You Against Me discussion

I feel that this novel had a very interesting and unique plot, unlike many romantic fictions with many twists and turns. It had me hanging on at the end of every chapter, keeping me reading on and on. I finished the book in less than 3 days! The story is written in third person, mainly alternating between the two main characters Mikey and Ellie, giving two different perspectives of the story.
The way the Jenny Downham starts the story is quite boring, to be honest, however it gives a clear message of what is going on. With Mikey “scrabbling for coins” it already gives the reader background information about Mikey; that he is from a poor family and is struggling to keep the food on the table for his family.
Downham’s exposition of the story is very direct. By the end of the first chapter, the reader already has a full plate; knowing most of the characters, what has happened and what the characters are doing and their plans for the near future.
Although it is not mentioned very often, there is a moral in this novel: “You are not as tough as you think you are”. Mikey’s mum says this to Mikey at the beginning to hint to the reader that not everything is going to turn out the way Mikey wants it to. It is then repeated after everything is resolved because it ended in a way no one would have expected after all the plot twisting.
In my opinion, I feel that the ending was quite predictable like a fairy tale with a typical happy ending. However, the twists and turns in the story were what made it all the more interesting to read. With the use of two different perspectives and the several twists of the plot, it had me as a reader very excited, worried or angry at the story as if I was apart of it. With only one or two sentences the tables turned – just like that!
Overall, I loved this book and how Downham had written it in two perspectives while the plot was like a roller coaster. It’s certainly a page-turner and I would recommend this book to those who enjoy romantic novels that aren’t so ‘perfect’ as it seems.