The Promise of Amazing
by Robin Constantine
YA Contemporary Romance
December 31st, 2013 b y Balzer + Bray
Summary
Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.
Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.
Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.
My Review
I have been looking forward to reading The Promise of Amazing for some time, so I was excited to be able to receive this ARC for review. I really liked the summary and the cover is super cute and I think represents the story in a good way. There is a scene with Grayson and Wren in that position and there is also a scene with Grayson wearing a jacket like that. It turned out to be a much heavier read than I was expecting with some good parts. Well, let me just get into it...
I'm going to start off with what I didn't like. I didn't like the huge amount of swearing and innuendo. There was also one instance of non-descriptive sex. I knew there would be some swearing, but I wasn't quite prepared for the level of crudeness used. I didn't love the characters. I liked them, but I really disagreed on a lot of their choices and actions past and present, so that was kind of tough to get around. It just blows my mind some of the things that were done and that they literally faced no consequences and the way that some things were handled. I also really disliked Grayson's so-called friends and some of his reactions to them.
Let me get into what I did like. I loved Wren's friends: Maddie, Jazz, and even her co-worker, Eben. I loved how Maddie and Jazz always played devil's advocate, or maybe it was more of the devil and angel on Wren's shoulders. There is some great dialogue and fun times between these three friends. I loved both Grayson's and Maddie's family situation. I felt that they were realistic and realistically not perfect, but not over-dramatized. I loved some of the sweet moments between Grayson and Wren. I loved some of their inner thoughts, like this favorite quote from Wren:
I'm going to start off with what I didn't like. I didn't like the huge amount of swearing and innuendo. There was also one instance of non-descriptive sex. I knew there would be some swearing, but I wasn't quite prepared for the level of crudeness used. I didn't love the characters. I liked them, but I really disagreed on a lot of their choices and actions past and present, so that was kind of tough to get around. It just blows my mind some of the things that were done and that they literally faced no consequences and the way that some things were handled. I also really disliked Grayson's so-called friends and some of his reactions to them.
Let me get into what I did like. I loved Wren's friends: Maddie, Jazz, and even her co-worker, Eben. I loved how Maddie and Jazz always played devil's advocate, or maybe it was more of the devil and angel on Wren's shoulders. There is some great dialogue and fun times between these three friends. I loved both Grayson's and Maddie's family situation. I felt that they were realistic and realistically not perfect, but not over-dramatized. I loved some of the sweet moments between Grayson and Wren. I loved some of their inner thoughts, like this favorite quote from Wren:
My Favorite Quote
~ The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine (Kindle location 683)
"Any time I checked off the reasons to avoid him, I'd picture him in front of school, leaning against his faded car. Hands in pockets, swoon-worthy grin, deep brown eyes full of the promise of amazing."
~ The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine (Kindle location 683)
There were also some really sweet moments and first kisses.
Overall, I would say that if you enjoy Contemporary YA, such as Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits series, that you would enjoy The Promise of Amazing.
Source: From tour host/Edelweiss, which did not affect my review in any way.
About the Author
Robin Constantine is a born and bred Jersey girl who moved down South so she could wear flip-flops year round. She spends her days dreaming up stories where love conquers all, well, eventually but not without a lot of peril, angst and the occasional kissing scene.
Her YA debut, THE PROMISE OF AMAZING, will be released in 2014 by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Her YA debut, THE PROMISE OF AMAZING, will be released in 2014 by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Giveaway
Win (1) signed copy of The Promise Of Amazing by Robin Constantine + swag
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.