Title: The Truth About Us
Author: Janet Gurtler
Pub Date: April 7th, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Page Count: 320
[The Truth About Us] is a book that had a lot of potential but instead, featured a slew of cliches and an ending that personally, didn't agree with me. - Nova @ Out of Time
Everything about The Truth About Us should've agreed with me. The messed up girl who needs to fix herself with a bad boy. This screamed "Nova." And for a while, it did reach my expectations but then things only went downhill from there. Suddenly things went from my favorite topics to my ultimate pet peeves.
Firstly, this book had so many cliches. It hurt. I don't mind messed up girl and bad boy cliches. They're in a lot of books I read and I'm always surprised at how originally they can be written. Plus, I expected those ones. What I didn't expect was the bad boy gets caught with another girl and then finds a way to make it up to the main character almost instantly cliche. I've seen this on teen writing websites all the time. You hear that? It's a cliche that teen girls have adopted into most of their stories and never have I seen it in published books before. I really hoped it would stay that way.
There were a lot more cliches, but they all involve spoiler so I'll hold my tongue.
Something else was how much I hated the characters for their treatment of the main character and how, in the end, she didn't mind. It's like she's got a kick me sign on her back or maybe she's just apathetic about everything. Her father's a jerk, her boss did some pretty horrible things and even the person she claims she "loves" had serious issues with me. But no, she loves them anyway and even though her relationships are a trainwreck, there still happens to be a happy ending.
However, despite all of this, it wasn't hard at all to finish this book. There was flowing writing that made things move along without fast forwards or drags. I liked about a quarter of it before things started unraveling for me. In a strange way, I even like the main character a little. Despite her heavy ignorance and what I think is stupidity, she's very dynamic and I definitely sensed a change in her character by the end.
Overall, the reason why it's getting a low review is because this book isn't memorable for me. I didn't find it interesting or different at all. In fact, I found it similar to the book, Summer on the Short Bus and that book was written first. It's got a tired plot line and despite decent writing, it couldn't hold my attention enough to make me like it.
Author: Janet Gurtler
Pub Date: April 7th, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Page Count: 320
A powerful and gripping contemporary YA from the author of I'm Not Her that's "Just right for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jodi Picoult."-Booklist
The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.
The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.
The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care.
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Chapters Indigo
[The Truth About Us] is a book that had a lot of potential but instead, featured a slew of cliches and an ending that personally, didn't agree with me. - Nova @ Out of Time
Everything about The Truth About Us should've agreed with me. The messed up girl who needs to fix herself with a bad boy. This screamed "Nova." And for a while, it did reach my expectations but then things only went downhill from there. Suddenly things went from my favorite topics to my ultimate pet peeves.
Firstly, this book had so many cliches. It hurt. I don't mind messed up girl and bad boy cliches. They're in a lot of books I read and I'm always surprised at how originally they can be written. Plus, I expected those ones. What I didn't expect was the bad boy gets caught with another girl and then finds a way to make it up to the main character almost instantly cliche. I've seen this on teen writing websites all the time. You hear that? It's a cliche that teen girls have adopted into most of their stories and never have I seen it in published books before. I really hoped it would stay that way.
There were a lot more cliches, but they all involve spoiler so I'll hold my tongue.
Something else was how much I hated the characters for their treatment of the main character and how, in the end, she didn't mind. It's like she's got a kick me sign on her back or maybe she's just apathetic about everything. Her father's a jerk, her boss did some pretty horrible things and even the person she claims she "loves" had serious issues with me. But no, she loves them anyway and even though her relationships are a trainwreck, there still happens to be a happy ending.
However, despite all of this, it wasn't hard at all to finish this book. There was flowing writing that made things move along without fast forwards or drags. I liked about a quarter of it before things started unraveling for me. In a strange way, I even like the main character a little. Despite her heavy ignorance and what I think is stupidity, she's very dynamic and I definitely sensed a change in her character by the end.
Overall, the reason why it's getting a low review is because this book isn't memorable for me. I didn't find it interesting or different at all. In fact, I found it similar to the book, Summer on the Short Bus and that book was written first. It's got a tired plot line and despite decent writing, it couldn't hold my attention enough to make me like it.
I read this a couple of months ago.. I agree with you, I didn't like the story much and it wasn't something that stayed with me. Fantastic review overall! <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteThanks Benish!
DeleteAwww, I've read several (three?) of Janet's books and found myself really enjoying them. That was before I was seriously blogging though. I wonder how I'll feel about them now.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh man. I highlighted that spoiler and it was just, like you said, so cliche. Seriously. That plot works for kdramas (my opinion), but when it's in books, it just makes me cringe and internally yell WHERE IS YOUR PRIDE GIRL.
Oh, I'll have to try her other books then!
DeleteI haven't heard of this one... hmm. I think I'll skip it - I mean, that whole business that you blacked out (which I totally read b/c I can't help myself) is just not cool, man. Plus, I feel like there are a lot of books with these types of characters that are really well done. I'll stick with those.
ReplyDeleteAlso, <3 your bio. >>> Lol. I want to read that book.
Ooh, you rebel ;) And yep! I don't like it when the girl is pathetic like that, it makes me upset because most girls are NOT like that.
DeleteOMG, GIRL, THIS ENDING. So, I wasn't in love with the book or anything anyway, but the ending completely ruined any good will I had toward it. I can forgive something like this once in a while and if the situation warrants it, but this was totally unnecessary and it just pissed me off. Thank goodness I hadn't put too much stock in the book to begin with!
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY! I found it so DEMEANING and showed such weak character. MC, I am DISAPPOINTED IN YOU
Delete