Being Sloane Jacobs
Author: Lauren Morrill
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte
Summary:
Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.
Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.
When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie – and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.
First Sentence: The music in my head swells to a crescendo, the timpani rolling like a summer thunderstorm.
My Review:
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy Being Sloane Jacobs. Unlike others, I didn’t enjoy Lauren Morrill’s debut novel, Meant To Be, which is also a packaged book for those of you who don’t know. I wasn’t sure if I would like Being Sloane Jacobs either if it was anywhere close to what Meant To Be was. To my surprise, when I started reading Being Sloane Jacobs, I was sucked in into the book. I enjoyed everything about it: its cuteness, its adorableness, its swoon-worthyness, and its utter awesomeness. (Okay, I know that doesn’t really tell you much about the book, but believe me, when you read Being Sloane Jacobs, you’ll totally understand what I’m saying.)
Sloane blinks at me from the other side of the table, staring at me as though I’ve gone insane.
And maybe I have.
But the idea won’t let go: Here it is. My chance to be somebody else for a bit.
My chance to switch. (59)
Being Sloane Jacobs is such a cute and adorable book; there’s literally no other way to describe it. I was smiling over the adorableness this book was and only one other contemporary author, my number one favorite author of all time to be more specific, managed to do that for me: Stephanie Perkins. I mean, I used to hate reading contemporaries, but Stephanie Perkins made me love it! I remember when I read Meant To Be, it was advertised and hyped as similar to Anna and the French Kiss, one of Stephanie Perkins’ books, but didn’t live up to its advertised hype. However, Being Sloane Jacobs did live up to that promise (although it isn’t as good as Anna and the French Kiss because please, nothing can be better than Anna and the French Kiss to me).
I’ve seen this discussed on twitter, so I’ll also mention it here: Being Sloane Jacobs has a non-white love interest. I’ve read more than a hundred young adult books in 2013 and I can easily tell you this: out of those 100+ young adult books I’ve read last year, only one of those books also had a non-white love interest: Ten by Gretchen McNeil. I’m glad Lauren Morrill decided to add a non-white love interest to Being Sloane Jacobs, adding some diversity into her book.
“Watch yourself,” a gruff voice says into my ear. “The insurance doesn’t cover drunken sorority girls.”
“I’m not drunk,” I say, shrugging him off once I’m sure I’m steady…”And I’m not in a sorority.” (127)
There is one main problem I have with Being Sloane Jacobs though: the insta-love, or at least the kind of insta-love. Let me explain, a player who has been with nearly every girl there is in camp falls for Sloane Emily. Out of every girl out there who wants him (believe me, there were several instances in the book which made that quite clear), the love interest is only into Sloane Emily because of…reasons. There was this one moment where I could have gotten an explanation on why the love interest was only interested in Sloane Emily and not all the other girls out there, but to my disappointment, I never did get one. Despite the lack of explanation, I surprisingly wasn’t bothered with the insta-love in Being Sloane Jacobs, unlike other books that had insta-love in it. The cuteness factor of Sloane Emily’s relationship with her love interest just overwhelmed my dislike for the insta-love in it.
I look up. His face is still composed, but his eyes are smiling. Just like when he kissed me that first time. I made him swear I could trust him, and he didn’t let me down, not even when I let him down. (304)
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun adorable book that will make you gosh all over the characters, their situation, and the romance, Being Sloane Jacobs is definitely the book for you. I’ll definitely be book pushing Being Sloane Jacobs for people looking to read fun and cute contemporaries.
I’m so glad you liked this one! I’m really happy about several of the things I saw mentioned in your review – the non-white love interest excites me the most, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting my hands on this one!
I was just wondering though: what’s a “packaged” book, as you mentioned at the beginning? Is it something really obvious that I’m just kind of missing? Haha.
Great review!
Stephanie recently posted…My Dinner at André
I love that Lauren Morrill put a love interest in this one too! It certainly makes Being Sloane Jacobs much more unique.
Ha ha, don’t worry, I figured some people might ask what a packaged book is, but didn’t explain it in my review since I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. This awesome post explains what a packaged book is a lot better than I can.
Thanks Stephanie! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
If you’re looking for another recent YA book with a non-white love interest, try BRUISED by Sarah Skilton.
Great review! I’m actually reading it right now! I’ve only finished 3 chapters so I’m not that far into it yet.
Brianna’s Bookish Confessions recently posted…Mini Review: The Way Life Was Forever by Carey Corp
Thanks Brianna! (:
I hope you’re enjoying it; let me know what you think when you finish it! :D
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Great review. You say this book was fun adorable book that make laugh, maybe this book will perfect to me.
