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Old Town Shops
The Distance Between Us
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fiction (2013)Money can't buy a good first impression.
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 charming ways and the fact that he seems to be one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there's one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it's that the rich have a short attention span. But just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness 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?
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 charming ways and the fact that he seems to be one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there's one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it's that the rich have a short attention span. But just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness 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?
312 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2013
About the author
Kasie West
27 books18.1k followersI write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My novels are: PIVOT POINT and its sequel SPLIT SECOND. And my contemporary novels: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, ON THE FENCE, THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND, PS I LIKE YOU, BY YOUR SIDE, LUCKY IN LOVE, LOVE LIFE and the LIST, LISTEN TO YOUR HEART, FAME FATE and the FIRST KISS, MAYBE THIS TIME, and MOMENT OF TRUTH. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,996 reviews
July 18, 2013
Actual rating: 4.5
That's it. Kasie West is now one of my new favorite authors. After being completely swept off my feet by Pivot Point, West has once again warmed my heart with so many cute moments. She continuously manages to create down to earth, relatable characters and all-around fun books.
The Distance Between Us follows Caymen Meyers, a girl who has certain opinions about rich people thanks to her mother's clear disdain. Her mom has raised her to think very negatively about the Haves verses the Have Nots due to her own troubled past with a rich ex-boyfriend. So naturally, when rich boy Xander Spence walks into their doll shop and "beckons" her, she's pretty much already had her mind made up. But in a strange turn of events they begin spending more time together on these "career days." What happens next can only be described as one of the most ADORBS books you can ever read!
While the novel is more romance centered, West never spares her characters room to grow and develop. The time Caymen spends with Xander shows her that her mother's bias is just that, bias based on her own experiences. In fact, Xander himself is the one to acknowledge that both he and Caymen aren't that different regardless of income level. Thus, these "career days" are born which helps reveal what they each want to do with their lives despite parental expectations placed on them. And through this, an unlikely friendship blossoms and later turns to first love.
I absolutely loved this story to bits. There was't a moment I was bored or not entertained thanks to the AWESOME sarcasm from Caymen. It's not the kind everyone will enjoy, but it was just right for me, leaving me laughing out loud at almost every page. And when I wasn't laughing, I was sighing at the perfect dialogue between Xander an Caymen.
“Caymen?”
“Yes?”
“You look terrified. Does this scare you?”
“More than anything.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t bring my mints.”
“And now the real answer . . .”
“Because I’m afraid that once you catch me, the game’s over.”
*Happy sigh*
Kasie West writes the type of romance I love to read. It's not cheesy or over the top. It's not unbelievable or unrealistic. It doesn't make you roll your eyes or make your head collide with a wall from frustration. It's the kind that makes you all giddy inside. The kind that gets your feels all "a meltin'" and the type that makes you twirl around in your living room like your a Disney Princess.
And that's the best kind of feeling ever!
Final verdict: I'd highly recommend this totally adorable book. If you're in a reading slump and you need a book to bring a smile to your face, this is your book. If you are looking to be entertained, look no further. If you are just looking for a cute read that will wrap your heart up in a blanket made of feels, read this book and twirl, my friends. Weeeeeee!
ARC was received from Amy of Book Loving Mom. Thanks again, Amy!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
July 9, 2013
You hear that?
That’s the sound of my writing down this author’s name.
--♦So that I can avoid all of her books in the future.♦--
You’re witty, Kasie West. I’ll give you that.
It’s too bad you don’t know how to write a book, though, isn’t it?
Because if you did know how to write a book… you would know that the romance in said book shouldn’t be mediocre. And that the storyline shouldn’t be half-assed.
So you either don’t know how to write a book…
Or you suck at it.
I’ll let you choose.
May 5, 2015
If you go into a normal young adult romance book you expect this:
This book is not that. It's more of this:
The main character of this book is actually very like-able. Caymen is snarky and outspoken. Even when cute boys are involved. *gasp*
She is helping her mom out in her mom's doll shop.
Umm..it's more like this:
She works all the hours she can spare for her mom and plans on putting off college for awhile because she wants to make sure her mom will be okay.
She doesn't party. She does not fall into insta-love.
She does not like to be pressured into things.
I put up my hands. "Oh, I don't drink. I'm seventeen."
"So? I'm nineteen."
"My mom says before I turn eighteen she still has the right to murder me." My mom always tells me to blame it on her if I am ever in an uncomfortable situation. It seems to work well.
She does not tone herself down to impress the "boy"...
"Note to self: Caymen is very good at sarcasm."
"If you're recording notes for an official record. I'd like the word 'very' stricken and replaced with 'exceptionally.'"
The boy she meets at her mom's doll shop is very rich. That makes her leery of him. His family owns a chain of hotels but he admits he does not want to follow his father's footsteps. Is he using Caymen? Seeing how the other half lives?
Why has he never watched the Shining?!?!! That's my burning question.
This book isn't perfect but it is a fun alternative to the other young adult swill that calls itself love stories.
This book is not that. It's more of this:
The main character of this book is actually very like-able. Caymen is snarky and outspoken. Even when cute boys are involved. *gasp*
She is helping her mom out in her mom's doll shop.
Umm..it's more like this:
She works all the hours she can spare for her mom and plans on putting off college for awhile because she wants to make sure her mom will be okay.
She doesn't party. She does not fall into insta-love.
She does not like to be pressured into things.
I put up my hands. "Oh, I don't drink. I'm seventeen."
"So? I'm nineteen."
"My mom says before I turn eighteen she still has the right to murder me." My mom always tells me to blame it on her if I am ever in an uncomfortable situation. It seems to work well.
She does not tone herself down to impress the "boy"...
"Note to self: Caymen is very good at sarcasm."
"If you're recording notes for an official record. I'd like the word 'very' stricken and replaced with 'exceptionally.'"
The boy she meets at her mom's doll shop is very rich. That makes her leery of him. His family owns a chain of hotels but he admits he does not want to follow his father's footsteps. Is he using Caymen? Seeing how the other half lives?
Why has he never watched the Shining?!?!! That's my burning question.
This book isn't perfect but it is a fun alternative to the other young adult swill that calls itself love stories.
August 7, 2015
I absolutely loved this. To the point where I stayed up until past 4 am to finish this. Yes, I loved this THAT much. And you will too (hopefully).
This is perfect considering this is EXACTLY what happened to me.
I tried so hard to write a coherent review. But after lots of deleted drafts, I'll just leave you with a list:
- Caymen is exceptionally good at sarcasm. Total girl-crush.
- Xander is a wonderful love interest. His banter with Caymen is oh-so cute. Xander is cute.
- The characters (Caymen especially) super relatable.
"I wonder why some people seem to be born knowing what they want to do with their lives and others - mostly me - have no idea."
- PRE-SIPPED DRINKS. YES, PLEASE.
- This is the perfect summer read. It's a fluffy, feel-good kind of book. And it definitely makes my contemporary-loving heart happy.
- Also, I really like this quote: "This is me facing failure. This is me putting everything on the line even though I know I might lose. And I’m terrified. But like you said, anything worth having is worth the risk."
If you haven't already, you have to read her other books. Everything she writes is, like, I don't know, PERFECT?
Check out Pivot Point! :D
This is perfect considering this is EXACTLY what happened to me.
I tried so hard to write a coherent review. But after lots of deleted drafts, I'll just leave you with a list:
- Caymen is exceptionally good at sarcasm. Total girl-crush.
- Xander is a wonderful love interest. His banter with Caymen is oh-so cute. Xander is cute.
- The characters (Caymen especially) super relatable.
"I wonder why some people seem to be born knowing what they want to do with their lives and others - mostly me - have no idea."
- PRE-SIPPED DRINKS. YES, PLEASE.
- This is the perfect summer read. It's a fluffy, feel-good kind of book. And it definitely makes my contemporary-loving heart happy.
- Also, I really like this quote: "This is me facing failure. This is me putting everything on the line even though I know I might lose. And I’m terrified. But like you said, anything worth having is worth the risk."
If you haven't already, you have to read her other books. Everything she writes is, like, I don't know, PERFECT?
Check out Pivot Point! :D
June 30, 2016
"Feelings can be the most costly thing in the universe."
The cover and the premise of this book somewhat deceived me. Ha! Yes, it was cute and adorable. Funny, even. But that's not just about it. My expectations were different.
Caymen Meyers is a teenage girl who works for her mom's doll store. One day a rich and cute guy named Xander Spence comes over to their store to buy a doll for her grandma. Because he obviously has the air of wealth, Caymen sees him as just another one of those spoiled, rich kids who treat poor people differently. Which turns out wrong. As they begin to form friendship, Caymen slowly warms up to him and realizes that he's completely different from what she expected to be like.
What I loved about this book was the humor. Nothing else. The rest was a let-down. First, I really thought Caymen was a likeable character but she's not. She's hilarious but her sarcasm and dry humor are a total turn-off. Aside from that, I was also a bit bothered by the way she perceives her family's social and financial status. She keeps pointing out that they are poor but if we take a closer look, they're actually average because they can pay the bills, they can eat three (or more times) a day, AND they even have a business for chrissake! In a way, it was so lame and pathetic to make it a big deal and to even view the rich people as haughty and superior.
My huge problem in this book was also the romantic aspect. I couldn't find myself swooning over the characters. Their interactions seem pointless and insignificant. Also, while I loved Xander's character, I find him unbeliveable. Seriously, he's too rich to be true! And whoa, a guy who owns hundreds of hotels and who is often featured in gossip magazines would be interested with a plain girl? Isn't it too cliche and Cinderella-ish? In my opinion.
So, yes. It didn't work out for me. Maybe if I read this book years ago when I was still in my teenage years, I would've appreciated it, because why not? It's cuteness overload! But then stories like these rarely amaze me these days, so yeah.
Rating:
April 15, 2018
Professional Reporter
: This book review was recorded for Goodreads.com by myself at the request of Litchick. I survived the ordeal…
PR: Thank you very much for allowing me to…what the hell are you wearing?
LC: I came in costume.
PR: Dressed as what? It looks like the 70s threw up on you.
LC: Elton John.
PR: You came to an interview for a book review that you requested dressed as-. You know what, why don’t we just get this over with?
LC: *hums the opening bars to Rocket Man*
PR: What made you want to pick up The Distance Between Us instead of one of the 80 ARCs that you probably should have read instead? *mutters* if you were a responsible adult…
LC: I blame Komal and Cecile
PR: So, it’s not your fault?
LC: Nope! I had no choice.
PR: *mutters* of course not…
LC: Plus, have you seen this cover? Look at it. Look. At. It.
PR: Yes. I see that. Did you really need to just hit me in the face with the book though?
LC: *whispers* It’s okay precious, the mean man doesn’t understand. What’s that? No, I’d never let him take you away from mommy.
PR: Are you on drugs right now?
LC: What? No. Why would you ask that?
PR: *mutters* no reason…
LC: Do you have some sort of speech impediment?
PR: No I don’t have- *takes deep breath* This is getting off topic, why don’t you tell me what you expected going into this book.
LC: Words
PR: *grinds teeth* I meant how did you feel? Were you nervous because in the past you haven’t had the best track record with books that everyone else loved?
LC: That’s such a strange turn of phrase; track record.
PR: Just answer the goddamn question!
