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Tangled
Paradise wasn't supposed to suck. Not the state of being, but a resort in the Caribbean. Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all there for different reasons, but at Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Paradise will change them all. It will change Jena, whose first brush with romance takes her that much closer to having a life, and not just reading about those infinitely cooler and more exciting. It will change Dakota, who needs the devastating truth about his past to make him realize that he doesn't have to be a jerk just because people think he's one. It will change Skye, a heartbreakingly beautiful actress, who must come to terms with the fact that for once she has to stop playing a role or face the consequences. And it will change Owen, who has never risked anything before and who will take the leap from his online life to a real one all because of a girl he met at Paradise. . . . From confused to confident and back again, one thing's Four months after it all begins, none of them will ever be the same.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2009
78 people are currently reading
3531 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Mackler
24 books981 followersCarolyn Mackler is the author of the popular teen novels, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book), Infinite in Between, Tangled, Guyaholic, Vegan Virgin Valentine, and Love and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn's novel, The Future of Us, co-written with bestselling author Jay Asher, received starred reviews and appeared on several bestseller lists. Carolyn has also written Best Friend Next Door, a novel for younger readers. Carolyn's novels have been published in more than twenty countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Denmark, Israel, and Indonesia.
Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Her new novel for teens, The Universe is Expanding and So Am I, will be published in May 2018. This is the long-awaited sequel to the Printz-honor winning novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things.
Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Her new novel for teens, The Universe is Expanding and So Am I, will be published in May 2018. This is the long-awaited sequel to the Printz-honor winning novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things.
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August 8, 2011
Tangled tells the story of four different teenagers over four months.
The book is broken into 4 main sections, each one narrated by a different character. It was like reading four short stories in one volume ~ each character had a distinct "voice" (Mackler did a great job with making them all unique) and own set of problems.
The four stories are in succession over four months, each character narrating one month. There was no doubling over (or retelling of events) ~ yet different characters appeared in each others threads.
Brief hint of the contents (in terms of themes/plot):
As with short stories, I found myself more engaged in some stories and less in others. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book more.
For whatever reason, I was hugely expectant for some kind of awesome/stunning climax pulling all the threads together (perhaps even in a twist-y way). But it wasn't that kind of book. It was a quieter, more contemplative book. It was about being inside the skins of these four teens ~ and showing everything is not always as it seems from someone else's POV.
Mackler has a fab voice for teens. She writes in a straightforward manner without any flourishes or embellishments. She seems to be able to recall internal conflict and feelings that plague teens uncannily well.
It was a pleasant enough way to spend my time, hey. I stalled part-way into the book (during Dakota's story, which ended quite awesomely (a great arc) really disinterested and irked me at the beginning (a bit too intensely try-hard angsty for my preference). I can't really say she's a fave author of mine in present day, but back in my (real) teen days ;) I always liked curling up with cruise-y, yet meaningful, books like this.
The book is broken into 4 main sections, each one narrated by a different character. It was like reading four short stories in one volume ~ each character had a distinct "voice" (Mackler did a great job with making them all unique) and own set of problems.
The four stories are in succession over four months, each character narrating one month. There was no doubling over (or retelling of events) ~ yet different characters appeared in each others threads.
Brief hint of the contents (in terms of themes/plot):
Jena: a regular girl crushing on a cute jerk at a resort
Dakota: (the cute jerk) dealing with his own secret problems
Skye: a starlet model/actress finding out family secrets and dealing with mental illness
Owen: a popular anonymous blogger and shy geek guy (half brother of Dakota)
As with short stories, I found myself more engaged in some stories and less in others. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book more.
For whatever reason, I was hugely expectant for some kind of awesome/stunning climax pulling all the threads together (perhaps even in a twist-y way). But it wasn't that kind of book. It was a quieter, more contemplative book. It was about being inside the skins of these four teens ~ and showing everything is not always as it seems from someone else's POV.
Mackler has a fab voice for teens. She writes in a straightforward manner without any flourishes or embellishments. She seems to be able to recall internal conflict and feelings that plague teens uncannily well.
It was a pleasant enough way to spend my time, hey. I stalled part-way into the book (during Dakota's story, which ended quite awesomely (a great arc) really disinterested and irked me at the beginning (a bit too intensely try-hard angsty for my preference). I can't really say she's a fave author of mine in present day, but back in my (real) teen days ;) I always liked curling up with cruise-y, yet meaningful, books like this.
May 4, 2022
Review copy provided by author
Tangled is about four teenagers, who couldn't be any more different, whose lives come together while vacationing in Paradise.
First, we have Jena who is the average teenager. She likes reading. She's goes through some self esteem issues; she's not stick-thin and finally decides that she is "luscious". She's the one I can relate to, her and Owen. Jena has this "everything book" where she jots down quotes and favorite sayings, anywhere from a book to a movie to something one of her friends might say (or write in a note). She even has some Nicholas Sparks (my favorite author!) quotes in that book!
Next, there's Skye, the aspiring actress. She popular, pretty and everyone wants to either be her or be with her. Jena is very jealous of Skye and gets uncomfortable during any conversation they have. Jena and Skye are on vacation together at Paradise because their moms are BFFs. Skye may seem perfect from the outside but she's battling her own demons.
Dakota is an athlete and a typical horny teenager. He's hot and can get any girl he wants. He's on vacation with his brother, Owen, and their mom.
Owen is the computer nerd who has more friends online than in real life. He writes a blog, Loser with a Laptop, and is the complete opposite of Dakota.
Since this was my first read by Carolyn Mackler, I have to admit I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to say that she didn't disappoint; her writing blew me away. I was pulled in right from the beginning. Her writing flows smoothly and there is no fumbling. I got completely absorbed into the story from page one. This is the type of book where before you know it, you're halfway through it. And boy, does Carolyn do a great job of getting into the head of a teenage boy!
Tangled is told from 4 points of view, following each character for one month. The reader is left with a cliffhanger at the end of each character's narration but things come together by the end of the book. I was left wanting more. I wasn't ready to give up Jena's story but I got closure later on.
The title and cover fit perfectly with this book. The title is simple yet captures the essence of the book with one word. These four teenagers' lives are tangled with each other. The cover, too, is simple but it's also cute and eye catching. I love how the pink ribbon and blue ribbon meet in the middle as purple.
All in all, Tangled was a great read. I will definitely check out Carolyn Mackler's other releases!
Tangled is about four teenagers, who couldn't be any more different, whose lives come together while vacationing in Paradise.
First, we have Jena who is the average teenager. She likes reading. She's goes through some self esteem issues; she's not stick-thin and finally decides that she is "luscious". She's the one I can relate to, her and Owen. Jena has this "everything book" where she jots down quotes and favorite sayings, anywhere from a book to a movie to something one of her friends might say (or write in a note). She even has some Nicholas Sparks (my favorite author!) quotes in that book!
Next, there's Skye, the aspiring actress. She popular, pretty and everyone wants to either be her or be with her. Jena is very jealous of Skye and gets uncomfortable during any conversation they have. Jena and Skye are on vacation together at Paradise because their moms are BFFs. Skye may seem perfect from the outside but she's battling her own demons.
Dakota is an athlete and a typical horny teenager. He's hot and can get any girl he wants. He's on vacation with his brother, Owen, and their mom.
Owen is the computer nerd who has more friends online than in real life. He writes a blog, Loser with a Laptop, and is the complete opposite of Dakota.
Since this was my first read by Carolyn Mackler, I have to admit I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to say that she didn't disappoint; her writing blew me away. I was pulled in right from the beginning. Her writing flows smoothly and there is no fumbling. I got completely absorbed into the story from page one. This is the type of book where before you know it, you're halfway through it. And boy, does Carolyn do a great job of getting into the head of a teenage boy!
Tangled is told from 4 points of view, following each character for one month. The reader is left with a cliffhanger at the end of each character's narration but things come together by the end of the book. I was left wanting more. I wasn't ready to give up Jena's story but I got closure later on.
The title and cover fit perfectly with this book. The title is simple yet captures the essence of the book with one word. These four teenagers' lives are tangled with each other. The cover, too, is simple but it's also cute and eye catching. I love how the pink ribbon and blue ribbon meet in the middle as purple.
All in all, Tangled was a great read. I will definitely check out Carolyn Mackler's other releases!
July 31, 2011
I still remember the day I spontaneously bought my first Carolyn Mackler: I browsed through the musty shelves of a second-hand shop on Charing Cross Road, London, somewhat disappointed that most of what they had to offer were Penguin Classics (I had read a lot of those in an earlier reading phase of my life), coffee-table-sized volumes about gardening stuff and sticky, fly-poop-infested psycho-thrillers. In pre-internet times a trip to an English second-hand-shop used to be like Christmas Eve, because imported books in Germany belonged to the category of things I could only afford in small doses. And now, I was standing here again, at a former location of my dreams, on the verge of leaving empty-handed. On my way to the outside-bound staircase something white and pink grabbed the last ray of my waning interest: A slim and well-worn copy of Vegan, Virgin, Valentine, the only young adult novel that didn't seem to be as old as me. I dragged it half-heartedly to the counter, mainly for the sake of buying a used book - reminiscent of the times when I was twenty, a university student on summer break and touring England with my heavy backpack and a tight budget. I never expected to fall in love with that book and its heroine. After that I read and adored Guyaholic and after that I got disappointed: The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things and Love and Other Four-Letter Words didn't make the cut for me. They were well written, they touched serious issues, but they didn't stir anything in me inspite of ... well yes, inspite of being real Macklers. Thus, when "Tangled" was announced I decided to buy it, but also to wait for the paperback edition. My expectations were not particularly high anymore and a lot of luke-warm and confused reviews had turned up pre-publication.
