Book Talk: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

Want an “at a glance” look at what I thought? Check out my Review On A Post-It or my “Final Thought”

“Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted. Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.”

That was cute?

Man, I am WAY in the minority on this one. I thought it was cute but I really didn’t feel that much for it beyond some swoons and enjoying the quirkiness of our MC. It was cute! I feel like that’s all I have to say about it. It didn’t really stand out for me but it was by no means BAD. I certainly blew threw it!! And there were parts that I really DID like (new friendships, Sage and her aunt and the cuteness of the relationship) but I finished it feeling rather lukewarm.

The romance was pretty fast to develop. I’m not opposed to insta-attraction or infatuation because UM I FELL IN LOVE WITH LIKE A MILLION BOYS IN HIGH SCHOOL. I felt that high of falling for someone with Sage and Shane and I could honestly feel my heart pitter-pattering through a lot of their interactions. I was swooning. I’ll admit it. They were really cute! LIKE REALLY CUTE. Not earth-shattering or anything but just kind of want I want to read on a nice summer day on the beach (where I was NOT). It definitely got pretty serious fast and I’m not the BIGGEST fan of that but it didn’t really bother me TOO MUCH. But if you are insta-love adverse, I would just say it definitely toes that line.

I LIKED Sage — she was a breath of fresh air. I loved her post-it note thing and how she stuck to her principles even when they seemed crazy to others. She had dimension to her and I liked that she kept surprising me. It’s just that sad thing where I never really felt that much for her beyond that. I WANTED TO. I DID. Her post-it note kindness was inspiring though! KIND WORDS REALLY ARE IMPORTANT.

I think also some of my disconnect was due to the fact that I thought it was going to be a little bit of a darker read? Sure, there were some things in both of their pasts that were serious and hard but I never felt like really connected to their back stories. We were told Sage was the bright and bubbly person she was because of her past but I never FELT those cracks in her armor like I thought I should. I never really FELT the pain of her past. Even when it was revealed. Like it was awful but I was just kind of like, “OKAY that was bad/must have been hard” but I wasn’t really feeling the emotions. So many other people told me they cried or their heart hurt while reading it and I, the queen of feels, didn’t have that same experience. I felt for her and Shane’s stories but the emotional aspect never hit me.

One of the issues I did have was the pacing felt wonky to me. In some places I was just CRAVING to read it so much. It kept me engaged and wanting to turn the pages and then other times it just stalled. And then the ending I found myself skimming a lot.

Truthfully it’s really between mixed feelings and it was okay! I had a couple little issues but the real reason for my rating is just a lack of emotion or any real impression. It was super cute and I can’t deny how I flipped through the pages/got caught up in the swoons but not a standout.

Re-readability: Not for me!
Would I buy a copy for my collection? No

contemporary YA readers, readers who don’t *hate* insta-love (not a problem for me but I could see others having issues), people looking for a cute romance

I flew through this one and totally got swept up in their romance but really felt lukewarm about it overall. It wasn’t bad…I just didn’t feel that much for it or connect in the way I wanted to. It just didn’t leave an impression but I know I am SOOO in the minority. Just a quick glance of some friends on Goodreads and I see so much love for it from people whose opinions I value so check out these opinions: here, here and here.

* Have you read this one? What did you think? Similar or different from me? I would LOVE to hear regardless!
*If you haven’t read it, does it feel like something you’d be into?