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3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
Cute, easy and fast read- YA. The concept felt fresh- everyone in the town doesn't like her because her mom wrote a book fictionalizing an account of her sleeping with her boyfriend's brother (while they were on a break), each chapter was a day of the summer. The ending felt fast, but I didn't mind
Actual Rating: 3.5 or 3.75 out of 5 stars
I kind of hated some of this, but also really enjoyed it...? I'm feeling very conflicted.
I love Katie Cotugno's writing. I've really enjoyed the two books I've read by her. It was quick to read (I read it in two sittings/one day), and I felt invested in the characters and the story. The characters were flawed and realistic.
I usually really hate cheating in books. And if you hate cheating in books, you may hate 99 DAYS. But honestly, I kind of enjoyed this book? I'm glad I gave it a chance. I think Cotugno did a pretty good job at showing how difficult it can be to choose when stuck in a love triangle. Especially when either part of the "triangle" makes you feel a different way, and is important to you for different reasons. I definitely think she captured the emotions you feel when you're torn and feeling lost and alone.
One thing I think Cotugno did really well was address the double standard of cheating. She did a great job at showing how the girl is always (usually) the one who gets attacked. I really appreciated that.
Also, I really liked Gabe. I loved how he always said "Hey Molly Barlow." (I melted.) I liked his relationship with Molly, and his personality. And going off that, I really liked Molly's relationships with Penn, Imogen, Tess, etc.
I don't know. This book wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy some parts of it. I didn't really like the ending, though? And. Wait. Spoilers under the tag.I really hated how Molly just continued to hurt everybody the entire book. I understood (sort of) that she was confused, and her "past" with Patrick, and unresolved feelings... I get that. But she just continued to willingly hurt every body -- Gabe. Tess. Patrick. Julia. And it got to the point where it just frustrated me... Also. I need more Gabe and Molly. Okay.
I kind of hated some of this, but also really enjoyed it...? I'm feeling very conflicted.
I love Katie Cotugno's writing. I've really enjoyed the two books I've read by her. It was quick to read (I read it in two sittings/one day), and I felt invested in the characters and the story. The characters were flawed and realistic.
I usually really hate cheating in books. And if you hate cheating in books, you may hate 99 DAYS. But honestly, I kind of enjoyed this book? I'm glad I gave it a chance. I think Cotugno did a pretty good job at showing how difficult it can be to choose when stuck in a love triangle. Especially when either part of the "triangle" makes you feel a different way, and is important to you for different reasons. I definitely think she captured the emotions you feel when you're torn and feeling lost and alone.
One thing I think Cotugno did really well was address the double standard of cheating. She did a great job at showing how the girl is always (usually) the one who gets attacked. I really appreciated that.
Also, I really liked Gabe. I loved how he always said "Hey Molly Barlow." (I melted.) I liked his relationship with Molly, and his personality. And going off that, I really liked Molly's relationships with Penn, Imogen, Tess, etc.
I don't know. This book wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy some parts of it. I didn't really like the ending, though? And. Wait. Spoilers under the tag.
Jooh elikkäs. En ees tiä miks annoin tälle jopa kaks tähtee. Nää hahmot oli niin idiootteja ja ilkeitä toisilleen.. mä menin sekasin laskuissa, että kuinka monta kertaa pyöräytin silmiäni toiseen ulottuvuuteen tätä kuunnellessa.
Before I give all of my thoughts about the story itself, can we just appreciate how pretty the dust jacket, and the inside of the book is? You realize while reading the book, that all the Polaroids connect to moments or things from the plot, and that's super cool. Kudos to whoever worked on that, I love it.
As for everything else... I felt like I was watching a self aware plane crash, if that makes sense. The main character Molly makes the most idiotic decisions throughout the whole book, and is fully aware of it. She keeps making the same mistakes over and over again, and it gets so tiring. But yet, I couldn't look away. The ending was SUPER lame too, so disappointing. I honestly felt like I was watching some sort of trashy soap opera with the events in this lolol. At least it was kinda fun??
One thing I truly liked about this story was the fact that it addressed a really common practiced double standard in society. If a female has sex she gets labeled a whore, if a guy does he gets a high five. It's disgusting that that happens.
As for everything else... I felt like I was watching a self aware plane crash, if that makes sense. The main character Molly makes the most idiotic decisions throughout the whole book, and is fully aware of it. She keeps making the same mistakes over and over again, and it gets so tiring. But yet, I couldn't look away. The ending was SUPER lame too, so disappointing. I honestly felt like I was watching some sort of trashy soap opera with the events in this lolol. At least it was kinda fun??
One thing I truly liked about this story was the fact that it addressed a really common practiced double standard in society. If a female has sex she gets labeled a whore, if a guy does he gets a high five. It's disgusting that that happens.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's not horrible, it's just a messy story. When did we ever get things right as teenagers? Molly is unsure of herself and gets into a sticky situation.
This book was easy to love from the beginning, with a character hurting, broken, constantly shamed and reminded of a mistake shes already beaten herself up for. Molly was just easy to like, it was hard not to want people to forgive her and to get along with her. This book pushed my brashness to brand cheaters and reminded me it's not as one sided as we think. BUT at the same time made it hard for me to remain thinking this way as the book carried on and events carried out that might as well have cancled out all endorsements for Molly. Her actions showed her lack of character progression (which is what makes a book the best for me) and frustrated me to all ends. My slight bit of sympathy for her in the beginning was so hard to keep when she made it oh so obvious she couldnt keep her hands to herself. AND she seemed to never learn that what hurts people the most is not telling them about it.
But maybe, that's just how life is. People don't progress the way we want them to and they keep making the same mistakes. Probably mistakes we don't condone made by people who wouldn't be our cup of tea in the real world, but I guess that's the point of fiction. To jump into a new pair of shoes. And though I really don't like Molly's pair of dirty running shoes, the format and progression of the book itself was amazing and difficult to despise.
But maybe, that's just how life is. People don't progress the way we want them to and they keep making the same mistakes. Probably mistakes we don't condone made by people who wouldn't be our cup of tea in the real world, but I guess that's the point of fiction. To jump into a new pair of shoes. And though I really don't like Molly's pair of dirty running shoes, the format and progression of the book itself was amazing and difficult to despise.
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this novel years ago. The character was forced to see the people she had hurt in the past after her secret was revealed by her mother. Some people left her, some are still mad at her, while there are still some who continue to stay by her side. This novel really depicts how a mistake, whether a small or grave mistake, can ruin our life and relationship with the people around us. And that's all we can do in the end is face it.
In short, I would classify this book as a trashy teenage love story with a love triangle including two brothers. Molly and Patrick were always attached to the hip until one day, they aren't. Molly sleeps with his brother, Gabe and thinks no one ever has to know until her mother, a best selling author, turns her story into a best selling novel. Molly leaves town to attend boarding school across the country and returns the next summer where things start to unfurl.
99 Days explores the concept of cheating and I actually appreciate the fact that the author discusses the fact that the girl's reputation is always the one that's tarnished when it's never either of the boys. I am not sure how Molly really feels at the end of the book but I think she's starting to come to terms with her mistakes and I might read the sequel to see if the story and characters continues to develop.
99 Days explores the concept of cheating and I actually appreciate the fact that the author discusses the fact that the girl's reputation is always the one that's tarnished when it's never either of the boys. I am not sure how Molly really feels at the end of the book but I think she's starting to come to terms with her mistakes and I might read the sequel to see if the story and characters continues to develop.