Book Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Teen
Rating: ☼☼☼☼

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the rich are not to be trusted. And after years of studying them from behind the cash register of her mom’s porcelain-doll shop, she has seen nothing to prove otherwise.

Enter Xander Spence: he’s tall, handsome, and oozing rich. Despite his charm and the fact that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, Caymen’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last.

But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. With so many obstacles standing in their way, can she close the distance between them?

My Review:

This book was a really cutesy read and Caymen made a great main character – funny/sarcastic, down to earth, slightly socially backward (my kind of girl!). I have to admit I kept waiting for the moment that would tear me apart, but in true YA style it was all alright on the night and so although I’m a fan of happy endings I’m giving this book a 4.

I did like Xander but his friend pool mystified me (they really didn’t seem very nice). His relationship with Caymen was pretty fun to read through – they got to know one another gradually and in very unique circumstances. (I shall say no more!) I liked how Caymen normalised Xander and he made her realise she had more options in her life than she knew. If you’re a parent reading this review, it was quite a clean read, so no worries there.

I thought this novel went a little bit deeper than the average YA Contemporary and I was impressed by the way that Kasie West represented the mother/daughter bond in The Distance Between Us.

Should you try this? Yes! Go forth and read… 🙂