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In Between Days: A Coming of Age Story
Chicago suburbs, 1985. The high school. The mall. The blood-stained Mercedes. Misogyny. Homophobia. Class warfare. Cocaine.
(And the first semester isn't even over yet.)
The Jocks with their pastel Izods. The Barbies. The loser Burnouts.
High school in the 1980s had rules. Barbies and Jocks can mix. Barbie cheerleaders steer clear of the losers. Punks want to burn it all down.
Samantha Ward doesn't love the rules, but she plays to win. So when a snarky Burnout goes after her in a face-off, of course she fights back. Of course she fights mean. She may not get his sex joke, but she knows he made one. About her. In front of the entire cafeteria. And what's worse, she feels a tingle when she looks at bad-boy Jason.
How could she know her mean girl put-down would launch a war? Or that the school she knows hides a darker world she never even dreamed of?
In Between Days is a pitch-perfect story of first love, friendship, and enemies; of loyalty, betrayal, and the power of secrets. This darkly funny, suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club.
"GRIPPING AND UNPUTDOWNABLE." --Christina Lauren, international bestselling authors of Dating You/Hating You
"THIS WAS a bittersweet tumble into eighties high school nostalgia, with all the angst, sexual tension and emotional confusion involved with first love, and so well done it was a non-stop read to the end.... (Oh, and one of the best first kisses I have EVER read...)," says one reviewer.
(And the first semester isn't even over yet.)
The Jocks with their pastel Izods. The Barbies. The loser Burnouts.
High school in the 1980s had rules. Barbies and Jocks can mix. Barbie cheerleaders steer clear of the losers. Punks want to burn it all down.
Samantha Ward doesn't love the rules, but she plays to win. So when a snarky Burnout goes after her in a face-off, of course she fights back. Of course she fights mean. She may not get his sex joke, but she knows he made one. About her. In front of the entire cafeteria. And what's worse, she feels a tingle when she looks at bad-boy Jason.
How could she know her mean girl put-down would launch a war? Or that the school she knows hides a darker world she never even dreamed of?
In Between Days is a pitch-perfect story of first love, friendship, and enemies; of loyalty, betrayal, and the power of secrets. This darkly funny, suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club.
"GRIPPING AND UNPUTDOWNABLE." --Christina Lauren, international bestselling authors of Dating You/Hating You
"THIS WAS a bittersweet tumble into eighties high school nostalgia, with all the angst, sexual tension and emotional confusion involved with first love, and so well done it was a non-stop read to the end.... (Oh, and one of the best first kisses I have EVER read...)," says one reviewer.
- GenresYoung Adult
330 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2019
12 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 31, 2019
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Very well written with lots of gritty, gun- and knife- toting teens (and older bad guys) to drive the action. (Hmmmm, I'm thinking to myself at the end: Samantha is all of 15 and is already such a badass and is "connected" to boot? So "Buffy the Vampire Killer" if you know what I mean? Whaaaaaat!?!?!
While I love a strong "saves herself and every one else" female character, this story was just too far out there for me. It has great movie potential, though: great visuals, almost non-stop drama and action, and lots and lots of witty, sharp-edged dialogue.
Alas, the blurb on NetGalley didn't prepare me for this much graphic violence. Others may like this rough and ready style of action story, with larger than life characters who, thankfully, get to live another day, but I suspect I wandered into the wrong room here - considering all the other 5 and 4 star reviews out there
So, maybe don't pay any attention to me and give it a shot?
Very well written with lots of gritty, gun- and knife- toting teens (and older bad guys) to drive the action. (Hmmmm, I'm thinking to myself at the end: Samantha is all of 15 and is already such a badass and is "connected" to boot? So "Buffy the Vampire Killer" if you know what I mean? Whaaaaaat!?!?!
While I love a strong "saves herself and every one else" female character, this story was just too far out there for me. It has great movie potential, though: great visuals, almost non-stop drama and action, and lots and lots of witty, sharp-edged dialogue.
Alas, the blurb on NetGalley didn't prepare me for this much graphic violence. Others may like this rough and ready style of action story, with larger than life characters who, thankfully, get to live another day, but I suspect I wandered into the wrong room here - considering all the other 5 and 4 star reviews out there
So, maybe don't pay any attention to me and give it a shot?