Must check out this book. So glad you liked this book :)
Thanks Filia! :D<3
If you're looking for a fun, cute, adorable book to read that will make you laugh and smile, then Being Sloane Jacobs is the perfect book for you Filia!
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
This sounds like a good summer beach read :)
I nominated you for the Liebster award – it is to help expose new bloggers :) http://aflurryofponderings.blogspot.com/2014/01/liebster-award.html
Missie recently posted…Liebster Award
Being Sloane Jacobs will definitely be a great summer beach read. :D
Ha ha, I’ve already done the Liebster Award several times. Thanks for nominating me! (:
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Great review! I haven’t read any other Morrill books, but I like the quotes from this one and I think I might read this book, it sounds good. ;)
Thanks Cali! :D
If you haven’t read any of Lauren Morrill’s books so far, Being Sloane Jacobs is the one to check out! If you love to read cute, adorable books, then it’s definitely the one for you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Oh my goodness this book sounds too darn cute! I actually have it just waiting for me on my nook! I will be picking it up soon, your review of it was too good not to. Thanks for sharing :) I’m also a big fan of Stephanie Perkins, I’ve read Lola and the Boy Next Door, but have yet to read Anna and the French Kiss!
Best xoxo,
KG
http://www.thatgirlkg.blogspot.com
KG recently posted…Reaver by Larissa Ione
I can fangirl over this book any day KG. That’s how good it is! :D<3
-horrified gasp- You haven't read Anna and the French Kiss yet?! What are you waiting for, read it NOW! You won't ever regret making that decision, trust me.
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Lovely review, Kelly! I’m so glad to see that you loved this one much more than MEANT TO BE. I totally agree with you, there’s hardly any other way to describe this book, other than that it was just ADORABLE! Yep, that insta-love was definitely present with Matt, which is why I liked Sloane Devon’s romance better. And yes to the non-white love interest! It’s always refreshing to read about non blonde hair-blue eyes/dark hair-green eyes. Fab review! <3
Jen recently posted…Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill | Review
Thanks Jen! :D
Ha ha, I tried to think of other words than “adorable” to describe this book, but couldn’t.
Even with the insta-love, Matt somehow managed to win me over. There was this one scene where I was just swooning over his hotness. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
I’ve been so up and down about whether I want to read this one–actually mostly down. BUT your review has me reconsidering it. I’ve never really been into that “Parent Trap” kind of story line, but I have been in the same sort of boat as you. I’ve never really liked contemporary until I read Stephanie Perkins, and I LOVED how fun and adorable her books were. So maybe I’ll have to give this one a try!
Jessika @ Tangled Up in Reading recently posted…Friday Flashback Review: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
I rarely like reading any contemporary books either and after I didn’t like Meant To Be, my expectations for this one was super low, but I ended up loving it. Who knows, maybe you’ll also love this one too Jessika!
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
This book was super cute and fun! The only issue I had with it was just how quickly the girls picked up on the other’s sport.
:) Lovely review!
Leah recently posted…The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine
Ohh, that’s true. I brushed that off since Being Sloane Jacobs is a contemporary book, plus very it’s fluffy.
Thanks Leah! (:
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Nooooooooo! Instalove is dead to me. I hate it sooooooo much. OMG. But if you say it’s adorable, I shall take your word for it. Anyway, I’m very big on adorable books. I will squeal out loud and that makes for very awkward moments on the bus, lol.
It was such a thorough review that just… made me smile!! :D
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…ARC Review: Defy – Sara B. Larson
Insta-love is dead to me too, but believe me Nova, Being Sloane Jacobs makes insta-love adorable! I know, it goes against what I stand for, but I can’t help but love the insta-love in this one! >___< Pshh, who cares about your other busmates? Squeal and cry and scream all you want! ;D Yay! A smile a day makes...um...you live happier? LOL, that was a fail. Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
This just sounds too cute to pass up. I haven’t read Meant to Be, but This one I will be reading!!!
I hope you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did Jaime!
Kelly recently posted…Life Of A Blogger: Non-Bookish Hobbies
Glad you enjoyed this one. I read the author first novel and while I liked it it wasn’t really memorable for me. I’ve heard positive things about this book. Really eager to read more from this author.
Being Sloane Jacobs is a really cute book, but I don’t think it’s THAT memorable, so don’t get your hopes up too high. :P
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: The Moon and More + This Lullaby – Sarah Dessen
This book sounds awesome! I will definitely add this to my TBR list. It sounds like a great book to read. I absolutely love Anna and The French Kiss so maybe I’d like this book too because I love cute and adorable books. :)