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Wesley James Ruined My Life
Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.
So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.
But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.
But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2017
About the author
Jennifer Honeybourn
5 books152 followersJennifer Honeybourn works in corporate communications in Vancouver, British Columbia. She's a fan of British accents, Broadway musicals, and epic, happily-ever-after love stories. If she could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, she'd have high tea with Walt Disney, JK Rowling, and her nana. She lives with her husband, daughter and cat in a house filled with books. WESLEY JAMES RUINED MY LIFE is her first novel.
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July 9, 2017
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.
So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.
But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
What I Liked:
This book was adorable! Light, cute, and a quick read - exactly what I needed at this present time. I had a good feeling about this book and I'm glad it went my way. I'm not a huge YA contemporary fan, so I try to be as selective as possible when I read them. This book was worth it!
Quinn life is not so great at the moment. The one bright spot is that she's going to London with her high school's band over the summer, which is going to be awesome, since Quinn has been dreaming of going to London for years. She has to work often at Tudor Tymes restaurant to come up with the money for costs, but it's worth it. With everything else going on, she needs this. Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the family had to put her in a home. Quinn's parents have been divorced for several years, and her father has not been able to get back on his feet since the divorce. He has no job and is constantly gambling. And then there is the source of all of Quinn's problems - Wesley James, who recently moved back to Seattle, after living elsewhere for five years. Quinn wants to exact her revenge on Wesley, but the more she schemes, the more she falls in love with him. Would it be so bad to fall for the guy whose life you're trying to ruin?
I'm not really big on second-chance romances so I was a tiny bit apprehensive about this one, at first. But it's not a second-chance romance at all. Quinn and Wesley were childhood friends for years, until they were eleven years old, when Quinn and his family moved to Portland. The going-away party was the night that everything changed - in which Quinn and Wesley fought, and then Wesley did the thing that Quinn thinks ruined her life forever. Five years later, Wesley is back, and Quinn still hasn't let go of that grudge.
Quinn is hilarious, even if her rationale was a little misguided. She likes doing things by the rules, which Wesley thinks makes her uptight, and she doesn't really play around. She is stubborn and really good at holding a grudge, which I found more impressive than anything else. I liked Quinn a lot, more than I thought I would. I could relate to her on some level, whether it was her annoyance with the customers in the restaurant, working at the restaurant in general, dealing with a boy she didn't want to see ever again, etc.
Wesley is a charming sweetheart. Everyone likes him, and it's no surprising, since he is charismatic and fun. He tries very hard to have conversations with Quinn and get along, but she is never having it. Wesley is just as stubborn as Quinn, though in his case, it's persistence. He's a good guy, not a sleazy or douche-y character. I would have loved to meet and fall for a guy like him in high school (or college!).
The romance is kind of there, though there is only one kiss between these two (and it's at the end!). I loved seeing them reconnect in their own way (Wesley trying to make nice, Quinn stubbornly having none of it, circumstances forcing them together, etc.). They have a subtle chemistry that was fun to watch unfold. I wanted more actual swoon, but the romance was cute nonetheless.
The story doesn't just deal with Quinn trying to ruin Wesley's life and her falling for him instead. I like how the focus is also around Quinn's dad (who is broke and jobless and has a gambling problem), Quinn's grandmother (who both Quinn and Wesley loved), and really, Quinn's family in general. Family is an important part of this book, in a subtle way. And Quinn's friendship with her bestie Erin - I loved their relationship! Such a lovely friendship.
I liked the light, humorous tone of this book. So many funny times in Tudor Tymes, or with the band, or in a truck. Lots of serious times too, or moments filled with some yummy tension. But the overall tone of this book is humorous, and I liked that.
This book ended really well, exactly how I was hoping it would end. It's a great ending, one that Quinn deserved. I really enjoyed reading this book and would probably reread it in the future!
What I Did Not Like:
The thing I've noticed about Swoon Reads books is the lack of actual swoon. Where are the scorching kisses? Warm, tight hugs? Almost kisses? KISSES? There was only one kiss between Wesley and Quinn, and it was at the end, and it was very short. More swoon is needed, especially for a cute and chemistry-laden romance like this one!
Would I Recommend It:
I do recommend this book, despite the lack of kisses. If you're a YA contemporary fan, this is a good one to check out. I mean, even if you're not a YA contemporary fan, it's a good one to check out. I like that it was so dense for such a light and compact read. I breezed through it though - it's a very engaging and enjoyable read. So cute!
Rating:
4 stars. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Honeybourn in the future. Hopefully more Swoon Reads books, with more swoons. More kissing is always good!
Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.
So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.
But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
What I Liked:
This book was adorable! Light, cute, and a quick read - exactly what I needed at this present time. I had a good feeling about this book and I'm glad it went my way. I'm not a huge YA contemporary fan, so I try to be as selective as possible when I read them. This book was worth it!
Quinn life is not so great at the moment. The one bright spot is that she's going to London with her high school's band over the summer, which is going to be awesome, since Quinn has been dreaming of going to London for years. She has to work often at Tudor Tymes restaurant to come up with the money for costs, but it's worth it. With everything else going on, she needs this. Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the family had to put her in a home. Quinn's parents have been divorced for several years, and her father has not been able to get back on his feet since the divorce. He has no job and is constantly gambling. And then there is the source of all of Quinn's problems - Wesley James, who recently moved back to Seattle, after living elsewhere for five years. Quinn wants to exact her revenge on Wesley, but the more she schemes, the more she falls in love with him. Would it be so bad to fall for the guy whose life you're trying to ruin?
I'm not really big on second-chance romances so I was a tiny bit apprehensive about this one, at first. But it's not a second-chance romance at all. Quinn and Wesley were childhood friends for years, until they were eleven years old, when Quinn and his family moved to Portland. The going-away party was the night that everything changed - in which Quinn and Wesley fought, and then Wesley did the thing that Quinn thinks ruined her life forever. Five years later, Wesley is back, and Quinn still hasn't let go of that grudge.
Quinn is hilarious, even if her rationale was a little misguided. She likes doing things by the rules, which Wesley thinks makes her uptight, and she doesn't really play around. She is stubborn and really good at holding a grudge, which I found more impressive than anything else. I liked Quinn a lot, more than I thought I would. I could relate to her on some level, whether it was her annoyance with the customers in the restaurant, working at the restaurant in general, dealing with a boy she didn't want to see ever again, etc.
Wesley is a charming sweetheart. Everyone likes him, and it's no surprising, since he is charismatic and fun. He tries very hard to have conversations with Quinn and get along, but she is never having it. Wesley is just as stubborn as Quinn, though in his case, it's persistence. He's a good guy, not a sleazy or douche-y character. I would have loved to meet and fall for a guy like him in high school (or college!).
The romance is kind of there, though there is only one kiss between these two (and it's at the end!). I loved seeing them reconnect in their own way (Wesley trying to make nice, Quinn stubbornly having none of it, circumstances forcing them together, etc.). They have a subtle chemistry that was fun to watch unfold. I wanted more actual swoon, but the romance was cute nonetheless.
The story doesn't just deal with Quinn trying to ruin Wesley's life and her falling for him instead. I like how the focus is also around Quinn's dad (who is broke and jobless and has a gambling problem), Quinn's grandmother (who both Quinn and Wesley loved), and really, Quinn's family in general. Family is an important part of this book, in a subtle way. And Quinn's friendship with her bestie Erin - I loved their relationship! Such a lovely friendship.
I liked the light, humorous tone of this book. So many funny times in Tudor Tymes, or with the band, or in a truck. Lots of serious times too, or moments filled with some yummy tension. But the overall tone of this book is humorous, and I liked that.
This book ended really well, exactly how I was hoping it would end. It's a great ending, one that Quinn deserved. I really enjoyed reading this book and would probably reread it in the future!
What I Did Not Like:
The thing I've noticed about Swoon Reads books is the lack of actual swoon. Where are the scorching kisses? Warm, tight hugs? Almost kisses? KISSES? There was only one kiss between Wesley and Quinn, and it was at the end, and it was very short. More swoon is needed, especially for a cute and chemistry-laden romance like this one!
Would I Recommend It:
I do recommend this book, despite the lack of kisses. If you're a YA contemporary fan, this is a good one to check out. I mean, even if you're not a YA contemporary fan, it's a good one to check out. I like that it was so dense for such a light and compact read. I breezed through it though - it's a very engaging and enjoyable read. So cute!
Rating:
4 stars. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Honeybourn in the future. Hopefully more Swoon Reads books, with more swoons. More kissing is always good!
June 12, 2017
3.5 stars
I am a sucker for the hate to love trope. It's one of my favorites and between that cover and the synopsis, I was sold.
Quinn is a decent character. She's a good person, but everything is completely overshadowed by her need for revenge on Wesley James. Wesley seems like a nice guy. It didn't feel like we really got to know him since all of his interactions with Quinn are combative. There are a few other characters, but no one really stood out.
Since Quinn was obsessed with something that happened 5 years ago, literally the entire book is about the fallout. It did get a bit old and sadly, I didn't quite see the transformation of Quinn's hate to love. The last couple of chapters were exactly what I wanted, but they felt rushed.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book. Overall, it was a quick and cute read. I just wish there was a little more of Quinn and Wesley together.
