Saturday, September 8, 2012

ARC Review: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT by Debut Author Colleen Clayton

Hello everyone! Today I'm proud to share to you one of the beautiful contemporary books I've read this year. It is a book from the debut author Colleen Clayton (who loves the words Violet and Oceania) and who does watch a large amount of televisions (you're not alone ;p). Below is my review of the book, which was given by lovely Karen <3 in exchange for an honest review and some of the links where you can find Ms. Clayton. Enjoy and don't forget to add it to your to-read list! :D

What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Hardcover: 320 pages

Release date: October 9th, 2012

Publisher: Poppy (Little Brown Books)

Goodreads Rating: 4.33

Goodreads Summary: How can you talk about something you can’t remember?

Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.

Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.

witty and poignant, Colleen Clayton’s stunning debut is a story about moving on after the unthinkable happens.

Barnes and Noble

What Happens Next is one of the lovely contemporary books to be released this 2012, and I’m proud to say that I’m one of the first readers to read it before its release day (Yay!). Now for the review…

I think the plot was great it was built perfectly with realistic account of the lives of a teenager. There are no boring patches I’ve seen throughout the story, but somehow I find the ending a bit over hurried but I don’t think it was that biggie. There is a sensitive content on the story and I don’t think it’s hidden from the readers (read the excerpt). It serve a useful purpose for me, it help me understand more the theme and the characters.

Cassidy and Corey were convincingly rounded as well as the minor characters her family and friends—Kirsten and Paige. They played each of their roles perfectly that help the story to become more interesting, with their combined good and bad qualities. I love mostly was Cassidy’s strength with all the struggles she faces through her friends, her dilemma whether to tell her secret to her family and with herself, emotionally and physically. And then there’s Corey (save the best for last :D)…he is an incredible, sweet guy but not being too cheesy and all girls will absolutely love him without a doubt. I love to thank Ms. Colleen for the words she put through Corey, it made him my no.1 if not one of the swoon worthy, to-follow guy everywhere not just by the looks but by his words. Sid and Corey had a beautiful chemistry; their attraction with each other was put up rightly with good explanation and timing.

All in all I love every single part of the book. From its plot, characters, through its concept—hope, hope that everything will be alright, that there’s always those people who’s on your side no matter what. It deserves all the praises it’s been receiving. Totally recommend it!