Amazon Synopsis: Cath
and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely
everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided
she doesn't want to be one half of a pair anymore - she wants to dance,
meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's
horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she
writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a
romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.
Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilised world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's learning that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible . . .
Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilised world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's learning that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible . . .
In February (I know that I am about 800 years late with my reviews) I managed to finish this hyped up contemporary. Usually, the six free weeks at the end of the school year are dedicated to romance and the fluff that comes with light novels but for this book I made an exception as everyone was going on about it. This was my first Rainbow Rowell novel and I was overly excited to get stuck in. Upon reflection, a small part of me wishes I had waited since I am (hopefully) going to University in September and probably would have related to it more there.
In this book we follow Cather and her twin sister Wren to college. Whilst there the two sisters go down very different paths: Cath keeps to herself and writes a large amount of fanfiction whilst Wren has embraced the college party scene. Honestly, we do not see Wren a whole lot since the narrative follows Cath as she struggles to fit in at the school her sister picked and she was not to bothered about going to. Cath does meet some new people though, including Reagan and Levi. It is these main characters that we follow and grow to love over the book.
Although this book is a contemporary and a romance it actually encapsulates so many other aspects into it. Friendship, growth and acceptance are just a few of this books important messages. In an attempt to avoid spoilers I will only say that the issues dealt with involving Cath's past and her future are relatable to teenagers at all levels of education, not just those going to college/university. One criticism I do have though is Cath's general "I won't bother" attitude. She didnt want friends or to succeed or try anything even if it was with people she had managed to blankly befriend.
Although this book is a contemporary and a romance it actually encapsulates so many other aspects into it. Friendship, growth and acceptance are just a few of this books important messages. In an attempt to avoid spoilers I will only say that the issues dealt with involving Cath's past and her future are relatable to teenagers at all levels of education, not just those going to college/university. One criticism I do have though is Cath's general "I won't bother" attitude. She didnt want friends or to succeed or try anything even if it was with people she had managed to blankly befriend.
This was a book that no only highlighted the lifestyle of an introvert but also the woes of being human. It was the kind of book that led you on a journey that at one moment could have you ready to jump for cloud nine and the next wading your way through eighteen boxes of Ben & Jerry's. You need to be prepared for a dense read with this book but also one that can alter or reinforce your outlook on life.
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