The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Bought
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential
Buy it: Amazon UK

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about. - Goodreads

My eyes burn a hole in the page.

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Once again, Kasie West has captivated me. I read Pivot Point back in January, and went on to push it towards everyone I came into contact with. I've been waiting a good six months for The Distance Between Us to be released, eagerly anticipating West's first contemporary novel, and I can gladly announce that it was well worth the wait!

The main character, Caymen, is my number one reason for enjoying this book so much. I was able to connect with and relate to her with incredible ease, which is due to both West's writing and her skill when it comes to character building. Caymen's sense of humour was the major draw for me. In fact, I'm pretty sure she is me in bookish form, since our sense of humour is so similar. No one understands mine, either. I'm pretty sure most of my blog readers think I'm a total weirdo.

I loved how strong Caymen was when it came to her mother, who was clearly having a tough time throughout the novel due to financial troubles and such. Financial struggles that I could completely relate to. Caymen was there for her mother a lot, to such an extent that it messed with her own life. It was only after she met Xander that she decided to start branching out and living her own life. Before, it was all about the doll shop.

Which brings me onto Xander, who was funny and charming, and a total Logan Echolls. Except not as perfect as Logan because, let's be honest, who is? Xander got a decent amount of development compared to some YA love interests I know. We got to meet his family, we heard about some of his backstory, and he had his own little storyline running alongside Caymen's. But, even though he was a prominent character, he didn't overshadow Caymen in any way. Which is great since, you know, this is a book about her.

I got really into Caymen and Xander's relationship, to the extent that I may have hugged my pillow over them a couple of times when they had a falling out or misunderstanding. I shipped them, of course I did. Were you expecting anything else from me?

The only flaw I found with this book is that it ended a little too soon, story-wise, for me. I would have liked the book to have continued on for a bit longer, just give me a more specific idea of where the characters were headed. I mean, it was pretty clear and a more casual reader would be thrilled with the way it ended, but I was so invested in Caymen and her mother's lives that I just didn't want to let them go just yet.

Basically, Kasie West is a queen and I love her books to pieces. While this isn't quite as fabulous as Pivot Point, it's pretty bloody close. If you're looking for a summer contemporary with a sarcastic and strong main character, a relationship that you can get invested in, and writing full of charm, humour and wit, then The Distance Between Us is for you.

Ashley @ Me, My Shelf and I: 5 out of 5

Debby @ Snuggly Oranges: 5 out of 5

Christina @ A Reader of Fictions: 4.5 out of 5

Samantha @ The Secret Life of a Bookworm: 4 out of 5