6.5 out of 10 Before I go on; the Goodreads blurb; '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? |
I really loved the cliche clash of two star-crossed lovers in this YA interpretation in which the overused Romeo and Juliet theme is refreshed and redone in a new light. I loved the way that regardless of Graham's star status, and Ellie's small-town girl, they almost have completely flipped personalities. Where Ellie has her life and self figured out and where she is in the world, however, Graham is like a fish out of water, and regardless of his talents in the film industry, he doesn't fit in with the self-absorbed people he is constantly being surrounded with. This is really prevalent when he turns down dating his co-lead, simply to gain publicity and instead seeks out Ellie; thereby following his heart <3
However, this book did feel really bland in places and way to exaggerated for the scene in speaking. I felt as if some story lines were left to fray, like her best friend, and the romance between Graham and his co-star. Whereas, i felt as if some things were way too overdone and didn't need to be expressed as thoroughly as they were, such as how they were reacting and feeling towards the most pointless things.
The one thing that I must say made this cliche book stand out from all the hundreds of others YA romance books out there, was the clever use of the emails between Graham and Ellie heavily in the beginning of the book and then continuously throughout the rest of the novel as well. I thought it was a very clever way that Miss Smith was able to give an insight into the intimate relationship between the two characters without having to hide, as well as being able to show their feelings without simply stating them within the actual novel. Something I have seen a few times before, and it always adds to the novel, so unique and clever ! :)
Recommend for an easy read, or something to read as a break between heavy books maybe ? Even a holiday book you can simply chuck in that beach tote and read under the sun :)
Hayley xx