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A review by erica_o
Don't Get Caught by Kurt Dinan
4.0
April Fools!
You can buy this now!
No, like, for reals. It's available today, on April Fools Day, because perfect timing is perfect.
After reading karen's review of this book, I commented to her, This sounds like what I'd hoped for from [b:The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life|11737265|The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life|Tara Altebrando|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326130873s/11737265.jpg|16686451] but didn't get so now I'll have to read this when it comes out in two million years and then all will be right with the world. and she was all, "You know, I thought of you while I read this because I think you'd like it and I know a guy..." (that's not actually what she said) and that guy was the author who is really friendly and trusting; he gave me an eARC of his very first-ever book which is sort of crazy because we all know how curmudgeonly I am only NOT THIS TIME!
That's my disclosure.
First, I'd like to say that fans of [a:John Green|1406384|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353452301p2/1406384.jpg] and/or [a:Rainbow Rowell|4208569|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1342324527p2/4208569.jpg] will probably enjoy this story. I think this tale is more entertaining and better written than what I've read from those two authors but there are similarities mainly concerning off-center teens doing not-quite-normal things.
The "Breakfast Club" mentions you may have seen in other reviews? Yeah, they're spot-on. That's going to be a draw for us oldsters who watched that movie at the theater when it was first released. But that doesn't mean today's whippersnappers will think this an old fogey story, because it's not. It's all up-to-date and relevant to this goldarned modern age.
In fact, there were moments when I raised my eyebrow thinking Max's thoughts and responses were too obvious in showing he has a strong moral compass that is sometimes in direct opposition to his youth and hormones but I don't think that will be quite so obvious to the target audience. I mean, I've got a vast number of years full of experience under my old lady belt and hindsight gives me insight and this is why I'm not a parent. I can't even imagine the pretentious lectures I'd give my teens. The point being: Some of Max' actions seemed a little on the nose for a wretched, cynical crone of a reader such as myself but I don't think that will be the case with less ancient and get-of-my-lawning folk.
Regardless, this story is delightful. It's got a bit of mystery, some unrequited love, shenanigans and more shenanigans with some misadventure thrown in, good teachers and bad, and lots of friendship that builds slowly but becomes solid. Max' parents are not dysfunctional, there is no Horrible Trauma that befalls everyone, it's just kids getting through a bumpy patch, pushing boundaries, banding together and finding out what they can accomplish, and learning risk analysis. It all comes together well and is fast-paced without sacrificing depth. You know, much like "The Breakfast Club" only with smartphones and fandangled technology.
Thank you, karen, for making me aware of this tale that I didn't know I'd been seeking.
Thank you, author and author's publicist, for letting me read this ARC.
You can buy this now!
No, like, for reals. It's available today, on April Fools Day, because perfect timing is perfect.
After reading karen's review of this book, I commented to her, This sounds like what I'd hoped for from [b:The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life|11737265|The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life|Tara Altebrando|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326130873s/11737265.jpg|16686451] but didn't get so now I'll have to read this when it comes out in two million years and then all will be right with the world. and she was all, "You know, I thought of you while I read this because I think you'd like it and I know a guy..." (that's not actually what she said) and that guy was the author who is really friendly and trusting; he gave me an eARC of his very first-ever book which is sort of crazy because we all know how curmudgeonly I am only NOT THIS TIME!
That's my disclosure.
First, I'd like to say that fans of [a:John Green|1406384|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353452301p2/1406384.jpg] and/or [a:Rainbow Rowell|4208569|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1342324527p2/4208569.jpg] will probably enjoy this story. I think this tale is more entertaining and better written than what I've read from those two authors but there are similarities mainly concerning off-center teens doing not-quite-normal things.
The "Breakfast Club" mentions you may have seen in other reviews? Yeah, they're spot-on. That's going to be a draw for us oldsters who watched that movie at the theater when it was first released. But that doesn't mean today's whippersnappers will think this an old fogey story, because it's not. It's all up-to-date and relevant to this goldarned modern age.
In fact, there were moments when I raised my eyebrow thinking Max's thoughts and responses were too obvious in showing he has a strong moral compass that is sometimes in direct opposition to his youth and hormones but I don't think that will be quite so obvious to the target audience. I mean, I've got a vast number of years full of experience under my old lady belt and hindsight gives me insight and this is why I'm not a parent. I can't even imagine the pretentious lectures I'd give my teens. The point being: Some of Max' actions seemed a little on the nose for a wretched, cynical crone of a reader such as myself but I don't think that will be the case with less ancient and get-of-my-lawning folk.
Regardless, this story is delightful. It's got a bit of mystery, some unrequited love, shenanigans and more shenanigans with some misadventure thrown in, good teachers and bad, and lots of friendship that builds slowly but becomes solid. Max' parents are not dysfunctional, there is no Horrible Trauma that befalls everyone, it's just kids getting through a bumpy patch, pushing boundaries, banding together and finding out what they can accomplish, and learning risk analysis. It all comes together well and is fast-paced without sacrificing depth. You know, much like "The Breakfast Club" only with smartphones and fandangled technology.
Thank you, karen, for making me aware of this tale that I didn't know I'd been seeking.
Thank you, author and author's publicist, for letting me read this ARC.