**Huge thanks to Swoon Read for providing the arc free of charge**
I am a sucker for the hate to love trope. It's one of my favorites and between that cover and the synopsis, I was sold.
Quinn is a decent character. She's a good person, but everything is completely overshadowed by her need for revenge on Wesley James. Wesley seems like a nice guy. It didn't feel like we really got to know him since all of his interactions with Quinn are combative. There are a few other characters, but no one really stood out.
Since Quinn was obsessed with something that happened 5 years ago, literally the entire book is about the fallout. It did get a bit old and sadly, I didn't quite see the transformation of Quinn's hate to love. The last couple of chapters were exactly what I wanted, but they felt rushed.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book. Overall, it was a quick and cute read. I just wish there was a little more of Quinn and Wesley together.
**Huge thanks to Swoon Read for providing the arc free of charge**
July 20, 2017
This was a cute and adorable read. Pretty much a cliché one as well, but the thing is I didn't mind. I love it when romance relationships start off as dislike or even hate. I find that I end up rooting for the couple no matter what. Though in this case, it certainly didn't stop the main character because the reader knew more things than she did. It was oh-so obvious! And I loved that! When you're anticipating the entire duration of the novel to get the two together, it just makes it more satisfying by the end. The pacing was pretty much perfect, I was never bored. I was in love with the setting, where she worked sounded like a lot of fun! I didn't really get the feeling of them working in the food truck until later, so the cover didn't make a whole lot of sense. I also thought the cover model looked older than she actually should be.
The only thing I didn't really like how Quinn was very quick to pin all the blame on Wesley. You know the entire time that holding a grudge is clearly not healthy and Q was blinded by it. I wanted a bit more of development with her parents at least, because I felt that could have been expanded as well.
A perfect quick summer read, this was a great debut (from a fellow Canadian), and I'm looking forward to her future books!
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
I may look physically different, but I still feel the same inside. (10)
Relationships are built on trust. Without that, you've got nothing. (188)
The only thing I didn't really like how Quinn was very quick to pin all the blame on Wesley. You know the entire time that holding a grudge is clearly not healthy and Q was blinded by it. I wanted a bit more of development with her parents at least, because I felt that could have been expanded as well.
A perfect quick summer read, this was a great debut (from a fellow Canadian), and I'm looking forward to her future books!
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
I may look physically different, but I still feel the same inside. (10)
Relationships are built on trust. Without that, you've got nothing. (188)
March 26, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
I have always been a fan of good old revenge stories, so Wesley James Ruined My Life instantly drew me in. It is all about a girl who is stuck working with an old friend, who became her enemy years ago. The medieval restaurant setting is so original, and the main character is a little obstinate but also compassionate. I really enjoyed this one, and it is perfect for the summer.
This book has such an entertaining plot. It is all about a girl who ends up working with her enemy, a boy who ruined her life. She vows to get revenge on him by getting him fired from the job, but finds herself falling for him. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the way it plays out in this book is so adorable. Wesley and Quinn’s conversations are so amusing and real. This is such a cute and quick read that is perfect for those who enjoy a good revenge story and rekindled love.
I absolutely adored the setting in this story! The main characters work at a medieval restaurant called Tudor Tymes that is honestly so over-the-top. King Henry VIII thinks he has actual power over all the employees and really gets into his role. This place is so developed, and I would love to visit it if it were a real restaurant. I am always one for a unique and quirky setting, so I was thrilled to see Quinn taking on an unconventional waitressing job.
Quinn is such a stubborn main character. She holds a grudge against Wesley for all those years, even though I feel like she could have given him more of a chance. However, she makes up for it with her generosity. Quinn has always dreamed of going to London, and has been saving up to go there on a trip with the school band. She is so determined to make her dream a reality, but is willing to put it on hold in an instant to help her dad out. I loved the way she prioritizes others’ needs before her own… Except for Wesley’s.
Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute contemporary about a girl trying to get revenge on the boy who she believes ruined her life. I enjoyed the medieval restaurant setting and the main character’s kindness. This is a perfect book for the summer, and I would recommend it to those looking for a fun read to take to the beach
I have always been a fan of good old revenge stories, so Wesley James Ruined My Life instantly drew me in. It is all about a girl who is stuck working with an old friend, who became her enemy years ago. The medieval restaurant setting is so original, and the main character is a little obstinate but also compassionate. I really enjoyed this one, and it is perfect for the summer.
This book has such an entertaining plot. It is all about a girl who ends up working with her enemy, a boy who ruined her life. She vows to get revenge on him by getting him fired from the job, but finds herself falling for him. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the way it plays out in this book is so adorable. Wesley and Quinn’s conversations are so amusing and real. This is such a cute and quick read that is perfect for those who enjoy a good revenge story and rekindled love.
I absolutely adored the setting in this story! The main characters work at a medieval restaurant called Tudor Tymes that is honestly so over-the-top. King Henry VIII thinks he has actual power over all the employees and really gets into his role. This place is so developed, and I would love to visit it if it were a real restaurant. I am always one for a unique and quirky setting, so I was thrilled to see Quinn taking on an unconventional waitressing job.
Quinn is such a stubborn main character. She holds a grudge against Wesley for all those years, even though I feel like she could have given him more of a chance. However, she makes up for it with her generosity. Quinn has always dreamed of going to London, and has been saving up to go there on a trip with the school band. She is so determined to make her dream a reality, but is willing to put it on hold in an instant to help her dad out. I loved the way she prioritizes others’ needs before her own… Except for Wesley’s.
Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute contemporary about a girl trying to get revenge on the boy who she believes ruined her life. I enjoyed the medieval restaurant setting and the main character’s kindness. This is a perfect book for the summer, and I would recommend it to those looking for a fun read to take to the beach
March 7, 2019
This was just the break I needed from all my dark fantasies, horror, and science fiction books I've been reading recently. I needed a break, a contemporary breather and Wesley James Ruined My Life hit the spot. It was very cute, fast, and I thought the romance was pretty adorable.
One thing about our main character Quinn, she is good at holding a grudge. For years she has held onto the belief that Wesley James ruined her life and broke apart her family. It doesn't seem to matter that there were other factors that caused her family to crumble, Wesley is the one that's going to get all the blame. And Wesley is not expecting that level of hostility when he comes back to town, he thinks that it will be simple to just be friends with Quinn again. Poor naive Wesley. So while I didn't necessarily agree with Quinn that Wesley deserved all that blame, I admired her determination.
I really enjoyed the setting of the Tudor Tymes medieval restaurant. It was really fun and I could picture that atmosphere while I was reading it. I don't necessarily understand why Wesley got to be a pirate though, but maybe that's just because I don't know my medieval history.
I enjoyed Quinn's attempts at sabotaging poor Wesley. She was ruthless! Wesley had no idea what was in store for him. One of her attempts really grossed me out and just further cemented the fact that when you go out to eat, you have no control over what is done to your food.
I enjoyed the romance that happened between Wesley and Quinn. It was cute. They were cute. I was a little worried when the girl from Wesley's past sauntered in, just because I don't really like romances that have a cheating element to them, or a current girlfriend who is kind of a block to the two main characters romance, but it was all okay in the end.
I really felt for Quinn when it came to her family struggles. She was in such a hard spot. Sometimes she made bad choices that I wanted to stop her from doing, but I could see how she thought she was helping her family.
This book was sooo cute and I really enjoyed it. It was fast, fun, cute, and funny. It's a clean romance that starts out very hate to love. I liked it a lot and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something light and fluffy to read.
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5
Cute!
November 30, 2017
find my review here!
----
SPOILER ALERT.
Unfortunately, there was a lot I was not fond of in regards to this book. First: the fact that Quinn tried to get Wes fired. The whole idea was so stupid and so selfish and just terrible. She hardly seemed to care how it would affect Wesley if he lost a job--I doubt she even thought of how he might need it, in the first place. And for a person who really needed the money/job, the whole idea seemed backwards and terrible.
Second was the fact that there was a moment where cheating would have been a possibility. This is mostly on Wesley's part and I hated it--the fact that he'd almost cheat on his girlfriend. Quinn didn't know, of course, but it wasn't something that Wesley should have done.
Which sort of connects with the next thing: how Quinn "retaliated", sort of. Basically, she hooked up with another guy to... what? Get back at Wes? To distract herself? I don't even remember and I don't care. How that arc ended was done poorly and there wasn't even a satisfying conclusion to it. (They sit next to each other in band! There was nothing about how what happened between them might have affected that situation.)
The ending seemed too clean cut. Everyone got a happy ending, which, I guess, yay? That's cool, but everything came out so easily, and that felt a bit... unsatisfying to me. There also weren't enough swoons so really.
Anyway, overall, I wasn't that impressed. Quinn's voice hardly stood out, so on top of everything, there wasn't a lot the story offered me. But it was a quick read so oh well. 2 stars.
----
SPOILER ALERT.
Unfortunately, there was a lot I was not fond of in regards to this book. First: the fact that Quinn tried to get Wes fired. The whole idea was so stupid and so selfish and just terrible. She hardly seemed to care how it would affect Wesley if he lost a job--I doubt she even thought of how he might need it, in the first place. And for a person who really needed the money/job, the whole idea seemed backwards and terrible.
