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Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie West


distanceThe Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Money can’t buy a good first impression.
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the rich 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’d ever realized. With so many obstacles standing in their way, can she close the distance between them?

 
First Sentence: My eyes burn a hole in the page.

My Review:

Ever since I saw The Distance Between Us on goodreads, I just knew that I had to get my hands on the book. Even though it was a contemporary novel (contemporary novels and I totally do not get along with the exception of a few books), I was eagerly waiting for the release date to arrive. I wasn’t that impressed with Pivot Point, Kasie West’s debut, but I was willing to read The Distance Between Us and jump on the I-love-Kasie-West bandwagon. Not to mention the cover of The Distance Between Us screams a perfect summer read!, which is exactly what I’ve been looking for all summer. Add a book about not trusting a rich guy into the mix and I’m immediately hooked.

I never thought I had the dumping-soda-on-something-purposefully instinct, but sure enough my hand reacts automatically. But he has instincts, too. Probably born from a lifetime of people wanting to dump soda on him. (182, 183)

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I thought that The Distance Between Us was an okay read. Just plain okay. It didn’t impress me, it isn’t one of my favorite books ever, and it wasn’t at all memorable for me. In the end, all I really have to say about the book is meh, this book is probably just not the book for me.

I like Caymen. I like her dry humor, the way she makes me laugh, and her dedication to her mother and her mother’s doll shop. Caymen was also a character I could completely relate to. I mean, hasn’t everybody liked somebody that they felt they couldn’t completely trust once in their lives and struggled with it? I know I did.

Apparently I’m further from being over him than I hoped and I hate myself for being weak. (169)

As for Xander, he was just plain okay. He didn’t really impress me or give me the butterflies. Yes, during some moments he was awesome and sweet, but during other moments, I wasn’t quite so impressed with him. In some scenes, the way he acted was weird and I still can’t put my finger onto it and figure out what he was thinking. If only Kasie West would write a book from Xander’s point of view so I can understand what he was thinking and where his mindset was…

The main issue I had with The Distance Between Us is that I can’t feel the chemistry between Caymen and Xander. Sure, I didn’t miss the parts (and hints) where it was stated that they were both attracted to each other, but I just didn’t feel any chemistry between them. Therefore, their entire relationship was kind of bland in my eyes. Yes, they have their sweet moments and all, but I didn’t feel the sparks fly or any real connection really forming between them two. When Caymen and Xander finally officially got together at the end of The Distance Between Us, I wasn’t cheering and feeling happy for them. I just shrugged, closed the book, and started writing this review.

He kisses me again and I laugh against his lips. I bury my fingers in the hair at the back of his neck. He squeezes my side and I laugh again. (247)

I also felt like something was missing from the book. I don’t know what it is, but I know something is. Maybe it’s because I’m not really satisfied with the way Kasie West executed the rich-boy storyline and how the romance had no chemistry to it. Maybe it’s because I expected so much more after seeing the raving reviews. I just don’t know, but I do know this: I’m not satisfied with the book.

I don’t know guys, but maybe this is all just me. Tons of other people loved (and I mean loved) Kasie West’s The Distance Between Us, but once again, I’m the black sheep. Will I recommend The Distance Between Us? Sure, especially if you love fluffy and cute romances. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it better than I did.

three

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 8-08-13 · 46 Comments
Categories: 2013 book, book review Tagged: 3 star

« Waiting On Wednesday [33]
Stacking the Shelves [45] »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Stuti rai says

    8-08-13 at 9:43 AM

    and I thought i was the only one. I didn’t like this one much myself. Great review.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:18 PM

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who wasn’t really impressed with this one Stuti. Throughout the book, the one constant question running through my mind was what is the big deal about this book? It just didn’t impress me. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Sara @ Just Another Story says

    8-08-13 at 9:56 AM

    Oh contemporaries are hits or misses. It’s to bad this one was a miss for you. I am curious to see what I’ll think of this one. I don’t know that I want to read something where the romance has no chemistry- this scares me.

    Thanks for the review!