LC: Wow, someone’s manstrating. Jeez, yes, I was nervous.
PR: And after reading the book?
LC: Why would I still be nervous? I’ve read it.
PR: *bites out* What were your feelings upon completion of the book?
LC: Oh, happy ones.
PR: Care to elaborate?
LC: Well, I suppose there’s a lyric that can best sum up how I felt. Ahem! “It was Saturday late, have you seen my mates, can you tell me when the boys get here? Well, it's seven o'clock and I want to rock and get a belly full of beer.”
PR: Really? Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting?
LC: Hey! You’ve heard of it! One of my best if I do say so my-
PR: That’s it! *spikes pen*
LC: What are you-
PR: *throws chair*
LC: Hey, where are you-
PR: Fuck this shit, I quit!
LC: What the hell was that guy’s problem?
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PR: Thank you very much for allowing me to…what the hell are you wearing?
LC: I came in costume.
PR: Dressed as what? It looks like the 70s threw up on you.
LC: Elton John.
PR: You came to an interview for a book review that you requested dressed as-. You know what, why don’t we just get this over with?
LC: *hums the opening bars to Rocket Man*
PR: What made you want to pick up The Distance Between Us instead of one of the 80 ARCs that you probably should have read instead? *mutters* if you were a responsible adult…
LC: I blame Komal and Cecile
PR: So, it’s not your fault?
LC: Nope! I had no choice.
PR: *mutters* of course not…
LC: Plus, have you seen this cover? Look at it. Look. At. It.
PR: Yes. I see that. Did you really need to just hit me in the face with the book though?
LC: *whispers* It’s okay precious, the mean man doesn’t understand. What’s that? No, I’d never let him take you away from mommy.
PR: Are you on drugs right now?
LC: What? No. Why would you ask that?
PR: *mutters* no reason…
LC: Do you have some sort of speech impediment?
PR: No I don’t have- *takes deep breath* This is getting off topic, why don’t you tell me what you expected going into this book.
LC: Words
PR: *grinds teeth* I meant how did you feel? Were you nervous because in the past you haven’t had the best track record with books that everyone else loved?
LC: That’s such a strange turn of phrase; track record.
PR: Just answer the goddamn question!
LC: Wow, someone’s manstrating. Jeez, yes, I was nervous.
PR: And after reading the book?
LC: Why would I still be nervous? I’ve read it.
PR: *bites out* What were your feelings upon completion of the book?
LC: Oh, happy ones.
PR: Care to elaborate?
LC: Well, I suppose there’s a lyric that can best sum up how I felt. Ahem! “It was Saturday late, have you seen my mates, can you tell me when the boys get here? Well, it's seven o'clock and I want to rock and get a belly full of beer.”
PR: Really? Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting?
LC: Hey! You’ve heard of it! One of my best if I do say so my-
PR: That’s it! *spikes pen*
LC: What are you-
PR: *throws chair*
LC: Hey, where are you-
PR: Fuck this shit, I quit!
LC: What the hell was that guy’s problem?
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October 22, 2018
This book is just straight-up really bad.
Like, you know how there are sometimes movies that are just objectively not good? I’m talking zero-percent on Rotten Tomatoes/has become a cult classic for how bad it is levels of awful.
It is fun to watch that type of movie and be like wow, look how bad this is! But there’s not really an equivalent to that phenomenon in books.
This little number comes pretty close to that. Except it doesn’t always land the “fun” part. But it is very very very bad and also dumb. It’s so dumb I reached out to scientists and had my number of brain cells tracked just so I could confirm to you all that it decreased significantly after I read this book.
I don’t even know how to convey just how bad this is. It’s like...you need to read it to understand. Here are some things that happen that may help your comprehension:
- The love interest’s credit card has the name “Xander Spence” on it, which is truly a shock considering no credit card on earth has a nickname on it and his birth certificate sure as sh*t doesn’t say his legal given name is “Xander”
- Xander wears driving gloves, as if that is something a normal twenty-first century adolescent does
- Our main character, Caymen (because lol of course) hears that her mother is going to have an ultrasound, and she, a near-adult female of (allegedly) sound mind, does not know what an ultrasound is
- Caymen says, “We should toilet paper someone’s house,” and the response is, “Yes. We should TP someone’s house.” You know. How normal humans talk.
- We get some fresh fresh not like other girls trope: Xander says, “You’re different, Caymen.” Caymen: “Different than what?” Xander: “Than any other girl I’ve met.” Because of course!
- But wait, there’s more: “I hope I'm not turning into that girl, the one who daydreams about a guy she can never have.” Ah, yes, the classic girls-come-in-types conundrum!
- Caymen picks up Xander’s phone when the girl she believes he is dating is calling. I don’t know why. I have no explanation for this.
- Caymen is such a f*cking stupid name. Not even Cayman. I’m sorry, I just had to say that.
- There’s a goddamn love triangle in this, as if things could get any worse.
- Also emotional cheating, because things actually CAN get worse. Caymen thought they were cheating, but it’s actually fine because they weren’t! Cool!
- Luckily, Caymen has the perfect justification for this behavior: “She probably can't make him laugh.” Phew! Sounds like the girl deserves to be cheated on! She hypothetically might not be as funny as you in your own imagination? A monster!
- Fun little tidbits of writing like: “Is Scarlett going because I don’t know if I can put up with her this year?”
- And: “The bartender points to the door off to the side from the stage when Skye gives him the questioning shoulder raise.” Ah, yes, the good ol’ questioning shoulder raise!
- Pretty sure someone has the Chinese symbol for acceptance tattooed or some sh*t, which just...kill me
- There’s my FAVORITE indication of very bad writing: the insta-friendship. Every time a girl pops up in a contemporary only to become the immediate BFF of our protagonist it reminds me of a Justin Bieber fanfiction from 2010 in which the love interest becomes best friends with Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez seconds after encountering them. Good times. Very bad writing.
Anyway. Caymen sucks and is mean and boring and annoying and stupid and Xander is the most spoiled weird annoying dumb rich kid of all time so they so totally deserve each other.
And this book is bad.
Bottom line: the last thing I expected was for this book to be evidence of Kasie West improving over the years, but here we are.
Like, you know how there are sometimes movies that are just objectively not good? I’m talking zero-percent on Rotten Tomatoes/has become a cult classic for how bad it is levels of awful.
It is fun to watch that type of movie and be like wow, look how bad this is! But there’s not really an equivalent to that phenomenon in books.
This little number comes pretty close to that. Except it doesn’t always land the “fun” part. But it is very very very bad and also dumb. It’s so dumb I reached out to scientists and had my number of brain cells tracked just so I could confirm to you all that it decreased significantly after I read this book.
I don’t even know how to convey just how bad this is. It’s like...you need to read it to understand. Here are some things that happen that may help your comprehension:
- The love interest’s credit card has the name “Xander Spence” on it, which is truly a shock considering no credit card on earth has a nickname on it and his birth certificate sure as sh*t doesn’t say his legal given name is “Xander”
- Xander wears driving gloves, as if that is something a normal twenty-first century adolescent does
- Our main character, Caymen (because lol of course) hears that her mother is going to have an ultrasound, and she, a near-adult female of (allegedly) sound mind, does not know what an ultrasound is
- Caymen says, “We should toilet paper someone’s house,” and the response is, “Yes. We should TP someone’s house.” You know. How normal humans talk.
- We get some fresh fresh not like other girls trope: Xander says, “You’re different, Caymen.” Caymen: “Different than what?” Xander: “Than any other girl I’ve met.” Because of course!
- But wait, there’s more: “I hope I'm not turning into that girl, the one who daydreams about a guy she can never have.” Ah, yes, the classic girls-come-in-types conundrum!
- Caymen picks up Xander’s phone when the girl she believes he is dating is calling. I don’t know why. I have no explanation for this.
- Caymen is such a f*cking stupid name. Not even Cayman. I’m sorry, I just had to say that.
- There’s a goddamn love triangle in this, as if things could get any worse.
- Also emotional cheating, because things actually CAN get worse. Caymen thought they were cheating, but it’s actually fine because they weren’t! Cool!
- Luckily, Caymen has the perfect justification for this behavior: “She probably can't make him laugh.” Phew! Sounds like the girl deserves to be cheated on! She hypothetically might not be as funny as you in your own imagination? A monster!
- Fun little tidbits of writing like: “Is Scarlett going because I don’t know if I can put up with her this year?”
- And: “The bartender points to the door off to the side from the stage when Skye gives him the questioning shoulder raise.” Ah, yes, the good ol’ questioning shoulder raise!
- Pretty sure someone has the Chinese symbol for acceptance tattooed or some sh*t, which just...kill me
- There’s my FAVORITE indication of very bad writing: the insta-friendship. Every time a girl pops up in a contemporary only to become the immediate BFF of our protagonist it reminds me of a Justin Bieber fanfiction from 2010 in which the love interest becomes best friends with Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez seconds after encountering them. Good times. Very bad writing.
Anyway. Caymen sucks and is mean and boring and annoying and stupid and Xander is the most spoiled weird annoying dumb rich kid of all time so they so totally deserve each other.
And this book is bad.
Bottom line: the last thing I expected was for this book to be evidence of Kasie West improving over the years, but here we are.
September 29, 2014
Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice. That's the best explanation of this book I've seen so far.
Kasie West has done it again... I thought I was a fan of her writing after I read Pivot Point. After reading The Distance Between Us... I may have escalated to fangirl.
This book made me all kinds of happy. First reason... that cover. I love love it.
Caymen Meyers lives with her single mother and learned early on that the rich are very different than her. Working the register at her mother's doll shop, she's encountered her fair share of them and her mom hasn't exactly been secretive about her feelings toward them.
Then Xander Spence enters the store.
He's tall, gorgeous and obviously rich. From the first 'beckon' the evolution of their friendship hooked me.
I'm not going to tell as much about the story itself because I'm afraid I might give something important away... instead I'm going to tell you about what I loved most - the characters.
From the first chapter, West had me hooked. I want Caymen as a best friend. I think that we would hit it off. Her sarcasm and dry humor made her completely likable and relatable.
"Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"
"I've missed my hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy."
Where she is in her life made me want to hug her. She has one friend in her life and almost all her time is spent working in the shop. She shoulders so much for a 17 year old, that it's hard not to feel a bit of anger towards her mother.
Xander....
The boy made my top five swoony boy list. I don't know what exactly it was about him... maybe it was that he didn't take himself too seriously even though he is who he is, and he really truly cares about Caymen that made him so lovely. I don't know, but he totally won me over. He can have the first sip of ALL my drinks... I'm totally okay with this.
Now the two of them together had me smiling like a fool. Watching them get to know each other and learn about each other and fall for each other was the best part of this book for me.
Xander opens the compartment above my knees and takes out a pair of leather gloves. As he pulls them on I can't help but laugh.
"What?"
"You have driving gloves."
"And?"
"And it's funny."
"Funny adorable?"
I shake my head. "If you say so."
Cayman soon finds out that Xander is being groomed to take over his father's hotel business but he feels like he's being forced into it and Caymen isn't entirely sure what she wants to do after graduation but she thinks it will be helping her mom in the store even though that's the last thing she wants. Xander is convinced that they have the same problem going on in their lives ... they just don't know what's next, but they can work together to try and find out what exactly they should be doing with their lives by creating 'career days' for each other.
