In a World Just Right by Jen Brooks → Start Date: June 14th, 2015

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Jacquelyn, Vicki and I!

Join us if you can!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Vicki, let us know if the date doesn't work :)

yay guys! it's been a while since we've buddy read together !

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Yay!

And I know. I've missed you guys!

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Starting this one right now!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I'm getting ready to! Just had to rush through a few books for a race! LOL

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

5 chapters

wow, this one is really drawing me in so far

Jonathan(view spoiler)[ I can see a lot of holes in the story if I really concentrated on this 2 world idea...but I'm choosing to just roll with the story
and so far, it's good.

I'm so sad that he's had to create this alternate reality but WOW is it really indepth and intense, right? (hide spoiler)]

Kylie(view spoiler)[ I'm glad she's as nice as she is...in his head.
but I can't understand why the two worlds are tripping up
interesting to see how the author handles this (hide spoiler)]

theft(view spoiler)[ OMG in his world, the girl who stole the shoes
is it possibly the little sister he lost in the plane crash? Is she going to push him out of his world/his head and make him go back to living in the real world? (hide spoiler)]

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Just finished the first five chapters.

VERY interesting so far.

Jonathan (view spoiler)[Yes.. There definitely are some holes in the story that will need to be filled up. The idea of the alternate reality is SO interesting but yes, very in depth and intense. (hide spoiler)]

Kylie (view spoiler)[She is so wonderfully nice in his head which is great. I like seeing that side of her from his alternate reality. Yeah. I was also confused as to why the two worlds were getting mixed together and I was actually thinking I missed something but I am also interested to see how the author handles this. I feel like lots of explanation will be coming soon. Hopefully not information dumps though. (hide spoiler)]

theft (view spoiler)[That is a great theory! I didn't think of that... That is definitely a possibility. Why would she be in his closet and steal his shoes?? Maybe something is in the closet and she took them as a way to "cover up" what she was really doing??? (hide spoiler)]

Very interesting read so far and I am excited to continue on.

[Vicki]

Trisha wrote: "Vicki, let us know if the date doesn't work :)

yay guys! it's been a while since we've buddy read together !"

It seems like forever! Let's hope this is a good "reunion" book! LOL

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

10 chapters in

Jonathan (view spoiler)[Love his sense of humor! (hide spoiler)]

Kylie (view spoiler)[I thought the art museum trip was cute. I also like learning more about the real her and what parts Jonathan changed about her for his reality. (hide spoiler)]

I am not enjoying it as much right now but I think that's mostly because I want some more answers and information.

[Vicki]

Finished Ch.5 I'm on a tablet & thought I could place spoilers, but I cannot find the little greater than and less than marks on here. So I cannot bold either.

SPOILERS

I also Like this so far. It is different.

Jonathan is so alone & lonely. It's sad that he has no real friends. To lose your whole family has to mess you up some. I agree about holes but it (hopefully) might be purposeful.

The thief I'm not sure about. The only thing about your theory is wouldn't he have recognized his sister? But it definitely seems like he knows the thief somehow.

I love how poetry is being used to help him understand both Kylies. Poor guy! The thing is when we create an alternate world it's okay because it helps us through difficult times; however, if we cannot differentiate between reality and make believe that can be indicative of mental illness. I hope that's not the case.

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Vicki, agreed! I like the poetry parts as well. :) Very interesting point about the mental illness. That is a very good point that I hadn't thought of. I also hope that's not the case.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Yes, Vicki, I had the same thoughts that the sister was the thief who was showing up...

I'm going to stop using Spoiler brackets so you can read my comments Vicki :)

[Vicki]

Thanks, Trisha! :)

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

so through 10 chapters

spoilers

Jonathan - Vicki brought up the mental illness
and I think that's where this is headed - what if none of this is real? what if he's still in a coma?
That is the only explanation I can come up with as to how his sister (and the old lady that she shook her head to - sounds like Mom)
it also fits in with an uncle that never shows up.

the only alternative I can think of is he's being haunted by his sister and mom - and that just doesn't feel like something someone who loved you would do - especially steal things and then run away...in all your worlds.
No, the ghosts theory just doesn't seem to add up if the sister is in both worlds...ya know what I mean?

Kylie - I like that she sees him but doesn't this Kylie feel a little too much like the other Kylie?? I worry about the double made up world....

I thought the art museum date was cute too - but how on earth did he imagine all that art? he really does have a great imagination to completely come up with these worlds.....one that even is REAL

The only thing I don't get - how can what he did with kylie in his fake world have real tangible evidence afterwards (like his shirt. How did he have a shirt from their trip if it wasn't real?? Did I miss the explanation?)

