A Love Hate Thing Blog Tour Review

Hello! I'm honored to be part of the A Love Hate Thing blog tour. Please read on for a synopsis of this great YA romance, as well as my review. 

Synopsis:

When Tyson Trice finds himself tossed into the wealthy coastal community of Pacific Hills, he’s ready for the questions, the stares and the feeling of not belonging. Not that he cares. After recovering from being shot and surviving the rough streets of Lindenwood, he doesn’t care about anyone or anything, much less how the rest of his life will play out.

Golden girl Nandy Smith has spent most of her life building the pristine image that it takes to fit in when it comes to her hometown Pacific Hills where image is everything. After learning that her parents are taking in a troubled teen boy, Nandy fears her summer plans, as well as her reputation, will go up in flames.

Now with Trice living under the same roof, the wall between their bedrooms feels as thin as the line between love and hate. Beneath the angst, their growing attraction won’t be denied. Through time, Trice brings Nandy out of her shell, and Nandy attempts to melt the ice that’s taken Trice’s heart and being. Only, with the ever-present pull back to the Lindenwood streets, it’ll be a wonder if Trice makes it through this summer at all.

My Thoughts:

I really liked this opposites attract YA. Nandy and Trice have a lot of history, back when they were little kids. But now Nandy is queen of her high school, and on the outside, Trice looks like he's nothing but trouble. I loved how the story of what really happened to Trice unravels slowly, revealed to us as it is to Nandy. Trice is a complicated, fascinating guy. He's smart and sensitive, and even his worst decisions in Lindenwood were made with the very best of intentions. He also isn't willing to do things just for the status quo, and in ritzy Pacific Hills, makes his own decisions about who to befriend and which groups to avoid. 

Nandy is slightly less developed, and I think that's why I had more problems with her character. She does try very hard to stick to the status quo, even dating a boy (for years!) just because he's the popular, most liked guy in school. Trice's reappearance into her life is met with resistance and melodrama, but even when Nandy thaws toward him, we see more about her reactions toward him than who she is as a complete, complex person. 

The cast of supporting characters were terrific, especially Travis and Shayne. I loved pretty much everyone. 

Definitely read this book. It was fun, and had some hard-hitting things to say about violence and life in the projects.