Title: The Mean Girl ApologiesAuthor: Stephanie Monahan
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: June 2nd 2014
You know that catchy song you keep hearing on the radio? It’s about you.
Natalie Jamison has spent five years trying to forget the girl she was in high school: popular, pretty…and, okay, mean. Now in her twenties and living once again in her small town, she’s right back where she was: following Queen Bee Amber and keeping secrets from her best friend, Sarah.
Secrets like Jack Moreland.
Everyone knows Jack Moreland—his new album, Good Enough, is everywhere. He’s famous. Impossibly handsome. Completely untouchable. But what none of Natalie’s old clique knows is that in high school, Natalie and Jack fell in love. And their secret relationship was incredible, painful—and earth-shattering enough to inspire an entire album.
Facing friends and enemies isn’t easy, but Natalie will go to great lengths to prove she is good enough—to her friends, to herself, and most of all, to the small-town boy turned worldwide heartthrob she never forgot.
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The Mean Girl Apologies was a sweet read and I felt that it hit close to home. It made me think of my high school days and how I was treated and how I treated people too. I think a lot of readers would relate to this book and I think that is one of the reasons why I enjoyed it.
The chapters, mostly, alternated between the present and the past, following Natalie's perspective. In high school you could see the turmoil Natalie was dealing with; her struggles being in the popular group, her building friendships with Jake and his friends, and how she regretted her decisions. In the present, seeing Jake become successful was exciting, and realising his songs were inspired by their relationship was a bit surreal. Looking back at her past, Natalie is determined to set things straight. She re-evaluates current friendships and tries to fix things in her past, including her relationship with Jake.
Seeing Natalie put her life under the microscope was great and how she realised that some relationships were unhealthy was great growth for her. She is determined to make her life about herself and not so much about her highschool group. I liked seeing Natalie and Jake interact before and after the incident, to see how their relationship started and began again.
The characters were well developed and I liked how the relationships grew. There were a few sweet moments, some intense scenes, but no sex scenes. Even without them I enjoyed the story and the building tension. I think Stephanie Monahan has done a fabulous job with Natalie’s story and I will definitely keep my eye out for future books from her!!
High school is such an emotional and difficult time. I think we are often too hard on ourselves. I'm not sure I would survive a similar inspection. Great review.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, this looks like an intense read and something that I might enjoy! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Naomi!
ReplyDeleteMan, high school was a tough time for a lot of people, and it sounds like this one hit some of the issues in a realistic way
ReplyDeleteHigh school was a time that I wouldn't do over for anything. Natalie's story sounds like a good one. I might have to check into it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I am ashamed to say that I wasn't very nice in HS. Not excusing my behavior but yup, I was a mean girl to a few people *hangs head in shame*.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I grew out of it although the Bitch is still in me somewhere. Just learned when to let her out. LOL
Great review Naomi! The title of this book really drew me because I automatically went to the Mean Girls Movie :) I think it sounds sweet, but I'm a little cautious about it feeling like her taking him back after he's successful is a bit superficial. How did it handle that?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very thought-provoking, Naomi. I'm glad that there was something to spark Natalie's introspection and she seems to have made changes. I'll have to heave this one atop Mt. TBR. Thanks for that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, HS was more difficult than we thought it would be. Thanks Valerie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Franny. It was a nice read
ReplyDeleteIt did, but I think it was great to see her dealing with her past.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenea. It is a book that hits issues we all wouldve dealt with one way or another.
ReplyDeleteI know Braine. I wasn't bullied a lot, but I remember being mean to a girl, to impress some of the cool kids, I'd take it back if I could.
ReplyDeleteIt took time, but she was the one that worked for it. It was sweet in the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is a book that gets you thinking about your own life, I hope you get to read it!
ReplyDeleteI did, and I think we all can relate. Thanks Maya!!
ReplyDeleteI think I can relate to this. Glad you enjoyed this book. Thanks for sharing your review.
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