Of course everything isn't easy and their circumstances seem to make things complicated but not in the way you might think, and she quickly learns that his family isn't made up of the horrible people that she's been led to believe.
Along the way, Caymen finds out that some of the things she's been led to believe aren't exactly true and her world is turned upside down.
If you're looking for a sweet contemporary with some wonderfully developed characters then you must pick up The Distance Between Us when it comes out in July! I know I'll be buying a copy for my bookshelf.
After loving both Pivot Point and The Distance Between Us, Kasie West is now on my auto-buy list.
P.S. - Stacee... Xander is mine!! LOL :)
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
Kasie West has done it again... I thought I was a fan of her writing after I read Pivot Point. After reading The Distance Between Us... I may have escalated to fangirl.
This book made me all kinds of happy. First reason... that cover. I love love it.
Caymen Meyers lives with her single mother and learned early on that the rich are very different than her. Working the register at her mother's doll shop, she's encountered her fair share of them and her mom hasn't exactly been secretive about her feelings toward them.
Then Xander Spence enters the store.
He's tall, gorgeous and obviously rich. From the first 'beckon' the evolution of their friendship hooked me.
I'm not going to tell as much about the story itself because I'm afraid I might give something important away... instead I'm going to tell you about what I loved most - the characters.
From the first chapter, West had me hooked. I want Caymen as a best friend. I think that we would hit it off. Her sarcasm and dry humor made her completely likable and relatable.
"Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"
"I've missed my hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy."
Where she is in her life made me want to hug her. She has one friend in her life and almost all her time is spent working in the shop. She shoulders so much for a 17 year old, that it's hard not to feel a bit of anger towards her mother.
Xander....
The boy made my top five swoony boy list. I don't know what exactly it was about him... maybe it was that he didn't take himself too seriously even though he is who he is, and he really truly cares about Caymen that made him so lovely. I don't know, but he totally won me over. He can have the first sip of ALL my drinks... I'm totally okay with this.
Now the two of them together had me smiling like a fool. Watching them get to know each other and learn about each other and fall for each other was the best part of this book for me.
Xander opens the compartment above my knees and takes out a pair of leather gloves. As he pulls them on I can't help but laugh.
"What?"
"You have driving gloves."
"And?"
"And it's funny."
"Funny adorable?"
I shake my head. "If you say so."
Cayman soon finds out that Xander is being groomed to take over his father's hotel business but he feels like he's being forced into it and Caymen isn't entirely sure what she wants to do after graduation but she thinks it will be helping her mom in the store even though that's the last thing she wants. Xander is convinced that they have the same problem going on in their lives ... they just don't know what's next, but they can work together to try and find out what exactly they should be doing with their lives by creating 'career days' for each other.
Of course everything isn't easy and their circumstances seem to make things complicated but not in the way you might think, and she quickly learns that his family isn't made up of the horrible people that she's been led to believe.
Along the way, Caymen finds out that some of the things she's been led to believe aren't exactly true and her world is turned upside down.
If you're looking for a sweet contemporary with some wonderfully developed characters then you must pick up The Distance Between Us when it comes out in July! I know I'll be buying a copy for my bookshelf.
After loving both Pivot Point and The Distance Between Us, Kasie West is now on my auto-buy list.
P.S. - Stacee... Xander is mine!! LOL :)
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
February 22, 2018
REREAD
I enjoyed it even more the second time around. The things that bothered me the first time I read it were no longer an issue to me. Xander has become more adorable and pleasing in my eyes while Caymen’s sarcasm is clearly topnotch. I have completely forgotten about Mason though. I couldn’t even remember that there was another guy and a potential love interest at that in the story. The beckoning gesture, I still vividly remember though. Lol! This is why rereading is the best. So I guess my old review still holds true except that this time, I liked it even more. Of course, I read it in one sitting.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ORIGINAL REVIEW WRITTEN APRIL 7, 2015
3.90 stars
[In deep, scary male voice]
A GRAVEYARD
CREEPY PORCELAIN DOLLS
A DEAD BODY being prepped for funeral …
*This is only a mock-up of a dead body as it would be too harsh to post an image of a real one*
[coughs back to normal female voice]
TRUST ME, THIS IS A ROMANTIC YA STORY. Lol!
Despite the odd morbid elements as mentioned in the intro, I know now I can rely on Kasie West for fluffy, light reads. Just like On the Fence, this has short chapters, enjoyable characters, cozy beach town setting and a fun, witty, sarcastic heroine and a too beautiful hero. (Personally though, I still prefer On the Fence just a tad more. )
Admittedly, instead of just completely enjoying myself with this book, I found myself battling with several “issues” like the over pushed characterization and themes.
I totally get it that this is about overcoming economic/social status distance for love (actually the “distance” in the title made me think this was about geographical distance, but I was wrong. I guess I was hoping it was that but never mind. Lol.) But in so many occasions, I felt like the premise is yelling at me way too much.
Just to give you a peek at the story- Caymen (the lead female) is poor (sorry there’s no other simpler way to say it when the character herself keeps reminding you that) while Alexander (the lead male) is rich and I’m pretty sure you know what comes next taking to account that this is a YA romance.
What just bothers me is the lack of subtlety in putting across the purpose of the story- Caymen for example keeps going on and on about how small her house is every time she’s at home and there are a lot of times she’s at home. Alexander on the other hand is unrealistically soooooo rich (at least to me). He has a personal plane, a music studio, more than three sports cars, is about to inherit 50 hotels, I mean GAH!!!! STOP!!! Rub it in much??? (or maybe I just haven’t met a filthy rich person ever in my life).
Also, I know that when Alex said the following line, it’s supposed to make me swoon…
"You are poor and I still like you."
…but the only reaction it got from me is…
Sorry about the rant. I just had to let it out. ^^
I know I may have sneezed out a lot of negatives but I still enjoyed reading the story. I liked the little conflicts in the almost linear but in a pleasant way kind of plot and I like how these conflicts were resolved. I also like the atmosphere of friendship and family that prevailed in the story and I definitely like the smooth flow of events and of course, the happy ending.
So, are you suffering from a terrible disease called book slump or just looking for a light, enjoyable read? I SO recommend this.^^
I enjoyed it even more the second time around. The things that bothered me the first time I read it were no longer an issue to me. Xander has become more adorable and pleasing in my eyes while Caymen’s sarcasm is clearly topnotch. I have completely forgotten about Mason though. I couldn’t even remember that there was another guy and a potential love interest at that in the story. The beckoning gesture, I still vividly remember though. Lol! This is why rereading is the best. So I guess my old review still holds true except that this time, I liked it even more. Of course, I read it in one sitting.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ORIGINAL REVIEW WRITTEN APRIL 7, 2015
3.90 stars
[In deep, scary male voice]
A GRAVEYARD
CREEPY PORCELAIN DOLLS
A DEAD BODY being prepped for funeral …
*This is only a mock-up of a dead body as it would be too harsh to post an image of a real one*
[coughs back to normal female voice]
TRUST ME, THIS IS A ROMANTIC YA STORY. Lol!
Despite the odd morbid elements as mentioned in the intro, I know now I can rely on Kasie West for fluffy, light reads. Just like On the Fence, this has short chapters, enjoyable characters, cozy beach town setting and a fun, witty, sarcastic heroine and a too beautiful hero. (Personally though, I still prefer On the Fence just a tad more. )
Admittedly, instead of just completely enjoying myself with this book, I found myself battling with several “issues” like the over pushed characterization and themes.
I totally get it that this is about overcoming economic/social status distance for love (actually the “distance” in the title made me think this was about geographical distance, but I was wrong. I guess I was hoping it was that but never mind. Lol.) But in so many occasions, I felt like the premise is yelling at me way too much.
Just to give you a peek at the story- Caymen (the lead female) is poor (sorry there’s no other simpler way to say it when the character herself keeps reminding you that) while Alexander (the lead male) is rich and I’m pretty sure you know what comes next taking to account that this is a YA romance.
What just bothers me is the lack of subtlety in putting across the purpose of the story- Caymen for example keeps going on and on about how small her house is every time she’s at home and there are a lot of times she’s at home. Alexander on the other hand is unrealistically soooooo rich (at least to me). He has a personal plane, a music studio, more than three sports cars, is about to inherit 50 hotels, I mean GAH!!!! STOP!!! Rub it in much??? (or maybe I just haven’t met a filthy rich person ever in my life).
Also, I know that when Alex said the following line, it’s supposed to make me swoon…
"You are poor and I still like you."
…but the only reaction it got from me is…
Sorry about the rant. I just had to let it out. ^^
I know I may have sneezed out a lot of negatives but I still enjoyed reading the story. I liked the little conflicts in the almost linear but in a pleasant way kind of plot and I like how these conflicts were resolved. I also like the atmosphere of friendship and family that prevailed in the story and I definitely like the smooth flow of events and of course, the happy ending.
So, are you suffering from a terrible disease called book slump or just looking for a light, enjoyable read? I SO recommend this.^^
July 15, 2017
2.5 stars
I just want to give a warning that .. this review was written after consuming copious amounts of Jack Daniels … so I apologize in advance if it make NO SENSE!
This book was not the most horrific thing I have ever read … so there is that. I honestly enjoyed it … to an extent. But it was not without it’s problems.
This was my second attempt at a Kasie West book and I have to say … I was mildly disappointed yet again. On the one hand, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I enjoyed By Your Side (See Review HERE) but I did not LOVE this book by any stretch of the imagination. It was cute … I guess.
What I Liked
The relationship building was nice and slow but not boring or without merit, and I didn’t want to stab the MC in the eye. So all in all I count that as a moderate win.
I enjoyed Xander's character a lot ... he was precious and honestly deserves better ... like I don't see what it was that attracted him to Caymen ... the romance makes no since because he has no reason to fall for her?
What I did not like
I recently ranted about how OVER the “rich people are the devil” trope I keep seeing and BAM … in my fucking FACE with it … oh fucking awesome!
On the one hand … this book felt more genuine than my last Kasie West attempt with By Your Side … but on the other hand … this book threw DOWN with the “rich people suck” trope. I mean honestly, that’s really all this book was … a poor girl hating on rich boy because rich people suck! AMIRIGHT?
The MC couldn't have been more clear in her disdain for rich people if she tried … like seriously! This concept was literally the ONLY strife between these two! He’s rich and I'm now .. meh let me cry about it for 300+ pages! Yep … that’s the book … the whole book!
I really did not like Caymen ... I didn't hate her ... but I would not be her friend IRL like ever. She seems like she might be an okay human ... but Kasie West failed to explain to me WHY Caymen is a cool girl and worthy of Xander's affections. The romance seemed ones sided because of this. Xander was all in from the moment he decided "this is the girl" but like ... why? What building blocks were in place to make him feel this way? I can see why Caymen would like him ... but she was the reluctant one. I just need more foundation!!
Again, I didn’t hate this book … but anytime you repeat something too much as an author … it becomes distracting AF! I could have done with a little less rich shaming and been happy. That’s all … that’s not too much to ask I think ...
In Conclusion
Not terrible .. not great. Enjoyable but nothing to light a torch over. I am going to give West another try because I did enjoy thing one more than my first West read.
I just want to give a warning that .. this review was written after consuming copious amounts of Jack Daniels … so I apologize in advance if it make NO SENSE!
This book was not the most horrific thing I have ever read … so there is that. I honestly enjoyed it … to an extent. But it was not without it’s problems.
This was my second attempt at a Kasie West book and I have to say … I was mildly disappointed yet again. On the one hand, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I enjoyed By Your Side (See Review HERE) but I did not LOVE this book by any stretch of the imagination. It was cute … I guess.
What I Liked
The relationship building was nice and slow but not boring or without merit, and I didn’t want to stab the MC in the eye. So all in all I count that as a moderate win.
I enjoyed Xander's character a lot ... he was precious and honestly deserves better ... like I don't see what it was that attracted him to Caymen ... the romance makes no since because he has no reason to fall for her?
What I did not like
I recently ranted about how OVER the “rich people are the devil” trope I keep seeing and BAM … in my fucking FACE with it … oh fucking awesome!
On the one hand … this book felt more genuine than my last Kasie West attempt with By Your Side … but on the other hand … this book threw DOWN with the “rich people suck” trope. I mean honestly, that’s really all this book was … a poor girl hating on rich boy because rich people suck! AMIRIGHT?
The MC couldn't have been more clear in her disdain for rich people if she tried … like seriously! This concept was literally the ONLY strife between these two! He’s rich and I'm now .. meh let me cry about it for 300+ pages! Yep … that’s the book … the whole book!
I really did not like Caymen ... I didn't hate her ... but I would not be her friend IRL like ever. She seems like she might be an okay human ... but Kasie West failed to explain to me WHY Caymen is a cool girl and worthy of Xander's affections. The romance seemed ones sided because of this. Xander was all in from the moment he decided "this is the girl" but like ... why? What building blocks were in place to make him feel this way? I can see why Caymen would like him ... but she was the reluctant one. I just need more foundation!!
Again, I didn’t hate this book … but anytime you repeat something too much as an author … it becomes distracting AF! I could have done with a little less rich shaming and been happy. That’s all … that’s not too much to ask I think ...
In Conclusion
Not terrible .. not great. Enjoyable but nothing to light a torch over. I am going to give West another try because I did enjoy thing one more than my first West read.
October 24, 2021
“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”
~ Rating- 4 stars ~
Content/ Trigger Warnings- Teen pregnancy recounted, Disownment
-No mention of these in the review-
The Distance Between Us, by Kasie West wasn't a book I was expecting to enjoy, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I hadn't read the blurb before reading the book and now that I read it for writing this review, I realised that the entire plot is pretty much revealed there itself, so I would recommend going into this book blind the way I did.
There isn't anything that makes this book remarkable or 4-star-worthy, except for the fact that I loved my reading experience of this book. I had a smile on my face the entire time while reading it, and I would recommend this if you need something to cheer yourself up.
The Distance Between Us has its flaws, like the 'not like other girls' and 'quirky main characters with speshul names' and the 'plot twist' at the end was defiantly extremely cliché, but despite all of this I thoroughly loved my reading experience. I was entertained and hooked throughout the book. I would recommend it if you can look past some of its flaws, and hope you enjoy it just as much as I did!
Audiobook Comments
I liked the audiobook narration. It is not the best I've read, but still alright. (Audiobook Rating- 2.5/5 stars)
“I think unhappiness comes from unfulfilled expectations.”
Buddy Read with Trisha. Thank you for reading it with me!
Review written on 11th September, 2021.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite
.................................................................
OMGGG AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
THIS BOOK IS CUTENESS OVERLOADED. IT IS SOOOOO ADORABLE. 100% RECOMMEND. PUT IT ON YOUR TBR NOW.
Review to come.
June 7, 2017
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH MY GAWD!!!!!
Guess who's my new book boyfriend!
Guess!!!
I bet you can't guess correctly.
IT'S ROBERT!!
Ha!
Just kidding!
It's Xander. Of course it's Xander! Who else could it possibly be? The boy is simply beyond wonderful!
This was a beautiful book about a beautiful budding relationship between two beautiful people!
(Ale)Xander and Caymen.
Guys I fangirled SO HARD!
I literally finished this in one sitting.
ONE SITTING!
AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN STUDYING DURING THOSE HOURS, BUT INSTEAD, I STARTED AND FINISHED A BOOK!
I wasn't intending on finishing, but I literally could not stop.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page!
Xander is who I want. I want a guy exactly like Xander! Why can I not find a guy like Xander?
It seems like in all these book worlds there are high populations of Xanders. Why can't my world by populated by Xanders?
Instead, my crappy world is populated by asshole Roberts and too touchy Masons.WHY is there no perfect balance? Why are there like zero chivalrous guys in my world? I would happily jump into a book world any day.
There needs to be like a goblin black market of authors who can literally bring these wonderful book men into real life. I would sell my soul for a Dimitri or a Xander.
Scientists: get on this, stat!!!!
Caymen is so awesome!!! I can't even!
A lot of times, I'll love a chick lit because the guy is so wonderful, but in this one not only did Xander have my heart, but Caymen did as well.
Her sarcasm is through the roof hilarious! She's my new model.
Honestly I'm so sarcastic, I thought I was the Queen of Sarcasm.
But no way.
Caymen holds that title by a landslide. There is absolutely no competition.
Except maybe for her grandfather, who is FABULOUS by the way.
And her grandmother.
I liked her mom, but she was maybe my least favorite of the characters I liked.
This is my third and so far favorite Kasie West book. Why is she so magical?
Also porcelain dolls are creepy no matter how beautiful they are. I think it's the life in the lifeless eyes **shudders**
Guess who's my new book boyfriend!
Guess!!!
I bet you can't guess correctly.
IT'S ROBERT!!
Ha!
Just kidding!
It's Xander. Of course it's Xander! Who else could it possibly be? The boy is simply beyond wonderful!
This was a beautiful book about a beautiful budding relationship between two beautiful people!
(Ale)Xander and Caymen.
Guys I fangirled SO HARD!
I literally finished this in one sitting.
ONE SITTING!
AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN STUDYING DURING THOSE HOURS, BUT INSTEAD, I STARTED AND FINISHED A BOOK!
I wasn't intending on finishing, but I literally could not stop.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page!
Xander is who I want. I want a guy exactly like Xander! Why can I not find a guy like Xander?
It seems like in all these book worlds there are high populations of Xanders. Why can't my world by populated by Xanders?
Instead, my crappy world is populated by asshole Roberts and too touchy Masons.WHY is there no perfect balance? Why are there like zero chivalrous guys in my world? I would happily jump into a book world any day.
There needs to be like a goblin black market of authors who can literally bring these wonderful book men into real life. I would sell my soul for a Dimitri or a Xander.
Scientists: get on this, stat!!!!
Caymen is so awesome!!! I can't even!
A lot of times, I'll love a chick lit because the guy is so wonderful, but in this one not only did Xander have my heart, but Caymen did as well.
Her sarcasm is through the roof hilarious! She's my new model.
Honestly I'm so sarcastic, I thought I was the Queen of Sarcasm.
But no way.
Caymen holds that title by a landslide. There is absolutely no competition.
“So Caymen..."
"So, Xander..."
"Like the islands."
"What?"
"Your name. Caymen. Like the Cayman Islands. Is that your mom's favorite place to visit or something?"
"No, it's her third favorite place. I have an older brother named Paris and an older sister named Sydney."
"Wow." He opens the bag, takes out a muffin, and hands it to me. The top glistens with sprinkled sugar. "Really?"
I gently unwrap it. "No.”
Except maybe for her grandfather, who is FABULOUS by the way.
“Hi, I’m stranger one and this is stranger two. Are you uncomfortable yet?”
And her grandmother.
I liked her mom, but she was maybe my least favorite of the characters I liked.
This is my third and so far favorite Kasie West book. Why is she so magical?
Also porcelain dolls are creepy no matter how beautiful they are. I think it's the life in the lifeless eyes **shudders**
April 4, 2017
It's so predictable and so convenient but also so adorable and so addicting and just amazing?
I loved it so much!!! Xander is bae!!!!! Also so respectful!!!!
I love everything. I HAD to read this book in one day. HAD TO.
I loved it so much!!! Xander is bae!!!!! Also so respectful!!!!
I love everything. I HAD to read this book in one day. HAD TO.
December 21, 2014
The verdict: 3.75 stars.
Because I remain professional at all times, I should say that I'm docking a quarter star because I struggled a bit with the beginning and an entire star because I had a whole set of problems with the end. However, the official reason is and will always be:
Eeeerrrhh ... It's just ... I can't ... HUH?!
I'm legitimately concerned about this. There's a reason it's called "warme chocolademelk" (hot chocolate milk) in Dutch. As a virtual ambassador for the land of chocolate, I feel it is my duty to rectify this situation, because this is just WRONG.
How to make delicious hot chocolate:
For 1-2 cup(s)
1. Ingredients
- 200 ml milk
- 1 spoon of cocoa powder (or a few pieces of dark chocolate if you're really hardcore)
2. Preparation
- Pour the milk in a steel pan.
(Students and other laid-back people: it's acceptable to just put the cup in the microwave. It doesn't take away from the taste. However, water does.)
- Heat the milk until right before it starts bubbling and rising.
(This is tricky, but you'll quickly get the hang of it.)
- Add the cocoa powder or chocolat.
- Stir until you have a smooth mixture.
- Whipped cream and other toppings are optional.
- Enjoy the chocolatey goodness and read the rest of this review.
So that was the semi-original part of my review. For the rest, I think I have remarks very similar to those other reviewers who really liked this book made. I am one of those people who says: "I read books for the characters.", which becomes more important when you read contemporary. I generally struggle with this genre. Maybe I'm just an escapist reader. I need the high stakes of fantasy and the imagination of a world completely foreign to ours. However, this doesn't mean I can't enjoy stories like The Distance Between Us, although I do think West's Pivot Point series might be a better fit for me.
Caymen is pure brilliance. I often felt for her and she made me laugh almost every time she opened her mouth or, you know, took a step or a breath or something. Overall, I'm really impressed with the female characters in this book. Skye is a wonderful best friend, which is something I so often miss in the genres I just declared to be my favourites. From the few (non-NA) contemporaries I have read so far, female friendships have been handled very well, which makes me very, very happy. I find this important.
The two characters I'm really conflicted about are Caymen's mother, Susan, and the love interest, Xander. I'll get to Susan in a bit, because her character ties in with the major problem I have with this book (besided the chocolate milk debacle, of course), which is the unsatisfactory resolution to the class issues.
So, Xander. This guy just didn't do it for me. He was nice enough and he seemed to make Caymen genuinely happy, which is something I can only root for, because YAY CAYMEN! Their chemistry was definitely there and their conversations and banter were laughs and feels and giggles and snorts all wrapped in one big ball of OMG I'm so happy for you, Caymen!
However, the thing that irked me about Xander is that he's so entitled and clueless about his privilege. I don't like that he had to be the richest of the rich, especially with how things played out with Caymen's family. What was even the point of all that if you're going that route anyway? Yes, Xander genuinely cares for Caymen, but in interactions with her friends, it's apparent that he doesn't really understand not everyone has a trust fund and multiple cars. It felt lacking.
