Review: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

Publication Date: April 7, 2015
Page Count: 332
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

But love doesn't mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again. . . .

I enjoyed reading The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things more than I thought I would. For some reason it took me a bit of time to really get into the story, but once it got going my curiosity took over and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. I ended up really enjoying the story and the characters.

I liked that the main characters and their friends were well-developed. It was great to have reasons and motivations behind everyone's actions. I liked Sage well enough, and I was really intrigued in her back story, which was revealed slowly throughout the book. Sage's idea of the post-it notes and her need to make others feel good about themselves was something that I really liked about her. Of course I loved Shane. Who wouldn't??? He was really the most likable character in the story, and I couldn't help but feel a little bit protective of him. I felt sorry for his crappy life, and the parent in me wanted to jump in and hug him and do something to really help him out.

Despite what I would consider insta-love, I thought the romance between Shane and Sage was sweet, and I liked them together. I also liked how they both helped and supported each other throughout the book. They became very important to each other in a short period of time. There was a bit of drama in their relationship, but it was normal teenage stuff and wasn't too angsty.

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things had a terrific plot, wonderful writing, and really great characters. Anyone who likes YA contemporary romances that deal with a bit of a serious subject matter may enjoy reading this book.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars