Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

17 July, 2013 Reviews 35 comments

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie WestThe Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Series: Standalone
Published by HarperTeen on July 2nd 2013
Pages: 320
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Swap
Amazon Good BooksBook Depository
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s 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 Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

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.

 photo twirl_zpsbbf7953a.gif

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!

Steph Sinclair

Steph Sinclair

Co-blogger at Cuddlebuggery
I'm a bibliophile trying to make it through my never-ending To-Be-Read list, equal opportunity snarker, fangirl and co-blogger here at Cuddlebuggery. Find me on GoodReads.

35 Responses to “Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West”

  1. mego

    Yes, yes, yes to every piece of this review. I read this book b/c I was shocked by how much I loved Pivot Point, but I was unsure b/c I don’t read a ton of non-genre, I am so glad I took a chance. It had me making yummy happy noises the whole way through.

    Glad you liked it and thanks for the review!

  2. pixelski

    I have been waiting for this book for AGES. I ordered it from my bookstore and they still haven’t emailed me. I want this book so much it hurts and after reading your review Steph I want to jump you and take this from you!!!

  3. Eunice Gambe

    “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.”
    I so agree on that with you, Steph! I had so much fun reading this without the really worrying and getting frustrated. It was just all happy feelings! I enjoyed Caymen’s sarcasm too, I thought at first I wouldn’t like her but I soon found myself really laughing at them. Reading this was definitely a great and fun experience. I’m glad you enjoyed this too, Steph! Great review as always. 🙂

  4. MeliRobles

    oh I can’t wait to get my hands on this book, I do want to twirl and sigh with the perfect perfect way Kassie writes, she IS my new favorite autor and I know I must have her in my bookshelf

  5. ireadthebooks

    Haha, perfect gif! Heard a lot of good things about this one, can’t wait to read it!

  6. Megan

    I am SO relieved that this worked out. Honestly. PIVOT POINT was a whirlwind of emotions for me (the ending got me right in the feels), and I’d be lying if I wasn’t looking forward to anything Kasie got up her sleeve. Adorable and totally not cheesy, you say? I need this book in my life!
    Steph, if one day you wake up and find your copy missing, you know who took it. *cackles evilly*
    Great review!

  7. NoseGraze

    Yes yes yes!!!!  Such an awesome review and so freaking true.  Kasie West is AMAZING O_O  I think she’s my all time favourite author right now.  She knows how to rock a romance like no other.

  8. Renae M

    I haven’t read a novel by West yet! I obviously need to get on that, since The Distance Between Us and Pivot Point are pretty much universally loved. I don’t tend to like snarky characters, but Caymen might be an exception, since all the quotes everyone is sharing are really funny/cute.

  9. Neyra

    Yay you’re on BlogLovin’!! 😀  And now for your review….

    I like the story line for this book, it sounds like something I might enjoy, but also something I might roll my eyes at a lot. Especially for the bias attitudes >.< Still, I’m glad to hear you recommend this for those suffering from slumps, because I haven’t been able to enjoy a book for almost two months 🙁

    • Steph Sinclair
      Twitter:

      Neyra Yeah! We’ve been on there for a while, but we never really advertised it. lol.
      I thought the same thing, that I would just roll my eyes, but this one ended up surprising me.

  10. ReadingbyKF

    haha I don’t usually go for cutsie contemporary novels, but I’m on a reading slump, and I’ve been feeling in a YA mood, so I’m definitely adding this to be soon TBR shelf haha

    • Steph Sinclair
      Twitter:

      ReadingbyKF I think this would be the perfect remedy. I’m not usually one to go for ANY cutsie books, but sometimes it’s just what you need. It’s like your brain requires a break from all the intense reading and life in general.

  11. Kat C

    Oooh, I’ve seen this book around and always really like the cover and how it represents the story so well. I was hoping the story just as good and I’m glad to see such a positive review. In my head I think it is like Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour.

    • Steph Sinclair
      Twitter:

      Kat C The cover is just lovely. Harper did a great job with portraying the story on the cover. The biggest thing I see some reviewers not loving is the ending, but the overall story is pretty enjoyable.

  12. gypsyreviews

    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. 
    Uhm YES, I am here for contemporary books that make you feel like this. Bring on the warm and fuzzies >:) I’m so glad that Kasie West was able to write a fantastic contemporary novel too and everyone has been talking about TDBU, will definitely have to get this soon. Great review Steph!

  13. PopGoesTheReader

    Well, I’m sold! That quote made my heart race a little faster, and I haven’t even read the actual novel yet 😉 I love the idea that the two have to overcome their differences and preconceived notions in order to be together, as I think that’ll be such an interesting journey to watch evolve. Everyone seems crazy about this book and I hope I am too when I finally get around to reading it. Lovely review, Steph!

  14. elena

    I haven’t read Pivot Point yet but I’ve heard good things and after reading The Distance Between us, I REALLY WANT TO NOW. I freaking loved their career days and their relationship. It was such a cute book and your review already makes me want to re-read! Definitely a meltin. 🙂

  15. Jenny

    YEAH STEPH!!!! I’m a complete and utter Kasie West fangirl as well, I just adored this book and Pivot Point. Caymen kept me laughing throughout with her sarcasm, and there were so many times I just wanted to reach in an hug her. Her sense of humor was beyond epic. SO MUCH CUTENESS IN ONE BOOK!

  16. Realm of Fiction
    Twitter:

    Wasn’t Caymen’s sarcasm just awesome? I’m really glad to see you enjoyed this book, Steph! I loved Kasie West’s Pivot Point too, and after The Distance Between Us, I’m pretty sure I’ll be picking up all her future books now. I did think the ending here was a little rushed, but it wasn’t a huge problem overall. Great review as always!

  17. SnugglyOranges

    Hahahaha, I absolutely LOVE this review. I completely agree with everything. I just read this this week and it was absolutely too cute. LOVED it 🙂 The adorbs EEEEEEEEP.

  18. alexalovesbooks

    I WANT TO READ THIS BOOK. (And that GIF is awesome!). I love cute contemporaries that sound like rom-coms! I honestly have no excuse, as I OWN the darned thing. I should definitely get to reading it soon!

  19. StoleYpurHeart

    OMG!! I read this book a thousand times, It will never get old!! 😀

    Best Book Ever Made!!

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