September 6, 2019
This was a bittersweet tumble into eighties high school nostalgia, with all the angst, sexual tension and emotional confusion involved with first love, and so well done it was a non-stop read to the end.
In a set up out of a John Hughes movie, our handsome bad-boy hero, Jason, with a heart of tarnished silver, insults our innocent, gorgeous, rich-girl Samantha, with hysterical dialogue worthy of Shakespeare. She, of course, slides her sweatshirt off one shoulder, adds more eyeliner, and tells him off, starting a teenage political blow-up that takes them into dark places, on and off school grounds.
However, this story is written and directed by a woman, so the misogynist blind spots in every Shermer High movie are revealed--as well as the racism and classism that shaped my generation--and thankfully cast aside, through girl-power and young presence of mind.
(Oh, and one of the best first kisses I have EVER read...)
In a set up out of a John Hughes movie, our handsome bad-boy hero, Jason, with a heart of tarnished silver, insults our innocent, gorgeous, rich-girl Samantha, with hysterical dialogue worthy of Shakespeare. She, of course, slides her sweatshirt off one shoulder, adds more eyeliner, and tells him off, starting a teenage political blow-up that takes them into dark places, on and off school grounds.
However, this story is written and directed by a woman, so the misogynist blind spots in every Shermer High movie are revealed--as well as the racism and classism that shaped my generation--and thankfully cast aside, through girl-power and young presence of mind.
(Oh, and one of the best first kisses I have EVER read...)
August 22, 2019
Razor sharp and original
In some ways, this felt like the favorite 80s movie I never saw. Kind of coming of agey, kind of funny - but deliciously dark, too. I loved Jason (Devil Man!) and Samantha (Barbie - or Sammie, depending on who you ask) and Pris (no longer Prissy and definitely no longer Priscilla!) and how flashed out their characters were.
This was such a fun story. Rarely did the characters do and say what I expected...and I could say the same for the plot. Enemies to lovers. Judging people who are judging you and then finding out that maybe we’re all just flesh and bone and real, after all.
Super enjoyable. I’d read another book by this author in a second.
In some ways, this felt like the favorite 80s movie I never saw. Kind of coming of agey, kind of funny - but deliciously dark, too. I loved Jason (Devil Man!) and Samantha (Barbie - or Sammie, depending on who you ask) and Pris (no longer Prissy and definitely no longer Priscilla!) and how flashed out their characters were.
This was such a fun story. Rarely did the characters do and say what I expected...and I could say the same for the plot. Enemies to lovers. Judging people who are judging you and then finding out that maybe we’re all just flesh and bone and real, after all.
Super enjoyable. I’d read another book by this author in a second.
November 4, 2019
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of IN BETWEEN DAYS by Anne Jamison in exchange for my honest review.***
When the blurb compares a book to The Breakfast Club, The Outsiders and Veronica Mars, it had better deliver. IN BETWEEN DAYS did not. DNF
When the blurb compares a book to The Breakfast Club, The Outsiders and Veronica Mars, it had better deliver. IN BETWEEN DAYS did not. DNF
October 23, 2019
An edgy, visceral blast from the past. Great writing and believable teenage characters wrestling with a lot of grown up problems.
September 8, 2019
An enjoyable, relatable read. Consistencies with the late 80's pop culture are near spot on (although I did recognize one colloquialism early in the book that was used but had not been popularized yet (I know, right). I identified with much of the subplots as it brought back many memories of my youth. Jason's broodiness was well depicted and contrasted with Samantha's naive optimism, the resulting sexual tension was palpable. One thing I noticed early was that there was limited use of color throughout the story, ie, to describe a scene or object. This would have helped me have more accurate imagery of the characters and events that the author wanted to portray. Otherwise, I found it a delightfully memorable coming of age tale. Bravo.
October 29, 2019
Not for me. Gave up. Don't understand the strong reviews and ratings. Thought it was a waste of my time. Saw nothing of value. And there are so many other books in my to read stack that promise so much more.
March 27, 2020
I received a copy of this book from Book Siren for an honest review.
I really had a hard time finishing this book, because it dragged on like a nightmare that i was back in high school. It didn't start getting interesting until the last quarter of the book. The author tried to put snippets of the action mixed in with the characters everyday pettiness, but it just confusses the reader. I get what the author was trying to do; Bring attention to issues such as drug abuse, bullying, safe sex, under age sex and child abuse. Sorry, but this just wasn't the book for me.
