually is, was condescending and evasive. The girl's secrets had secrets. She's supposedly in danger, but seems to be the only person that doesn't care. She's brash and abrasive, combative and cruel. “You’d do alright in a thong, wouldn’t you? Make a fortune dancing at a gay club. Is there one in town?”
Neither character was relatable, but Wilder was desperate and eager to please the girl he'd just met. He knows nothing about Meili, but he's willing to do whatever she asks him to. I think he would have chopped of his hand just to see her smile for a few seconds. She seriously treated him like garbage, and he kept trying to make her happy. "And you’re very cute for blushing. I mean, it would be cute if you were twelve. At your age, it’s a bit sad, isn’t it?” Why was he so obsessed with her from the beginning? He should have had more respect for himself.
Wilder and Meili had a toxic and extremely unhealthy relationship. She would ignore him at school, turn down his offer to hang out, and then show up unexpectedly at his house. She was constantly changing her mind, and I honestly don't think even she knew what she really wanted. However, she was more than happy to take someone else down with her.
Also, where the hell did Manny come from? He was abusive and threatening, but only because he "cared" about Melissa. Apparently, the two share the same dark secret, so he's being a protective douche canoe, but dude was aggressive. He also went from being Wilder's best buddy to his worst enemy in a single conversation. It was like watching someone play ping pong, but with a grenade instead of a ball.
In the end, my annoyance outweighed my curiosity. I was tempted to skip to the end just to see what their secrets were, but I had no desire to share that experience with them.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
My reoccurring thought: What the fuck? Wilder was crazy and extremely convoluted. It was often difficult to follow their conversations, because they were random and bounced all over the place. I could tell the author was trying to build suspense, and I'm sure there would have been a big reveal later on, but I didn't want to stick around to find out.
Melissa, Meili, or whatever her name actually is, was condescending and evasive. The girl's secrets had secrets. She's supposedly in danger, but seems to be the only person that doesn't care. She's brash and abrasive, combative and cruel. “You’d do alright in a thong, wouldn’t you? Make a fortune dancing at a gay club. Is there one in town?”
Neither character was relatable, but Wilder was desperate and eager to please the girl he'd just met. He knows nothing about Meili, but he's willing to do whatever she asks him to. I think he would have chopped of his hand just to see her smile for a few seconds. She seriously treated him like garbage, and he kept trying to make her happy. "And you’re very cute for blushing. I mean, it would be cute if you were twelve. At your age, it’s a bit sad, isn’t it?” Why was he so obsessed with her from the beginning? He should have had more respect for himself.
Wilder and Meili had a toxic and extremely unhealthy relationship. She would ignore him at school, turn down his offer to hang out, and then show up unexpectedly at his house. She was constantly changing her mind, and I honestly don't think even she knew what she really wanted. However, she was more than happy to take someone else down with her.
Also, where the hell did Manny come from? He was abusive and threatening, but only because he "cared" about Melissa. Apparently, the two share the same dark secret, so he's being a protective douche canoe, but dude was aggressive. He also went from being Wilder's best buddy to his worst enemy in a single conversation. It was like watching someone play ping pong, but with a grenade instead of a ball.
In the end, my annoyance outweighed my curiosity. I was tempted to skip to the end just to see what their secrets were, but I had no desire to share that experience with them.
December 18, 2018
This one is a 3.5 for me because I'm not sure I buy some of what happens in the book, but I also appreciated its gritty honesty and depiction of violence. The book jacket and the author continually warn readers to expect a swerve in the story, and that's exactly what happens, no doubt leading me and more than a few others disconcerted by the ending and the last part of the book. Jason Wilder is spending his senior year in the in-school suspension room to keep him out of fights. There, he meets Meili Wen although at first he knows her by another name--Melissa. She's there because she broke another girl's finger. The two quickly become close, and Jason falls head over heels for her. But her friend Manny warns Jason that Meili must keep her real identity hidden in order to stay safe from the mysterious individuals who are looking for her. At first I thought that was just beyond ridiculous, but as things get stranger and stranger, I began to think maybe there was some truth to the story and that she had to flee from Hong Kong to save her life due to her father's former business associates coming after her. When Meili is picked up by police after a party, her secret life is about to be revealed, and she seeks refuge with Jason, who, as it turns out, has been living alone in small town Unionville, Alabama, after his alcoholic mother and her boyfriend moved to Florida, presumably to start a new life and send for him later. But of course, later never comes. Jason's on probation for arson, and seems repentant, but he just seems to find himself in situations where violence is necessary. Either he's protecting Meili's honor or keeping himself from getting beat up, but it's clear that he's lonely and vulnerable. When the end comes and he attempts to rescue Meili, it seems that he's been set up by her, perhaps something he should have seen coming since she once categorized humans as either useful or dangerous and noted that he was both. Despite his flaws, I felt a great deal of sympathy for Jason almost up until the end, but never really liked Meili. She was blunt, vulgar, and just too much for me, and I finished the book just as clueless as Jason, looking for answers to why and seeking understanding. I'm still thinking about it and all the things we do for love and the lies we hide from others and from ourselves. This is a strong and unsettling debut.
March 22, 2022
at first glance, i thought this book would be a fun romance which would give me butterflies and satisfy my helpless romantic soul. i couldn’t have been more wrong. do not be mistaken, the romance was absolutely beautiful. i deeply appreciate Andrew’s male AND female lead. i loved how Jason treated Meili, how he thought about her (because this is written in the first person), and their overall relationship. but Jason definitely blindsided me, because he was the villain all along. manipulation is much easier to accomplish when incited by the narrator, but this is not the case with Andrew’s protagonist (yes, protagonist. even if Jason was self-destructive, we still rooted for him).
Andrew shows us how easy it is to confuse right from wrong when faced with a situation where there is so much grey. how clouded blame can be. during Jason’s arguments with the counselors, the police, the lawyer, i was completely on his side. i too thought that his side was being overlooked, and that because of his reputation, he was being treated poorly. i thought that the system, the town, his family, were bullshitting. i didn’t even consider that, maybe, Jason was at fault. i definitely believed that what he did was wrong beyond words, but he was able to convince me that it wasn’t his fault. and this is where Andrew truly hypnotized me: he made the line between right and wrong blurry because of blame. this book is not a love story, it is a metaphor, made more realistic due to the part love plays. when reading his story from any point of view, Jason was undoubtedly the villain. when read from his point of view, you don’t want to believe it because you can clearly see how lost Jason is. “They’re all lost, Jason,” they’re all lost, and so is he. he thinks he’s making the world better, he thinks that everyone is against him, which is exactly how a villain would feel. the villain’s are lost, and this is what we must take away from Wilder.
Andrew shows us how easy it is to confuse right from wrong when faced with a situation where there is so much grey. how clouded blame can be. during Jason’s arguments with the counselors, the police, the lawyer, i was completely on his side. i too thought that his side was being overlooked, and that because of his reputation, he was being treated poorly. i thought that the system, the town, his family, were bullshitting. i didn’t even consider that, maybe, Jason was at fault. i definitely believed that what he did was wrong beyond words, but he was able to convince me that it wasn’t his fault. and this is where Andrew truly hypnotized me: he made the line between right and wrong blurry because of blame. this book is not a love story, it is a metaphor, made more realistic due to the part love plays. when reading his story from any point of view, Jason was undoubtedly the villain. when read from his point of view, you don’t want to believe it because you can clearly see how lost Jason is. “They’re all lost, Jason,” they’re all lost, and so is he. he thinks he’s making the world better, he thinks that everyone is against him, which is exactly how a villain would feel. the villain’s are lost, and this is what we must take away from Wilder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2019
Written by someone I knew almost 20 years ago, the dance instructor at my high school. Neat! I was aware from friends on Facebook that he’d written a book, and then stumbled upon it while shelving returns at the library one night. Seemed like serendipity, so I was glad to pick it up.
I really liked most of the story, but didn’t really understand or connect with the final chapters. The two main characters felt pretty unique to me – interesting layered backstories and motivations. Great dialogue, and I totally bought Jason Wilder as the narrator, despite him being nothing like I remember of Andrew Simonet! I always like a confident narrative voice that’s not just the author talking as themself. I appreciate Simonet’s understanding of his main character, who with his neglect and violence is definitely not a cookie cutter version of a typical YA novel protagonist.
But the whole mystery of Meili, and the ending… I thought we’d get more. I thought we’d learn more of her actual story, but she just disappears! I get that in the end, we’re seeing the actual results of all the assumptions Jason mistakenly made about the situation, and maybe meant to realize that we made some of the same mistakes along with him, this is not his manic pixie dreamgirl after all, etc. But I really felt left hanging about exactly who Meili was, why she was there, and what the situation was with her dad and Manny and her safety. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I would have liked more Meili in the ending. Otherwise good!
I really liked most of the story, but didn’t really understand or connect with the final chapters. The two main characters felt pretty unique to me – interesting layered backstories and motivations. Great dialogue, and I totally bought Jason Wilder as the narrator, despite him being nothing like I remember of Andrew Simonet! I always like a confident narrative voice that’s not just the author talking as themself. I appreciate Simonet’s understanding of his main character, who with his neglect and violence is definitely not a cookie cutter version of a typical YA novel protagonist.
But the whole mystery of Meili, and the ending… I thought we’d get more. I thought we’d learn more of her actual story, but she just disappears! I get that in the end, we’re seeing the actual results of all the assumptions Jason mistakenly made about the situation, and maybe meant to realize that we made some of the same mistakes along with him, this is not his manic pixie dreamgirl after all, etc. But I really felt left hanging about exactly who Meili was, why she was there, and what the situation was with her dad and Manny and her safety. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I would have liked more Meili in the ending. Otherwise good!
November 21, 2018
A strange book, and that's a compliment. The main character, almost-adult white male Jason, is carefully drawn, offbeat and occasionally lacking in self-awareness in a way that is utterly real. I appreciated the compelling character Meili, who was complex and immediate in a way that felt recognizably female and Asian to me. Confident writing, oddly haunting.
November 24, 2018
Wilder was truly a wild ride. It kept you involved and trying to figure out how it would end. One of those crazy relationship stories with extra mysterious twists.
The back jacket says ages 12-18, but I disagree. There is explicit sex and violence. Not one to buy for the school library, but fine for a young adult who's into some shit anyway.
(I received this in a goodreads giveaway.)
The back jacket says ages 12-18, but I disagree. There is explicit sex and violence. Not one to buy for the school library, but fine for a young adult who's into some shit anyway.
(I received this in a goodreads giveaway.)
April 1, 2019
This reads so much like an independent film...very "Spectacular Now" in my opinion. Jason's voice is so fresh and I loved exploring his world and relationships. Pretty much all of the characters are unreliable which leads to a bunch of drama. It's definitely not a cookie-cutter story, and felt very real. I'll definitely be thinking of this for a while.
May 14, 2023
Jason Wilder is a high school senior who doesn’t actually attend classes. Instead, he spends his time in the Rubber Room…for his own protection.
Officially, it was In-School Suspension, but kids called it the Rubber Room. It wasn’t covered in rubber, but it was delinquent proof. […] The Rubber Room was set up to prevent tragedies like school shootings, or at least to make it look like you could prevent them.
Jason set a fire that hurt someone and now he’s a target. The thing about Jason is that he’s big and tough and, according to Meili, “a danger because [he] wants to be.”
Meili is in the Rubber Room because, according to the story that’s been passed around and likely exaggerated, she broke someone’s finger. She’s not afraid of Jason or his reputation for violence; she is fearless, mysterious, and just a tad crazy.
These are the characters in Andrew Simonet’s debut YA novel, Wilder.
Despite his propensity for violence, Jason is a sympathetic character. He has a distinctive voice and a troubling backstory. He lives alone; his mother and her boyfriend, Al, have moved to Florida, apparently to dry out. He lives in their crappy house existing on the little bit of money they send home to him. Because he is on probation for setting the fire, he can’t let anyone know that he lives alone. It’s not that hard to keep it a secret; Jason doesn’t really have any friends. Until Meili.
It is clear from early on in the story that something happens to Jason and Meili. Jason informs us
I have lots of time now to think about what happened. I’m straightening out how one thing led to the next, how I got drawn in, how things became inevitable.
Other people have their ideas, what should have happened, what I did and didn’t do. Meili has her version. This is my story, what it’s like inside my skin.
It is no wonder Jason and Meili are drawn to each other. It is also no wonder why things end up going horribly wrong.
I never want Meili – or anyone – to be so betrayed and broken. But if we’re gonna live in a world where that happens, I want this. I want her thrashing sobs and gut screams. I want to clench my body to hers and tumble. I want this velocity. I want my share.
Wilder is full of forward momentum. I found it a compelling read, by it’s definitely for mature readers. There is violence, lots of swearing and some fairly explicit sex.
Really 3.5 stars
Officially, it was In-School Suspension, but kids called it the Rubber Room. It wasn’t covered in rubber, but it was delinquent proof. […] The Rubber Room was set up to prevent tragedies like school shootings, or at least to make it look like you could prevent them.
Jason set a fire that hurt someone and now he’s a target. The thing about Jason is that he’s big and tough and, according to Meili, “a danger because [he] wants to be.”
Meili is in the Rubber Room because, according to the story that’s been passed around and likely exaggerated, she broke someone’s finger. She’s not afraid of Jason or his reputation for violence; she is fearless, mysterious, and just a tad crazy.
These are the characters in Andrew Simonet’s debut YA novel, Wilder.
Despite his propensity for violence, Jason is a sympathetic character. He has a distinctive voice and a troubling backstory. He lives alone; his mother and her boyfriend, Al, have moved to Florida, apparently to dry out. He lives in their crappy house existing on the little bit of money they send home to him. Because he is on probation for setting the fire, he can’t let anyone know that he lives alone. It’s not that hard to keep it a secret; Jason doesn’t really have any friends. Until Meili.
It is clear from early on in the story that something happens to Jason and Meili. Jason informs us
I have lots of time now to think about what happened. I’m straightening out how one thing led to the next, how I got drawn in, how things became inevitable.
Other people have their ideas, what should have happened, what I did and didn’t do. Meili has her version. This is my story, what it’s like inside my skin.
It is no wonder Jason and Meili are drawn to each other. It is also no wonder why things end up going horribly wrong.
I never want Meili – or anyone – to be so betrayed and broken. But if we’re gonna live in a world where that happens, I want this. I want her thrashing sobs and gut screams. I want to clench my body to hers and tumble. I want this velocity. I want my share.
Wilder is full of forward momentum. I found it a compelling read, by it’s definitely for mature readers. There is violence, lots of swearing and some fairly explicit sex.
Really 3.5 stars
October 31, 2018
Netgalley provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars.
This book was highly entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Jason Wilder and Meili; however, I felt like it was really lacking a punch or sense of urgency the first half of the book. This really led me to be underwhelmed and I struggled staying committed to the text.
The second half had much better pacing and conflicts, and I felt a stronger sense of urgency about Jason's issues related to his nonexistent parents and how they contributed to his issues in school.. Plus, the book has a seriously sexy element about it...the nerdy boy who really isn't all that bad, falling for the exotic bad girl.
I do think it is a bit too racy for my students, yet I think the themes are perfect for so many of my students, especially those at-risk. I like that Jason is brave and puts his heart out there, even though it is obviously been broken by his parents. I think it is a solid book, but probably best for ages 16 and up.
3.5 stars.
This book was highly entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Jason Wilder and Meili; however, I felt like it was really lacking a punch or sense of urgency the first half of the book. This really led me to be underwhelmed and I struggled staying committed to the text.
The second half had much better pacing and conflicts, and I felt a stronger sense of urgency about Jason's issues related to his nonexistent parents and how they contributed to his issues in school.. Plus, the book has a seriously sexy element about it...the nerdy boy who really isn't all that bad, falling for the exotic bad girl.
I do think it is a bit too racy for my students, yet I think the themes are perfect for so many of my students, especially those at-risk. I like that Jason is brave and puts his heart out there, even though it is obviously been broken by his parents. I think it is a solid book, but probably best for ages 16 and up.
October 5, 2019
YA, romance suspense, graphic sex
Wow what a ride and the ending was not predictable, to me anyway.
(From Goodreads) Jason and Melissa meet in the rubber room, a.k.a. in-school suspension.
And that’s not her real name.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.
Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths―outsiders from radically different backgrounds―they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.
Wow what a ride and the ending was not predictable, to me anyway.
(From Goodreads) Jason and Melissa meet in the rubber room, a.k.a. in-school suspension.
And that’s not her real name.
She had secrets, I had enemies.
“People are either useful or dangerous,” she said. “One or the other.”
“Which one am I?” I said.
“You’re both.”
Meili was right. (That’s her real name.)
You can solve a lot of problems if you don’t mind getting hurt.
Jason Wilder is in permanent in-school suspension for fighting. Meili Wen gets there by breaking a girl’s finger. Jason and Meili don’t just connect; they collide. Two people who would never cross paths―outsiders from radically different backgrounds―they form an exhiliarating, unpredictable bond. When circumstances push, they push back. There’s no plan. And there’s no stopping.
January 4, 2024
There are very, very few books that have been so awful as to drive me to stop reading them. I hate abandoning books, no matter how awful. That being said, I don't even think I made it halfway through this one.
The writing style was difficult to get through, making me have to go back and reread on multiple occasions. The characters are two dimensional, and therefore difficult to get attached to. The main character feels as though they're going through a "I'm not like other girl's" phase, and it is painful to stomach. The supporting characters feel random, for lack of a better word, as well. Like they don't fit together in a way. Not to mention the plot, which seems to lack a drive altogether.
Together, this makes for a difficult and disappointing read.
The writing style was difficult to get through, making me have to go back and reread on multiple occasions. The characters are two dimensional, and therefore difficult to get attached to. The main character feels as though they're going through a "I'm not like other girl's" phase, and it is painful to stomach. The supporting characters feel random, for lack of a better word, as well. Like they don't fit together in a way. Not to mention the plot, which seems to lack a drive altogether.
Together, this makes for a difficult and disappointing read.
May 31, 2019
This book has its moments, and its strengths, but overall I don't know if I enjoyed it. It was a fast read that took an interesting plot that was both captive and quick, which is considerable because I never read YA romance, but the ending left me very confused. Without spoiling it I was blind sided by the story's conclusion while left wondering about more than the conclusion offered. I feel that given the tendencies of the main character, the conclusion was uncalled for and there lacked development for what happened which is why I am left so confused. It is one thing to make your conclusion too predictable but there is such thing as a straight booty cheeks conclusion.
September 10, 2019
Huh. Wasn't what I was expecting at all. 3.5 but rounding up to 4 because it really caught me off-guard. A really well-done anti-hero and an out-of-the-ordinary MPDG in an intense flurry of a story with some damn bitchin' dialogue.
SPOILERS
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SPOILERS
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Just as I was starting to wonder if I'd missed some crucial plot point during the diner fight scene, dude's whole POV began to unspool and all the pieces fit together in their disjointed way. Seriously original and one of the only unreliable narrators I've ever NOT hated.
SPOILERS
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SPOILERS
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Just as I was starting to wonder if I'd missed some crucial plot point during the diner fight scene, dude's whole POV began to unspool and all the pieces fit together in their disjointed way. Seriously original and one of the only unreliable narrators I've ever NOT hated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2022
I liked this book, but I did not love this book. It is unique compared to others in the YA genre, which is what really held my interests. I think it is more on the mature side, there is a lot of talk about sex, and the theme in general is overall darker in tone. The only reason I didn't love it is because of the way it was written, and the fact that some things just seemed too unbelievable. Though it is a fictional story so I can only criticize that so much. It is certainly not predictable at all and will keep you guessing over and over. I can say I've never read another YA novel quite like this one, and if you're looking for something different and more mature, this book is a great pick!
November 17, 2018
This is a hard book to characterize. I had the feeling from the first page that everything was a bit off and that there was more that I didn't know ... and was I ever right. I really got into Jason. He was an interesting, sympathetic and slightly tragic figure that had me rooting for him. Meili didn't appeal so much but I did find her intriguing. The story was an absorbing read that moved right along and the ending was an eye-opener. I have to say that this was an enjoyable book that left me somewhat shaken.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
December 31, 2018
It's done. Is there a word for the kind of book you know is going nowhere good, but you can't stop reading it to see just how bad it gets? The plot just always had this foreboding feeling throughout, yet the resolution wasn't as terrible as it could have been. The main characters were pretty unlikable, so I wasn't sad to see it end, and I wasn't interested enough to read Melissa's secret letters to Jason. Just meh.
March 29, 2019
Over the last two years it's been really challenging for me to read fiction (something about pregnancy and being a new mom has made it hard for me to stick with a novel). But not with Wilder. This book kept my interest - through plot twists and authentic (if not always relatable) characters. This book felt real. And like others have said - even though the book warns you over and over - I still didn't expect the ending to play out the way it did.
October 29, 2020
This is a book willing to take a lot more risks than a typical YA novel. Its character are sharp and sympathetic, but unreliable. They swerve as promised, and pity on you if you forget it. There's a fair amount of sex here for a YA novel, but also a huge amount of sex positivity that is both novel and empowering. I enjoyed the page turning qualities of this book and the fast paced dialogue, and was left feeling suitably unsettled by it all.
July 6, 2024
All throughout this books all I could think about is how long do I have to read it. This book is unriveting to say the least. I was just reading it for the sake of finishing it. I would've loved it if there is a little more romance in their and not just kids with weird lives. The female lead is too selfish and the male lead is too infatuated.
January 20, 2019
Really liked it until the ending which didn’t seem to fit or connect
March 28, 2019
Good story.
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