Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages:  304
Buy This Book: Amazon








Summary: Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems....

In this sparkling debut that flawlessly balances romance and humor, readers will grow to love sharp and sassy Corrinne as she goes on her totally reluctant but completely irresistible journey of self-discovery.

My Thoughts: Do you want this book summed up into one word? Charming! We are introduced to Corrinne who hails from big city New York to a small quiet hick town in Texas which is called Broken Spoke! She had plans to attend a private school (Kent) with her best friend Waverly so going to public school is like her idea of torture. She is supposed to hook up with the cute guy on campus and become his girlfriend. And to sum it up, her family is broke so how is she going to relieve some of this stress when she can't even go shopping to blow off steam. And on top of this, she has to go live with her grandparents who she doesn't even know with her annoying little brother.

Things could not get any worst for Corrinne. Until she steps foot in Texas, its hot, steamy, and there are people wearing cowboy boots everywhere. And people actually play football. "Yuck", she thinks.

In Texas, she attends the public school and even though she's not quite as popular as she was in New York she does meet a few friends including Kitsy and Bubby. She also gets a crush on the local musician Rider. Kitsy is a cheerleader and she is easy to talk too. Bubby is annoying and Corrinne wants nothing to do with him. Rider has plans to go big and get out of this hick town. She feels like she relates most to Rider and starts crushing on him. We know that Bubby has a crush on her instantly but she pays no attention to him. She has her eyes set on someone else so why pay attention to Bubby; the popular football player?

Texas is a new experience for Corrinne. She has to get to know her grandparents, she learns to drive, she even gets a job shoveling poop. How fun is that? Haha! Her annoying little brother is also always there wanting to hang out with Corrianne. While learning how to handle Texas life, Waverly comes down for a visit and stirs things right up.

I loved this book. Corrinne learns so much about her family she had no clue about including her mother's history there in Texas. She learns that friendship can change and be just as great. She learns how to tolerate her brother and get some sisterly points in. She learns that certain boys aren't who you think they are by first impressions.

I loved taking this journey with Corrinne. This was such a fun book and I loved feeling like I was really in Texas. I loved experiencing the football games through her eyes. I loved the parties in the field following the football games. I loved seeing her friendship with Kitsy and Bubby grow. I loved seeing her change and grow as a person. I loved how this book had a little bit of country to it and I just felt so lukeworm in my heart throughout the book.

Where I Belong should belong in your collection. It should be read and enjoyed over and over.

"If someone were to like you, Corrianne, I think it would be because you surprise people. You turned out to be not who you were, and I like that."

Overall: Loved This! Where I Belong is a uplifting story of hope through the use of sassy and smart dialogue and makes you realize change is not always a bad thing. Where I Belong is a charming debut by Heasley and its pure wonderful.

Cover: This cover is so freaking awesome! Its beautiful and not only is it beautiful, it makes you want to go grab a cowboy and dance around to country music all night long in your short dress and cowboy boots! Wheres the rodeo at? Heeehawww!

What I'd Give It: