Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Published: July 2nd 2013
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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.

There’s nothing better than a book that proves you wrong. You see, I knew that people adored this book so so so much and I was very hesitant to try it. When it came out, I started reading it, but the first chapter felt so cliché that I put it down and didn’t even try to push through it. Sometime later, during a cold November day, I thought I really ought to give it one more go. Best. Decision. Ever.

“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”

How many times have you seen a movie or read a book about the poor girl and the rich boy and their star-crossed love story? A million? Probably. I was so sure that I had all of this figured out beforehand, but boy was I wrong! First of all, the characters? Yipiiyay. Caymen (trying really hard here not to make a Caveman joke) was full of sarcasm and dry humor. This girl was the perfect lead to such a seemingly cheesy story. Also, Xander was a really great male lead since he wasn’t the prince charming, but a very sweet guy nonetheless. Their career days were my favorite and I wish that someone would have helped me out with all the decisions prior college. There’re so many options nowadays and it’s hard to make the right one at such a young age.

Also, you know the plot formula that goes like this—girl meets boy; they fight their feelings, fall in love, get together; families try to tear them apart, especially the rich person’s parents; they break up over some jealousy issue or an obvious lie; everything gets sorted out and they live happily ever after. Sounds familiar? Ha. I was waiting for the break up, for Xander’s family to start sabotaging the relationship... Nada. Nothing like this happened. It was so refreshing and truly felt like a breath of fresh air. I loved how it didn’t make me cry, but rather kept a huge smile on my face. I basically looked something like this throughout the entire novel:


See? I was this happy with The Distance Between Us and I truly loved every single moment of it. I don’t think it’s the strongest novel I have ever read and I wasn’t perhaps that emotionally invested in Caymen’s story, but it was so cute and warm—the perfect kind to make a cold day all kinds of fuzzy and happy. Since you’ve all probably read this one already, there’s nothing left to say than you were right and I was wrong. Now I just need to get myself to read Pivot Point asap :)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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13 comments:

  1. I'm against hype so I know what you mean. I tend to start a book in the middle and I just don't enjoy it. So when I pick it up again I'm the exact same feeling. I've heard of a lot of brilliant reviews by Kasie West especially Pivot Point and Split Second. So I think I will pick this up when the hype has lessened for this author. But a Contemporary, who can argue with that. ;) Great review Siiri. :)

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  2. I'm so happy to see that you enjoyed this so much, Siiri. I loved Caymen and her dry humor as well. And yes, this might seem like it has a cheesy plot, but when you read it you realize it doesn't.
    Kasie West really knows how to write good memorable YA contemporaries and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.
    Lovely review!

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  3. Glad you loved it and managed to surprise you with a new direction

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  4. Yay! So glad you enjoyed this one! I loved the humor as well. Kasie West can write sarcasm like no one else. Seriously, she has a gift. Yes, you must read Pivot Point ASAP!! I enjoyed it far more than The Distance Between Us. I thought the plot was a little more interesting in PP. But they're both amazing books. Hope you like it! Great review, Siiri!

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  5. Hey, we're review twins today! Ugh, I loved this damn book. Caymen was hilarious and I heart Xander. I had that smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. I convinced two of my friends to read it next and I'm gonna buddy re-read it with them.
    Pivot Point is AMAZING! I wasn't sure about it since I usually don't read books like that but it was wow. Split Second was awesome too. I binge on Kasie West last week. Can't wait for more of her books :)

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  6. I'm so glad that this story exceeded your expectations! I agree that it was great to have a romance that was not overly filled with drama or angst, and I really liked Xander. This didn't fully work for me, and I found Caymen's constant inner monologue about her lack of wealth to get old. But it is a fun, light book.

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  7. I TOTALLY agree with you! It's so amazing when you leave the book and think it's not for you but then you go back to it and it turns out just fine! I need to start with The Book of Blood and Shadow again I think! I love when books have humor in it, it's always win. Great review, Siiri :)

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  8. I'm glad you liked this! I, too, had heard great things but wasn't sure it would be for me. I didn't like the ending at all, but up until then this was a great read. Pivot Point is even better! I couldn't put it down. I hope you end up liking that one as much as I did!

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  9. Ack! I have been meaning to read The Distance Between Us for SO long and just keep putting it off. You have me convinced, Siiri. Great review!

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  10. Wonderful review, dahling! I have this and should read it soon! (Like Andrea says above.) I loved Pivot Point, btw! :)

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  11. YAAYYYY! I loved this one too Siiri, I'm so glad you gave it a second chance! Caymen had me snorting the entire way through with her sarcasm and her VERY dry wit. I just adored her. And I loved that we didn't get any interference from Xander's family either, I was definitely waiting for that to be an issue and like you, was pleased when it wasn't. I can't wait for more from Kasie West!

    Also, how absurdly beautiful is Emilia Clarke?

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  12. I'm glad you enjoyed this one after all the hesitation! WHY HAVENT YOU READ PIVOT POINT, THOUGH?!?! Has my book pushing/fangirling not been enough? *cries* Get on that!

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  13. I pretty much worship Kasie West and her books so yey for eventually liking this one! It isn't the strongest but I just loved it so. You should definitely read Pivot Point soon as Split Second is coming out! EEEEEPPP

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