Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
Annual reread of my FAVORITE book and it still delivers just as hard. I love this book so much
God help me because I'm certainly at odds with myself here; this book is all shades of effed up and I normally would have scowled at something this ridiculous but I didn't. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it and I'm seriously confused how do I rate this when majority of the characters were horrible but Cotugno's writing was such a saving compelling grace. Man, I think my hormones are playing a joke on me or something.
When Molly came home for the summer after a year of boarding school in Arizona, the townspeople weren't very welcoming. Julia Donnelly, in particular, already egged her house, left her a note of dirty slut, and keyed her car out of spite following the revelation of Molly sleeping with one of the other two Donnelly boys, Gabe. It wouldn't have been too much of a big deal had Gabe not been the older brother of Patrick, who at the time, was Molly's boyfriend. Thanks to her dear mom who made a bestseller book out of it, almost everybody now knew of her big mistake and thought of her as the town whore.
I really have a low tolerance when it comes to cheating whether in real life or in books, but I like my characters flawed so sometimes I can endure when it's all written in the past. There'll always be a whole book left for characters to grow and the most important thing for me is to see them make wise decisions and refrain from doing dumb mistakes over and over again. That's not the case here though, because Molly already cheated once yet she did it again twice, thrice, many times. Our protagonist here never learned a thing or two, as she switches from brother to brother, not caring deep enough for innocent people who get hurt. Just when she's finally getting back into the good graces of her old friends, these relationships are once again destroyed because she couldn't decide which Donnelly boy to keep. It's a shame. But it's not as if it's Molly's entire fault. No matter how sweet and smooth of a talker Gabe is, and how adorable and serious Patrick is, they're at fault as much as Molly is, but sadly only Molly takes all the blame and insults. This just shows how double standards exist even until today.
As I was saying, no matter how awful Molly's actions were, I didn't have strong feelings of contempt towards her, enough to drive me to almost burn the book. In truth, I felt sympathetic especially at the first part where almost everyone sends her hate as if she committed murder. And it's already bad enough that her mom wrote her mistakes in a novel and even got to the point of telling People it was in fact inspired by her. I was really bothered in this part because you should feel safe telling even the dirtiest secrets to your own mother, knowing fully well she'll be by your side and wouldn't go around spreading these things to other folks. But Molly's mom is anything but a good confidante, which feels totally horribly wrong. I was sad to see their relationship fall apart.
[a:Katie Cotugno|6921953|Katie Cotugno|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526079188p2/6921953.jpg] took a great risk writing a book with such a taboo topic. Perhaps what she's trying to tell us is that only until a mistake is done repeatedly that someone finally learns a lesson and only on the nth time deemed already too many times that this lesson gives the hardest impact. I guess I'd settle for giving this 2 stars.
When Molly came home for the summer after a year of boarding school in Arizona, the townspeople weren't very welcoming. Julia Donnelly, in particular, already egged her house, left her a note of dirty slut, and keyed her car out of spite following the revelation of Molly sleeping with one of the other two Donnelly boys, Gabe. It wouldn't have been too much of a big deal had Gabe not been the older brother of Patrick, who at the time, was Molly's boyfriend. Thanks to her dear mom who made a bestseller book out of it, almost everybody now knew of her big mistake and thought of her as the town whore.
I really have a low tolerance when it comes to cheating whether in real life or in books, but I like my characters flawed so sometimes I can endure when it's all written in the past. There'll always be a whole book left for characters to grow and the most important thing for me is to see them make wise decisions and refrain from doing dumb mistakes over and over again. That's not the case here though, because Molly already cheated once yet she did it again twice, thrice, many times. Our protagonist here never learned a thing or two, as she switches from brother to brother, not caring deep enough for innocent people who get hurt. Just when she's finally getting back into the good graces of her old friends, these relationships are once again destroyed because she couldn't decide which Donnelly boy to keep. It's a shame. But it's not as if it's Molly's entire fault. No matter how sweet and smooth of a talker Gabe is, and how adorable and serious Patrick is, they're at fault as much as Molly is, but sadly only Molly takes all the blame and insults. This just shows how double standards exist even until today.
As I was saying, no matter how awful Molly's actions were, I didn't have strong feelings of contempt towards her, enough to drive me to almost burn the book. In truth, I felt sympathetic especially at the first part where almost everyone sends her hate as if she committed murder. And it's already bad enough that her mom wrote her mistakes in a novel and even got to the point of telling People it was in fact inspired by her. I was really bothered in this part because you should feel safe telling even the dirtiest secrets to your own mother, knowing fully well she'll be by your side and wouldn't go around spreading these things to other folks. But Molly's mom is anything but a good confidante, which feels totally horribly wrong. I was sad to see their relationship fall apart.
