Review: The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

High school junior Nick Brandt is intent on getting a girlfriend, and Eden Reiss is the one that he wants. He has exactly four semesters to get the girl, but when the phone rings on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday night, life for Nick and his parents will never be the same. What had been a seemingly idyllic home life has become something else entirely. But with this shake-up comes a newfound confidence for Nick; he's become a bolder version of himself, no longer afraid to question his parents, and no longer afraid to talk to Eden.

Alyssa B. Sheinmel has written a powerfully gripping story about family secrets, falling in love, and finding luck in unexpected--and sometimes unwelcome—circumstances.

Review:

After reading Alyssa's unique and beautifully written debut last year, I've been eager to find out more about her upcoming projects. I was beyond excited when a copy of her sophomore novel, The Lucky Kind, landed on my doorstep. It was just as intriguing and original as her debut and I definitely recommend it.

The Lucky Kind tells the story of sixteen year old Nick, an ordinary high school guy navigating life the best he can. Nick is in love with the beautiful and elusive Eden Reiss and I liked being able to watch their relationship develop and turn into something more. Nick has always been happy and has a good relationship with his parents, and he's even happier when he and Eden start dating. He also has his best friend Stevie and is doing well in school. But then his life is turned upside down when he learns his father had a son with his girlfriend 29 years ago that they put up for adoption and this almost thirty year old man is now contacting Nick's (and his real) father. Nick starts to wonder if his father really is the kind and honest guy he always knew and trusted and their relationship changes drastically in just a day. Suddenly Nick is a new person.

The concept of The Lucky Kind was one I've never encountered before and I felt for Nick when he learned his father had been keeping something so serious from him. The fact that Nick was indeed not his father's first born son. Alyssa B. Sheinmel made sure Nick's parents had a key role in the story and his relationship with them was a key part of the novel. Nick's character is very complex and he goes through a lot over the course of a few months and changes quite a bit.

Eden and Stevie are also very developed secondary characters and have a large role in the book. One of my favorite aspects of the book was reading about Nick's relationship with not only his parents but Stevie and Eden. He learned a lot about himself from those two even though they had their ups and downs.

The plot is well executed and Alyssa manages to capture all the turmoil and emotion brought forth by a family secret perfectly.

While some may think the ending was a bit abrupt I think it was the best way to end the story. Readers can make their own guesses as to what happens next. Overall, The Lucky Kind was an original and well written second novel and I finished it very quickly. Alyssa B. Sheinmel created a great character in Nick and I think many teenagers will feel for and relate to him. I'm sure Alyssa's third book will introduce a new, rarely touched topic that will intrigue readers as well!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

May 10, 2011/Knopf BFYR/208 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Other books by this author: The Beautiful Between

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Eden from The Lucky Kind (and GIVEAWAY!)

Stopping by today is Eden, one of the main characters in The Lucky Kind! I loved this book and can't wait to post my review on Sunday!

1. What was your initial reaction to Nick the first time you met him?

Well, I’ve known Nick since we were in grade school. So to be honest, I’m pretty sure that the first time I met him, he and Stevie were taking turns tasting paste. (Although they might have been doing that last week, too.)

2. Do you know if your parents ever considered naming you something else? And if you could change your name to anything else what would you choose?

I don’t know if my parents ever thought of another name for me. I know it was my mother who decided to name me Eden; she liked that she had come up with an unusual way to give me a biblical name. I can’t imagine having a different name; I’m used to being Eden.

3. Most teenagers would hate to have to wear a school uniform. Do you like it or wish you could just wear your tank top and jeans?

I don’t mind the uniform. I think of it as a fashion challenge: how can I make this outfit my own while still staying within the parameters of the school dress code? It’s tough – they even have rules about what shoes we can wear. We’re not allowed to wear shoes without backs, because years ago a girl wearing clogs fell down the school stairs. It makes me put a lot more thought into my accessories.

