If I Stay vs. Shut Out
(This is probably a once in a bloglife thing, but I thought it'd be fun--reviewing a cute fluff at the same time as an apparent emotional rollercoaster!)
These two were honestly completely different, but I found myself giving them a near-same rating--3 and 4 stars. I know I know, If I Stay, only 4 stars? The scandal! But...I think I just had higher hopes for it. I've read Just One Day (hello! You've seen my review!) and it was simply amazing while, If I Stay...paled in comparison. I'm not saying it was bad. I'm just saying I would have loved it a lot more if I'd read it before Just One Day. On the other hand, for Shut Out, I just didn't like have any expectations so it was surprising, though I think I'd more likely give it a 3. It just wasn't...It just wasn't.
The heroines were completely different to. While Mia (IIS) could understand things easily and was a true character with flaws, one I could understand, Lissa (SO) was completely...ugh.She drove me crazy with her COD and her need to control everything. I wanted to slap her a lot and soon she became practically OBSESSED with winning the "war" Also, I found the school society a bit sex-crazed. I mean, I know it happens, but like...not that severely. I hope. The shallowness of some of these characters really annoyed me while the characters in IIS I loved and wanted to cry for at times. They really did twist my heart at times.
I really loved Mia and Adam's slow romance which I found sweet and warm! I honestly sometimes loved the flashbacks more than I did the present because of Adam. I really really really loved Adam and wanted to smother him in hugs sometimes. When I said there were characters I wanted to cry for, I was really just talking about Adam...I just...sigh. Their's seemed like a true love that had me sighing happily throughout the book...well, until the end. On the other hand, Lissa's and Cash's relationship made me feel like a year after the happenings, they'll start growing apart. Basically, I didn't believe their relationship. It seemed more out of convenience to the story line than something that'd actually happen.So there was an *SPOILER* almost kiss...but...it just left me highly unsatisfied.
If I Stay, I think, was supposed to be a highly emotional read, but honestly I felt disappointed by it. I, mostly, had no emotions at all throughout the book and was actually a bit bored. The only times I felt something was whenever Adam was involved or when Mia was looking for answers. It was just...beautifully sad. But I don't think it was as emotional as people claim, which is why it's just a star less than 5. It wasn't strong enough for me.
Shut Out was definitely a cute fluff that had me reading despite it's many flaws. It was fun and I was excited to see each new plan the girls and guys had to beat each other and the idea was definitely...interesting. I mean, what other book focuses on a sex strike? Yeah...that sounds weird out loud.
