She's So Dead to Us

She's So Dead to Usby Kieran Scott

When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money? (goodreads.com)

I'll be honest, I wasn't all that keen on reading this book when I got it for review. Sure tons of other bloggers were raving about it, but I do not like realistic fiction and generally even if other bloggers like it, I will not. But I picked it up last night because I needed something to read before bed and figured I had postponed my reading of it long enough (sorry Simon & Schuster!) and ended up fighting off sleep to finish the book. Unfortunately sleep won, but as soon as I got up this morning I picked it up and finished off the last third of the book.The summary on the back of the ARC I have does not do the book justice. I would never have picked up the book on my own due to it that is for sure. The one above, from Goodreads, seems to delve a little deeper into the story, but it still loses me with the whole "But then there's Jake Graydon." part. Yes there is romance in this book but to be honest I don't think it was the core of the story.This is another one of those books that alternates between characters every "chapter" or so. I didn't like it at first, but it ended up working out ok. The main story for me was the cruel way that Ally's old friends were treating her and that you can tell some friends don't want to but they go along with the flow of the more "powerful" in the group. (Powerful isn't the right word... dominant? I think that one works better.) Girls are cruel. They truly are and although they might not beat you up the psychological abuse they can inflict is traumatic. Believe me, I know. I liked how Ally, although obviously affected by the antics was still strong enough in her self that she could stand up when she needed to. Even if it made things worse.I thought Jake was a (pardon me) douche for most of the book with the hiding of the relationship and doing the things that kids do when they want something but know it'll be shunned. That he would hook up with other girls after trying to prove to Ally he liked her and then not talk to her in the hallways. It just pissed me off. This happens too many times in real life. Being a teen is hard. I know. Relying so much on what others think of you is natural in life at that point, but it still pisses me the hell off. One of the things I hated when I was growing up was how fake people were and how much they had to hide to get others to like them. I used to care so much about what others thought of me and I was never happy. Now that I decided what I think is more important? I'm happier.Er.. but enough about me and my issues. 0.OKieran Scott has a very engaging way of writing. I found myself enjoying the book from the first pages, I loved Ally and although I don't think Jake was perfectly written, I still found his chapters enjoyable to read. I honestly liked this entire book, even the anxiety-creating confrontation scenes. I think this captured teen life fairly well (although I never did have the rich teen experience in my life).I'm confused about the ending though - is there going to be another book? Or was it just ended that way on purpose? If it was purposely done - kudos to the author for not writing up the perfect Disney Happy Ending! It's the type of thing that keeps your mind going when your done with what possibilities could happen. I think I might be sad to hear there's another book planned to be honest.One thing that struck me from the back of the ARC was that Kieran Scott writes other series under the pen name Kate Brian. It made me think about the TAC in NYC last month (yes, I still have to finish my NYC posts!) and something Barry Lyga mentioned on his panel - that authors have to write under different names if they are about to publish something in a different genre. That floored me. I know it happens (Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb) but it makes me angry that an another has to make up a name just to appease the publishers and the reading masses. If I love an author I will pick up any book by them, even if it's different. Writing style is often similar so it's just the genre that is different. Why can't people accept that an author might have other creative ideas than the one they are best known for!? What the heck!Anyhow, that's my little rant/confusion about that.So of the four books I got from Simon & Schuster Canada a few months ago, I have enjoyed 3. I still have not finished It's Not Summer Without You because I am not particularly liking it. But maybe I'll give it another shot when I am on vacation next month.