Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Review: The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

Sometimes to move forward, you have to go back…

One post. That’s all it took to destroy the care free, glamorous life of pro golfer Reed Stewart. One tiny post on the Internet. 

Then again, it’s not like Reed’s been winning many tournaments lately, and his uncle isn’t the only one who says it’s because of the unfinished business he left behind back home in Bloomville, Indiana—namely Reed’s father, the Honorable Judge Richard P. Stewart, and the only girl Reed ever loved, Becky Flowers.

But Reed hasn’t spoken to either his father or Becky in over a decade. 

Until that post on the Internet. Suddenly, Reed’s family has become a national laughingstock, his publicist won’t stop calling, his siblings are begging for help, and Reed realizes he has no other choice: He’s got to go home to face his past . . . the Judge and the girl he left behind.

Becky’s worked hard to build her successful senior relocation business, but she’s worked even harder to forget Reed Stewart ever existed—which hasn’t been easy, considering he’s their hometown’s golden boy, and all anyone ever talks about. It was fine while they were thousands of miles apart, but now he’s back in Bloomville. She has absolutely no intention of seeing him—until his family hires her to help save his parents.

Now Reed and Becky can’t avoid one another…or the memories of that one fateful night.

Can the quirky residents of Bloomville bring these two young people back together, or will Reed and Becky continue to allow their pasts to deny them the future they deserve?

This warm, thought-provoking book, told entirely in texts, emails, and journal entries, is as much about the enduring bond of families as it is about second chances at love, and will delight as much as it entertains.
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Thoughts
Guys. I finished a new book! It has been ages since that happened for me. Of course, I have been listening to the Harry Potter books almost non-stop, but actually finishing a book I haven't read before has only happened a couple times this year. And, of course, the book to make the cut was Meg Cabot's newest installment in her Boys series.

I seriously LOVED the first 3 books in this series. They were fresh, fun and interesting. Full of romance and laughter, and so good that you didn't even miss the exposition. I also really, REALLY love Meg Cabot. She is one of those authors that I am always on the look out for her new stuff. However, all of that being said, the vast majority of what I have read by her (including the first three Boy books), I read in high school. I honestly don't know how much that plays a factor in my rather lackluster feelings toward this book, though I do know that with age I certainly have gotten much pickier.

The Good
The characters are all relatively easy to like, except for the horrible sister, of course. The grandparents were cute if eccentric, and Reed and Becky were decent enough characters. The story moved very quickly and it was very easy to read.

The Bad
Honestly, there wasn't really anything to hate in this book. That would require there to be a lot more development and story line. It was really just a fast-paced book, that was a cute glimpse into the lives of the characters. But no depth, nothing that really tied you to the story or the characters. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't exactly a good book either. It was just kind of a cute way to waste time.

Overall, it's not something I'd tell anyone to go out and spend their money on, but it might be a good library read, or a fun read if you are a fan of the Boy series in general.

2 comments :

  1. This series looks so fun! Despite loving the films, 'Princess Diaries,' I've never read a Meg Cabot book. Not sure why. Sorry you didn't 100% love this one. That's never fun.

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    1. Meg Cabot really is a funny writer! I can't recommend her Size 12 Is Not Fat series, and the Queen of Babble series enough. Both are hilarious and so relatable! I'd imagine most people struggle with weight like Heather, or have been known to stick their foot in their mouths like Lizzie! They are just such likable characters :) and the other boy series books were really great, especially if you like the found media style of literature (a la Illuminae and The Dead House).

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