I really had a hard time finishing this book, because it dragged on like a nightmare that i was back in high school. It didn't start getting interesting until the last quarter of the book. The author tried to put snippets of the action mixed in with the characters everyday pettiness, but it just confusses the reader. I get what the author was trying to do; Bring attention to issues such as drug abuse, bullying, safe sex, under age sex and child abuse. Sorry, but this just wasn't the book for me.
February 14, 2024
2.5 rounded up, kinda hard to follow, found main character kind annoying at times, not the best writing, but fine.
January 12, 2020
I was just a little girl in the 80’s, so the parts I most remember are bright clothes, big hair, fun music and great movies. I knew that wasn’t all there was to it, but let’s face it, most stories/movies/tv set in the 80’s just focuses on the light and silly bits. You might read the description of this book and have it remind you of The Breakfast Club. That’s absolutely fair. But this is a darker, heavier story. This book was not fluffy, and as much fun as fluffy can be, I felt like I respected this story a lot more for being serious.
Everyone is more than the tag assigned to them.
Samantha is the pretty popular girl.
Jason is the gorgeous Stoner boy.
Pris is the punk rock chick.
Samantha and Jason have gone to the same school for years but they don’t know each other at all.
One day Jason makes an inappropriate joke about Samantha. He doesn’t realize that Samantha is very innocent and inexperienced, she doesn’t even understand his joke.
She tells him off in front of everyone, she says basically that someone like him has no right to talk to her like that.
Later, Samantha’s friends explain the joke to her. She’s still bothered by it but she’s a really good person and she actually feels guilt for how she responded to Jason. She knows it’s ok that she defended herself against his joke but she didn’t mean to imply that she thought she was better than him.
Jason feels terrible when he realizes his joke bothered Samantha so much. He doesn’t meant to be a jerk but he keeps putting his foot in his mouth.
When Samantha actually apologized to him, he would have been smart to apologize for his own actions but he just can’t bring himself to do it.
This kind of sets the tone for their future interactions.
Jason has a terrible home life. His mom is on drugs. His father is gone. His sister has left and she was also on drugs. Unfortunately they managed to pull him into a world he wants no part of. He doesn’t want to do or sell cocaine and he’s fighting like crazy to keep the drug dealers out of his life.
It’s not easy that his slimy best friend is also in the world. And unfortunately Jason feels like his buddy is the only one he’s got in the world.
When Pris comes back into the picture, she shakes things up a bit. She becomes a real friend to Jason. She also reconnected with Samantha after she moved back home.
The end of the book got a little wild but all in all I thought it was a really good book.
It is a good reminder that you can’t and shouldn’t stick one label on a person and think that’s everything they are.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!
Everyone is more than the tag assigned to them.
Samantha is the pretty popular girl.
Jason is the gorgeous Stoner boy.
Pris is the punk rock chick.
Samantha and Jason have gone to the same school for years but they don’t know each other at all.
One day Jason makes an inappropriate joke about Samantha. He doesn’t realize that Samantha is very innocent and inexperienced, she doesn’t even understand his joke.
She tells him off in front of everyone, she says basically that someone like him has no right to talk to her like that.
Later, Samantha’s friends explain the joke to her. She’s still bothered by it but she’s a really good person and she actually feels guilt for how she responded to Jason. She knows it’s ok that she defended herself against his joke but she didn’t mean to imply that she thought she was better than him.
Jason feels terrible when he realizes his joke bothered Samantha so much. He doesn’t meant to be a jerk but he keeps putting his foot in his mouth.
When Samantha actually apologized to him, he would have been smart to apologize for his own actions but he just can’t bring himself to do it.
This kind of sets the tone for their future interactions.
Jason has a terrible home life. His mom is on drugs. His father is gone. His sister has left and she was also on drugs. Unfortunately they managed to pull him into a world he wants no part of. He doesn’t want to do or sell cocaine and he’s fighting like crazy to keep the drug dealers out of his life.
It’s not easy that his slimy best friend is also in the world. And unfortunately Jason feels like his buddy is the only one he’s got in the world.
When Pris comes back into the picture, she shakes things up a bit. She becomes a real friend to Jason. She also reconnected with Samantha after she moved back home.
The end of the book got a little wild but all in all I thought it was a really good book.