Second was the fact that there was a moment where cheating would have been a possibility. This is mostly on Wesley's part and I hated it--the fact that he'd almost cheat on his girlfriend. Quinn didn't know, of course, but it wasn't something that Wesley should have done.
Which sort of connects with the next thing: how Quinn "retaliated", sort of. Basically, she hooked up with another guy to... what? Get back at Wes? To distract herself? I don't even remember and I don't care. How that arc ended was done poorly and there wasn't even a satisfying conclusion to it. (They sit next to each other in band! There was nothing about how what happened between them might have affected that situation.)
The ending seemed too clean cut. Everyone got a happy ending, which, I guess, yay? That's cool, but everything came out so easily, and that felt a bit... unsatisfying to me. There also weren't enough swoons so really.
Anyway, overall, I wasn't that impressed. Quinn's voice hardly stood out, so on top of everything, there wasn't a lot the story offered me. But it was a quick read so oh well. 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2017
Once upon a time, Wesley and Quinn were super close friends, but right before his family moved away, Wesley put a set of events in motion that ruined Quinn's life. Fast forward five years, and Quinn's life is sort of like this:
This girl was dealing with a lot of heavy things, but she had one thing she was looking forward to: the band trip to London. She grew up with her beloved grandmother telling her stories about her life back in England, and Quinn could not wait to journey there and see those places and things in real life. She was working at Tudor Times in order to earn the money for her trip, and all is going swimmingly, until Wesley James moved back to town.
This was the type of fun and easy contemporary romance that I generally gravitate towards, and I really enjoyed this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story. I am a fan of a would-be couple with history, and these two had a lot. We got small glimpses into their past together as children, and there were some very sweet moments that they shared.
At times, I thought Quinn should build a bridge and get over it. She was really hard on Wesley, and even tougher on him as she tried to deny the attraction and attachment. However, I empathized with her because of all the drama and stress that was in her life. I also really shared that grandma connection with her. I had an Oma, who told me stories of her life back in Germany, and it was very painful when the dementia set in, and the grandmother who I adored and referred to me as her "little stinker" disappeared. So, that really hit home with me, and I may have shed a tear or two during the grandmother parts.
I am glad to say that there were plenty of sweet and fun bits to keep me from getting too sad. And there was Wesley. He was such a prince charming and all around good guy. He kept working at rekindling his friendship with Quinn, and I believe he really missed her. I totally would have loved to have had a friend or boyfriend like Wesley. There were a few really swoony scenes (wish there were more) that I thought were magnificent and totally awwww-worthy.
The real fun was found at Tudor Times. The place was filled with a bunch of quirky and rather wacky characters, and I found myself looking forward to going to work. I also thought many of Quinn's inner monologues were amusing, especially when she was trying to battle her burgeoning feelings for Wesley.
I have been reading a bunch of reviews, and some take issue with the "conflict" that turned Wesley from friend to foe, but keep in mind, Quinn was 11 when this all went down. I could see an 11 year needing something or someone to blame for what happened, and this made sense in her 11 year old mind. I could also understand her holding onto that scapegoat, because life was hitting her from all sides.
I am all about endings, and Honeybourn did right by me. There were a lot of loose ends tied up in the final chapter, and the epilogue was so sweet, my face sort of hurt from the huge, stupid grin I was wearing.
Overall: A fun and amusing tale of hate to love, with an ending that I found picture perfect.
**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.
BLOG|INSTAGRAM|BLOGLOVIN| FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
This girl was dealing with a lot of heavy things, but she had one thing she was looking forward to: the band trip to London. She grew up with her beloved grandmother telling her stories about her life back in England, and Quinn could not wait to journey there and see those places and things in real life. She was working at Tudor Times in order to earn the money for her trip, and all is going swimmingly, until Wesley James moved back to town.
This was the type of fun and easy contemporary romance that I generally gravitate towards, and I really enjoyed this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story. I am a fan of a would-be couple with history, and these two had a lot. We got small glimpses into their past together as children, and there were some very sweet moments that they shared.
At times, I thought Quinn should build a bridge and get over it. She was really hard on Wesley, and even tougher on him as she tried to deny the attraction and attachment. However, I empathized with her because of all the drama and stress that was in her life. I also really shared that grandma connection with her. I had an Oma, who told me stories of her life back in Germany, and it was very painful when the dementia set in, and the grandmother who I adored and referred to me as her "little stinker" disappeared. So, that really hit home with me, and I may have shed a tear or two during the grandmother parts.
I am glad to say that there were plenty of sweet and fun bits to keep me from getting too sad. And there was Wesley. He was such a prince charming and all around good guy. He kept working at rekindling his friendship with Quinn, and I believe he really missed her. I totally would have loved to have had a friend or boyfriend like Wesley. There were a few really swoony scenes (wish there were more) that I thought were magnificent and totally awwww-worthy.
The real fun was found at Tudor Times. The place was filled with a bunch of quirky and rather wacky characters, and I found myself looking forward to going to work. I also thought many of Quinn's inner monologues were amusing, especially when she was trying to battle her burgeoning feelings for Wesley.
I have been reading a bunch of reviews, and some take issue with the "conflict" that turned Wesley from friend to foe, but keep in mind, Quinn was 11 when this all went down. I could see an 11 year needing something or someone to blame for what happened, and this made sense in her 11 year old mind. I could also understand her holding onto that scapegoat, because life was hitting her from all sides.
I am all about endings, and Honeybourn did right by me. There were a lot of loose ends tied up in the final chapter, and the epilogue was so sweet, my face sort of hurt from the huge, stupid grin I was wearing.
Overall: A fun and amusing tale of hate to love, with an ending that I found picture perfect.
**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.
BLOG|INSTAGRAM|BLOGLOVIN| FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
July 24, 2017
"He's sweaty-- his shaggy blonde hair is sticking to his neck-- but it's the good kind of sweaty. The sexy kind of sweaty. Wait. Why am I noticing his sweat? Why am I noticing anything about Wesley James? I should be focusing on my master plan to get him fired, not about how sexy he looks or whether or not he smells good."
This was a very quick read. The storyline caught my attention with a broken family, love and some kind of revenge. I wanted to be hooked but I felt more annoyed and awkward throughout.
Quinn is a huge bitch with an ego to match. The grudges she holds and the vendetta she has against Wesley is downright cruel and completely unnecessary. Quite a few times she goes above and beyond to make his life as miserable as possible. And all of this over something she doesn't know the full story about. Yes, I know, we have all been in that place. Something we heard when we were younger breaks a friendship and things get thrown around. But that's it! When it's over... it's over. We grow up and move on, but not for our girl Quinn.
Wesley moves back to town and wants to reconnect with Quinn. She has plans of her own. She's gross and appalling at her schemes and tricks. If you didn't hate her before you will definitely hate her when she uses a guy who has a crush on her to make Wesley jealous. And all Wesley wants is to be loved and liked.
If Wesley was a real person, I know too many girls who would jump at the chance to be with a genuinely nice guy. Quinn is just an evil asshole with a childish demeanor. Her petty games ruined this book.
The thing that got me was the smoochy lovey dovey ending. We all knew what was going to happen but it didn't make it less cute. I loved dreaming of new love in a different place. Living in her grandmothers footsteps.
And don't get me started on the crazy family drama. Talk about a definite save!
Now go out, explore, and fall in love!! 😍
This was a very quick read. The storyline caught my attention with a broken family, love and some kind of revenge. I wanted to be hooked but I felt more annoyed and awkward throughout.
Quinn is a huge bitch with an ego to match. The grudges she holds and the vendetta she has against Wesley is downright cruel and completely unnecessary. Quite a few times she goes above and beyond to make his life as miserable as possible. And all of this over something she doesn't know the full story about. Yes, I know, we have all been in that place. Something we heard when we were younger breaks a friendship and things get thrown around. But that's it! When it's over... it's over. We grow up and move on, but not for our girl Quinn.
Wesley moves back to town and wants to reconnect with Quinn. She has plans of her own. She's gross and appalling at her schemes and tricks. If you didn't hate her before you will definitely hate her when she uses a guy who has a crush on her to make Wesley jealous. And all Wesley wants is to be loved and liked.
If Wesley was a real person, I know too many girls who would jump at the chance to be with a genuinely nice guy. Quinn is just an evil asshole with a childish demeanor. Her petty games ruined this book.
The thing that got me was the smoochy lovey dovey ending. We all knew what was going to happen but it didn't make it less cute. I loved dreaming of new love in a different place. Living in her grandmothers footsteps.
And don't get me started on the crazy family drama. Talk about a definite save!
Now go out, explore, and fall in love!! 😍
March 17, 2017
Эта книга ужасно близка мне по духу, так как я, как и героиня, просто обожаю Лондон.
Книга смешная, забавная и очень-очень милая. Что называется «летняя романтика». Она легкая, с такой книгой в руках очень хорошо расслабиться и отдохнуть. Погрузиться в атмосферу веселья и романтики. И как же дико мне захотелось снова куда-нибудь поехать, далеко-далеко… Ой, ладно, будем честными, снова хочу в Лондон.
В книге нет драмы, нет «тяжелых судеб», да как таковых проблем даже особо нет… Но при этом она действительно «цепляет» этой своей простотой, она на несколько часов буквально вырвет читателя из серых будней и поместит его в мир романтики и дружбы.
