Book: For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Release date: April 6, 2010
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Viking
Source: Publisher
Summary:
For sixteen years, Josie Gardner and her mom, Kate, have been a team. It’s been the Gardner Girls against the world, and that’s how Josie likes it. Until one day, in the pet food aisle of Shop-Co, they run into the parents of Paul Tucci, Kate’s high school boyfriend—the father Josie has never met. If Mr. and Mrs. Tucci are back in town, it’s only a matter of time until Paul shows up. Suddenly Josie’s mature, capable mother regresses to the heartbroken teenager she was when Paul moved away. Meanwhile, Josie’s on the verge of having her first real boyfriend, while her free-loving best friend, Liv, begins yet another no-strings-attached fling. When Josie learns some surprising truths about Paul Tucci, she finds herself questioning what she’s always believed about her parents—and about herself.
*****
For Keeps was a very cute book. It wasn’t anything special but it was an entertaining read. It didn’t take long for me to get into the story and after that I just kept reading. It was a hard to put down book.
Josie was a pretty good main character. I did find myself disliking her at some points in the book but that was rare. Sometimes she blamed the wrong person for things that were happening but she always tried to fix her mistakes. While I liked Josie, I absolutely loved Liv. She was crazy and hilarious. When I read about her outfits or some of the things she said, I cracked up. She lightened the mood in the book but she also had some more serious parts. Then there was Kate, Josie’s mom, who was a great person who reminded me a lot of my mom which made me like her even more.
For Keeps didn’t actually have a whole lot going on but I never found myself bored with it. From the very first page I was drawn in and hooked. The story was fun but with some deeper meaning mixed in.
Overall, For Keeps is a great book to read when you have nothing better to do. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’s wonderfully written. Definitely one to check out especially if you loved Gilmore Girls. =]
First line: It’s the last Friday night in August, and instead of dancing on a table at Melanie Jaffin’s party with the rest of the soon-to-be junior class, I am crouched behind a tower of Meow Mix in the pet food aisle of Shop-Co, watching my mother hyperventilate.
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Overall: 21/25=B
Cover: 4/5=B-
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Awesome review! I love the first line. I’ve see every single episode of Gilmore Girls, so I think I’m going to love this 😀
Good review. This is in my TBR Pile, and I’m excited to start it.
I’m looking forward to reading this one, as one of my blogging friends said it was a bit like Gilmore Girls. Thanks for the review!