It is a good reminder that you can’t and shouldn’t stick one label on a person and think that’s everything they are.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!
January 27, 2020
This book did not gel with me, but don't write it off yet! While there were a few things I didn't love, plenty of excitement and hooks kept me reading right to the end.
In Between Days is a coming of age novel of high schoolers in suburban Chicago in the mid-80s. This book alternates chapters between Samantha, a naive high schooler whose bitchy attitude and wealth has placed her as one of the most popular girls in school, and Jason, a 'burnout' who enjoys cigarettes and women in an effort to protect himself from his troubles at home. Their stories start opposing one another, but as time goes on they intersect in a big way in the middle of the book (can you say passionate make-out scene?) and from there, their stories are forever intertwined. In between each day is an italicized interlude; a vague story that barely uses names outlining some type of violence. You find out at the end of the book what was happening, and you'll definitely want to go back and reread. Clever reference of the title, right?!
As for my review, here we go. Please note a trigger warning - this next part references sexual assault, racial slurs, drugs, and homophobia.
I loved Jason. His character was so developed - so young, so flawed, so beaten, so optimistic. I loved every chapter that was his. As for Samantha, especially at the beginning of the book, I did not relate to her at all. I did not feel like her character was fully developed, though it did improve a bit as the book went on. It felt like she wore many different faces throughout the book but they were not connected to make one complex Samantha, like Jason's plot line was. Sometimes she was naive, sometimes she was sexual, sometimes she was a total bitch, sometimes she was defending the underdog, sometimes she didn't care and other times she cared too much. This would have all been fine if it didn't feel so jagged. Seriously though - Jason's character kept me going through the book and I'm glad I did.
This book is written as if it was written in the 80s, so some of the passing slang and references caught me off-guard. I understand racial slurs were probably used openly more frequently at that time, but for a book written in 2019, I felt it could have been addressed differently. Thankfully they do address the use of these slurs and homophobia by the end of the book, but it felt long overdue by that point. There were also several scenes outlining sexual assault towards multiple characters. Perhaps I just wasn't ready for the book to take that kind of turn (I was expecting a bit more innocent of a book, I suppose?) but some of it was graphic enough to make me uncomfortable.
All things set aside, if you go into this book understanding you're going to hear about sexual violence, drugs, homophobia and racial slurs, I think it'll be a lot more enjoyable. As the reader, I was caught off-guard by this and along with some character development that left me wanting more, I think the flow of the book suffered. That being said, as the book goes on, the story gets stronger and the characters are easier to understand. The various climaxes make this story worth reading, as does the amazing scene when Samantha and Jason FINALLY kiss. Read this book, but just make sure you are in the correct mindset for it.
In Between Days is a coming of age novel of high schoolers in suburban Chicago in the mid-80s. This book alternates chapters between Samantha, a naive high schooler whose bitchy attitude and wealth has placed her as one of the most popular girls in school, and Jason, a 'burnout' who enjoys cigarettes and women in an effort to protect himself from his troubles at home. Their stories start opposing one another, but as time goes on they intersect in a big way in the middle of the book (can you say passionate make-out scene?) and from there, their stories are forever intertwined. In between each day is an italicized interlude; a vague story that barely uses names outlining some type of violence. You find out at the end of the book what was happening, and you'll definitely want to go back and reread. Clever reference of the title, right?!
As for my review, here we go. Please note a trigger warning - this next part references sexual assault, racial slurs, drugs, and homophobia.
I loved Jason. His character was so developed - so young, so flawed, so beaten, so optimistic. I loved every chapter that was his. As for Samantha, especially at the beginning of the book, I did not relate to her at all. I did not feel like her character was fully developed, though it did improve a bit as the book went on. It felt like she wore many different faces throughout the book but they were not connected to make one complex Samantha, like Jason's plot line was. Sometimes she was naive, sometimes she was sexual, sometimes she was a total bitch, sometimes she was defending the underdog, sometimes she didn't care and other times she cared too much. This would have all been fine if it didn't feel so jagged. Seriously though - Jason's character kept me going through the book and I'm glad I did.
