Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
My Rating:
Summary:
It’s one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the – gasp – wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she’s queen of following rules and being prepared. That’s why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that’s also why she’s chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB (“meant to be”).
But this spring break, Julia’s rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she’s partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts…from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.
First Sentence: There are certain things in life that just suck.
My Review:
Before I start the review, I need to say this: I’m not really a fan of contemporary romance books with no paranormal/science-fiction elements in it. There are a very very few exceptions of course, such as Anna and the French Kiss and My Life Next Door, but that’s basically it. The other contemporary romances I’ve read, I just tolerate it (but barely).
When I first saw Meant to Be, the stunning cover, and grew interested in the summary, I was hoping that Meant to Be would be one of those few contemporary romances that I will genuinely enjoy. However, it never happened.
To start with, there was something about Lauren Morrill’s writing that had me pausing every two or so pages, thinking, um, what did I just read? The main reason why is because there are tons of paragraphs focused on the tiniest details and descriptions – everything we readers don’t really have to know. I’m not talking about the descriptions of London, I’m talking about Julia’s very descriptive thoughts and actions.
And then there’s Jason. I just don’t understand how anyone could like him. He pretends to be tortured by Julia in a public museum, shoves her into a public pond (where there is probably tons of disgusting diseases you can catch in there) because she likes to swim, makes a kid stick chewed gum in her hair, and ditches her to hang out with other people. Who can honestly like a guy like that? Those small sweet moments we see of Jason can’t even come close to redeeming him. It’s harsh, but true. If he asked me out, I’ll be um, hell no, not until you yell fire in the middle of a museum, take an hour swim in the ocean, stick a piece of gum all over your own hair and shave it all off, and dump all your friends for me. Then I’ll consider it.
Julia and Jason’s relationship was also not quite clear. When did Jason start liking Julia? (I can’t figure it out. If he liked her since the beginning, then he’s a major jerk.) How will their relationship be when they’re back home? What about those popular girls that stand between Jason and Julia?
I don’t really know if I’ll recommend Meant to Be to anybody. All I know is that if you want to read a quick, sappy, cheesy, romance, then give Meant to Be a try. If you hate annoying jerky guys, then skip it.
Too bad, I was actually looking for something like Anna and th French Kiss (then again that book is perfect and there’s nothing like it..I just can’t help hoping I’d find something like it)
Well anyway I’m glad I read you review. .at least now I won’t go in with high hopes.
Yeah, there is no way Meant to Be is as good as Anna and the French Kiss. ):
Kelly recently posted…Win a SIGNED copy of The Evolution of Mara Dyer or a pre-order of The Retribution of Mara Dyer (INT)
I haven’t read this, but I want to mostly because I have seen so many great reviews for it. Based on your review for it, I am kinda surprised so many people loved it. Now I don’t even know if I want to read it anymore! And now I am wondering if I want to read her book coming out later this year! Or at least I think it’s this year…maybe next year. Not sure. Anyway, thanks for the honest review!
I don’t know – I’ve seen SO many mixed reviews on this book, but yeah, I desperately tried to enjoy it, but didn’t.
It’s coming out in 2014 and I have that problem too. Like Meant to Be, the next book sounds promising, but I’m just afraid that it’ll let me down. ):
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 5 – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On + Cover Title Scramble
I really wanted to read this book ever since I read the summary and it looked so nice . I really love contemporary romance books and I was looking for a new book to read. I read some reviews and I felt confused, I don’t think I can read this book because I kinda hate it when authors describe even the tiniest details, it’s too long and a little boring. Anyway, thank you so much for your review! :)
Yeah, if you hate it when authors describe even the tiniest details, then Meant to Be is definitely not the book for you.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Dirty Little Secret – Jennifer Echols
Sorry this didn’t work out for you! :( I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while now, but never got the chance. I don’t know if I’ll pick it up after your review. Everything in the book just sounds annoying. lol ;p Thanks for the great review! :D
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted…Mini-Review: Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer
If you have a small tolerance for annoying people like me, you’ll definitely not like this book Maida. :l
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I actually really loved this one. Too bad. But anyway, Lauren Morrill has a new upcoming book (which I’m so excited about), you might like that one better. :)
Hazel recently posted…{Blog Tour} Review: The Guys Are Props Club + Giveaway
I’m hoping I like Lauren Morrill’s newest book too! -crosses fingers-
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie West
I’m bummed you didn’t like this book! It’s actually one of my favorites that I’ve read this year! I loved Jason. Yes he is super immature but I just thought he was adorable! I was definitely rooting for him! I thought he was hilarious!
Ha ha, guess we have different tastes in boys Michelle. ;D
I can see why Jason is adorable to you, but he just isn’t the guy for me.
Kelly recently posted…First Year Blogoversary + Three Giveaways!
This looks like a nice ya novel! I’m curious to read it!! :)
I hope you’ll enjoy reading this one Frannie! (:
Kelly recently posted…Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
I’m with you on contemporaries. I occasionally read one that absolutely sucks me in, like The Sky is Everywhere and The Life Next Door. Most of the time, they just aren’t for me. So Meant to Be, while I will admit to some serious cover love, is probably not for me. Throw in some spooks or para or sci, and I am in!
Me too! I absolutely adored My Life Next Door for so reason and I haven’t read The Sky is Everywhere yet so I can’t say anything about that one.
I love the cover of Meant to Be, but to mad it wasn’t meant to be. ):
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]
Just by reading the blurb I know I have to put this one on my TBR list. Not only because of that, but I also like that it’s a stand-alone so I wouldn’t have to wait a year long just to get the next one. And I think I know who’s the mysterious texter *hint hint* Jason maybe…? I think so because how would someone else get her number? I just think that but who knows. I need to read this one soon that’s for sure :D
Ha ha, I can see why Meant to Be is attractive – especially since it’s a standalone. ;D
Psh, I refuse to spoil the book for you. You’ll have to read it and find out. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]
Good review. Contemporaries are good books, but when an author goes into to much detail it can be boring.
I hate sappy, cheesy romance and jerky guys so this is definitely not for me!
This book sounded so cute until I read your review! I do not like to read about jerks, so it’s a no to this one.
Thanks for the review!