Book Review: 17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen

Author: Rachael Allen
Publisher: HarperTeen

Series/stand alone: Stand alone
Release Date: June 17th 2014
Pages:

Source: Edelweiss

Outline:

No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.

Until Claire meets Luke.

But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.

With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.

In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story.

THOUGHTS:

If you checked out my little blog tour post yesterday then you know a little bit of what I liked about 17 First Kisses.  If you didn't, then you can either read on, or check the post (it's linked above) to basically get the quick edition. :) 

Quick Thought (or not)

This is a book I actually read for a tour, and believe it or not I read it in a bout a day and a half. Okay, so you're thinking big deal I do it all the time. Well for me it is, as much as I enjoy reading sometimes the only time I can read is on my break at work, or while I'm taking a nice bubble bath. It's sad I know, but life gets in the way, unfortunately. So I was super excited to actually be able to finish it quickly and enjoy the cuteness of it. 

There were things in 17 First Kisses that you rarely see in YA. Parents. Both parents to be exact. Although, they were distraught over some stuff there they were. #yeaforbothparentsbeingpresent

The whole family dynamic for Claire's family is really good. They are just like any other family they have their ups and downs, but they stick together. I love seeing Claire interact with her siblings 

Pacing

I don't think the pacing in this story really affected me to much because the POVs were past and present. In this case that combination worked well for the story being told. In the past we got to flash back to why Claire's family, or rather her mother and father seem to be in a depressed state. We also got the back stories on Claire's first kisses. 

In the present we got to see a family that was struck by tragedy heal, a friendship go through the ups and downs of high school drama, characters learn that being themselves is an important part of life. That maybe boys aren't such a good thing to fight over. :) Unless it's Sam.

Characters

Claire as the MC is enjoyable because she's a real teen (ok as real as a fictitious teen can be). She has real teen problems that are relatable. I love that she has this tomboy side to her, but yet can be girlie when she wants.

Sam just the boy next door. So I officially have a thing for the boys named Sam. I'm not kidding. Sam from Shiver, Sam from Supernatural (I know it's a tv show but still it counts), and now this Sam. -le sigh- Sam is your typical best friend to Claire. They grew up together. He used to be this plump little boy and then he changes the summer before Senior year to holy hell hot abs. I will admit at first I was totally for Luke -hides-, but Sam takes the medal. Yup I'm gonna make you read it.

Ending