You might have noticed: I haven't said anything about "Tangled" yet. It is kind of difficult for me, because I really, really liked it, much better then the butt- and the four-letter book, but I don't as feel mushy-gushy as I felt after putting the Valentine cousins' stories aside. Let's say, I think I regained my believe in Carolyn Mackler's abilities and I would recommend giving "Tangled" a try without hesitation.
Opposed to some irritated reviewers I think the four narrations - covering four months in succession - do fit nicely together. There are no repetitions and the important things do get tied up. There are some thin, lose ends, but I really didn't mind leaving one strand of the braid for the next one in view. Honestly, there were no puzzled "What?"-moments for me. At the end of each "report" I found myself rooting for the narrator, even for the supposed player Dakota, whom I despised in Jena's part and didn't particularly care for during the first chapters of his own. I admire the way Mrs. Mackler is able to pull that off, since I am the sort of reader who can hold a grudge against a character for several of volumes of a multiple-installments-series. Somehow she managed to sneak past my wall of inner grumbling and made me relent. Congratulations! Still, when I had to chose, I guess, I'd say liked Owen's story best. I have a thing for shy, geeky, underestimated guys and I welcome a whiff of realistic but sweet teen-romance anytime. What about you, Nomes?
You might have noticed: I haven't said anything about "Tangled" yet. It is kind of difficult for me, because I really, really liked it, much better then the butt- and the four-letter book, but I don't as feel mushy-gushy as I felt after putting the Valentine cousins' stories aside. Let's say, I think I regained my believe in Carolyn Mackler's abilities and I would recommend giving "Tangled" a try without hesitation.
Opposed to some irritated reviewers I think the four narrations - covering four months in succession - do fit nicely together. There are no repetitions and the important things do get tied up. There are some thin, lose ends, but I really didn't mind leaving one strand of the braid for the next one in view. Honestly, there were no puzzled "What?"-moments for me. At the end of each "report" I found myself rooting for the narrator, even for the supposed player Dakota, whom I despised in Jena's part and didn't particularly care for during the first chapters of his own. I admire the way Mrs. Mackler is able to pull that off, since I am the sort of reader who can hold a grudge against a character for several of volumes of a multiple-installments-series. Somehow she managed to sneak past my wall of inner grumbling and made me relent. Congratulations! Still, when I had to chose, I guess, I'd say liked Owen's story best. I have a thing for shy, geeky, underestimated guys and I welcome a whiff of realistic but sweet teen-romance anytime. What about you, Nomes?
September 11, 2010
Jena is one of those girls that talks way too much when she’s nervous. Babble, babble, babble. At least that’s how she sees herself, anyway. When her mom announces that she and Jena are accompanying her friend Luce and her daughter Skye on vacation to the Caribbean, Jena’s nerves hit boiling point. Spend an entire week with Skye, prancing around in a bathing suit? Please god, no! Skye is beautiful, popular, and a successful teen actor. Her life is oh-so-glamorous compared to Jena’s, and Jena can’t help but feel like a spazz in her presence. Who wants to spend an entire vacation stressing about being in someone else’s shadow like that?
Enter Dakota. He’s also on vacation in the Caribbean with his family and he notices Jena. She’s hot (his words, not mine) and she looks just like the distraction he needs right now. Much to Jena’s surprise, they end up hooking up, but that’s because he hasn’t met Skye yet. Dakota can be a real jerk sometimes, and his vacation in the Caribbean proves no exception.
Cue Skye here. She knows it is wrong, but when she sees Dakota with Jena, Skye knows all it will take is for her to bat her eyelids in his direction and he’ll come a wandering. And he does. It’s cruel, yes, but it makes Skye feel good, even if it is only for a moment or two. As if Jena didn’t already feel lousy enough about who she was … did Skye really have to stoop that low?
This is where Owen comes in. Owen is Dakota’s brother. Deemed a wimp by his brother and his father, Owen’s social life is non-existent. He lives for his blog and the anonymity that having an online profile provides. Where Dakota is athletic and built, Owen is asthmatic and a weedy computer geek. Dakota has picked on Owen all his life and let’s just say that Owen – like Jena – has some self – esteem issues of his own.
If you ask me, Skye isn’t really such an awful person. She’s just got issues. She’s got a charmed life – all the money, beauty, and material possessions anyone could ever hope for – but she’s still not happy. And it’s not because she’s a spoiled brat (although she certainly exhibits traits that would attest to that now and then), it’s because she’s depressed. Money and stuff can’t cure depression and I love how Mackler touches on this within Skye’s journey.
Unfortunately, Dakota does not have the same excuse. He’s not mentally ill, he’s just a jerk. In his defense, though, he’s had a bit of a hard life – but that’s no excuse, if you ask me. What we learn from Dakota, though, is that people can change, and that, my friends, is one of the most important lessons in life.
I loved Owen and Jena. To me, they represent forgiveness and second chances. Even though they are both treated badly by Skye and Dakota, when push comes to shove, they are able to forgive, forget, and make amends. The world needs more people like Owen and Jena.
The thing I loved about this book the most of all is that it demonstrates that the world is full of all kinds of people. Different colors, races, sporting abilities and intellectuality, and those differences are just that, differences. We’re all just people inside and we all deserve to be loved and treated with respect, regardless of where we come from, what we do for a living, or what we look like. Although it may be subtle, Mackler drives this message home, with each character coming to realize this in their own special way.
A mix up of male and female narration, Tangled provides examples of a variety of adolescent troubles. With just a splash of romance and a whole lot of angst, Tangled is bound to be a hit with both male and female readers alike. This one is a rare gem in a pool of glass beads.
I’ve been a fan of Carolyn Mackler’s work for a long while now, and Tangled does not disappoint!
Enter Dakota. He’s also on vacation in the Caribbean with his family and he notices Jena. She’s hot (his words, not mine) and she looks just like the distraction he needs right now. Much to Jena’s surprise, they end up hooking up, but that’s because he hasn’t met Skye yet. Dakota can be a real jerk sometimes, and his vacation in the Caribbean proves no exception.
Cue Skye here. She knows it is wrong, but when she sees Dakota with Jena, Skye knows all it will take is for her to bat her eyelids in his direction and he’ll come a wandering. And he does. It’s cruel, yes, but it makes Skye feel good, even if it is only for a moment or two. As if Jena didn’t already feel lousy enough about who she was … did Skye really have to stoop that low?
This is where Owen comes in. Owen is Dakota’s brother. Deemed a wimp by his brother and his father, Owen’s social life is non-existent. He lives for his blog and the anonymity that having an online profile provides. Where Dakota is athletic and built, Owen is asthmatic and a weedy computer geek. Dakota has picked on Owen all his life and let’s just say that Owen – like Jena – has some self – esteem issues of his own.
If you ask me, Skye isn’t really such an awful person. She’s just got issues. She’s got a charmed life – all the money, beauty, and material possessions anyone could ever hope for – but she’s still not happy. And it’s not because she’s a spoiled brat (although she certainly exhibits traits that would attest to that now and then), it’s because she’s depressed. Money and stuff can’t cure depression and I love how Mackler touches on this within Skye’s journey.
Unfortunately, Dakota does not have the same excuse. He’s not mentally ill, he’s just a jerk. In his defense, though, he’s had a bit of a hard life – but that’s no excuse, if you ask me. What we learn from Dakota, though, is that people can change, and that, my friends, is one of the most important lessons in life.
I loved Owen and Jena. To me, they represent forgiveness and second chances. Even though they are both treated badly by Skye and Dakota, when push comes to shove, they are able to forgive, forget, and make amends. The world needs more people like Owen and Jena.
The thing I loved about this book the most of all is that it demonstrates that the world is full of all kinds of people. Different colors, races, sporting abilities and intellectuality, and those differences are just that, differences. We’re all just people inside and we all deserve to be loved and treated with respect, regardless of where we come from, what we do for a living, or what we look like. Although it may be subtle, Mackler drives this message home, with each character coming to realize this in their own special way.
A mix up of male and female narration, Tangled provides examples of a variety of adolescent troubles. With just a splash of romance and a whole lot of angst, Tangled is bound to be a hit with both male and female readers alike. This one is a rare gem in a pool of glass beads.
I’ve been a fan of Carolyn Mackler’s work for a long while now, and Tangled does not disappoint!
February 16, 2011
I didn't like it, overall. It starts out with the POV of one character, on Paradise (Jena). You're introduced to all of the characters through Jena, even though she doesn't talk to all of them.
The next POV is Dakota, who you meet through Jena, obviously. I don't think that his stay at Paradise affected him at all. He didn't think about Paradise, much, and I don't think what he did there affected his actions much, and definitely not on his overall actions.
Then you have Skye. I think she's a selfish brat. Her story is about her feelings. (I'm trying not to be spoilery here) Her father has nothing to do with what happens to her. She just pulls him pointlessly into the story. She feels the way she does because she sees a dress. And Paradise did not affect her at all, really, except for something that Jena found out about.
Last is Owen. I'll credit this to Carolyn: She pulls it all full circle, bringing Jena back into the picture. Thinking back on it, Owen had a pretty interesting story.
One thing I would have liked to see in this book: I would have liked to see Dakota and Jena meet up again, just so he could admit his jerkiness. (Is that a word?)
