Publisher: September 26, 2017
Pub Date: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating:
Blurb:
The unrequited love of the girl next door is the centerpiece of this fiercely funny, yet heart-breaking debut novel.
Fifteen-year-old Matt Wainwright is in turmoil. He can’t tell his lifelong best friend, Tabby, how he really feels about her; his promising basketball skills are being overshadowed by his attitude on the court, and the only place he feels normal is in English class, where he can express his inner thoughts in quirky poems and essays. Matt is desperately hoping that Tabby will reciprocate his feelings; but then Tabby starts dating Liam Branson, senior basketball star and all-around great guy. Losing Tabby to Branson is bad enough; but, as Matt soon discovers, he’s close to losing everything that matters most to him.
Humorous and heart-wrenching, A Short History of the Girl Next Door is perfect for readers who fell in love with All the Bright Places' Finch or Stargirl’s Leo.
Review:
Oh my word... I was NOT expecting that, at all. I need to learn to pay attention to a blurb when it clearly states that the book will be heartbreaking. How am I supposed to get over the story when it made my heart whole then crushed it? Readers, don't be scared despite it being bittersweet; the story was so beautiful. The main character, Matt, struggles through unrequited love and pain. I loved him immediately because he's real, sarcastic, and such a romantic at heart. Such an endearing and well thought out character.
The story seems simple. Two best friends that have grown up together, one falls in love with the other, while the other falls in love with a senior. A Short History of the Girl Next Door is not at all simple. Matt was just fine as the best friend of Tabby, until one day "bam!" he's hit with cupid's arrow. And it's all down hill from there. That's when my heart really started to break. But I couldn't stop reading until I finished the book. When I finally did, I was left with that bittersweet feeling. The one where you can see hope in the near distance but still have that empty hole in your chest.
I absolutely believe readers will fall in love with this book. For the mere reason that it has such an incredible cast of characters. It's thoughtful and realistic at the same time. I have a new author to look forward to reading now.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Buy ===> Amazon US
Buy ===> Amazon UK
About the Author:
Jared Reck lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two daughters. He teaches 8th grade Language Arts, where he has been reading awesome books and writing alongside his students for the past twelve years. A Short History of the Girl Next Door is his first novel.
Learn more about Jared at jaredreckbooks.com and follow him on Twitter @reckj.
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