This book is written as if it was written in the 80s, so some of the passing slang and references caught me off-guard. I understand racial slurs were probably used openly more frequently at that time, but for a book written in 2019, I felt it could have been addressed differently. Thankfully they do address the use of these slurs and homophobia by the end of the book, but it felt long overdue by that point. There were also several scenes outlining sexual assault towards multiple characters. Perhaps I just wasn't ready for the book to take that kind of turn (I was expecting a bit more innocent of a book, I suppose?) but some of it was graphic enough to make me uncomfortable.
All things set aside, if you go into this book understanding you're going to hear about sexual violence, drugs, homophobia and racial slurs, I think it'll be a lot more enjoyable. As the reader, I was caught off-guard by this and along with some character development that left me wanting more, I think the flow of the book suffered. That being said, as the book goes on, the story gets stronger and the characters are easier to understand. The various climaxes make this story worth reading, as does the amazing scene when Samantha and Jason FINALLY kiss. Read this book, but just make sure you are in the correct mindset for it.
March 22, 2020
Ok sooooooo, I thought I would loved this book so much and I am very sad I don't. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers, the teenage angst of the story and of course it's set in the 80s, but I felt at times it was hard to follow and there was just to much going on. I liked all the characters, all the music references, and hearing about the clothes. I think it dealt with a lot of issues well and a lot of it felt real, but I don't think it was all needed in the book. A little bit of to much information and characters. It was written well, but sadly I got bored. Maybe if this was a movie I'd like it better but I love the 80s and I really enjoyed going back to this time. I liked the book but it was a hard read for me
Thanks to BookSirens for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to BookSirens for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2020
Great book! Full of 80s nostalgia, high school angst, drugs and rock and roll!
Jason is troubled and his life is one slap in the face after another. After a pointless showdown in the cafeteria with the popular kids his life becomes more complicated than ever when he begins to notice Samantha, one of the barbies of his school, and her will to never back down. Little do they know this is the start of a crazy ride that will test them and their friends to the limits of what they are truly capable of to survive high school.
Such a great read! Really took me back to that time and I felt for the characters and the hard journeys they have to face. Loved it!
I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.
Jason is troubled and his life is one slap in the face after another. After a pointless showdown in the cafeteria with the popular kids his life becomes more complicated than ever when he begins to notice Samantha, one of the barbies of his school, and her will to never back down. Little do they know this is the start of a crazy ride that will test them and their friends to the limits of what they are truly capable of to survive high school.
Such a great read! Really took me back to that time and I felt for the characters and the hard journeys they have to face. Loved it!
I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.
December 30, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. The majority of what I read, I was able to enjoy, but I do believe it had the potential to be much better.
Admittedly, the male protagonist is no Bender. Just as the female is no Claire. I understand the direction and feel the author wanted this book to have but I think maybe they tried a little too hard. I thought it started out strong and I personally believe the first half of the book is much better than the second. We have the typical high school character stereotypes with the popular kids, jocks, cheerleaders and outcasts.
I didn't mind the back and forth between the 2 protags at first, but around half way through, it becomes a bit tiring. I found some of the private conversations between them, lengthy to the point it became uncomfortable and stagnant, with what became a pointless back and forth with no traction.
There was a fair amount of effort put into character development but I personally struggled to connect with most of them at times. That feeling really only worsened the further the book progressed, as there is a lot happening and there are so many new developments, some of which I found too unrealistic.
Samantha seemingly goes through a major revolution in the space of one night and one phone call.
I think this is one of the challenges when writing a book in which, you're trying to convey to the reader a believable sequence of events, that occur over such a short period of time.
I managed to keep it together, all the way 'til around chapter 36. Their relationship, the conversation that transpired on the bench, what happened with Samantha and the actions she took at the club.. it was all just a bit much and too unbelievable for me personally. So, I probably would have given a more favourable review, if it wasn't for those last chapters.
The last thing I have to mention is the amount of mistakes and typos in this book. I believe this is the final copy (not an arc) and it's just a pet peeve of mine when there are an abundance of mistakes present. It makes it feel like the author didn't care enough, so why should the reader.
*E-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Admittedly, the male protagonist is no Bender. Just as the female is no Claire. I understand the direction and feel the author wanted this book to have but I think maybe they tried a little too hard. I thought it started out strong and I personally believe the first half of the book is much better than the second. We have the typical high school character stereotypes with the popular kids, jocks, cheerleaders and outcasts.
