Trouble from the Start by Rachel Hawthorne (Website, Goodreads)Published by HarperCollins on April 28th 2015
Genres: Dating & Sex, Friendship, Love & Romance, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Lauren Barnholdt, and Susane Colasanti, Trouble from the Start is a sweet and romantic read about a good girl who falls for a bad boy.Avery knows better than to fall for Fletcher, the local bad boy who can't seem to outrun his reputation. Fletcher knows he shouldn't bother with college-bound, daughter-of-a-cop Avery. But when their paths cross, neither can deny the spark. Are they willing to go against everything and let their hearts lead the way? Or are they just flirting with disaster?A companion novel to Rachel Hawthorne's paperback original The Boyfriend Project, this title is perfect for fans of summer beach reads and sweet treats.
4.5 stars!
Avery and Fletcher are from two different worlds – She’s straight A’s and college and a family that loves her and he’s… well, he’s not. He’s the guy at school that everyone knows based on reputation. A new girl every weekend and not a care in the world as far as grades go. But when their paths unexpectedly cross, Avery learns you can’t judge a person based on what you hear about them, and maybe Fletcher can teach her something about following her own dreams instead of living up to expectations you think your family has placed on you!
I thought this was a really cute read – while there is some drama in the way of Fletcher’s situation, it’s well done and doesn’t really over-take the story. It’s the catalyst to Avery and Fletcher connecting but it’s not what this story is about.
I sometimes find it hard not to nit pick female characters in YA books, but Avery just struck every wonderful chord with me. I found myself really liking her! I loved her intelligence and I loved how much she cared for everyone around her. Her family situation isn’t typical. Her father is a detective and every summer they have someone staying with them… someone who needs guidance and family. It’s how her brother was adopted into the family. This summer it ends up being Fletcher. She doesn’t know the why’s or how’s, but she doesn’t push Fletcher to spill, she simply is there for him when he needs it and their friendship builds from there. I have to admit there is one part in this book, pretty early on, that I absolutely fell in love with her. She sticks up for herself and tells Fletcher off and it was so amazing to see, but the other side of that situation is that Avery also really worries about her reputation and what people will think of her. She has high expectations for herself, even if they aren’t necessarily things she wants to pursue, she pushes forward because she feels like she’ll let her parents down if she doesn’t. I loved how Hawthorne kind of hid the reasons why she feels this way in the background of the story. It’s not apparent at first, but when her reasons spill out it totally made sense to me.
Fletcher … *sigh* he’s a bad boy you guys. There’s no other way to describe him. But he definitely has a soft side. He likes Avery. More than he should, but feels that there’s no future for them even if he felt he was worthy of her. He’s stuck in one place and she’s moving forward. His story is a pretty sad one, but when he finally realizes he isn’t his father and he doesn’t have to live this life that he feels he’s stuck with it was so amazing.
Fletcher and Avery together were so sweet. I loved that he never pushed her, and I loved that she always pushed him. Pushed him to make something of himself and not let circumstances tie him down. I really love that she respected herself enough to know she wasn’t going to compromise her principles and feelings just because she really liked him too – she told him her expectations relationship wise and if he wasn’t prepared to make a commitment then she was walking away… no matter how hard it would be.
I also really enjoyed Avery’s family in this book as well. It’s nice to see involved parents in YA lit every once in a while. They were just this normal family and that was apparent in much of this story. The expectations Avery felt were her own insecurities within her family instead of the unrealistic expectations of her parents. They want what many parents in real life want for their children… for them to do something they love and to be happy doing it. It was definitely refreshing.
Apparently this is a companion novel so there is another featuring Avery’s best friend coming out as well, but I don’t see why you couldn’t read these as standalones if you wanted. Honestly, Avery’s friend was bugging the crap out of me in this one, but I’m going to check it out because I truly loved Hawthorne’s writing style and I’m hoping she’ll change my mind about her.
I think fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti will love this story – if you’re looking for a sweet story of opposites attracting then definitely pick this one up on its release date!
Avery and Fletcher are from two different worlds – She’s straight A’s and college and a family that loves her and he’s… well, he’s not. He’s the guy at school that everyone knows based on reputation. A new girl every weekend and not a care in the world as far as grades go. But when their paths unexpectedly cross, Avery learns you can’t judge a person based on what you hear about them, and maybe Fletcher can teach her something about following her own dreams instead of living up to expectations you think your family has placed on you!
I thought this was a really cute read – while there is some drama in the way of Fletcher’s situation, it’s well done and doesn’t really over-take the story. It’s the catalyst to Avery and Fletcher connecting but it’s not what this story is about.
I sometimes find it hard not to nit pick female characters in YA books, but Avery just struck every wonderful chord with me. I found myself really liking her! I loved her intelligence and I loved how much she cared for everyone around her. Her family situation isn’t typical. Her father is a detective and every summer they have someone staying with them… someone who needs guidance and family. It’s how her brother was adopted into the family. This summer it ends up being Fletcher. She doesn’t know the why’s or how’s, but she doesn’t push Fletcher to spill, she simply is there for him when he needs it and their friendship builds from there. I have to admit there is one part in this book, pretty early on, that I absolutely fell in love with her. She sticks up for herself and tells Fletcher off and it was so amazing to see, but the other side of that situation is that Avery also really worries about her reputation and what people will think of her. She has high expectations for herself, even if they aren’t necessarily things she wants to pursue, she pushes forward because she feels like she’ll let her parents down if she doesn’t. I loved how Hawthorne kind of hid the reasons why she feels this way in the background of the story. It’s not apparent at first, but when her reasons spill out it totally made sense to me.
Fletcher … *sigh* he’s a bad boy you guys. There’s no other way to describe him. But he definitely has a soft side. He likes Avery. More than he should, but feels that there’s no future for them even if he felt he was worthy of her. He’s stuck in one place and she’s moving forward. His story is a pretty sad one, but when he finally realizes he isn’t his father and he doesn’t have to live this life that he feels he’s stuck with it was so amazing.
Fletcher and Avery together were so sweet. I loved that he never pushed her, and I loved that she always pushed him. Pushed him to make something of himself and not let circumstances tie him down. I really love that she respected herself enough to know she wasn’t going to compromise her principles and feelings just because she really liked him too – she told him her expectations relationship wise and if he wasn’t prepared to make a commitment then she was walking away… no matter how hard it would be.
I also really enjoyed Avery’s family in this book as well. It’s nice to see involved parents in YA lit every once in a while. They were just this normal family and that was apparent in much of this story. The expectations Avery felt were her own insecurities within her family instead of the unrealistic expectations of her parents. They want what many parents in real life want for their children… for them to do something they love and to be happy doing it. It was definitely refreshing.
Apparently this is a companion novel so there is another featuring Avery’s best friend coming out as well, but I don’t see why you couldn’t read these as standalones if you wanted. Honestly, Avery’s friend was bugging the crap out of me in this one, but I’m going to check it out because I truly loved Hawthorne’s writing style and I’m hoping she’ll change my mind about her.
I think fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti will love this story – if you’re looking for a sweet story of opposites attracting then definitely pick this one up on its release date!
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