    Sara @ Just Another Story
    Sara @ Just Another Story recently posted…My Thoughts: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve TucholkeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:21 PM

      Sadly, contemporaries are mostly misses for me. D:
      I don’t know, other people LOVE the relationship between Caymen and Xander so… -shrugs-
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Jackie says

    8-08-13 at 11:17 AM

    Great review. My friend has this book on her shelf and we swap our books….and she hasn’t read it yet so I haven’t xD I can’t decide if I’m looking forward to reading it yet!
    Jackie
    Jackie recently posted…What Endures {Blitz}My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:24 PM

      I hope you’ll enjoy it better than I did Jackie! I mean, tons of other people LOVED The Distance Between Us, so there’s a 90% chance that you would too. (:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Hazel says

    8-08-13 at 1:33 PM

    I’m one of those people who really really loved this. I guess we all have different opinions. Nice review though!
    Hazel recently posted…Review: The Corner Of Bitter And SweetMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:33 PM

      I’m glad you loved this one Hazel! It’s just that I’m sad to be the black sheep for a popular book again. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Lizzy says

    8-08-13 at 1:48 PM

    I haven’t read this one, but I appreciate reading all sorts of reviews about a book before I decide to grab it. It’s a bummer that the romance lacked chemistry, but the main character’s dry humor might be enough for me to enjoy it. Thanks for the review!
    Lizzy recently posted…Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. MaasMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:37 PM

      I loved the dry humor in The Distance Between Us, but it was a bummer that I didn’t feel any chemistry between Caymen and Xander. :l
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Jen says

    8-08-13 at 5:30 PM

    Aww, it’s a shame that contemporary just isn’t your thing! I hate it when you can’t pinpoint what you disliked in a book. But I see what you’re getting at; the book was just lacking for you. Caymen and Xander sound like great characters, however I can see how the chemistry wasn’t there. I’m excited to read this for myself and see though. Thanks for your honest thoughts, Kelly! :D
    Jen recently posted…The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman | ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:42 PM

      It’s sad that contemporaries just isn’t my thing. I don’t know why, they just aren’t. ):
      Yeah, I hate when that happens. It’s the same with Pushing the Limits; I loved it, but I felt like something was missing and I just didn’t know what that “something” was.
      Don’t worry, I think you’ll like this one Jen! The Distance Between Us is like the perfect contemporary book for you. :D
      I dunno, it looks like it’s just me that didn’t really like the book. =3=
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  7. Holly Anne says

    8-08-13 at 6:27 PM

    I like contemporaries, but sometime some of them fail to impress me. I have this book in my shelf but I’m sort of hesitant whether to read it or not because I’ve heard some mixed reviews. Sure the cover is gorgeous, but what’s inside the book is much more important to me than the cover.

    I don’t like how some books have couples that have no connection at all. There’s nothing to them. They’re dull characters that have no depth to them at all. I did hear that Kasie has a new contemporary coming out next year, so maybe you’ll like that one better.

    As for now, I think I’ll just leave this book on my shelf. Great review!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-08-13 at 9:46 PM

      Hmm, maybe this is just me Holly. Tons of other people liked it on goodreads, so you might too. You never know. o:
      And I totally agree, the cover might be gorgeous, but what’s in the inside is what either makes or breaks the book for us.
      Basically, in my opinion, what Caymen and Xander has is just an instant attraction. I don’t really feel the connection between them, but that may just be me. -shrugs-
      I hope you’ll enjoy The Distance Between Us once you decide to read it Holly! (:
      And thank you! :D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie WestMy Profile

      Reply
  8. LisaILJ says

    8-09-13 at 3:38 PM

    It’s funny that you posted this. I did a mini review of it today, and I completely feel the same way. I actually love contemporaries, but this was just okay for me too.
    LisaILJ recently posted…A Friday Five (#14)My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 8:54 PM

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt this way Lisa. I just wasn’t impressed. :l
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  9. Angela C. says

    8-09-13 at 4:20 PM

    Man, I was so looking forward to reading this one. :/ Pivot Point was AMAZING. I think I’ll read this one sometime later. I’ll get some ARCs finished instead. Thank goodness I didn’t buy this yet.
    Angela C. recently posted…Swoon Thursday (8)My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 8:57 PM