Очень рекомендую.
Персонажи очень милые, немного наивные, но идеальные для такого романа. Искренние, забавные и добрые.
Героиня была мне очень близка. Я так же, как и она, одержима Лондном. Была, до того, как побывала там. После поездки я стала, как и, уверена, Куин, любить его еще больше. Доходило до смешного: я в первый день после двух ночных перелетов и 80 часов без сна, точно так же, как и Куин, пока вся остальная часть моей группы пошла в отель отдыхать, решила, что я спать буду дома, и направилась к Биг-Бену и другим достопримечательностям. Каково же было мое удивление, когда я прочитала в эпилоге точно такие же мысли героини.
В общем, герои мне понравились. Для меня они особо реалистичны были.
Очень-очень простой язык, читается невероятно легко. А уж размер книги… она крошечная. Я прочла ее буквально за 1,5 часа (без преувеличений). Но, божечки, какая же она милая. Вот прямо то, что нельзя назвать иначе, кроме как «милотаааа».
Книга смешная, забавная и очень-очень милая. Что называется «летняя романтика». Она легкая, с такой книгой в руках очень хорошо расслабиться и отдохнуть. Погрузиться в атмосферу веселья и романтики. И как же дико мне захотелось снова куда-нибудь поехать, далеко-далеко… Ой, ладно, будем честными, снова хочу в Лондон.
В книге нет драмы, нет «тяжелых судеб», да как таковых проблем даже особо нет… Но при этом она действительно «цепляет» этой своей простотой, она на несколько часов буквально вырвет читателя из серых будней и поместит его в мир романтики и дружбы.
Очень рекомендую.
Персонажи очень милые, немного наивные, но идеальные для такого романа. Искренние, забавные и добрые.
Героиня была мне очень близка. Я так же, как и она, одержима Лондном. Была, до того, как побывала там. После поездки я стала, как и, уверена, Куин, любить его еще больше. Доходило до смешного: я в первый день после двух ночных перелетов и 80 часов без сна, точно так же, как и Куин, пока вся остальная часть моей группы пошла в отель отдыхать, решила, что я спать буду дома, и направилась к Биг-Бену и другим достопримечательностям. Каково же было мое удивление, когда я прочитала в эпилоге точно такие же мысли героини.
В общем, герои мне понравились. Для меня они особо реалистичны были.
Очень-очень простой язык, читается невероятно легко. А уж размер книги… она крошечная. Я прочла ее буквально за 1,5 часа (без преувеличений). Но, божечки, какая же она милая. Вот прямо то, что нельзя назвать иначе, кроме как «милотаааа».
July 31, 2017
Wesley James Ruined My Life is one of those books that infuriates you right until the very end, when you realise those last two chapters were kind of worth it? It also helps that Wesley, despite Quinn's best efforts, was actually pretty decent throughout the entire book (more than decent, in fact, and way, way more than Quinn deserved, imo). Despite all my frustration, I read this book in just one sitting, although I will confess that by the time I got two thirds through, and Quinn finally got her wish, and immediately regretted it, I kinda skim read a bit, until those last few chapters.
THE GOOD
• WESLEY FREAKING JAMES. Quinn is a jerk, from start to finish. And yet, not once does Wesley tell her where to go, and he's never nasty. He's always polite, he's always trying to get Quinn on side (except for the bizarro girlfriend thing which seemed as if it had been punted in during an edit to add spice??) and he was just a decent human being. He literally made this book for me.
• The writing. Despite the fact I frequently got annoyed with Quinn, the narrative was enjoyable - it clipped along at such a good pace, and it never felt boring.
• The medieval restaurant! Quinn and Wesley both work at Tudor Tymes and I freaking loved it. The costumes, the act, the stocks, Henry VIII, the only king I know anything about (divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived!), it was vastly amusing!
• Erin! Erin was the only one who spoke any kind of sense in this book, constantly counselling Quinn to grow the hell up and stop being a child, because trying to get somebody fired for something you perceive to be their fault at 11, but was actually faintly ridiculous, is extra ridiculous.
THE BAD
• QUINN. Look, I get it. At age 11, Wesley may, in your eyes, have broken up your family, however it is inconceivable that you would *still* think that at 16. Considering how quickly the situation is rectified in the book, a quick chat with your mother would have cleared all that up years ago making your revenge scheme even more ridiculous than it already was.
• The revenge scheme! I just... if you think someone ruined your entire life, something that you still hold on to FIVE YEARS LATER, why would you then do that to another person? ON PURPOSE. What Wesley did at age 11 wasn't malicious, but what age 16 Quinn did was. If you're going to have a whole plot about how Wesley James Ruined Your Life, at least give the ruining a better think. It just genuinely baffles me that you would think an 11yo can maliciously ruin your life and still hold some kind of grudge five years later????
I have so many mixed feelings about this book. I loved the ending, it gave me that swooshy feeling that good romance books do. But could I forgive everything that came before? I JUST DO NOT KNOW. I don't know how you can base an entire plot on something so easily unfounded. On something that could never have malicious intent, WESLEY WAS ELEVEN. This cannot be repeated enough, and since he never seems to be a jerk previous, why would you suddenly assume that the night he moves away he's going to purposefully tip your world upside down? *rages* it just makes no sense!!!!!
On the one hand, I loved Wesley. He literally made this book for me. But Quinn. I wanted to punch her in the face. She's horrible. Genuinely horrible. She's spiteful, purposefully going out of her way to hurt Wesley, who has no idea why she's doing it FYI!!!!!!, and then the whole Caleb thing. WHY. WHY, QUINN, WHY? Why are you a jerk to people, to make yourself feel better? And then the icing on the cake! When the revenge on Wesley works - SHE GETS UPSET, like wtf? THIS WAS WHAT YOU WANTED. But a few magic words from your mom, that you didn't think to ask five years ago and suddenly Wesley's the best thing since sliced bread to you? LOL, what.
This book just baffled me. Simple as that. Those last two chapters I loved but they came way too late. Quinn was just awful. Her motivations were screwed up, and Wesley deserved better. #justiceforWesleyJames
THE GOOD
• WESLEY FREAKING JAMES. Quinn is a jerk, from start to finish. And yet, not once does Wesley tell her where to go, and he's never nasty. He's always polite, he's always trying to get Quinn on side (except for the bizarro girlfriend thing which seemed as if it had been punted in during an edit to add spice??) and he was just a decent human being. He literally made this book for me.
• The writing. Despite the fact I frequently got annoyed with Quinn, the narrative was enjoyable - it clipped along at such a good pace, and it never felt boring.
• The medieval restaurant! Quinn and Wesley both work at Tudor Tymes and I freaking loved it. The costumes, the act, the stocks, Henry VIII, the only king I know anything about (divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived!), it was vastly amusing!
• Erin! Erin was the only one who spoke any kind of sense in this book, constantly counselling Quinn to grow the hell up and stop being a child, because trying to get somebody fired for something you perceive to be their fault at 11, but was actually faintly ridiculous, is extra ridiculous.
THE BAD
• QUINN. Look, I get it. At age 11, Wesley may, in your eyes, have broken up your family, however it is inconceivable that you would *still* think that at 16. Considering how quickly the situation is rectified in the book, a quick chat with your mother would have cleared all that up years ago making your revenge scheme even more ridiculous than it already was.
• The revenge scheme! I just... if you think someone ruined your entire life, something that you still hold on to FIVE YEARS LATER, why would you then do that to another person? ON PURPOSE. What Wesley did at age 11 wasn't malicious, but what age 16 Quinn did was. If you're going to have a whole plot about how Wesley James Ruined Your Life, at least give the ruining a better think. It just genuinely baffles me that you would think an 11yo can maliciously ruin your life and still hold some kind of grudge five years later????
I have so many mixed feelings about this book. I loved the ending, it gave me that swooshy feeling that good romance books do. But could I forgive everything that came before? I JUST DO NOT KNOW. I don't know how you can base an entire plot on something so easily unfounded. On something that could never have malicious intent, WESLEY WAS ELEVEN. This cannot be repeated enough, and since he never seems to be a jerk previous, why would you suddenly assume that the night he moves away he's going to purposefully tip your world upside down? *rages* it just makes no sense!!!!!
On the one hand, I loved Wesley. He literally made this book for me. But Quinn. I wanted to punch her in the face. She's horrible. Genuinely horrible. She's spiteful, purposefully going out of her way to hurt Wesley, who has no idea why she's doing it FYI!!!!!!, and then the whole Caleb thing. WHY. WHY, QUINN, WHY? Why are you a jerk to people, to make yourself feel better? And then the icing on the cake! When the revenge on Wesley works - SHE GETS UPSET, like wtf? THIS WAS WHAT YOU WANTED. But a few magic words from your mom, that you didn't think to ask five years ago and suddenly Wesley's the best thing since sliced bread to you? LOL, what.
This book just baffled me. Simple as that. Those last two chapters I loved but they came way too late. Quinn was just awful. Her motivations were screwed up, and Wesley deserved better. #justiceforWesleyJames
July 18, 2017
Wesley James Ruined My Life is a fun, light and quick read. I love a great rivalry love story and this one definitely hit all the marks for me.