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

I will also stop using the spoiler brackets!

responding to Trisha's 10 chapters spoilers:

Jonathan - Trisha, GREAT point. He might still be in the coma and that fits in with everything!

Kylie - YES! They sort of feel the same.. You would think they would have a few more "stand out" differences. I know!! It is crazy that he could have come up with all of the art. Now that takes some imagination!!

Trisha, I was also confused with the tangible evidence portion. I thought the same thing! How?? I am not sure if this is something we will get answers to later but I may have also missed something?

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

I am through 15 chapters.

SPOILERS

merging - Woo! some more information! do you think he'll merge the two Kylies?? I thought that is was quite weird when Tess was demonstrating the merging to Jonathan. but the idea is interesting.

I loved the part with all of the hypothetical questions. I love being asked questions like that and having a good discussion! that was very interesting to me.

it's getting interesting again with this merging part now!

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Sorry, I did not have internet while I was reading and I ended up finishing it so...

MAJOR SPOILERS


hmmm - this one fell flat for me. I thought that in the end, Jonathan was just such a dull character who was such a creep. so obsessed with Kylie.. characters are a big part of a book for me so I was upset that I didn't like the MC more.

the ending - I thought it was super predictable (how he was in a coma) and I didn't really think it was a huge plot twist. it all sort of fell flat for me. I also thought the epilogue and his final decision to be with the "real, real" (I guess) Kylie and how it was executed, was very cheesy.

I wish I had liked this one more.. I started out enjoying it but it all fell from there... hope you guys enjoy it more than I did!

[Vicki]

Finished Ch. 10

SPOILERS

I'm wondering if he is in someone else's world. I don't care for how both Kalies are exactly the same! That part seems wrong to me.

How can Tess be "alive"? I think possibly he IS still in a coma. That honestly makes the most sense to me.

I'm a bit frustrated for the made-up Kalie because he seems to feel like he's her creator/god and he has some kind of control or rights over her. But my frustration is due to the face he's "losing interest" as the real Kalie gives him more attention.

Trisha, we checked out Lincoln City, Cape Foul Weather, Newport, and the Yaquina Bay Bridge and Lighthouse today. :) Have you been to any of those places or at least know of them?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Vicki wrote: "Trisha, we checked out Lincoln City, Cape Foul Weather, Newport, and the Yaquina Bay Bridge and Lighthouse today. :) Have you been to any of those places or at least know of them? ..."

oh, all those places. It makes me want to cry, I miss them so much!! Yes, I've been to all. I used to live about 45 minutes from Lincoln City and it was our favorite spot to go to for a day trip to the beach.

Beverly beach was our favorite beach spot (just a little past Lincoln City)

There is a GREAT Pirate bakery in Lincoln City that my old co-work and friend owns. :)

YES! Cape Foul Weather!! Did you find the little shop and get your fortune from the scary gypsy? OMG so much fun, I'm so glad you got to visit it!

[Vicki]

What's the name of the bakery?

I didn't see a gypsy lady but we are going back so I'll ask.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

oh, the gypsy lady is a machine, you put in 50 cents and she tells you your fortune. it's completely creepy and would ALWAYS freak out my kids! LOL

let me hunt down the name of the bakery. they have the best pastries and they are so fun! :)

[Vicki]

Awesome! I'm sending you a pic of where we went. You can tell me if its the same place where the gypsy was.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

okay, the gypsy lady (or is it a pirate. now I don't remember. I just know it's totally creepy)

is here:
N 44° 45.627 W 124° 03.988
(if you plug that into google, it will show you where it is)

and the store looks like this



and the bakery?

http://www.piratepastry.com/

is here :)

[Vicki]

Yes! That's where we went! Lol We are going back so I'll ask about the gypsy or pirates.

I'll also check out the bakery and hopefully surprise your friends. Is there a name I should ask for or do they ALL know you by name? Lol

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

ha! I'm not sure they will be working (since they own it)

:) but you can try! at least get some good pastries :)

I worked with them....6 years or maybe 10 years ago...

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

15 chapters

** Spoilers **

okay...just what?? what just happened

Now I'm completely confused. So we're going with a third theory? that he wished so hard his world is kind of a real world? or so real he can make a pretend something in his head touch a real thing and they will merge.
I mean, I'm trying to imagine this - but ....how do I make something that isn't real....touch something else?
would HE just be touching the real Kylie and THAT would merge his pretend and real worlds??

and why, when he saw and chatted with Tess was he just completely combative??
why weren't there deep "are you dead?" "are you with mom and dad? and "what's heaven like" kind of discussions?
or even..."Hey, why did you steal my shoes?" I mean...all are good questions right??

