Closet Geeks and Slow Mo

3.5 stars

How do Kylie Flores, socially awkward valedictorian, and Max Langston, conceited jock, wind up in bed together in Mexico, on graduation morning? And is it possible they’re wearing wedding bands? When Kylie’s best friend Will, Max’s girlfriend Lily, and Max’s wingman Charlie show up, things get even more complicated as these five teenagers must make their way back over the border in time for graduation.

Oh this is a total roller-coaster of emotions! a sort of a blockbuster YA novell packed full with every cliche possible:

• the awkward outcast becoming gorgeous girl -check
• the jock finding his inner values -check
• the bitchy self involved prom queen -check
• best friends who finish each others sentence -check
• a romantic night -check
• the gay best friend -check
• problems with a parent -check
• getting rescued from bad elements -check
• police escorts -check
• HEA -check

it is a fluffy fun romantic novel, that had me grinning all the way. But to the fluff there was also some depths. it wasn't all just fun. As the story progressed so did the characters, slowly they became more faceted and one gained more insight into them. I have to say I ended up rather liking all the characters, despite their predictability.
I really enjoyed the different POV, at first i wasn't so sure about having so many of them.*5 different people * BUT they were so well written, each character had their own voice and style of narration that i changed my mind about it very quickly. The dialogues are very witty and entertaining.

one of my favorite lines:

'That's all I say because explaining Will Bixby to Max Langston is like explaining quantum theory to Jessica Simpson'


While this isn't all new and the ending predictable, its not the end that was important it is more the how to that counts. And in many ways once the outline of the story has been set, the details become more important. each character learns and discovers something. The authors manage to subtly hint at issues and made me ponder over things.

Hilarious and poignant, FROM WHAT I REMEMBER blends a high-octane adventure story with a romance that gets to the heart of what it means to find yourself. No one is exactly who they seem here and by the end of their roadtrip together, they will all be changed in some way.