Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
Summary: Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident.
As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?
Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby’s strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex…and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.
My Thoughts: I’m having a hard time with writing a review for this one. There are things I loved about it and things I hated. And I am just struggling with how to rate it, what to say, etc.
What I hated:
- Gabby ~ she has got to be the dumbest teenage girl ever. And the longer the book went on, the more I got sick of her.
- Billy ~ A necessary plot device, but no less hate-worthy.
- “Friends” of Gabby ~ are they truly friends?
- Gabby’s parents ~ especially her mother
What I loved:
- Gabby ~ Her voice. LOVED it. She cracked me up and was just very fun to read – until I got tired of her stupidity.
- The writing ~ It is fantastic. I really loved reading this book enough for it to be more important to me than the first list – my hate list.
- Character growth ~ Gabby goes through a lot, and I think much of it is just her own idiocy, but she does learn. And grow. And mature.
- Gabby’s father ~ despite his flaws, it’s clear he loves Gabby
I fear I’ve said too much. There is so much I want to say that I just can’t. It’ll completely spoil the book for anyone who isn’t able to figure it out pretty damn quickly. I suspect, though, that innocent teens might not catch on as quickly as I did. Although, the nitty-gritty details were, well, much worse than I’d expected. And, yes, a bit surprising. I do have to add that the resolution, I felt, was rushed. We spend so much time on Gabby’s predicament that when the pieces fall into place, there’s not much left in the book. The aftermath was too vague and didn’t fully leave me happy. I was, however, pleased by what little we do know.
Over all, yes, I enjoyed Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler. The writing is fantastic. While it gets old after a while, Gabby’s voice is fantastic. Yes, the ending leaves something to be desired, but I think it’s worth the journey.
Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.
Read It: Where It Began is scheduled for release on March 6, 2012. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)
Challenges: Counts for the 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge.
FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Fantastic review, sis!
I’ve been wanting to read this one for quite a while, can’t wait till it comes out!
Gianna recently posted..Review: All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin
I was in this tour and I had to add this to my DNF pile. I couldn’t take her stupidity like you said. It was just annoying. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.