Review: Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher

Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher

Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Page Count: 211
Published by: Entangled: Teen
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods (vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn't happen) are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn't tell her why he's in her garage, and she doesn't tell him what she's running from. Soon, Hanley's trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate's recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn't sure which is worse: that she's harboring a fugitive, or that she's in love with one.

I'm having a hard time reviewing this book because I am truly conflicted. On one hand there are things that I really enjoyed, but on the other hand are things that I couldn't stand. So this review could go either way....

I really didn't care for Hanley. I thought she was selfish and self-centered and immature. The entire book revolves around the fact that she lies to her parents and sneaks out of the house practically every night to go party with her friends. She spends all of her time devising ways to deceive her parents, planning and plotting her next great escape AND return - let's not forget that she also has to get back IN the house without being caught. Then she blames her lying and sneaking around on her parents because they didn't care to notice what she was doing. Wait. What? She also has this annoying habit of making everything about her.

Nate's story captured my interest and is what really kept me reading. I was curious about what happened to cause him be on the run and hiding out in Hanley's garage. He was a bit of a mystery and I wanted to figure him out. He seemed really sweet, and at times he acted weird and suspicious, but I still wanted to believe that deep down he was a good guy.

I found it really hard to root for Hanley and Nate as a couple. Aside from the insta-like (or is it insta-attraction?), their relationship had no depth. It was a bit painful at times because they were strangers and their conversations reflected the fact that only knew each other in the most superficial way. I feel honesty is important in any relationship, and they didn't have it.

I didn't enjoy how stupid Hanley's parents were made out to be. Especially since their stupidity is what made the entire plot progress. I take great offense in how clueless they were written. As a mother of 2 teenagers myself, I would like to point out that I know where my kids are at all times, and I would certainly know if a stranger were living in my garage. Just sayin'. This is lazy writing by the author, and all just to give Hanley a way to sneak out and run around without parental interference. The whole thing was beyond ridiculous and bordering on absurd.

Where You'll Find Me was a quick read, but definitely not light. The writing was pretty good, and the pacing is rather fast throughout. Near the end is when a lot of action occurred and I think the story was wrapped up way too neatly. I think it would have worked better and been more realistic if it had ended on a hopeful note rather than HEA (which was quite unbelievable, by the way.) Overall, I thought this was a good debut. I just wish I had enjoyed it more.

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars