Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Review: Welcome to Hickville High

Welcome to Hickville High Welcome to Hickville High by Mary Karlik
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

When I first started reading this, I really disliked Kelsey. She was such a snob from the city who looked down on anyone who did any hard work because it was "beneath her". And that rubs me the wrong way like you wouldn't believe, but I feel like no one should have that mentality when it comes to life.

I'm extremely glad that the situation was changed for Kelsey's family, because there is no need for teenagers to feel like they can spend $300 on a pair of shoes. Sure, when they have their own money that they worked for and earned, then they can spend that much money on frivolous things, but when it is their parents money it just makes me angry because then teens start to expect that treatment in life.

At the 60% mark of the book, I started to like Kelsey as a person. She realized her errors in life when she started to see the citizens of Hillside, TX and how they treat life = with respect. And the night of Homecoming? I was so proud of Kelsey for what she did; she was so selfless.

The situation with Drew and Zoe in Chicago was rough for Kelsey, I know. That was her life and what she was used to, so it makes sense that she was angry and wanted to go back to that life. But I'm glad things got resolved the way they did because it was for the best for Kelsey.

I love Austin. He is amazing and kind and hard working and loyal. And he can make the hard decisions in life when he needs to, knowing that it will help others in the end. Austin is such an amazing guy - I want someone like him!

So I grew to like this novel after a very rough start. I wanted Kelsey to stop acting like a spoiled brat earlier, but I think Mary Karlik did well in expanding the time she was a snob because that's how people would react in real life. Kelsey's life was just starting to get straightened out when Ryan's life went up in flames in the very last paragraph of the novel, so I'll be intrigued to figure out how she is going to wrangle herself out of that situation!

I think a lot of readers will enjoy this novel and I'm glad I was able to get a free eARC file!

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