The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu ~ My Review

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu 

Publication Date: June 3, 2014 
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press 
Pages: 208 
Received: ARC e-copy from publisher, via NetGalley 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Rumors... It’s amazing how quickly rumors spread and grow. Especially in a small town where everyone knows your business. It started with a rumor of Alice sleeping with two guys at a party, which is bad enough, but when one of the guys (Brandon), who also happens to be the star quarterback of the football team, is killed in an automobile accident, Alice is blamed for that too. Soon there are more rumors. Alice has gone from being semi-popular to trash. That’s what happen to Alice... and only a few people know The Truth About Alice.

I loved how this story unfolds. Told from the point of view of four key people, Eliane [the popular (mean) girl], Kelsie [Alice's (supposed) best-friend], Josh [Brandon's best friend] and Kurt [nerdy boy-genius, also Brandon's neighbor]. The truth is slowly revealed as they tell their story, more like clear their conscience, to only the reader. These are secrets about themselves that they would never tell anyone else.

It’s a pretty quick read, and I was able to finish it the same day I started. It was hard to put down. I had to know what happens to Alice! We do finally hear from Alice, and I found the ending very touching!

The Truth About Alice shows how damaging rumors can be and even though they weren’t physically bullying Alice, they were definitely emotionally bullying her. My heart went out to Alice. I think it would be a great read for older teens. Some of the subject matter might be too mature for some younger teens and tweens.

I really enjoyed reading The Truth About Alice! It is a fast-paced, emotional read! This is Jennifer Mathieu’s debut novel, and I hope to read more from her!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the publisher, via NetGalley for my honest review.

Buy a copy: Amazon • B&N

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Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg ~ My Review

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg  

Publication Date: February 25, 2014 
Publisher: Point 
Pages: 288 
Received: e-copy from publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. 
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Book Blurb:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

 

Better off Friends is a super cute story of a boy and a girl who are best friends, and all the complications that go along with being "just friends". 

Macallan and Levi meet on the first day of seventh grade when Macallan is asked to show Levi around the school. The two of them hit it off when Macallan recognizes a button Levi has on his backpack from her favorite BBC show, Buggy and Floyd. After that, they are pretty much inseparable.

As they get older and start dating (other people), they have to learn to deal with some awkward moments, such as being the third wheel, and who’s side do you take in a break up? Especially when the other person is also your good friend?! They also learn that it’s best not to double date. The problem with double dating is that Macallan and Levi would monopolize the conversation with their witty back and forth banter. Leaving their dates feeling left out. 

There are some sad moments too. About a year before the opening of the story, Macallan’s mom was killed in an accident, and Macallan is still dealing with the loss of her mom. I especially like how Levi’s mom bonds with Macallan. It brought tears to my eyes when Macallan opens up about her mom. 

I love how the story is told. Starting from when they first met to about senior year in high school, Macallan and Levi look back at the highs and lows of their friendship. Breaking from the story, the chapters end with a dialog between Macallan and Levi commenting at what was just told in that chapter. Kinda like in the Princess Bride when the story would go back to the grandfather reading to his grandson, or in When Harry Met Sally when it would break from the story to where the couples were talking. I also love that it is told from both Macallan and Levi's point of view.

I really enjoyed reading Better off Friends! It's a charming story that begs the question "Can boys and girls be just friends?"

Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy: Better Off Friends

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For my Janeite friends, Elizabeth Eulberg is also the author of Prom and Prejudice!

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Any thoughts? I would love to hear from you!