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lmthompson's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute story about MTBs. It is light, and happy, and just a bit predictable. As enjoyable as it was, it wasn't really memorable and is a standard 'chick lit'.
thequeenreads's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating : 3.5
It was between meh and it's quite alright, hence the 0.5. It was well written but something about Julia just pisses me off. She may be one of the most naive female fictional characters I have ever read. She has no filter and she only thinks of herself. I can go on but really the list just gets longer and longer. So that's what put me off for this one. Could have been so much better.
It was between meh and it's quite alright, hence the 0.5. It was well written but something about Julia just pisses me off. She may be one of the most naive female fictional characters I have ever read. She has no filter and she only thinks of herself. I can go on but really the list just gets longer and longer. So that's what put me off for this one. Could have been so much better.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
4.0
Meant To Be was very high on my to-read list for 2012. I’m such a huge fan of contemporary and pretty much every review I read just raved about Lauren Morrill’s debut novel. I’m very happy to say that I loved it just as much as every review I read.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Julia at first. She was very goody goody. She seemed almost too perfect. She never did anything spontaneous, she always followed the rules, and she just didn’t seem to live much. Her attitude was difficult to like but she was still very easy to relate to. She was bookish and kind of nerdy and she reminded me a lot of myself. However, unlike me, she saw the error of her ways and started to try some new things. Of course, she had some help along the way. Jason, class clown and arch nemesis of Julia, gets paired with her on their class trip to London. He is the opposite of Julia in every way and he is determined to pull her out of her shell. Jason really reminded me of a lovable puppy. He was funny, smart, sarcastic, and cute. He was impossible not to love. He and Julia were a match made in hell but it was so much fun to read about them and their mishaps.
The story was a little predictable but it still had a couple fresh twists to it. The setting, for one. Having the story take place in London really added to the awesomeness of the book. I honestly felt like I was visiting London while reading Meant To Be. Lauren Morrill included a ton of famous places in London in Meant To Be and it was almost like I could picture them. The mystery aspect also added to what made the book so great. Julia was determined to find out who her anonymous texter might be and I did guess it before Julia but it took me quite some time. I had to keep reading so that I could see if my guess was right.
The romance might have been the best part though. This was no case of insta-love, let me tell you that. It’s pretty obvious from the summary alone which guy Julia is going to end up with but the road there was a rocky one. There were obstacles along the way but it only made things more realistic. Jason and Julia brought out the best and the worst in each other. Theirs was a very true relationship.
Overall, Meant To Be is a fresh addition to the contemporary YA selection. Lauren Morrill is an author to watch for.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Julia at first. She was very goody goody. She seemed almost too perfect. She never did anything spontaneous, she always followed the rules, and she just didn’t seem to live much. Her attitude was difficult to like but she was still very easy to relate to. She was bookish and kind of nerdy and she reminded me a lot of myself. However, unlike me, she saw the error of her ways and started to try some new things. Of course, she had some help along the way. Jason, class clown and arch nemesis of Julia, gets paired with her on their class trip to London. He is the opposite of Julia in every way and he is determined to pull her out of her shell. Jason really reminded me of a lovable puppy. He was funny, smart, sarcastic, and cute. He was impossible not to love. He and Julia were a match made in hell but it was so much fun to read about them and their mishaps.
The story was a little predictable but it still had a couple fresh twists to it. The setting, for one. Having the story take place in London really added to the awesomeness of the book. I honestly felt like I was visiting London while reading Meant To Be. Lauren Morrill included a ton of famous places in London in Meant To Be and it was almost like I could picture them. The mystery aspect also added to what made the book so great. Julia was determined to find out who her anonymous texter might be and I did guess it before Julia but it took me quite some time. I had to keep reading so that I could see if my guess was right.
The romance might have been the best part though. This was no case of insta-love, let me tell you that. It’s pretty obvious from the summary alone which guy Julia is going to end up with but the road there was a rocky one. There were obstacles along the way but it only made things more realistic. Jason and Julia brought out the best and the worst in each other. Theirs was a very true relationship.
Overall, Meant To Be is a fresh addition to the contemporary YA selection. Lauren Morrill is an author to watch for.
julie_responsibly's review against another edition
4.0
YA romance, so totally fluffy, but well done.
maeilis's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
purrfectpages's review against another edition
4.0
I can't quite put my finger on why I enjoyed Meant to Be as much as I did. Not to take anything away from the quality of this book, but I have to acknowledge that it's not the kind of book that treads uncharted waters. Yet, something about Meant to Be had me wanting to finish it from start to finish almost entirely in one, late night sitting.
This book is about a group of high school students from United States who get to journey to London on a school trip. In typical teenage fashion, most of the kids going are more interested in partying than participating in anything even remotely academic. The exception to the rule, of course is Julia, an atypical teen dubbed "Book Licker" by fellow trip mate, Jason.
Since it's set up that Julia and Jason are complete opposites from the start, it's also obvious that they will be thrown together in a number of ways. Like I said, nothing new here. However, the execution of their relationship somehow remains fresh and fun. Julia is crushing on the "perfect" boy back home and texting with a mysterious guy she met her first night in London. But then there's her hot and cold trip buddy Jason, coaching her along the way. Through it all Julia learns a lot about herself and how jumping to the wrong conclusions can have disastrous results. Mix in a little culture and Julia's quest for true love and you realize Meant to Be is meant to be a GOOD time.
