Latest Read: The Distance Between Us

Here are the basics ...
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Publication date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Purchased

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers is pretty sure the rich are only good for one thing - spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop. So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. But Xander keeps coming around and much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company. Then she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized and learns he's not the only one she should’ve been worried about. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: The Distance Between Us doesn't exactly cover new ground - rich guy meets poor girl and sparks fly. Then throw in a couple people who disapprove of said relationship, quirky characters plus miscommunication and you've got yourself a romantic (comedy) of sorts. But there's also a reason why rom-coms are so enjoyable when they're done right. And Kasie West definitely does it right.

The author created two very likable characters in Caymen Meyers and Xander Spence and adds some fun (but random) details which elevated the story for me. Caymen has spent her entire life knowing: her rich father left her mom when she got pregnant, they're poor and she would eventually take over her mom's porcelain doll shop (where she spends most of her time at anyway and they live above it). Personally, I find porcelain dolls a bit creepy so I don't know how Caymen spends all day there. She's also the most sarcastic female YA character I've ever encountered and I'm not going to lie, I kinda loved that about her. She's a bit prickly but there's a vulnerability simmering beneath the dry humor and the author balances these two sides of her well. 

When rich guy Xander walks into the store, it's easy to see why she finds him so attractive and infuriating at first meet. And let's face it, I tend to like these kind of guys in books. But he ends up defying almost every stereotype Caymen knows about rich people. Sure he's got the clothes, the cars and the money. But he's also a really kind person who genuinely makes an effort to spend time with her. They're both stuck on this path of following in their parents' footsteps and their friendship tentatively starts with them trying to help the other figure out what they really want to do with their life. It was a fun way to have them get to know each other - especially with all their banter and flirting - and I enjoyed every moment. There's also a bit of drama in the background and since I was in the mood for a light read, I'm glad it stayed that way.  

(Potential) reservations: It's mostly predictable (although one reveal surprised me) and again, on the light side but I didn't mind.

Do I recommend?: Yes! Of the contemporary books I've read recently, this is probably the book I'd recommend bringing to the beach. It's fun, sweet and a super fast read.

Happy reading!