Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is a perfect addition to the YA subgenre that consists of friendship drama, red-hot romance, and money troubles. Kieran Scott (who writes the Private series under her pen name) has introduced to us a new set of characters whom you'll want to know every sordid detail about.
For a book in a genre with the potential for characters to fall unconvincingly flat and stereotypical, SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is, like Kieran's other books, remarkable with its character development. Ally is rightfully the star of the show: she's an appealing protagonist who refuses to let others walk over her. Whereas many MCs in other books like to brood endlessly about wrongs done to them, Ally will simply confront the person and let them know what she thinks. This kind of assertiveness is HOT, and it's easy to see why the other characters either can't help liking her or love to hate her.
SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is presented in Ally and Jake's alternating first-person POVs. Normally male POVs written by female authors leave me unconvinced, but I found myself actually very much liking Jake here. Yes, he can be an arrogant hottie, but as we follow him and see how he gets to know Ally, we perfectly comprehend his mindset.
Plot-wise, the novel feels as though it's been done before, but what makes this worth reading is how effortlessly we get sucked into these privileged suburban teens' shenanigans. This is a must-read if you love these types of books, and for the rest of us, it's also a easy and delicious read, perfect for those mindless days where we want to sink ourselves into other people's petty problems.
For a book in a genre with the potential for characters to fall unconvincingly flat and stereotypical, SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is, like Kieran's other books, remarkable with its character development. Ally is rightfully the star of the show: she's an appealing protagonist who refuses to let others walk over her. Whereas many MCs in other books like to brood endlessly about wrongs done to them, Ally will simply confront the person and let them know what she thinks. This kind of assertiveness is HOT, and it's easy to see why the other characters either can't help liking her or love to hate her.
SHE'S SO DEAD TO US is presented in Ally and Jake's alternating first-person POVs. Normally male POVs written by female authors leave me unconvinced, but I found myself actually very much liking Jake here. Yes, he can be an arrogant hottie, but as we follow him and see how he gets to know Ally, we perfectly comprehend his mindset.
Plot-wise, the novel feels as though it's been done before, but what makes this worth reading is how effortlessly we get sucked into these privileged suburban teens' shenanigans. This is a must-read if you love these types of books, and for the rest of us, it's also a easy and delicious read, perfect for those mindless days where we want to sink ourselves into other people's petty problems.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed She's So Dead to Us (He's So/She's So, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Ally Ryan can't believe she's back in Orchard Hill. Over a year ago, her family slipped out at night without telling anyone goodbye. Ally's father made a bad investment, and many of the Ryan's' close friends lost money. The Ryans lost everything. Now that Ally and her mom have moved back to Orchard Hill sans her father, Ally innocently assumes her "Crestie" friends will welcome her back with open arms. After all, it was her father that lost their money, not her.
Her first night back, she takes her bike and rides by her old house. She and her mom are now living in a depressing condo on the "Norm" side of town. When she sees her house, a cute boy calls out to her from her old bedroom window. Who is this boy? She doesn't get his name, but he tells her there's a party at Connor Shale's house the night before school. Just like old times. She talks herself into going, and there she's confronted with her past.
Her old friends no longer want anything to do with her. They are determined to make her remember that she's no longer a "Crestie" but a "Norm."
Ally finds out the mysterious boy is Jake Graydon. He's taken her place in her circle of friends. Jake is attracted to Ally but can't admit it to his friends because they've sworn against Ally and all things Ryan. Ally is attracted to Jake. She gets mixed signals from him and can never determine if he likes her or is just being friendly.
Told in the alternating voices of Ally and Jake, SHE'S SO DEAD TO US draws you in from the early moments when Jake and Ally first meet. Jake is a typical boy, and though you may want to hate him for how he sometimes treats Ally, his reactions to peer pressure are typical and expected. He tries to do what is right but is squeezed by both parents and friends. Ally, on the other hand, is almost too naïve in her expectations of her old friends. From the beginning, you just know that they are going to be a spoiled nasty bunch, but Ally doesn't realize this until after a few harsh encounters.
There are a lot of twists and turns in SHE'S SO DEAD TO US, and, of course, a cliff hanger of an ending. There are a lot of unresolved issues when you reach the final page - there has to be a sequel! For fans of series' like IT GIRL, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, and PRIVATE, this is another one (I hope) that will draw you in and make you want more.
Ally Ryan can't believe she's back in Orchard Hill. Over a year ago, her family slipped out at night without telling anyone goodbye. Ally's father made a bad investment, and many of the Ryan's' close friends lost money. The Ryans lost everything. Now that Ally and her mom have moved back to Orchard Hill sans her father, Ally innocently assumes her "Crestie" friends will welcome her back with open arms. After all, it was her father that lost their money, not her.
