The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - Restarting April 17th 2021

[Sapir]

Jessica and I are going to read this book on July 15th.
You're all invited to join us :)

[Pahel]

I'll join in mostly! :)

[Sapir]

Great, Pehel :)

[Jess]

I'm excited to start this one! I interviewed Kasie and hearing her talk about it made me look forward to it even more :)

[Sapir]

Oh really? How did you interview her?

[Jess]

We chatted over email a bit and then I asked if I could send her some questions and she was happy to answer them so I could run a feature for her on my blog.

[Sapir]

Nice!!! I'm blogging too. I have 177 GFC followers and 108 on Bloglovin.

[Jess]

Oh cool! We're around the same place then, it seems, because I'm at 187 and 109.

[Sapir]

Wow. That's really close... When did you start blogging?

[Jess]

I started in October, what about you?

[Sapir]

I can't wait to start this!! :D

I started on the last day of 2012.
Now I took a little bit of a break from blogging because I need to catch up with my homework and tests... I have to retake a test this summer.

[Rachmi]

I'm reading it now, didn't realize there will be buddy reads this book until I started it :D Can I join your discussion?

[Sapir]

Of course you can! But please don't forget to mark spoilers :)

[Rachmi]

I will, thanks :D

[Mei]

I'll join in!

[Catastrophe]

I'd like to join in :) Just got a copy.

[Mei]

Just started this morning and I'm now at 54%.

So what is really the problem with Caymen's mom? I know they have financial issues and she's finding solutions, but the way she acts tells something more. That there are other problems besides that and she's hiding something.

Anyway, I'm enjoying Caymen's character. So sarcastic & funny, even to strangers!! Reminds me of Sophie from the Hex Hall series!

[Rachmi]

I love her too Mei, she makes me laugh with her dry humor. And what actually happen with her mom aren't that mysterious, well....I can guess it, so I think you can guess it too :)

[Mei]

Yeah I know what you mean. It's kind of predictable. Those were my previous thoughts before I got to the financial part, weren't able to share it at the time.

Caymen didn't push her mom much about the problem. She'd tell her there's something wrong but when her mom says it's fine, she'll believe it. It's probably out of respect but she did mention that she and her mom tell each other everything, that they're really close.

I know it's early to make judgments but I feel like there's no plot. This is sad :( I was excited to really read this since it has a nice premise, actually. And now from the synopsis, it appears like there's no conflict or a something that will make it a page turner.

[Rachmi]

That's exactly how I feel. The premise really intrigued me and my friend who recommended it gave it 5 stars. So, I was kind of eager to read it but when I read it, it was like nothing major going to happen because I already guessed it and when my guesses were right, I didn't expect the climax anymore.

[Catastrophe]

Half way through with the book. I thought it was a cute love story but it was predictable like most romance novels. However, I did like Caymen and Xander's characters. The content was clean, no heavy make out scenes so I experienced the whole giggly school girl emotion :)

[Mei]

I think one of the weaknesses of this book is that it lacks prose. Example: how the Crusty Toads play. I know this isn't a music book, but at least put some description about the venue, the atmosphere, the audience's feelings towards the songs. If they really are good the author should make us feel it. Though we can't hear the music, the descriptions should be enough to make judgments or agree that they must be, but we don't. It doesn't make me paint the picture of the scene. This is the same with Xander's mansion, the science department at UNLV. Just really lacks prose.

[Mei]

Agreed, Abbie. That's what's relieving, too. I don't want to cringe on cheesy or too romantic behaviour. The romance's just right :)

[Catastrophe]

I agree with you Mei. I think the author focused solely on the developing relationship between the two main protagonists. Yes, there were witty and sarcastic lines to draw out humor but all in all it did lack a certain finesse.

[Mei]

I just finished! I'm so angry right now. What's with ending? THAT'S IT? I am so disappointed! :( I really thought I'm going to love this book.

My Questions after reading: (view spoiler)[WHAT will happen to her mom? Will the disease took long? WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? What is she gonna say to Xander? What will be Sean and Vivian's reactions? What would they say to her daughter, after not seeing her for 17 years? How will they make up for lost times? What will happen to the doll business? Will they leave the apartment? Where would they live? How is her mom going to cope up? What will Skye's reactions be? What would Mrs. Dalton say? Will Caymen go to college and where? Will she meet her dad? What would they say to each other? How would they catch up? Will the Crusty Toads make more amazing music? (hide spoiler)]

Really disappointed :(

[Rachmi]

I know how you feel Mei :D I'm wondering whether I set my expectation too high before I read it. So, how many star will you give it?

[Mei]

I gave it two, but I'm thinking it's too low I might give it a three, because there was nothing I liked except for the characters, Caymen's sense of humor and sarcastic personality and the romance not being too cheesy I might skip the paragraph.

My fault I think? My expectations were really high since it has a good premise and now it didn't end well for me to be satisfied.

[Rachmi]

Yeah, I think it's because we set our expectation too high. Aside the characters I also enjoyed the setting, I liked the way Kasie West wrote it, though at some point I agree with you with Crusty Toad and Xander's house part.

[Mei]

At some point I wished she would've made her writing more emotional when we get to part where the conflict rises. I sympathized with Caymen all right, but it wasn't that much if that makes sense? She would've made things more realistic because I get it, Caymen isn't as wealthy as Xander, but just imply more of her situation to really really sympathize with her. Though I agree with you about her writing, it was smooth and alright. It just needs improvement IMO.

[Sapir]

How did you read it so fast?? >.< I didn't even have a chance to start!! :P
I'm gonna start in the evening because I have to finish studying before that!

[Catastrophe]

Hmmm. For all the things that were left untold do you think a sequel is in the works?

[Rachmi]

@Sapir: I read it a couple days ago but it's not that long, though I think Mei read it faster than I was.

@Abbie: there will be a sequel to this book? hmm...I don't think it's necessary :)

[Mei]

Let's see. This book is newly released, July of this year so they may be giving time for it first to see the people's reviews. There were some 4-5 stars already actually. . .

I don't know if it's still ideal to even make one, or maybe I just don't know how would that story flow?

[Jess]

Oh no! I skimmed the comments because I didn't want to spoil anything yet (just started) but I'm not liking what I'm seeing :( That's really too bad. I'll have to lower my expectations a bit now.

[Sapir]

I'm starting right now too! I'll come back in an our or so to share my thoughts. I'm still trying to keep my hopes high because many bloggers just loved it.

[Catastrophe]

Well if that's the case then I think the unanswered questions will be left for us to make. I vote for happily ever after!!!!

[Jess]

Mei wrote: "Just started this morning and I'm now at 54%.

So what is really the problem with Caymen's mom? I know they have financial issues and she's finding solutions, but the way she acts tells something m..."

I love Caymen too (I'm probably at around 30%). She has a great, sarcastic, clever narrative voice and she's already growing as a character.

[Jess]

Okay, after having finished it, I really liked this one. 4.5 (rounded up to 5 because darn Goodreads). I don't read a lot of contemp romance, so maybe that's why I loved this one, but I thought it was adorable. I loved the characters and the Pretty in Pink parallels are probably one of my favourite aspects. I adore the movie, so seeing some of the same themes and ideas come through here made me so happy.

Mei, I totally understand all your questions, but for me I actually really like the open ending. Sometimes it's super frustrating not to get answers, but in this case I felt like there was just enough that I can happily imagine their lives playing out however I want from here on. It worked for me, but I can see why it didn't for you.

[Abi]

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Reading on May 10th 2015

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[— Massiel]

I'm in!

[C.P.]

Yay! I'm really looking forward to reading this one. :)

[Megan]

I'm in :)

[Christina]

Kasie West - yes please!

[C.P.]

13% (view spoiler)[This is really interesting so far. Caymen is fun. I like her sarcasm. And I hope that Skye is a good friend, because I'm not sure how I feel about her yet.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

23% (view spoiler)[Is there something wrong with her mom? Is she sick or something?<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[gahhh I like the sound of Xander already. He was so cool and relaxed in the doll store! And he called the mc cute indirectly :)) (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

End of chapter 9
(view spoiler)[Xander bringing breakfast was so cute! I wish they'd asked more about each other. I can tell Xander is interested. No normal boy would go back to a dollstore if not for the girl :) (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

Christina wrote: "End of chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know. He's rather adorable. I'm liking this a lot. (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

50% (view spoiler)[Ok, not cool to not tell a girl you have a girlfriend. If he really does. And what's up with the mom?<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

74% (view spoiler)[Glad he doesn't have a girlfriend. He's so sweet. And his family seems awesome. Wonder if they really are. And her mom. Is she pregnant or what?<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]