I didn't mind the back and forth between the 2 protags at first, but around half way through, it becomes a bit tiring. I found some of the private conversations between them, lengthy to the point it became uncomfortable and stagnant, with what became a pointless back and forth with no traction.
There was a fair amount of effort put into character development but I personally struggled to connect with most of them at times. That feeling really only worsened the further the book progressed, as there is a lot happening and there are so many new developments, some of which I found too unrealistic.
Samantha seemingly goes through a major revolution in the space of one night and one phone call.
I think this is one of the challenges when writing a book in which, you're trying to convey to the reader a believable sequence of events, that occur over such a short period of time.
I managed to keep it together, all the way 'til around chapter 36. Their relationship, the conversation that transpired on the bench, what happened with Samantha and the actions she took at the club.. it was all just a bit much and too unbelievable for me personally. So, I probably would have given a more favourable review, if it wasn't for those last chapters.
The last thing I have to mention is the amount of mistakes and typos in this book. I believe this is the final copy (not an arc) and it's just a pet peeve of mine when there are an abundance of mistakes present. It makes it feel like the author didn't care enough, so why should the reader.
*E-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2020
I received a Kindle copy of In Between Days through a Goodreads giveaway. While I enjoyed the enemies to lovers and teenage angst of the story it was at times hard to follow and felt a bit clunky.
December 21, 2019
Flashback 1985, so buckle up and brace yourself for an AWESOME trip down memory lane! 'In Between Days' is an extremely well-written tale of friendship, desire, intense dislike and perhaps even love. The story starts on a typical day, in a typical midwestern city at lunchtime in a typical high school cafeteria when one off-color comment starts an intense three-way feud between the jocks, the cool girls and the burnouts. Things gradually escalate until it's an all-out war between the rival cliques, especially between Samantha (queen cool girl) and Jason (king burnout). Along the way the reader is given a glimpse into the home lives of these two characters and at times it's quite sad.
This story brought back a lot of memories for me, especially when Jamison describes the characters playing a simple game of truth-or-dare which, if you've ever played it at their age, seems anything but simple when it's happening. I actually felt my gut twist up as I was reading it, lol. There's also a backstory involving the 80's drug scene which was also very realistic. All-in-all this book is an absolute gem and a must-read for fans of the genre. Well done!
This story brought back a lot of memories for me, especially when Jamison describes the characters playing a simple game of truth-or-dare which, if you've ever played it at their age, seems anything but simple when it's happening. I actually felt my gut twist up as I was reading it, lol. There's also a backstory involving the 80's drug scene which was also very realistic. All-in-all this book is an absolute gem and a must-read for fans of the genre. Well done!
December 3, 2019
This novel jumps right into teenage angst -- with different cliques picking on each other in a school lunchroom. The story then drags for a bit, but picks back up as we begin to see real personalities from Jason, Samantha, and Pris. There are sweet moments in this book that took me back to my own high school days in the late 1980s. Revisiting that time with so many societal issues being brought to the forefront, including AIDs and homosexuality, was fun. Overall, I would have given the book four stars except for the slow parts in the first third and the ending. I won't give anything away but it didn't feel as true to life as the rest of the book did. Interesting read, especially if you are a child of the 80s or love that time period and its music.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
April 24, 2020
Different
This book was kind of odd to me. None of the characters were even likable. Maybe you had to be in high school in the 80s to relate to 15, 16 and 17 year olds who were free to do whatever they wanted 24 hours a day in a town with no police, teachers that were oblivious to everything, and, access to their rich parents’ money without any parental involvement whatsoever. One minor is fairly seriously wounded in the hospital and he is treated in the hospital without any police or parents being involved because 2 -15 year olds pay for his hospitalization; a 15 year old shoots someone in the middle of the night. No police, ambulance, parents or anyone is called, the characters instead play pool in the next room. Reality had to be suspended way too many times for me to get into this book. It was just odd.
This book was kind of odd to me. None of the characters were even likable. Maybe you had to be in high school in the 80s to relate to 15, 16 and 17 year olds who were free to do whatever they wanted 24 hours a day in a town with no police, teachers that were oblivious to everything, and, access to their rich parents’ money without any parental involvement whatsoever. One minor is fairly seriously wounded in the hospital and he is treated in the hospital without any police or parents being involved because 2 -15 year olds pay for his hospitalization; a 15 year old shoots someone in the middle of the night. No police, ambulance, parents or anyone is called, the characters instead play pool in the next room. Reality had to be suspended way too many times for me to get into this book. It was just odd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2019
I was born in 1984, so all this was done and over by the time I entered high school in the 90’s. However, I loved the 80’s culture, movies (but I hated the style, ha-ha). This book brings me to my younger years and reminded me of my own tumultuous high school years. Sammie is well off and doesn’t care what anyone thinks, especially not what bad boy Jason thinks.
