Jenn Bennett
Series: n/a
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.REVIEW
But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.
What could go wrong?
With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.
And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?
Alex, Approximately was one of my top reads of 2017, therefore, I was so beyond excited to read Bennet's new book. While I was reading Starry Eyes, I found myself feeling all those Alex-feels again. Although this was a totally different story, I found it had all those story elements, which endeared Alex to me, plus some new ones, belonging solely to this story. And once again, I give Bennett all the hearts and all the stars for another amazing story.
- Zorie was a girl after my own heart. Her love for all that is astronomical immediately won this STEM-girl's heart. I must admit, I was slightly disappointed in some of her early decisions, but she grew a lot as she hiked through those mountains. She was still Zorie at the end of the story, but she was better for the journey, which helped her work through some newer and pre-existing issues.
- Lennon 😍 There was just something about this dark and broody boy. It was instantaneous love for me. I think it was his openness and honesty that I liked most about him, but I also found him witty and amusing, and I admired his skills and ability to think quickly in precarious situations. I could not get the Eli from Degrassi out of my head when I thought of Lennon.
Eli from Degrassi totally reminds me of Lennon
- The Romance was wonderful! Second chance romances always get me right in the feels. These two were nursing wide open wounds for a year, neither knowing the full story. They had this beautiful friendship, which evolved and then broke, and you know I was there the whole time hoping and wishing for them to find a way back to each other. Bennett did such an incredible job with this part of the story. It felt real, not forced, and the journey just tugged at all the right parts of my heart.
- This book was sex-positive. These were two healthy teenagers, and their feelings, wants, and needs were all very honest, and organically worked the ideas of safe sex and consent. And yeah, the use of the word "sexlaxation" made me grin every time.
- This was a well balanced story. Bennett deftly tackled some serious topics, while still keeping the overall tone of the book light. It was one of the things I loved about Alex, and it's one of the things I really appreciate about this book. I mean, stuff got real over the course of this story. There were things that happened and were happening in Lennon and Zorie's lives, but Bennett tempered those heavy things with humor and joy. I laughed and smiled a ton, but I also shed a tear or two.
- Bennet always gives us some great adults in her books as well. Let's hear it for the moms in this book, because they were all spectacular. Aside from all three mothers being the best-most-nurturing-supportive-and-fantastic moms, Bennett also featured families that are not the norm, which is something personally important to me.
- Oddly enough, this was another book I LOVED which featured camping. I have not been camping in over a decade (been there, got my certification, never went again), but I can really appreciate all the knowledge that is needed when doing the type of camping they did in this book. I also love the majesty of the outdoor setting Bennett painted for us. These were the trails, which inspired Ansel Adams, and his works is stunning.
- Lennon's maps!!!! I loved all his hand drawn map, and that last one! I am getting all sappy and weepy just thinking about it.
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BOOK LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
March 28th
- Pink Polka Dot Books- Welcome Post
- The Readers Den- Review
- It Starts at Midnight- Review
- Here's to Happy Endings- Review
- Vicky Who Reads- Creative Post
- That Artsy Reader Girl- Guest Post
- We Live and Breathe Books- Review & Favorite Quotes
- Brunette Biblio- Review
- Stories on Stage- Review
- The Bibliophagist- Review
- Forever 17 Books- Guest Post
- The Clever Reader- Q&A
- Adventures of a Book Junkie- Q&A
- One Way Or An Author- Review
- Life of a Literary Nerd- Review
- Magical Reads- Review & Favorite Quotes
- Blushing Bibliophile- Review
Do you enjoy camping or stargazing?
Let us know in the comments!
Yes loved this one!! The moms were such stand outs for me. Zorie and Lennon were so cute together too. Great review!!!
ReplyDeleteThe moms were the best, and they were not cabot copies of each other. They were unique and had attributes that made each of them special.
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed this one as well! Jenn Bennett's romances are the best romances! Seriously, every book by her has had a fantastic romance. My favorite from her are Cady and Lon! <3
ReplyDeleteI really need to get her first book (which must be where Cady and Lon are from, since I don't know them). He last two books just filled me with so much joy. I swear! I cannot talk about them without getting tears in my eyes.
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author, but from your review this seems like an adorable story with great character development! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteI know you read a lot of paranormals and urban fantasy, so this is way out of your comfort zone, but really writes fantastic contemporaries and I hope teen girls will read her books, because they show how a girl should be treated by a boy, and depict healthy relationships.
DeleteYay, great review! I loved all the moms in this book as well. :) And Lennon gave me all the feels with the sweet things he said. :) LOVED this book!
ReplyDeleteOh, btw... I'm Jana of That Artsy Reader Girl. :)
DeleteThis book was utter perfection for me, and I am so happy you loved it too. We must spread the love!
Delete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis has been one of my most anticipated books since the moment I heard about it, and SAM, YOU HAVE SOLD ME SO MUCH EVEN MORE. I must go run off somewhere and pre-order because I. NEED. THIS. SO. MUCH. Wonderful review, Sam!!
I hope you entered the giveaway and win (if you're in the US), because I want your to read this book so much. It a most wonderful book!!!
DeleteI have really got to read Jenn Bennett soon. This sounds like a fantastic read with a lot of really great elements. I am so glad you enjoyed this one, Sam!
ReplyDeleteCarole, her books are so good. I hope you get to experience the greatness that is Jenn Bennett
DeleteThis sounds lovely and I'm glad to hear that it's a second chance romance because even though I'm not the biggest fan of romance, that's one I do like. I'm starting this book tonight and now I'm looking forward to it even more than I already was :)
ReplyDeleteMost YA romances are not just a romance. It's a big part of this book, but there is also family and friend drama in addition to the romance.
DeleteLOVED THIS!!!! The quotes are amazing❤️ I really can't wait to read this one, I loved Alex, Approximately!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was BETTER than Alex (I know, crazy). Here come the happy tears again. It was that good.
DeleteThis book sounds SO amazing. I only read one book by this author so far (Night Owls, or The Anatomical Shape of a Heart) and I LOVED it, since then I added all of her books on my TBR haha. I can't wait to read that one, you certainly made me really impatient to :) x
ReplyDeleteASoH is the one I still need to read. I have heard only good things about it. I just have to break down and buy it. My ARCs should slow down soon, and then I am hitting back list. That is one I really want to read.
DeleteI keep seeing everyone saying such good things about thsi book and it makes me happy even though I'm sad there's a longer wait in the UK for it being released. I love Jenn Bennett's books and she's yet to make me regret my decision to read her books.
ReplyDeleteI know the release is coming soon. Bennett had tweeted the cover not too long ago. Her books really are all sorts of wonderful and I am super confident recommending her to a contemporary reader.
DeleteI can’t wait to meet Zorie and Lennon! I mea, I can’t possible imagine Lennon topping Porter in the precious cupcake category but I’m willing to give it a try. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love Alex, but I think I love this book more. I need to get Bennett's first book, because everyone says it's even better than Alex and Starry Eyes, which would mean it's just incredible.
DeleteI've only read one Jen Bennett novel but I loved it so much that I know I really need to love more. The couple and the romance sound so good here and I really love when we get to see great adults in YA too. I am SO not a camping person but it's alright I'm all for reading about other people loving it :P
ReplyDeleteBennett is definitely an auto-read for me now. Her stories hit all the right notes for me. I camped once to earn my Girl Scout camper certification, but my troop never wanted to camp. So, that was it. Not a huge fan of it, but, like you, I liked reading about it.
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