Her first night back, she takes her bike and rides by her old house. She and her mom are now living in a depressing condo on the "Norm" side of town. When she sees her house, a cute boy calls out to her from her old bedroom window. Who is this boy? She doesn't get his name, but he tells her there's a party at Connor Shale's house the night before school. Just like old times. She talks herself into going, and there she's confronted with her past.
Her old friends no longer want anything to do with her. They are determined to make her remember that she's no longer a "Crestie" but a "Norm."
Ally finds out the mysterious boy is Jake Graydon. He's taken her place in her circle of friends. Jake is attracted to Ally but can't admit it to his friends because they've sworn against Ally and all things Ryan. Ally is attracted to Jake. She gets mixed signals from him and can never determine if he likes her or is just being friendly.
Told in the alternating voices of Ally and Jake, SHE'S SO DEAD TO US draws you in from the early moments when Jake and Ally first meet. Jake is a typical boy, and though you may want to hate him for how he sometimes treats Ally, his reactions to peer pressure are typical and expected. He tries to do what is right but is squeezed by both parents and friends. Ally, on the other hand, is almost too naïve in her expectations of her old friends. From the beginning, you just know that they are going to be a spoiled nasty bunch, but Ally doesn't realize this until after a few harsh encounters.
There are a lot of twists and turns in SHE'S SO DEAD TO US, and, of course, a cliff hanger of an ending. There are a lot of unresolved issues when you reach the final page - there has to be a sequel! For fans of series' like IT GIRL, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, and PRIVATE, this is another one (I hope) that will draw you in and make you want more.
Taken From My Blog: princessbookie.com
My Thoughts: Lately I have told myself I would only read books that I have heard raving reviews about. Most of you know Kieran Scott is actually Kate Brian. We are introduced to Ally whose family was involved in a major scandal and was basically forced to move away because of her dad's mistake. She is back in Orchard Hill after her father leaving and her mother finding a job there. Nobody welcomes Ally with open arms except newcomer Jake. Jake is new in town, but whats more? He lives in Ally's old house!!! Why is everyone so against Ally and Jake being together? Why can't she just rejoin their group. It wasn't her fault what her father did. I really enjoyed this novel. I loved how the chapters rotated between Ally and Jake. I didn't like Ally's old group much, they did all seem like spoiled rich kids and I felt like she was more than that. I really enjoyed learning about each of the characters in the book and I really liked Jake from the first page we met him. There were times I wish he would have stood up for Ally but he was put in a tough situation. I am itching to get my hands on book 2! I really enjoyed reading this book and I devoured it in one sitting. I just wanted to know what happened next.
Overall: Really loved this one. Of course the last page left me saying, ARRRGGGG because I want the second book in the series now!
Cover: The cover is awesome. I love the way it looks.
My Thoughts: Lately I have told myself I would only read books that I have heard raving reviews about. Most of you know Kieran Scott is actually Kate Brian. We are introduced to Ally whose family was involved in a major scandal and was basically forced to move away because of her dad's mistake. She is back in Orchard Hill after her father leaving and her mother finding a job there. Nobody welcomes Ally with open arms except newcomer Jake. Jake is new in town, but whats more? He lives in Ally's old house!!! Why is everyone so against Ally and Jake being together? Why can't she just rejoin their group. It wasn't her fault what her father did. I really enjoyed this novel. I loved how the chapters rotated between Ally and Jake. I didn't like Ally's old group much, they did all seem like spoiled rich kids and I felt like she was more than that. I really enjoyed learning about each of the characters in the book and I really liked Jake from the first page we met him. There were times I wish he would have stood up for Ally but he was put in a tough situation. I am itching to get my hands on book 2! I really enjoyed reading this book and I devoured it in one sitting. I just wanted to know what happened next.
Overall: Really loved this one. Of course the last page left me saying, ARRRGGGG because I want the second book in the series now!
Cover: The cover is awesome. I love the way it looks.
My view: a quick and enjoyable read. I liked the pages that showed the month and conversation among the other teens in town. Example: August opens with something like "Oh.My.God. Guess who is back in town? Ally Ryan!"
We read alternate viewpoints of both Ally and Jake. It was good to read the viewpoints of the guy as well as the girl.
Two thoughts by the time I closed the book:
* Teenagers can be cruel. I'm glad I don't have to re-live my teenage years. Who really wants to be back in high school?
* Huh? A cliffhanger ending. So there's possibly a sequel coming out. Am curious what happens next.
We read alternate viewpoints of both Ally and Jake. It was good to read the viewpoints of the guy as well as the girl.
Two thoughts by the time I closed the book:
* Teenagers can be cruel. I'm glad I don't have to re-live my teenage years. Who really wants to be back in high school?
* Huh? A cliffhanger ending. So there's possibly a sequel coming out. Am curious what happens next.