I'm so confused right now........................

[Vicki]

Lol Yeah, I'm confused as well. Finished Ch. 15

SPOILER

I'm not sure how it will all work, but it appears that if they do merge neither Katie can survive as she is. Parts of her will die. By messing with reality or the real world I think he simply screwed things up!

I think the questions were rather dumb and shallow. So, yes, I think some deeper more in depth questions would've been appropriate.

Actually when you stop & think about it, creating his fake Kylie is pretty sick. I mean she's created to love him always & never leave him. Through these past 5 chapters I feel that real Katie has become too clingy. I don't like how their relationship is going!

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Right?! I thought the book only got more and more confusing and strange....

[Vicki]

What did you rate it?

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

2 stars. :/

[Vicki]

Oh no! Lol sorry you didn't like it better. Some reviews rave over it. I do know that it's not a book to rave about (so far anyway).

I'm on Ch. 16 so we'll see. :)

What're you reading now?

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Hope you end up enjoying it more than I did! :)

I am now reading and really enjoying it! I have some really big reading goals for today. I have no other plans so I am excited. Yesterday, I somehow read over 1,100 pages!

[Vicki]

Jacquelyn wrote: "Hope you end up enjoying it more than I did! :)

I am now reading and really enjoying it! I have some really big reading goals for today. I have no..."

1100 pages? I am so jealous! That's awesome!

I LOVED that book! I gave it 5 stars. It is so beautifully written.

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Haha, right?! It was a great day. :)

I am loving it as well! I love the writing too.

[Vicki]

Finished Ch. 20
SPOILERS

WHAT THE HECK?? Jonathan is getting in deeper & deeper, and the more confused he gets, the more confused I get.

I'm not quite sure I get why or how Tess is able to help him through changing his worlds/merging the Kylies. It's just a bit crazy! It is crazy & awful the the real Kylie is going crazy over him but it is so unnatural.

I am worried what will happen if he merges the two AND if he lets his made up world go. Will Kylie survive?

The one thing I loved in these chapters is his dad's letter. Too bad his fake dad read it.

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

RIGHT?! It is just SOOO confusing! :/

[Vicki]

Yes, and absurd! And about his dad's letter it should say "wrote it" and not "read it." I don't have the ability to edit on my phone. Lol

[Vicki]

Ch. 16-20 SPOILER

I HATE how he is breaking into Kylie's room and reading her private thoughts!!! I'd be SO TICKED OFF if I found that out!!! How dare he!!

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Vicki wrote: "Ch. 16-20 SPOILER

I HATE how he is breaking into Kylie's room and reading her private thoughts!!! I'd be SO TICKED OFF if I found that out!!! How dare he!!"

Ugh, I know! He is a CREEP. I'm assuming you're not really enjoying this one, right?

[Vicki]

Lol I'm still looking for its redeeming qualities! I'm an eternal optimist, but I've spent so much time trying to figure it out and being totally confused that it's fairly safe to say I'm also heading for a two or possibly a three, depending on its ending.

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Hmmm... I'll keep my mouth shut about the ending but I hated it. LOL

[Vicki]

Oh no!!!! No words of hope??? Lol Ugh...

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

LOL. Maybe you'll enjoy it more. ;)

[Vicki]

Not looking that way yet. I'm trying to finish it while chatting with my hubby about our day. We are going out for our first breakfast in Oregon. We've eaten in all but one time. Tonight or possibly tomorrow night we are going out for HALIBUT!!!! I can't wait!!! Lol

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Oooh!! Enjoy. :)

Also, enjoy your hailbut!!! :D

[Vicki]

Thanks :)

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

okay I'm done

so....I actually liked this one.
I liked the hope and the idea of missing out on the moments when people show kindness and love - but you being too wrapped up in yourself to notice that someone else took a step to reach out.

I also like the idea of misunderstandings - Jonathan thought he'd distanced himself because he was frankenstein - but Kylie thought it was because he was mad at her for some reason....

but I agree with Jacquelyn - there were quite a few odd moments and I thought the twist was obvious but I was very glad that it was what it was...but the other part...the world builders part. I could do without that. I like to think it was dreaming. No world creating, but dreaming. But, of course, they had to give some reason as to why he woke up...meh. it's a 3 star read for me

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Glad you enjoyed it a little more, Trisha! Definitely an interesting an odd book, right? I'm still glad we read it together!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I am too! :) good luck on your lofty goal today Jacquelyn!

I'm off to go buy scuba lessons for my husband for father's day!! :)

[Jacquelyn, thebrunettebooknerd]

Thanks, Trisha! Now working on Blackbird.

Oh, how fun!! That sounds amazing. :)