[View the review on my blog. fantasticfantasyfan.blogspot.com:]
The next POV is Dakota, who you meet through Jena, obviously. I don't think that his stay at Paradise affected him at all. He didn't think about Paradise, much, and I don't think what he did there affected his actions much, and definitely not on his overall actions.
Then you have Skye. I think she's a selfish brat. Her story is about her feelings. (I'm trying not to be spoilery here) Her father has nothing to do with what happens to her. She just pulls him pointlessly into the story. She feels the way she does because she sees a dress. And Paradise did not affect her at all, really, except for something that Jena found out about.
Last is Owen. I'll credit this to Carolyn: She pulls it all full circle, bringing Jena back into the picture. Thinking back on it, Owen had a pretty interesting story.
One thing I would have liked to see in this book: I would have liked to see Dakota and Jena meet up again, just so he could admit his jerkiness. (Is that a word?)
[View the review on my blog. fantasticfantasyfan.blogspot.com:]
July 25, 2012
This was like a 4-part story of 4 people whose lives are entwined with each other's. And that there's more to people than there appears to be on the surface. There are reasons that people are the way they are. It reminded me a lot of that saying 'The world is a small place' or whatever it is. But the story was really good.
Part 1: Jena & her mother go on vacation to Paradise in the Caribbean with Jena's mother's best friend, Luce, who is loaded with $, and her daughter Skye, whose in movies & TV commercials and stuff. Jena wasn't confident, she had low self-esteem & thought she was ugly compared to Skye. She thinks Skye has everything. So she meets this guy Dakota, whose so hot & he fools around with her a bit & just when she thinks she might have a chance, he ditches her for Skye. Jena is heartbroken & a bit angry at Skye. Also, when she first meets Dakota, she finds a suicide note by the pool (I KNEW IT WAS SKYE!!!!!!!) which was freaky. And she sses his brother, but doesn't know who he his at the time.
Part 2: Dakota seemed like an asshole but really, he wasn't. It wasn't right for him to treat Jena like he did, but his girlfriend, Natalie had died. He has an ulcer (he had one before) & he finds out that Natalie was cheating on him with Jake, the guy she died with in that accident. Their relationship was shitty - they fought all the time & were on-&-off constantly. On the day of Natalie's ceremony at school, he gets into a fight with her brother & is suspended for the week, where his divorced parents send him to live with his bitchy, asshole-ish grandparents. There, he meets Shasta, a girl in her twenties with a 2-year old kid. She wants to fool around with him but he says no but fixes up a broken board on her porch. They stay in touch after that, too. And Dakota realizes that he can change for the better, not be an asshole.
Part 3: Skye wrote the suicide note. She writes another. She's depressed and is going through the motions of her life, hoping things will get better. She goes to auditions with some really fucked up things (working as a prostitute in a movie & doing blowjobs & stuff...) She's not happy. She doesn't care about anything anymore. She thought that Jena was so perky & had a great life. Funny how Jena thought the same. She wants to know more about her father, who also committed suicide in a motorcycle crash, she thought. So when she meets Jena for dinner again (which she's forced into) & gives her a letter, Jena freaks b/c she recognized Skye's handwriting on the suicide note she found. Next day, Skye walks out of an audition & Jena tells her mother, who tells Luce and they save Skye's life. Get her therapy & everything - so she's doing better.
Part 4: Lastly, Owen, Dakota's brother. His mother sends him to this seminar thing for unsocial teens to get away from technology. He talks to Jena online & they're friends. He knows about what happened with her & Dakota. She suggests he skip the seminar & go visit her in NYC. So he does. He scared shitless & all awkward around girls. But he goes & Dakota drops him off halfway. Dakota changed a lot. So yeah, he & Jena spend the day together. He likes her & vice versa. It was sweet. They stayed in Skye's apartment (who was in Brazil with her mother, meeting her dead father's family) and Jena kissed him! It was adorable :) And Owen realizes that for people to get a social life, things need to happen naturally. And Jena wants to take things slow & meet again.
Great story. I liked the 4 different perspectives. And I LOVED THE COVER. WITH 2 HEARTS ATTACHED WITH A RIBBON :)
Part 1: Jena & her mother go on vacation to Paradise in the Caribbean with Jena's mother's best friend, Luce, who is loaded with $, and her daughter Skye, whose in movies & TV commercials and stuff. Jena wasn't confident, she had low self-esteem & thought she was ugly compared to Skye. She thinks Skye has everything. So she meets this guy Dakota, whose so hot & he fools around with her a bit & just when she thinks she might have a chance, he ditches her for Skye. Jena is heartbroken & a bit angry at Skye. Also, when she first meets Dakota, she finds a suicide note by the pool (I KNEW IT WAS SKYE!!!!!!!) which was freaky. And she sses his brother, but doesn't know who he his at the time.
Part 2: Dakota seemed like an asshole but really, he wasn't. It wasn't right for him to treat Jena like he did, but his girlfriend, Natalie had died. He has an ulcer (he had one before) & he finds out that Natalie was cheating on him with Jake, the guy she died with in that accident. Their relationship was shitty - they fought all the time & were on-&-off constantly. On the day of Natalie's ceremony at school, he gets into a fight with her brother & is suspended for the week, where his divorced parents send him to live with his bitchy, asshole-ish grandparents. There, he meets Shasta, a girl in her twenties with a 2-year old kid. She wants to fool around with him but he says no but fixes up a broken board on her porch. They stay in touch after that, too. And Dakota realizes that he can change for the better, not be an asshole.
Part 3: Skye wrote the suicide note. She writes another. She's depressed and is going through the motions of her life, hoping things will get better. She goes to auditions with some really fucked up things (working as a prostitute in a movie & doing blowjobs & stuff...) She's not happy. She doesn't care about anything anymore. She thought that Jena was so perky & had a great life. Funny how Jena thought the same. She wants to know more about her father, who also committed suicide in a motorcycle crash, she thought. So when she meets Jena for dinner again (which she's forced into) & gives her a letter, Jena freaks b/c she recognized Skye's handwriting on the suicide note she found. Next day, Skye walks out of an audition & Jena tells her mother, who tells Luce and they save Skye's life. Get her therapy & everything - so she's doing better.
Part 4: Lastly, Owen, Dakota's brother. His mother sends him to this seminar thing for unsocial teens to get away from technology. He talks to Jena online & they're friends. He knows about what happened with her & Dakota. She suggests he skip the seminar & go visit her in NYC. So he does. He scared shitless & all awkward around girls. But he goes & Dakota drops him off halfway. Dakota changed a lot. So yeah, he & Jena spend the day together. He likes her & vice versa. It was sweet. They stayed in Skye's apartment (who was in Brazil with her mother, meeting her dead father's family) and Jena kissed him! It was adorable :) And Owen realizes that for people to get a social life, things need to happen naturally. And Jena wants to take things slow & meet again.
Great story. I liked the 4 different perspectives. And I LOVED THE COVER. WITH 2 HEARTS ATTACHED WITH A RIBBON :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2009
I have read one of Carolyn Mackler's books in the past and I was really expecting more from Tangled. It was a good book but I don't think it lived up to it's full potential. Also, the summary was a bit misleading, at least it seemed that way to me.
Tangled is the story of four different teens who meet in Paradise. The summary makes it seem like the whole story takes place in Paradise and that the characters are all together throughout the book when really only a tiny part of the book actually takes place in Paradise. After the first fifty or so pages, everyone is back living their normal lives and the time spent in Paradise is only a minuscule part of that. Also, it seems more like the things that happened when they left Paradise had a bigger impact on their lives.
The story is told from four different point-of-views but it's not the typical way. Instead of switching characters by chapters, each section of the book is a different person's story. I didn't see how they had an impact on each other's lives when they barely knew each other.
Also, I felt like as the sections of the book switched characters, the characters kind of got lost. I didn't get to know the characters very well and when they showed up later in the book, they were completely transformed but it just seemed kind of magical. I never found out what made them change or how they changed but they were different. It was just poor character development.
I did like how the author connected these four people but they weren't exactly strangers to begin with. Jena and Skye went to Paradise together as did Owen and Dakota. And it wasn't like it was a coincidence how they met. It all seemed a little to planned out. I think I was expecting it to be more spontaneous.
Overall, Tangled was just okay. I like Carolyn Mackler's writing so I still enjoyed the book, it just wasn't what I expected. It was a pretty fun book and definitely an easy one to read so check it out sometime!
Tangled is the story of four different teens who meet in Paradise. The summary makes it seem like the whole story takes place in Paradise and that the characters are all together throughout the book when really only a tiny part of the book actually takes place in Paradise. After the first fifty or so pages, everyone is back living their normal lives and the time spent in Paradise is only a minuscule part of that. Also, it seems more like the things that happened when they left Paradise had a bigger impact on their lives.
The story is told from four different point-of-views but it's not the typical way. Instead of switching characters by chapters, each section of the book is a different person's story. I didn't see how they had an impact on each other's lives when they barely knew each other.
Also, I felt like as the sections of the book switched characters, the characters kind of got lost. I didn't get to know the characters very well and when they showed up later in the book, they were completely transformed but it just seemed kind of magical. I never found out what made them change or how they changed but they were different. It was just poor character development.
I did like how the author connected these four people but they weren't exactly strangers to begin with. Jena and Skye went to Paradise together as did Owen and Dakota. And it wasn't like it was a coincidence how they met. It all seemed a little to planned out. I think I was expecting it to be more spontaneous.