It also made me uncomfortable that he was immediately interested in Caymen. Don't take this the wrong way, it was 100% instalove for me, but for a moment there, I did really feel as if she was his plebeian plaything of the moment. Their early meet-ups seemed a bit stalkery to me. I find it odd when a boy who doesn't go to the same school as you - and probably doesn't even live in the neighbourhood - goes out of his way to bring you your pre-sipped coco every morning, even though their small tradition was quite cute. What I will say in Xander's defence is that he was fully realised as a character. He was not merely a love interest, but a real, albeit spoiled, person in his own right.
As I already mentioned, the class divide is also where Susan comes in. (I just remembered: Susan Meyers? That's a Desperate Housewives name right there! Oh, Kasie West, you sly minx.) I honestly have to question this: which young, single mother (my calculations say she was around eighteen when she got pregnant) starts a doll shop when she has to provide for a young child? It doesn't seem all that practical and self-sufficient to me. I know there are collectors out there, who will pay a lot of money for eccentric trinkets, but it doesn't seem plausible to me that they survived on this income.
On the other hand, I appreciated the details West included in her portrayal of a poor family. In the beginning, Caymen and her mother are eating and there is no mention of meat. I liked this touch. For one, meat is expensive and secondly, the fact that Caymen doesn't even go "No meat, because we are poor." shows me that she's used to this situation but not bitter about it. I thought it was wonderful that West didn't make her protagonist a spoiled brat who just hates on being poor. Caymen has stamina and she works for what she wants.
On a side note, I'm also very glad that she has a strong interest in science. While science never really gripped me the way literature did, it's good that not all these YA heroines are poetry addicts or aspiring artists. Variety. Let's keep it that way. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
So, the ending was not good for me. The reveal about her grandparents was a cop-out and I never felt that the class issues were adequately addressed. The beginning was promising on that front and the first half of the book almost made me cry because Caymen really struggles with the class divide. Feels, feels, feels. I love you, Caymen! I was expecting heartbreaking events with a touch of drama and some angst sprinkled on top, but that particular storyline never delivered, in my opinion.
I feel horrible for hating on a HEA, because Caymen gets all the fuzzy endings she wants from me. Just personally, I would have loved some more ambiguity. Give her a couple good things, but not the whole shebang. That doesn't come across as authentic to me. Then again, I hail from the land of pessimists (we like to think of ourselves as realists, but honestly, who are we kidding exactly?), so that might just be me. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
Overall, I think The Distance Between Us is a very solid read. I will definitely reread it and see if I can make myself be more at peace with the way things turned out (I doubt it though). It has made me curious to explore more of the genre, so if anyone has any recs, they are welcome here! Most of all, it has made me extremely excited for West's Pivot Point series and just for her as a novelist in general. Good stuff. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
Because I remain professional at all times, I should say that I'm docking a quarter star because I struggled a bit with the beginning and an entire star because I had a whole set of problems with the end. However, the official reason is and will always be:
Eeeerrrhh ... It's just ... I can't ... HUH?!
I'm legitimately concerned about this. There's a reason it's called "warme chocolademelk" (hot chocolate milk) in Dutch. As a virtual ambassador for the land of chocolate, I feel it is my duty to rectify this situation, because this is just WRONG.
How to make delicious hot chocolate:
For 1-2 cup(s)
1. Ingredients
- 200 ml milk
- 1 spoon of cocoa powder (or a few pieces of dark chocolate if you're really hardcore)
2. Preparation
- Pour the milk in a steel pan.
(Students and other laid-back people: it's acceptable to just put the cup in the microwave. It doesn't take away from the taste. However, water does.)
- Heat the milk until right before it starts bubbling and rising.
(This is tricky, but you'll quickly get the hang of it.)
- Add the cocoa powder or chocolat.
- Stir until you have a smooth mixture.
- Whipped cream and other toppings are optional.
- Enjoy the chocolatey goodness and read the rest of this review.
So that was the semi-original part of my review. For the rest, I think I have remarks very similar to those other reviewers who really liked this book made. I am one of those people who says: "I read books for the characters.", which becomes more important when you read contemporary. I generally struggle with this genre. Maybe I'm just an escapist reader. I need the high stakes of fantasy and the imagination of a world completely foreign to ours. However, this doesn't mean I can't enjoy stories like The Distance Between Us, although I do think West's Pivot Point series might be a better fit for me.
Caymen is pure brilliance. I often felt for her and she made me laugh almost every time she opened her mouth or, you know, took a step or a breath or something. Overall, I'm really impressed with the female characters in this book. Skye is a wonderful best friend, which is something I so often miss in the genres I just declared to be my favourites. From the few (non-NA) contemporaries I have read so far, female friendships have been handled very well, which makes me very, very happy. I find this important.
The two characters I'm really conflicted about are Caymen's mother, Susan, and the love interest, Xander. I'll get to Susan in a bit, because her character ties in with the major problem I have with this book (besided the chocolate milk debacle, of course), which is the unsatisfactory resolution to the class issues.
So, Xander. This guy just didn't do it for me. He was nice enough and he seemed to make Caymen genuinely happy, which is something I can only root for, because YAY CAYMEN! Their chemistry was definitely there and their conversations and banter were laughs and feels and giggles and snorts all wrapped in one big ball of OMG I'm so happy for you, Caymen!
However, the thing that irked me about Xander is that he's so entitled and clueless about his privilege. I don't like that he had to be the richest of the rich, especially with how things played out with Caymen's family. What was even the point of all that if you're going that route anyway? Yes, Xander genuinely cares for Caymen, but in interactions with her friends, it's apparent that he doesn't really understand not everyone has a trust fund and multiple cars. It felt lacking.
It also made me uncomfortable that he was immediately interested in Caymen. Don't take this the wrong way, it was 100% instalove for me, but for a moment there, I did really feel as if she was his plebeian plaything of the moment. Their early meet-ups seemed a bit stalkery to me. I find it odd when a boy who doesn't go to the same school as you - and probably doesn't even live in the neighbourhood - goes out of his way to bring you your pre-sipped coco every morning, even though their small tradition was quite cute. What I will say in Xander's defence is that he was fully realised as a character. He was not merely a love interest, but a real, albeit spoiled, person in his own right.
As I already mentioned, the class divide is also where Susan comes in. (I just remembered: Susan Meyers? That's a Desperate Housewives name right there! Oh, Kasie West, you sly minx.) I honestly have to question this: which young, single mother (my calculations say she was around eighteen when she got pregnant) starts a doll shop when she has to provide for a young child? It doesn't seem all that practical and self-sufficient to me. I know there are collectors out there, who will pay a lot of money for eccentric trinkets, but it doesn't seem plausible to me that they survived on this income.
On the other hand, I appreciated the details West included in her portrayal of a poor family. In the beginning, Caymen and her mother are eating and there is no mention of meat. I liked this touch. For one, meat is expensive and secondly, the fact that Caymen doesn't even go "No meat, because we are poor." shows me that she's used to this situation but not bitter about it. I thought it was wonderful that West didn't make her protagonist a spoiled brat who just hates on being poor. Caymen has stamina and she works for what she wants.
On a side note, I'm also very glad that she has a strong interest in science. While science never really gripped me the way literature did, it's good that not all these YA heroines are poetry addicts or aspiring artists. Variety. Let's keep it that way. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
So, the ending was not good for me. The reveal about her grandparents was a cop-out and I never felt that the class issues were adequately addressed. The beginning was promising on that front and the first half of the book almost made me cry because Caymen really struggles with the class divide. Feels, feels, feels. I love you, Caymen! I was expecting heartbreaking events with a touch of drama and some angst sprinkled on top, but that particular storyline never delivered, in my opinion.
I feel horrible for hating on a HEA, because Caymen gets all the fuzzy endings she wants from me. Just personally, I would have loved some more ambiguity. Give her a couple good things, but not the whole shebang. That doesn't come across as authentic to me. Then again, I hail from the land of pessimists (we like to think of ourselves as realists, but honestly, who are we kidding exactly?), so that might just be me. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
Overall, I think The Distance Between Us is a very solid read. I will definitely reread it and see if I can make myself be more at peace with the way things turned out (I doubt it though). It has made me curious to explore more of the genre, so if anyone has any recs, they are welcome here! Most of all, it has made me extremely excited for West's Pivot Point series and just for her as a novelist in general. Good stuff. LOVE YOU, CAYMEN.
August 9, 2016
Everyone, it's official. I am in love with Kasie West's writing.
This is probably one of the cutest contemporary books I've read all year. Okay, I didn't love it as much as I loved The Fill-In Boyfriend, but that doesn't stop it from being up there!
The story revolves around a girl named Caymen. Caymen doesn't exactly come from the richest of families, so she does all that she can to help her mother out, which includes working...at a doll store. Let's just say, this isn't Caymen's passion in life, rather than her mothers. Anyway, one day Caymen is working her usual shift, and an obnoxiously rich boy enters the store. He beckons her over for help in the rudest way possible, which only confirms Caymen's suspicion of obnoxious rich kid. This is where it all begins...
From the start, it was clear Caymen was going to fall head-over-heels for Xander. Although she doesn't have the greatest first impression of him, it's clear after their first meeting (date? hang-out sesh? altercation? what am I supposed to call it?) that they just understand each other on a different level. I was going to say Xander could beckon me over any day, but I will refrain myself from saying something so outrageous! Seriously though, Caymen was a complete sucker for Xander! It's not as if he did much wrong, but c'mon, the man could murder someone and she'd still fall for his hard-to-come-by smile.
This book is literally full of sarcasm, AKA, my forte. Caymen's dry humour honestly keeps the story alive. Without it, this book would be just another cheese-fest. And I mean cheese-fest.
If you're not into cliché romances, where boy tells girl that she's not like other girls, look away now, because that literally happens in this book. Now, I'm a sucker for all things love, but even this was just too much. I THOUGHT WE STOPPED USING THAT LINE IN 1990!
Towards the end of the book, I did feel like Xander's wealth was mentioned on every other page! Like ... We get it ... He's a good person whilst simultaneously being insanely rich. We now know not to judge books by their covers. Hooray!
Although I liked the ending, I did feel like it was completely rushed. I felt like we hardly saw Caymen and Xander as a couple, if you know what I mean? I definitely did not get enough closure, and would love a second book. Or even novella. I want to see her relationship with Xander & her grandparents bloom, and perhaps a reconnection with her father? Also, maybe reading from Xander's perspective would be kind of cool. I mean, I do want to know if that asshole Robert really was calling Caymen a stray. He was the worst.
This book had the perfect amount of banter, honestly. I feel like Caymen's sarcasm eventually reached Xander, and although he was the serious one at times, he began to gain his own sense of dry humour. Not to mention the fact that he fully appreciated Caymen's sense of humour! Where can I find myself a man like that!
I'm beginning to recognise Kasie West's knack for unusual names, and I love it. Seriously, what a unique way to bring a little bit of originality to the story!
One of my favourite parts of the story, was Xander and Caymen's ritual with the hot chocolate. For some strange reason, I found it so insanely adorable that Xander taking a sip out of Caymen's drink became their habit. Their thing, if you will. Overall, this book was just the cutest, and I hope to find someone that loves me the way that Xander loves Caymen. Or vice versa, because seriously, this is a couple that love each other with all they've got.
