A review by iahp_mom
The Truth about Us by Janet Gurtler
3.0
What can I say without spoiling the book? Not much, so beware.
While the writing style is good, and the character development is decent, the plot is predictable, and the best scenes are left out. You want me to care about Jess's mom and the horrible thing that happened to her? Let HER tell us about it, not Jess telling Flynn a quick version that leaves even Jess wondering what her mom felt like. You want me to think Jess is repentant for her behavior to her best friend? Have her show it by making a grand gesture or a series of little ones, not by issuing a pitiful apology over the phone. You want to show us how much Flynn cares? Show us his conversation with Jess' dad, don't just tell us that he "really stood up for them". Characters that die and leave notes for the main character should have something to say that will advance the plot. The note that was left for Flynn was 100 times better but we don't see that until the last paragraph. The adults that are so vehement about keeping them apart fold without reason. Jess' mom gets better with no catalyst. And Flynn, who we actually trust, betrays us in the last smudge of the book, but is too easily forgiven. The betrayal seems out of character, and his apology is not good enough.
So, why 3 stars? Kyle. The only character that makes 100% sense. He is real, and he makes me like Jess and Flynn much more than they deserve.
While the writing style is good, and the character development is decent, the plot is predictable, and the best scenes are left out. You want me to care about Jess's mom and the horrible thing that happened to her? Let HER tell us about it, not Jess telling Flynn a quick version that leaves even Jess wondering what her mom felt like. You want me to think Jess is repentant for her behavior to her best friend? Have her show it by making a grand gesture or a series of little ones, not by issuing a pitiful apology over the phone. You want to show us how much Flynn cares? Show us his conversation with Jess' dad, don't just tell us that he "really stood up for them". Characters that die and leave notes for the main character should have something to say that will advance the plot. The note that was left for Flynn was 100 times better but we don't see that until the last paragraph. The adults that are so vehement about keeping them apart fold without reason. Jess' mom gets better with no catalyst. And Flynn, who we actually trust, betrays us in the last smudge of the book, but is too easily forgiven. The betrayal seems out of character, and his apology is not good enough.
So, why 3 stars? Kyle. The only character that makes 100% sense. He is real, and he makes me like Jess and Flynn much more than they deserve.