Review: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

I still have mixed feelings over this. As someone who can relate to the theme of this book very well, I am on the fence with a lot of things about it. But make no mistake about it, Lauren Barnholdt wrote a nice book.

Title: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt
Pages: 320
Release Date: July 12th 2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Source: Publisher (thanks Amy!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction—and one night, into a passionate kiss. The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

It's like Gossip Girl in a smaller scale. What's the book all about? Cheating, betrayal, and friendship.

Told in alternating timelines, during summer vacation and the first day of school, Sometimes It Happens opens up on the day Hannah dreaded the most: First day of Senior Year. A lot of things had happened over the summer break, and nothing is as it seems anymore. She broke up with Sebastian and was supposed to spend the entire summer forgetting him. But her best friend, Ava went to Maine to be a camp counselor, leaving Hannah alone with Ava's boyfriend, Noah. What do you think happened? Sure, Hannah moved on, but not without creating trouble in the form of sleeping with the one person she shouldn't. Noah, her best friend Ava's boyfriend.

Let me just say that cheating is never right. No matter what the circumstance or the reason may be, it is not an excuse to betray a person, even if she happens to be a crappy friend like Ava was to Hannah. It's a wonder how Ava and Hannah became friends in the first place. Ava is this sassy teen who seems adventurous enough, more confident than Hannah ever was. Hannah is always the one hiding behind Ava's shadow.

Sympathy was mostly what I felt for the characters in the story. Mostly flawed, but not hard to sympathize with, especially Hannah. Hannah is going through a tough break up and she was left all alone. Ava is the one person she looks up to and rely on. It's what happens when one drifts away from the other and the other has had more time to think about things in her life. Instead of Ava being there, Noah was. And like it was supposed to be, the more they spent time together, feelings developed, and before they knew it Noah and Hannah crossed the line, broken the girl code. Now Hannah had to face a day where everything was let out into the open and she had to suffer the consequences of all that she had done. Was it worth it? Forgive me, but I felt happy seeing her get what she deserves. At least she regretted what she did.

Somehow the story which was so wrong became right in the end. Maybe whatever happened to Ava, Hannah, Noah, Sebastian were meant to happen, that it's only a matter of time. Hannah and Ava's friendships weren't as perfect as it is, cracks started appearing and it resulted into the end of their friendship. Absence may not have made the heart grow fonder, but spending long days with each other can do wonders for two people, especially when they've been there for each other when they need company the most.

I still give kudos to Lauren for writing such real and witty characters. They may not be agreeable, but they have flashes of hilariousness, snarkiness and all the classic high school reactions and drama that can only be experienced during that time. There were tension filled scenes and romantic moments, elements that always make contemporary novels such great reads.

I have reservations over the plot, but maybe that's just me. I might be getting some satisfaction over not giving any happy endings for people who doesn't deserve them. Despite all of that, Sometimes It Happens is a quick read through heart breaks, sex and relationships. It reminds us how complicated and intense high school can be. Relationships get broken, friendships with unlikely people are formed, and drama ensues. Lauren Barnholdt's book teaches us that sometimes, maybe sorry isn't enough. Maybe what's ruined can't be brought back to the way it was before, but it can be repaired, somehow. Hopefully.

If you are looking for a perfect quick summer read, you should pick up this one!

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

.5
Okay: Liked, but The Goddess demands more!

Book Cover:
I loved it!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

How do you get over someone when you see him all the time? How do you deal with the heartache? How do you move on?

Title: Two-Way Street
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Pages: 288

Summary:

There are two sides to every breakup. This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation. Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet. It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care. But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot. Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

There are novels that require very vivid descriptions of the setting and character, that when the narrative exceeds more than a couple of pages, it gets boring that you just tend to skim the pages until you get to a part where there’s a conversation going on. And there are those that does not bother with detail, we’re served with a dull, empty story we end up regretting reading it in the first place. Conversations that seem to go nowhere just make a story more annoying.

But for Two Way Street, the conversations and inner monologues work. As a reader, I am treated with first-hand knowledge of what the characters are feeling and thinking.

