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Title: The Things You Kiss Goodbye
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Social Issues, Romance
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.
Do not read the synopsis, it has spoilers! Kind of...
Bettina is a 16 year-old high school girl who's best friend moves away and quickly falls for a basketball player at school. With strict parents Bettina is not allowed out of the house often, but over time her freedom comes in the form of Brady, her boyfriend, cheerleading, and art class. She's then spending several nights a week out, not including those she sneaks out as well. But, just when everything seems to be going well the kinks in the armor of life start to show and she finds an emotional escape in the form of a twenty something shop owner, "Cowboy."
I'm filled with feels but let me start with the thing that "erk"ed me the most. Abuse is a reoccurring theme in this story coming in different forms and effecting many of the characters. While there is some level of the abused standing up for themselves there is never really a resolution or sense of empowerment. I want the comfort of knowing the perpetrator's would experience behavior change and there would be no future victims, but alas it is not meant to be. I suppose this is real life though, that maybe everything isn't tied up with justice but I was left waning more.
Second thing that was a major conflicting "erk" for me is the relationship between teenage Bettina and 20-something "Cowboy." Don't get me wrong, this man is swoon worthy! From his work ethic to his mysterious past, his willingness to listen, and almost everything about him is awesome. I could not move past their age difference, I just couldn't. I wanted to, I tried...real hard, but nope.
This was so hard too because Cowboy is easily my favorite character besides Bettina's friend Tony (instantly friend-zoned but so sweet). I wanted Cowboy to save her and take her away from all evil but my judgey eyes were ever present.
Bettina is a smart, creative and very artsy girl. This fueled her passion for life and drew the ire of several people in her life. I adored her tenacity for combat boots and steampunk, but most of all I loved watching her grow. She isn't perfect but in the end she's all she can be at that moment.
It's Bettina's relationships with her mom and elderly friend Regina that ultimately convince me this is a love story. It is her bond with these women and their mutual/generational growing pains that left me with wetting eyes and hope. The strong character development and growth MADE this read. It may have also saved it from turning into a Lifetime movie.
The plot moves fairly quickly covering a year and a half's worth of time beginning in the spring semester of Bettina's sophomore year and ending at the fall of her senior year. Her courtship with Brady is quick and to the point since the story lies in their being together not getting together. The opposite is true for the development of her friendship/relationship with Cowboy. The plot shaker comes in around 2/3 of the book and hits like whiplash. Leaving a lot of ends to tie up for a hearty conclusion. I was very nervous about how the plot would twist but it do so in the only way it could. It hurt, there's tears, revelations, growth and in the end a better Bettina which is totally worth cheering for.
This wasn't the summer read the cover might inspire, but it holds its own in a sea of teen issue novels.
Fav Quotes
Fili antio. Kiss it goodbye.
"I learned if you don't acknowledge pain,
you're not really safe."
you're not really safe."
- quote is subject to change in final copy
3 Stars – A big issue wasn't really resolved, the climax hit me in the face like a ton of bricks and in the end there were tears. Darker than you would think but an solid read all around.
Bonus: I'm pretty sure this book has inspired a new tattoo.
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