YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

"Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

Enhance the experience with the companion soundtrack, Imogen Unlocked, by the authoin!or's band, Wedding Day Rain."

Feel free to join!

Starting Damsel Distressed today. :) can't wait. Excited to hear the music too.

I'll be a little late with that one, might start it tomorrow, as I still have to finish the one I'm reading now.

Hey there!

Sorry I went MIA, it was a holiday here, and my internet was not behaving.

I've finished it, and (view spoiler)[ I thought it was an okay book, I was certainly expecting more out of it. Carmella was soooo nasty, but Imogen was too insecure at times. (hide spoiler)]

Hi Tati! I just finished too. And I definitely agree, I was expecting more out of it. I enjoyed the relationship between Imogen and Grant, and I also enjoyed the journey Imogen goes through, but I do agree Imogen was too insecure sometimes (but guess that can be understandable with all the stuff she is going through and her cruel stepsister, Carmella). I love the artwork thought the book. :)

After reading this book it kind of makes me want to read 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister' by Gregory Magiure.

Grant and Brice and Jonathan were really cute secondary characters! I also liked seeing her moments with her dad.

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Reading from the 14th of September 2015.

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Starting soon

10% (view spoiler)[ Well this was just an opening into the book. Its clear she and Grant have some misunderstanding :) I hope their relationship develops (hide spoiler)]

30% (view spoiler)[ Grant & Imogen. Oh so cute!! Their intertwined hands are adorable. Carmella is so cruel. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ Grant and Imogen's relationship is so volatile. But, in some ways Grant is right. Imogen is drowning in her own self pity (hide spoiler)]

81% (view spoiler)[ I hated Carmella but then I realised she was going through some tough times too. But that still doesn't give her the right to lash out like that.
I loved what Bryce said. She deserves better from herself. I think thats so true (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad Imogen became confident. It gives me the confidence that I will look in the mirror and find that someday. I hate bullying and this book shows why. Books like this make me cry (hide spoiler)]

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Date Changed. Restarting February 18th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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Hi Victoria! I might start this on tomorrow or Sunday, I still don't know yet. But I promise to catch up real soon!! :)

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[Who's Grant? Is that Imogen's bestfriend or boyfriend? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Aww, I actually can't help but feel Grant and Imogen are adorable!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[How come her name is Cinder Ella when Imogen calls her Carmela? Eh, she's a b*tch. Like stepsisters are supposed to be. I hope this book won't be full of stereotypes though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[Aww! It seems like Imogen doesn't hate humans after all. What a unique name for Antonique though. I wonder if she'll have a major participation throughout the book? I hope they become closer! (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting this soon.

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[Err... I forgot... Where is Imogen's dad?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[Hmm... I'm not sure I'm liking this. Carmela despises Imogen. I get she's just a mean girl who's supposed to do that because she's her stepsister, but obviously, there must be a stronger reason (apart from being a stepsister), something that can gain empathy.
On the other hand, I get a wider background on Imogen's depression, anxiety and panic attacks... but I don't know... I don't connect much to her. I feel like she views herself too weak too much for me to sympathize.

She smiles and doesn’t even know that, in my own crazy head, she’s spent the last sixty seconds making me feel like a loser. She reaches over to push down the folded-up seat so I can sit. One minute she’s my savior. The next minute I hate her for being strong enough to save me. Shame flushes through my skin, and I feel goose bumps sprout up all over my arms.

Hate Antonique? Make Imogen feel like a loser? Like wth, though, the girl did not intentionally did it. She was simply HELPING and DOING HER JOB and BEING NICE to her. Carmela's being mean to her and she hates her, and now someone's genuine towards her and she hates her, too. What gives?! Does she hate everyone outside of Grant, Brice and Jonathan? -_-

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[Wow, really, Imogen. Grant's just being concerned and caring and she snaps at him for doing so. Whatever. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[Not much happening. Guess this is a character study book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[WELL FUCK. FUCK. THIS CHARACTER IS DRIVING ME NUTS! I am out of sympathy for this girl. Grant's exhausted being her friend because her mood swings are unreasonable and random! He was just comforting her and now... she wants him to leave? Fuck this character, I think I'm gonna DNF this. She shouldn't have therapy sessions about depression but bipolar disease!!! *rolls eyes*

She says she's overweight and her stepsister is perfect with her flawless and shorts like that's supposed to garner some sympathy from me.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[This is getting tedious. Full of drama! I cannot stand it anymore. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[Heh, I knew that it has something to do with absent characters with the urgent 11am meeting and that Imogen will have to be the substitute. I hope all goes well and CARMELLA WILL NOT MESS THIS UP. I have had enough of the stupid, pointless drama contained in this book.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[The play was nice, well written. I could imagine Imogen performing as the princess :")

On the other hand, way to ruin the moment by Carmella entering backstage. I cannot stomach this pointless drama. The author still hasn't explained why she acts the way she is.

Okay, granted Imogen got her "little revenge" by Andrew, Grant and Jonathan backing her there, but it still doesn't make it "okay" to shove in Carmella's face that Imogen has friends and she does not. I don't know, the brat deserves it though, but I just felt like this is nonsense. And because I do not know the root!!! And of course, because Carmella doesn't want anybody crossing her life, it's very predictable that will get her revenge SOON.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25: (view spoiler)[Carmella must snuck in Gen's room to retrieve those notebook papers. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[I wish she learns how to treat Evelyn well. I get that she doesn't like the idea of having a stepmother but the woman seems genuine towards her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[Aww, I think that was sweet and thoughtful of Jonathan to remove the flyers even though he was hurt of what he read. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34: (view spoiler)[AWW! GRANT IS SOOO AND ADORABLE! I love the slow build-up of romance and I just can't help swooning!!! I've been waiting for this kiss for the entire book! (hide spoiler)]

Ending: (view spoiler)[Overall, somewhere between 2.5-3 stars. I hated all the pointless drama in the 75% of this book and loved the last 25%. I love the secondary characters, Imogen's friends - Jonathan, Brice, Antonique and maybe even Andrew, and of course GRANT <3 I just hated Imogen in the first 75%. Also, I don't think Carmella deserved to be sent back to Austin, and not much depth was put into her. I get that she was upset about the divorce and having to move in with a new family but it sucks that there was no CHARACTER added to her. She's flat to me and sounded only a stereotype.
(hide spoiler)]