This is probably one of the cutest contemporary books I've read all year. Okay, I didn't love it as much as I loved The Fill-In Boyfriend, but that doesn't stop it from being up there!
The story revolves around a girl named Caymen. Caymen doesn't exactly come from the richest of families, so she does all that she can to help her mother out, which includes working...at a doll store. Let's just say, this isn't Caymen's passion in life, rather than her mothers. Anyway, one day Caymen is working her usual shift, and an obnoxiously rich boy enters the store. He beckons her over for help in the rudest way possible, which only confirms Caymen's suspicion of obnoxious rich kid. This is where it all begins...
His eyes are so intense I want to look away...or never look away. I can’t decide.
From the start, it was clear Caymen was going to fall head-over-heels for Xander. Although she doesn't have the greatest first impression of him, it's clear after their first meeting (date? hang-out sesh? altercation? what am I supposed to call it?) that they just understand each other on a different level. I was going to say Xander could beckon me over any day, but I will refrain myself from saying something so outrageous! Seriously though, Caymen was a complete sucker for Xander! It's not as if he did much wrong, but c'mon, the man could murder someone and she'd still fall for his hard-to-come-by smile.
This book is literally full of sarcasm, AKA, my forte. Caymen's dry humour honestly keeps the story alive. Without it, this book would be just another cheese-fest. And I mean cheese-fest.
If you're not into cliché romances, where boy tells girl that she's not like other girls, look away now, because that literally happens in this book. Now, I'm a sucker for all things love, but even this was just too much. I THOUGHT WE STOPPED USING THAT LINE IN 1990!
Towards the end of the book, I did feel like Xander's wealth was mentioned on every other page! Like ... We get it ... He's a good person whilst simultaneously being insanely rich. We now know not to judge books by their covers. Hooray!
Although I liked the ending, I did feel like it was completely rushed. I felt like we hardly saw Caymen and Xander as a couple, if you know what I mean? I definitely did not get enough closure, and would love a second book. Or even novella. I want to see her relationship with Xander & her grandparents bloom, and perhaps a reconnection with her father? Also, maybe reading from Xander's perspective would be kind of cool. I mean, I do want to know if that asshole Robert really was calling Caymen a stray. He was the worst.
This book had the perfect amount of banter, honestly. I feel like Caymen's sarcasm eventually reached Xander, and although he was the serious one at times, he began to gain his own sense of dry humour. Not to mention the fact that he fully appreciated Caymen's sense of humour! Where can I find myself a man like that!
“So Caymen..."
"So, Xander..."
"Like the islands."
"What?"
"Your name. Caymen. Like the Cayman Islands. Is that your mom's favourite place to visit or something?"
"No, it's her third favourite place. I have an older brother named Paris and an older sister named Sydney."
"Wow." He opens the bag, takes out a muffin, and hands it to me. The top glistens with sprinkled sugar. "Really?"
I gently unwrap it. "No.”
I'm beginning to recognise Kasie West's knack for unusual names, and I love it. Seriously, what a unique way to bring a little bit of originality to the story!
One of my favourite parts of the story, was Xander and Caymen's ritual with the hot chocolate. For some strange reason, I found it so insanely adorable that Xander taking a sip out of Caymen's drink became their habit. Their thing, if you will. Overall, this book was just the cutest, and I hope to find someone that loves me the way that Xander loves Caymen. Or vice versa, because seriously, this is a couple that love each other with all they've got.
“Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"
"I've missed my hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy.”
December 16, 2016
This is my first Kasie West book, but sincerely, it wasn't for me at all...
I won't lose your time very much, because I don't have a lot to say.. read the book and see it for yourself.
Caymen is your average girl next door, living with her mother in an apartment right on top of their doll shop. Yes, she sells dolls, but deep inside she is not satisfied with this life, wanting to do other things, but right in this moment, she doesn't have a certain answer to her future. She chooses the save way momentarily, and really refuses to think about it. She meets Xander, a rich nephew of one of her best clients and of course they immediately chick things off. He is young, rich, but with a lot of burdens to bare, having a not very patient and loving family, who aspect a lot for him. They became good friends, but it is clear that something will go on between them.
This kind of sums up the plot, and although it started really promising, I soon realised that I won't obtain nothing from this book. This 2 stars are only for the heroine here, because she was a different type of girl. That sarcasm and irony were so well built and in this way I could see the writer's talent. She really has potential, but somewhere down the road, the story was flat and without anything major happening. She could have explored more in depth this characters, but stop at a certain point.
Xander had nothing special, just an average boy who was not happy with his life, despite having everything in it. He didn't fit, he didn't have a clue where to fit, and in a way considered Caymen his equal because they were both disorientated and sad. But from my POV they didn't had chemistry and I couldn't connect with their love story, because I couldn't pin point the moment when they clicked..
The story was flat. There were some pretty interesting moments when the writer could have added drama or a spark, but she didn't.. She preferred the old way, the safe one and the outcome was left incomplete and unsatisfying. It was boring some times and I waited and waited for something to happen, but it didn't. I've read similar books, but after finishing them I was left with a message, a lesson. But here, as I said, I think things were left hanging and without any conclusion.
Sorry for the 2 stars, but I had no choice.
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
I won't lose your time very much, because I don't have a lot to say.. read the book and see it for yourself.
Caymen is your average girl next door, living with her mother in an apartment right on top of their doll shop. Yes, she sells dolls, but deep inside she is not satisfied with this life, wanting to do other things, but right in this moment, she doesn't have a certain answer to her future. She chooses the save way momentarily, and really refuses to think about it. She meets Xander, a rich nephew of one of her best clients and of course they immediately chick things off. He is young, rich, but with a lot of burdens to bare, having a not very patient and loving family, who aspect a lot for him. They became good friends, but it is clear that something will go on between them.
This kind of sums up the plot, and although it started really promising, I soon realised that I won't obtain nothing from this book. This 2 stars are only for the heroine here, because she was a different type of girl. That sarcasm and irony were so well built and in this way I could see the writer's talent. She really has potential, but somewhere down the road, the story was flat and without anything major happening. She could have explored more in depth this characters, but stop at a certain point.
Xander had nothing special, just an average boy who was not happy with his life, despite having everything in it. He didn't fit, he didn't have a clue where to fit, and in a way considered Caymen his equal because they were both disorientated and sad. But from my POV they didn't had chemistry and I couldn't connect with their love story, because I couldn't pin point the moment when they clicked..
The story was flat. There were some pretty interesting moments when the writer could have added drama or a spark, but she didn't.. She preferred the old way, the safe one and the outcome was left incomplete and unsatisfying. It was boring some times and I waited and waited for something to happen, but it didn't. I've read similar books, but after finishing them I was left with a message, a lesson. But here, as I said, I think things were left hanging and without any conclusion.
Sorry for the 2 stars, but I had no choice.
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
April 14, 2017
Buddy read with Maymay, who also recommended this!
3.5
This buddy read was pretty much a spontaneous one. I was having a crisis over my slump which has been going on for a week and a half now and then May recommended I try out this one and she reread it with me! Having read PS I Like You earlier this year, I had high hopes a Kasie West book would fix my slump. I think it did!
The Distance Between Us is not as good as PS I Like You, but it's just as adorable, light, and fluffy. It was also super funny since our MC, Caymen is a pro when it comes to sarcasm and I just loved it. I connected with her on a spiritual level.
BUT REAL TALK NOW. CAN WE GIVE ALL THE STARS TO XANDER? He's the most precious thing in the entire world. He's so adorable and sweet and please, I need my own Xander, okay thank you and goodbye.
I love Kasie's writing. So light and easy to fly through. And really addictive.
Of course there were problems with this book, hence why it's not a 4 star like PS I Like You. Basically, it didn't have the exact magic PS I Like You had. Also, the ending was so incredibly rushed. The book had slow development and slow development which I really appreciated (but also wanted to scream at the book because PLEASE XANDER AND CAYMEN ARE SO ADORABLE AND I WANTED THEM TO GET TOGETHER QUICKLY???? Do you get my conflict??), but then towards the end, everything was super rushed. Caymen and Xander's relationship, Caymen's family problems, Caymen's own issues... everything was miraculously fixed in a few pages and I think I wouldn't have minded at all if the book was a bit longer. It was all a bit too unrealistic.
Read this book for Xander, guys. For Xander and sarcasm and cuteness.
3.5
This buddy read was pretty much a spontaneous one. I was having a crisis over my slump which has been going on for a week and a half now and then May recommended I try out this one and she reread it with me! Having read PS I Like You earlier this year, I had high hopes a Kasie West book would fix my slump. I think it did!
“His eyes are so intense I want to look away . . . or never look away, I can’t decide.”
The Distance Between Us is not as good as PS I Like You, but it's just as adorable, light, and fluffy. It was also super funny since our MC, Caymen is a pro when it comes to sarcasm and I just loved it. I connected with her on a spiritual level.
“So Caymen..."
"So, Xander..."
"Like the islands."
"What?"
"Your name. Caymen. Like the Cayman Islands. Is that your mom's favourite place to visit or something?"
"No, it's her third favourite place. I have an older brother named Paris and an older sister named Sydney."
"Wow." He opens the bag, takes out a muffin, and hands it to me. The top glistens with sprinkled sugar. "Really?"
I gently unwrap it. "No.”
BUT REAL TALK NOW. CAN WE GIVE ALL THE STARS TO XANDER? He's the most precious thing in the entire world. He's so adorable and sweet and please, I need my own Xander, okay thank you and goodbye.
I love Kasie's writing. So light and easy to fly through. And really addictive.
Of course there were problems with this book, hence why it's not a 4 star like PS I Like You. Basically, it didn't have the exact magic PS I Like You had. Also, the ending was so incredibly rushed. The book had slow development and slow development which I really appreciated (but also wanted to scream at the book because PLEASE XANDER AND CAYMEN ARE SO ADORABLE AND I WANTED THEM TO GET TOGETHER QUICKLY???? Do you get my conflict??), but then towards the end, everything was super rushed. Caymen and Xander's relationship, Caymen's family problems, Caymen's own issues... everything was miraculously fixed in a few pages and I think I wouldn't have minded at all if the book was a bit longer. It was all a bit too unrealistic.
“I turn my head so that he doesn't see my smile and secretly curse him for making me feel special.”
Read this book for Xander, guys. For Xander and sarcasm and cuteness.
August 20, 2015
*4.25 STARS!*
Ahhh, this is SO CUTE!
I already read The Fill-In Boyfriend before and I thought that that was going to be my favorite Kasie West book, but boy was I wrong because I clearly hadn't read this one yet!
I'm such a sucker for cute romance novels these days! The type where you don't have to think too hard, just the sit-back-and-enjoy-the-ride kind of stories. This one is a perfect example! It might be a bit predictable but it's just so adorable mixed with just the right amount of humor, I couldn't help but love it.
This book deals with a lot of issues like poverty, health struggles, what to do with your future, family drama.. But not in an extremely heavy way and that's also part of what I liked so much about it.
What I didn't like about this is actually the same as what I liked about it, if that even makes sense. I feel like nothing really happened the whole time, except for "girl meets boy", "girl falls in love with boy" and "girl figures things out". I would've liked this even more if there was a bit more excitement and more interesting stuff happening. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed and came really sudden, there were a lot of things still left in the dark, I still had so many questions! I like to read books like this in between heavier reads or long series though so I'm still giving it 4.25 stars. It made me happy and relaxed and that's exactly what I wanted :)
Overall, this was a really cute and very quick read. I'll definitely read more Kasie West in the future!
