Don’t touch.
Don’t smile.
Don’t charm.
In the past, drawing attention to herself helped distract people from what really makes Kat different—having two gay parents. But it’s also cost her friendships. Kat can’t afford to lose any more of those, especially not her cousin, Harper. They’re spending one last summer together at the lake, where they run into an intriguing newcomer named Emmett Reese. After years of trying to prove she’s just like everybody else, Kat has found someone who wants her because she’s not. A boy who could be everything she wants too—if Harper hadn’t liked him first… (Pub Date: Jan 26, 2016)
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher for trusting me with the task, being my first time reviewing for them.
Kat has just betrayed her best friend's trust when she flirted with her boyfriend and now she needs to make this summer perfect, being the last she gets to spend with her cousin and only friend. Her resolution is not to charm boys, especially not the new boy to whom her cousin appears to be attracted. However, Emmet's obvious interest in Kat won't make it so easy on her.
I found the construction of characters and back story here to be the most noteworthy feature, albeit not the only one. Kat comes from a somewhat different family, being daughter to two dads. Also, themes like responsibility for one's acts, friendship and family get depth as the plot thickens. This was refreshing when you consider we don't even expect YA's to go that mile.
Although Kat herself bothered me a little, being a little too perfect in whatever she decided to do or be, she was still lovely. I thought the author succeeded in giving her believable obstacles to countermeasure all the talents with which she was born. It wasn't enough for me to fall in love but I was far from hating her and most times I just pitied her for being in such a situation.
Emmett is the perfect boy, I think. Not in the too-perfect-to-be-true sense—he fell a bit far from that to be honest—, but as in I actually wanted him for myself. Harper, her cousin wasn't my favorite character but she always managed to say exactly what I was thinking, the author was quite skillful in that way, even if it wasn't on purpose. It was a pity she didn't get the real happy ending I hoped for her, to be honest.
My favorites were really Kat's dads. Both are wonderful! I wish I had a family like them. In the beginning, Kat is portrayed to be so worried about their fights, I bit my nails for half of the book and then I was just glad the story never went there. They're perfect and should be left like that!
I found only two faults, one very small. In the beginning they introduce the character of Kat's biological mother, who never appears again. I thought this remained as unsolved conflict. Was there a need to introduce her then? Just so she would be related to both sides? Well, I think there could have been more efficient ways to just do that.
The red tag here is for rhythm. The book has a charm that I find very rare in YA's. At the same time, I though its pace suddenly loses steam and then I simply didn't care enough to read the ending. I advise anyone not to do the same as me. Don't take your time and just read in one seating, so you don't feel that big drop. I wish I had done it in one seating and then my grade might have been higher. Instead, it bored me from the middle until almost the ending.
In sum, this is a heartwarming story that goes beyond superficiality despite stretching for a bit after the middle section. Important discussions about self-esteem and the meaning of family are present, and the characters are remarkable. I liked the author style and will probably read more from her.
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