A review by heisereads
#scandal by Sarah Ockler
3.0
This one didn't live up to expectations based on the premise for me. I really wanted to like it more than I eventually did. I'm writing this not to slam the book, because I can definitely see the readers for it, but to caution you on some of the concerns I had if you're thinking of using it in a classroom.
It was ok, but not as standout as I was hoping it would be. I did like some of the messages that came out of the story, and I did want to read the whole book to find out what would happen, but I did ultimately feel like there was almost too much going on here, so it felt too long and some of the plot points didn't get as much focus as I felt they could have. It definitely discourages the actions that these characters take by showing the repercussions, but I wish more had happened to the perpetrators.
The bigger concerns I had were:
-The way the principal dealt with the cyberbullying situation didn't seem realistic to me; she was more of a caricature, and that worries me as far as what message students will take from this one what they can do to help themselves if they're ever in a similar situation.
-There are a lot of pop culture and product references and whenever I see that in books I always sense it won't have as much longevity because it will feel dated more quickly, or worry it might alienate readers who don't know those references.
-I never really bought fully into the romance because Cole kept disappearing from the story throughout; I mean, if this was truly the relationship Lucy made it out to be, Cole should have been around more during the fallout. He was there for some of it and in a great way, but then wouldn't be around when I expected him to be and for large chunks.
If you can overlook those things, it may work for you, but it just wasn't an amazing book for me.
It was ok, but not as standout as I was hoping it would be. I did like some of the messages that came out of the story, and I did want to read the whole book to find out what would happen, but I did ultimately feel like there was almost too much going on here, so it felt too long and some of the plot points didn't get as much focus as I felt they could have. It definitely discourages the actions that these characters take by showing the repercussions, but I wish more had happened to the perpetrators.
The bigger concerns I had were:
-The way the principal dealt with the cyberbullying situation didn't seem realistic to me; she was more of a caricature, and that worries me as far as what message students will take from this one what they can do to help themselves if they're ever in a similar situation.
-There are a lot of pop culture and product references and whenever I see that in books I always sense it won't have as much longevity because it will feel dated more quickly, or worry it might alienate readers who don't know those references.
-I never really bought fully into the romance because Cole kept disappearing from the story throughout; I mean, if this was truly the relationship Lucy made it out to be, Cole should have been around more during the fallout. He was there for some of it and in a great way, but then wouldn't be around when I expected him to be and for large chunks.
If you can overlook those things, it may work for you, but it just wasn't an amazing book for me.