Review: Happenstance by Jamie McGuire

Happenstance

Author: Jamie McGuire

Published: May 9^th, 2014

Summary:

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin "Alder" Alderman and Erin "Sonny" Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.

Review:

I just finished Happenstance by Jamie McGuire and I think I'm a bit disappointed. Everyone kept saying what a good book it was and it's just okay in my eyes. There's not much I can say overall without giving away the plot twist, but I'm going to give it a whirl.

I know it's a novella and there is only so much you can do with a one but it fell flat for me. After the book hit a certain point it felt rushed. There is so much in this book that it should have been longer. A lot of it was left open ended and that was a bit discouraging. 

The characters were very stereotypical and annoying. You have the common and overused bullies of the school that pick on the underprivileged main character, the awesome best friend that stands up for you and then the love interest who is privileged and feels 'empty' because he can't be himself. It all felt done before. 

Erin Easter seemed like a decent character and when the 'twist' finally happens it felt like she changed toed rapidly and was out of character. Frankie, Erin's best friend was great and she definitely was a nice touch to the book giving it some humor. Weston was the privileged boy who had everything but felt like he had nothing. He was a good character overall though and he didn't aggravate me too much. The other two Erin's were just nasty and bitchy teen cheerleaders who felt like they had to put Easter down because they had nothing better to do. 

I'm not that impressed with the book but because I'm a book lover I'll probably continue with the series when the next book comes out. I’m always impressed with Jamie’s work so I hope these books get better. In the end, it's an alright book. If you want something short and predictable read this book.

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