Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern-day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together. What could go wrong? With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely. And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?
Typical high school dramatic miscommunication between boy and girl with heightened and partly hilarious circumstances.
I have read another one of Jenn Bennett's books that I randomly picked up at the library (Alex, Approximately), so Goodreads flagged me down when this one came out. If you've read my other review you know that it got extra points for it taking place partly in my hometown. Starry Eyes did not revisit good ole Monterey Bay, but it still took place in NorCal so I wasn't completely disappointed.
The writing style. Bennett has a really entertaining and easy reading style. It's humorous, embarrassing, flirty and fun.Character development: In the beginning of the book we interact with the most characters. I had an opinion about them. That can only mean that she wrote them well enough for me to care about the "co-stars" of the book!
I couldn't picture Lennon. While I could pronounce his name easily in my head (which you should know by now is a huge deal for me. Huge.) But black boots up to his knees?! I'm sorry I can't picture this. High calf maybe. Laced black knee boots? Were they also platforms? I mean...An insecure narrator. The book was told from the perspective of Zorie (loved her name by the way). She was not fully annoying but definitely annoying. In chapter 20 (no spoilers) she gets what she wants... but then she needs to think about if she wants it. WHAT?! I'm sorry- I don't need to do that at 29, and I certainly didn't do that when I was a high schooler!Overall this was a fun YA read. I read it in one night (to be fair, I couldn't fall asleep for some reason, so I might as well read!). I won't be carrying the characters with me after I closed the book but I enjoyed hanging out with them while I did.
Summer!
Wear: a headlamp (book lights are so out)Eat: trail mixWatch: Mean Girls (there's a character in this book who made my blood boil. Regina...)If you would like to buy this book click here
