Popular cheerleader Jamie Edwards’ world is turned upside down when she suddenly develops a crush on bad girl P. J. Thomas.
Jamie and P. J. have gone to the same school since grade school but, because they ran in different circles, Jamie had never really paid much attention to P. J. She only knew that P. J. had been in a lot of trouble over the past few years and had run with a rough crowd. After seeing P. J. working at McDonald’s, thoughts of P. J. fill Jamie’s mind and she realizes she is developing a crush on this girl.
Fate intertwines the girls’ lives and they slowly become friends. Some of the other people in Jamie’s life are not happy about the budding friendship between the two girls, including Jamie’s ex-boyfriend, Todd; the leader of her cheerleading squad, Diane; and Jamie’s mother.
The two girls have to deal with friends and family finding out about their relationship. Jamie’s mother is determined to keep the two girls apart. P. J. is determined not to lose Jamie. In the end, the two girls find they have allies in unexpected places. Allies who want to help the girls be together, hopefully forever.
M.E. Tudor lives in south central Kentucky with her cute dog, Ruby and cat, Chesher. She has an Associates Degree and Bachelor's Degree from Western Kentucky University and works as a librarian. When not working or writing, M.E. loves to travel, camp and hike.
Great read! well rounded and deeply developed characters,even relatable..excellent young love story and also accurate to what teens goes through..recommend to all
Usually cheerleader characters are a bit rude till they fall for the outcast and become a better person. I loved that this was not the case here, Jamie was already a sweetheart. Her being tongue tied and blushing like crazy in front of her crush was so cute. P.J is the best book girlfriend, she protects Jamie, paints for her and gives her poems. Most of all, she is very intimidating and tough, but is super shy and sweet when i comes to Jamie. I live for such characters! The focus of this book wasn't only on the romance between and P.J. There were other sub plots eg cyber bullying and sexual assault. I am not okay with the way P.J's assault storyline was handled at all, why wasn't any serious action taken against that asshole? or when twice Jamie was kissed without her consent by guys. It should've been a bigger deal.
I had difficulty writing a review of this story, a reread, because for me High School is like a movie I saw once. If I could I'd not leave any rating, just "Read" but I understand this is worse than leaving two stars. This is just a reread of something from 2015.
Telling the story of coming out in High School, I found this book to need editing because of grammatical errors and the use of repetitious actions, thoughts and conversations - typically in just a sentence. Such a sprawling work, attempting to describe coming out in Kentucky as a senior in High School (In I guess the late 90's), this story contained some truly mentally ill fellow students and a bitch mother (new shelf?) who really repelled me. The thoughts of the main character were so simply stated they had me thinking she was younger than 17. For me it was a "just ok" read.
There should be a trigger warning, as I understand them, that this story includes a sexual assault and past rape.
I was looking for a good LGBT coming-of-age story and decided to go for this one as the reviews were pretty OK. However, the writing is very matter-of-fact, repetitive, unnecessarily descriptive but lacking in details that matter, and it needed a lot of editing, in my opinion. There were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors, switching up tenses and even character names, and a lot of dated references and cliches. I don't really like it that much, but I finished it... although I have to say that there wasn't a lot of believable plot lines and the characters were not fully developed and came across as stereotypes with very little depth and believability. There were a lot of problematic statements and themes, too.
The dialogue wasn't very natural, was kind of stilted, and everyone kind of sounded the same. The dialogue often felt like a cross between Marcia Brady and a PSA against the evils of high school. It felt like it was written by someone who was removed or detached from the actual environment she's trying to portray, and it read like an outsider trying but failing to assimilate into a certain crowd.
I appreciate what the author is trying to do and how she created a story to fill the hole of an under represented group, but I think it was way off the mark and needed a lot of fleshing out. There were certain characters that I liked and wanted to have seen more of, or developed, but I thought that it really needed a lot of work.
This is a cute teen f/f romance. I really enjoyed the two main characters, which kept me reading through the crazy amount of typos. This story could of used an editor.
This is a beautiful YA love story. Jamie is from a wealthy family and a popular Cheerleader, PJ is from a working family. Due to her father leaving on her 12th birthday she started getting into trouble at school and experimenting with drugs.But her stepfather took her under his "wings" and she's trying to get good grades to graduate. She asks Jamie to tutor her in algebra. Jamie has noticed PJ before and is interested in her. This is their story. This shows how love, and good friends, and a loving father can conquer all. LOVE THIS BOOK! 5 stars!
Editing badly needed. Both in regard to simple things like spelling, but also plot/character development and style.
It didn't start out so bad but by the end I started skipping stuff because I had to cringe so much. The story itslef has potential and I did want to see how it ends, but yeah, if you're looking for well-written YA, skip this.
- Trigger warnings: Rape (mentioned briefly), kissing without consent, revenge porn, cyber bullying, and homophobia.-
I would have given this book 3 stars (okay probably more like 2.5 if Goodreads got with the program and let you do half a star) but I just couldn’t. I’ll start with the good and why it would have been 3 stars and I’ll end with the bad and why it was only 2 stars.
So firstly, this was a YA coming out story about a typical cheerleader (our MC) falling for a typical ‘bad girl’ stereotype who is trying to get her life together (after being raped which was skimmed over so briefly like it wasn’t the most horrifying thing to happen to a young girl AND THEN the MC had the audacity to kiss the girl who was raped after she told her without saying anything. Like her kiss will make it better... ok I just had to get that off my chest). The MC helps the bad girl graduate by helping her study and that’s when they fall in love but the MCs Mum and friends are homophobic.
The good: the author obviously really wanted to tell this story and you could tell she enjoyed writing it. The MC was likeable which can be hard for an author to accomplish when the POV is first person. Like all romance contemporary books I have read my favourite character is always the love interest and that was also the case with this book. Finally, I did enjoy the story. It wasn’t amazing writing but it told the story it set out to and it was enjoyable.
The bad: first I have to say that I Googled the shit out of this book to find when it was published and the only date I can find is 2016. Why you ask? Because I swear this book was either written in 1970 or 2009. I say 1970 because of the characters names. We have a Pauline Jezebal, a Barry, a Marlene, a Randy and Andy, and even a Pam Williams. The Pam Williams one threw me off because I know a Pam Williams and she is in her mid 80’s. For a book written (well at least published in 2016) those are some old names. They would be the names of the parents and grand parents. Not the high school student characters. And I also say 2009 because some of the things mentioned are so out of date. Some off the top of my head are Twilight still being relevant, blackberry over Apple, Amy Lee, April Lavigne, and personal ringtones, MySpace etc.
But that is not why this book got 2 stars. I had to take 1 star away because this WAS a first draft. I don’t care what the glowing reviews say. There is NO WAY this was edited or proof read. From spelling mistakes, to the word Okay being used 5 times on one page, to the story arc making completely no sense, or even things being mentioned and then forgotten and then mentioned again like they were never mentioned in the first place. The worst one was when the author forgot that she was writing in past tense and would randomly start writing in present tense and then switch back to past tense. I am sorry but if you’re going to write a book and people are going to pay for said book then the least you can do as an author is give them something presentable that you have put your time and effort in to. Some reviews have picked up on these issues but still gave higher stars. That’s just not me (plus at best this is a 3 star story).
High school can be really hard for some teens. Between just trying to fit in and figuring out who you want to be, it can be really tough. The author does a great job of making her characters seem real. Well done!
This story seems like it was written by someone who doesn’t understand practicality or parent/child abuse. The main characters mother is insanely abusive throughout the entire book and it’s never really called what it is. Instead it’s just a part of life.
Good book. Cyber bullying needs to be stopped. Jamie's mom was such a bitch and Marlene is a best friend that everyone in the world needs in real life.
There were a lot of typos that brought me out of the story. I was also confused as to when this story took place. I think its definitely important to note that they are a few triggering topics such SA, homophobia, stalking, and bullying. The casual use of the word “ret*rded” and “r*pe”. The MCs were likeable but overall, not the best YA book I’ve read.
This book was way too "teen". To me, the best coming out stories are the ones that can touch adults as well as teenagers. This book doesn't, it's obviously written from a teen POV, for teen people, with overdramatic teen drama.
I'm rating it 3 and not 2 because despite the following very weak aspects of the story, there were things I enjoyed as well. Specifically, I found the character of P.J. to be really interesting and charming. The chemistry is not too bad either, and that's essential in a romance story. Some moments are sweet, as well. Jamie's naivete is sometimes endearing.
But "Suddenly" is a jumble of typos and grammar errors which are hard to get past. The story is incredibly long and repetitive, therefore in dire need of editing. Unfortunately that wouldn't have been enough to make it a really good story. The writing is just really amateur, and I felt like I was reading a (not so good) fanfiction. Because of the plot as well: the storyline of a rich popular girl falling for the bad girl is overused, as well as the excuse of them studying together to get them closer. There are a lot of uninteresting details about characters that are not relevant to the story, which made the story incredibly boring at times. The whole digital crisis was too much as well and seemed to drag. I had to skip a few chapters because I was getting tired of the repetitive dialogues between Jamie and her parents.
In general, the story is not that predictable, but is full of clichés that bothered me. The American setting annoyed me as well. Being from France, I just can't really relate to this whole high school experience which is supposed to be a nightmare in the US. And I'm tired of having to read about cheerleaders and jocks and nerds and bullying, I don't doubt that those things really exist, but I'm sure there are coming out stories that are a lot less dramatic with a lot more open minded people, and with societal issues that are less black and white.
Oh and... a few times Jamie talks about how P. J. smells like McDonald's French fries during intimate moments.....NOT SEXY, at all!!
I have read this three times simply because it perfectly describes the exhilaration, fear and thrills of a teen's first love. It reminded me of the agony and ecstasy on my first love as a teen 50 years ago. The exhilaration of discovering the deep feelings of physical and emotional attraction to someone outside one's family. The fear that your feelings won't be reciprocated...mine weren't. And the sheer thrill of the roller coaster of emotions as you have deep feelings for another. Ms. Tudor perfectly captures those feelings as Valerie and P.J. call in love. Her depiction of the social hell that is high school is spot on! While pop culture is accepting of LGBTQ people, high school in the real world is not and the author gets it just right. I keep re-reading Suddenly in the hope there will be a second book about these two wonderful young women. Full disclosure: every time I read it I still tear up on the last page even though I know the ending: and this is a tribute to Ms. Tudor's skill as a story teller.
This author might need an editor because there's a difference between your and you're and every time i read the same error i just wanted to quit a little bit more, that's why i got stuck at 70% for an eternity. To add to that the writing style feel very much like a middle schooler wrote this, one bad at english to be specific, with really short sentences that sometimes just skipped cold turkey to something else completely unrelated. The main characters Jamie and P.J were really boring and Jamie was not that much likable for me, I can't really say what i thought of P.J because we barely get to know her. Regarding the overarching story it was really predictable what their struggle would be by the end of the book and the ending was predictable too.
I'd consider this more like 3.5 stars. It was a bit predictable, but it was very cute and entertaining.
The main character, Jaime, is a cheerleader who finds herself suddenly attracted to another classmate, whom she didn't notice much before. This classmate, P.J., is known for getting into trouble and they're just very different from each other, but as they find themselves spending time together a friendship begins to develop.
I liked Jaime and P.J., they were likable. But who I really liked was Marlene, Jaime's best friend. She's just such a good friend to her and was very well written.
There is some drama, as it's expected, but overall it felt realistic.
Jamie suddenly has a new look at a fellow student she is known for awhile. Things progressed with innocent abound till someone is paid to take pictures of them and posts them on the media. School officials quickly take over the incident and guilty parties are punished. Never mind the back last from parents and fellow students. Will Jamie and P.J. reunite? Read and enjoy. Cyber bullying and bullying anyone is cowardly and dangerous. People have killed themselves from the attacks against people who are different.
I cant begin to express my gratitude to this story (and the author too) for making such a good story between two young, smart girls who didnt do stupid things like how we usually read in other story.
The females are strong, independent and they dont rush or do stupid things that makes you frown. Instead, you found the story keeping your imagination flow and guided smoothly uncovering the girls' feelings for each other. I like this story.
I like the slow pace, it fits this story best. Recommended. (No hardcore sex scenes)
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, and you don’t have to be who they want you to be. You control your destiny.”
Loved the journey of attraction, recognition, understanding & love as it developed & intensified between Kate & PJ— all in the midst of redefining self-identity with the understanding & acceptance of/for their transformed identities—all marvelously crafted as hostages to the pleasure & pain, intoxication & desperation of love!!
One of the best books of the year. Sensitive portrayal of high school love. They just happen to both be girls. This new love does not sit well with some at the school and at home. Their love and commitment is severely tested by an intolerant community. Be shocked to discover who comes to their defense. Can a new and unusual love survive high school? Read a find out. This is one of the best coming of age books ever.
Very sweet and wonderful love and coming pout story
It's a shame I didn't have some of their parents growing up. Anyway a secondary school student realised why she never really liked boys when she met a girl she helped tutor. They both got to explore and after dealing with homophobes and at least one parent who was more worried about how friends would talk about her having a gay daughter... There is an HEA. It's a lovely, believable charming well written story.
Jamie Edwards is a popular cheerleader but also a science geek. When she and her mom stop a McDonald’s for lunch she is waited on by PJ Thomas one of the school “bad girls.” She is suddenly entranced and has no idea what is happening to her. When PJ asks her to tutor her she’s all in. The sparks continue and it builds to an explosive situation. Can they find their way to each other and find a way to be together? Great coming of age story. Recommend.
This is a great coming of age story, as well as a wonderful depiction of two young women discovering their sexual orientation, or perhaps confirming it. Generally well written with good character development and wonderful chemistry between the two leading ladies.
Enjoyed this a lot..It was long? It kept my attention though but could use a bit of a edit..rarely some names were mixed up and a few other things but not enough to bother me really but I do know some get bent out of shape about that stuff..well worth the time spent and will have a look at her other books
I truly loved this coming out story. I actually binged read it in about a day and a half. The angst and confusion of the MC is very real. The characters draw you in and are really believable. I actually felt like I was back in High school.
There are some formatting and copy issues with the book, but they didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story.
I thought this book was a sweet read. It had the normal teenage drama, the bully cheerleader, the posting of pictures online and to the school kids (which I am sure is fairly normal now-a-days). It was a cute read, up and down feel good story. I have read it multiple times, and will again.
I just adored this book. I missed out on a nights sleep to read this book in its entirety. I loved the main characters and the ones you're meant to dislike certainly get an emotional reaction from you. I'm definitely going looking for more work by this author.
Not a typical genre that I read, but because of the topic being about high school, teens that are gay, figured it was something worthy to read and would recommend anyone to read this book.