Starry Eyes

Jenn Bennett’s Starry Eyes is everything that I love about Young Adult literature. It’s heartwarming, funny, and doesn’t hide from big issues.Starry Eyes is about Zorie Everheart, the dictionary definition of an “A-Type” personality. I’m pretty compulsive, and Zorie puts me to shame. Her life is planned, organized, and even color coded.Unfortunately for Zorie, the sad reality of life is that we have no control over the things we most want to control- like, for instance, the canyon of silence that’s grown between her ex-best friend (and ex-potential soulmate), Lennon, she’s accidentally discovered her dad’s an adulterous jerk, and her body’s trademark reaction to spontaneous stress? Violent hives.Needless to say, Zorie’s got a lot going on.So, even though she’s not one for camping, and certainly didn’t have it color-coded into her vacation plans, she’s now going glamping (glamour camping) with Reagan, a friend who Zorie’s not-so-closely friendly with anymore. Of course, by the rule of Murphy’s Law, guess who’s coming glamping too?After an explosive argument, Zorie winds up stranded off the beaten path with Lennon as her survival guide. Obviously, hijinks of the best kind ensue from there.Zorie and Lennon are wonderfully balanced; Bennett’s created two characters who are the perfect foils for each other, and the chemistry feels real. The two have inside jokes, and a real history that they start to learn can’t just be buried under some silence and snarky banter.I genuinely liked both characters. Even though I’m twenty-seven and would hope to have my life under control by now, I could empathize so much with Zorie. She’s every teen (and adult) who’s just doing the best they can to swim in a tide that’s seriously pushing against them. She’s stuck in a really tough place, and it’s easy to root for her and hope that her life gets straightened out. She’s funny and smart, and I love that Bennett created a teen protagonist who wants to be an astrophysicist (how awesome!). I want to see more of these teen characters with big, brainy dreams. Not to forget, her eye glasses game is totally on point (I’m jealous).Lennon is snarky and sweet, my personal favorite combination. Like Zorie, he’s a little off-beat, but Lennon seems to manage the social stratosphere more easily, getting the “rebel reputation” whether he wants it or not. He’s a teen with two moms and an ex-musician for a father; he wasn’t made to blend in, and he owns his differences. I think that’s one of the things I liked most about Lennon- he has a strong sense of self, and he’s not just a filler character to further plot development.I loved the artwork that went with the parts of the book as well as the maps, especially once I learned why the maps were significant (that made my heart happy).I’d never read one of Jenn Bennett’s YA novels before; I’d only ever read (and loved) the Arcadia Bell series, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m so glad that I took the time to read Starry Eyes. It even strikes me as the kind of book that would translate well to film, and I’d totally go watch that too!It flashed me back to being twelve years old, reading my first Sarah Dessen book and discovering that YA/Teen lit could be meaningful and beautiful in its humor and awkward romance.Thank you, Jenn Bennett :)

Such an amazing story. I loved the storyline and both characters were beautiful in every possible way.Jenn has a beautiful writing style and this book is very special.

How did I go this long without knowing of their existence? For real!Once I started Starry Eyes, like really started it (for the second time, it took me a little to started again like I previously said because of the other books I needed to read) I just couldn't put it down. Not even kidding, I took it with me to both my jobs, I read it in bed, I just was obsessed with what was happening.Lennon and Zorie are so cute and just give you couple goals, even now I have so many feels for their relationship. This relationship for some reason feels so real to me. I don't know if it's the writing or just how I was feeling when I read it, I just love it and it makes me feel things.Starry Eyes gets 4.5 out of 5 stars in my review book.There were so many amazing parts to this story, I mean most of the book is just pure bliss to read. There is just one faulty thing I noticed, it's how long it took for the camping trip to actually begin. I mean it didn't take really long, but to me it was a little too long and I was impatient to get to the camping because I knew the good stuff was going to happen once the camping started.So basically my impatience is the reason why it gets a 4.5 instead of 5.Now there are so many things I loved that if I mentioned them all I would definitely spoil the book for you and I don't want to do such thing.Lennon and Zorie are wrong time lovers. They both think they have unrequired love for each other and they try to suppress it as much as they can until Lennon can't take it anymore. Yes, it might sound weird because of what the synopsis says, but trust me, once you read it you will agree with me.Lennon has been in love with Zorie for a long time and though he thinks she is the one who gave up on him, he is determined to show her that they are destined to be together and that her father is wrong in so many levels about their relationship and he is tired of being afraid of him.Bennett's writing just transports you to the setting and it makes you feel all the things the characters are feeling, it's just fantastic.Starry Eyes is just an amazing story about self development, about confronting your own fears and getting out of your comfort zone. You never know what you are missing if you spend all your life planning and worrying about what could go wrong, sometimes you have to be, "careful not cautious," (quote from the book).Amazing read all together, completely recommend it, it's super fun and easy to read and you will not be disappointed!

Such an adorable read. I could imagine myself reading this on a hot summer's day due to the scenery but glad I read it regardless. It very much engrossed me that I finished reading it within a few days. Zorie and Lennon are such an adorable couple that I loved the dynamic between the two of Lennon playfully teasing Zorie. It made me laugh and had hilarious moments, and is probably the reason why most may say guys in the books are way better, haha! I adored Lennon standing up to Zorie's father that it gave somewhat of Romeo & Juliet vibes here.

This book was so cute and I enjoy Jenn Bennett's stories so much! Being a huge fan of Alex Approximately, I loved how this book was also themed from hate to love, very loosely using the word hate. Zorie and Lennon were long time friends separated by 'The Great Experiment', only to be reunited on a crazy glamping trip. Lennon was such a wild card, this gothic, outdoorsy and built quiet guy was so perfect, I very much fell in love with this character. Loved reading Zorie's and Lennon's relationship and how supportive their friendship is. This book is a perfect summer read and I can't wait to come back to it.

La première chose que j'ai apprécié dans ma lecture, c'est le lieu où se déroule une grande partie de cette dernière. Avec les descriptions de l'auteur, on se retrouver plongé au coeur de la nature. On a vraiment l'impression d'être en train de camper avec eux. Ayant déjà fait du camping étant petite, les souvenirs sont très vites remontés et se sont superposés au roman, me permet d'être totalement en immersion dedans. Les bruits des autres campeurs, les chuchotements pour retourner aux tentes après avoir mangé et alors que la nuit est en train de tomber... Le roman va même un peu plus loin puisque les personnages vont aussi faire du camping sauvage, se coupant totalement de la civilisation. Et là aussi on a l'impression d'être coupé du monde avec eux !« I mean learning how to spot danger and avoid it in a responsible, careful way. You have to understand your environment. Respect it. »Dans ce périple bien différent de ce que Zorie et Lennon avaient imaginés, nous allons être témoins de la naissance et renaissance de leur amour. Les langues vont se délier, et ils vont tour à tour comprendre pourquoi l'autre a agit d'une certaine manière. Les incompréhensions et les secrets ont malheureusement conduit à leur séparation, mais cette dernière n'est peut être pas définitive. Bien que les personnages se soient connu auparavant, je n'ai pas eut l'impression d'être parachuter dans leur relation. Ils ont en effet bien grandit depuis leur précédente séparation, et doivent réapprendre à se connaitre devant nos yeux.Leur romance ne va pas non plus être simple car après la reconnexion, place au doute avec le retour à la civilisation. Et si l'aventure qu'ils avaient vécu totalement coupé du monde n'avait été qu'une bulle et qu'à l'éclatement de cette dernière ils se rendraient compte que leur amour ne pouvait pas survivre ?« “You were the stars, and I was the dark sky behind you.""Without dark sky, you couldn't see the stars.""I knew I was useful," he says."You're essential. »Zorie est un personnage qui me ressemble énormément. J'ai besoin de tout contrôler et ainsi que je ne cesse de planifier ma vie. Je me suis totalement retrouvée dans son caractère comme dans son évolution. Anxieuse, les étapes qu'elle va avoir à franchir tout au long du roman ne sont pas simple, mais elle n'en devient pas non plus une pleureuse s’apitoyant sans cesse sur son sort. Au contraire, au contact de Lennon, elle va apprendre à se détacher de certaines angoisses et à apprécier le moment présent.Lennon de son côté n'est peut être pas le book boyfriend qui fait fantasmer. Il a cependant cette dualité: à la fois sur de lui - quand il apprend à Zorie à survivre dans la nature - et sensible - en particulier quand il parle de sa famille.Jenn Bennett nous introduit une multitude d'autres personnages, ainsi que des familles atypiques qui changent de ce qu'on trouve dans d'autres romans YA. Elle se concentre néanmoins sur les deux principaux puisque leur périple à travers la nature va les couper du monde. On ne s'ennuie cependant pas car chaque page nous fait soit découvrir un paysage à couper le souffle, soit mieux découvrir les personnages et ce qu'ils ont vécu.En résumé, ce fut une très bonne lecture que je recommande à tous les amateurs de romance YA.

Nachdem die Autorin mich bereits mit "Annähernd Alex" und "Die Anatomie des Herzens" von sich begeistern konnte, habe ich mich tierisch auf ihr neustes Werk gefreut. Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht.