tswanson103's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I absolutely adore this series. The mystery + the band and Summer’s work managing them are the perfect recipe for me. My only complaint upon reread is that Caleb and Summer’s relationship is very insta-love with no real development beyond one or two dates. However, the development of the band as they work through everything being thrown at them balances out the lack of development in the relationship. This series stole my heart the first time I read it, and it is just as charming as I remember. I wish it had gained more attention than it has.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
Let's say this book started out great, it was a real 4 star for the first few pages, but around the middle that turned into 3, and soon after that 2 and with the ending it turned into one star.
I am sorry, but the story was interesting, but it just lacked. For most of the time I didn't understand why Caleb and Summer were still together, if they are together at all. They totally don't match. Caleb is quite oblivious to lots of things, Summer is just a bit too demanding at times, so yeah, most of the time I only knew they were together because they stared at each other, or if they give a few rare kisses.
Then we got Val, OH GOD, I hated Val, even after I knew her history, I just couldn't resist wanting to smack her. She was so annoying, pushing Caleb and Summer away from each other, knowing full well what the hell she was doing and she did a whole lot more of stuff that I just didn't like. She was lying about various other things, and sure if you know her history it might be all ok, but for me no, definitely no.
Then I soon find out that this book won't be a standalone, and that disappoints me too. I think everything could have easily be handled in one book, but the author just kept making new plot twists here and there to keep the book from stopping at one book.
The band thing was fun, and interesting, but for a manager Summer wasn't all that good. She hid stuff (while logical, but come on, give your new band a bit of credit), gave them less chances and more stuff.
So yeah, I wouldn't recommend this book.
I am sorry, but the story was interesting, but it just lacked. For most of the time I didn't understand why Caleb and Summer were still together, if they are together at all. They totally don't match. Caleb is quite oblivious to lots of things, Summer is just a bit too demanding at times, so yeah, most of the time I only knew they were together because they stared at each other, or if they give a few rare kisses.
Then we got Val, OH GOD, I hated Val, even after I knew her history, I just couldn't resist wanting to smack her. She was so annoying, pushing Caleb and Summer away from each other, knowing full well what the hell she was doing and she did a whole lot more of stuff that I just didn't like. She was lying about various other things, and sure if you know her history it might be all ok, but for me no, definitely no.
Then I soon find out that this book won't be a standalone, and that disappoints me too. I think everything could have easily be handled in one book, but the author just kept making new plot twists here and there to keep the book from stopping at one book.
The band thing was fun, and interesting, but for a manager Summer wasn't all that good. She hid stuff (while logical, but come on, give your new band a bit of credit), gave them less chances and more stuff.
So yeah, I wouldn't recommend this book.
softpinecone's review against another edition
5.0
I loved exile. It is such a cute book, with an amazing story, and tons of plot twists. You fall in love with the characters, and I could not put it down until I finished it and found out what happened to all the characters! I am so excited that there is going to be a sequel and I can't wait to read it.
reviewsfromabookworm's review against another edition
3.0
For more reviews and giveaways, go to http://reviewsfromabookworm.blogspot.co.uk
The blurb is one of those vague ones that doesn't really tell you what the book is about. From that alone, I had assumed this would be a contemporary that was about Summer falling for Caleb. Not an amazingly unique or exciting storyline, but an easy, enjoyable read. But, it was actually about a lot more than that and is part one of a series apparently. I can't give too much away when it comes to the book because I don't want to spoil anything. It's probably why the blurb is so vague, because they don't want to ruin any of the surprises that are coming your way. It did deliver on being an easy enough read, and it was quite enjoyable but it wasn't much else. I wasn't excited by it or moved by it. I just read it, finished it and that was it.
Summer is one of those characters who is just not very likeable. She's not a horrible person, but she's just very irritating. She took being a band manager too far, she couldn't separate herself from that role even when trying to be a girlfriend to Caleb. She was pretty much always a manager first and a girlfriend second. Even when he was opening up to her about important stuff in his life, she would solely focus in on how it could benefit the band. It was frustrating and I did wonder why Caleb wanted to be with her. She also gets very jealous about other girls, even though he has given her no reason not to trust him.
Caleb was quite a nice character; he plays guitar and writes his own music. He was the typical brooding lead singer of a rock band, which I actually liked about him. This did make me miss Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover though. This song contains a lot of lyrics and I can never imagine the songs, I would have loved a soundtrack to go along with it so I could listen to them.
The romance in this book develops ridiculously quickly, it's one of the quickest I have seen in a while. Within the first day of meeting each other he asks her out, they go on a date, tells her a huge secret about himself and then they kiss. It was all too fast for me and not very realistic. I feel like you would at least want to get to know someone a little better before you tell them this life changing secret about yourself the way Caleb does.
I liked the scavenger hunt that you find in this book, but there wasn't enough of it. I had no idea this was a series and I can't understand why it is. It feels like it should be one standalone contemporary and nothing else. The hunts were stretched out a bit too much so that we could have another book, but I don't see why we need it. The end was unbelievably frustrating because it wasn't an end, it felt like your copy cuts off halfway through the book. It was only then that I realised I had started another series that is unnecessarily a series. This could have been wrapped up within one book.
2.5/5 Butterflies
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, it was just that it didn't excite me all that much. It started out quite well and was probably a solid three star read, but then the end ruined it. It was far too abrupt and feels like your copy cuts off, not like you have come to the end of the first book in a series. The storyline doesn't justify the need for more than one book. I believe this whole story could be told within one book. It hasn't made me want to continue the series, but it was an enjoyable enough read.
The blurb is one of those vague ones that doesn't really tell you what the book is about. From that alone, I had assumed this would be a contemporary that was about Summer falling for Caleb. Not an amazingly unique or exciting storyline, but an easy, enjoyable read. But, it was actually about a lot more than that and is part one of a series apparently. I can't give too much away when it comes to the book because I don't want to spoil anything. It's probably why the blurb is so vague, because they don't want to ruin any of the surprises that are coming your way. It did deliver on being an easy enough read, and it was quite enjoyable but it wasn't much else. I wasn't excited by it or moved by it. I just read it, finished it and that was it.
Summer is one of those characters who is just not very likeable. She's not a horrible person, but she's just very irritating. She took being a band manager too far, she couldn't separate herself from that role even when trying to be a girlfriend to Caleb. She was pretty much always a manager first and a girlfriend second. Even when he was opening up to her about important stuff in his life, she would solely focus in on how it could benefit the band. It was frustrating and I did wonder why Caleb wanted to be with her. She also gets very jealous about other girls, even though he has given her no reason not to trust him.
Caleb was quite a nice character; he plays guitar and writes his own music. He was the typical brooding lead singer of a rock band, which I actually liked about him. This did make me miss Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover though. This song contains a lot of lyrics and I can never imagine the songs, I would have loved a soundtrack to go along with it so I could listen to them.
The romance in this book develops ridiculously quickly, it's one of the quickest I have seen in a while. Within the first day of meeting each other he asks her out, they go on a date, tells her a huge secret about himself and then they kiss. It was all too fast for me and not very realistic. I feel like you would at least want to get to know someone a little better before you tell them this life changing secret about yourself the way Caleb does.
I liked the scavenger hunt that you find in this book, but there wasn't enough of it. I had no idea this was a series and I can't understand why it is. It feels like it should be one standalone contemporary and nothing else. The hunts were stretched out a bit too much so that we could have another book, but I don't see why we need it. The end was unbelievably frustrating because it wasn't an end, it felt like your copy cuts off halfway through the book. It was only then that I realised I had started another series that is unnecessarily a series. This could have been wrapped up within one book.
2.5/5 Butterflies
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, it was just that it didn't excite me all that much. It started out quite well and was probably a solid three star read, but then the end ruined it. It was far too abrupt and feels like your copy cuts off, not like you have come to the end of the first book in a series. The storyline doesn't justify the need for more than one book. I believe this whole story could be told within one book. It hasn't made me want to continue the series, but it was an enjoyable enough read.
karissakate's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I felt the authors perspective was a bit of a breath of fresh air in the YA world. The music aspects were great. I feel like this is the YA version of mt favorite book, How to Kill a Rockstar by Tiffanie DeBartolo.
tia_20's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
heisereads's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars...lots of love...and all the awesomeness. Just trust me and go get this book the minute you can...and then put it into students' hands. Love, love, love this book! Strong voice and awesome story. It's not even 2014 and I'm already calling this as one of my top favorites of the year - no question. A phenomenal book (that students are loving too). A totally different type of book from Kevin that is SO good. The music, the romance, the mystery, the attitude, the rocking out...it all hits just the right notes.
katiekitch23's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly don't really know why I liked this book so much. Like, (this is not meant to be insulting), the characters were average and the music based story really didn't get me, plus the Twitter action, but for some amazing reason I literally could not put this book down. I think the plot was very intricate and really kept you hooked, wondering what in the world could happen next. The main character was funny, and I liked the Catherine, Summer comparison.
There has to be another book. There is, right? Because otherwise I would die.
There has to be another book. There is, right? Because otherwise I would die.
thanys_thoughts's review against another edition
4.0
So I bought this book at a book signing where I met Kiera Cass "The Selection" series. I actually bought it so I could get two tickets to the signing. Then the author made a Doctor Who joke at the signing, so I figured I would give the book a try.
I liked it. It's like Camp Rock/King Dork with a scavenger hunt. There was a lot of rock music references, which I am not super into. But the other nerdy references were appreciated. The humor was good, and I loved the tweets at the start of every chapter. It was fun. I was bummed to learn it was a trilogy, but I am looking forward to checking out the next book.
I liked it. It's like Camp Rock/King Dork with a scavenger hunt. There was a lot of rock music references, which I am not super into. But the other nerdy references were appreciated. The humor was good, and I loved the tweets at the start of every chapter. It was fun. I was bummed to learn it was a trilogy, but I am looking forward to checking out the next book.