Overall, Tangled was just okay. I like Carolyn Mackler's writing so I still enjoyed the book, it just wasn't what I expected. It was a pretty fun book and definitely an easy one to read so check it out sometime!
March 21, 2022
Real Rating: 0 stars
I'm surprised I actually finished this book, considering the amount of times I threw it across the room in pure disgust, because the fact is:
THIS BOOK IS THE WORST THING I HAVE EVER READ, AND I WOULD NEVER WISH IT UPON MY WORST ENEMY.
I'D SURE THEY'D RATHER BE RUN OVER BY A MONSTER TRUCK.
SO IF YOU'RE THINKING OF READING IT?
MOVE ON.
THERE ARE BETTER THINGS TO SPEND YOUR TIME ON IN LIFE THAN THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A BOOK.
I'm surprised I actually finished this book, considering the amount of times I threw it across the room in pure disgust, because the fact is:
THIS BOOK IS THE WORST THING I HAVE EVER READ, AND I WOULD NEVER WISH IT UPON MY WORST ENEMY.
I'D SURE THEY'D RATHER BE RUN OVER BY A MONSTER TRUCK.
SO IF YOU'RE THINKING OF READING IT?
MOVE ON.
THERE ARE BETTER THINGS TO SPEND YOUR TIME ON IN LIFE THAN THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A BOOK.
March 2, 2019
I loved the way each character had their own little story in the book, but it showed how their lives ended up interweaving in incredible ways. Each story has it's own little lesson to be taken away as well.
We start with Jena. Her story is a very important lesson for all teenage girls... in fact, for all girls of any age. Learn to love yourself in the skin you're in. This is something I even have to remind myself pretty much every day! Jena doesn't think she's pretty or worthy. She ends up learning not only to love herself, but she learns that the people we think have it all might not be as happy as they look.
Next comes Dakota. After suffering a huge loss, he's foundering and makes some pretty major mistakes. He ends up semi-banished, but learns to see things for what they really are and realizes he wants to make some changes in how he acts and treats other people.
Then we have Skye, whom everyone thinks is perfect. Underneath her glamour and the excitement of her life, she's struggling with inner demons that no one knows about. Her story truly touched me and I hope that anyone who is struggling like Skye will find someone to reach out to. Not one of us is all alone.
Finally, we get to know Owen. Living a life electronically, he is sent to a "Real Life" camp by a concerned mother. The lesson, of course, being that we should put down our phones, walk away from our computers, and experience life for real. When he finally does, he finds it to be more than he could have ever hoped for.
I think this is a great book for teens, as it covers so many prudent topics for their lives.
We start with Jena. Her story is a very important lesson for all teenage girls... in fact, for all girls of any age. Learn to love yourself in the skin you're in. This is something I even have to remind myself pretty much every day! Jena doesn't think she's pretty or worthy. She ends up learning not only to love herself, but she learns that the people we think have it all might not be as happy as they look.
Next comes Dakota. After suffering a huge loss, he's foundering and makes some pretty major mistakes. He ends up semi-banished, but learns to see things for what they really are and realizes he wants to make some changes in how he acts and treats other people.
Then we have Skye, whom everyone thinks is perfect. Underneath her glamour and the excitement of her life, she's struggling with inner demons that no one knows about. Her story truly touched me and I hope that anyone who is struggling like Skye will find someone to reach out to. Not one of us is all alone.
Finally, we get to know Owen. Living a life electronically, he is sent to a "Real Life" camp by a concerned mother. The lesson, of course, being that we should put down our phones, walk away from our computers, and experience life for real. When he finally does, he finds it to be more than he could have ever hoped for.
I think this is a great book for teens, as it covers so many prudent topics for their lives.
March 9, 2024
I read this book because someone in my hometown’s Facebook group was complaining about how inappropriate it was for the middle school library based solely on the book mentioning blowjobs.
It’s actually a decent read that deals with depression, grief, insecurity, and other issues teens face.
It’s actually a decent read that deals with depression, grief, insecurity, and other issues teens face.
February 1, 2011
http://inbetweenwritingandreading.blo...
The book tells the story of these four teenager, its divided in four parts for and told by the voices of each one of them, in the next order:
Jenna: Really low self-esteem.
Dakota: Stupid Jerk.
Skye: Spoiled Brat.
Owen: Loser with a laptop.
Rough first impressions right? Through the first chapter, this is all I could take from the characters, that’s who they were and how they lived, as the story progresses – like any good and complex character – there’s always more than meets the eye.
Skye did seem completely spoiled, she was gorgeous, rich, and teenage actress, but she was not happy, as you depend into the story, you sympathize with her, and you see she’s not really spoiled, just depressed and hurt. And you learn to love her.
Dakota is a total jerk, but he, too, has his reasons. Through his part of the story you see how he changes (and the hard way) and you see that he’s a good guy, and that people change.
Owen, Dakotas brother, seems like a loser and a wimpy kid, after years of being bullied by his own brother and being compared with him – whom is muscular and athletic – by his father, Owen simply, shuts down, and spends his time on his laptop, working on his blog, where he can be who he really is, and remain anonymous. In his part of the story you learn how to break free and that there’s a world outside, and you can’t live it if you’re always inside your shell.
And Jenna, who was my favorite, easy to relate too, in every aspect, from her shyness and her low self-esteem issues, to the moment she truly sees how beautiful she is and she learns to forgive, and with it, to find love.
Mackler delivered us a great work, where she showed us that people can change, the importance of forgiveness and that we are all different, In many ways, and that its ok. A flawless piece, the perfect ending, a few love stories, and characters that jump of the page.
Oh, and, as for last impressions:
Owen: Fearless.
Skye: Opens her eyes.
Dakota: People do change.
Jenna: Stronger than ever.
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The book tells the story of these four teenager, its divided in four parts for and told by the voices of each one of them, in the next order:
Jenna: Really low self-esteem.
Dakota: Stupid Jerk.
Skye: Spoiled Brat.
Owen: Loser with a laptop.
Rough first impressions right? Through the first chapter, this is all I could take from the characters, that’s who they were and how they lived, as the story progresses – like any good and complex character – there’s always more than meets the eye.
Skye did seem completely spoiled, she was gorgeous, rich, and teenage actress, but she was not happy, as you depend into the story, you sympathize with her, and you see she’s not really spoiled, just depressed and hurt. And you learn to love her.
Dakota is a total jerk, but he, too, has his reasons. Through his part of the story you see how he changes (and the hard way) and you see that he’s a good guy, and that people change.
Owen, Dakotas brother, seems like a loser and a wimpy kid, after years of being bullied by his own brother and being compared with him – whom is muscular and athletic – by his father, Owen simply, shuts down, and spends his time on his laptop, working on his blog, where he can be who he really is, and remain anonymous. In his part of the story you learn how to break free and that there’s a world outside, and you can’t live it if you’re always inside your shell.
And Jenna, who was my favorite, easy to relate too, in every aspect, from her shyness and her low self-esteem issues, to the moment she truly sees how beautiful she is and she learns to forgive, and with it, to find love.
Mackler delivered us a great work, where she showed us that people can change, the importance of forgiveness and that we are all different, In many ways, and that its ok. A flawless piece, the perfect ending, a few love stories, and characters that jump of the page.
Oh, and, as for last impressions:
Owen: Fearless.
Skye: Opens her eyes.
Dakota: People do change.
Jenna: Stronger than ever.
June 11, 2010
this book is split up into 4 parts. A girl named Jenna a quirky, quote collector girl who wants a more interesting life. A boy named Dakota who's girlfriend just died and decides to leave his player self for a new person. Also a actress/model named Skye who is playing a role so her mom doesn't know she is depressed, and Owen who must take a leap from living life on his computer to reality. When they are all intertwined through "Paradise" a resort in the Caribbean, each of them change there lives.
I can relate this book to a movie I saw about a high school students that all have a problem and all want to change. One of the characters is a nerd trying to fit in. Another the popular girl who picks on everyone. A boy who doesn't know when to say yes and another girl who can't stand her body. This is like tangled because they all have problems that they want to fix and maybe someone with a different problem can help you too.
I rated this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed how it was split up into 4 different characters but they all intertwined together. I would recommend this book to someone who likes books about people trying to change for the best. I hope a second one comes out!
I can relate this book to a movie I saw about a high school students that all have a problem and all want to change. One of the characters is a nerd trying to fit in. Another the popular girl who picks on everyone. A boy who doesn't know when to say yes and another girl who can't stand her body. This is like tangled because they all have problems that they want to fix and maybe someone with a different problem can help you too.
I rated this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed how it was split up into 4 different characters but they all intertwined together. I would recommend this book to someone who likes books about people trying to change for the best. I hope a second one comes out!
July 21, 2011
As someone who really enjoyed all of Carolyn Mackler's books so far, i was looking forward to reading Tangled. However, the book was a disappointment for me.
First of all, none of the characters had a spark for me that made me feel like I wanted to know more about them. Jena had potential, but still didn't interest me at all for some reason. Dakota was kind of an a-hole, but "changed his ways" by choosing to... Not sleep with an older, single mother. Skye was just kind of flat and depressing to read about. And Owen... Well, his part was probably my favorite, so I can't complain about him.
Second, the plot wasn't really what I was expecting. I thought it would be spending more time at Paradise, but in reality that was only the first of four parts. I just wasn't very interested in what was going on. And then in Skye's part the whole thing builds up to an event that was practically ignored in the end.
I don't remember what else I was going to say... Just, if you want a good book by Carolyn Mackler, I'd suggest Guyholic or Vegan Virgin Valentine (and of course The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things!)
