Characters
The greatest thing about this book is the characterization. I absolutely ʟᴏᴠᴇ how different the characters are. This is not just an ordinary bad boy falls for good girl romance. There’s so much more behind the scenes. The difference in characters makes for such an intriguing story. Having Alex’s character be part of a gang brings readers into an entire new world filled with angst, danger, and even some violence. But this is what makes the story ᴜɴɪǫᴜᴇ! I have read a good handful of bad boy, good girl romances, and this one stands out due to its characterization. It is the most perfect example of what happens when two worlds collide.
Plot
There were definitely some plot twists that I did see coming, (usually I can do this in most books), but sometimes I’m unsure if it’s because the plot is predictable or if it’s because I’m an author, so it’s easier for me to catch foreshadowing when I see it.
Overall, I did enjoy the plot. I felt like it was paced well and the timeline was very easy to follow. The fact that the plot held more than just the romance itself, made it a page-turner at some points. The rising action regarding Alex's gang life, along with Brittany's personal life, added an extra layer to the story. This book would not be the same without its angsty plot.
Writing Style
This was my second read by Elkeles and I have to say, I enjoyed this one much more. I think a lot of it not only has to do with the characters, but with the growth in writing style itself. To me, this book was written much better than my first Elkeles read (Leaving Paradise). The dialogue and narration were mixed more smoothly here, and as I mentioned earlier, this one was paced very well. I also felt a lot more chemistry between the characters in this book than I did in the other book.
Elkeles writing style isn't too young, but it's also not too old. It's the perfect mix for a young adult novel!
Theme
Alex and Brittany couldn’t be any more different on the outside, but it’s incredible how similar they are on the inside. Elkeles did an amazing job with showcasing the theme that looks and wealth are not everything!
This is my second Elkeles read and I think this one was even better than the first! I gave this one 4.5/5 stars!
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an easy YA romance read.