Book Review: Over You

Over You

By: Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Published By: HarperTeen

Publication Date: August 21, 2012

Page Count: 304

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Contemporary, Chick Lit

I have never read anything by the Emma & Nicola duo before so I honestly had no idea what to expect. I've been on a contemporary binge lately so I figured this novel might satiate my thirst and I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. I loved this one! This was just the read I needed this week to combat the stress of work - it kept me entertained and laughing.

Over You tells the story of the heartbroken Maxine (aka Max) who has dropped out of high school in order to run her business Ex, Inc. While I didn't agree with Max's choice to leave school (especially because of a break up), I did appreciate that she got her GED and was applying to attend college at NYU. As a teacher, I think education is so important and necessary. Max does not bash education and she does later on admit that some of her decisions were made through a haze of poor judgment.

I found the concept of Ex, Inc. to be fascinating. Who wouldn't want a program that could help you erase a broken heart and move on? Max actually has a few moments where she remarks about how far the world has come and yet we still don't have an easy cure for heartbreak. Her entrepreneurial spirit sees this as a business opportunity and her company is launched. With the help of her friends, Zach and Phoebe, she seeks to eradicate heart sickness for the teen female population of New York City. 

One of my favorite aspects of this novel was Max. She cracked me up. Her sense of humor is one of the best I have seen in YA Lit in awhile. This novel is brimming with girl power and truly empowers young women to take control over their destinies. They don't need to sit around pining for a boy who doesn't deserve them. They need to channel their awesomeness and move to a happier place.

 I also liked that even on the surface Max is very tough, but underneath it all she's just a teen girl with a shattered heart. Her growth through the novel is powerful and by the last sentence I felt like Max was headed down a path to a better place. I didn't like all of her choices along the way, but I could see how each one helped her grow into a more sensible young woman. The future looks bright for her and I was sad to have to leave her world.

Emma and Nicola have earned themselves a new fan. I'm excited to spend time with their other works just as soon as I can find a window of space in my TBR list. Over You is a fun, humorous read that just might help you kick that nasty case of break-up sadness at bay. I'd highly suggest snagging a copy if you enjoy Chick Lit or contemporaries with a hint of romance. This one does indeed read like a Lauren Barnholdt novel - who is one of my favorite authors - these types of novels are my favorite brand of brain candy when I need a pick me up.

One Last Gripe: Max's Moment - her decisions that evening really irked me

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The humor

First Sentence: An early fall leaf loosens from a tree and blows into Max's jacket, fluttering down and getting crushed beneath the toe of her platform pump as she strides down the sidewalk purposefully to her next case.

Favorite Character: Max

Least Favorite Character: Hugo

Summary:

After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.

Brilliant at bringing humor to the trials and tribulations of the lovestruck, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have crafted a tale that will resonate with any girl who has ever been in love or had her heart broken. It brims with smart observations, features a pitch-perfect teen voice, and will attract fans of Jenny Han, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Barnholdt. Readers are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp spin on breaking up, making up, and getting even.