She's SO Dead To Us by Kieran Scott

Pages: 304

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: May 25, 2010

When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?

Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.

Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.

But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.

Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?

Stars: 5/5

Cover: A

Plot:

I admit, the first thing that attracted me to this book was when I saw the hardcover copy’s cover. It was so cute! I mentally added this book to my wishlist. When I saw it in the bookstore in paperback, I immediately bought it. 

She’s SO Dead To Us completely soared past my expectations, taking the spot as one of my favorite books of this month. From the first page I was hooked, and didn’t put the book down until I fell asleep reading it in the middle of the night.

The pacing was spot on - there was never any dull moments, and I was always wanting to read on and find out what was going to happen next. I loved the whole idea behind the story, because I’d never really read a book like this before. 

Characters:

I must say, this book has some of the best characters I've read about in a while. I don't know what it was about them, but I loved them (yes, even the mean girls). I loved the character development throughout the novel, and how each character seemed like real people because of how realistic the author made them.

Ally was easy to relate to. She wasn't perfect, and she had real-life problems that I'm sure a lot of people have to face. I loved that this book wasn't just a fluff read like I was expecting it to be, and that there was a lot of family drama going on.

As a love interest, I absolutely adored Jake. He gave me butterflies, as if I was Ally! He seemed totally sweet, cute, nice, and flawed (again, in the best way possible -- it made him seem like a real person).

Writing:

I love the way Kieran Scott writes. I've never read a book by her before, but I definitely love her style of writing. She switches back and forth between Ally and Jake's perspectives, keeping the book at a fast pace. Also, the book was split into months, and at the beginning of each month there would be a page with what people were saying about Ally on it. I liked that, because it was like I got to see the story from Ally's peers' perspectives, too.

Ending:

ONE HUNDRED. PERCENT. CLIFF. HANGER. 

I cannot believe the book ended there. I am SO ready to dive into the next book! 

Cover:

The hardcover? GORGEOUS.

The paperback? The paperback's cover makes this book look like a cheesy, pre-teen novel that doesn't have much substance.

To your left is a picture of the paperback cover.

The Final Verdict:

After I read this book, I was scared to read another book because I knew it wouldn’t even compare. There was just something about this book that made me love it. 

FTC: Bought

So, you know my opinion about the book cover - and I want to hear yours! Which cover do you like best? The paperback, or the hardcover? And why? :)