      I don’t know Angela, a majority of people absolutely LOVED this one and since you thought that Pivot Point was amazing, you’ll probably love this one too. o:
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  10. Chantelle says

    8-10-13 at 2:08 AM

    I just finished reading this one a few days ago, and I really have to agree, I only found it ‘okay’. I was definitely hooked early as well, I loved Caymen’s sarcasm, and bonded with her pretty quick. But she just got to unbelievably annoying in the middle and the end with the whole poor girl pity party persona. I think that detracted from their chemistry. Thanks for the review :)
    Chantelle recently posted…Blog Tour: The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn TurgeonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 8:59 PM

      Okay, thank goodness I’m not the odd man out with this one Chantelle.
      Yeah, The Distance Between Us started off good, but then, everything just eventually died off. Like you said, the poor girl pity party thing definitely took the edge off the book.
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  11. Amber (Books of Amber) says

    8-11-13 at 10:03 AM

    Well I’m glad you liked Caymen, at least :D I felt the chemistry between her and Xander in bundles, but I was also imagining them to be Logan and Veronica so that may have had something to do with it.
    Amber (Books of Amber) recently posted…Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan VivianMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 9:01 PM

      LOL, that reminds me, I still haven’t finished watching Veronica Mars yet. I’m not even up to the part where Logan and Veronica get together. -hides-
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  12. Molli says

    8-11-13 at 1:25 PM

    Awww, don’t you hate it when you spend time reading (and hoping to love) a book and then it just doesn’t impress you? Too bad that was your experience with this one, Kelly. I have a copy that was gifted to me, so I hope I like it, but if I don’t, I’ll donate my copy or something.
    Molli recently posted…Dual Review: Incarnate and Asunder by Jodi MeadowsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 9:03 PM

      Yeah, I definitely hate it when that happens and we’re sadly not alone in this. ):
      I hope you’ll like it better than I did Molli! Tons of other people LOVED it, so I hope you do too. -crosses fingers for you-
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Jess Chiles says

    8-11-13 at 1:56 PM

    I’m actually glad to hear this… Makes it nice to see another opinion before going in.

    Great review anyhow!

    Jess
    Jess Chiles recently posted…Super Six Sunday (2)My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 9:03 PM

      Ha ha, I hope you’ll enjoy this one Jess, if you get to it. :P
      Thanks! :D
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Rachel S says

    8-12-13 at 9:45 PM

    I have only recently gotten into contemporaries. I have to really be in the mood to read one to enjoy it though, and I try not to have high expectations, regardless of the hype a book is getting because I rarely LOVE them like many do.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-14-13 at 7:21 PM

      That’s exactly the same situation I’m in. I have to be in the mood for it and if I have high expectations for contemporaries, I end up hating them. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – April Genevieve TucholkeMy Profile

      Reply
  15. Cali W. says

    8-21-13 at 6:34 PM

    Great review! This sounds like a nice fluffy book for summer. <3

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-25-13 at 7:04 PM

      Thanks! :D
      Yeah, The Distance Between Us is a nice fluffy summer read.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [47]My Profile

      Reply
  16. Ini says

    8-29-13 at 4:21 PM

    I finished reading this book a couple days back and I will have to agree that I couldn’t really feel the chemistry between Caymen and xander. I thought I’m the only one who didn’t enjoy this book.. Initially I was drawn to this book mainly because it’s contemporary and I was totally let down after finishing the book..
    Ini recently posted…Graffiti Moon by Cath CrowleyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-29-13 at 4:46 PM

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t feel the chemistry between Caymen and Xander. I pretty much thought that I was the only one who felt that way.
      I was drawn to the book because of the gorgeous cover and the hype, but yeah, this book was a let down. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: How Do You Treat Books You Borrow From the Library?My Profile

      Reply
  17. Susan T. says

    9-24-13 at 4:46 PM

    This isn’t really my favorite genre either, but I won this in a giveaway and feel like I should give it a chance. I wish I was more excited about it!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-25-13 at 12:53 PM

