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A review by natalyawill
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
4.0
I did not realise but this is my second book by this author and my goodness it was dramatically better. I can absolutely tell there’s been 7 years of growth there. It was funnier, more light hearted and didn’t take itself so serious. Way more enjoyable as a read. It knew what it wanted to be and did it well. The only real theme I thought it tried to be serious about was being someone falling in love whilst trying to get over someone else. I personally didn’t like this but I think it’s because of my own character. I just wanted to scream at Scottie to get over it! Frustrating to see the main character so hung up on an asshole (her sisters words not mine), whilst having so much positivity and potential in front of her. This is a real struggle for some so I’m sure it’s appreciated.
Fake dating I usually hate so when I saw what was coming I audibly sighed, and even worse than it just being fake dating, the manner in which it came about was terrible. What do you MEAN she paid her??? A large sum too???. Felt a bit too close to escorting. It was also kind of evil that it was just capitalising on Irene’s desperation. She basically had no choice. I think it’s unrealistic how nice she would be about it and non grossed out.
Also the ‘cheating but it’s not technically cheating’ trope?!?? Please can we get this out of YA. It’s like it’s the only form of conflict authors know how to do and it’s terrible. It’s so uncomfortable and always leaves a nasty taste in my mouth even after the protagonists have made up. As soon as Scottie went to seek ‘closure’ in the the danger realm section of the book (last 70%, where some conflict always has to manifest), I know what was coming and was so bored of even the thought.
Aside from that, it was a fun book,it was no literature masterpiece but fun nonetheless. I found Irene to be the most likeable character despite being introduced as a mean girl and a bully. She came across as having more depth than the rest of them.
‘“Plus, I can’t figure out whether winning Queen helps or hurts my chances,” Irene continues. “Do people think girls are less athletic when they win a You’re Pretty Award?”’
‘I want to know I’m not alone in this pain, this confusion. I want to know she understands how it feels to be falling in new love and bleeding from old love at the same time.’
‘“But you’re not over Tally, are you?” My eyes burn with more tears. I give her the only truth I can. “I want to be.”’
‘“Do you wish we were still together?” My throat feels tight. I have an aching need to reach out and touch her. Somewhere in the back of my brain, a small voice says Irene Irene Irene. But in my body, in my heart, all I can feel is this excruciating need to soothe this heartache. “No,” I answer truthfully. “But I don’t know how to give you up, either. I’m trying and trying and it’s killing me.”’
Fake dating I usually hate so when I saw what was coming I audibly sighed, and even worse than it just being fake dating, the manner in which it came about was terrible. What do you MEAN she paid her??? A large sum too???. Felt a bit too close to escorting. It was also kind of evil that it was just capitalising on Irene’s desperation. She basically had no choice. I think it’s unrealistic how nice she would be about it and non grossed out.
Also the ‘cheating but it’s not technically cheating’ trope?!?? Please can we get this out of YA. It’s like it’s the only form of conflict authors know how to do and it’s terrible. It’s so uncomfortable and always leaves a nasty taste in my mouth even after the protagonists have made up. As soon as Scottie went to seek ‘closure’ in the the danger realm section of the book (last 70%, where some conflict always has to manifest), I know what was coming and was so bored of even the thought.
Aside from that, it was a fun book,it was no literature masterpiece but fun nonetheless. I found Irene to be the most likeable character despite being introduced as a mean girl and a bully. She came across as having more depth than the rest of them.
‘“Plus, I can’t figure out whether winning Queen helps or hurts my chances,” Irene continues. “Do people think girls are less athletic when they win a You’re Pretty Award?”’
‘I want to know I’m not alone in this pain, this confusion. I want to know she understands how it feels to be falling in new love and bleeding from old love at the same time.’
‘“But you’re not over Tally, are you?” My eyes burn with more tears. I give her the only truth I can. “I want to be.”’
‘“Do you wish we were still together?” My throat feels tight. I have an aching need to reach out and touch her. Somewhere in the back of my brain, a small voice says Irene Irene Irene. But in my body, in my heart, all I can feel is this excruciating need to soothe this heartache. “No,” I answer truthfully. “But I don’t know how to give you up, either. I’m trying and trying and it’s killing me.”’