Latest Read: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

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The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
Publication date: Aug. 27, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Received from publisher through Edelweiss. (Thanks!)

Summary: Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy happened on one spectacular night: a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life. No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met and determined to bring him along on her endless adventures. But as Ezra dives into his new life, he learns some people are easy to misread. If one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes? (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: The Beginning of Everything starts off talking about personal tragedies and how they can change everything - you, your outlook on life and what you decide to do from that moment on. We learn that Ezra Faulkner, who once was one of the most popular guys at school, has lost his tennis career, friends and girlfriend when a tragic car accident shatters his knee. He's forced to redefine himself and I found that I liked him. I got the immediate impression he was a nice guy but just a little too willing to follow the crowd and what was expected of him. It's when he starts making some changes in his life and meets new girl Cassidy Thorpe that things really get interesting.

At the start of Ezra's senior year, lots of new things happen on his first day. He realizes his "friends" aren't the people he thought they were (it's sad how hard times can bring out a person's true colors) and finds himself reconnecting with his old best friend Toby. Their friendship, while in the background, was definitely a highlight of the book to me. I liked how Toby would call him Ezra out on his crap and how he basically forced him to join the debate team. It really opened Ezra up to new challenges and new people like Cassidy. She's a very secretive girl but I found her moments with Ezra really sweet in a young puppy love kind of way. Their banter is witty and fun (although not always necessarily realistic) and I think she got Ezra better than he gives her credit for. He thinks she's the reason why he was able to grow as a person. But she sees the truth - he did it all on his own and I really liked that message.

(Some) reservations: Even though I enjoyed the book a lot more than I expected to (so-so reviews were making me kinda scared to read this!), I felt like the story just skimmed the surface. There was a good story and message here but it was lacking overall and didn't seem to reach its full potential. Then towards the latter half, a pretty big bomb is dropped and it was too out of left field. After that, it felt like a big rush to the finish line when I wanted more to be explored.

Do I recommend?: If you're in the mood for something quick and light but entertaining, you might want to check this out.

Happy reading!