2013 Book Challenge 35/35: My Life Next Door

I guess congratulations are in order.  ENHORABUENA to me because...

Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 35 books for the 2013 Reading Challenge!

35 of 35 (100%)

I just hit my goal for 2013.  I know 35 is too little for all of you book fiends out there but for me who has just discovered the wonderful world of leisurely reading, it is a BIG deal. Before I learned to appreciate chick-lits and before I discovered the genre that is Young Adult, I liked reading books about psychology and spirituality and also essays, trivia and self-help books. I still enjoy reading those kinds of books but gaahd, YA books are this shizz, y'all! What did I ever do before YA? Haha. But seriously, these books are very fun to read, well maybe except those about teen suicides and terminal illnesses. I guess I have never moved on from Young Love, Sweet Love and Mr. Kupido. 

So my 35th book is My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Another one of 'em YA reads. I know I should throw out the window any expectations I might have before reading a book but this book has a nice cover and I sort of judge books by their covers. Fortunately, it was at par with my expectations.

Pretty, smart and rich girl Samantha Reed comes from a very uptight household. Jase lives next-door, one of 'em Garretts, the family that her mother sort of dislikes for being rowdy, loud and disorganized. The summer before Sam's last year in high school, her moms's busy busy busy with the elections and sister, Tracy, is at the Vineyard with the boyfriend, working and making the most out of her summer vacation before starting university. In other words, Sam is alone and lonely. She retreats to her secret place which is the ledge just outside her bedroom window where she watches the Garrett family go on with the daily grind. One night, Jase goes up to her. The rest, as they say, is history.

But the mom clearly and explicitly disapproves of the Garretts next door so when Sam gets more than friendly with Jase, she kept it a secret from everyone who belonged in her world- her mom, sister and best friend. Wow, ang liit pala masyado ng mundo niya. So anyway, I think it's unfair on Jase's side because Sam is in his world whereas he remains to be Sam's little secret. I know it's better said than done because when you're in Sam's shoes and here is cute and hot Jase Garrett in front of you, hell I would do exactly what she did. Though if I were Sam, I wouldn't be intimate with the guy right away when I'm not being 100% honest with him. Then again, could you really blame Sam?

So aside from giving too much of herself too early in the relationship, Sam and Jase are so cute together and I am a sucker for anything secret crushes or relationships. There may not be a lot of bantering between Jase and Sam, actually there is no bantering between them, but still works for me. Didn't even notice that these two were always sweet and lovey-dovey to each other.

But I still can't bloody believe that Sam told on her mom. I can't even think it. I'd rather carry the burden that my mother may have ran over and hurt/killed somebody than have her go to jail. Well, it's a different story if my mom wanted to come clean with it. Cos you know in real life, not everyone is like the Garretts and your mom could end up in jail. Mom vs. boyfriend? No-brainer. Always mom over the boyfriend. Always.

Jase is soooo nice. Seriously, do boys like these gorgeous and hot fictional boyfriends exist in real life? Now I think I know why we're hooked on YA novels #sabikonga

Even if I am not stopping my reads just because I already reached my goal, I decided to lay low though. If before I though that my TV series paralyze and stop me from being productive with my time, books are much, much worse. Cos with my TV series, I can still do something while watching. Full attention is only required with a chosen few. But books, man they're evil. They suck you in and before you know it, another day has gone. Starting now, will be limiting reading when waiting for my turn in the bank or before sleeping at night. It's almost Christmas and I really need to keep it moving. So, toodles! Friendzone is on TV :P