Windfall - Review

Windfall

By: Jennifer E Smith

Published: May 2nd 2017 by Delacorte Press

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined . . . and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.

I have to say that I've read two Jennifer E Smith books in the past, but I didn't love her narration style in either of those books. Because of that, I almost didn't request Windfall for review, but the description won out. I've never read a book that was about a teen winning the lottery. And I have to say that Windfall is probably my favorite out of all of the Jennifer E Smith books that I've read.

Alice, Leo, and Teddy are a trio of friends. Well Alice and Leo are cousins. But these three make up a best friend group. Leo is stereotypically gay. Because a girl can't be friends with a guy in YA literature these days without being in love with the guy or the guy being gay. And well Windfall has both of these stereotypes. *insert huge eye roll* Leo has some drama going on with his now-long-distance boyfriend. While Leo and Max aren't in the same geographical region during most of the book, their relationship does take up a decent portion of the storyline. Teddy seems to bit a part from Alice and Leo at the same time as being firmly a member of the trio. He's fairly popular with everyone at school since he plays sports. Alice has always been a bit separate. She sometimes considers herself to be an island, but that's mostly because she doesn't allow anyone close.

This story is about what happens when you find yourself in possession of a large sum of money that you neither earned nor deserve. Because Teddy's grown up with limited financial means, having this money will not only make his life easier and allow his mom not have need to work as much, but when you throw a starving kid into a free-for-all candy store you can't expect them not to overindulge. It was also about witnessing someone you love be changed by money and what it can do. Yet really one of the the only constants in life is that life is always changing. Alice knows that better than anyone because her life has drastically changed twice. Once when her mother died, and then again when her father also died and she had to move across the country to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Change has rarely been a good thing for Alice. So she's terrified of what this money will change in her life and Teddy's.

I enjoyed the relationship between Teddy and Alice. These two are not shy about being honest with each other. Well except for Alice withholding her feelings for Teddy. They tell each other the hard truth--especially when it is most needed. Teddy seems to be a bit naive, and Alice a bit harsh. Yet they both underestimate each other at times.

Even though Windfall is probably my favorite Jennifer E Smith book that I've read, I still had some issues with it. The typical gay best friend plus being in love with the other best friend annoyed me. Teddy's naivete in regards to all things money related for a large portion of the book was grating, as was Alice's hardened view on life. Yet the good thing was that Alice and Teddy both grew throughout the book which felt a bit redeeming. Still, Windfall gets 3.5 Stars from me. Have you read Windfall? What did you think? Let me know!

Waiting on Windfall

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Windfall

By: Jennifer E Smith

Expected Publication: May 2nd 2017 by Delacorte Press

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined . . . and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.

What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Review

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

By: Jennifer E Smith

Published: January 2nd 2012 by Poppy/Little Brown

236 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library (On sale for $2.99)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Four minutes changes everything. Hadley Sullivan 17 misses her flight at JFK airport, is late to her father's second wedding in London with never-met stepmother. Hadley meets the perfect boy. Oliver is British, sits in her row. A long night on the plane passes in a blink, but the two lose track in arrival chaos. Can fate bring them together again?

Theoretically I love the title of this book, but boy is it annoying to type out. I’m severely behind the game when it comes to this book. Released in 2012, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight has received much hype and fanfare. And because of this, I’ve had this book on my TBR list for years. It wasn’t available through my library and you guys I’m just cheap, so when it went on sale I had to snatch it up. I’ve only read one other book by Jennifer E Smith (Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between) which I didn’t love as much as I’d hoped considering the hype around this author. But I was holding out hope that the hype was worth it for this book in particular.

One quick thing to note that I didn’t like is the narration style. This is told in 3rd person past tense in one of those all-knowing eye in the sky type voices. I didn’t enjoy this in Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between and I can’t say that I liked it any more in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. This is really just a personal preference. Not my favorite narration style/voice. Any character’s emotions or thoughts are open for discussion at any given point. And I don’t love that. I like the mystery of how each character (and therefore the reader) doesn’t always know what the other characters are thinking/feeling.

There’s a lot of negativity around stories where characters fall in love too quickly or the entire book happens within one day. I was a little wary of that going into this book even though I’m normally not bothered by that so much. I do think it’s possible for two people to develop an intense and unique connection within that time frame, but love is pushing it. However, I found The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight appropriate. There were no real declarations of love even if the connection did exist. So if this bothers you, have no fear.

I will say that I struggled with Hadley off and on throughout the book. I was annoyed that so much of the beginning was backstory surrounding Hadley’s parents failed marriage. It really was necessary set up for the entire story, but I wanted to jump right into the fun stuff happening now rather than dwell on her past. Even though I can 100% understand the anger and bitterness that Hadley feels toward her father, sometimes she really got on my nerves. But again. I have to put myself in her shoes and say that I probably would have felt very much the same way that she did.

