Book Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

*****--5 Stars.
July 2013, 325 pages.
Source: borrowed from the library

Amazon Description:

Money can't buy a good first impression.
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the rich are not to be trusted. And after years of studying them from behind the cash register of her mom's porcelain-doll shop, she has seen nothing to prove otherwise. Enter Xander Spence—he's tall, handsome, and oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and the fact that he seems to be one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there's one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it's that the rich have a short attention span. But just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn't a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she'd ever realized. With so many obstacles standing in their way, can she close the distance between them?

My Review:
Caymen works in a doll shop with her mom and her world shifts to a different place around the time of her senior year. She meets honey-voiced lead singer for the Crusty Toad's, Mason, just after she meets Xander, a customer's grandson. I guess in a way, this is a love triangle, but things are clearly in favor of one of the guys.

Caymen referred to herself at one point as living the life of a 40 year old, which was very sad to me. Yes, teens today need to learn responsibility, but not so much that they aren't able to be a teen and have fun with their friends, dream of college, have a social life, etc. Caymen shouldered so much for her mom and sacrificed even more. Her dry humor really did mask a lot of her feelings.

I liked how easy going Mason was. He was accepting of all and fun to be around, which was just what Caymen needed at that time.

Xander was awesome!! So down-to-earth, even though he had every reason not to be. I loved the career days he planned.

I felt like things were wrapped up a little too neatly. Of course, I love a happily ever after ending, but with so much conflict with Caymen's mom and her family, it was just a little to quickly resolved for me. I guess I wanted more story!! :)

All in all, I loved it and can't wait for more from Ms. West!!

Content: brief mentions of teen unwed pregnancy and drinking; kissing. Clean.

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