Defending Taylor
(Hundred Oaks #7)
by Miranda Kenneally
by Miranda Kenneally
YA Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 304 Pages
July 5th 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire
Summary
Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.
Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?
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My Review
DEFENDING TAYLOR was another addition to Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series about a student athlete who is trying to find her way after a mistake at her private school completely upsets her life. There were moments of humor, friendship, family, and some sizzling romance. Those who enjoy contemporary YA and the other books in this series may enjoy this one.
LIKES:
- I liked the characters, particularly Ezra, and how the girls on the soccer team slowly warmed to Taylor.
- I liked how involved Taylor's family was.
- I liked the humor. There were some really funny moments.
- I liked Taylor's drive to not give up and to put herself out there.
- I liked the chemistry between Taylor and Ezra.
DISLIKES... So, this was a book from this author that actually disappointed me. Normally I relate with her characters and get emotionally involved with their situations. I think my issues here stemmed from:
- The fact that Taylor cam across to me as somewhat selfish and also dramatic. She totally blows off the issue that she did/does have with pressure and how she deals with it and her parents' expectations (eventually she sees the light, but it's a long time coming).
- I didn't see how it would really hurt to tell the truth because that doesn't mean that you would have to change the outcome per se. At least then she wouldn't be lying.
- I also was expecting her parents to be relieved that the situation wasn't as dire as they though, but no, they're even more upset, which I get, but I also don't.
- The whole mistake/issue that Taylor has and situation around that felt blown out of proportion while also not getting the attention it deserved, if that makes sense.
- The romance was a little overly fluffy to me and way too detailed - more so than I remember her books being. As I was already disappointed, this just added to that.
- There was quite a bit of language, crass comments and conversations, more so than I remember being in Kenneally's books, but again, usually I'm completely immersed in her stories and this one just didn't work that way for me.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Not so much. It was just meh or so-so for me. The characters weren't terrible and the writing was good, it just overall didn't work for me. I can't say I didn't not like it, but I also didn't really care for it. For most of you contemporary YA readers, you'll probably like this more than I did.
Content: Innuendo, swearing (including the f-word), crass conversation, suggestive and descriptive sexual content.
Source: Received a complimentary eARC through NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.
LIKES:
- I liked the characters, particularly Ezra, and how the girls on the soccer team slowly warmed to Taylor.
- I liked how involved Taylor's family was.
- I liked the humor. There were some really funny moments.
- I liked Taylor's drive to not give up and to put herself out there.
- I liked the chemistry between Taylor and Ezra.
DISLIKES... So, this was a book from this author that actually disappointed me. Normally I relate with her characters and get emotionally involved with their situations. I think my issues here stemmed from:
- The fact that Taylor cam across to me as somewhat selfish and also dramatic. She totally blows off the issue that she did/does have with pressure and how she deals with it and her parents' expectations (eventually she sees the light, but it's a long time coming).
- I didn't see how it would really hurt to tell the truth because that doesn't mean that you would have to change the outcome per se. At least then she wouldn't be lying.
- I also was expecting her parents to be relieved that the situation wasn't as dire as they though, but no, they're even more upset, which I get, but I also don't.
- The whole mistake/issue that Taylor has and situation around that felt blown out of proportion while also not getting the attention it deserved, if that makes sense.
- The romance was a little overly fluffy to me and way too detailed - more so than I remember her books being. As I was already disappointed, this just added to that.
- There was quite a bit of language, crass comments and conversations, more so than I remember being in Kenneally's books, but again, usually I'm completely immersed in her stories and this one just didn't work that way for me.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Not so much. It was just meh or so-so for me. The characters weren't terrible and the writing was good, it just overall didn't work for me. I can't say I didn't not like it, but I also didn't really care for it. For most of you contemporary YA readers, you'll probably like this more than I did.
Content: Innuendo, swearing (including the f-word), crass conversation, suggestive and descriptive sexual content.
Source: Received a complimentary eARC through NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.
Have you read any of the other books in this series? Have you read this one?
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