Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Release date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Reading level: YA
Challenge(s): YA Contemporary, Sophomore Reading
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.
So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s 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 Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she’s beginning to enjoy his company.
She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty 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’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.
Kasie West is quickly becoming a new favorite author of mine. My love for her writing first started with Pivot Point but it’s only grown after reading The Distance Between Us.
Caymen is my kind of girl. She’s sarcastic and has this really dry sense of humor that I totally get. She’s kind of quiet and has some quirky friends. She always has this running commentary going on in her head and it’s a lot like the one going on in mine. She’s such an easy person to relate to that you’ll be hooked from the start. Then there’s Xander. He’s not quite as easy to relate to but that won’t stop you from loving him. He’s got this awesome relationship with his grandma, he’s a really nice person, and he and Caymen have chemistry! They’re totally not right for each other but that is part of what makes them so great together. Xander brings out a vulnerable side of Caymen and she brings out an adventurous side of Xander. They’re really good together. They’re not the only characters though. Caymen’s mom actually has a pretty big role in the book (yay for parents in YA!) and while I didn’t totally love her, I could see that she was doing her best with Caymen and her shop. She hid some things from Caymen that she really shouldn’t have but everyone has their flaws. Her relationship with Caymen wasn’t perfect but it was far from bad.
The story is nothing too spectacular but it’s a fun read and it’s not totally predictable which definitely made me enjoy it more. There were a few things that I truly never saw coming. I was flipping pages as fast as I could with this one. I was hoping beyond all hope that Caymen and Xander would get their happy ending, no matter what. I won’t give anything away but I will say that I was satisfied with how things tied up.
As for Kasie West’s writing, I’m still really impressed with it. Pivot Point is so totally different from The Distance Between Us but Kasie’s style of writing worked perfectly with both. It’s nothing too elaborate but it works for the story and I really liked it.
Overall, The Distance Between Us surpassed my expectations and I completely loved it. It’s clear that Kasie’s writing is perfect for any type of story and no matter what she writes in the future, I plan on checking it out.
What others are saying about The Distance Between Us:
Cuddlebuggery Book Blog’s review: “She continuously manages to create down to earth, relatable characters and all-around fun books.”
Book Overdose’s review: “This was such a fun, sweet and quirky read.”
Some Like It Paranormal’s review: “Sweet, funny, and a great build up.”
Other reviews for this author:
Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West
I’m so glad you liked this book. I have tons of friends who keep telling me to read Kasie West and I think I’m going to have to very soon!
I love the sound of Caymen’s character – gotta love sarcastic narrators! The secondary characters seem fantastic, too.
Lovely review! 🙂
Nice review! I just bought this one on sale at Amazon the other week and can’t wait to read it. I just love the cover! And I’m happy to hear that the author is becoming a favourite. Sounds promising! 🙂
Awesome! I’m going book shopping today and I think I’ll have to buy this one! It’s so pretty and the writing and characters sound great.
I’m so glad you liked The Distance Between Us! I thought it was adorable. I haven’t read Pivot Point, but I’ve heard godo things. I just don’t care for sci-fi or dystopian.
I wish I had Caymen’s quick comebacks. I’m more of a “think of something amazing to say three weeks after the fact” person 🙂
This is a perfect summer read. I want more books like this!
Yay, so glad you enjoyed this! I’ve been coveting this book for so long, that cover I’m in love! I finally read Pivot Point and omg loved it so much so cannot wait to read this one. Great review Katie!
I’m anxiously waiting for this book to arrive at my doorstep (mailman loves to chuck it like a baseball player). Kasie West amazed me with Pivot Point and I know for sure this one won’t be a let down considering the many great reviews its getting 😉 I’m so glad you liked it!
yaay for loving this!! I’m REALLY excited for this one!! Caymen sounds like a great female protagonist! Great review, Katie!
– Farah @ MajiBookshelf
Kasie West is a totally awesome writer – she can handle any genre, any tone, any character and I’m sure she can write anything from fantasy to paranormal to scifi, but I absolutely LOVE her contemporary.
This was a perfect romance book, I loved both characters, but I loved how much it stressed family, in both its good and bad aspects.
LOVED the Grandma 🙂
Lovely review 🙂