First of all, none of the characters had a spark for me that made me feel like I wanted to know more about them. Jena had potential, but still didn't interest me at all for some reason. Dakota was kind of an a-hole, but "changed his ways" by choosing to... Not sleep with an older, single mother. Skye was just kind of flat and depressing to read about. And Owen... Well, his part was probably my favorite, so I can't complain about him.
Second, the plot wasn't really what I was expecting. I thought it would be spending more time at Paradise, but in reality that was only the first of four parts. I just wasn't very interested in what was going on. And then in Skye's part the whole thing builds up to an event that was practically ignored in the end.
I don't remember what else I was going to say... Just, if you want a good book by Carolyn Mackler, I'd suggest Guyholic or Vegan Virgin Valentine (and of course The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things!)
March 28, 2010
There are some books that, once I see the cover, I know I need to read it. I see the cover or the title and I just know that I'm going to love it.
This was one of those books.
People are always talking about Carolyn Mackler and how she is one of the greatest YA authors on the market. Now, after reading this, I understand why.
This was the first Carolyn Mackler book I have read. It is not going to be the last.
Tangled is about four people and how one week changes all of their lives. The book follows them over the course of four months, each narrator telling their side of the story. For each month, there is a different narrator. The book follows them for only a few days, but it is always enough to know that that one weekend in Paradise changed their lives.
It changed everyone.
The first narrator is Jena. Jena is a sweet, innocent girl. She has a composition notebook that she writes quotes in. She reads books written years and years before she was born.
She has never been in love.
When her mother tells her that they are going to Paradise, an island in the Caribbean, Jena is hesitant yet strangely excited to go. Jena's mother's old college friend had two extra tickets and offered them to Jena's mom and that was that. She was on her way.
Off to Paradise with Jena, her mother, and her mother's friend, was Skye. Since they were children, Jena and Skye have always been pushed together while their mothers catch up on their lives since college. Where Jena is awkward and shy, Skye is luscious and confident.
Or...she used to be.
In Paradise, Jena doesn't fall in love. She does meet a boy, and she does learn quite a few things about herself and the world of relationships. She finds a suicide note. She realizes that Paradise might not be everything she'd made it out to be.
She grows.
The second narrator is Dakota. He's the boy that Jena hooked up with. The first part of the book, Jena's part, took place in April. Now, we are in May.
Dakota is your typical teenage boy- cocky, arrogant, secretly sensitive. He has been dating a girl named Natalie on and off for quite some time. They fight and break up, get back together. They always end up alright, for the most part. Until she dies.
Now, a few months later, he has put Paradise behind him. He barely even thinks about Jena anymore. She didn't mean much of anything at all to him. Now, he only thinks about Natalie.
Dakota's part begins the day of an assembly at his high school, remembering Natalie. Her family is there, her old friends that used to be his friends. He's going to have to make a speech. He's going to have to stand in front of everyone and speak about how much he loved Natalie, how much he loves her. Fast forward a few hours and he's packing his bags for his grandparents' house.
Dakota's parents are divorced, Dakota living with his overbearing policeman father, Dakota's younger brother living with his mom. He used to visit them, the other half of his family. He doesn't anymore.
At his grandparents' house, Dakota also learns quite a bit about himself. He realizes that those few days with Jena meant a lot more to him than he thought. It's not that he has feelings for Jena, but it's that he can't do that anymore, hook up with girls. So Dakota decides to restart, with the help of a woman he meets while he's out for a walk.
Dakota decides to give himself another chance.
The third part of Tangled is from Skye's point of view. Skye has spent her whole life living in NYC, making her way around town auditioning for commercials and movies, primetime TV shows. She's landed a few roles, been rejected for almost as many. And there's always been that pressure on her, even if she puts it on herself.
The past few months, things have been...difficult for Skye. The boy she was in love with left her. The roles she have been auditioning for are draining. She's faking it, the smile and the happiness and she's an actress, so shouldn't she be able to pull it off?
She has pulled it off, for a long time. Skye doesn't think she can do it anymore.
In Paradise, she mostly just avoided everyone. She sat in the sun and in the shade and in her hotel room, thinking and thinking about the girl she used to be.
Now, in June, she's running on empty. She's auditioning for two roles that are more important than all of the other ones she's been trying for the past few months. Her mother is pushing her and pushing her, even if she doesn't mean to.
Skye can't keep going. She knows that she can't fake it anymore. She knows that is it.
She makes a decision.
The fourth and final narrator is Owen. Owen is your typical geek- tall, lanky, technology-savvy. He's awkward and shy, always hiding behind a computer screen and writing on his blog Loser With A Computer.
He is Dakota's younger brother.
When his story begins, he's at a technology detox workshop at a hotel a few towns over from where he lives, being forced to communicate with people who are just like aren't anything like him. They take his phone and his computer and he doesn't know what to do. I thought it was ironic that he was at a technology detox seminar because, earlier this week, I read Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn, which is about the same thing.
Owen just wants to see his computer, just wants to feel it next to him. He wants to write on his blog and talk to Miz J and, wait, Miz J?
Correct. Jena.
When Jena was in Paradise, she saw Owen writing on his blog. She saw the title and she saw him but she didn't say anything because, well, she was shy.
It's easier to fall in love with someone over the internet.
It begins with a simple sentence, Jena telling Owen that he should take the bus to NYC and see her at the museum she's interning at for the summer. It would be so easy, to break out of the hotel and get on a bus. It would be so easy. So he does it.
I'm trying to be careful about the things I write about because I really don't want to give anything away. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, which is something I loved. Owen takes the bus to NYC and finally meets Jena.
The ending of the book is perfect.
Carolyn Mackler's writing is wonderful. Funny and intense, layered characters and a layered storyline. It's easy to follow, especially because you're not jumping from character to character. In each part, you are updated on what's going on with the other characters. Even if the layout of the book was puzzling at first, it all comes together. There are no loose ends by the end of this book.
I didn't expect who wrote the suicide note. I was thinking about it the whole time I was reading the book, and when I finally found out I dropped the book and just thought, What?!
The cover and the characters, the story and the writing...it's all perfect. Carolyn Mackler has written a brilliant book about four people and how just a few days can change the rest of their lives.
We never really think about it, how important everything that happens to us is. Even the insignificant things end up meaning much more than we expect them to.
Tangled is the perfect example.
A-
This was one of those books.
People are always talking about Carolyn Mackler and how she is one of the greatest YA authors on the market. Now, after reading this, I understand why.
This was the first Carolyn Mackler book I have read. It is not going to be the last.
Tangled is about four people and how one week changes all of their lives. The book follows them over the course of four months, each narrator telling their side of the story. For each month, there is a different narrator. The book follows them for only a few days, but it is always enough to know that that one weekend in Paradise changed their lives.
It changed everyone.
The first narrator is Jena. Jena is a sweet, innocent girl. She has a composition notebook that she writes quotes in. She reads books written years and years before she was born.
She has never been in love.
When her mother tells her that they are going to Paradise, an island in the Caribbean, Jena is hesitant yet strangely excited to go. Jena's mother's old college friend had two extra tickets and offered them to Jena's mom and that was that. She was on her way.
Off to Paradise with Jena, her mother, and her mother's friend, was Skye. Since they were children, Jena and Skye have always been pushed together while their mothers catch up on their lives since college. Where Jena is awkward and shy, Skye is luscious and confident.
Or...she used to be.
In Paradise, Jena doesn't fall in love. She does meet a boy, and she does learn quite a few things about herself and the world of relationships. She finds a suicide note. She realizes that Paradise might not be everything she'd made it out to be.
She grows.
The second narrator is Dakota. He's the boy that Jena hooked up with. The first part of the book, Jena's part, took place in April. Now, we are in May.
Dakota is your typical teenage boy- cocky, arrogant, secretly sensitive. He has been dating a girl named Natalie on and off for quite some time. They fight and break up, get back together. They always end up alright, for the most part. Until she dies.
Now, a few months later, he has put Paradise behind him. He barely even thinks about Jena anymore. She didn't mean much of anything at all to him. Now, he only thinks about Natalie.
Dakota's part begins the day of an assembly at his high school, remembering Natalie. Her family is there, her old friends that used to be his friends. He's going to have to make a speech. He's going to have to stand in front of everyone and speak about how much he loved Natalie, how much he loves her. Fast forward a few hours and he's packing his bags for his grandparents' house.
Dakota's parents are divorced, Dakota living with his overbearing policeman father, Dakota's younger brother living with his mom. He used to visit them, the other half of his family. He doesn't anymore.
At his grandparents' house, Dakota also learns quite a bit about himself. He realizes that those few days with Jena meant a lot more to him than he thought. It's not that he has feelings for Jena, but it's that he can't do that anymore, hook up with girls. So Dakota decides to restart, with the help of a woman he meets while he's out for a walk.
Dakota decides to give himself another chance.
The third part of Tangled is from Skye's point of view. Skye has spent her whole life living in NYC, making her way around town auditioning for commercials and movies, primetime TV shows. She's landed a few roles, been rejected for almost as many. And there's always been that pressure on her, even if she puts it on herself.
The past few months, things have been...difficult for Skye. The boy she was in love with left her. The roles she have been auditioning for are draining. She's faking it, the smile and the happiness and she's an actress, so shouldn't she be able to pull it off?
She has pulled it off, for a long time. Skye doesn't think she can do it anymore.
