Review: The Distance Between Us

Author; Kasie West

Publisher; HarperTeen

Genres; YA contemporary & romance

Pages; 320

Rating; 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

“Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she’s beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.”

I was shocked to realize that The Distance Between Us was the first book that Kasie West wrote… because WOW. This killer debut is packed full on interesting characters and it’s over flowing with sarcasm. I’d even say that this book is my favorite thing that Kasie West has written, which is a big honor since I have sat & cried through every title with her name on it. Kasie West really knows how to write the perfect contemporary to make you laugh one moment and punch you in the gut the next.

This book is so fast paced and fluffy! I could not think of a better book to drive away a reading slope or help me complete my good reads challenge at the end of the year. It’s face paced and is the perfect feel good binge read. It’s adorable and swoony, what more do you need?

The gloriously written humor and sarcasm we have that the  protagonist Caymen was always spewing was perfect. Caymen is snarky, sarcastic and has a dry sense of humor that keeps the conversations interesting and makes the story feel so alive in a way many books lack. Whilst reading it felt like Caymen was successfully juggling the world because she did SO MUCH. I don’t know how it’s possible for anyone, let alone a teenager, to handle and juggle so much but it was admirable. I loved her character, she was responsible and so caring; she spent countless hours working in her mother’s store just so they could get by.

There were so many good things in this book. I could sit here and drool on for hours BUT to keep this shorter here are some highlights;

-Caymen & Xander may be my new favorite OTP. They have such a great relationship, AND let’s not forget about all that hot chocolate sipping. swoon. 

-The burn so slow that it’s painful ,  I wish I was kidding but I sped through this book hanging onto every moment because Kasie West knows how to keep you wanting more

-The best contemporary world building EVER. It’s not too common that worlds are well built in contemporary which is TRAGIC. But the atmosphere was so well developed that it felt like I was visiting another city watching two teenagers fall in love (that sentence bordered on stalker)(I’m not, this book is just amazing)

But biggest and most disappointing part of this book was the love triangle. It felt halfhearted and it was clear from the beginning that it was nothing more than a plot deveice to keep Caymen and Xander apart so their chemistry could boil… and It worked. BUT that does not mean but any means it was good or well written. Henry can move out of the way, he not memorable and does nothing for the story besides make things awkward.

After chapters and chapters of swoony goodness we get to the “climax”. Which was at best disappointing and predictable. The ending was rush to get to the finish line that wrapped up too cleanly and wasn’t plotted out. It was like the entire story was a great slow simmer and then the ending was a rush to put the heat on high.

The ending didn’t ruin it for me, and I caution you not to let it for you either. It’s a great book and a great gateway for people to be introduced into the genre. In fact if you aren’t a big contemporary fan I highly encourage you run to your local bookstore and snatch a copy because this book will convert you with all it’s swoony moments and remarkable wit. Xander and Caymen will forever be on my top list of ships because OH MY GOSH. THEY’RE AMAZING and so is this book.