Ahhh, this is SO CUTE!
I already read The Fill-In Boyfriend before and I thought that that was going to be my favorite Kasie West book, but boy was I wrong because I clearly hadn't read this one yet!
I'm such a sucker for cute romance novels these days! The type where you don't have to think too hard, just the sit-back-and-enjoy-the-ride kind of stories. This one is a perfect example! It might be a bit predictable but it's just so adorable mixed with just the right amount of humor, I couldn't help but love it.
This book deals with a lot of issues like poverty, health struggles, what to do with your future, family drama.. But not in an extremely heavy way and that's also part of what I liked so much about it.
What I didn't like about this is actually the same as what I liked about it, if that even makes sense. I feel like nothing really happened the whole time, except for "girl meets boy", "girl falls in love with boy" and "girl figures things out". I would've liked this even more if there was a bit more excitement and more interesting stuff happening. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed and came really sudden, there were a lot of things still left in the dark, I still had so many questions! I like to read books like this in between heavier reads or long series though so I'm still giving it 4.25 stars. It made me happy and relaxed and that's exactly what I wanted :)
Overall, this was a really cute and very quick read. I'll definitely read more Kasie West in the future!
May 11, 2015
Oh my dear, dear Kasie West...Where have you been all my life?? Well, in all fairness, it's my fault I've never picked up a masterpiece that is a KW novel. My friend, Anna, has been more than clear about how I would love this author, if only for her adorable, yes, absolutely adorable male leads. And, ya know, she was right-as usual. Damn know it all Alien. Anyway, I digress. My whole point is that when I was down and tired and couldn't hardly read this weekend, what did I do? I listened to someone's advice and picked up a fun book that was supposed to be light, funny, and altogether an easy read. I've never been so glad I did.
He laughs a little. "You live above a porcelain-doll store; your best friend lives in a cemetery. You've pretty much grown up surrounded by creepy things. Is there anything you're afraid of?"
You.
I have been in a perpetual bad mood for the last two weeks-I won't lie about that. It's been horrible. I haven't cared about much and yes, I come off as (generally) pretty normal/happy most of the time. I've even found some amazing books to read. But, what happens when an already bad mood turns just plain sour the minute Thursday strikes? Why, you pick up a fluffy book. All the booze and/or medicine in the world couldn't salvage my mood, but guess what did? This book cured a two week streak of surliness and altogether inexcusable snark on my part. This book did what no person could do, no matter how hard they tried, and that's how I know I waited until the perfect time to start obsessing over this woman's books.
A lot of people don't get my humor. My mom calls it dry humor. I think that means "not funny," but it also means I'm the only one who ever knows it's a joke. Maybe if I laugh afterward, like my mom does when she's helping customers, more people would humor me, but I can't bring myself to do it.
It's more than that, though. I don't do cheesy. I loathe easy peasy story-lines, unless it's my dear Lauren Layne. And I don't really venture from my dystopian or fantasies very often-but for this author? I think I'm going to start making an exception. From page one I was giggling, smiling ear-to-ear, and felt immediately lighter. The snarkiness of our main character was parallel to some of my all time favorite snark-masters and Xander was...oh my, what was Xander? Xander was the equivalent to every good person in the world I feel like I would date.
After he climbs in as well, he starts the engine and then gives me a long look. "What's wrong, babe?" Xander grabs my hand and puts it on his knee.
"Is that the pet name we're going with? Babe?"
He backs out of the parking stall and starts driving. "You don't like it?"
"It's okay. It makes me think of the pig, though."
"Are you putting in a request, then?"
"I've always been partial to sweetie, mostly because I'm not sweet so it makes me laugh."
I don't know. He just...there was just something so special about him. He may have been rich and a tad spoiled, but it never once showed in his demeanor and he never let it effect who he was as a person (namely, he didn't act like a pompous, spoiled brat). Sure, he might have worn driving gloves (BAHAHA okay, that was unnecessary of me to say, but come on, Xander-driving gloves?? LMAO) and he may not own anything shoddier than a high-brow polo, expensive jeans, and loafers, but he was a total boy-next-door type, and his sweetness never once effected me as it does with other books. I like dark, tortured guys the most, lately, but I also have always had a soft spot for the good ones. Those boys that we should all aspire to date, if they existed beyond these pages. And yeah, my heart is super easy to break into (and break, when it comes to book boys) but lately the boys in these stories have had to work really hard for my fangirl affection....But with Xander? It was effortless.
He pockets his phone. "Caymen."
"Xander."
"Does this mean I won the game?"
"I didn't realize we were playing a game."
He picks up the doll and backs away with his lower-lip-biting smile. "I think you did."
Even now as I am finishing up this review my heart is soaring and I have the biggest smile on my face as I recall my favorite quotes and moments from this story. It wasn't without it's flaws, much like any other book, but the flaws were hardly a blip on my radar. But, hey, that's the way I am. I truly believe that, if a book made you extremely happy and you weren't without warm and blissful feelings throughout, it deserves every star in the world. But that's only if the flaws don't outweigh the good-in that case, yeah, it probably stunted your enjoyment a tad. But, even with some of the miscommunications and rude preconceived notions, my smile never slipped once (Okay, lie, there was definitely some angst that made me frowny face-but only because I love my dear Xander so much!!!).
So, you know, I loved this. The rich, beckoning boy and the not-so-rich girl meeting and finding a spark they've never felt before, mixed with funny shenanigans to find each other's destiny, this story was perfection. From the way Xander looked at Caymen all the way to how much he was willing to do to make her a part of his life-I couldn't put this one down. Pre-sipped drinks and bakery made blueberry muffins never sounded so wonderful, thanks to Xander, and I know I'll be re-reading this many times over if only to read about Xander's hard earned smiles and Caymen curiosities. Anna, I owe you one, ya ol' dark pup. :P
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May 22, 2018
My good bud Flannery told me about this book. About how funny and cute and cool it was. It's a contemporary YA so it practically preordered itself for me.
I started it the day my postie left it in my mail box. I finished it that same night, well, 4am in the morning (reading into the squeaky hours of the night is one of my absolute favourite activities, but only the best* books can take me there).
The Distance Between Us is so much what I love about YA. It's smiley and fun and funny and has this ridiculously swoony slow burn romance. Seriously. It also just felt unique. Like it was just marching along happily to it's own little beat.
It has the best cool inclusions. I do not want to give everything away, but: living on top of a (creepy) doll shop! Grave-digging and cemeteries! Serenading musicians! Midnight pranks! op shopping! (or, as Americans would say: thrift stores!) Cute hot chocolate moments and a surprise plane flight. Oh! And that first kiss scene? Perfection <3
What makes a book unputdownable for me? Loving it. I just got right in the groove. I didn't want it to end. The swoon and zingy-fun-antagonistic-cute chemistry between Caymen and Xander = addictive.
I loved the characters. Also, I mostly try not to think about the author while reading (my goals is to get lost in the land of make-believe) but I couldn't help but imagine just how much fun Kasie West must have had writing this book. So many grins -- awesome one-liners, cute scenes. Lots of swoon. And the plot itself was fun with creative settings.
The ending has a twist that's a bit wild. I'm not sure it entirely works? But I could definitely work with it :) It did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
I loved this. I had such a great time reading it. You all know I love contemporary YA and am always hunting for my next perfect fix. This book delivered. One of my favourite reads this year and a new lifetime contemporary favourite <3
*best = my kind of books <3
I started it the day my postie left it in my mail box. I finished it that same night, well, 4am in the morning (reading into the squeaky hours of the night is one of my absolute favourite activities, but only the best* books can take me there).
The Distance Between Us is so much what I love about YA. It's smiley and fun and funny and has this ridiculously swoony slow burn romance. Seriously. It also just felt unique. Like it was just marching along happily to it's own little beat.
It has the best cool inclusions. I do not want to give everything away, but: living on top of a (creepy) doll shop! Grave-digging and cemeteries! Serenading musicians! Midnight pranks! op shopping! (or, as Americans would say: thrift stores!) Cute hot chocolate moments and a surprise plane flight. Oh! And that first kiss scene? Perfection <3
What makes a book unputdownable for me? Loving it. I just got right in the groove. I didn't want it to end. The swoon and zingy-fun-antagonistic-cute chemistry between Caymen and Xander = addictive.
I loved the characters. Also, I mostly try not to think about the author while reading (my goals is to get lost in the land of make-believe) but I couldn't help but imagine just how much fun Kasie West must have had writing this book. So many grins -- awesome one-liners, cute scenes. Lots of swoon. And the plot itself was fun with creative settings.
The ending has a twist that's a bit wild. I'm not sure it entirely works? But I could definitely work with it :) It did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
I loved this. I had such a great time reading it. You all know I love contemporary YA and am always hunting for my next perfect fix. This book delivered. One of my favourite reads this year and a new lifetime contemporary favourite <3
*best = my kind of books <3
January 20, 2018
Tired after a full-day work? Fighting the flu or whatever annoying winter disease? Feel like your attention span is no more than several minutes? Your reading time is shrinking away to nothing? Need to read a fluffy light book that won't ask you too much focus?
I've got what you need.
*hides in shame*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
I've got what you need.
"Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"
"I've missed hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy."
"Sean raises one eyebrow when he sees us, probably thinking, didn't we all agree that this boy is too pretty?"
*hides in shame*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
April 10, 2021
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
Well I actually enjoyed this snark filled YA romance.
Although it had all the standard tropes for some reason it didn't feel formulaic or laboured. It was witty and the main characters were quite endearing and the development of their relationship was wonderfully entertaining. I liked the issues that Kasie addressed about family commitments and how they can conflict with teens following their own path. Probably my favourite Kasie West YA romance to date.
Well I actually enjoyed this snark filled YA romance.
Although it had all the standard tropes for some reason it didn't feel formulaic or laboured. It was witty and the main characters were quite endearing and the development of their relationship was wonderfully entertaining. I liked the issues that Kasie addressed about family commitments and how they can conflict with teens following their own path. Probably my favourite Kasie West YA romance to date.
July 6, 2016
plot - 12/20
characters - 14/20
creativity - 16/20
writing - 16/20
pace - 7/10
ending - 8/10
= 73/100 C-
Okay first this book wasn't all that bad. It was unexpected especially those last few chapters but everything else was a bit confusing and not connected very well. It seemed like they were each separate events being played instead of them each being woven together in a story :/
This book is a crazy quick read for me and I'm sure it would be for anyone. I read it in on sitting! It is a great summer read, but as you can see by my rating not my faovirte. I personally won't recommend it but so many of my close friends have adored it so I say it works both ways:)
Okay goodnight loves! My review probably didn't make any sense so sorry about that, my brain is tired.
characters - 14/20
creativity - 16/20
writing - 16/20
pace - 7/10
ending - 8/10
= 73/100 C-
Okay first this book wasn't all that bad. It was unexpected especially those last few chapters but everything else was a bit confusing and not connected very well. It seemed like they were each separate events being played instead of them each being woven together in a story :/
This book is a crazy quick read for me and I'm sure it would be for anyone. I read it in on sitting! It is a great summer read, but as you can see by my rating not my faovirte. I personally won't recommend it but so many of my close friends have adored it so I say it works both ways:)
Okay goodnight loves! My review probably didn't make any sense so sorry about that, my brain is tired.
