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ARC Book Review: The Art of Lainey – Paula Stokes


theartoflaineyThe Art of Lainey
Author: Paula Stokes
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her – no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.
And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.
What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with, if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?

 
First Sentence: Maybe if I’d paid more attention to my mom and her tea leaves, I would have seen it coming.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

My Review:

I’ll be honest: at first, I wasn’t interested in reading The Art of Lainey at all. Sorry, but I’m one of those shallow people who judge a book by its cover and, well, the cover of The Art of Lainey doesn’t impress me much. However, as I’ve heard more and more great things about The Art of Lainey in the blogosphere, including some friends going on and on about how good it was, I decided to give The Art Of Lainey a second look and BAM! – I wanted to read it asap.

The main reason I wanted to read The Art of Lainey is because of its unique premise – how cool is it to try to win your ex-boyfriend back by using strategies from a book about the art of war? As soon as I heard about that concept, I needed to get my hands on The Art of Lainey asap. However, at times I felt like The Art of War played a minor part in The Art of Lainey compared to other parts of the book. Don’t get me wrong, Lainey did use The Art of War to try to get her ex-boyfriend back, but I felt like The Art of Lainey focuses more on Lainey’s situation with Jason, her “fake” dates with Micah, and her popularity and friendships more than the actual war strategies itself.

“All we have to do is find you a guy to date and you’ll be back on level ground.” She smiles. “Then Jason will see you, get jealous, and voila – you’ll be the one on top.” (ARC 53)

I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary books lately this month and compared to all the other contemporaries I’ve read, Paula Stokes’ writing definitely stands out the most – in a good way. Her writing grabbed me into the story and it just worked. Everything just clicked. Lots of themes in The Art of Lainey has been done before in other contemporaries – there is the popularity theme, the fake boyfriend theme, and the winning back ex-boyfriend theme, but Paula Strokes’ writing just made it all work and not appear like the concepts has been done before. It also helps that the book is so cute and adorable. I just want to squeal thinking about it and give the book a hug.

Everyone who have heard of The Art of Lainey must have also heard of Micah. Before I read The Art of Lainey, the first thing I heard about him from the blogosphere was that he had a mohawk. Yes, let me repeat that, a mohawk. In case you guys didn’t know, I am not a fan of guys with mohawks. I’ve seen enough of them on guys in my high school, literally 80% of the guys in my high school population wore mohawks. That trend still makes me shudder in horror. However, I automatically forgot about how much I dislike guys with mohawks as I read The Art of Lainey and learned more and more about Micah. The way Micah treated Lainey and his younger sister just won my heart. Micah is simply so damn sweet! In the end, Micah convinced me to give guys who has mohawks a chance…maybe.

I see every part of him, tiny pieces I never knew existed. The slight bend in his nose, the wedge-shaped scar on his right temple, the outline of his bicep hiding beneath the pyramid tattoo. His lips part, just barely, when he exhales. (ARC 172)

I don’t know if there will ever be a sequel to The Art of Lainey (I highly doubt there would be), but I am definitely cheering for Lainey and Micah – forever. They make an excellent couple. I love how their relationship is and how they like each other even though they are different. The Art of Lainey shows us that the deeper part matters, not the outside.

Overall, I definitely do recommend you guys to check out The Art of Lainey, especially if you’re looking for a fun, adorable contemporary.If you’re in that kind of mood, The Art of Lainey would be perfect for you.

And last note – I love your REAL voice Paula. :D

threepointfive

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 4-28-14 · 19 Comments
Categories: 2014 book, book review

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Speak Your Mind

  1. Shannon @BooksDevoured says

    4-28-14 at 12:37 PM

    Ok, I had no idea about The Art of War being part of this book. That sounds so interesting! I have seen the cover but I wasn’t all that impressed either. I should have read the synopsis! Hopefully I will get a chance to check this one out. Maybe I will get it from the library first.
    Shannon @BooksDevoured recently posted…Opinions ~ I Haz ThemMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-05-14 at 5:47 PM

      Ha ha, The Art of War is mentioned in the summary of this one! ;D
      If you ever decide to read this one, I hope you’ll enjoy it too Shannon!
      Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Danielle @ Love at First Page says

    4-28-14 at 2:12 PM

    Great review!!! Mohawks are not my thing either, but it sounds like I can make an exception for Micah. ;) Contemporary YA has been so great this year – can’t wait to add this one to the list!
    Danielle @ Love at First Page recently posted…What are you NOT reading right now?My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-05-14 at 5:48 PM

      Thanks Danielle! (:
      Yes, you can definitely make an exception for Micah. I kind of am too. :P
      Ohh, you should definitely recommend some great contemporaries for me to read Danielle! Most contemporaries that I’ve read so far this year just doesn’t impress me much.
      Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Hillary R. says

    4-28-14 at 3:37 PM

    I’m so glad you liked this book! I already have a copy pre-ordered for myself and I can’t wait to read it :) And I definitely did not know that Micah had a Mohawk. I just kept hearing about Micah, but not his physical appearance. And I totally agree with you, Mohawk’s make me want to shudder too. I’ve seen enough that it’s become an eyesore to me, but as long as the fictional character in this book wears one AND has a great personality, I guess I can handle it. Ah! I just can’t wait to read this book! ^_^

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-05-14 at 5:50 PM

      Ha ha, really? The first thing I’ve heard about Micah was that he had a mohawk! ;D
      YESSSS, high five! Guys with mohawks equals so overdone by now. However, Micah is a totally nice guy, so I don’t quite mind that he has a mohawk. :P
      I hope you’ll enjoy this one Hillary! (:
      Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Francine Soleil says

    4-30-14 at 5:51 AM

    Eeep! I’m getting really excited for this one! I love adorable contemporary reads. I cannot imagine liking a guy with a mohawk though. Lol. I didn’t know that the title was based off of the Art of War and I’m quite intrigued. I hope there’s enough of it inside the book though.
    Francine Soleil recently posted…Reflections, Gratitude, Humility, and HopeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-05-14 at 5:53 PM

      I can’t imagine liking a guy with a mohawk either. Frankly, it’s scary and I’m scaring myself the more I think about it.
      Ha ha, it took me awhile to figure out the title! -smacks self on the head- Like duhhh Kelly!
      There is enough of The Art of War in the book, but not enough that it’s also kind of the main focus you know?
      Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Lillie says

    4-30-14 at 6:17 PM

    Aww, great review! I totally agree with you regarding the cover thing: It’s not bad, but still, somehow…vacuous. But I’m really glad you liked the book! I’ll definitely put the book on my wish list…I think it’s time for another awesome YA contemporary :)
    Lillie recently posted…stacking the shelves [3]My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-05-14 at 5:54 PM

      Thank you Lillie! :D
      Yeah, sadly, the cover doesn’t attract many people to read the actual book. :l
      I hope you’ll enjoy reading this one Lillie! (:
      Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Van says

    5-05-14 at 11:24 PM

    Lol mohawks ARE kinda a turnoff aren’t they? But you made me want to read the book! Gotta add this to my ever growing list haha :)

    Reply
  7. Danielle says

    5-10-14 at 8:18 AM

    I’m one of those people that judges a book by it’s cover too, opps. But I have heard some good things about this book!

    Reply
  8. Chanpreet says

    5-10-14 at 9:23 PM

    I don’t judge a book by it’s cover but by it’s blurb. I’m really looking forward to this book! I totally jealous you got to read it early!
    Chanpreet recently posted…Check out this amazing summer sale going on for two more days!My Profile

    Reply
  9. Nitzan Schwarz says

    5-14-14 at 7:51 AM

    Ohh, the Art of War thing takes a backstage to the rest of the things in the book? that really is too bad, as that DOES sound super cool and unique. And I don’t like that that is the premise of the book, if it’s not really the main thing about it…

    But, cute and adorable… hmm… that DOES sound like my kind of book!

    Mohawk, though? Not the really, really big crazy kind, right? Cause I hate those very very much. It looks so… wrong, to me. But, the guy itself sounds so sweet, so… I’ll get over it. I’ll just imagine him with normal hair! LOL
    Nitzan Schwarz recently posted…Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme SimsionMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Jayvee De Castro says

    5-19-14 at 4:18 PM

    Fluffy contemporaries are the best!!!
    Jayvee De Castro recently posted…#JennyHaninPH—The Misfit Giveaway (PH)My Profile

    Reply
  11. Ailla says

    5-23-14 at 7:06 AM

    This looks sooo good! I like this kind of stories. Hoping to read this soon :)
    Ailla recently posted…THE MAZE RUNNER SERIES Dashing Review :DMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Nic says

    5-24-14 at 8:03 AM

    Fun, adorable contemporary is EXACTLY what I’m looking for, because I’m suffering Fangirl withdrawal symptoms. I was hesitant about this book because of the cover too and you have just convinced me! Thanks :D

    Reply
  13. Bea T. says

    5-28-14 at 4:56 AM

    Definitely adding this to my TBR shelf! I’m intrigue as to how she incorporates The Art of War into this novel.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Review: The Art Of Lainey by Paula Stokes says:
    9-11-15 at 12:01 AM

    […] ● Kelly @ Effortlessly Reading wrote “I definitely recommend you guys check out The Art of Lainey, especially if you’re looking for a fun, adorable contemporary.” (Read the rest of the review Here!) […]

    Reply

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