In Paradise, she mostly just avoided everyone. She sat in the sun and in the shade and in her hotel room, thinking and thinking about the girl she used to be.
Now, in June, she's running on empty. She's auditioning for two roles that are more important than all of the other ones she's been trying for the past few months. Her mother is pushing her and pushing her, even if she doesn't mean to.
Skye can't keep going. She knows that she can't fake it anymore. She knows that is it.
She makes a decision.
The fourth and final narrator is Owen. Owen is your typical geek- tall, lanky, technology-savvy. He's awkward and shy, always hiding behind a computer screen and writing on his blog Loser With A Computer.
He is Dakota's younger brother.
When his story begins, he's at a technology detox workshop at a hotel a few towns over from where he lives, being forced to communicate with people who are just like aren't anything like him. They take his phone and his computer and he doesn't know what to do. I thought it was ironic that he was at a technology detox seminar because, earlier this week, I read Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn, which is about the same thing.
Owen just wants to see his computer, just wants to feel it next to him. He wants to write on his blog and talk to Miz J and, wait, Miz J?
Correct. Jena.
When Jena was in Paradise, she saw Owen writing on his blog. She saw the title and she saw him but she didn't say anything because, well, she was shy.
It's easier to fall in love with someone over the internet.
It begins with a simple sentence, Jena telling Owen that he should take the bus to NYC and see her at the museum she's interning at for the summer. It would be so easy, to break out of the hotel and get on a bus. It would be so easy. So he does it.
I'm trying to be careful about the things I write about because I really don't want to give anything away. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, which is something I loved. Owen takes the bus to NYC and finally meets Jena.
The ending of the book is perfect.
Carolyn Mackler's writing is wonderful. Funny and intense, layered characters and a layered storyline. It's easy to follow, especially because you're not jumping from character to character. In each part, you are updated on what's going on with the other characters. Even if the layout of the book was puzzling at first, it all comes together. There are no loose ends by the end of this book.
I didn't expect who wrote the suicide note. I was thinking about it the whole time I was reading the book, and when I finally found out I dropped the book and just thought, What?!
The cover and the characters, the story and the writing...it's all perfect. Carolyn Mackler has written a brilliant book about four people and how just a few days can change the rest of their lives.
We never really think about it, how important everything that happens to us is. Even the insignificant things end up meaning much more than we expect them to.
Tangled is the perfect example.
A-
June 22, 2018
This is a story of four individuals battling their teenage problems.
It is a diverse read which tackles different mental health issues so I like the story over all.
i just didn't feel how it is written but it is original. This is the first time I saw the writing style Carolyn Mackler used.
This is a good read if you are looking for a diverse read!
It is a diverse read which tackles different mental health issues so I like the story over all.
i just didn't feel how it is written but it is original. This is the first time I saw the writing style Carolyn Mackler used.
This is a good read if you are looking for a diverse read!
May 30, 2022
Ovo nam djelo pokazuje kako na svijetu postoji cijeli spektar različitih osobnosti i karaktera i bez obzira na to što se knjiga uvrštava u tinejdžerski žanr, njena poruka može dirnuti bilo koga od nas. Knjigu sam pročitala nekoliko puta i svaki bi je put drugačije protumačila. Kompozicija djela je vrlo dobro strukturirana, a cijeloj knjizi još veću važnost daje spomenuti efekt leptirovih krila, pogotovo kada ga krenete primjenjivati u svakodnevici.
June 19, 2023
Super easy read! Hooks you in from the start, and keeps you on your toes the entire time. Loved this book!
April 20, 2010
It's been a couple of years since I picked up a Carolyn Mackler novel. I started with the wonderful Vegan Virgin Valentine and enjoyed it so much I followed it up with her Printz Honor-winning The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, which I also thought was an entertaining and thought-provoking read. And while Mara from Vegan Virgin Valentine is my favorite of her protagonists, I particularly enjoyed Virginia's journey to self-possession in The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, with her "Fat Girl Code of Conduct" and her refusal to starve herself to change who she is. When I heard about TANGLED, I was interested in the story of four very different teenagers whose lives become entwined and how they are changed as a result. So when I encountered the opportunity to review the book here I jumped at the chance to return once more to an author I'd enjoyed so much in the past.
Jena is on the vacation from hell. Which is ironic as she's come to an island getaway literally called Paradise. But it's not the place that's the problem. It's the people. Her normally terminally average mother is suddenly going to daily spa appointments with her rich best friend and drinking exotic drinks out of pineapples. Meanwhile, Jena is forced to "hang out" with her mom's best friend's daughter Skye and try (and fail) not to compare herself to her to a fatal degree. Skye is Jena's opposite in every way. Where Jena is short and curvy, Skye is tall and lithe. Where Jena is talkative and nerdy, Skye is remote and a budding actress. The two have less than nothing to talk about and so Jena finds herself wandering around Paradise alone wishing she were at home. Then she meets Dakota. Charming and handsome and seemingly interested in shy Jena from Topeka, Dakota is everything she longs for and is sure she can never have. Their time spent together is akin to a dream come true for Jena, though she's never quite sure if he's for real or not and how far she'll have to go to keep him. Especially with Skye swanning around looking desolate and lonely and in need of a willing body to sweep her off her feet. And then there's Owen. Owen who runs a blog called Loser with a Laptop and who prefers to interact with people online rather than in person. That way he can be snarky and cool and never have to be embarrassed by his scrawny, nonathletic build and tendency to pull out his breathalyser when things get tense. These four teens are each more precariously balanced than they realize and whether or not they will recover from the events of the summer is the million dollar question.
I'm happy to say Carolyn Mackler does not disappoint with her fifth novel. I went in not sure I was really in the mood for an alternating viewpoint story about four teens who meet on an island in the middle of the Caribbean and drama ensues. But I should have remembered how strong and true to life Carolyn Mackler's characterizations are. Each of the four stories covers the space of one month and is told from one of the youth's perspectives, going from Jena to Dakota to Skye to Owen. It was a little jarring moving from Jena to Dakota, given the way I felt about him at the end of Jena's section. But the way the reader is just dropped smack dab into the unhappy mess that is his life effectively erases any disgruntlement at the switch within a few pages. And by the end of Dakota's section I just wanted it to go on, but I was all right making the move to Skye having had the surprising experience of getting to know Dakota. But Owen's--the final story--may be my favorite. His is painful in its way (as are the others) but it also skillfully pulls them all together and hints at what the future might hold for each without detouring from the very endearing, socially challenged blogger. I read this book in a single gulp the night before last and I closed it, smiled, and went to bed happy. But I've found myself thinking about it ever since and feeling rather proud of each of the protagonists for taking control of their lives and wondering how they're doing and hoping they're happy and healthy and well.
Jena is on the vacation from hell. Which is ironic as she's come to an island getaway literally called Paradise. But it's not the place that's the problem. It's the people. Her normally terminally average mother is suddenly going to daily spa appointments with her rich best friend and drinking exotic drinks out of pineapples. Meanwhile, Jena is forced to "hang out" with her mom's best friend's daughter Skye and try (and fail) not to compare herself to her to a fatal degree. Skye is Jena's opposite in every way. Where Jena is short and curvy, Skye is tall and lithe. Where Jena is talkative and nerdy, Skye is remote and a budding actress. The two have less than nothing to talk about and so Jena finds herself wandering around Paradise alone wishing she were at home. Then she meets Dakota. Charming and handsome and seemingly interested in shy Jena from Topeka, Dakota is everything she longs for and is sure she can never have. Their time spent together is akin to a dream come true for Jena, though she's never quite sure if he's for real or not and how far she'll have to go to keep him. Especially with Skye swanning around looking desolate and lonely and in need of a willing body to sweep her off her feet. And then there's Owen. Owen who runs a blog called Loser with a Laptop and who prefers to interact with people online rather than in person. That way he can be snarky and cool and never have to be embarrassed by his scrawny, nonathletic build and tendency to pull out his breathalyser when things get tense. These four teens are each more precariously balanced than they realize and whether or not they will recover from the events of the summer is the million dollar question.
I'm happy to say Carolyn Mackler does not disappoint with her fifth novel. I went in not sure I was really in the mood for an alternating viewpoint story about four teens who meet on an island in the middle of the Caribbean and drama ensues. But I should have remembered how strong and true to life Carolyn Mackler's characterizations are. Each of the four stories covers the space of one month and is told from one of the youth's perspectives, going from Jena to Dakota to Skye to Owen. It was a little jarring moving from Jena to Dakota, given the way I felt about him at the end of Jena's section. But the way the reader is just dropped smack dab into the unhappy mess that is his life effectively erases any disgruntlement at the switch within a few pages. And by the end of Dakota's section I just wanted it to go on, but I was all right making the move to Skye having had the surprising experience of getting to know Dakota. But Owen's--the final story--may be my favorite. His is painful in its way (as are the others) but it also skillfully pulls them all together and hints at what the future might hold for each without detouring from the very endearing, socially challenged blogger. I read this book in a single gulp the night before last and I closed it, smiled, and went to bed happy. But I've found myself thinking about it ever since and feeling rather proud of each of the protagonists for taking control of their lives and wondering how they're doing and hoping they're happy and healthy and well.
