The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 320

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s 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 Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty 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. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

My Thoughts: Whoa, I loved loved this one. I haven’t read West’s debut yet, Pivot Point. But when I read the summary for this one, I knew I had to read it and fast!

We are introduced to Caymen (cool name) who lives in a small apartment with her mother above the doll shop they run.  They are basically poor. Yes, they make money and they live on as little as possible. Caymen’s father was a rich boy so her mother has taught her to appreciate things and never trust the rich. And according to Caymen, you can always spot them coming from a mile away.

So, when rich boy Xander walks into the store, Caymen knows to stay away from him. Yes he’s charming and good looking but Caymen notices by the way he beckons her, he’s like the rest. Over time, he comes into the shop more and more, and she really likes him. He gets her dry sense of humor and just understands. Not good, not good at all.

There are other characters throughout the novel as well, including her best friend, and her best friend’s boyfriend, and of course the guy they are trying to set her up with. He’s pretty cool and he’s in a band, but he’s no Xander.  And then of course her mom. I really liked her mom. She was a great mom even if things weren’t always perfect.

I loved Xander so much! He was so sweet and nice. And I loved the careers they picked for one another. I loved the doll shop. I loved the plot of this one! Without giving anything away, it did have some twists and turns I never saw coming.  I love contemps so this was right up my alley!

Overall: Yep, 5 cupcakes from me! Enjoyed this one so much. Now, I want to go read Pivot Point to see if its any good. Loved Caymen and Xander.

Cover: This is a freaking awesome cover, right? YES! This would definitely spark my interest and make me pick it up! They did a wonderful job on this cover!

What I'd Give It: