Review: Fan Art by Sarah Tregay

Fan Art by Sarah Tregay

Publisher-Katherine Tegen Books

Released- June 17th 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

When the picture tells the story…SeniorF year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

My Thoughts: 
Jamie Peterson has it made. College is all set, he's got a great family, great friends and while he doesn't have a date to the prom yet, that's not really the problem. Jamie has a secret, but he's only keeping it from his best friend, Mason. See, Jamie is gay and he just started to realize that he might be in love with his best friend.

Daww, this was really so sweet. Fan Art is the kind of story you just want to hug. It's a story about struggling with your feelings and fear of rejection but it's also about finding the courage to be honest no matter what.

Jamie has a great voice. His conflicts and struggles felt very realistic and I could understand the reason he didn't want Mason to know the truth. Fear does crazy things to the heart and I get that Jamie wasn't ready to potentially lose his best friend. I loved his family! His sisters were precious and his parents are so supportive and amazing and I love how proud of him they were for 'coming out'. I also thought it was really sweet the girls in his art class were so determined to see Jamie happy, even if it did seem like they went to far. The poems and the comic-strip art was a great touch to the story but my favorite moments was the connection between Jamie and Mason. You could tell they both seemed to be into each other but the complications of doubts and fears always seems to win out over being upfront and honest, till that moment where you just know your ready to lay it out there and see where it goes. Mason was a really sweetheart and I loved the subtle little things he would do or say to open Jamie's eyes. The writing was a bit abrupt and scattered at times and I wish some of the story would have been played out for us instead of told to us, but I still enjoyed Sarah Tregay overall style.

All in all, I thought this was just adorable. It's a feel good read that made me smile and made me feel all warm inside, and really, what more can I ask for in an escape? Well done!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                 3.5 Snowflakes

Cupid Cloud Hop Sweetheart Review: Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Today I’m excited to host a review for WinterHaven's Cupid Cloud Hop. This week WinterHaven and a great group of Cupid Cloud Hop bloggers are posting Sweetheart Reviews. I chose a YA book that has LOVE in the title.

My Sweetheart Book choice is Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

 

My wish is to fall cranium over Converse in dizzy daydream-worthy love.

(If only it were that easy.

Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer--from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She's left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "summer vacation" has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it?

Love & Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl's journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

My Thoughts:
I am really glad that I picked this book for my Cupid pick.  I love stories told in verse and Love and Leftovers is definitely one of the best I have read lately.   This book totally took me back to my teenage years and made me realize that 1. I am so glad I am older and 2. that first loves never go away.

Marcie wants passion and she isn't sure if her current boyfriend Linus is capable of igniting the romance she so desperately craves.  When her life takes a turn and she is forced to move with her mom to a small town she finds just what she is looking for.  Unfortunately J.D. doesn't seem like the commitment type and there is also the small problem that she is still going out with Linus.  Things happen as things tend to do with teenage hormones and when Marcie again finds her life taking another turn she goes back to her old life and has to confess her indiscretions to Linus.  What happens is what you would expect bad break-up, crying, and all kinds of music lyrics.

This story just hit home for me.  I haven't ever been through what Marcie when through but I remember my teenage years and they were painful.  Marcie is a great character and I applauded her for coming clean to Linus even if she thought he would understand and didn't expect the blow up she still came clean and dealt with the aftermath quite well in my opinion.  I loved Linus!  He stood up for himself and didn't let Marcie walk all over him. Even though you could tell that both Linus and Marcie still had feelings for each other they let old wounds heal before trying again.  This showed maturity that not many of us have.  I also loved that Marcie and her friends were called the leftovers.  I was that group! We didn't really fit in anywhere but we were a very close knit group of kids and I miss those days.

I found this story really heart warming and it brings back that old saying that if you love something let it go and if it comes back it was meant to be. *sigh* I love these types of books.

4 Snowflakes 

WinterHaven Books is hosting a giveaway for 3 YA Contemporary Books as part of the Cupid Cloud Hop festivities. Be sure to fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win!

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To see who else is on the tour, you can go to our Cupid Cloud Hop page for a list of participating blogs.