Rain's Reviews: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Roomies by Tara Altebrando and Sara Zarr

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

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Roomies was a quick read with unexpected depth. The story focused on two teenage girls who are going through rough times and their summer after high school and before college.

It was an honest representation of life as an older sibling with multiple youngling running around, and I am assuming it was just as honest when it came to the only child.

I enjoyed the way it was written and set up. There were a few lags but most of the time I did not want to put this book down.

Elizabeth and Lauren were great girls in the end but they definitely had their moments that I was like, “Come on get a grip!” But I suppose such is life. Lauren was kind of hard to get to like but once I warmed up to her she was not nearly as hard to keep up with as Elizabeth.


Overall it was a good read. The romance goes all the way, and there is some harsh language. At the same time I still recommended it to my sister after I finished, let me know how you feel if you read it. I would most assuredly like a second opinion.

~Rain

Rain's Reviews: This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

This Is What Happy Looks Like

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? ~Goodreads
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Review

This Is What Happy Looks Like was a bit of a let down. It had it’s good elements and sweet moments but as a whole seemed a bit dull or monotone. The idea was good and the characters were enjoyable but something was lost in interpretation. Ellie is a good girl with a best friend named Olive and a beagle named Bagel. Ellie is a fun person. She has a good conscience and foundation. But she is missing somthing. There is a hole in her life and she doesn’t have any way of talking about it or fixing it- until this summer.

Graham was a cool- if not a bit gawky at times. He fit the famous-but-it-hasn’t-gone-to-his-head role well and the moment he starts thinking about his parents I start to like him. But like I said before there is a one dimensional feeling about him.

Jennifer E. Smith wrote The Statistical Possibility of Love at First Sight. One of the best books I read last christmas season and very unique. I was hoping for another hit when I picked up This Is What Happy Looks Like but it fell short of my expectations.

The constant explanation of how it was to be famous, the compare and the contrast between the two worlds. It was exhausting and repetitious and the dialogue was lacking. There are some good thoughts and little snippets of the author I enjoyed so much last time but that sparkle was missing.
~Rain
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"Sunrises over the harbor. Ice cream on a hot day. The sound of waves down the street. The way my dog curls up next to me on the couch. Evening Strolls. Great movies. Thunderstorms. A good cheeseburger. Fridays. Saturdays. Wednesdays, even. Sticking your toes in the water. Pajama pants. Flip-flops. Swimming. Poetry. The absence on smiley faces in an e-mail..."