4. I understand you like to read non-fiction books. What has been the most interesting fact or piece of information you've come across in your reading?

My favorite thing about non-fiction is learning the stories behind the ones that we learn at school. I usually end up sympathizing with the women who have traditionally been painted as the “bad” guys. Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette are my favorites, and they’re endlessly interesting if you ask me.

5. Do you wish you had a sibling? Or do you like being an only child?

I don’t mind being an only child; though come to think of it, it might be nice to have someone else around who knows just how crazy my parents are. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t wish their parenting style on anyone else!

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Thanks so much Eden and Alyssa! The book officially releases on May 10th, so be sure to pick up a copy then!

I am also hosting a giveaway for two copies of The Lucky KInd! US Only. Ends May 15.

*Comments are appreciated and loved, but to be officially entered in the giveaway you must fill out the form linked below!

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

The Beautiful Between Review

The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Publisher: Knopf BFYR

Release date: May 11, 2010

Source: Publisher

If high school were a fairy-tale kingdom, Connelly Sternin would be Rapunzel, locked not in a tower by a wicked witch but in a high-rise apartment building by the SATs and college applications—and by the secrets she keeps. Connelly's few friends think that her parents are divorced—but they're not. Connelly's father died when she was two, and she doesn't know how.

If Connelly is the Rapunzel of her school, Jeremy Cole is the crown prince, son of a great and rich New York City family. So when he sits down next to her at lunch one day, Connelly couldn't be more surprised. But Jeremy has a tragic secret of his own, and Connelly is the only one he can turn to for help. Together they form a council of two, helping each other with their homework and sharing secrets. As the pair's friendship grows, Connelly learns that it's the truth, not the secrets, that one must guard and protect. And that between friends, the truth, however harsh, is also beautiful.

Review:

When I first picked up The Beautiful Between I had no idea what to expect. The summary didn't give much away, and I hadn't read many reviews for it. I was drawn in from the first few pages by Sheinmel's poignant and emotional writing and I ended up finishing this novel in a day.

Connelly is a great main character, although at times a bit impulsive. I sometimes couldn't understand her decisions. Connelly was obviously just trying to find her place in the world and Sheinmel really got inside Connelly's head and helped readers get to know who she really was. Connelly was a girl many people could relate to, and I really felt sorry for all she'd been through. I especially loved the fairy tale aspect. Connelly imagined her school as a princess's court, to help her understand everyone and how they functioned. The Prince Charming, someone I was at first wary was going to be the typical popular guy, turned out to be one of my favorite male leads ever!

Jeremy was the main reason Connelly was able to find herself. He was an honest and lovable character, and the friendship Sheinmel crafted between him and Connelly was beautiful. Their relationship was well developed. It wasn't rushed or too slow, it was believable. Jeremy helped Connelly understand who she really was, and although he made her make some difficult decisions, everything worked out in the end. This novel proved that not every relationship has to be physical love, but a powerful friendship can be even better. Jeremy had a loving and supportive family, so different from Connelly's own, and one of my favorite characters from the novel was Jeremy's sister, Kate.

Kate was an amazing person. She was inspiring, sweet, and made people wish they could be like her. She wasn't arrogant though, and that made me like her that much more. Kate really proved to both Connelly and the reader how important it is to spend time with your family and friends and to cherish the time you have with them.

Connelly had no relationship with her mother, who had disappeared into a shell when her father died when Connelly was two. I loved watching their relationship grow and develop as the story went on, and the worst part was, another terrible tragedy had to occur to bring them back together.

Alyssa B. Sheinmel is a powerful and emotional writer. She has a great sense of knowing the perfect words to use and I would probably read anything she wrote, even if I hated the plot, just for the writing. The plot itself was definitely unique and beautiful as well, this was overall a terrific debut that many readers will cherish. While there were some flaws, I overall really enjoyed this and can't wait for Sheinmel's next release!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

* I'll be interviewing Alyssa as part of her blog tour on Friday. Be sure to stop by!*