How I Lost You
Author: Janet Gurtler
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Summary:
Only Grace knows what Kya’s been through, or how much she needs someone to stick by her. No matter what. Besides, Kya keeps life exciting – pulling Grace into things she’d never dare do on her own. But inch by inch, daring is starting to turn dangerous. And Grace will have to decide how far she can go to save her friendship with Kya…before she ends up losing everything else.
First Sentence: The boys were watching us, trying to get us to make mistakes.
My Review:
I’ll read anything written by Janet Gurtler. She writes about unique topics, ranging from seeing your best friend hooking up with your mother’s boyfriend to a peanut butter kiss killing a guy. When I heard that she was releasing a new book, How I Lost You, I automatically knew that I would read it sometime in the future.
Before I start my review though, I want to comment on the gorgeous cover of How I Lost You. I love the strokeable orange spine. (Did I mention that orange is my favorite color, especially that shade of orange?) The pose of the girl and the guy on the cover is also very cute. I will seriously buy this book for the cover alone.
“Don’t worry, my Skanklet. I have ways of making things happen.”
“But-” I started to say.
“Butt,” she interrupted, turned, and shook her butt at me as we headed out of the playing area. (6)
I don’t think the summary of How I Lost You describes the actual book very well. At first, when I first read the summary of How I Lost You, I thought the book was about two best friends who fell for the same guy and their friendship became ruined because of that. I mean, there was so much emphasis on the “Sisters Before Misters” and “Buds Before Studs” part of the summary that what else was I supposed to think? In reality, How I Lost You isn’t like that at all. How I Lost You is a story of two best friends – Grace and Kya – and how one best friend, Grace, realized what they had wasn’t real friendship at all. Oh, in case you’re also wondering this, there is a bit of romance in How I Lost You, but not a lot.
“Grace, you’re a PAINTBALL PRINCESS.”
“Kya, you da QUEEN!” I yelled back. It was our version of trash talk. (2)
Grace’s situation with her best friend Kya reminded me so much of my situation with my ex-best friend. We, Grace and I, were both treated like dirt, to put it nicely. Like Grace, I had to give up a lot of opportunities for my so-called best friend. Like Grace, my so-called best friend made fun of my other friends and people I was close with, trying to completely isolate me from everyone else so she can have me all to herself. Unlike Grace, I’ve never realized that until uncontrollable circumstances pulled me and my best friend apart.
I was so proud of Grace when she finally stood up for herself and what she wanted, instead of letting Kya get her way, again. I love the fact that Grace finally saw through Kya’s lies and stopped making half-hearted excuses for Kya. I especially love it when Grace realized that Kya was just using her past to control her and get away with doing self-destructive things. Grace went through a huge character development and I really liked how it progressed.
“Don’t be,” I said without thinking. “Things aren’t always the way they seem.”
My choice of words surprised me.
Was I trying to tell myself something? (178)
I love that How I Lost You also deals with paintball, a sport I’ve never read about before. In fact, I’ve never even considered paintball as a sport and never knew that college paintball teams even existed until I read How I Lost You.
If you want to read a book about losing friendships and growing apart from your best friend, then How I Lost You is definitely the right book for you. Don’t be fooled by the summary – How I Lost You is definitely not a book focused mainly on romance.
Awhh! This looks so amazing! It’s the whole finding yourself thing and I LOVE it(: Great review!!!
Jackie
Jackie recently posted…Interview: Catherine Banks
Yeah, it was really nice watching Grace find herself and realize what Kya is doing.
Thanks Jackie! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: How I Lost You – Janet Gurtler
Hi! Thanks for the review. I have not read that book yet ( or any book by Janet Gurtler ) , but I look forward to doing so. It sounds really good and interesting. I love books about friendship and I definitely want to read it.
=D
Hi Kassi! :D
You definitely have to check out all of Janet Gurtler’s books; she writes about such unique topics!
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: How I Lost You – Janet Gurtler
I’ve never read anything by Janet Gurtler, but it sounds like she has some really unique ideas for books!! I love love love this cover – the color scheme, the way the guy and the girl stand and their clothes. Well, I would’ve picked it up for the cover only!!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it and the quotes you chose are hilarious!!
Great review and thanks for sharing your thoughts :D
Sapir @ Diary of a Wimpy Teen Girl
Janet Gurtler definitely has unique ideas for her books; every time she writes a new book, I can always expect something unique and different to come up.
And the cover! I’m with you, the cover alone would have made me read How I Lost You.
I love the two BFF quotes, it really shows how close Grace and Kya are. (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: How I Lost You – Janet Gurtler
I haven’t read anything by Janet, but I do plan to! And I love this cover as well – everything about it – the colors, the pose, the font, etc. Great review, can’t wait to pick this one up!
You should definitely check out one of Janet Gurtler’s books, they are so unique!
The cover is pretty much perfect – it screams light, fluffy, and fun, which How I Lost You was.
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Of Poseidon – Anna Banks
I’ve been meaning to read Who I Kissed since the summary of the book really intrigue me and now this book too, intrigues me. Gaaa! I so need to read her books. Great review, by the way. :)
Alyssa recently posted…Review + Giveaway: Fire
You should check out Who I Kissed, it totally opened up my eyes to how serious peanut butter allergies are.
And a book about friendship. Who can resist?
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Beach Reads
Cool review! i have read another book by this author and I liked it; I will have to try this one too. <3
Which one of Janet Gurtler’s books have you read Cali? o:
And definitely try this one; it is sweet and fluffy! (:
Kelly recently posted…Monthly Wrap Up: June 2013
I read If I Tell and I was kind of a sad one. I am glad this one is warm and fluffy. :)
sorry I meant to say it was a sad one :/
If I Tell is sad, but the ending is a happy, satisfying one. :D
Kelly recently posted…Love Triangle 101: The Shadow Falls Series
Oh, your description of this book makes it sound SOOO much better than the back of the book. I’m definitely looking forward to reading it now.
Yeah, the summary at the back of the book definitely did not describe the book well.
I hope you will enjoy reading How I Lost You Brynna! (:
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 1 – Class Orientation + Teaser Tidbits
This sounds like a really good book. I think I will add it to my list. I have never read a book by her before but you’re making me want read this book and all of her others. Great review!
Alex recently posted…Showcase Sunday (005)
You’ll enjoy How I Lost You Alex! (:
And thanks! :D
Kelly recently posted…Love Triangle 101: The Shadow Falls Series
This sounds really interesting and I can relate to some extent. Who hasn’t grown apart from a friend?
Hmmm, I didn’t fall in love with this author the first time I read her. Sounds like you had a similar experience. At least the book wasn’t too terrible.