[a:Katie Cotugno|6921953|Katie Cotugno|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526079188p2/6921953.jpg] took a great risk writing a book with such a taboo topic. Perhaps what she's trying to tell us is that only until a mistake is done repeatedly that someone finally learns a lesson and only on the nth time deemed already too many times that this lesson gives the hardest impact. I guess I'd settle for giving this 2 stars.
I am so torn with this book. I really enjoyed parts of it, but others really frustrated me. I hate this trend in YA books where these girls act like guys have such control on them or let them have such control on them. They don't want to kiss them because they are in a relationship, but then they can't control themselves when the guy kisses them. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it wasn't for the cheating and it seems the main character learned nothing from her past as the book ended with her in pretty much the same position as the beginning of the book. Also the ending was disappointing as was the book as a whole. I feel like it had such potential too.
‘Patrick was my person, my other half. I never felt stuck or cut off or like there was other stuff I’d rather be doing, never felt like there was anyplace else I’d rather be.
At least, not until the moment it did.’
Molly Barlow has only 99 days before she can leave for college and those days can’t go by fast enough for her. Molly and Patrick were childhood friends turned first loves when they drifted apart just long enough for her to fall into the arms of Gabe, Patrick’s brother. This subsequently caused Julia, their sister and Molly’s best friend, to end their friendship completely. She also seems to be intent on making those 99 days some of the worst for her.
‘It’ll make a great story someday. She said that, she told me what was going to happen, so really there’s no earthly reason to still be so baffled after all this time that I told her the worst, most secret, most important thing in my life – and she wrote a best-selling book about it.’
The truth behind the indiscretion between Molly and Gabe had managed to stay hidden until her mother, an author, decided to take the story her daughter confided in her and use it as the inspiration for her new novel. But that’s all in the past, however, no one seems to have forgotten it in the year she’s been gone. The only one that actually seems happy to see her again is Gabe and slowly but surely she develops a relationship with the other brother. But forgetting about what her and Patrick once shared doesn’t seem to be as simple as she’d like.
This story was a complete train wreck to watch unfold. It’s one of those that you can’t in all honesty say you ‘enjoyed’ but the story still possessed a strong emotional resonance. And while Molly’s actions may not have been right, the brothers were just as much at fault yet it was Molly that took the full brunt of the blame and ostracizing. As a reader we have to watch Molly continue to recreate past wrongs, all the while knowing that not a single bit of good is going to come of it all. But as far as love triangles go, it was quite possibly one of the most realistic I’ve ever read. Forgetting your first love is never easy and becoming involved in their lives again can lead to some sticky situations. Even with Molly developing feelings for Gabe, seeing Patrick together with another girl caused a multitude of confusing emotions that she struggled to understand. Faced with a situation like that, her actions are almost understandable, but it still made it no less difficult a read.
Katie Cotugno continues to impress with her stories that push the envelope and while How to Love is still my favorite, there’s no denying that 99 Days is a smart, complex tale about emotions and the havoc they can wreak.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
At least, not until the moment it did.’
Molly Barlow has only 99 days before she can leave for college and those days can’t go by fast enough for her. Molly and Patrick were childhood friends turned first loves when they drifted apart just long enough for her to fall into the arms of Gabe, Patrick’s brother. This subsequently caused Julia, their sister and Molly’s best friend, to end their friendship completely. She also seems to be intent on making those 99 days some of the worst for her.
‘It’ll make a great story someday. She said that, she told me what was going to happen, so really there’s no earthly reason to still be so baffled after all this time that I told her the worst, most secret, most important thing in my life – and she wrote a best-selling book about it.’
The truth behind the indiscretion between Molly and Gabe had managed to stay hidden until her mother, an author, decided to take the story her daughter confided in her and use it as the inspiration for her new novel. But that’s all in the past, however, no one seems to have forgotten it in the year she’s been gone. The only one that actually seems happy to see her again is Gabe and slowly but surely she develops a relationship with the other brother. But forgetting about what her and Patrick once shared doesn’t seem to be as simple as she’d like.
This story was a complete train wreck to watch unfold. It’s one of those that you can’t in all honesty say you ‘enjoyed’ but the story still possessed a strong emotional resonance. And while Molly’s actions may not have been right, the brothers were just as much at fault yet it was Molly that took the full brunt of the blame and ostracizing. As a reader we have to watch Molly continue to recreate past wrongs, all the while knowing that not a single bit of good is going to come of it all. But as far as love triangles go, it was quite possibly one of the most realistic I’ve ever read. Forgetting your first love is never easy and becoming involved in their lives again can lead to some sticky situations. Even with Molly developing feelings for Gabe, seeing Patrick together with another girl caused a multitude of confusing emotions that she struggled to understand. Faced with a situation like that, her actions are almost understandable, but it still made it no less difficult a read.
