Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West @KasieWest

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Page Count: 320, Paperback
Published by: Harper Teen
Source: Library

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

I have such a huge crush on this book! I thought it was super cute and adorable, with realistic characters and a wonderful swoony romance. This was a fun and refreshing story that really put a smile on my face.

Caymen was a completely likable character. She had such a dry wit and was always quick with a sarcastic reply, but never in a rude way. I found it funny that not everyone got her sense of humor. Caymen doesn't censor what comes out of her mouth, so even Xander didn't know how to take her at times. Caymen wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life after graduating. All she DOES know is that she wants MORE, but she also feels the responsibility of sticking around and helping her mother with the doll store. I really felt her anguish over doing the right thing for her mother, while still trying to be happy and fulfilled with her own life.

Xander was fantastic and so endearing. I would have a crush on him if I were much, much younger. He wasn't cocky or arrogant, but he DID occasionally have a sense of entitlement that I didn't enjoy about him. I also thought he was pretty clueless at times, especially when it came to the way that 'normal' people lived. Still, he managed to insert himself in Caymen's everyday life in a way that felt natural. Caymen soon realizes that she and Xander have a lot in common, and that Xander is dying to break free of his father, who is grooming Xander to take over the family's multi-million dollar hotel chain. Xander, like Caymen, wants more from life than what his family expects of him.

I adored Caymen and Xander when they were together. There was SO much lovely banter between the two of them. The dialogue between them was wonderful because it felt so real and flowed really well. I also loved the fact that Xander didn't outright pursue Caymen. It was a lot more subtle, and it was the little things he did that really got to Caymen (and me!) I loved seeing them spend time together, getting to know each other, learning about each other, and best of all, falling for each other.

The secondary characters were so unique and had such varied personalities. I liked Caymen's best friend, Skye. She brought fun and lightness into Caymen's life, and she was always there when Caymen needed her. Skye's boyfriend, Henry, I wasn't impressed with at first, but he grew on me. I never got a good vibe from Mason. He was intense when he was around Caymen, but he seemed more of a 'love the one you're with' kind of fella. I didn't really like Caymen's mom, Susan. She never seemed honest or trustworthy, and I didn't like that she put such heavy responsibility on Caymen.

This is a wonderful contemporary that is highly entertaining and absolutely adorable! The only downside was that I felt the ending was wrapped up too pretty, but I was still left with lots of good feelings about the book as a whole. I do love my contemporary stories, and I had a great time reading this one.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


YA Stand Alone Reading Challenge
YA Contemporary Reading Challenge