Book Review : Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

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Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

I don't care for the cover.

Genre : Contemporary Fiction
ISBN : 0747097855
Released : 5th January 2009
Language : English
Format : Paperback, 288 pages
Source : Borrowed from a friend.

I believe in Chloe and chocolate.

I believe the best part is always before.

I believe that most girls are shifty and most guys are dumb.

I believe the more you spill, the less you are.

I don't believe in life after death or diuretics or happy endings.

I don't believe anything good can come from this.

Riley Rose doesn't want to be at Spirit Ranch Holiday Camp. Riley wants to be partying with her best friend Chloe at the beautiful Ben Sebatini's house. She has a plan to get away from the jumpsuit-wearing counsellors, the feel-good mantras, do-gooder campers and the monotonous schedule of team-building exercises and outdoor activities.

But is everything at the Spirit Ranch as it appears? What secrets are waiting for discovery in the abandoned Fraser house? And why doesn't anyone want to talk about the accident that landed the mysterious Dylan in a wheelchair last year?

*Description from Goodreads.com

          First, let's talk about Riley Rose. What I like about Riley (and the amazing job the author did of bringing her character to life) is that she is not perfect and even though I hate what makes her imperfect, I can't help but like her anyway. This is a new experience for me. Sluts in books don't get along with me. This one really did. Riley can be bad but she can also be good. Nothing is overly dramatized. Thumbs up, Simmone Howell!

          The other characters were a bit dull for me (except Dylan, he was okay). There aren't that much characters in the book and now, almost a week after I have finished the book, I hardly remember them at all. They aren't distinguishable. I think the characters could have been more unique and vibrant to add to the feel of the book. 

          The writing was okay. I don't particular remember any of it but it did not annoy me so that's a plus.

Plot line, I love it. I read this book when I was looking for something to pick me up from a book that got me partially depressed. Read about that here. The plot was simple and predictable but it was exactly what I needed. Don't hate cliches. Sometimes cliches are good. This is an example.

          When I read a book, a factor often crosses off a star is romance. I am one of those people that get easily agitated by sappy romances, (bad) cheesy dialogues and overestimated 'love'. In teenage books, agitation comes much more easily. Teenagers are teenagers, we don't fall in love after 2 seconds and say "I love you and I would risk my life for you." Sheesh. Don't worry. This book is nothing like that. The romance is quick, simple, believable and here's the best part; the book ends without any dramatic love declaration. And it was a good book. How about that?

          The ending was just lovely. Tied all the loose ends that needed to be tied and left other loosed ends to fray. 

Overall, this book earns 4 out of 5 stars. I really recommend it. ^_^

Tweedle-dee, Tweedle-dum,

See you soon.