Review: Fourteen

Title: Fourteen
Author: C.M. Smith
Release Date: 30 Jun. 2011
Publisher: TWCS Publishing House
Pages: 172
Rated: Lovable
Won ebook from LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Synopsis from Goodreads

Arianna Weller has never fit in with the other kids at her high school. The daughter of the only lawyer in town, she's overweight compared to everyone else. Being picked on and put down by her peers has become normal—expected.

When she has a bad run-in with Evan, the boy she's had a crush on for 4 years, she decides to bide her time until she’s out of high school and off to college where she can start over.

Evan Drake has never had to worry about not being popular. He's on the football team, has more friends than he knows what to do with, and he doesn't care about anyone that's not in his "circle." So when he is forced to work with Arianna for a science fair project, he decides that dealing with her is just an unfortunate circumstance… until he sees what he's done to her.

The road to forgiveness and acceptance is not smooth. Overcoming peer pressure, jealousy, miscommunication, and social prejudices is never easy—especially in high school. Evan and Arianna have to learn things the hard way and answer one important question. Is it worth it?

My Thoughts

I began this book thinking the synopsis would be better than the actual book. I assumed Anna would be whiny and annoyingly self conscious. At first I thought she was, but as I got wrapped up in the story I noticed that she was not only acting the way I assumed she would, but it wasn't annoying. She sounded real. Wrongly hurt by people who don't understand her, and trying to get by with defenses up against everyone. But, the great thing is, she pulls it off without sounding annoying, and, instead, makes you feel sympathetic towards her.

At one part Even said something to Anna and I heard her respond with "Okay" in my head while I scrolled down to the next page, and that was Anna's exact response to him. I easily imagined their conversations and actions playing out in my head. Evan and Anna are awkward and cute and it warmed me up reading about them trying to smooth over the problems between them and make a connection.

The rude comments Anna's classmates would make about her were awful. Even though I know people are actually like that, I can't imagine anyone actually being that cruel to a person for no apparent reason. The poor girl was only slightly heavier than the other girls in the school, but they dogged her and treated her like dirt. It was heartbreaking. It made everything Evan did to make up for the way he previous treated her that much more wonderful.
I am very glad I got the chance to read this book, and I suggest you read it, too.