From the Bookshelf of Kelly Oram Geek League…

Being Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker, #1)

Kelly Oram

Start date: February 2, 2016

Finish date: February 29, 2016

Discussion: Monthly Reads

Why we're reading this: February Group Read!
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Monthly Reads

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What Members Thought

Mar 18, 2013 Jenny rated it it was amazing

“Most superhero stories start with a meteor shower or a nasty insect bite, but mine actually starts with a kiss. Whether it was a kiss of life or a kiss of death I still haven’t decided, but it was, surprisingly, a really good kiss. Not that I’d ever tell him that.”

This book is amazingly good!!! I enjoyed every minute of reading this, and maybe that explains how I finished it in short span of time. But no kidding though I was really fascinated on how the story flowed.

I was used to reading a sup ...more

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Aug 21, 2017 Lillian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, sci-fi, young-adult

Have you ever read a book that just left you smiling at the end? Or a book that you had a goofy grin the entire time reading it? Yeah, that’s pretty much every Kelly Oram book for me. This author has a way of writing a story that I immediately fall in love with. Being Jamie Baker is no exception. Until this book, the only stories by Kelly Oram I had read were all contemporary romance, both YA and some cleanish new adult. Being Jamie Baker falls in the realm of science fiction (which I make no se Have you ever read a book that just left you smiling at the end? Or a book that you had a goofy grin the entire time reading it? Yeah, that’s pretty much every Kelly Oram book for me. This author has a way of writing a story that I immediately fall in love with. Being Jamie Baker is no exception. Until this book, the only stories by Kelly Oram I had read were all contemporary romance, both YA and some cleanish new adult. Being Jamie Baker falls in the realm of science fiction (which I make no secret of loving), YA and a little romance.

Jamie Baker was a normal teen girl before an accident that should have killed her left her instead with superpowers. Now she lives a life in a new town, dying her hair almost daily to cover up it’s new neon color, wearing contacts to cover the scary eyes that she now has, and keeping to herself by maintaining an “Ice Queen” reputation at her new high school. All she wants is to be normal and act normal, but nothing about what happened to her is normal. I really like Jamie. She’s made a new normal for herself, not taking a day for granted with her very understanding and protective parents. She’s okay with not having friends, at least she thinks she is until Ryan.

Most superhero stories start with a meteor shower or a nasty insect bite, but mine actually starts with a kiss. Whether it was a kiss of life or a kiss of death I still haven’t decided, but it was, surprisingly, a really good kiss. Not that I’d ever tell him that.

Now that 👆is how you start a story!!! Every story I’ve read by Kelly Oram I’ve said none of her boys could surpass Brian Oliver (see Cinder & Ella for more info about him)….but Ryan Miller just might 😉 Ryan is every cliché all-star, play boy from high school. Except the playboy isn’t such a player. In fact, he’s annoyingly sweet, especially when Jamie just wants him to go away. He’s also arrogant, confident, and a total swoon-worthy addition to the Kelly-verse. After the above encounter with Jamie, he knows there is more to the school’s “Ice Queen” than she lets on, and he is very persistent in his pursuit of her. He wants to be her friend, if nothing else, and that in itself is so endearing to me.

The story truly revolves around Jamie and her powers. It’s been a year since her accident and she is still coming to terms with what happened to her. I like how the story evolves. Jamie starts out a little bitter, hard to stomach, and sassy. Her sass doesn’t change, but the bitterness eases into acceptance and a hero is born….thanks to Ryan’s persistence.

Overall, I really loved this story! I started it before bed and finished it in the wee hours of the morning….I really should have learned by now not to start one of Kelly Oram's books so late but alas I couldn’t resist. If you enjoy contemporary YA romance, science fiction, and superheroes, I highly recommend you grab a copy (only 99 pennies on Amazon OR free with KU) and read it asap. It won’t disappoint! ...more

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Feb 13, 2011 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own, for-review, e-book, sent-by-author

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Thank you to author Kelly Oram for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram is an extremely entertaining and kick-ass superhero read. Oram blends plenty of humor and wit with an electric storyline and tangible characters to create a fun, cute and romantic tale that will leave you begging for more!

Can I just say how much I adore Kelly Oram’s work! Whether she’s writing contem Thank you to author Kelly Oram for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram is an extremely entertaining and kick-ass superhero read. Oram blends plenty of humor and wit with an electric storyline and tangible characters to create a fun, cute and romantic tale that will leave you begging for more!

