Friday 20 September 2013

Book ~ "Becoming Bryn" (2013) Angela Carling

From Goodreads ~ For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton.

When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she IS Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts.

Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?

Jesse and Bryn are 17-year-old twins ... Jesse is the brainy one and Bryn is the popular one.  Jesse's best friend is Ethan, who always has a different girlfriend.  Bryn has been dating jock Quinton for five months and Jesse wants what Bryn has ... Quinton.

There is an accident and Bryn dies but everyone thinks it's Jesse who died ... and Jesse lets them think that and becomes Bryn.  This gives her access to Quinton but she loses Ethan as a friend since he wasn't Bryn's friend.  Becoming Bryn isn't as easy as Jesse thinks ... Jesse has no fashion sense, Quinton is expecting things from her and she's having hard time fitting in with Bryn's friends and lifestyle.  As she reads Bryn's diaries, she gets to know things about her sister she never knew.

This is the first book I read by this author and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style.  It flowed well and most of the chapters were short and snappy, which I like.  The story is written in first person, alternating between Jesse and Bryn's perspectivse.  It is a young adults story but I didn't find the writing or the subject matter immature or too young for me.  Given some of the language and themes, I would recommend it for a more mature young adult, though.

I liked the characters.  I liked Jesse before and after she became Bryn, even with her struggles.  We discover that Bryn isn't as shallow as she appeared.  We all need a friend like Ethan.  Quinton seems like a loving boyfriend but is really a jerk ... be careful what you wish for, right Jesse?

I recommend this book and look forward to reading others by this author.

1 comment:

Masshole Mommy said...

Sounds like a good read.