Read
December 2, 2011I really enjoyed reading the book, called Tangled by Carolyn Mackler I loved it at first this wasn’t the book I was suppose to read I was actually reading another book but once I started reading this one I instantly feel for it. I found it to be a really well written book it was funny, heart- warming, filled with tragedy but also filled with love. It really highlights the effect of small things on a persons life and builds suspense till the end of it. Every page I read kept me wanting to know more about what it was all about. It is the story of four teens who spend a few days at Caribbean resort called Paradise. It s Jena is an insecure 16 year old girl who threw out her life has followed the acting career of her mother's best friend's daughter. A small fling with a really cute boy at Paradise leaves her heartbroken but stronger than ever. She is finally able to find herself because of this since the boy ends up leaving her for Skye. Skye is everything that most girls including Jena want to be. Rich, famous, and gorgeous, but lately, she's been really down. So down in fact, that she's been writing suicide notes and leaving them in random spots one of which, is found by Jena. The discovery of the note and revelations about her father finally get Skye some help, and some answers. Then there’s Dakota he is dealing with the heavy grief and guilt of losing his long time girlfriend who died in while in the car with another guy and who she was cheating on him with that he knew nothing about, yet he didn’t really mind much since they were more always breaking up. The brother of his dead girl friend starts telling that while they were in a family trip together she had cheated on him with some guy there and that the necklace she gave him was the necklace that guy gave her. Dakota then socks him and he gets suspended from school and his baseball team then later he almost gets arrested and his parents find out about both incidents. Then his mother decides to take him and his brother, Owen, to Paradise. There, he does what everyone expects him to do, he acts like a jerk towards a really nice - but kind of insecure- girl. When he gets home, the massive amount of trouble he causes gets him exiled to his grandparents house for a week where he meets a woman who makes him realize something important. Just because people expect you to be a bad person, it doesn't mean you have to be one. Owen has never been good at sports like his brother, Dakota, and he's never been good with people. His love-affair with his computer and his blog force his mother to send him to a seminar for internet-addicted kids. What he doesn't know is that he met someone who is recently new and improved who just might help him break out of his shell. This is Jena she remember seeing Owen at the Paradise resort and on his computer he had a sticker on it and she remembered it looked it up and it was his blog after that she starts writing to him they become friends and they meet up in New York and Owen really likes her. The book is awesome the first part is all about Jena, the second part is about Dakota, the 3 part is Skye , and the ending is Owen. I found it funny how this one trip had such a positive impact on all there lives and how they connected them even more. Since they went on this trip Skye was able to find out that he dad actually committed suicide, unlike what her mother told he died in a motorcycle accident. It also helped her because Jena was able to find that note and Skye was able to get the help she needed. Jena was able to become a stronger person and find happiness with Owen and Dakota was able to see what he was doing wrong and change for the better. Overall I loved this book!
January 12, 2011
Summary: Four teens visit Paradise, a resort in the Caribbean, and their lives become tangled together after they meet. Jena is a shy girl hungry for romance, Skye is a sophisticated model and aspiring actress, Dakota is a handsome and popular screw-up who acts like he’s God’s gift to women, and Owen is his sensitive brother who lives through his online blog. As their lives intersect, they learn to look beyond their superficial impressions of each other and discover that each is much more complicated that the other imagined. Not only that, they are also more alike than they know, despite the fact that they seem to all live in completely different worlds.
Plot/Setting: The paradise resort setting provides a nice ironic contrast to the troubles that each teen carries around with them. The story is told by each character chronologically, beginning in April, with Jena’s story and ending in July, with Owen’s story. The use of chronology, with each story told in succeeding months, highlights the development and growth of the characters. This is a character driven novel and the plot serves to develop each character.
Characters: I enjoyed the contrast between these characters, who on the surface are seemingly worlds apart. This book is a coming of age, self discovery novel and as one might imagine, the sophisticated Skye, who seems to have everything, is in fact racked with insecurity. Jena, who on the surface is the insecure one, learns to be more confident even after a disastrous romantic encounter with Dakota. The other characters are “flipped” in similar fashion. I found that to be somewhat predictable, although enjoyable.
Style: Separating the novel into the different “stories” of each character is an effective way of comparing and contrasting them. The writing has a good pace, without an excess of exposition. This is a serviceable novel that really does not do anything spectacular, but is enjoyable to read.
Plot/Setting: The paradise resort setting provides a nice ironic contrast to the troubles that each teen carries around with them. The story is told by each character chronologically, beginning in April, with Jena’s story and ending in July, with Owen’s story. The use of chronology, with each story told in succeeding months, highlights the development and growth of the characters. This is a character driven novel and the plot serves to develop each character.
Characters: I enjoyed the contrast between these characters, who on the surface are seemingly worlds apart. This book is a coming of age, self discovery novel and as one might imagine, the sophisticated Skye, who seems to have everything, is in fact racked with insecurity. Jena, who on the surface is the insecure one, learns to be more confident even after a disastrous romantic encounter with Dakota. The other characters are “flipped” in similar fashion. I found that to be somewhat predictable, although enjoyable.
Style: Separating the novel into the different “stories” of each character is an effective way of comparing and contrasting them. The writing has a good pace, without an excess of exposition. This is a serviceable novel that really does not do anything spectacular, but is enjoyable to read.
January 21, 2016
I thought Tangled was okay! It had a lot of potential to be really cute, but it wasn't as cute or fun as I thought it would be.
I think a large part of it is how the story is told. We get 4 teens, and they each get a section- each teen gets a month or so, before we move on to the next character. The four stories don't intersect as much as I though they would, and as far as the ending goes, I really expected all four of them to come together, and for all four stories to come together in some really interesting, big way. And it didn't, and I was disappointed with that, because what I thought was going to happen didn't actually happen. Not that I had something in mind, because I didn't, but I was still expecting something to tie all of them together at the end.
I also thought there would be more time at Paradise, but instead we see what life is like for all of them after that trip. Other than both girls meeting Dakota, and Jena finding a note that Skye left behind that sets up something in Skye's section, I didn't really get the point behind going to Paradise. It almost didn't matter that they all went, except it sort of does, and not in a way that adds much of anything to the story.
With the four characters getting their own story over the course of four months, you get some insight into each character, but it also broke up the flow of the story, and it made the book seem like four separate stories that randomly connect instead of one cohesive story. It just made it hard to get into the book and even harder to get invested in any one character, especially since you basically get one character's story and then you're pretty much done with them because you're not really going to see them again.
My Rating: 2 stars. It was okay, and I don't really have strong enough feelings about it to care one way or another.
I think a large part of it is how the story is told. We get 4 teens, and they each get a section- each teen gets a month or so, before we move on to the next character. The four stories don't intersect as much as I though they would, and as far as the ending goes, I really expected all four of them to come together, and for all four stories to come together in some really interesting, big way. And it didn't, and I was disappointed with that, because what I thought was going to happen didn't actually happen. Not that I had something in mind, because I didn't, but I was still expecting something to tie all of them together at the end.
I also thought there would be more time at Paradise, but instead we see what life is like for all of them after that trip. Other than both girls meeting Dakota, and Jena finding a note that Skye left behind that sets up something in Skye's section, I didn't really get the point behind going to Paradise. It almost didn't matter that they all went, except it sort of does, and not in a way that adds much of anything to the story.
With the four characters getting their own story over the course of four months, you get some insight into each character, but it also broke up the flow of the story, and it made the book seem like four separate stories that randomly connect instead of one cohesive story. It just made it hard to get into the book and even harder to get invested in any one character, especially since you basically get one character's story and then you're pretty much done with them because you're not really going to see them again.
My Rating: 2 stars. It was okay, and I don't really have strong enough feelings about it to care one way or another.
January 23, 2016
This book was written phenomenally! It had four main characters who all met on a vacation to Paradise (a tourist resort.) Jenna and Skye are cousins. Skye is a tall, beautiful young actress who is depressed and jealous of Jenna’s cute, easygoing manner. Jenna is self-conscious of her more full figure, and doesn’t like standing next to Skye for fear people will think she’s ugly. Dakota, a teenage guy staying at the resort with his mom and younger brother, is on the rebound after his girlfriend died while cheating on him with another guy. He kisses Jenna, then leaves her to flirt with Skye. Jenna is crushed, but while using the hotel’s computer, sees Owen’s blog open on his computer (Owen is Dakota’s younger brother, but Jenna doesn’t know that,) and visits his blog later. She has online conversations with him, and they finally meet in New York. Jenna tells him about kissing his brother, but then confesses he treated her badly and that she really likes Owen. Owen likes her back, and the two start to date. Skye attempts suicide, but gets help and turns her life around, and Dakota meets a girl that he really cares about and becomes a good boyfriend.
I liked this book because it showed how differently people perceive their situations. For instance- Jenna is envious of Skye’s fame and beauty, but Skye hates the pressure and attention that her gifts inevitably bring her. Skye wants to be happy and normal like Jenna. As of now, this is my favorite book and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind romance and suicide attempts.
I liked this book because it showed how differently people perceive their situations. For instance- Jenna is envious of Skye’s fame and beauty, but Skye hates the pressure and attention that her gifts inevitably bring her. Skye wants to be happy and normal like Jenna. As of now, this is my favorite book and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind romance and suicide attempts.
