Friday, August 24, 2012

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Poppy

Pages: 304pgs

The Story

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorced dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancee and her kids. The fiancee's son? Whitley's one-niight stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great. Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who iis just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother . . . at least, not yet. It will take all three of tehm to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

The Review

Whitley Johnson's constant partying and flirtatious nature has certainly earned her quite a reputation around her fellow peers. But just when she's ready to escape on her only vacation with her sometimes distant father . . . things that were supposed to be so damn perfect end up turning into her worst nightmare ever! Not only does Whitley find out that her father has an almost too perfect fiance hanging off her every word, but she also finds out that she has a new pair of step-siblings in tow, and one just happens to be Whitley's one night stand from a party she wishes - and wants - to forget. But when Whitley begins to make some unexpected friends (even though she doesn't "do" friends) and when she begins to fall so helplessly in love with her soon-to-be stepbrother, Nathan, things are about to become even more nightmarish than she first anticipated!

Once again this talented young adult author has offered up yet another complicated, saucy teen heroine in her third book, A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE. Now I've been a fan of Kody Keplinger for quite some time now, what with her fantastic debut novel, The Duff, which was my favourite book of hers, and her second novel, Shut Out, which was also another superb read for me and for many readers I know. Some of the things I love most about Keplinger's writing is how imperfect her characters are, how she gets teenagers and all the many forms we seem to come in, how she continues to challenge her readers with some of the most daring subjects from sex to your ordinary friendships, and even how authentic these characters seem to be. For her third novel, I wouldn't go far to say it was my favourite of all of her books, mostly because I couldn't relate to her main character, but regardless of that fact, I can see many others relating to this book . . . a lot in fact and it was definitely a fun summer read for me.

Whitley Johnson, the main character, was needlessly to say a very complicated, rude, reckless, sometimes-stubborn and a sometimes-over-the-top young woman, whom has obviously lost her way somehow. I mean, let's face it - she's a complete and utter mess. Personally for me, Whitley is the kind of girl I would stay well away from in high school and that was probably a good thing in my books. I think the only reason why I didn't enjoy this character as much as I wanted to was because I couldn't relate to her at all. At all. She's so unlike me in so many ways: I'm not a partier, I'm not flirting my way through every guy I meet that gave me some of their attention and I'm certainly not a drinker. But despite those qualities in Whitley, that still doesn't mean she wasn't a fun nor a likable character. Because in all honestly she was - at least when we finally got to know her for her and learn the reasonings behind why she's acting out the way she is. So not to worry readers, you'll still love this main character despite her flaws!

As for the supporting characters, I thought they totally stole the show in this book. Nathan for one, the love interest and Whitley's soon-to-be stepbrother and whom she slept with prior to knowing he was going to be that soon-to-be step-brother of hers, was completely adored by me. He was utterly sweet, he was caring and he was nerdy . . . just like me. Sure, it was kind of weird witnessing his and Whitley's relationship grow into something far more than it should have considering they're going to be related by marriage and all, but I loved that forbidden aspect to their characters and it suited them. I mean, who doesn't love the forbidden no-no side? Even Nathan's little sister was such a delightful little treat . . . she was so, so sweet too. Even Whitley's soon-to-be stepmother was a great character to add in and cause some tension under one roof, and heck, even Whitley's actual father was a great character to add some further complications despite him always forgetting about Whitley and how she felt about his new living situation. Again, they were all so great!

Overall, like any book come across, it's always risky to write about taboo subjects and some really heavy issues for those young adults who read them, but for some reason Kody Keplinger's third novel, A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE, could get away with murder no matter what topic it explores and I love this writer for being able to do that and put a shock to your system! That's the whole fun part for me! So, if you're already a fan of this author like I am or have yet to find that perfect summer read with a great, refreshing teenage voice, then be sure to give this book a go ASAP!

The Rating

3 1/2 / 5 stars

18 comments:

  1. I haven't read anything by Kody but I really want to and you have me so interested in this book!

    Also, love the new blog look!

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    1. Kody's books is something you shouldn't miss out on, love her work!

      Thanks so much! My blog needed a change of scene.

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  2. Great review Erin. Never heard of this book before but I do know Kody Keplinger. I am going to check this one out!thanks for sharing., x

    ficbookreviews

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    1. Thank you! Be sure to grab one of Kody's books, she's a great writer for such a young author.

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  3. Loved your review even if this wasn't your favourite of Kody Keplinger's novels. I've heard such good things about her writing and have The Duff waiting patiently for me. Soon I hope :)

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  4. I haven't read anything by Kody Keplinger before, but I hope I can soon! This book sounds like a quick and fun read. Great review! :)

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    1. It sounds like a lot of people haven't read her work yet. Definitely check it out. Thanks!

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  5. This definitely sounds like a cute, fun read! And it sounds like there are some great characters in this book too! :)

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    1. There are many personalities in this book. Really enjoyed it.

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  6. It's a shame you couldn't connect much to the main character, but the supporting characters sound awesome! And I love the sound of Nate :). Glad you enjoyed this one overall, thanks for the great review! :)

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  7. Your reviews are always really honest. Love that you were upfront about not relating to Whitley but you still said others might enjoy it. It does creep me out that she's kind of falling for her soon-to-be stepbrother, but yeah, I agree, the forbidden can be fun to review. Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to check out The Duff now.
    -Jenna

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    1. Thanks Jenna! I try to be as honest as I can. The whole step-brother/step-sister thing does weird you out for a moment or two but overall it became a great thing in the end.

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  8. I think I'd read this for Nathan alone. He seems like a sweetie. I don't have any problem with these two falling for each other, they're older teens soon to be steps but they didn't grow up in the same house together. I don't see anything wrong with that at all. Excellent review Erin. I've wanted to read this for a while. :)

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    1. I think most people would read it for him too. He was such a sweetiepie. Thanks Rachel.

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  9. ERIN! WITH THE NEW LAYOUT! AND THE PRETTIES! AND THE PURPLE! I LOVE PURPLE! And it looks AWESOME. Well done :D

    I think I'll feel similarly to you with Whitley; she sounds like my polar opposite too. I've never been into the party scene, don't drink and my flirting is mostly me imagining all this awesome stuff to say AFTERWARD :P I'm glad she's still likable despite her flaws.

    Definitely need to read me some Kody Keplinger soon. I always hear her books are so realistic and 'get' teens. Glad you enjoyed this - fab review!!

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    1. Thank you my dear friend, Brodie. hehe. I was tired of my green layout and thought why not purple? Wanted a gothic-like feel to my blog. Best I could do right now.

      Yeah Whitley is the total opposite to me but it's still fun reading about her crazy ways of life. So you MUST read one of Kody's books soon! She's such a great author!

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