Thursday, July 23, 2015

Early Review: The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Boy Most Likely To
by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Read: July 11 - 14, 2015
Published: August 18, 2015 by Dial Books
Source: First To Read
Category: YA, Contemporary, Boy Narrator

Surprises abound and sparks ignite in the highly anticipated, utterly romantic companion to My Life Next Door

Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To:
- find the liquor cabinet blindfolded
- need a liver transplant
- drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To:
- well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.

For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard. 

Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have.

And Alice is caught in the middle. 

Told in Tim’s and Alice’s distinctive, disarming, entirely compelling voices, this return to the world of My Life Next Door is a story about failing first, trying again, and having to decide whether to risk it all once more.

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The Boy Most Likely To is about three things: Tim Mason's growth as he deals with backlash from his wild past, The Garrett's continued struggles after the events of My Life Next Door as narrated by daughter Alice, and a building romance between Tim and Alice. For me, all these elements worked together brilliantly, but it's important to know going in that this isn't just a love story. 

Here's my 5 point breakdown of The Boy Most Likely To -  

1) I was worried about starting this book. I loved Tim from My Life Next Door, but he also was a complete disaster. However, immediately, I found Tim's voice to be clear and feel very honest. Despite all the mess Tim's made of his life, he's incredibly sympathetic and relatable, as well as funny. I loved being inside of his head. 

2) This book splits the narration between Tim and Alice Garrett. I found Tim's voice to be the strongest, but I enjoyed Alice's addition. Partially because I liked getting the Garrett side of things, but I also enjoyed the balance within the challenges and changes they both experience. However, there were a few times I didn't find it to be necessary to switch to Alice's perspective (I wanted more Tim!). Also, sometimes, I found it a tad confusing when the point of view switched mid scene. They have distinct voices, so it was more about me needing to quickly move from one mental space into another. Thankfully, each narrative is written in a different font, which helped visually. 

3) Of course I loved hanging out with the Garrets again. They are so vibrant and the dynamics and dialogue between them was a favorite part of this book. I wish I could visit the Garrett's kitchen too! The chance to see Jase and Sam again was also a treat. They make my heart flutter. 

4) This book has a slow and swoony romance between Tim and Alice. I loved watching them open up and make their way to to each other. It doesn't happen quickly and there are misunderstandings and fights along the way, but all of that made it more real and sweet in the end. Don't worry, this book has no love triangles! 

One slightly spoilery thing I wanted to mention about a plot thread concerning Brad that I wish had been addressed more: 


5) Even more than a romance, this book is all about Tim, and his growth is amazing to watch. He goes through some tough stuff along the way and sometimes I was afraid that he - and I - would be completely weighed down by it all. But Tim continued to surprise me again and again, though I shouldn't have underestimated him. I especially loved the moments when Tim realized he couldn't do it alone. Or when others around him realized it for him and came along side him. It made my heart happy to see Tim begin to surround himself with people who could truly see him, and not just all of the times he's screwed up. We all need people like that in our lives. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone - Will we hear from another Garrett again? Probably wishful thinking, but I'm so sad to say goodbye to them!

13 comments:

  1. The more I think about this book, the more I *do* like it, but then I do remember the frustrations while reading it... so I can't quite wrap my head around how I feel about this book yet. I think the biggest thing is that I was expecting more of a summer romance, when the focus is on other things. :/ But Tim is awesome! Love that boy so much, and I liked him and Alice together a lot.
    It's hard saying goodbye to these characters, L!
    Lovely review as always. <3

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  2. Totally agree about Brad and his resolution, that was one of my biggest dislikes -_- Wait so did you like this one or no? I usually tell by ratings, but you don't have a rating! I didn't love this one like I'd hoped - it was disappointing for me. But I think I'm in the minority :D Great review, Lauren!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  3. I'm really looking forward to this one, but good to know the focus is not on the romance. But My Life Next Door addressed a lot of other things as well so that's not a surprise to hear. Great review! ~Pam

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  4. You're so lucky that you got it! I lucked out, but August is just around the corner. I'm glad that it wasn't bad. I didn't think that it would be, but Huntley Fitzpatrick's last book didn't sit well with me. I wanted to like it and I didn't connect, so I kind of feel like this might be. I'm so hoping that I'll like it because of my love of My Life Next Door.

    Aly @ My Heart Hearts Books

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  5. I wasn't a fan of MY LIFE NEXT DOOR but Fitzpatrick's sophomore novel totally won me over so I'm actually very excited about this one. I'm glad to see it has your seal of approval, Lauren! Fitzpatrick's prose flows so flawlessly so I'm looking forward to diving back into her work--it seems like a long wait for this novel! Gorgeous review, as always, and I adore these five-point breakdowns because they manage to be so succinct yet detailed! :)

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  6. Stunning review Lauren :) I'm so thrilled that you liked this book. It sounds really cute :D I like the cover so much. <3 Not a book for me right now, sadly :\ but you make it sound amazing. Ugh. Thank you for sharing about it :)

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  7. I have been dying to get more from the Garrett's since I read and loved My Life Next Door, so I'm thrilled to see that you ended up enjoying this one. Thank you for your lovely review, I love how you break all your points down in your review!

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  8. I'm so excited to read this one!! I loved My Life Next Door. But yes, I'm actually pretty nervous about reading it too. That's good that the different points of view are in a different font at least. I NEED this book!! I immediately preordered it, so I can't wait for my copy to arrive. :)

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  9. I'm really excited about reading this book. My life next door was a really sweet story and I really love one of the character that will be in this book. So that is amazing!

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  10. Wonderful review, Lauren! I loved My Life Next Door and I dying to read this book. So glad you enjoyed it. It would be interesting to see Tim’s growth.

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  11. Every review I read has me more and more excited to read this book! I can't wait for Tim's story and more of the Garretts. Huntley always balances romance and the serious stuff so well! Great review!

    Nicole @ The Quiet Concert

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  12. I feel like I need to re-read this with adjusted expectations. It wasn't the book I was thinking I would read, but there were a lot of things I liked about it.
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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  13. I know a couple of people were disappointed by the book but I am glad you really enjoyed it! :)

    I really liked MLND when I read it a couple years ago so I am definitely curious about this one. I hear a lot of people talking about some of the drama that occurred. that has me kind of worried but I am glad to hear that Tim managed to surprise you again and again :)

    Lovely review, Lauren! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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