WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU
Julie Cross
320 pages
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Rating: 5 STARS
Annie Lucas is just a normal high school teenager whose main priorities in life are her dad, Grams, and running track. That is, until a family friend, Frank, comes and recruits her dad to be a new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Now, Annie is moving to Kansas City (that's in Missouri, not Kansas), and has to learn how to navigate the strange and confusing world of professional baseball. Normally, adapting to a new situation wouldn't be a problem for Annie, but throw the steamy rookie, Jason Brody, into the equation, and Annie is at a loss. But this nineteen-year-old pitcher is completely off limits. Or is he? Annie's dad would kill them both if something were to happen between her and Jason Brody, but it just might be worth it.
It did not take long for me to absolutely fall in love with Julie Cross' writing. WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU is such a fun book. I mean, between Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift references, how could I not like it? Annie is a character that is easy to relate to and sympathize with. Cross pulls you into the story until you are unable to put the book down. I am fairly new to reading young adult romance, or really any romance in general, so I am wary when it comes to picking one up. I was thankful that even though WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU does include romance, it was not overwhelming, unbelievable, or mushy. It was easy for me to become emotionally invested in what Annie was feeling and experiencing. The love story was told maturely in the aspect that "I love you" was not said after the relationship just started, but also in a way to where it is believable that Annie is still in high school.
This book follows the time line of a major league baseball season, which made it fun to read. Annie attends some of the Royals' games, and Cross does an excellent job of describing the game. I, of course, was rooting for the Royals, and every time there was a game, I was on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could. It was just like I was watching the game on TV, or even as if I was there in person. If the Royals lost, then I would be absolutely heartbroken, and if they won then I found myself feeling elated. This was a wonderful bonus and a welcome side story, being able to follow the team throughout their season. There were also Facebook updates from Annie and her friends along with text message conversations which mixed things up and added an interesting aspect to the story.
WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU is a fun must read for any age that enjoys young adult novels, whether you are into the whole romance thing or not. Just make sure that you have enough free time to be able to sit down and read this book cover to cover, because you will not want to put it down once you start.
I was seriously unable to pick just ONE favorite line from this book, but I was able to narrow it down to two. These are my favorite lines:
Julie Cross
320 pages
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Rating: 5 STARS
Annie Lucas is just a normal high school teenager whose main priorities in life are her dad, Grams, and running track. That is, until a family friend, Frank, comes and recruits her dad to be a new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Now, Annie is moving to Kansas City (that's in Missouri, not Kansas), and has to learn how to navigate the strange and confusing world of professional baseball. Normally, adapting to a new situation wouldn't be a problem for Annie, but throw the steamy rookie, Jason Brody, into the equation, and Annie is at a loss. But this nineteen-year-old pitcher is completely off limits. Or is he? Annie's dad would kill them both if something were to happen between her and Jason Brody, but it just might be worth it.
It did not take long for me to absolutely fall in love with Julie Cross' writing. WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU is such a fun book. I mean, between Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift references, how could I not like it? Annie is a character that is easy to relate to and sympathize with. Cross pulls you into the story until you are unable to put the book down. I am fairly new to reading young adult romance, or really any romance in general, so I am wary when it comes to picking one up. I was thankful that even though WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU does include romance, it was not overwhelming, unbelievable, or mushy. It was easy for me to become emotionally invested in what Annie was feeling and experiencing. The love story was told maturely in the aspect that "I love you" was not said after the relationship just started, but also in a way to where it is believable that Annie is still in high school.
This book follows the time line of a major league baseball season, which made it fun to read. Annie attends some of the Royals' games, and Cross does an excellent job of describing the game. I, of course, was rooting for the Royals, and every time there was a game, I was on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could. It was just like I was watching the game on TV, or even as if I was there in person. If the Royals lost, then I would be absolutely heartbroken, and if they won then I found myself feeling elated. This was a wonderful bonus and a welcome side story, being able to follow the team throughout their season. There were also Facebook updates from Annie and her friends along with text message conversations which mixed things up and added an interesting aspect to the story.
WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU is a fun must read for any age that enjoys young adult novels, whether you are into the whole romance thing or not. Just make sure that you have enough free time to be able to sit down and read this book cover to cover, because you will not want to put it down once you start.
I was seriously unable to pick just ONE favorite line from this book, but I was able to narrow it down to two. These are my favorite lines:
I cart SPF 70 around like a diabetic with their insulin.
I might be a little biased on this next quote, considering I live in Oklahoma, but still, it's pretty great.
Oklahoma (hot cowboys at rest stops that hold the door open and call me ma'am, MORE PLEASE!)