(The Field Party #1)
by Abbi Glines
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Publication Date: August 25th 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9781481438858
Genre: Young Adult | Comtemporary
Source: Edelweiss
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To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.
Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.
As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else.
West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go… (Goodreads)
One of my main issues in the book was the boys. At the beginning of the book they were all pretty rude and some just downright jerks, especially the male lead, West. I seriously considered DNFing this book not even halfway through because of this; it was a big turn-off for me. Of course, they got better as the story goes along, but their actions in the beginning of the book almost made me set it aside. I am glad that I finished it, however.
And it wasn’t just the boys in the book, but I also didn’t like the way most of the teenage girls were written as well. Almost all of them came off as mean girls, and it seemed like because of that it made it ok for the boys to treat them like crap. I didn't enjoy this at all.
There were a few characters in the book that I really liked. The main character in the novel, Maggie, to be really nice, but she almost seemed too perfect, especially considering all the things that she had been through in her life. I did, however, appreciate how she dealt with some of the things that happened with her in the book, especially some issues between her and West. Her aunt and uncle were pretty awesome, as were West’s mom and dad as well. And there was one guy in the story, Nash, who was nowhere near as bad as the other guys, and I really hope he gets his own story.
If you overlook the issues that I had in the story with the characters, the storyline for the book was interesting and somewhat addictive. While it does have some sweet moments throughout, it also touches bases on some pretty deep issues as well, and it was interesting to see how the characters overcame these issues. I also really enjoyed the football scenes in the book, and would have loved to have seen more, as I really love football. I read this book pretty quickly, all in one day. I liked that it was a pretty quick read.
Overall; while I didn’t completely love everything about Until Friday Night like I expected to, I did enjoy reading the book, and I’m definitely going to read more by Glines in the near future. I also plan to continue with the series as it goes along, as I’m really curious about some of the other characters.
I couldn't get past the disrespectful behavior towards women at the beginning of the book and I DNF it even though I love football and had high hopes. I'm glad it got better...maybe I will check it out at a later date. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt did get better, but while I was reading I couldn't stop remembering how they acted in the beginning. It really was a big turn-off.
DeleteI was worried about enjoying this book. I haven't enjoyed a Glines book in a long time. The characters recently have been annoying and just not my cuppa. I loved the premise of this one (and that cover!), but I don't know if I'm going to try it. I'm sorry it didn't live up to your expectations.
ReplyDeleteAh, sorry to hear that you haven't enjoyed her books in a while. I have two of her other books from the library, and I was really looking forward to reading them, but now I'm wondering if they are going to be much the same. Sigh.
DeleteI'm sad to hear you didn't love it because that obvious Friday Night Lights lookalike cover really made me want to read it lol. I think I'll skip it now. Fab review!
ReplyDeleteI STILL need to watch FNL!! A lot of people really love the book, while a lot have the same issue with it that I had. I'd love to know what you think if you do decide to read it in the future!
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