Can I just say how much I adore Kelly Oram’s work! Whether she’s writing contemporary stories or those with a supernatural/paranormal twist, Oram knows how to write likable personable characters who have a really engaging presence and fantastic dynamic with each other. And Being Jamie Baker is a fantastic example of this!

Told through the eyes of Jamie Baker, a seventeen year old loner who obtained superpowers when she was involved in a tragic accident that saw her lose someone she loved, Being Jamie Baker follows Jamie more than a year later as she attempts to go on with her life. Now known as an "ice queen" by the student population at her school, Jamie knows the only way to protect her secret is to keep everyone at a distance. Something she wholeheartedly succeeds at…..until one pesky, but albeit determined, teenage boy by the name of Ryan Millers sets out to do the one thing no one at their school has ever attempted—get to know Jamie Baker! What ensues is a lot of fun and laughter as the two dance around their attraction to each other and Ryan attempts to win over the reluctant Jamie!

As our heroine and protagonist, I seriously liked Jamie Baker. Those around her may view her as someone with a heart of ice but personally I think she had a heart of gold. And boy did the girl know how to get into my heart! Jamie is a guarded individual. As someone possessing super powers, Jamie still hasn’t mastered them. They rule her to a degree and because of this Jamie shies away from unnecessary interactions with those around her, leaving her friendless and on her own. This may be by choice and she may like it that way, but when Ryan enters her life, Jamie slowly begins to feel all the loneliness and sadness she’d managed to hide from herself.

I thought Jamie was a really sweet girl. She was normal and likable, and I thought her voice was fabulous to follow. I liked the vulnerability Oram explores within her during Being Jamie Baker as Jamie slowly allows people in again, but I also adored the fact that Jamie was saucy and quick thinking. And that this didn’t change. She had a quick temper and still struggles at times with her moral compass over her abilities, but I think it was natural for Jamie to be protective and defensively of those she loved; it made sense for her to react that way.

The catalyst for all the changes Jamie undergoes is without a doubt the introduction of Ryan Miller to her life. With his vast array of charm and smiles, Ryan reminds Jamie of what it’s like to have friends and someone who cares about her….and I just love him for that! Ryan is popular, enigmatic and everyone adores him. He manages to make all the girls swoon with his golden boy status and his cheeky nature, but he’s also just a really nice guy; something that becomes endlessly evident as Being Jamie Baker progresses. After their initial meeting, Ryan really comes to care for Jamie as he sets out to uncover the mystery that is Jamie Baker. Ryan makes it impossible not to smile with his constant cheerful attitude and dedication to Jamie—the guy's just awesome!

Throughout the novel as Jamie struggles to let Ryan in and he refuses to let her push him away, they come to develop a really sweet relationship. Jamie’s reluctance to admit to her feelings, and Ryan’s reluctance to accept that make for some really hilarious dialogue and great chemistry between the two. I love the back and forth banter between them and the fact they always have a witty comeback for the other. Ryan keeps Jamie on her toes and is relentless in trying to win her over; he knows she wants him, even if she’s not ready to admit it. These two are great together and I’m looking forward to more of them.

The storyline within Being Jamie Baker is simple but extremely enjoyable. Oram’s writing is spot on and as we learn how Jamie received her abilities and watch her learn to control them whilst she falls for Ryan, the story becomes really addictive. Luckily Being Jamie Baker does not end on a massive cliffhanger, but I’m still desperately looking forward to reading the sequel!
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Feb 03, 2015 Karie rated it really liked it

This was interesting! I love the groundedness of Oram's characters--their decisions and emotions and reactions made SENSE and were consistent with their personalities. Loved it. ...more

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Dec 15, 2010 Cody rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2010, read-2012

Loved It!!! It was quirky, funny and so easy to fall in love with the characters. I heard that it possibly maybe a trilogy. I would love that! I love the way Kelly writes, very refreshing. Thank you Kelly for a great book! I will definately read anything that you write!

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Dec 08, 2012 Book Cucci rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, read-in-2013, series

Kelly Orme is now one my favorite author! I love every book she's written.
If you love romance, comdedy and high drama i highly recommend you read this! ...more

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Aug 30, 2015 Jackie rated it did not like it

Shelves: discovering-yourself, kindle

I wanted to like this own. I mean, superpowers? Yes, please. However, Ryan was annoying and rape/sexual violence was used as a bonding tool. Or at least it felt like it was to me. Maybe that'll be addressed in later books in the series (the rape) but it was brushes over and left and angry, bad taste in my mouth. I could write an entire review about how angry that moment made and how it was brushed over and sort of forgiven, but I'll just say this book wasn't it.

If you want to read an amazing boo ...more

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