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A review by teacupsandtropes
Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor
5.0
★★★★★
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, for providing an ARC of Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor.
When I first read the premise, I was instantly intrigued. Outsider, Beatrice Quinn, who is too smart for anyone her age (and beyond) is told that in order for her to attend Oxford University in England, she needs to have some normal teenage experiences. Her parents make a list for her and send her off to Shakespeare camp in Connecticut where she has to complete the list or stay home another year. Beatrice - who becomes known as Bea - is determined to finish the list and more to show her parents that she can not only live her life, have normal teenage experiences, but that's responsible enough to attend her dream university.
The characters in this book were standouts. Beatrice was so relatable. Although I'm not a math genius (in fact, math was my worst subject), I always felt a little bit like an outcast. I preferred books to people and most of the time, I still do. I also didn't have any serious relationships until I was older and it was great getting to see Beatrice come into her own over the course of the story. Mia and Nolan - her BFFs - were hilarious, amazing, and supportive. Shelby, Nolan's sister, and the antagonist for the majority of the story, was less intriguing. She makes a move to make up with Beatrice at the end of the book, but I still found her extremely unlikeable.
And then we have Nikhil, or Nik, Shah. His parents own the camp and are famous stage actors. He, of course, wants to follow in their footsteps. When a rogue, and frankly rude, comment on the first night pits Nik and Bea against each other, you might think they won't ever get over their differences and become friends... Or something more. I LOVED Nik's character. I'm always a sucker for a character with a British accent, but I loved his personality and how he constantly teased Beatrice to try and bring her out of her shell, or, how he tried to protect her. There were several instances where he tries to go after her that had my heart swelling in size.
I honestly can't find fault with any part of this book. I didn't even know this was a debut novel until I did some research on the author. Whatever she writes next, I'll read. This was fantastic in every way. Although YA sometimes lacks the spice I'm used to reading, there is something so thrilling about the crush and the chase. And that is the reason I still read YA. That is the reason this book worked so well for me. It wasn't angsty by any means, but it made me feel and that is the most important thing to a reader like me.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, for providing an ARC of Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor.
When I first read the premise, I was instantly intrigued. Outsider, Beatrice Quinn, who is too smart for anyone her age (and beyond) is told that in order for her to attend Oxford University in England, she needs to have some normal teenage experiences. Her parents make a list for her and send her off to Shakespeare camp in Connecticut where she has to complete the list or stay home another year. Beatrice - who becomes known as Bea - is determined to finish the list and more to show her parents that she can not only live her life, have normal teenage experiences, but that's responsible enough to attend her dream university.
The characters in this book were standouts. Beatrice was so relatable. Although I'm not a math genius (in fact, math was my worst subject), I always felt a little bit like an outcast. I preferred books to people and most of the time, I still do. I also didn't have any serious relationships until I was older and it was great getting to see Beatrice come into her own over the course of the story. Mia and Nolan - her BFFs - were hilarious, amazing, and supportive. Shelby, Nolan's sister, and the antagonist for the majority of the story, was less intriguing. She makes a move to make up with Beatrice at the end of the book, but I still found her extremely unlikeable.
And then we have Nikhil, or Nik, Shah. His parents own the camp and are famous stage actors. He, of course, wants to follow in their footsteps. When a rogue, and frankly rude, comment on the first night pits Nik and Bea against each other, you might think they won't ever get over their differences and become friends... Or something more. I LOVED Nik's character. I'm always a sucker for a character with a British accent, but I loved his personality and how he constantly teased Beatrice to try and bring her out of her shell, or, how he tried to protect her. There were several instances where he tries to go after her that had my heart swelling in size.
I honestly can't find fault with any part of this book. I didn't even know this was a debut novel until I did some research on the author. Whatever she writes next, I'll read. This was fantastic in every way. Although YA sometimes lacks the spice I'm used to reading, there is something so thrilling about the crush and the chase. And that is the reason I still read YA. That is the reason this book worked so well for me. It wasn't angsty by any means, but it made me feel and that is the most important thing to a reader like me.