There are a lot of things to like about this book. First would be the main characters – I really, really liked Jalen’s character despite his somehow uber-jumpy attitude aka his ninja mode (which I honestly do not get – I mean being jumpy and all) and being whiny all throughout the book. He’s likeable enough that those attributes are easy to disregard. Austin is pretty likeable as well but because the story was told from Jalen’s POV, I somehow didn’t feel much from him. I wonder why it took him years before finally approaching Jalen. It’s so un-Austin based on his characterization.
At the beginning, it was in my understanding that Jalen is one of those kids that doesn’t stand out, get teased and all but after one session of singing at the music room (witnessed by his music teacher and some students) he’s suddenly at the top of the high school food chain. I found it over the top but again, that plot point was easy to ignore.
I do find Austin and Clark’s set up pretty weird though. I was like, why’s Clark acting like Austin’s bitch? It’s just way too weird and the way the big football jock suddenly turned all “kitten that, kitten this” was almost comical and real awkward at times.
Sarah’s a great character as well as Jalen’s best bud. She’s the cliché best friend whose main part in the book is to listen to Jalen’s whining. At least she’s cool enough for me but she could at least have given Jalen some pep talk to boost his self-confidence through the years.
Can I just also mention how I hate the fact that Jalen’s always saying, “Don’t say shit like that, stop saying shit like that” blahblah – I’m like, seriously Jalen – please stop saying that already!
This book actually reminds me so much of Madison Parker’s Play Me I’m Yours – the whole high school setting, the bff, the bff’s big boyfriend, the athlete boyfriend, the wicked ex, the music etc…
Love Complicated is one of those books that started out really great but faltered midway until you’re left wondering at the end what the hell just happened.
I’m hoping for a sequel though because I was not really satisfied with how things ended – still, I thought it’s an A-okay book. Really not that bad.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Published May 11th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
Buy now:
Amazon | Dreamspinners Press | Barnes & Noble
About The Author
Teegan Loy(that’s me) began writing a long time ago. Notebooks filled with ideas were stacked around the house. One day, she sat down with renewed ambition and something fantastic happened: she completed a story.(unbelievable, but true) Now most of her time is spent writing, but she takes an occasional break to go to the movies, where she imagines her stories on the big screen. She also enjoys watching hockey(love, love hockey), filling her iPod with music, and driving her daughter around town(amended…around the country) to various activities.
PADDYLAST INC. 