#158 Book Review: Rumour Has It

Rumour Has It
Release Date: September 26th 2012
Author: Ali Cronin
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Cass is in love with Adam. Jack is in love with Cass. Rich is hiding a secret. But what about Ash? Ashley has no secrets. She's a player and everyone knows it. When gorgeous Dylan doesn't seem interested, she pretends not to mind - but behind her playful facade does Ashley really want something more?

Cover:
I'm not really liking the cover like the first book in the series, No Such Thing as Forever. The legs intertwining are quite typical of a contemporary novel but I guess it's an okay cover for the book.

Story:

Ashley has a reputation for a wild life. Will she ever find 'The One'?

Rumour Has It is the second book in the Girl Heart Boy series. While I did enjoy the first book, I think I enjoyed the second book more. Basically, this book tells the story of Ashley, Sarah's friend. The book is written from her POV and ventures her life as 'the player' and how she eventually finds someone she wants to be with perhaps permanently.

The story plot reflects teenagers' life including parties, sex and school. However, this book is different to the first book or Sarah's story. Unlike Sarah's story, Ashley actually finds 'The One' which makes me really happy. The story itself is really enjoyable and Ali Cronin's writing is easy to relate to. The romance is also sweet, sometimes frustrating but mainly heart-warming!

Characters:
The main character in this book is Ashley so we definitely get to know more about her than the first book. I have to admit, in the beginning, Ashley frustrates me. She acts as though she enjoys being a 'player' although she's not. But she keeps on doing so and I want to tell her to stop it since she also likes another guy. But as the story develops, she tries to better understand herself and finally stops acting as though she doesn't care about what other people are saying about her 'wild life'.

The main love interest is called Dylan. I actually really like him, unlike Joe in No Such Thing as Forever who merely uses Sarah for sex. I thought Dylan doesn't like Ashley in the beginning since he never gives any signs that he likes her although clearly, I'm wrong! Dylan is cute and he's completely suitable for Ashley!

Ashley's friends also make an appearance in this book such as Sarah, Cass, Donna, Ollie, Rich and Jack. I don't really like Cass since her boyfriend is a jerk but she keeps on defending him. I also like how the guys are supportive of Ashley and always ready to help her!

Overall:
Rumour Has It is the pleasant second book in the Girl Heart Boy series, telling Ashley's story as she discovers that she's falling in love with a cute guy despite her reputation for living a 'wild life'. With realistic story plot and enjoyable characters, if you enjoy No Such Thing as Forever, then you'll definitely enjoy Rumour Has It too! 

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Rumour Has It!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

#138 Book Review: No Such Thing as Forever

No Such Thing as Forever
Release Date: July 25th 2012
Author: Ali Cronin
Publisher: Puffin
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Cass is Ms Monogamy. Ashley is a player, Donna is a party girl. But what about Sarah? Her friends tease her for being uptight, but she's waiting for The One. Now she's found him, but is he forever - or is Sarah just his summer fling?

Cover:
The cover is okay. I'm not really liking image used but I like how the font of 'Forever' is different to the rest of the title's font to emphasize on the word.

Story:

Does forever exist in real life?

Four girls, Cass, Ashley, Donna and Sarah are best friends. When Sarah and her family goes for a holiday in Spain, Sarah tells her friends that she meets a cute guy called Joe and spends her time together with him. When holiday's over, Joe goes back to London while Sarah goes back to Brighton. Sarah really likes Joe, but does Joe feel the same way or is it merely a summer fling?

No Such Thing as Forever is the first book in Girl Heart Boy series.  Written from Sarah's POV, the book ventures around themes of love and teenager's life. I really enjoyed reading this book. It's one of those contemporaries that I can relate to because the characters are teenagers, the story revolves around school life, friends and there's also the romance bit that teenagers are experiencing. Ali Cronin's writing is realistic and great! She portrays teenagers' life very well such as parties, sex and also school!

Characters:
One thing I liked besides the story itself are Cronin's characters. She voices them really well. I really liked Sarah in the beginning. She tries to find a guy who she really likes and when she finally finds him, he is not a good guy. At first, I completely understand how she tries hard to make Joe like her, but I do agree with her friends that she becomes obsessed with him. She texts him all the time, even though he rarely replies and he often cancels his plans with Sarah in the last minute. Sarah should have known that Joe is not interested in a serious relationship when Joe rarely replies her texts or even said that he is not looking for anything more. As the book progresses, I become annoyed with Sarah but I still understand how she feels that way. I really liked her best friends! They are very supportive of Sarah and are always there to help her, including Ollie, Rich and Jack! Meanwhile, Joe is absolutely a jerk. He merely uses Sarah for sex and pretends as if he cares about her! But nevertheless, I liked how all the characters feel so real!

Overall:
No Such Thing as Forever is the first book in the exciting new series from Ali Cronin. Cronin's writing is realistic and her characters are voiced really well! Portraying real lives, romance and relationships of teenagers, I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of older young adult contemporaries!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for No Such Thing as Forever!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

Check out the first Girl Heart Boy vlogs!