#136 Book Review: Between the Lines

Between the Lines
Release Date: July 1st 2012
Author: Jodi Picoult | Samantha van Leer
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

What happens when happily ever after... isn't?

Delilah hates school as much as she loves books. In fact, there's one book in particular she can't get enough of. If anyone knew how many times she has read and re-read the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially the popular kids, she'd be sent to social Siberia... forever.

To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there's a handsome (well, okay, hot) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there's something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they're from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?

Together with her daughter Samantha Van Leer, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult has written a classic fairy tale with a uniquely modern twist.

Cover:
I think the Australian cover is my favourite out of all the covers! I think it represents the story well. I like how the girl is holding the fairytale book and how magical things seem to explode out of the book. 

Story:

What if the fairy-tale prince wanted to live happily ever after...with you?

When I finished Between the Lines, I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed reading this book. I was a little apprehensive after reading some mixed reviews but I'm glad I enjoyed it! When I first heard of this book, I did have high expectations since it is written by Jodi Picoult! I haven't actually read any books by Jodi Picoult so this book was my first Picoult's book. I also didn't know that Between the Lines was collaborated with her daughter, who actually came up with the idea of the book. When I received the book, I was in love with it! It was printed in colour, the fonts are printed in colour and there are illustrations in the book to compliment the text. It was lovely!

Between the Lines is a story about pushing the boundaries between fantasy and real life. I really enjoyed the concept behind this book. I understand how it feels when you want a character from a certain book so badly to actually exist in your real life. This book is written from both Oliver's and Delilah's perspective. The book consists of chapters from a fairytale book about Oliver, chapters written from Oliver and Delilah's perspectives. Even though the story plot was quite predictable, I definitely still enjoyed it! What was interesting are the illustrations included in this book. The illustrations are beautiful and gorgeous. Oliver was illustrated and he looked just like how I imagined! The collaboration between Picoult and her daughter was great. The book was a sweet and fluffy read for me!

Characters:
Besides the lovely story plot,  I was able to relate with Delilah completely. She liked reading books and felt as if books were her escape from reality. I really liked her growing relationship with Oliver and how sometimes she thought as if talking to Oliver was a dream. Even though she sometimes cannot believe that this is actually happening, she always tries to help Oliver. Oliver is a great character as well and he has BRITISH accent! He's such a charming, sweet and quite innocent character who merely wants to escape his fairytale life. I also really enjoyed reading about other characters in the book such as the characters in the fairytale, Delilah's mom and also Jules, Delilah's best friend who really supports Delilah and understands her, unlike Delilah's mother.

Overall:

Everyone Deserves A Happily Ever After.

Between the Lines is a sweet and charming book about pushing the boundaries between fantasy and real life. Picoult and her daughter's writing takes us into the story of Delilah's exciting journey to help Oliver escape his fairytale story. The book makes me believe that perhaps my happily ever after is somewhere out there, waiting for me. This is Picoult's first YA book and I certainly hope that she and her daughter will write more YA books!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Between the Lines!

Thank you Allen and Unwin for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer!