It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: June 9th 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 192
Format: paperback
Source Of Copy: requested and received from the publisher


Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back—at any cost.

Zoe’s two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants. The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann’s humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back—herself.


A cute book about heartbreak and self redefinition, It's Not You, It's Me surely makes a nice quick read. However, the story may appear annoying to certain readers.

Girl dates boy. Girl loses boy. Girl wants boy back. The plot is pretty simple and predictable. Writing with third respective, Kerry Cohen brings in a slight difference from the majority of young adult books these days. Her voice is neat and cute, making you feel like you're reading a book half teen half middle grade. Everything is planned out clearly and easy to follow.

However, it fails to deliver.

Zoe is a naive character that lot of girls can relate when in similar situations. But she's a bit over the top. That's the problem of the book. Zoe is too obsessive with Henry it's irritating. While readers can sympathy with her heart damage, they can't help but feel tired of her unreasonable stubbornness and stalkerish actions.

I also think there are a few unnecessary characters/happenings in the book. Like how Sam and Niles come into the picture, both making us wonder who's going to play an important part in the process of Zoe's getting Henry back. Then neither does. I also wish there will be more of Zoe's interest in writing and poetry and dancing because it's what makes her interesting, but there's so little of it.

Overall, the message the story wants to deliver is quite nice, but the whole thing doesn't go too well and is ruined by the main character. Still a nice pick if you want to something to read in your free time though.



Rating: 2.5/5

Waiting On Wednesday (74)

Idea taken from Breaking The Spine


Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

It’s been three years since Adam’s love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it . . . and three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future—and each other.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, powerful prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.


I read and loved If I Stay so getting this book is a must. This time it would be even more exciting when we get to see Adam's point of view after so many drastic changes in Mia's life and his. One thing that I hope the most is that Where She Went won't be short. Last time I wasn't satisfied with If I Stay because it ended so soon.

See Mia and Adam again in April 19th 2011, will you?

THE BOOK REVIEW CLUB OCT 2010 - Baby Proof by Emily Griffin

Publisher: Orion
Pub. Date: August 2nd 2006
Age Range: Adult
Pages: 320
Format: paperback
Source Of Copy: purchase

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes....a baby carriage? Isnt that what all women want? Not so for Claudia Parr. And just as she gives up on finding a man who feels the same way, she meets warm, wonderful Ben. Things seem too good to be true when they fall in love and agree to buck tradition with a satisfying, child-free marriage. Then the unexpected occurs: one of them has a change of heart. One of them wants children after all.

This is the witty, heartfelt story about what happens to the perfect couple when they suddenly want different things. Its about feeling that your life is set and then realizing that nothing is as you thought it was- and that there is no possible compromise. Its about deciding what is most important in life, and taking chances to get it. But most of all, its about the things we will do- and wont do- for love.


This is the second time that I review an adult book on my blog. Last time it was P.S I love you which I didn't like really much. But this book, Baby Proof is a truly heartfelt and lovely read that I want to recommend to all the female I know.

The plot of the story revolves around the issue of having a baby or not. The author has an excellent way to introduce readers into the core of the problem. It's simple, straightforward yet still interesting. I feel connected to the characters and their story immediately.

The story progresses slowly as it introduces more cases of people with baby problems, letting us see the view from lots of sides. What I love about it that Emily Griffin can convince me on the spot that Claudia not having a baby is a normal and righteous thing. Having said that, as I see and understand more of the female lead, the reason for her strange choice considering children comes out naturally.

Baby Proof doesn't have many conversations, it's mostly in monologue which I don't usually like but I am, for some reason, intrigued by the story. It's a real page turner. I love Claudia and Ben, they're such realistic and nice characters. It's just a pity I don't get to see much of Ben (even less than Richard!!!)

Well, the book has an open ending which is satisfying because I don't think you should force yourself to do something out of love when you're not ready for it. But because of love you should always have a try.

Rating: 4.5/5