Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
“Sometimes you have to endure painful things to realize that you're a whole lot stronger than you think.”
Written by the winner of the “RITA” award, Jenn Bennett, “Alex, Approximately”, a Young Adult novel, which follows the theme of “first love”, will keep your attention as a prisoner from the very first page and will have you running along with the heart-melting and entrancing plot.
Typically, I enjoy reading fantasy and fast-paced Young Adult novels; however, only a minimal number of “romance” novels fully seized my attention as “Alex, Approximately” did instead. Perhaps it is because this novel portrays itself to be much more than just a quick read, or perhaps it is because of the sweet and gratifying journey which I experienced. One thing is certain: this book is a perfect summer read!
“Alex, Approximately” sets off with the protagonist, film-fanatic Bailey Rydell, known online as “Mink”, and her recent transfer to Coronado Cove, on the Californian Coast. Here, she plans on finding “Alex”, her online friend and the boy she’s been crushing on for the past months. The first problem? Bailey has no idea what the boy of her dreams looks like, let alone know his real name. The second? Bailey is an evader, an avoider, an “artful dodger” therefore she plans on keeping her move to Coronado Cove a secret from her online friend, “Alex” and independently scoping him out in the sea of Californians.
After landing in California, Bailey gets a summer job in a local tourist trap, “The Cavern Palace”. Here, she quickly befriends Grace Achebe, a light-hearted worker, and meets the infuriating, yet handsome and witty, Porter Roth, security guard and surfer boy. Their relationship starts off on a negative note and gradually rises, as Bailey discovers that Porter has more to himself behind the shield he shows everyday.
However, Bailey has not forgotten about her online film-buff friend “Alex”, the true reason behind her transfer to California. As the hunt for “Alex” becomes seemingly impossible, she has yet to realise that maybe she is looking too far...
I truly recommend “Alex, Approximately” to those who love a quick and relaxing read, which they will never truly finish as the well-written characters will be lingering in their mind. This book calls to all 13+ Young Adult fans.
Reviewed by Marta Castelli
Happy reading!
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