While I was reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight I was really enjoying the romantic buildup between Hadley and Oliver. The nature of the way that they meet and how there’s an impending time of departure hanging over their heads makes their situation unique. Everything that needs to be said needs to be said before they have to leave each other or risk never knowing what could have been and live with that regret. Yet how much of a connection can you really develop with someone in less than 24 hours? Enough to risk coming out of your comfort zone? By how much?

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is just as much about Hadley’s relationship with her father as it is with her developing relationship with Oliver. Which is probably why my only highlights revolve around Hadley’s relationship with her father.

Favorite quotes:

-In the end, it’s not the changes that will break your heart; it’s that tug of familiarity.

-After all, it’s one thing to run away when someone’s chasing you. It’s entirely another to be running all alone.

-And this was the most unfair part of it all: What Dad had done, he hadn’t just done to him and Mom, and he hadn’t just done to him and Hadley. He’d done it to Hadley and Mom, too.

In the end, I really enjoyed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight while I was reading through it. I finished it within 24 hours. But now that I’ve had a couple of days to reflect, I don’t think Hadley and Oliver’s relationship or this book will be marked down as an epic story that I remember forever and ever. Would I recommend reading this? 100%. But is it going to fall into an all-time favorite for me? Probably not. I’d still give it 4 Stars. Have you read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight? What did you think? Let me know!

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between - Review

Hello, Goodbye, & Everything in Between

By: Jennifer E Smith

Expected Publication: September 1st 2015 by Poppy

256 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

This new must-read novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that must be made when life and love lead in different directions.

I’ve had Jennifer E Smith on my TBR list for years. I’ve always intended to read something by her, but nothing has stumbled into my lap. Considering the hype around some of her other books, I was excited about the opportunity to read and review her newest release Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between. Yet I was a little concerned about this book based off the description alone. While I’m not one of those readers that only wants to read books with a happily ever after and I can deal with the death of a beloved character, I also like to make sure that I don’t read books that don’t have a point. And that was my fear of Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between. Would I be okay with following these two characters around for an entire night of them reliving their relationship only to see it end in “goodbye?”

Let’s face it…TV, books, and various other forms of media has really pushed following your own path regardless of the relationships in your lives. Granted, making life long decisions based off your high school sweetheart isn’t always a sound decision. But I don’t like the idea that just because you found the one your heart loves in high school means that the relationship is doomed to failure. Plus what’s the point of achieving major career goals or traveling on really cool adventures if you have no one to share it with? What’s the point of surface level relationships when you could have something deeper and more meaningful? I realize that every person isn’t looking for the same thing out of life as everyone else. But these are the questions that I struggled with and the way I thought. In my life, I wanted love and companionship more than I wanted to go to an Ivy league school or climb the corporate ladder. And the best part…personally I feel like I have it all. So…my point being, that I don’t always like to read books where the characters value college and career above relationships.

Personal baggage aside, I had a little trouble connecting to Clare. She’s the one trying to be “logical” about their relationship. They’re traveling to different colleges…she to Dartmouth on the east coast and Aidan to UCLA on the west coast. They chose their colleges based on following their own paths, but now they have to decide if they’re going to try to do a long distance relationship or just give up and call it quits now. Aidan, I connected to more. He is the more romantic of the two of them. And he wants to make things work. He wants to just see how things go. To try. It’s no joke that long distance relationships are extremely difficult. And all of the scenarios that Clare pictures are possible. Yet, I couldn’t help feeling like she was working herself up over something that hadn’t even happened yet. She was trying to prevent those things from happening, but who’s to say that any of those scenarios would have happened anyway? Nothing is set in stone. I could understand her, but I didn’t quite agree with her.

Clare and Aidan both had histories that were pretty well flushed out. Flashbacks in a myriad of settings made me feel like I’d been a part of their personal relationship history as well as their separate family histories as well. The side characters obviously didn’t have as much time, but it didn’t take long at all for me to feel connected and even invested in their own side pieces, especially Stella and Scotty.

I will say that I found the narrative a bit distracting at times. It had an "all knowing eye in the sky" type of feel…where the narrator knows what all the characters are thinking and feeling and any particular character’s thoughts or feelings might be thrown into the mix at any given time. This sometimes pulls me out of the story because I’m so used to (and prefer) reading books that follow one main character’s thoughts and feelings even if it is a third person past tense voice. Or if the book follows multiple characters then they’re usually split into chapters or sections that follow each character individually.

My final rating of Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between is 4 stars. I got misty eyed a few times. Even though I didn’t connect to Clare as much, I did connect to their dilemma and their relationship as a whole. The side characters and experiences of the night really did bring everything to life. Have you read Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between? What did you think? Let me know!

Waiting on Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hello, Goodbye, & Everything in Between

By: Jennifer E Smith

Expected Publication: September 1st 2015 by Poppy

256 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

This new must-read novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that must be made when life and love lead in different directions.

I've yet to read a Jennifer E Smith book. I've wanted to. They're all on my TBR list. But I just haven't had a chance. I've got to change that. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!