Book: She's So Dead to Us (#1)
Author: Kieran Scott (also Kate Brian) Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Date Published: May 25, 2010
Pages: 278
Source: My Kindle
Date Re-Read: April 12, 2011
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?
Summary Taken from Goodreads
Yani's Review:
The story starts with Ally's move back into her old town of Orchard Hill, but instead of moving into the posh house she left behind, she now lives in Orchard View Condominiums. What seems like a light and funny story about coming home turns out to be a deeper story about friendship, family, and love. Its about labels and society, about accepting the past and forgiving. I really enjoyed this book and would go as far as to say that this is my favorite of Kieran Scott's work (including her work as Kate Brian).
There are many reasons I love this book and one of them is the main male protagonist Jake, I like Ally too, but Jake is just.... He is one of those guys in a perpetually amused state, which I love in a guy. He's also not your typical main man. He's not brooding or dark, he's just a real guy who thinks about hot girls and how to get with them. In any other book, he would be the guy the main girl should not end up with. But as you read from his point of view (another plus of the book alternating narrators) you see how much he cares for Ally. Sweet, sad Ally who is down to earth and love sports. It's not hard to relate to her.
As if Ally and Jake weren't already completely amazing characters, you can't help but love the rest of the Cresties and Norms! Even the secondary characters are well developed and Scott tells you about their past without getting bogged down in the details. Time passes quickly in the story and it's not too rushed either. I really liked the pacing. And the ending! Kieran knows how to leave a reader wanting more. This series has made Kieran Scott's books an auto-buy from now on.
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Similar Titles:
The Sequel : He's So Not Worth it Comes out June 7, 2011! Look out for my review on 5/16 =)
Memorable Quotes:
"If home is where the heart is, then home had just arrived."