July 8, 2013
The Girl. HAS Sarcasm down to an art. As is, said fact was enough to have me more than like the girl. There’s more though like her being loyal and an all around good girl though not too goody-goody to have her seeming stick in the mud.
The Guy. IS the definition of cool. And smooth. What with the perceived beckoning and all, yes? (Have I mentioned smooth?)
Between them. IS gap made wider then wider still by a number of things like (a) mothers and their secrets, (b) these kids and their assumptions PLUS a whole lot of one or the other jumping the gun because of the same! (c) Some of the interesting ‘others’ complicate matters further though those really ought not be so complicated.
It’s all these complications that have me thinking adorbs (see if you can count how many times I use this word in reference to Caymen, Caymen and Alex or anyone in this book for that matter.) But by golly! This book is the definition of CUTE:
-See me grin as I recall his moment at the end.
-See me grin as I recall how perfect each exchange between them went. Each moment made better because the guy ‘got’ her and she, him. Theirs is a sweet connection that had me excited at the possibilities of ‘them;’ then frustrated at all those things that got in the way of the same.
-And yet again, witness how I’m still grinning over how their not so different set up has yielded such an utterly likeable pair. It’s not original: this rich boy/poorer girl divide, but the two of them take that trope and make something else out of it… and make me love them more for doing so! Her with her wit and him all suave, are not too obsessed over that bit.
But things got even cuter with each thing they’d do for the other. It’s obvious that theirs is more than instant attraction (though there’s that too) because there’s a building of something more between them with the both of them seeing the other in some way the object didn’t even consider. They bring out the new in each other and were adorable while at it!
(Seriously, make me stop grinning.)
****
Readers of all things cute and contemporary, this book's for you
The Guy. IS the definition of cool. And smooth. What with the perceived beckoning and all, yes? (Have I mentioned smooth?)
Between them. IS gap made wider then wider still by a number of things like (a) mothers and their secrets, (b) these kids and their assumptions PLUS a whole lot of one or the other jumping the gun because of the same! (c) Some of the interesting ‘others’ complicate matters further though those really ought not be so complicated.
It’s all these complications that have me thinking adorbs (see if you can count how many times I use this word in reference to Caymen, Caymen and Alex or anyone in this book for that matter.) But by golly! This book is the definition of CUTE:
-See me grin as I recall his moment at the end.
-See me grin as I recall how perfect each exchange between them went. Each moment made better because the guy ‘got’ her and she, him. Theirs is a sweet connection that had me excited at the possibilities of ‘them;’ then frustrated at all those things that got in the way of the same.
-And yet again, witness how I’m still grinning over how their not so different set up has yielded such an utterly likeable pair. It’s not original: this rich boy/poorer girl divide, but the two of them take that trope and make something else out of it… and make me love them more for doing so! Her with her wit and him all suave, are not too obsessed over that bit.
But things got even cuter with each thing they’d do for the other. It’s obvious that theirs is more than instant attraction (though there’s that too) because there’s a building of something more between them with the both of them seeing the other in some way the object didn’t even consider. They bring out the new in each other and were adorable while at it!
(Seriously, make me stop grinning.)
****
Readers of all things cute and contemporary, this book's for you
June 23, 2016
This is my 3rd book of Kasie West,and I think she is now,one of my favorite authors,because I do enjoy her writing style and I want to thank my buddy,NEIL for introducing this author to me!^^
This book is such an easy,very relaxing read! The story though is a bit predictable,but it was interesting because I enjoyed the main characters (Caymen and Xander) development. I loved the witty,sarcastic humor of Caymen,and the way she interacts with people cracks me up all the time.Xander,the charming rich boy or the live version of Ken(Barbie doll's sweetheart) is incredibly swoon-worthy,sweet and thoughtful,and I loved the growth of their cute,romantic relationship which started from total strangers to friends,to "career day dates"(Ooh,I totally adored those part,lol!)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book,but there had been a little twist in the story that I found a bit weird..but still,I liked the ending.
I want to thank my sweet friend,Boots for recommending this book to me.
Hope you'll also check her captivating review on this,as your way of honoring her birthday today. HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY,BOOTS!
This book is such an easy,very relaxing read! The story though is a bit predictable,but it was interesting because I enjoyed the main characters (Caymen and Xander) development. I loved the witty,sarcastic humor of Caymen,and the way she interacts with people cracks me up all the time.Xander,the charming rich boy or the live version of Ken(Barbie doll's sweetheart) is incredibly swoon-worthy,sweet and thoughtful,and I loved the growth of their cute,romantic relationship which started from total strangers to friends,to "career day dates"(Ooh,I totally adored those part,lol!)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book,but there had been a little twist in the story that I found a bit weird..but still,I liked the ending.
I want to thank my sweet friend,Boots for recommending this book to me.
Hope you'll also check her captivating review on this,as your way of honoring her birthday today. HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY,BOOTS!
April 25, 2017
No matter how many times I see, "Kasie West"
I'm forever going to see "Kanye West"
Review to comeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :))))
I'm forever going to see "Kanye West"
Review to comeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :))))
February 10, 2017
*please ignore sentences that don't make sense and spelling errors I was high on xander when I wrote this and have already edited twice don't have more energy
Before I begin, I’d like to have a moment of silence for Xander’s smile (the one I’m never waking up to in this lifetime) because from what I’ve heard, it’s pretty darn good.
I mean, there’s this:
He throws me his smile. I swear the thing could end wars.
and this:
He smiles. I love his smile. I don’t want to talk about my mom. I want to talk about his smile or kissing. I could talk about kissing.
and this:
He offers me his lower-lip-biting smile and I almost rush into his arms. For the first time since I walked away from him the other night my heart feels whole.
I NEED MY XANDER. IF ANYONE CAN TELL ME WHERE TO SIGN UP FOR ONE, I'D BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
The thing about contemporaries is, there’s hardly any variation. And despite how cute this one was, it went more or less the way I could’ve guessed it went. It even involved the you’re-not-like-other-girls trope, but I’m not going to judge Kasie West for it, because dammit I love Caymen and Xander so much I need them to be real so I can third wheel all the time.
PROS: XANDER SPENCE. CONS: Extreme cheesiness (side effects: nausea and sprained muscles due to smiling to much)
Before I begin, I’d like to have a moment of silence for Xander’s smile (the one I’m never waking up to in this lifetime) because from what I’ve heard, it’s pretty darn good.
I mean, there’s this:
He throws me his smile. I swear the thing could end wars.
and this:
He smiles. I love his smile. I don’t want to talk about my mom. I want to talk about his smile or kissing. I could talk about kissing.
and this:
He offers me his lower-lip-biting smile and I almost rush into his arms. For the first time since I walked away from him the other night my heart feels whole.
I NEED MY XANDER. IF ANYONE CAN TELL ME WHERE TO SIGN UP FOR ONE, I'D BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
The thing about contemporaries is, there’s hardly any variation. And despite how cute this one was, it went more or less the way I could’ve guessed it went. It even involved the you’re-not-like-other-girls trope, but I’m not going to judge Kasie West for it, because dammit I love Caymen and Xander so much I need them to be real so I can third wheel all the time.
PROS: XANDER SPENCE. CONS: Extreme cheesiness (side effects: nausea and sprained muscles due to smiling to much)
May 9, 2017
Impromptu buddy read with the cutest, Jia
This book is SO. FRICKEN. CUTE.
The first time I read this I gave it 5 stars instantly but now that I’m rereading it, I’ve noticed A LOT more flaws than my fetus self who had no standards.
Dropping this to a 3 is painful for me but if somehow by a GREAT miracle half stars were to appear, I would give it a confident 3.5 stars but alas I cannot so here we are.
If we’re judging by cuteness, this wins that award for the next ten years.
Hot chocolate
Muffins
Caymen – cute and sarcastic
Xander – hella cute
The book – too cute to handle
What more do you need???
This is fun, fun, fun, no matter how many times you reread it. It’s just so light and enjoyable and hilarious.
I do have to complain tho, cause what kind of review would this be if I didn’t??!! The ending was too quick. The resolution was like ‘oh hey let’s just wrap this up throw a big bow on it and lets move on kay? Kay. Perfect”
And I’m like nahhhh, I nEED moooooore!!
Anyways, read this it get out of a slump – 10/10 guaranteed.
“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”
3.5 stars!!
This book is SO. FRICKEN. CUTE.
The first time I read this I gave it 5 stars instantly but now that I’m rereading it, I’ve noticed A LOT more flaws than my fetus self who had no standards.
Dropping this to a 3 is painful for me but if somehow by a GREAT miracle half stars were to appear, I would give it a confident 3.5 stars but alas I cannot so here we are.
If we’re judging by cuteness, this wins that award for the next ten years.
Hot chocolate
Muffins
Caymen – cute and sarcastic
Xander – hella cute
The book – too cute to handle
What more do you need???
This is fun, fun, fun, no matter how many times you reread it. It’s just so light and enjoyable and hilarious.
I do have to complain tho, cause what kind of review would this be if I didn’t??!! The ending was too quick. The resolution was like ‘oh hey let’s just wrap this up throw a big bow on it and lets move on kay? Kay. Perfect”
And I’m like nahhhh, I nEED moooooore!!
Anyways, read this it get out of a slump – 10/10 guaranteed.
“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”
3.5 stars!!
April 6, 2018
Basically, I'm a sucker for cheesy romances, especially ones where the guy is unrealistically perfect—handsome, wealthy, smart, sweet and sincere, i.e., Xander Spence.
When Xander walks into Caymen's mom's doll store (nicknamed Little Shop of Horrors by her free-spirited best friend), she knows right away that he's not for her. He oozes rich, while Caymen and her mom live above the doll store in a tiny apartment and barely make ends meet. He unwittingly makes a bad first impression and is summarily dismissed by Caymen's natural sarcasm.
That doesn't stop Xander from trying to get to know Caymen, though. He enjoys her sarcasm and dry wit, finding her different from his normal circle of friends. He does lots of little things that have big meaning and Caymen begins to fall for him, despite her best intentions.
This is kind of a modern take on the old Cinderella story, a great choice when you want a quick, cute, clean romance that leaves you smiling.
When Xander walks into Caymen's mom's doll store (nicknamed Little Shop of Horrors by her free-spirited best friend), she knows right away that he's not for her. He oozes rich, while Caymen and her mom live above the doll store in a tiny apartment and barely make ends meet. He unwittingly makes a bad first impression and is summarily dismissed by Caymen's natural sarcasm.
That doesn't stop Xander from trying to get to know Caymen, though. He enjoys her sarcasm and dry wit, finding her different from his normal circle of friends. He does lots of little things that have big meaning and Caymen begins to fall for him, despite her best intentions.
This is kind of a modern take on the old Cinderella story, a great choice when you want a quick, cute, clean romance that leaves you smiling.
June 9, 2023
This was okay...
I was slightly disappointed, I enjoyed the banter but the whole story just seemed to convenient even for contemporary standards.
I was slightly disappointed, I enjoyed the banter but the whole story just seemed to convenient even for contemporary standards.
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