Love Don't Cost A Thing
Release Date: July 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins | HarperTeen
Pages: 320 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Kindle ebook
Amazon | Goodreads
Summary (from Amazon)
Money can't buy a good first impression.
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the right are not to be trusted. And after years of studying them from behind the cash register of her mom's porcelain-doll shop, she has seen nothing to prove otherwise. Enter Xander Spence - he's tall, handsome, and oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and the fact that he seems to be 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 just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness 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's ever realized. With so many obstacles in their way, can she close the distance between them?
Thoughts on The Distance Between Us
After loving Kasie West's debut novel, Pivot Point, I was excited to learn she had another book coming out only a few months later. I was even more excited when I saw that The Distance Between Us was a contemporary with a charming cover! The red clothing and warm glow from the sun? I was already sold on the book before I'd even started.
Then, I met Caymen Meyers. She's sarcastic, sassy and has a bit of an attitude... So, basically, I loved everything about her. From her witty banter to her loyalty to her mom, I was crazy about her as a character. With a single mother and barely enough money to make it each month, Caymen hasn't had it easy all her life. Instead of being bitter, she's just focused on helping out wherever she's needed and trying to make her mom's life easier.
But, because of her life experiences, she's got a chip on her shoulder when it comes to money. So, when a boy stumbles into the store exuding wealth, she doesn't want anything to do with him. But Xander Spence won't be deterred that easily. He's wealthy, yes, but he's also charming and thoughtful. He's interested in Caymen, but she's got to move past her pre-conceived notions of what it means to be rich.
Honestly, it's a simple concept but I really loved it! Was it predictable at times? Sure. But it was also adorable and funny. I was smiling so much while reading it, and that's a great thing in my opinion. The friendship that develops between Caymen and Xander is so charming and perfect. They don't just magically fall in love after meeting. The characters were my very favorite thing about this book! Even the secondary characters were memorable, realistic and lots of fun.
The ending was a little rushed, but it didn't make me love the book any less. If you want something fun, engaging and light, this is definitely the book for you! With fabulous dialogue and delightful characters, The Distance Between Us will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page.
So Quotable
"Sometimes it's hard for me to start something because I'd rather not try at all than fail at it."
"But nothing good ever happened without risk."
"I know this. And yet..."
I am super excited to read this book! I love reading contemporary novels during the summer, and this one is certainly no exception. Even though I do feel wary about the "poor" girl-"rich" guy combination, I still feel like I'll fall in love with this story.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was wary of that, too, but still ended up loving it! I think it was handled really well and made sense in this story. Hope you read it soon! Such a fun read :)
DeleteHANNAH I LOVED THIS BOOK. Like you, I was just CAUGHT UP IN that cover - you know how that is so easy for me, right? It's beautiful. And the story is so much fun, just so much! It's a little predictable at times and I loved laughing at some of it, and I totally see where you say the ending is rushed, but I just LOVED it. Did you see that not only does Kasie West have the Pivot Point #2 coming out but another contemporary as well? YES. I'm sold on her after loving 2/2 of hers. So glad you loved this one too!!! And that cover - yes, I'm back to that - could be a framed print in my house, I just think it's that cute.
ReplyDeleteOh yay, I'm so happy you loved this one! I love how you previously weren't really a huge fan of contemporaries but have been reading so many more lately. Love how you challenge yourself to try new things :) And yes, I just loved it (even with the ending). YES - I saw the news about book #2 and the new contemporary. AND I LOVE THE SOUND OF THAT NEW CONTEMP. Sounds adorable!
DeleteI also really liked this book!(Actually, I LOVED it, which is not words I'm used to saying with a contemporary). I really liked Caymen's voice and the dynamic between her and Xander. I felt it was one of those books in which the predictability factor really didn't take anything away from the story.
ReplyDeleteI loved both of those things too! It's what totally sold me on the book. Caymen was so different from most heroines, and I adored the relationship she had with Xander. And yes, I noted the rushed ending just so people would know but it didn't take anything away from the story for me.
DeleteI really liked this book too!! I <3 contemporaries and like you said, sure it's predictable but it was so sweet that I didn't mind. I need to read Pivot Point! Lovely review for a lovely book.
ReplyDeleteYES! Read Pivot Point - it's unique and SO good!
DeleteI thought this was a cute read, very Pretty in Pink-esque:) I really liked out sassy Caymen was too! And yep--that's one gorgeous cover for sure:) I wish there had been more character development with C's friends--and I think Mason could have been left out altogether. But it was definitely a great summer beach read:)
ReplyDeleteYeah for sassy Caymen! I was loving her so much :) I agree with your comments on it - there were definitely things that could have been developed more. But for some reason, it just really hit the spot with me at the time I was reading it!
DeleteI felt the same way about the end... but overall loved the book!! A lot of contemporaries like this feel fluffy to me, but even though it was predictable at times, it was written a way that it didn't even matter. The flirting between Caymen and Xander was absolutely adorable! <3 Plus, that cover kicks butt!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I definitely loved the book overall and the ending didn't take too much away from the book for me. And OMG the flirting was the best! I think that's missing in a lot of YA. People just fall in love and have deep conversations, but where's all the adorable banter?! And yes, LOVE this cover!
DeleteI'm so excited about this one! It just sounds so freaking cute, and the cover is adorable! That's a bummer about the rushed ending, but I'm glad you still loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I definitely loved it! Even though the ending is rushed, it really didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story! Hope you love it :)
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