This book is about a group of high school students from United States who get to journey to London on a school trip. In typical teenage fashion, most of the kids going are more interested in partying than participating in anything even remotely academic. The exception to the rule, of course is Julia, an atypical teen dubbed "Book Licker" by fellow trip mate, Jason.
Since it's set up that Julia and Jason are complete opposites from the start, it's also obvious that they will be thrown together in a number of ways. Like I said, nothing new here. However, the execution of their relationship somehow remains fresh and fun. Julia is crushing on the "perfect" boy back home and texting with a mysterious guy she met her first night in London. But then there's her hot and cold trip buddy Jason, coaching her along the way. Through it all Julia learns a lot about herself and how jumping to the wrong conclusions can have disastrous results. Mix in a little culture and Julia's quest for true love and you realize Meant to Be is meant to be a GOOD time.
heather4994's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Julia, better known as Book Licker is as straight as they come. She follows all the rules whether it's unpack your suitcase as soon as you arrive or always carry a map with you. She's sure to follow them. I understand her need for order, her need to please, therefore follow the rules. I liked her even though I know some people had complaints about her. It takes a lot of time and effort to follow all the rules that society, school, parents, friends etc have laid out. So is it any wonder she hasn't had much fun and she's so uptight and let's face it, a little angry. If she let's go then she might unravel, and who would she be without all her rules to keep her in line. I think she was a little scared to let go, to find out who Julia really was.
So she gets paired with Jason. He was endearing at times, but also a jerk. His actions were a little more erratic and confusing. He takes Julia to a party and then abandons her. Julia hasn't had enough to drink to really let go yet, so she's able to shake off the unattractive and offensive boys. But then as the night wears on, she's able to pretend she's someone else. And she loves not being "Book Licker". And that's when she gives out her number to so many boys she can't remember who the boy is that is texting her on the "only to be used for emergencies" phone provided by the school trip organizers. Jason takes advantage of that situation, something she expects and says he'll help her win him over if she writes their reflection papers. What ensues is a week of chasing they mysterious Chris around the streets of London trying not to get caught while Julia breaks the rules and finally learns to have fun. I see a lot of character growth in her since the story is told from her point of view and it's great to see. She let's go of a lot of preconceived notions and barriers she has and opens up to new possibilities that don't limit her.
But Jason starts out acting like a five year old and pretty much remains a five year old, getting out of trouble with his charm, a smile or a kiss. I see no character growth in him, no real change in him and he really did need to grow up. There were plenty of opportunities where he could have stepped up and been a grown up, but he just never showed that kind of character.
The story line was fun and different. I'm not saying there isn't another story out there like it, but it felt fresh and fun to me and it was a great contemporary romance. Julia learned a lot and not from the guide books. And in the end it was maybe not the lightest of romances I've read, but definitely fun.
I received a copy of the novel from NetGalley for review. I was not compensated for my review. The opinions expressed are my own.
So she gets paired with Jason. He was endearing at times, but also a jerk. His actions were a little more erratic and confusing. He takes Julia to a party and then abandons her. Julia hasn't had enough to drink to really let go yet, so she's able to shake off the unattractive and offensive boys. But then as the night wears on, she's able to pretend she's someone else. And she loves not being "Book Licker". And that's when she gives out her number to so many boys she can't remember who the boy is that is texting her on the "only to be used for emergencies" phone provided by the school trip organizers. Jason takes advantage of that situation, something she expects and says he'll help her win him over if she writes their reflection papers. What ensues is a week of chasing they mysterious Chris around the streets of London trying not to get caught while Julia breaks the rules and finally learns to have fun. I see a lot of character growth in her since the story is told from her point of view and it's great to see. She let's go of a lot of preconceived notions and barriers she has and opens up to new possibilities that don't limit her.
But Jason starts out acting like a five year old and pretty much remains a five year old, getting out of trouble with his charm, a smile or a kiss. I see no character growth in him, no real change in him and he really did need to grow up. There were plenty of opportunities where he could have stepped up and been a grown up, but he just never showed that kind of character.
The story line was fun and different. I'm not saying there isn't another story out there like it, but it felt fresh and fun to me and it was a great contemporary romance. Julia learned a lot and not from the guide books. And in the end it was maybe not the lightest of romances I've read, but definitely fun.
I received a copy of the novel from NetGalley for review. I was not compensated for my review. The opinions expressed are my own.
cjyu's review against another edition
5.0
So this book had me at: "For fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Stephanie Perkins.." And let's be honest: I'm a freaking sucker for both of those authors' books.
And obviously the book lived up to it (as you see by the rating...). I loved this! So cute, so fun and enjoyable- set in a beautiful London setting. The premises of the "texting mysterious sexy guy" was unique, the idea of MTB was awesome, and the little Shakespeare bits were effing awesome. The characters were enjoyable to read about, the plot was super fun and laugh out loud worthy with it's sad heartbreaking moments. Overall, I adored this book and had such thing reading it :)
P.S. the cover is plain awesome sauce.
And obviously the book lived up to it (as you see by the rating...). I loved this! So cute, so fun and enjoyable- set in a beautiful London setting. The premises of the "texting mysterious sexy guy" was unique, the idea of MTB was awesome, and the little Shakespeare bits were effing awesome. The characters were enjoyable to read about, the plot was super fun and laugh out loud worthy with it's sad heartbreaking moments. Overall, I adored this book and had such thing reading it :)
P.S. the cover is plain awesome sauce.