Katie Cotugno continues to impress with her stories that push the envelope and while How to Love is still my favorite, there’s no denying that 99 Days is a smart, complex tale about emotions and the havoc they can wreak.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
So there was a ton of angst in this book. I flew through it because there's just something about Katie Cotugno's writing that I just can't stop reading. I wasn't a huge fan of the main character's decisions, but I was also agreeing with her that it takes two to tango. She was on the receiving end of a lot of double standards, in which neither of the guys were getting any of the blame. Wasn't a huge fan of the ending either, felt like it wrapped up a little too fast.
* I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
99 Days was a unique read for me. I absolutely hate cheating, but I also like getting into the head of someone who makes that choice. It was absolutely fascinating to me, to watch Molly make such horrible decisions over and over. She really did care about both boys, but Patrick was her past and Gabe was the one who understood her. I don’t really think Molly knew what to do with the two of them.
There was such a history between all the Donnelly’s and Molly that it was hard I think for her to even know where she began. I didn’t like that Molly was treated like such a pariah but Gabe especially was welcomed with open arms. It was a horrible double-standard, and I could understand why Molly was so upset about it. Still Molly did bring a lot of it on herself, but still I think most people should’ve minded their own business.
That being said, the one person in this story who I absolutely hated and who I felt should be an even bigger pariah than Molly, Patrick and Gabe was her mother. WHO DOES THAT!!!! Who takes their child’s life and selfishly creates a book about it that really shows all of the child’s dirty secrets. Apparently Molly’s mother! Then wants to pay Molly off with book royalties. Like that would ever in a million years make it okay. I can honestly say that Molly’s mother was despicable, and I wished the book would have focused on her a little more. I mean she will always be Molly’s mom, but……she deserved so much worse.
The writing in this book was compelling and intriguing. I found myself rooting for Molly despite everything she had done, and I was proud for a moment when she stood up for herself after letting people walk all over her in the summer. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/05/99-days-review-by-katie-cotugno.html#comment-22665*
99 Days was a unique read for me. I absolutely hate cheating, but I also like getting into the head of someone who makes that choice. It was absolutely fascinating to me, to watch Molly make such horrible decisions over and over. She really did care about both boys, but Patrick was her past and Gabe was the one who understood her. I don’t really think Molly knew what to do with the two of them.
There was such a history between all the Donnelly’s and Molly that it was hard I think for her to even know where she began. I didn’t like that Molly was treated like such a pariah but Gabe especially was welcomed with open arms. It was a horrible double-standard, and I could understand why Molly was so upset about it. Still Molly did bring a lot of it on herself, but still I think most people should’ve minded their own business.
That being said, the one person in this story who I absolutely hated and who I felt should be an even bigger pariah than Molly, Patrick and Gabe was her mother. WHO DOES THAT!!!! Who takes their child’s life and selfishly creates a book about it that really shows all of the child’s dirty secrets. Apparently Molly’s mother! Then wants to pay Molly off with book royalties. Like that would ever in a million years make it okay. I can honestly say that Molly’s mother was despicable, and I wished the book would have focused on her a little more. I mean she will always be Molly’s mom, but……she deserved so much worse.
The writing in this book was compelling and intriguing. I found myself rooting for Molly despite everything she had done, and I was proud for a moment when she stood up for herself after letting people walk all over her in the summer. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/05/99-days-review-by-katie-cotugno.html#comment-22665*
5/26/18: I stand by my original review below and would only like to add that I felt just as nauseous and conflicted the second time around, in the best way possible. Now I just need to stop feeling ill so that I can pick up the next book.
5/6/16: This book made me feel a lot. Great if you are interested in extraordinarily flawed characters who make their share of mistakes, and/or complicated and compelling relationships that also sort of make you feel like you're going to throw up.
5/6/16: This book made me feel a lot. Great if you are interested in extraordinarily flawed characters who make their share of mistakes, and/or complicated and compelling relationships that also sort of make you feel like you're going to throw up.
I loved this. Even though Molly kinda sucks. I loved it.
So I'm getting more and more into audio books this summer thanks to Scribd, and when I saw 99 Days I thought I'd give it (another) shot. I had originally tried a trail of Scribd like two years ago but quickly quit because they had moved to a points system I disliked, and never got a chance to try more than on chapter of 99 Days. I had remembered the book causing quite a bit of controversy based on the content, so I decided it was exactly the type of drama I needed to accompany me through my boring commute. What I didn't expect, however, was to end up liking the story as much as I did.
