Started: May 28, 2016
Finished: May 31, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Summary (from Goodreads): New York’s social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it’s right where God wants her. Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy’s MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model. When Bella’s mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet–a factory worker with two bratty sons–Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less! Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers. At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying–but kinda hot–editor of the school newspaper. But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it’s not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter’s instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.
This book was a delightful surprise.
I got this book out of a two dollar bin at an indie bookstore, and I thought it sounded great for a fun read, but I didn’t have super high expectations.
Boy, was I wrong.
This book was a great fun read, I was right about that. I was wrong about not having super high expectations.
I really like Christian fiction, and this one was a great Christian fiction novel. It wasn’t too preachy, like a lot of Christian fiction tends to be. It was really relatable and I really liked the story.
The story moved pretty quickly, and it had plenty of build up for suspense and intrigue. I loved it, and I actually didn’t have a problem with the story at all. It was funny, it was suspenseful, and it was mysterious enough without being annoying.
The characters were interesting, and I really liked all of them. My favorite character was Luke, and he was wonderful. I really felt like I was getting to know him and the rest of the characters as if I personally knew them. I’m looking forward to seeing these characters again in the sequel and getting to know them a little bit more.
The only character I had problems with was Bella.
I know, she’s the main character, I shouldn’t have too many problems with her. I only really have one, and it was due more to the way that she was written. The level of her obsession with fashion and frivolity was ridiculous. I understand that it was her character. I understand it went with her story. But there was absolutely no reason for her to go on and on about it and not have any other conversations or traits. I hated this aspect of her character, and it’s the reason that this book did not get five stars from me.
Other than this one aspect of the book, I really enjoyed this novel, and I look forward to reading the sequels. But they will have to wait because I have a mile long TBR list to get through, starting with my much-anticipated next read, The Raven King!
NEXT READ: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Reviews by Hannah 