By: Cait Marie
Blurb
Saine Sinclair knows a little something about what makes a story worth telling.
Your childhood best friend refuses to kiss you during a pre-adolescent game of spin the bottle? Terrible, zero stars, would not replay that scene again. The same ex-friend becomes your new best friend’s ex? Strangely compelling, unexpected twist, worth a hate-watch. That same guy–why is he always around?–turns out to be your last shot at getting into the documentary filmmaking program of your dreams?
Saine hates to admit it, but she’d watch that movie.
There’s something about Holden that makes her feel like she’s the one in front of the camera–like he can see every uncomfortable truth she’s buried below the surface. Saine knows how her story’s supposed to go. So why does every moment with Holden seem intent on changing the ending?
Review
I’ve had this audiobook saved on Scribd for a while, so when I finished Last Chance Books and realized it was the same author, I knew I needed to finally jump in. Honestly, I might have liked this one even more. Both were fantastic, but I loved Saine and Holden’s development more.
The two had been the best of friends until middle school, when some miscommunication led to their falling out and eventually becoming somewhat enemies. Especially after he dated her new best friend and they broke up because there was another girl. And the possibility of Holden being a cheater hit too hard given Saine’s own experience with her ex. So, she basically hated him on principle.
But when Saine gets the idea to use a tech company’s competition as the subject of the documentary she’s filming to submit for a college program, and the person she planned to follow drops out super early, she turns to the only other person she knows who’s competing. Holden. Reluctantly, they begin working together, and the more they do, the more they remember why they were such good friends growing up. It’s easy between them when they’re not actively fighting it, and there’s a natural chemistry that comes with knowing someone so well most of their life.
I think one of the main reasons this book hit differently, and why I enjoyed it more, is because of that backstory. They felt better developed in general, as did the side characters. The friendships and families were fleshed out really well. And I really loved that, despite it being a YA romance, the romance wasn’t the sole focus. This book was just as much about those other relationships, which was important for this story. It’s also something I personally prefer when reading. I love when books have that bigger-world feeling, instead of being so narrowed in on the two main characters.
The story was just really good too. Seeing their friendship slowly mend, the way they both clearly had goals and aspirations, etc. I enjoyed it all so much. Even the parts that were heartbreaking.
There were a couple things that were left open (side stories), but it was realistic. It didn’t feel like it was too much or that there was a cliffhanger. I can’t say much else about that without spoiling things. But I will say that I hope we get another book or two set in this world that includes some of the other characters.
I will admit, I was a little confused about all of the tech stuff and the competition in the beginning of the book. When Saine was first talking about it, there was a lot of info all at once, and some of it was slightly difficult to follow. HOWEVER, I’ll be the first to say, I’m not a tech person, despite working online. Not only that, but I was listening to the audiobook in the middle of the night. So, it’s absolutely possible it was just a combination of my lack of tech skills and being tired.
Overall, the pacing and flow was well done. The dialogue felt natural. It was easy to get into and not want to stop. I will definitely be looking for Rodkey’s newest book, which appears to have released in June. I’m excited for more and am so glad I’ve discovered her. If you like YA romance, I highly recommend this book and Rodkey’s others. They’re fun and cute but also full of heart.
Functionally Fictional 