I love the setting: Tudor Tymes is amazing. The restaurant sounds like such a fascinating place to eat at; the cast of characters make me want to visit. I may be a little old for its usual crowd but I'd 100% go if I'm ever within range of such a place!
Quinn and Wesley were childhood besties before he did something unforgivable (in Quinn's eyes) at his moving-away party. "Relationships are built on trust. Without that, you've got nothing." (ARC, p188). Years later when Wesley comes back into her life, she concocts a revenge plan to get rid of him. I enjoyed watching Quinn discover things about herself. It was quite an emotional ride but one she was able to learn from.
Ms. Honeybourn brought up a variety of teen issues. I was surprised. While the matters were mostly on the lighter side, I appreciate their inclusion and how they're ongoing not easily solved matters. Everything was not tied up in a neat bow by the end. The realistic way the author has her characters deal with their problems made for a well-rounded story.
The reasoning behind Quinn's hatred for Wesley was a tad immature for me to get behind. It seemed rather silly for her to be holding such a grudge after all the time that's passed. Even her best friend repeatedly tried to tell her that. Having said that, given the timing and the outcome of what happened back then, I can see why Wesley's supposed betrayal hit her so hard. I thought her reactions and actions were appropriate for her age.
I'm so glad the story wasn't overly dramatic or frustrating. It was fun and even dealt with a few mature issues. Wesley James Ruined My Life is a book I definitely recommend for the summer!
I love the setting: Tudor Tymes is amazing. The restaurant sounds like such a fascinating place to eat at; the cast of characters make me want to visit. I may be a little old for its usual crowd but I'd 100% go if I'm ever within range of such a place!
Quinn and Wesley were childhood besties before he did something unforgivable (in Quinn's eyes) at his moving-away party. "Relationships are built on trust. Without that, you've got nothing." (ARC, p188). Years later when Wesley comes back into her life, she concocts a revenge plan to get rid of him. I enjoyed watching Quinn discover things about herself. It was quite an emotional ride but one she was able to learn from.
Ms. Honeybourn brought up a variety of teen issues. I was surprised. While the matters were mostly on the lighter side, I appreciate their inclusion and how they're ongoing not easily solved matters. Everything was not tied up in a neat bow by the end. The realistic way the author has her characters deal with their problems made for a well-rounded story.
The reasoning behind Quinn's hatred for Wesley was a tad immature for me to get behind. It seemed rather silly for her to be holding such a grudge after all the time that's passed. Even her best friend repeatedly tried to tell her that. Having said that, given the timing and the outcome of what happened back then, I can see why Wesley's supposed betrayal hit her so hard. I thought her reactions and actions were appropriate for her age.
I'm so glad the story wasn't overly dramatic or frustrating. It was fun and even dealt with a few mature issues. Wesley James Ruined My Life is a book I definitely recommend for the summer!
June 28, 2017
This forthcoming debut was everything I was hoping for in a summer read: voice-y, witty, and swoony, but with depth I always appreciate. Quinn's summer is becoming quite a mess: her grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer's, her father has gambling addiction that's costing him a lot more than money, she's lost her shot at a band trip to England, and her friend-turned-nemisis, Wesley James, is back in Seattle after years spent in Portland. Quinn makes it her mission to punish Wesley for a mistake he made years before, but along the way, she starts to realize that maybe she doesn't hate him quite as much as she'd like. Quinn and Welsey have fantastic banter and flirty chemistry, but their relationship is deeper than that, too, and I loved watching it rekindle, and then develop into more. I also loved this story's setting: Seattle and, more specifically, Quinn and Wesley's workplace, Tudor Tymes, which is full of charm and ridiculousness. Pick this one up in a few weeks if you're looking for a fun, smart, romantic poolside read.
April 24, 2017
This book was ADORABLE. Seriously, it was SO CUTE and I'm so glad I traded for this book!
I started reading this book around midnight last night and even though I was sleepy, I kept saying "oh, I'll just read one more chapter." Well, after a while I figured I might as well just finish it, so I did. I don't regret it though, because it was super cute and gave me all the feels!
I thought the developing relationship between Quinn and Wesley was really cute! I was definitely rooting for them and I really liked how their romance happened. Wesley seemed like such a genuinely nice guy and it was SO obvious that he liked Quinn, even if she couldn't see it. He was incredibly sweet, but he wasn't perfect, and I liked that.
I also liked Erin. I thought she was a good friend, but that she was also just a generally good person. She didn't really approve of Quinn's plan, so she would support her in some ways, but didn't encourage her to enact revenge on Wesley. She was really cool and I liked her.
The only thing I didn't like was that Quinn kept blaming Wesley for her parents' divorce, and even though she explained why at the end, it still annoyed me because some random kid is not going to manage to break up a marriage unless that marriage was already falling apart. But that was kind of my only issue with this book.
Overall, this book was a lot of fun and just really sweet! I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something cute and quick.
I started reading this book around midnight last night and even though I was sleepy, I kept saying "oh, I'll just read one more chapter." Well, after a while I figured I might as well just finish it, so I did. I don't regret it though, because it was super cute and gave me all the feels!
I thought the developing relationship between Quinn and Wesley was really cute! I was definitely rooting for them and I really liked how their romance happened. Wesley seemed like such a genuinely nice guy and it was SO obvious that he liked Quinn, even if she couldn't see it. He was incredibly sweet, but he wasn't perfect, and I liked that.
I also liked Erin. I thought she was a good friend, but that she was also just a generally good person. She didn't really approve of Quinn's plan, so she would support her in some ways, but didn't encourage her to enact revenge on Wesley. She was really cool and I liked her.
The only thing I didn't like was that Quinn kept blaming Wesley for her parents' divorce, and even though she explained why at the end, it still annoyed me because some random kid is not going to manage to break up a marriage unless that marriage was already falling apart. But that was kind of my only issue with this book.
Overall, this book was a lot of fun and just really sweet! I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something cute and quick.
October 23, 2020
This was an amazing book! I am glad that I found it, and actually decided to read it.
PARENT NOTE: She does get drunk in one part, but nothing happens and the only thing she feels is like she is going to throw up, and her dad has a gambling addiction, and has a guy walking out of his apartment in an area she describes as the place that isn't the spot you want to be after dark.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 3/10 (Check my profile to see how I rate!!!)
VIOLENCE/ANY BLOOD: None that I remember!
SWEARING: Less than 5 words.
I love recommendations! Please send me any! Also, if you are wondering about any books I can help you! Feel free to follow/friend me! Have a fun read! -Ruby
PARENT NOTE: She does get drunk in one part, but nothing happens and the only thing she feels is like she is going to throw up, and her dad has a gambling addiction, and has a guy walking out of his apartment in an area she describes as the place that isn't the spot you want to be after dark.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 3/10 (Check my profile to see how I rate!!!)
VIOLENCE/ANY BLOOD: None that I remember!
SWEARING: Less than 5 words.
I love recommendations! Please send me any! Also, if you are wondering about any books I can help you! Feel free to follow/friend me! Have a fun read! -Ruby
July 16, 2017
Hundreds more reviews at Mrs. ReaderPants.
REVIEW: Okay, yes, Quinn got on my nerves with her ill-conceived (and just plain mean) idea to get Wesley fired. Yes, she's unreasonably obsessed with this idea that Wesley James ruined her entire life. But did I love this book anyway? You bet!
Truly, Quinn isn't the most likeable character, but I forgave her revengey-ness with Wesley because she's so real. She does do some mean things to sabotage Wesley, but she does at least feel bad about her actions. It doesn't really make it right to do those things, but she's still a likeable, complex character overall.
I loved Quinn's struggles with her father's gambling addiction and her obsession with going to England. I loved her conflicting emotions about visiting her beloved grandmother in the nursing home since she's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I loved how she works in a restaurant themed on the English Tudor period. I love how the actor playing Henry VIII gets his kicks by putting employees into the stocks.
Wesley James Ruined My Life has a lot of heart. It's more than just a teen romance; there's real life behind the Wesley James plot. The romance is cute and completely obvious from the first day Wesley and Quinn meet again after five years of Quinn's hating Wesley. It's clear Wesley liked Quinn then and that he still likes her now.
This book will be popular with readers who love a sweet romance with a dose of real-life problems. At only 256 pages, it's short enough to entice some reluctant readers as well. The story is easy to get-into; I zipped through it in one sitting.
Even though the characters are about to be high school seniors, I would be okay giving this book to middle school readers craving romance. There's only two kissing scenes, and both are pretty tame. The ending is cute in a Say Anything kind of way.
THEMES: divorce, gambling addiction, parents not getting along, teens at work, restaurant jobs, determination
THE BOTTOM LINE: Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute romance that will find lots of fans. Give this to readers who love Anna and the French Kiss, Dumplin', and Smart Girls Get What They Want.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: I plan to order this book. I am judicious with buying more romance titles because our Romance section is so large right now, but I know this book will find some fans. I can already think of some middle school girls I will give this to.
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to teens: 5/5
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: mild; ass, hell, damn (less than 5 of each)
Sexuality: mild; two kisses
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
August 28, 2017
I was kindly sent a copy of this book for review from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A cute and fun contemporary that will have you wanting to visit a medieval themed restaurant.