Courtney Elizabeth McSweeney, the female protagonist and Jordan Richman’s girlfriend of barely four months, when thinking to herself, tends to list reasons for random things. So for this review, I’m adapting her method.=)

What I like about Courtney:

1. She felt real, like a typical Average Jane, that in the story, she was not written as super-smart, just intelligent and sensible enough to know she needs good grades to get into college. She’s not super-hot that every guy in school drools after he, but attractive enough to catch Jordan Richman’s attention and affection. She’s not written as poor that we should pity her, or not rich that we envy her.
2. She acknowledged her neurotic/psychotic tendencies when things didn’t go her way.
3. Like any other girl who’s in loved, she went to great lengths just to show Jordan she really loves him, and when she got her heart broken, tried to prove to herself and Jordan that she’s okay, but despite her best efforts, failed miserably.
   

What I like about Jordan (besides the name, of course ü):

1. Just like Courtney, there’s nothing extra-special about him. He’s a player who met his match in Courtney.
2. He’s a closet romantic. He told Courtney “I love you” when she least expected (and needed) it – they were broken up. He insisted on driving the two of them to Boston University just to spend more time with her.
3. He’s more confused and affected with their broken relationship. Proof?
   

   "Sue me if I need retail therapy. This whole Courtney breakup is driving me insane, and shopping makes me feel better. I’m turning into a girl. Plus I love the feeling I get when my mom’s credit card runs through the machine.”

4. And how awesome is this? Jordan made the bigger effort to fix their relationship. And though he almost did, never gave up.
   

Why I think the story rocked:

1. No unnecessary subplots and complex characters that confuse a reader. The story primarily revolved around Courtney and Jordan. Theirs may be whirlwind romance, but the instant connection between them is so relatable.
2. Minor characters, a.k.a. friend-support-system, like BJ and Jocelyn have their moments, without actually stealing the spotlight from the main characters. I love it when Courtney thought to herself:
   

   “The irony of all this is that B. J. and Jocelyn, who should be the poster children for dysfunctional relationships, are going strong. They’re hanging out, cuddling, probably having sex on a beach, while Jordan and I, who NEVER EVEN FOUGHT, are done.”

   
   
3. Roadtrip! It’s one great adventure, especially when you’re going with someone you love. And the alone time that Jordan and Courtney provided the perfect venue what they needed to confront their feelings for each other and to work out the problems between them.
4. The story switches back and forth with the past and the present time. We get to read about the history of their relationship, at the same time understanding how they ended up with their current situation.Two Way Street is told in alternating views between Courtney and Jordan. I find this effective because, just as Jordan or Courtney get’s to the highlight of her story, it gets cut off, and we read from the other person’s point of view again. It builds up the excitement and curiosity of what happens next.
5. Two Way Street is told in alternating views between Courtney and Jordan. I find this effective because, just as Jordan or Courtney get’s to the highlight of her story, it gets cut off, and we read from the other person’s point of view again. It builds up the excitement and curiosity of what happens next.

Some points where the story kinda blows:

1. The story built up a heightened situation, that when everything is about to climax, it fell short, and did not quite satisfy.
2. The ending felt rushed.
3. Too much cussing.
   

But as a whole, the story is great. It has the right amount of drama and humor. I love how Lauren Barnholdt found a creative way to properly end the story. Thought it felt rushed, I find the subtle happily-ever-after fitting. It’s not too in-your-face great, but it’s not too flat either.

Once the door shuts behind her, I pick up my cell phone and take a deep breath. I have to call Lloyd. I have to call my mom, my dad, and Jocelyn. I told Jordan he had to stop protecting me, and now I have to stop protecting myself. I decide to go for it, to jump right into things, to make the hardest call first. I dial my dad’s number at work. The sun is shining through the window, casting stripes of light on the floor.

“Hey,” I say when he answers. “It’s me.”

Lauren Barnholdt’s Two Way Street deserves a 4 out of 5 rating.

Rating: ★★★★☆ : FANTASTIC! - This is a really nice book. I love it!