99 Days features one of the most overused YA tropes, a love triangle. However, given that the book takes place AFTER the drama went down (a year after to be exact), it's more focused on the aftermath, and on protagonist Molly's return to Star Hollow, a town where everyone knows what she did, and everyone is intent on punishing her, rather than the two guys involved. The book tackles issues of bullying, girl on girl hate, and, most importantly, slut shaming. Molly is the victim of some pretty severe actions (keying her car, egging her house, etc) and it's fascinating yet repulsive to see how she, as the female in the situation, bears the brunt of the shame and scandal. Cotungo does a good job of realistically portraying how Molly becomes the scapegoat and the mob mentality that allows the boys to get off relatively free despite their involvement in their shenanigans, and it's rather horrifying to see how society reacts this way and puts into perspective a LOT about how females are treated, especially in high school when it comes to dating and their associated reputations.
Now, despite the feminist tone of the novel, that did not keep the protagonist Molly from making some very poor decisions that often times hurt other people and/or worsened her situation. And yet...I still found myself liking her. It's so rare that you see female protagonists who get to be imperfect and still have other positive traits (being hardworking, intelligent, funny, etc), and Molly's all of these things despite her rather inconsiderate choices when it comes to boys. I liked that 99 Days turns so many of the stereotypes surrounding girls embroiled in relationship drama on its head, and managed to make a story about a love triangle not JUST about a love triangle- I feel like I still got to know Molly and her personality outside of a romantic context as well.
99 Days also put a unique spin on family system representation, with Molly being the adopted daughter of a single mother. I feel like I don't read too many books about adopted protagonists (though if you're interested, I HIGHLY recommend Far From the Tree by Robin Benway, it's fantastic) so it was a unique element in the story. Molly's relationship with her mother is also rather interesting, as her mother serves as a catalyst for much of the drama that goes down, as she took Molly's private experiences to use them as the basis for a bestselling novel, which is how the entire town found out about Molly's business. A secondary, yet important, plot element in the book was Molly and her mother navigating and fixing their relationship that her mother's book broke seemingly beyond repair.
Overall: 99 Days isn't a fun read, it isn't a quick read, and it isn't an easy read. It's a story that's not afraid to be messy and flawed and actually TALK about the repercussions and fall out from the protagonist's decisions, whether deserved or not. It's something I wish every teenager had to read because it really makes us examine why we place blame the way we do on females in social situations and forces us to confront some of our own biases as we navigate the story through Molly's (the "antagonist" in many ways) POV. I think this is a story that, whether you like it or not, will make you THINK and has the potential to open up important dialogues.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
99 Days features one of the most overused YA tropes, a love triangle. However, given that the book takes place AFTER the drama went down (a year after to be exact), it's more focused on the aftermath, and on protagonist Molly's return to Star Hollow, a town where everyone knows what she did, and everyone is intent on punishing her, rather than the two guys involved. The book tackles issues of bullying, girl on girl hate, and, most importantly, slut shaming. Molly is the victim of some pretty severe actions (keying her car, egging her house, etc) and it's fascinating yet repulsive to see how she, as the female in the situation, bears the brunt of the shame and scandal. Cotungo does a good job of realistically portraying how Molly becomes the scapegoat and the mob mentality that allows the boys to get off relatively free despite their involvement in their shenanigans, and it's rather horrifying to see how society reacts this way and puts into perspective a LOT about how females are treated, especially in high school when it comes to dating and their associated reputations.
Now, despite the feminist tone of the novel, that did not keep the protagonist Molly from making some very poor decisions that often times hurt other people and/or worsened her situation. And yet...I still found myself liking her. It's so rare that you see female protagonists who get to be imperfect and still have other positive traits (being hardworking, intelligent, funny, etc), and Molly's all of these things despite her rather inconsiderate choices when it comes to boys. I liked that 99 Days turns so many of the stereotypes surrounding girls embroiled in relationship drama on its head, and managed to make a story about a love triangle not JUST about a love triangle- I feel like I still got to know Molly and her personality outside of a romantic context as well.
99 Days also put a unique spin on family system representation, with Molly being the adopted daughter of a single mother. I feel like I don't read too many books about adopted protagonists (though if you're interested, I HIGHLY recommend Far From the Tree by Robin Benway, it's fantastic) so it was a unique element in the story. Molly's relationship with her mother is also rather interesting, as her mother serves as a catalyst for much of the drama that goes down, as she took Molly's private experiences to use them as the basis for a bestselling novel, which is how the entire town found out about Molly's business. A secondary, yet important, plot element in the book was Molly and her mother navigating and fixing their relationship that her mother's book broke seemingly beyond repair.
Overall: 99 Days isn't a fun read, it isn't a quick read, and it isn't an easy read. It's a story that's not afraid to be messy and flawed and actually TALK about the repercussions and fall out from the protagonist's decisions, whether deserved or not. It's something I wish every teenager had to read because it really makes us examine why we place blame the way we do on females in social situations and forces us to confront some of our own biases as we navigate the story through Molly's (the "antagonist" in many ways) POV. I think this is a story that, whether you like it or not, will make you THINK and has the potential to open up important dialogues.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