Quinn has been working the past three months at Tudor Tymes, a medieval themed restaurant with King Henry VIII. She's saving up for her concert band's trip to London in November, where she's hoping she'll get to see all the places her grandmother talked about when she was younger. Things are going as well as can be expected when your parents are divorced, your dad's gambling again and your grandmother has been put in a nursing home with Alzheimer's - then Wesley James arrives back in town. For the past five years, Quinn has hated Wesley for causing her life to turn upside down the summer he left. And now he seems to be everywhere - where she works, in the concert band, and hanging out with her friends. No matter how nice Wesley is, or how good looking, she just wants to get back at him for everything that happened - she's determined to get him fired. But of course, old feelings resurface, and it might not be as easy as she hoped.
As you all know, I am loving contemporaries at the moment, and this book was no exception - it was cute, funny, and swoon-worthy!
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the setting of the Tudor Tymes restaurant - it was something different to all the other YA contemporaries that usually take place in school. What really made these scenes fun was the guy playing Henry VIII - he totally believed he was the King and added a nice element of comedy to the book. Plus, as someone who loves Tudor history and Henry VIII, it was fun to see a little bit of history woven into the book with this character. The restaurant also provided Quinn and Wesley with some really interesting scenes and interactions that were super fun.
An enjoyable element that gives you a break from the instalove of many contemporaries was the 'enemies to lovers' storyline. While Wesley doesn't see Quinn and the enemy, she sees him as the enemy for everything she believes about Wesley, and it was nice to not have the characters fall in the love the moment they laid eyes on one another. Granted, you know they are destined to be together in the end, but they at least don't have that instant connection that many people dislike.
One thing I enjoyed seeing, and related to a lot, was Quinn dealing with her grandmother's Alzheimer's. I was, and still am, in the same boat as Quinn, although a lot more time has passed for me and it's something that I've come to terms with. It was great to see not only how Quinn was dealing with the situation, but how different members of her family were reacting to it as well. It was something that certainly hit close to home.
One downside to the book, and the reason I knocked off a star, was that I felt like it wasn't long enough and that it ended too quickly. We barely get to see Quinn and Wesley actually together, and after building up their relationship for the entire book, I was disappointed at how little we got to see of them in a relationship. After everything they go through, I really wanted to see more, even if it was just 50-100 pages longer.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in one sitting, which resulted in me not going to sleep until 4am, but it was totally worth it. If you love YA contemporary romances, this is a book you should definitely check out. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be rooting for these two to get their act their act together and get together. A must-read for all you YA romance lovers!
A cute and fun contemporary that will have you wanting to visit a medieval themed restaurant.
Quinn has been working the past three months at Tudor Tymes, a medieval themed restaurant with King Henry VIII. She's saving up for her concert band's trip to London in November, where she's hoping she'll get to see all the places her grandmother talked about when she was younger. Things are going as well as can be expected when your parents are divorced, your dad's gambling again and your grandmother has been put in a nursing home with Alzheimer's - then Wesley James arrives back in town. For the past five years, Quinn has hated Wesley for causing her life to turn upside down the summer he left. And now he seems to be everywhere - where she works, in the concert band, and hanging out with her friends. No matter how nice Wesley is, or how good looking, she just wants to get back at him for everything that happened - she's determined to get him fired. But of course, old feelings resurface, and it might not be as easy as she hoped.
As you all know, I am loving contemporaries at the moment, and this book was no exception - it was cute, funny, and swoon-worthy!
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the setting of the Tudor Tymes restaurant - it was something different to all the other YA contemporaries that usually take place in school. What really made these scenes fun was the guy playing Henry VIII - he totally believed he was the King and added a nice element of comedy to the book. Plus, as someone who loves Tudor history and Henry VIII, it was fun to see a little bit of history woven into the book with this character. The restaurant also provided Quinn and Wesley with some really interesting scenes and interactions that were super fun.
An enjoyable element that gives you a break from the instalove of many contemporaries was the 'enemies to lovers' storyline. While Wesley doesn't see Quinn and the enemy, she sees him as the enemy for everything she believes about Wesley, and it was nice to not have the characters fall in the love the moment they laid eyes on one another. Granted, you know they are destined to be together in the end, but they at least don't have that instant connection that many people dislike.
One thing I enjoyed seeing, and related to a lot, was Quinn dealing with her grandmother's Alzheimer's. I was, and still am, in the same boat as Quinn, although a lot more time has passed for me and it's something that I've come to terms with. It was great to see not only how Quinn was dealing with the situation, but how different members of her family were reacting to it as well. It was something that certainly hit close to home.
One downside to the book, and the reason I knocked off a star, was that I felt like it wasn't long enough and that it ended too quickly. We barely get to see Quinn and Wesley actually together, and after building up their relationship for the entire book, I was disappointed at how little we got to see of them in a relationship. After everything they go through, I really wanted to see more, even if it was just 50-100 pages longer.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in one sitting, which resulted in me not going to sleep until 4am, but it was totally worth it. If you love YA contemporary romances, this is a book you should definitely check out. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be rooting for these two to get their act their act together and get together. A must-read for all you YA romance lovers!
July 20, 2017
3.5 stars
Very cute and a very quick read. A good pick for when you're in the mood for a romance that's somehow both hate-to-love but also sweet and fun. It leans a little bit to the younger side, especially with such a big focus on Quinn getting revenge on Wesley because she thinks he's the reason her parents got a divorce. It just doesn't feel like something a seventeen year old would still believe after five years. I was glad it didn't last the entire book, though, because I was starting to get pretty tired of it about halfway through. I also wish we had gotten more time to see Quinn and Wesley together. She spent almost the whole book hating him that there just weren't a lot of swoony moments between them. Which isn't always great in a romance. But still, it was cute and I was rooting for them. There are a couple of heavier situations, her Gran has Alzheimer's and her dad is a gambling addict, but it never really delves too deeply into either. Which is nice when you want something that gives some emotion and depth to the characters and their motives but don't want something that gets dark. Overall, I really enjoyed this and think it's the perfect length for a quick summer romance.
Very cute and a very quick read. A good pick for when you're in the mood for a romance that's somehow both hate-to-love but also sweet and fun. It leans a little bit to the younger side, especially with such a big focus on Quinn getting revenge on Wesley because she thinks he's the reason her parents got a divorce. It just doesn't feel like something a seventeen year old would still believe after five years. I was glad it didn't last the entire book, though, because I was starting to get pretty tired of it about halfway through. I also wish we had gotten more time to see Quinn and Wesley together. She spent almost the whole book hating him that there just weren't a lot of swoony moments between them. Which isn't always great in a romance. But still, it was cute and I was rooting for them. There are a couple of heavier situations, her Gran has Alzheimer's and her dad is a gambling addict, but it never really delves too deeply into either. Which is nice when you want something that gives some emotion and depth to the characters and their motives but don't want something that gets dark. Overall, I really enjoyed this and think it's the perfect length for a quick summer romance.
July 31, 2017
Find the full review at Blame Chocolate.
I had some high expectations for this one, which is probably why I was so disappointed. I mean, a medieval themed restaurant? Hate to love relationship? It sounded so cute and fun and the perfect summer read!
But it wasn’t. The whole “plot” and the reason Quinn hates Wesley is too weak. And the way it was revealed and resolved? Yeah, even worse. The characters were pretty okay, though. They were annoying at times but not totally unrealistic. The writing, however, could use some work.
Everything about this story is as predictable as one would think. Not to say it wasn’t cute, because it was. And addictive. It also made me cry, which was not something I was expecting at all. There were some really nice elements to it, such as Quinn’s relationships and family life, her job, and some cool Seattle exploration. The problem, I think, was lack of development. Everything was there, it just didn’t deliver.
Overall, Wesley James Ruined My Life was just very… Unmemorable. And quick. It was nice at times, sure, but I find it didn’t really hit the mark. Personally, I can’t really recommend it but by all means, read it and see for yourself.
I had some high expectations for this one, which is probably why I was so disappointed. I mean, a medieval themed restaurant? Hate to love relationship? It sounded so cute and fun and the perfect summer read!
But it wasn’t. The whole “plot” and the reason Quinn hates Wesley is too weak. And the way it was revealed and resolved? Yeah, even worse. The characters were pretty okay, though. They were annoying at times but not totally unrealistic. The writing, however, could use some work.
Everything about this story is as predictable as one would think. Not to say it wasn’t cute, because it was. And addictive. It also made me cry, which was not something I was expecting at all. There were some really nice elements to it, such as Quinn’s relationships and family life, her job, and some cool Seattle exploration. The problem, I think, was lack of development. Everything was there, it just didn’t deliver.
Overall, Wesley James Ruined My Life was just very… Unmemorable. And quick. It was nice at times, sure, but I find it didn’t really hit the mark. Personally, I can’t really recommend it but by all means, read it and see for yourself.
January 26, 2018
Wesley James did not ruin anyone's life. Let's make that clear up front. Quinn has held a grudge against Wesley for years, blaming him for her parents' divorce. I can see how a young girl, confused and scared, would want to find someone to foist her anger over that on. I get that Wesley was an easy target, especially since he was moving. This could have been done really well, but it wasn't because the character development just wasn't there. (Which has been a consistent problem with the Swoons Reads titles.) That being said, if you know teens who can't get enough of fluffy romance that is fairly tame and they've already read all of Kasie West, this book works as a recommendation.
