Dec 11, 2010

Her And Me And You

This was one of those books which I had been seeing a lot around blogosphere and which instantly caught my attention, with a cover jacket that says something like this,

I met Fred first.
Fred: Hot. Enigmatic. Alex’s first friend in her lonely new town. Maybe her first…everything.
I met Adina the following Monday.
Adina: Fred’s twin sister. Cold. Troubled. Trouble.
I kissed him.
She pressed her mouth to my mouth.
People warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, but Alex is drawn to them. She wants to be part of their crazy world…no matter the consequences. 

Do you see what I see?
First crush, friendship, heartbreak, twincest ~ Lauren Strasnick packs all this and more into this slim offering.


The writing is sparse, very sparse and this is what is most striking about Her And Me And You - a lot is conveyed in very few words and almost everything is played out in dialogue.
Nothing immensely dramatic happens in here. It's one of those books that are filled with moments - passing moments that end up defining you. When her parents fall apart, Alex is obligated to leave her best friend and relocate to a another town with her mother. And things heat up when she meets the twins - Fred and Adina.


This book is in many ways a study of relationships. Alex is an oddly endearing protagonist and her relationships with the people around her form the crux of this novel: the father who fails to make things right, a downright broken mother, a best friend whose evolving dynamics with boys is changing the dynamics of their friendship and the strange and unpredictable twins Alex can't help being attracted to. 
The relationship between the twins is something that the reader is left wondering about. It's hinted at, but actually putting a name to it is left to the reader.


This is a quick read, one that you'd finish within the hour.
My only complaint was that I wished to see at least some ore complete sentences. Don't get me wrong, I love sentence fragments, but somehow too many sentence fragments, kind of make it appear choppy.
Also, I wish it hadn't ended so abruptly. I kept turning the pages to check if I had missed anything. I didn't realise the book was over.


Overall, I liked this little off beat book, though I didn't love it. I'll still be looking forward to reading more from Lauren Strasnick.


Extra Comment: I love the title and the cover. They perfectly fit the book. 


Read more reviews on Goodreads 
Lauren Strasnick 


I won this book over at writer Sydney Salter's blog. She hosts giveaways with almost every post, so you might just want to go check her out. 


Meanwhile, the YA Fiction nominations for the 2010 Goodreads Choice Awards are in. They have put together a great list, including some of my favourites this year - Sing Me To Sleep, The Sky Is Everywhere etc. It also includes By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, which is high up my wishlist (have you read it?). Anyway, the whole purpose of this is that you go and vote for your favourite. There's also the YA Fantasy list, but I'm pretty clueless there, aside from Mockingjay. It's been long since I've read any fantasy. I'm in a whirlwind relationship with contemporary and we're going strong.


What are you reading currently? Recommend any YA Fantasy a Contemp-a-holic like me would enjoy? 

9 comments:

Nomes said...

love this review Bee.

I've pre-ordered this - in paperback though - so I'll be wiating until July next year...

i too love the cover and title. Love the way you reviewed this - gave me a real feel for it :)

x

Samantha VĂ©rant said...

Meh. I have so many other books on my list, I think this one won't make it onto it.

Lydia Kang said...

Great review. I'd heard of this. It sounds interesting, but geez, my TBR list is ginormous!

Jules Ausborn said...

The cover is gorgeous! Just on that alone I would pick it up, but your review was fabulous!

I'm about to read a few books by Kristina Springer!

Jules Ausborn said...

By the way! I've always loved your reviews! You pick some awesome books!

Jen/Jules
Unedited & Jules and the Stars

Trisha said...

Wow, I would totally read this story. sounds intriguing. My immediate thought was - psycho twin sister, arrrgh, run! :D

Angela said...

Great review.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Great review, Bee!

BTW, I loved By The Time You Read This, I will Be Dead....it was great!!!!!

nindogs said...

Great review - I might even pick this up next time I see it. And you're right, that is an intriguing cover jacket.

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