March 5, 2010
I think it's hard to expect too much with a book that's told from four different perspectives. Granted, Mackler does a good job with voice, and trying to differentiate her characters mostly by the manner they spoke in, but she gave so little time for each person that I felt cheated. Skye's story was especially abrupt, and I braced myself for the worst (which would hit another climax in the story), but everything turned out to be peachy-keen (I still don't know if this is a good or bad thing). Jenna's 360 degrees transformation left me wondering what, exactly, happened, and how she could have changed so drastically. I just saw a completely different Jenna in Owen's perspective than the Jenna we're presented in the first part of the novel, and was a bit disturbed by the quick change. Of course, we're told why she's become like this, but having never seen the transformation come together piece by piece, it caught me a little off guard.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed Tangled. I love Mackler's writing, and usually fall for her characters. Jenna was pretty typical, as well as Owen, whereas Skye's was a bit creepy, but I loved Dakota's story. Well, I didn't particularly like his character, but he changed the most. He was arrogant and a jerk, then guilty and angry, then reflective and philosophical, and finally, brotherly and supportive. I just liked seeing the major changes in this character, and thought he was pretty fleshed out.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed Tangled. I love Mackler's writing, and usually fall for her characters. Jenna was pretty typical, as well as Owen, whereas Skye's was a bit creepy, but I loved Dakota's story. Well, I didn't particularly like his character, but he changed the most. He was arrogant and a jerk, then guilty and angry, then reflective and philosophical, and finally, brotherly and supportive. I just liked seeing the major changes in this character, and thought he was pretty fleshed out.
May 6, 2010
Tangled follows the lives of four teenagers over a four-month period. Jena, Skye, Dakota, and Owen each narrate one month, starting with the month when their lives collided at a beach resort. It’s difficult to summarize this book, because I don’t want to give too much away, but each of the teens is dealing with some sort of insecurity or depression. Jena is concerned about her body, especially in comparison with skinny and beautiful Skye, who’s hiding some secrets about her perfect life. Dakota acts like a jerk, but maybe he doesn’t have to. Owen is more involved with the Internet than he is with his real life. After their time at the beach resort, however, all of these teens begin learning how to grow into the adults they want to be.
I’m becoming a devoted fan of Carolyn Mackler’s books. I read her debut novel first, Love and Other Four Letter Words (hooked me on the title alone), but my favorite is definitely Vegan Virgin Valentine, mainly because I identified with the Type-A protagonist in desperate need of a wake-up call. They’re all such fun reads. Tangled is a different sort of book, but I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. I love the different voices that Mackler conjures: they’re all so honest and quirky. You end up rooting for all of them, even if you didn’t think you would. I’ll be keeping a lookout for her next novel.
I’m becoming a devoted fan of Carolyn Mackler’s books. I read her debut novel first, Love and Other Four Letter Words (hooked me on the title alone), but my favorite is definitely Vegan Virgin Valentine, mainly because I identified with the Type-A protagonist in desperate need of a wake-up call. They’re all such fun reads. Tangled is a different sort of book, but I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. I love the different voices that Mackler conjures: they’re all so honest and quirky. You end up rooting for all of them, even if you didn’t think you would. I’ll be keeping a lookout for her next novel.
November 24, 2015
I'm no stranger to Macklers books, having read all of them, I have to say that this didn't quite manage to top "The Earth, My Butt, and other Big Round Things" Which I adore and still flip through to this day, despite having read it hundreds of times over from the age of 15 onwards.
Tangled is the story of 4 teenagers with very different personalities who touch each others lives in some way over the course of one summer. The book is told in 4 monthly segments, with each character telling their POV in each one.
I thought this was a very interesting way to write a book, and I liked how you got to see the characters as they see themselves and also as how the other main characters perceive them. I wasn't that keen on Skyes POV & found her to be very one dimentional, and the 'note' that is talked about on the blurb and which you think will be a major part of the plot is really more like a hurried side plot with nothing really relevant to the novel coming out of its existence.
Aside from that small gripe, I love the style of writing that we see from Mackler, I always find her books very easy going to read but they are not at all 'fluffy'
I read this in a day (as i'm an incredibly fast reader) so for me this is a bit of a 'pop tart' book- quick, don't have to think too much about it, over in a flash but a good book fix!
Tangled is the story of 4 teenagers with very different personalities who touch each others lives in some way over the course of one summer. The book is told in 4 monthly segments, with each character telling their POV in each one.
I thought this was a very interesting way to write a book, and I liked how you got to see the characters as they see themselves and also as how the other main characters perceive them. I wasn't that keen on Skyes POV & found her to be very one dimentional, and the 'note' that is talked about on the blurb and which you think will be a major part of the plot is really more like a hurried side plot with nothing really relevant to the novel coming out of its existence.
Aside from that small gripe, I love the style of writing that we see from Mackler, I always find her books very easy going to read but they are not at all 'fluffy'
I read this in a day (as i'm an incredibly fast reader) so for me this is a bit of a 'pop tart' book- quick, don't have to think too much about it, over in a flash but a good book fix!
December 26, 2012
I really wanted to like this book, but I just can't... maybe its because I had so much expectations for this book judging by its sypnosis. The sypnosis mentions about how "they will all connect-- or that their chance encounters will transform each of their lives" but the story wasn't like that at all.
The story is written starting with Jena's POV, followed by Dakota, then Skye and Owen. From the sypnosis, I thought they would all meet each other-- but no, not all characters get to meet each other in the book.
This book was a bit boring, but not to the point where I gave up on the book. I kept on reading it just to see what will happen. There were some things I liked and dislike about this book, overall an OK read. I think the author missed out some important points in the story/characters. Don't think I'll be rereading this book again though.
The story is written starting with Jena's POV, followed by Dakota, then Skye and Owen. From the sypnosis, I thought they would all meet each other-- but no, not all characters get to meet each other in the book.
This book was a bit boring, but not to the point where I gave up on the book. I kept on reading it just to see what will happen. There were some things I liked and dislike about this book, overall an OK read. I think the author missed out some important points in the story/characters. Don't think I'll be rereading this book again though.
October 31, 2017
So, I went into this highly optimistic and I think that's why I kinda didn't really like it all that much?
The overall plot and how all four intertwine with each other really isn't my issue - it's mostly the characters themselves. I don't think I liked any character. The closest I got was maybe Skye. That's only because
Jena really annoyed me with - her inner voice? for lack of better description - everything was so negative and catty. I also didn't like Dakota but not for the reason that the author was kind of pushing for but really for how he's described? His actions? Not what he does but why he does them. I think for both Dakota and Jena I can see they have character development but I'm not enough invested to care about their arcs.
2 stars, wouldn't reread.
The overall plot and how all four intertwine with each other really isn't my issue - it's mostly the characters themselves. I don't think I liked any character. The closest I got was maybe Skye. That's only because
Jena really annoyed me with - her inner voice? for lack of better description - everything was so negative and catty. I also didn't like Dakota but not for the reason that the author was kind of pushing for but really for how he's described? His actions? Not what he does but why he does them. I think for both Dakota and Jena I can see they have character development but I'm not enough invested to care about their arcs.
2 stars, wouldn't reread.
April 12, 2015
Jena, Skye, Dakota, and Owen were all supposed to be on separate vacations to Paradise over their spring breaks, but a series of events ends up "tangling" the worlds of these four very different people together. On the vacation, Jena meets Dakota, a handsome tan boy who happens to be in Paradise that same week. When Skye jumps in and ruins their relationship, it doesn't take long before Jena then hooks up with Owen.
I am a sucker for romantic books and Tangled definitely is one! I can see where someone might give this book a lesser rating because it was very predictable and not incredibly exciting. It was just another story about teen love, but that is something I like so for that reason I did give it 3 stars. I would have liked it if the author had used a more exciting tone or possibly added a few more twists into the story, but overall it wasn't all that bad.
I am a sucker for romantic books and Tangled definitely is one! I can see where someone might give this book a lesser rating because it was very predictable and not incredibly exciting. It was just another story about teen love, but that is something I like so for that reason I did give it 3 stars. I would have liked it if the author had used a more exciting tone or possibly added a few more twists into the story, but overall it wasn't all that bad.
Read
October 22, 2013- Twisted by Carolyn Mackler
- Jena, Dakota, Skye, Owen
- This book is about 4 teenagers who all become friends on vacation. There are 4 sections of the story and each one is told by the perspective of one of the different characters. Each section tells a big part of their life and as the story unfolds you see how they were always connected
- The conflict in the book was that Dakota cheated on Jena with Skye and Jena finds love with another man who seems to know who everyone is
- I really liked this book because it was very interesting and mostly every chapter was some what of a cliff hanger so I just wanted to read more. Although the book was sometimes confusing because of all the different things going on it ended up being a great book in my opinion
- Jena, Dakota, Skye, Owen
- This book is about 4 teenagers who all become friends on vacation. There are 4 sections of the story and each one is told by the perspective of one of the different characters. Each section tells a big part of their life and as the story unfolds you see how they were always connected
- The conflict in the book was that Dakota cheated on Jena with Skye and Jena finds love with another man who seems to know who everyone is
- I really liked this book because it was very interesting and mostly every chapter was some what of a cliff hanger so I just wanted to read more. Although the book was sometimes confusing because of all the different things going on it ended up being a great book in my opinion
July 25, 2016
I enjoyed this. If the book had been a little bit longer or the stories had been a little bit more interconnected, it could've easily been a five-star read, but as it stands, it's probably around 3.5.
Skye's story in particular felt really unfinished and that bugged me. I'm glad Jena and Owen both featured heavily in the last story, and that Dakota made an appearance as well, but it just felt like there was more story to be told for almost all of them and I'm sad I didn't get that.
That said, Jena and Owen in New York = my everything.
Skye's story in particular felt really unfinished and that bugged me. I'm glad Jena and Owen both featured heavily in the last story, and that Dakota made an appearance as well, but it just felt like there was more story to be told for almost all of them and I'm sad I didn't get that.
That said, Jena and Owen in New York = my everything.
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