October 1, 2018
3-3,5 stars
What we know about our heroine, Quinn:
1) She loves London and she's about to go with her school band
2) She works in a medieval restaurant as a waitress
3) Wesley James ruined her life and she can't forgive
We also get to know her family and some issues within, her friends and possible interests and that Wesley is back and she wants to get revenge and get him fired.
I thought that this was a really cute novel and had some really interesting and unique elements (like the restaurant, the family problems, etc.) and I would have enjoyed it more, but I couldn't get past Quinn's immature / childish way of thinking that led to even more immature actions. At first, I was curious about what happened, but when I found the reason it was like a deflated balloon.
It is a light cute read, so you should give it a chance, because there were elements that were worth reading and I had a silly smile on my face at moments.
What we know about our heroine, Quinn:
1) She loves London and she's about to go with her school band
2) She works in a medieval restaurant as a waitress
3) Wesley James ruined her life and she can't forgive
We also get to know her family and some issues within, her friends and possible interests and that Wesley is back and she wants to get revenge and get him fired.
I thought that this was a really cute novel and had some really interesting and unique elements (like the restaurant, the family problems, etc.) and I would have enjoyed it more, but I couldn't get past Quinn's immature / childish way of thinking that led to even more immature actions. At first, I was curious about what happened, but when I found the reason it was like a deflated balloon.
It is a light cute read, so you should give it a chance, because there were elements that were worth reading and I had a silly smile on my face at moments.
July 12, 2017
This was a quick and entertaining summer young adults book. I wish we really did have a Tudor Tymes nearby:) I highly recommend this book to those looking for a sweet and swoony story about two teens that have a love, hate to love relationship. Fun stuff!
July 28, 2017
I am glad I didn't notice the avg rating on this book or I probably wouldn't have read it. I usually don't read anything below 3.7 and I am questioning that decision because this was a really good book. I love hate to love romances so I probably would have read it anyway. This was a cute, fast read. I liked the characters and the message in the story. At first I thought Quinn was going to irritate me but she never did. I understood why she chose to see things the way she did. She didn't want to face who was really at fault and it almost cost her someone she loves.
April 6, 2020
I LOVED IT
December 16, 2017
Cute read. Once again these YAs push too much lack of communication. She is mad about something Wesley did before he moved away and they never talk about it till the very end. Frustrating.
July 23, 2017
*This review can also be found at The Reader and the Chef! Huge thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for the review copy in exchange of my honest opinion.*
This was such a cutesy read! Imagine spending your summer working on a Tudor Times themed restaurant with your worst, albeit cute, childhood enemy? Definitely the recipe for swoons & disaster!
What I Liked:
I am such a fan of hate-to-love romance in my books and Wesley James Ruined My Life had me covered! Quinn swore to hate Wesley James after he "caused" her family to fall apart (according to her) when they were kids, and she was perfectly fine hating him across the distance since he moved away to Portland. But Wesley James moves back to Seattle and he dares to get a job at the same place she's working at. THE NERVE.
I loved Wesley James right from the start. This boy is adorable and not at all the guy Quinn paints him out to be. He's charming, charismatic, and has such a sweet heart (especially when it comes to Quinn's Gran!). Quinn gives him such a hard time over something that he let slip when they were much younger, but like the nice guy that he is, it doesn't affect him how he treats Quinn. He is definitely the highlight of this book!
I liked Quinn when she wasn't so set on getting revenge over Wesley. I liked reading about her relationship with her father who has a gambling problem. In contemporary books, when the parents are divorced, we don't usually get to have a main character who tries to keep in touch with both. Her father is not the best role model so I felt for Quinn as she struggled (and failed) to not encourage his vices because she loves him, despite the rest of his family turning their back on him.
Wesley James Ruined My Life also gave me a lot of Anna and the French Kiss vibes as the story progressed and I liked that because I LOVE Anna and was happy to read that the author also loves the book. And while they might not be out exploring a city as marvelous as Paris or studying in a French school, working at a medieval restaurant (and food truck!) and being in a school band that's ready to travel to London, wasn't a bad setting at all. ;)
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the last chapters were my favorites, I would have loved to see more of Gran and Wesley's life. Quinn is too scared to visit her Grandma who was settled into a retirement home after her Alzheimer gets worse and she doesn't really interact with her until the last few chapters. She does spend a lot of time remembering, but her grandma was still alive and constantly asking for her when she had lucid moments, wasn't ignoring her worse? She needed her support and Quinn failed her. Even Wesley went to see her more often!
As for Wesley, I never truly got to know his private life. Wish we could have met his parents and twin sisters!
Final Verdict:
All in all, Wesley James Ruined My Life is a quick, adorable novel that's perfect to read in the summer!
This was such a cutesy read! Imagine spending your summer working on a Tudor Times themed restaurant with your worst, albeit cute, childhood enemy? Definitely the recipe for swoons & disaster!
What I Liked:
I am such a fan of hate-to-love romance in my books and Wesley James Ruined My Life had me covered! Quinn swore to hate Wesley James after he "caused" her family to fall apart (according to her) when they were kids, and she was perfectly fine hating him across the distance since he moved away to Portland. But Wesley James moves back to Seattle and he dares to get a job at the same place she's working at. THE NERVE.
I loved Wesley James right from the start. This boy is adorable and not at all the guy Quinn paints him out to be. He's charming, charismatic, and has such a sweet heart (especially when it comes to Quinn's Gran!). Quinn gives him such a hard time over something that he let slip when they were much younger, but like the nice guy that he is, it doesn't affect him how he treats Quinn. He is definitely the highlight of this book!
I liked Quinn when she wasn't so set on getting revenge over Wesley. I liked reading about her relationship with her father who has a gambling problem. In contemporary books, when the parents are divorced, we don't usually get to have a main character who tries to keep in touch with both. Her father is not the best role model so I felt for Quinn as she struggled (and failed) to not encourage his vices because she loves him, despite the rest of his family turning their back on him.
Wesley James Ruined My Life also gave me a lot of Anna and the French Kiss vibes as the story progressed and I liked that because I LOVE Anna and was happy to read that the author also loves the book. And while they might not be out exploring a city as marvelous as Paris or studying in a French school, working at a medieval restaurant (and food truck!) and being in a school band that's ready to travel to London, wasn't a bad setting at all. ;)
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the last chapters were my favorites, I would have loved to see more of Gran and Wesley's life. Quinn is too scared to visit her Grandma who was settled into a retirement home after her Alzheimer gets worse and she doesn't really interact with her until the last few chapters. She does spend a lot of time remembering, but her grandma was still alive and constantly asking for her when she had lucid moments, wasn't ignoring her worse? She needed her support and Quinn failed her. Even Wesley went to see her more often!
As for Wesley, I never truly got to know his private life. Wish we could have met his parents and twin sisters!
Final Verdict:
All in all, Wesley James Ruined My Life is a quick, adorable novel that's perfect to read in the summer!
March 27, 2017
Not as swoony as I had hoped for, but definitely a quick and cute read!
This book however, had the unfortunate luck to be read after what will probably be at the top of the list of my favorite reads this year which means I was probably tougher on it than I might have been otherwise.
Quinn Hardwick and Wesley James used to be inseparable ... until he up and ruined her life and then moved to another state, and Quinn still hasn't forgiven him. She feels like every big thing that has gone wrong over the years can be attributed to Wes and the thing he did just before he left town.
To top everything off, Quinn's grandmother has alzheimer's and she's now in a nursing home. Her grandmother instilled a love of London and she has the chance of a lifetime - go to London with her band ... that is if she can save up the money to pay for it. With her father's gambling addiction and her mother working hard just to make ends meet, she has to earn her way and she's working at a restaurant called Tudor Times, and Quinn actually likes it on most days... that is until Wesley James comes back to town and gets a job working at her restaurant.
So... yeah... it kind of seems like there is a lot of things going on here, and you're not wrong. Honestly though, the story flowed pretty well with all the things happening. The story itself reads really quick.
What I found a little hard to suspend belief about is the idea that Quinn is 16 and still blaming a boy for the divorce of her parents and the subsequent "bad" things that happen. (her father's gambling and inability to keep a job etc etc.) I felt like that had her coming across as incredibly juvenile and way younger than her actual age.
I also felt that the evolution of her relationship with Wesley James was incredibly rushed and a little bit unbelievable... It was just kind of ... fast. I don't want to get into too much detail about that simply because it might spoil something, but needless to say, I liked Wesley, I just didn't buy the relationship between these two.
Overall a super cute read and if you're looking for something sweet definitely check this one out!
Thank you to Swoon Reads for an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This book however, had the unfortunate luck to be read after what will probably be at the top of the list of my favorite reads this year which means I was probably tougher on it than I might have been otherwise.
Quinn Hardwick and Wesley James used to be inseparable ... until he up and ruined her life and then moved to another state, and Quinn still hasn't forgiven him. She feels like every big thing that has gone wrong over the years can be attributed to Wes and the thing he did just before he left town.
To top everything off, Quinn's grandmother has alzheimer's and she's now in a nursing home. Her grandmother instilled a love of London and she has the chance of a lifetime - go to London with her band ... that is if she can save up the money to pay for it. With her father's gambling addiction and her mother working hard just to make ends meet, she has to earn her way and she's working at a restaurant called Tudor Times, and Quinn actually likes it on most days... that is until Wesley James comes back to town and gets a job working at her restaurant.
So... yeah... it kind of seems like there is a lot of things going on here, and you're not wrong. Honestly though, the story flowed pretty well with all the things happening. The story itself reads really quick.
What I found a little hard to suspend belief about is the idea that Quinn is 16 and still blaming a boy for the divorce of her parents and the subsequent "bad" things that happen. (her father's gambling and inability to keep a job etc etc.) I felt like that had her coming across as incredibly juvenile and way younger than her actual age.
I also felt that the evolution of her relationship with Wesley James was incredibly rushed and a little bit unbelievable... It was just kind of ... fast. I don't want to get into too much detail about that simply because it might spoil something, but needless to say, I liked Wesley, I just didn't buy the relationship between these two.
Overall a super cute read and if you're looking for something sweet definitely check this one out!
Thank you to Swoon Reads for an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
July 23, 2017
See more reviews at The Bookish Thought
*I receive an ARC via Netgalley in exchange of honest review. Thank you Swoon Reads for the book!
Actual rating 3.5
When I saw the title, like any other people who came across this book, I was expecting a hate-to-love romance. And fortunately, I wasn't disappointed! This book was super cute and funny, just as expected.
Basically, Quinn and Wesley used to be best-friend. But one day, when Wesley was about to move to another town, he did something that Quinn thought made her parents got a divorce. Since then, Quinn blame Wesley for that fateful day and continue to hate him. Fast forward 5 years, Wesley is back in town, and turns out they have the same summer job! And thus, the rivalry begin. I actually like Quinn, eventhough I think her reason for hating Wesley is kinda silly. She's pretty nice and she will admit when she has done something wrong. And we are both obsessed with everything London! I can definitely relate with her about that. As for Wesley, he seems like a decent guy and I wish there's his POV in this book since I feel like I haven't really know him enough.
What I love most in this book is (obviously) the banter. They bicker and tease each other like an old lady all the time and yet I can't get enough of it! It's just so funny and entertaining and I kinda wish I have someone to hate just so I could bicker like that 😂 And of course, all the banters just make me ship them more. Another thing I love that I haven't mentioned is the setting where Quinn and Wesley works, Tudor Tymes. It's basically part restaurant/part theater and I found that the idea is refreshing. It just sounds so cool and I wish it's a real place here!
In conclusion, Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute, adorable, and light reads. Not just romance, this book also has a great female friendship. If you're looking for something fun to read in the summer, this is your perfect book!
*I receive an ARC via Netgalley in exchange of honest review. Thank you Swoon Reads for the book!
Actual rating 3.5
When I saw the title, like any other people who came across this book, I was expecting a hate-to-love romance. And fortunately, I wasn't disappointed! This book was super cute and funny, just as expected.
Basically, Quinn and Wesley used to be best-friend. But one day, when Wesley was about to move to another town, he did something that Quinn thought made her parents got a divorce. Since then, Quinn blame Wesley for that fateful day and continue to hate him. Fast forward 5 years, Wesley is back in town, and turns out they have the same summer job! And thus, the rivalry begin. I actually like Quinn, eventhough I think her reason for hating Wesley is kinda silly. She's pretty nice and she will admit when she has done something wrong. And we are both obsessed with everything London! I can definitely relate with her about that. As for Wesley, he seems like a decent guy and I wish there's his POV in this book since I feel like I haven't really know him enough.
What I love most in this book is (obviously) the banter. They bicker and tease each other like an old lady all the time and yet I can't get enough of it! It's just so funny and entertaining and I kinda wish I have someone to hate just so I could bicker like that 😂 And of course, all the banters just make me ship them more. Another thing I love that I haven't mentioned is the setting where Quinn and Wesley works, Tudor Tymes. It's basically part restaurant/part theater and I found that the idea is refreshing. It just sounds so cool and I wish it's a real place here!
In conclusion, Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute, adorable, and light reads. Not just romance, this book also has a great female friendship. If you're looking for something fun to read in the summer, this is your perfect book!
December 26, 2017
***This review has also been posted on Xpresso Reads
If you're expecting this book to change your life, you're probably going to be disappointed but it IS a perfectly, enjoyable summer book and not everything we read needs to revolutionize our lives. I, for one, have been too tired and too overheated lately to read books that will change my life so Wesley James Ruined My Life was the perfect read for me.
Is Quinn Hardwick stubborn as fuck and will you want to shake some sense into her? For SURE but the book also has so many feel-good vibes and part of the fun is when she does realize she is in the wrong. Quinn is stubborn and holds grudges for all the wrong reasons but we can all be stubborn sometimes and I for one am still angry at that person who never gave back my mechanical pencil back in 10th grade. IT WAS A NICE MECHANICAL PENCIL, okay??? 0.7 and everything.
Wesley James is the real winner of the show and is incredibly pure and precious. He does fuck up once or twice but you know what? It's okay because he is an adorable cinnamon roll.
Wesley James Ruined My Life features some family relationships, a hate-love romance, good friends, and some geeky band goodness so really, it's ~just~ the read to blow off some summer steam with!
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
If you're expecting this book to change your life, you're probably going to be disappointed but it IS a perfectly, enjoyable summer book and not everything we read needs to revolutionize our lives. I, for one, have been too tired and too overheated lately to read books that will change my life so Wesley James Ruined My Life was the perfect read for me.
Is Quinn Hardwick stubborn as fuck and will you want to shake some sense into her? For SURE but the book also has so many feel-good vibes and part of the fun is when she does realize she is in the wrong. Quinn is stubborn and holds grudges for all the wrong reasons but we can all be stubborn sometimes and I for one am still angry at that person who never gave back my mechanical pencil back in 10th grade. IT WAS A NICE MECHANICAL PENCIL, okay??? 0.7 and everything.
Wesley James is the real winner of the show and is incredibly pure and precious. He does fuck up once or twice but you know what? It's okay because he is an adorable cinnamon roll.
Wesley James Ruined My Life features some family relationships, a hate-love romance, good friends, and some geeky band goodness so really, it's ~just~ the read to blow off some summer steam with!
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
March 19, 2017
I can't even put into words how happy this book made my heart. As a former clarinet player, as a former high schooler whose grandma suffered with Alzheimer's, I identified so hard with Quinn. Everything about it was incredibly relatable. Not only was the setting adorable (who doesn't love a medieval themed restaurant?!) but each character was fleshed out in a completely natural way. Watching Wesley and Quinn's love-to-hate-to-love relationship and all of the obstacles that come along with it was truly a joy. I gobbled it up in one sitting.
September 2, 2017
Mini-Review:
I wanted to enjoy Jennifer Honeybourn’s Wesley James Ruined My Life so much. It had all the makings of a really entertaining, fast-paced contemporary, but as soon as I got more acquainted with Quinn’s animosity for former friend Wesley James, it lost me. In truth, the only reason I ended up finishing this one instead of setting it aside was because it was so short. Quinn hatches an immediately plan to get rid of Wesley from her life as soon as he reenters it. He may be over their falling out that took place five years ago, but Quinn isn’t. While I can buy into an eleven-year-old Quinn hating Wesley for revealing a secret that ended up being the last straw for her mother, ending her parents’ marriage, I found it really silly that a sixteen-year-old Quinn would still use the same kind of flawed logic. While I understand that Quinn needs someone to blame and for her it’s hard to see her father as the catalyst for the disintegration of her parents’ marriage, it still bothered me that she needed this spelled out before she could even begin to forgive Wesley. I will say that I enjoyed both the complicated and rich familial relationships in this book. Quinn is incredibly close to her grandmother and has been struggling to come to terms with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what it means for their relationship. Quinn’s father has a gambling addiction that the protagonist isn’t always sure how to deal with. I do think it would have been nice to see her mother take a more active role in helping Quinn cope with having a father with an addiction, but she was mostly absent.
I wanted to enjoy Jennifer Honeybourn’s Wesley James Ruined My Life so much. It had all the makings of a really entertaining, fast-paced contemporary, but as soon as I got more acquainted with Quinn’s animosity for former friend Wesley James, it lost me. In truth, the only reason I ended up finishing this one instead of setting it aside was because it was so short. Quinn hatches an immediately plan to get rid of Wesley from her life as soon as he reenters it. He may be over their falling out that took place five years ago, but Quinn isn’t. While I can buy into an eleven-year-old Quinn hating Wesley for revealing a secret that ended up being the last straw for her mother, ending her parents’ marriage, I found it really silly that a sixteen-year-old Quinn would still use the same kind of flawed logic. While I understand that Quinn needs someone to blame and for her it’s hard to see her father as the catalyst for the disintegration of her parents’ marriage, it still bothered me that she needed this spelled out before she could even begin to forgive Wesley. I will say that I enjoyed both the complicated and rich familial relationships in this book. Quinn is incredibly close to her grandmother and has been struggling to come to terms with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what it means for their relationship. Quinn’s father has a gambling addiction that the protagonist isn’t always sure how to deal with. I do think it would have been nice to see her mother take a more active role in helping Quinn cope with having a father with an addiction, but she was mostly absent.
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