Review: When It Happens

     
    

Title: When It Happens
Author: Susane Colasanti

Series: None
Pages: 320

Publisher: Scholastic UK
Release Date: May 3rd 2012 (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 3.5 Stars
100 Book challenge: #52

An off-the-wall love story told in two voices. Straight-laced Sara dreams of two things: getting into her first-choice university and finding true love. Rock-loving slacker Tobey also dreams of two things: winning Battle of the Bands – and winning Sara. He is determined to make her fall in love with him. Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. But can a scruffy rock-star wannabe ever win the heart of a girl who’s both beautiful and brainy? Sara and Tobey's intense connection will have you rooting for them from the very minute they meet!

I've been wanting to read this book for years, ever since it came out in the US but I just didn't get around to it. When I saw that it was being released in the UK I jumped at the chance to review it. Whilst it wasn't anything spectacular it was still an enjoyable read.

Sara and Tobey were nice enough characters. I thought Sara was a little demanding and had such high expectations but as a teenager, it is quite common to have unrealistic ideals, especially when it comes to relationships. Tobey was sweet too, and it was clear he cared deeply for Sara. He was quite a realistic depiction of a teenage boy, I believe.


I must admit, with the explicit content warning I was expecting a little...more. There was definitely an openness about sex and there were some crudities thrown around but I didn't find it to be too obscene. I wasn't too disappointed though. The romance was very sweet between the two and it was nice to see their relationship grow.

Overall "When It Happens" was an enjoyable read but it didn't really stand out for me in the contemporary genre. I am, however, looking forward to reading some of Colasanti's more recent novels!