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celjla212's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
While I thought this book had its' share of cliched moments, it also had some that were unique and genuine, and that led to my overall enjoyment of it.
The main characters tell their stories from both sides, in alternating chapters. Wren is the youngest child who has always done what was expected of her, except she's not happy with where being the good girl has led her so far in life. Grayson is the charming bad boy with a past who is trying to leave his old friends and old ways behind. When the two meet in a dramatic fashion, sparks immediately fly.
Now yes, the idea of good girl meets reformed bad boy is definitely nothing new. But I found Grayson to be a little deeper and more likable than most YA/NA guys, and I really enjoyed really things from his point of view. To me, he was more interesting than Wren.
One of the most intriguing parts about this book, to me, was the whole operation that Grayson and his former prep school friends had going on. It was pretty smart and they got away with a lot, though I'm not sure it was entirely believable--but I could see good looking, athletic, charismatic guys pulling it off.
I really resonated with the book's theme of outgrowing your friends--Grayson was just trying to go down the right path for once, and his so-called best friend kept pulling him back in. I think everyone has had to ditch a toxic friend or two in their lifetimes.
The romance between Wren and Grayson moved very fast. I'm not sure that I would call it insta-love, exactly, but it was maybe insta-lust. But hey, what girl doesn't recall being in high school and immediately beginning to think nonstop about a hot guy you just met? Wren and Grayson's relationship, for the most part, felt very real to me.
I thought the end events of the book moved really fast, but I liked what happened. I hope Wren and Grayson's romance is more long-lived than just high school, because they are very sweet together.
While I thought this book had its' share of cliched moments, it also had some that were unique and genuine, and that led to my overall enjoyment of it.
The main characters tell their stories from both sides, in alternating chapters. Wren is the youngest child who has always done what was expected of her, except she's not happy with where being the good girl has led her so far in life. Grayson is the charming bad boy with a past who is trying to leave his old friends and old ways behind. When the two meet in a dramatic fashion, sparks immediately fly.
Now yes, the idea of good girl meets reformed bad boy is definitely nothing new. But I found Grayson to be a little deeper and more likable than most YA/NA guys, and I really enjoyed really things from his point of view. To me, he was more interesting than Wren.
One of the most intriguing parts about this book, to me, was the whole operation that Grayson and his former prep school friends had going on. It was pretty smart and they got away with a lot, though I'm not sure it was entirely believable--but I could see good looking, athletic, charismatic guys pulling it off.
I really resonated with the book's theme of outgrowing your friends--Grayson was just trying to go down the right path for once, and his so-called best friend kept pulling him back in. I think everyone has had to ditch a toxic friend or two in their lifetimes.
The romance between Wren and Grayson moved very fast. I'm not sure that I would call it insta-love, exactly, but it was maybe insta-lust. But hey, what girl doesn't recall being in high school and immediately beginning to think nonstop about a hot guy you just met? Wren and Grayson's relationship, for the most part, felt very real to me.
I thought the end events of the book moved really fast, but I liked what happened. I hope Wren and Grayson's romance is more long-lived than just high school, because they are very sweet together.
christiana's review against another edition
1.0
I'm trying to hold in my promise of amazing joke. Greyson is such a jerkwad. I at least has enough interest in finishing this but then, after reaching the spoilery spoiler, I just couldn't. THIS is what we're giving teen girls as a romance they should swoon over and aim for? Pass.
Spoiler
until Wren catches Greyson working his game on Allegra in Hollister and ends up making out with him in the Hollister dressing roomladytiara's review against another edition
3.0
The Promise of Amazing wasn’t quite what I expected. The description made it sound like it was going to be a quirky high school romance, and it seemed to start out that way, but it quickly veered into melodramatic territory. Wren is a teenager who works at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, and one night, while working a wedding reception, she saves the life of a cute boy named Grayson who’s choking on a cocktail weenie. Grayson’s life has been a mess ever since he was kicked out of prep school for selling term papers, and he can’t seem to stay away from the girl who saved his life.
This was a promising beginning, but the story just didn’t work for me. It turns out that selling term papers wasn’t Grayson’s only transgression, and he could potentially be in a lot of trouble, which has an impact on his budding relationship with Wren. Their cute romance veers off into a convoluted plotline involving Grayson’s former best friend and a mean girl from Wren’s school, and a lot of the book ends up dealing with these two characters (both of whom are really awful), which detracts from the romance between the main characters.
I did enjoy some aspects of this book. I liked Wren. She's sort of an everygirl, and she's very likable. I think a lot of young women will be able to relate to her. She's normal and quiet, and she struggles with being in the middle of the pack in school. She's a good, but not great student. She's not part of the popular crowd, but she isn't an outcast either. She's just sort of there, and she wants to shake her life up. I liked her best friends. Maddie and Jazz, who are a lot of fun and always have Wren’s back. I liked Grayson too. He’s basically a decent kid who’s made some mistakes, but is trying to be better. I just wish his storyline had been different.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
This was a promising beginning, but the story just didn’t work for me. It turns out that selling term papers wasn’t Grayson’s only transgression, and he could potentially be in a lot of trouble, which has an impact on his budding relationship with Wren. Their cute romance veers off into a convoluted plotline involving Grayson’s former best friend and a mean girl from Wren’s school, and a lot of the book ends up dealing with these two characters (both of whom are really awful), which detracts from the romance between the main characters.
I did enjoy some aspects of this book. I liked Wren. She's sort of an everygirl, and she's very likable. I think a lot of young women will be able to relate to her. She's normal and quiet, and she struggles with being in the middle of the pack in school. She's a good, but not great student. She's not part of the popular crowd, but she isn't an outcast either. She's just sort of there, and she wants to shake her life up. I liked her best friends. Maddie and Jazz, who are a lot of fun and always have Wren’s back. I liked Grayson too. He’s basically a decent kid who’s made some mistakes, but is trying to be better. I just wish his storyline had been different.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
good1kenz's review against another edition
3.0
I have to be honest this was not the best book I've ever read but it had a good message.
This is a book about discovering yourself. And the fact that it was one of those rare romance novels that didn't have any sex scenes? that's a rarity on its own.
wren is great, a little uneducated in life, but a great character to be in the mind of.
whereas, Grayson has done too much. He is not the kinda guy you want to tell your mama about. not because he's a bad boy but because he's done bad things.
But the writer finds away to make him still this lovable guy that you just wanted to be with. When you're in his mind or when he's trying to get wren to fall for him again you just can't help but laugh because he's so honest when he wants to be and is just very funny.
they balance each other well
it was a cute mostly light hearted read. I enjoyed it.
This is a book about discovering yourself. And the fact that it was one of those rare romance novels that didn't have any sex scenes? that's a rarity on its own.
wren is great, a little uneducated in life, but a great character to be in the mind of.
whereas, Grayson has done too much. He is not the kinda guy you want to tell your mama about. not because he's a bad boy but because he's done bad things.
But the writer finds away to make him still this lovable guy that you just wanted to be with. When you're in his mind or when he's trying to get wren to fall for him again you just can't help but laugh because he's so honest when he wants to be and is just very funny.
they balance each other well
it was a cute mostly light hearted read. I enjoyed it.
thebookhaze's review against another edition
4.0
I thought it was really well-written, and a fun story. It's something new and different, actually, and the two main characters were a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed the book! =)
alliehwilliams's review against another edition
3.0
I am mixed about this one. I liked the premise. I liked Robin Constantine's writing style. I guess my biggest hang up was I did not like Grayson. At all. Granted I am quite a bit older than the target audience and I am not particularly into musicians. I can see why he might make others *squee.* I just never saw why he made WREN squee--other than the physical attraction she had for him. Also, it seemed he was completely oblivious to Wren and then she saved his life and then...instalove, or very close. And Wren gave him so many chances when he screwed things up and I just wanted her once to stand up for herself rather than be the perfect, understanding girlfriend. Again, that may be due to the age difference.
The primary thing that bothered me is
SPOILER
that Grayson did something really distasteful with his friends, to unsuspecting girls who liked him. Worse than the term papers. But he never has to answer for it, even though all he was punished for was the term papers. He was not kicked out of school for this other thing, he has had no punishment at all. It is explained away that he is a different person now and so there you go, all is forgiven. Yet Grayson at one point reflects that his sociopathic friend Luke (I think that was his name) did not get any karmic hit...which is kind of the height of irony.
Anyway, not to slam this book. Robin Constantine is a very talented author. I liked Wren. I really liked Wren's best friends. I just wish I could have liked Grayson more and believed in the relationship more. But I do know many will love this book, so to each his own. I will still pick up her next book and give it a shot. I would recommend to fans of Stephanie Perkins, Elizabeth Scott and Sarah Dessen.
The primary thing that bothered me is
SPOILER
that Grayson did something really distasteful with his friends, to unsuspecting girls who liked him. Worse than the term papers. But he never has to answer for it, even though all he was punished for was the term papers. He was not kicked out of school for this other thing, he has had no punishment at all. It is explained away that he is a different person now and so there you go, all is forgiven. Yet Grayson at one point reflects that his sociopathic friend Luke (I think that was his name) did not get any karmic hit...which is kind of the height of irony.
Anyway, not to slam this book. Robin Constantine is a very talented author. I liked Wren. I really liked Wren's best friends. I just wish I could have liked Grayson more and believed in the relationship more. But I do know many will love this book, so to each his own. I will still pick up her next book and give it a shot. I would recommend to fans of Stephanie Perkins, Elizabeth Scott and Sarah Dessen.
mmeagan's review against another edition
3.0
One of my coworkers left this at work and I read it inbetween customers. Never finished it because I don't think I cared enough and either I left the job or she took the book home. lol
bookedbaby's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book in high school and I couldn’t for the life of me remember what it was about so I decided to read it again. I use to understand why I liked it then because it made my heart ache and I always love that. However, it was too dramatic. They made a big deal out of everything without even getting a honeymoon phase. Also, I understand why people hate insta-love because these kids fell for each other over night and not even in a sweet romantic way, it was like literally after only one kiss. But it is nostalgic to read a story like this because I hoped this would happen.
sophie19611's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read and I liked it just as well, if not better, then the first time. So cute! It had been quite a while since I first read it and I totally forgot the story, it was almost like reading it for the first time except for I remembered certain parts. I still adore Grayson, he is amazing. I'll be reading Secrets of Attraction next (the reason I re-read this) and I feel much better now that I recapped the characters and writing style! Great book! 4.5 stars.