Book Review: Better Than Perfect by Melissa Kantor

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Better Than Perfect
Author: Melissa Kantor
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: February 17th 2015
Review Source: HarperTeen

Juliet Newman has it all. A picture-perfect family; a handsome, loving boyfriend; and a foolproof life plan: ace her SATs, get accepted into Harvard early decision, and live happily ever after.

But when her dad moves out and her mom loses it, Juliet begins questioning the rules she’s always lived by. And to make everything even more complicated there’s Declan, the gorgeous boy who makes her feel alive and spontaneous—and who’s totally off-limits. Torn between the life she always thought she wanted and one she never knew was possible, Juliet begins to wonder: What if perfect isn't all it’s cracked up to be?

Melissa Kantor once again delivers a tale that is equal parts surprising, humorous, heartbreaking, and romantic. Powerful and honest, Juliet’s story brilliantly portrays the highs and lows of life in high school and will resonate with any reader who has experienced either.

Better Than Perfect follows Juliet Newman, straight A student, Harvard hopeful, beautiful family, loving boyfriend, she has it all, everything is going perfect for her… Until her father leaves and her mother becomes heavily depressed and medicated, Juliet’s perfect life gets thrown upside down. She’s torn between what she has always strived to become or what she’s slowly turning into, is her perfect life from before what she always wanted?

After Juliet’s mother had an accident Juliet’s world gets thrown upside down, the same day she meets the dangerously sexy Declan that makes her feel alive, and as much as I hate cheating ,in any sense (fiction or real life) I couldn’t help myself rooting for him. Well, mostly for Juliet to end her current relationship and run away with Declan, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. Juliet is exposed to a lot of truths that may not have been hidden in her family, but she was blind to them, everything wasn’t as perfect as the picture her family painted. After things start becoming more and more apparent to Juliet she tries to figure her true self out, what she truly wants in life. She was finding truth in her relationship with her boyfriend, her parents, her friends, and Declan; everyone had a hand in what she wanted and what she wanted to change.

I did like this book, but there were times where things dragged on and then there were times where we just flew over things that I thought mattered. I do recommend this to any who likes a young adult contemporary, I may not have been the biggest fan, but I do plan on checking out the rest of Melissa Kantor’s work, I loved her writing.

Audiobook Review: Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

Maybe One Day
Author: Melissa Kantor
Narrator: Shannon McManus
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: February 18th 2014
Review Source: HarperTeen

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school.

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.

In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

This is the story of Zoe and her best friend Olivia who have been best friends since grade school. Now in high school they are sharing together the trials and tribulations of high school such interest in boys, too much homework, going to school dances, dealing with their parents as they try to grow into adulthood. The story is told from the teen point of view. As the story unfolds and one of the girls experiences a serious illness we experience it through Zoe and Olivia's teenage minds.

This book was well-written and the story worked well. It was believable as a teen / young adult /coming of age story. The characters were real people with recognizable emotions considering their circumstances. The audiobook, too, was done well and the narrator did a good job giving voice to the characters. I do not think I have heard this narrator's work before and look forward to other books with her narration.

My only negative thoughts toward this story concerned the portrayal of the adult characters. I felt their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs were trivialized to the point of being truly condescending towards their children. I do understand that, as it the story from the teen point of view that is how the author believed teens would see things but I, as a fellow parent, would like to have seen the parents portrayed in a more sympathetic light and perhaps their reasoning communicated more. I only think this minor point merits one half point off, however, as this is an excellent book about friendship, dealing with illness, and coming of age.

Book Review: Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

Maybe One Day
Author: Melissa Kantor
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: February 18th 2014
Review Source: Edelweiss | HarperTeen

Critically acclaimed author Melissa Kantor masterfully captures the joy of friendship, the agony of loss, and the unique experience of being a teenager in this poignant new novel about a girl grappling with her best friend's life-threatening illness.

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school.

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.

In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

“Friends are the family you choose for yourself”. This is one of my favorite quotes ever because my friends are one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Without them, I don’t know… I don’t think life will be as meaningful. Especially when it comes to my best friend. I know her since I was nine years old. She is part of who I am. She is my family. So this book is very dearly to me. Maybe one day is a book about friendship. These are rare now in days and I am thankful for Melissa for sharing this story with us.

What would you do if the one thing you enjoy the most is taken from you? The one thing that kept you going is no longer there to inspire you. This is what happens to Zoe when she and her best friend, Olivia, are cut out the dance program at NYBC. This was her whole life. This is all she knew.

A year after this, Zoe is pretty much given up on life. Then, she gets a call from Olivia giving her bad news. Something she never expected.

What would you do if your best friend tells you she is sick? A deadly one. Well… I know my world would shatter.

This is a story of true friendship.

This is a story of love.

Let me tell you, the last pages of this book crushed me. I couldn't see at all, it was all a blur. I was ugly crying. I was gasping for air. I had to read over the words. Even writing this down… ah, the tears *sniff sniff*.

This is not as sad as you may think. Yes, cancer sucks and it is a sad topic. But the story of Zoe and Olivia’s friendship is just… beautiful. The true meaning of love and friendship is being there every step of the way. No matter what the circumstances are, you stick to being yourself and being the friend that your friend loves. And this is what Zoe did. This tragedy brought them closer.

Maybe One Day is a powerful, amazing and simply beautiful story of friendship. It will melt you, it will make you smile and it will touch your heart. I recommend everyone to pick up this book.

Read Chapters 4&5
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