      Maybe you should start with Kasie West’s Pivot Point, which is a paranormal book, get used to her writing, then get to The Distance Between Us. o:
      Kelly recently posted…Teen Thrill Book SigningMy Profile

      Reply
  18. Tirta @ I Prefer Reading says

    10-01-13 at 12:35 PM

    This was my first Kasie West’s book that I read so I had a big expectation since there was a lot of positive reviews about Pivot Point around that time, sadly I have to say that the book fell into the okay shelf for me too. I think the main reason why I didn’t like the book that much was Caymen’s personality, and the prejudices she holds for the rich people; it was annoying. And Xander’s appearance didn’t help; I felt like there was a lack of chemistry between them :|

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 9:41 PM

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought The Distance Between Us was just merely “okay.”
      I thought Caymen’s personality was okay, but her prejudices for rich people did get annoying after awhile.
      YES, so I’m not the only one who thought that there was a lack of chemistry! I didn’t feel ANY chemistry between Caymen and Xander at all, so much that I was wondering if I was blind or something.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]My Profile

      Reply
  19. Kassi says

    10-08-13 at 2:14 PM

    I really liked this book, it managed to hold my attention from the beginning. Not an “oh my god” book, but it’s a good read to pass the time. I gave it 4 stars, and I can understand what you said about that thing missing, I felt it too, but overall I enjoyed the book.

    great review!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-08-13 at 8:40 PM

      I’m glad you enjoyed this one more than I did Kassi! (:
      I’m guessing it’s either a hit or miss for most people.
      Thank goodness I’m not the only one who thought that something was missing from The Distance Between Us! I thought I was the only weird one.
      Thanks Kassi! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series EndersMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Anita Powers says

    10-19-13 at 2:26 AM

    Not sure what I want to do now, I have this book on my reading list but I too had high hopes for it. You wrote a good review but based on your review I am not sure it is what I was hoping for. I wanted a fun, adorable, romance and if they don’t have chemistry then it wont work. Thanks

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-19-13 at 12:43 PM

      I don’t know Anita – some people absolutely LOVED The Distance Between Us while other people, like me, felt the same way, that Caymen and Xander have absolutely no chemistry together. I guess it depends.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]My Profile

      Reply
  21. dajely p says

    10-22-13 at 1:22 PM

    hey! was very interested in reading this book, but I spend the same as you, I did not find enough chemistry between the two characters, and also do not like the name lol carmen, the narrative is fine but only that it is a disappointment honestly expected much more and just left me with a small smile in parts

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-12-13 at 4:17 PM

      Hi! (:
      Yeah, we’re not the only ones who felt the lack of chemistry between Carmen and Xander. :l
      And The Distance Between Us pretty much left me disappointed with it too.
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could RedesignMy Profile

      Reply
  22. Hillary R. says

    11-11-13 at 5:22 PM

    I remember one time Epic Reads had this ten or more sampler for The Distance Between Us but I didn’t know. I actually thought it was the whole story, but I didn’t realize it until I was on the last chapter of the sampler. At first I was confused and I was like “that’s it?!” I was so hooked into the story that only have read ten or a little more chapters wasn’t enough. I really enjoyed the beginning and I never got to finish this book. I hope I can one day though :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-12-13 at 4:20 PM

      Ha ha, looks like you enjoyed this one a lot more than I did Hillary! (:
      I hope you can somehow finish this one sometime soon! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could RedesignMy Profile

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Monthly Wrap Up: August 2013 says:
    8-30-13 at 9:11 AM

    […] The Distance Between Us by Kasie West (Rating: 3.0/5.0) 2. Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood (Rating: 3.5/5.0) 3. The Idea Man […]

    Reply
  2. Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West says:
    9-26-13 at 12:07 AM

    […] ● Kelly @ Effortlessly Reading wrote “This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I thought that The Distance Between Us was an okay read. Just plain okay. It didn’t impress me, it isn’t one of my favorite books ever, and it wasn’t at all memorable for me.” (Read the rest of the review Here!) […]

    Reply

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