The dialogue was witty and at times cringeworthy as teenagers swing from one extreme to the other. Hormones are raging out of control and one moment you hate someone’s guts, only to like-like them later. I’d certainly recommend this book to the teenagers in my life now. I think it will be relatable to them as well.
I received a free ARC from Book Sirens in exchange for my honest opinion.
The dialogue was witty and at times cringeworthy as teenagers swing from one extreme to the other. Hormones are raging out of control and one moment you hate someone’s guts, only to like-like them later. I’d certainly recommend this book to the teenagers in my life now. I think it will be relatable to them as well.
I received a free ARC from Book Sirens in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 2, 2019
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I usually give a book 20% to hook me, but I gave up on this one at 15% because I found myself skimming already. I don't understand the good reviews, the comparison to The Outsiders and Breakfast Club, or why it is touted as an 80's book. I grew up in the 80's in the midwest and wasn't connecting to this story at all. The dialogue felt forced and the characters not recognizable as anyone I knew in high school; well, they got close to some, but were so overly dramatized as to be laughable. Anyway, I have other books that I need to read and don't want to waste more time on this one. It is possible that it gets better, so I wouldn't just take my word for it.
December 19, 2019
It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I was in, I couldn’t put this book down. Samantha was such a strong character for her age and for a 80s teenager: sticking to her values, not getting influenced by others, and always following her heart. This perfect “Barbie” falls in love with a bad boy and she fights the feeling as she is always imagining the worst coming out of him. Jason Devlin, the bad boy, was so endearing despite his dirty mouthed and his rebellious attitude. I was rooting for Sam and Devlin from the beginning, and that first kiss scenes was oh-so beautiful and sweet! I totally recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2019
High school romance with an enemies to lovers story line.
Samantha is the nice girl who gets on the wrong side of bad boy Jason, then there is Pris who is Jason's new friend while also being Samantha's old best friend. Pris has returned to school but Samantha does not recognize her. Jason decides to teach Samantha a lesson about how you treat people. But Jason and Samantha beginning to see each other differently, despite everything going on around them.
This a definitely a coming of age book with both funny and dark sides, it is well written with believable characters. Worth a read.
Samantha is the nice girl who gets on the wrong side of bad boy Jason, then there is Pris who is Jason's new friend while also being Samantha's old best friend. Pris has returned to school but Samantha does not recognize her. Jason decides to teach Samantha a lesson about how you treat people. But Jason and Samantha beginning to see each other differently, despite everything going on around them.
This a definitely a coming of age book with both funny and dark sides, it is well written with believable characters. Worth a read.
October 29, 2019
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
It takes a look back at the 80’s as it tells the tale of a high school boy and girl and the people around them. How they manage to end up together and apart despite their initial dislike. The ups and downs of being a student at the time and the not so pretty side of life.
It takes a look back at the 80’s as it tells the tale of a high school boy and girl and the people around them. How they manage to end up together and apart despite their initial dislike. The ups and downs of being a student at the time and the not so pretty side of life.
November 11, 2019
I love the '80s, the time of my own high school years. I've lived in the Midwest my whole life, setting of this book. I thought I'd connect with it better than I did. It might be someone else's jam, but I didn't really connect with it as much as I'd wanted to.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 16, 2019
This was a miss for me. I found myself sludging through it. The writing was unappealing and the incessant use of slang really turned me off. The story wasn't strong enough to make this worth it for me.
November 18, 2019
The book is a good teen and young adult read. The story has a good story line, and the story is a well written read. The characters are good. The story is an enjoyable, and relatable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 27, 2020
It was okay. Not my favorite but perhaps it just wasn’t my genre. The writing style was what got me, but it wasn’t badly written. I can just be a bit picky I suppose!
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Want to read
November 11, 2019Thank you for the opportunity to review this book as a giveaway recipient. I am excited to finish it and will update my thoughts on this book soon!
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