SwiftReads discussion

Hi guys! I couldn't put the book down, and I wanted to find out if anyone else had also been ripping through the chapters.

Obviously, we've been set up with a classic love triangle: Lennie the Bad Boy and James the Intellectual. If I'm being honest, they're both very appealing, but the cover of the book looks like it gives away the answer, what with the ponytail boy on the left. Lennie's behavior leads me to think of a common trope in YA novels that bugs me a little, and I'm wondering about your thoughts on it.

Is it inappropriate that he shows up everywhere she goes, buys her a helmet, offers her rides, and acts as her unsolicited protector? We saw similar behavior in Twilight, with Edward buying Bella an expensive car and following her around everywhere she goes, to the extent of watching her sleep. At what point does it cross over from Nice Neighbor to Creepy Stalker? Is it acceptable because he's attractive and young? I'm curious to have a discussion on this.

Then we've got the janitor's lounge/library that Ivy and James share. That's adorable. It can't be long before he figures out who she is. They exchanged those notes in class, after all, right? I predict they're going to go in there at the same time once.

But what about Reesa? She's obviously not right for James, but is infatuated with him. That makes me think about what the teacher Mr. Eli announces, the running theme of things not being what they seem: she likes his outward appearance, but has no idea who he is below the surface. But if they are incompatible, does she end up with Lennie? Or does the best friend get what's coming to her for being shallow?

Share your thoughts! I could talk all day.

I never liked Edward exactly because he was a creepy stalker most of the time. I don’t get that vibe from Lennie either. I think it’s more that he’s being nice but Ivy can’t really see that because of her own prejudice against him and since we’re reading the story from her POV, we don’t see the whole picture? I’m basing his being nice on his interaction with Brady though, so I don’t know.

I don’t think that the secret room is James. I think it’s Lennie. And ya, why IS Lennox being so nice to Ivy when she clearly isn’t interested in even being friendly?