It was another one of those books where the girl needs a boy to help her figure out who she is in the world. Don't get me wrong, I like when there's an element of romance in books, or dramatic circumstances surrounding love like love triangles and betrayls. But I don't like it when the male love interest in the book ends up being the sole reason that the female character finds her way. I guess I just appreciate a strong more independent character than Hailey was.

I gave it 2 stars because it was readable, but totally predictable. And I really didn't get how she ended up being totally cool with her ex and best friend dating... that doesn't happen in real life because it's wrong and weird. Even if you are over someone, it's still going to hurt if one of your friends go after them.

I wouldn't reccomend it, but if you do read it you probably won't hate it, it's just not that original or good. ( )

Ultimately? Isn't worth it. ( )

Chick lit fun. happy ending.

Hailey Kendrick was always the perfect child, never giving anyone any trouble since her mother died. She was vice president of the student government association and got great grades at her exclusive private school. She had big summer plans for after graduation and then her dad goes and cancels them on her. She just freaked out and vandalized a revered statue at the entrance to the school and kissing a boy who was not her awesome boyfriend, Tristan. Her perfect life is over when she is caught and she won’t rat out the person who was with her. The whole school turns against her including Tristan and her best friend Kelsie. When she begins to fall for the townie custodian she is working with as her punishment who just happens to be saving money to go to Yale, she begins to wonder about everything she has thought up to now about townies and everything. This novel is a little more substantial than the Private series or Gossip Girl but girls who like those books will enjoy this one. ( )

This book really ended up being a lot of fun. But it wasn't all about the fun only, as poor Hailey is going through a lot. I really, truly 100% felt bad for her. This book really brought out the emotions for me. I felt such anger at her father for letting her down, at her friends for not standing up for her in the beginning and Hailey for letting them get away with it all. She was a truly nice person who was willing to take the fall for something that wasn't all her fault and everyone made her life miserable for one simple mistake.
For her punishment Hailey has to clean at her school and she's assigned to work with a cute townie (she goes to a boarding school). He ends up being a fantastic character and totally and completely swoonworthy.
I loved Hailey and her amazing personality. Although she was a bit too nice in the beginning she finally finds her voice. I really enjoyed watching her journey. One thing that I may have liked a bit more development of was her quirks. She really obsesses over things being dangerous, all the things people die from (she knows how many are killed by falling soda machines each year). But I felt like her obsession was only skimmed over and wasn't as there as I may have liked. However that was a very minor complaint.
Although the book takes place in the winter it really felt like a great summer read. I think it was the lighter tone and the way the story was told that made it feel that way. Plus it's a light read that I finished in under a day.
I highly recommend this book! ( )

This review can be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com"Tell me the truth. When you were a kid, did you always color inside the lines?” "Coloring in the lines is the whole point. That’s why they have lines,” I said. “That’s where you’re wrong. The lines are there just to hold you in. Like a prison. Think what you might have created if there hadn’t been any lines." ★★★★★ Funny, funny, funny, love it, love it, love it...So, I must confess that the story itself is not memorable (but it is as sweet as honey.. I mean not that sweet, I don't like honey.. maybe as sweet as ice cream or chocolate. Oh, I love M&M's, so I would say as sweet as those but it is so much fun to read), and it is true that some characters are quite 'not nice' (and also I have to tell you that I hate her best friend and I don't care that the author wanted us to believe that she wasn't mean .. I still don't like her.. What did I tell you about your girlfriend's boyfriend, huh?)...But...If you ignore these 2 minor things you will find out that:- the book is wonderfully written and - there are tons of beautiful quotes I've marked on my book that now it looks like a rainbow, ..So instead of only 4 stars I give it 5.And one more thing... I love Drew (yeah, present tense). And I loved the moments with Hailey and Drew, they were perfect for each other, and I can't put into words how funny these two were together - I just couldn't stop laughing.I'll definitely read some more from this author :D ( )