Friday Favorites #17: The Distance Between Us


Friday Favorites is a weekly meme hosted here, that spotlights a favorite author, book, series, publisher, cover, blog, etc. Basically whatever bookish thing that you love, recommend, and want to tell others about. Just pick one and link up to my post each Friday to share. You can use the graphic I used above, the other one here, or your own.

I've mostly been using this meme to introduce you guys to books that you may not have read or have been long-time favorites of mine. There are so many books out there and even more published every year and we can't base all of them off of their covers or release date or by how many books the author has published. Anyway....

Today I'm going to do something a little different and it is something you will definitely see again in the future. When I've read a book that I have absolutely loved and would buy for my shelves (and it's not a review for a tour) it will be my spotlighted favorite read for this meme.

Today, that book is:

The Distance Between Us
by Kasie West
YA Contemporary Romance
July 2nd 2013 by Harper Teen


Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.


Purchase from:
    
 

My Review

I have seen quite a few reviews for The Distance Between Us. When I read one review, I thought that this book would probably be perfect for me. I like modern fairy tales, in other words, books that may not be completely realistic but have very happy endings. Although, I think these stories can be realistic too (mine would have a very happy ending). All readers don't agree with me and I won't hold that against you. ;) When I picked this up from the library I was really in the mood for a good, romantically sweet story and this fit the bill perfectly.

Okay, characters. Let me tell you that I loved the two MC's, Cayman and Xander (check out those names too)! They are definitely a study on contrasts in many ways, but then they are also somewhat similar. I think one thing that stood out to me is that they have both been prejudiced by those around them to not like each other, or at least where the other comes from: rich and arrogant vs. poor and unpolished. Cayman has this terrible first impression of Xander and Xander is actually quite rude, but he really isn't that type of guy. Cayman also has these misconceived notions about the rich and thinks things or blames Xander for things that he really hasn't done or meant anything by, but that is Cayman's perspective. I give huge points to Xander. He really allows himself to be vulnerable and pursues Cayman with very little encouragement from her. There were some great conversations and chemistry between these two characters too that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I don't want to leave out the other characters though. Cayman's friend, Skye, is really great. I like the side that she brings out of Cayman. I also got a kick out of her boyfriend, Henry or "Toad," and his band mate, Mason or "Tic." I even loved Xander's grandmother and the rest of his family. I had some serious issues with Cayman's mom. She's a little (no sarcasm here) prejudiced and hypocritical, which Cayman points out. She does have some bad history and she is extremely stressed out, so I'll give her that, but still I don't think she should have done what she did. I did like their relationship in a lot of ways though.

The writing was smooth and the plot moved along well. There weren't any lulls for me and when things started to get good, of course a rough patch would come up. Then things would get good again, only to not stay that way. I do agree with some reviewers that this does wrap up a little too perfectly, but it wasn't a huge issue for me.

The biggest things for me in this book were that I loved the characters (as I already mentioned), the romance and the sense of humor that comes across were fabulous, and it was completely clean. That is so rare in YA Contemporary. I don't remember a single swear word or instance of innuendo and none of it was needed. This is one that I can recommend to everyone. At the end, it left that fabulous happy feeling inside of me and a smile on my face. Those are my favorite kinds of books and the ones I can read over and over again. :) I highly recommend it!

Here's one favorite quote:
"Okay. I guess I have the floor." He takes a deep breath. "This is me facing failure. This is me putting everything on the line even though I know I might lose. And I'm terrified."

I swallow hard, fighting the instinct I have to comfort him.

"But like you said, anything worth having is worth the risk."
 
Content: Clean
Source: Library
 


About the Author
(from her website) 

Kasie West says she loves to write--too much. It's a sickness really. My debut novel, PIVOT POINT, is out now with HarperTeen. (And will be followed by its sequel, Split Second on February 11, 2014.)
 
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, my contemporary YA novel, will be published July 2, 2013 (HarperTeen). 
Really? That little blurb under my picture isn't enough? You want to know more? I'm really, really boring.

I warned you.

I am the mother of four--three daughters and one son. We live in Central California where the summers try to kill us with their 115 degree stretches. We battle the heat mostly by doing this:


Which, aside from writing is one of my favorite things to do. My skill level on a wakeboard does not match my passion for the sport. I would claim that maybe I can get better at it, but I'm too chicken. I don't want to get injured (this means I'm old).

If you read my blog you'll know I have two boyfriends. 
This guy:   And this one:
 
But most of the time, I like this guy way better than those other two:

 
I graduated from Fresno State University with a BA degree that has nothing to do with writing. I earned my masters in Junior Mint eating (which is awarded after eating your millionth King Size box....I'm now working on my PhD). I love sappy alternative rock ballads and reading way past my bedtime.
   
You can find Kasie here:



Do you have a favorite to share this week?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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