Monday, June 4, 2012

Review: Breaking Lauren by Jordan Deen

Title: Breaking Lauren
Author: Jordan Deen
Date Published: 5/24/12


Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Danny Cummings' life is far from a fairytale, but that's okay since he doesn't believe in happy endings. After spending a year in juvenile hall for maliciously beating his sister's boyfriend, Danny embraces his badass image. Spending most nights drinking, fighting and collecting gambling debts for his Uncle, Danny's life is out of control. His addiction to the bad boy lifestyle won't let him do anything about it, even with his family begging him to go straight. But, when fifteen-year-old Lauren McIntosh stumbles into one of his nightly escapades, the self-proclaimed anti-romantic can't concentrate on anything except Lauren and the fact that she's on the same path his sister was on. Danny knows true love happening for the villain is as common as gamblers paying their debt on time, but he's never backed away from a challenge before and he hates the idea that history will repeat itself.


Growing old with the man she loves—in the small town where she was born—is the only dream Lauren McIntosh has ever had; that is until her family is practically run out of town amidst rumors of arson and adultery. So, when she meets Danny at her new school and hears the rumors about his activities from her new friends, she wants nothing to do with him or the gossip that seems to follow Danny everywhere. After a dangerous and ill-fated attempt at sneaking out, she develops unwelcomed feelings for Danny that he seems to reciprocate. But, Danny’s unrelenting pursuit makes Lauren nervous, especially since he's the only one that wants to know the secrets surrounding her family’s move. Lauren can't tell if Danny's intentions are true or if he has other plans for their newfound and unlikely friendship. The only way to figure out is to let him in and that could destroy everything, including the popularity and social acceptance she desperately seeks.


My Rating:



My Review:
This book was a pleasant surprise. It gets a 4.5 from me.


I felt that Lauren's character was likable and someone readers could instantly sympathize with. I love the aspects of high school life in this story that are more parallel to the actual happenings in high schoool. I really don't like it when authors try to sugar coat things. 


The chemistry between Danny and Lauren was so great. Even thought they spend a majority of this novel arguing or even not speaking to each other, it is the little looks or thoughts that make it so undeniable. 


There were times when I just wanted to smack Lauren for her stupidity, but then I had to realize that everything we knew as a reader she had no clue about and if I was in her position would I really do anything differently? 


Danny's character shows amazing growth in this book and I am not going to lie, I fell in love with him just reading his perspective. He may have done some horrible things and made some mistakes, but his atonement and transformation was beautiful. I'm a little scared about what happens next though.


The ending of this story totally shocked me. I was not expecting that. Most YA Novels that are not paranormal, etc. do not end like that. I'm not going to lie, I may have went into a bit of a Danny Rage when I realized I was on the last page and nothing had been resolved. Now I have to wait until January for Book #2? Man that is just not right! 

1 comment:

roxanne s. sukhan said...

I love bad boy stories ...

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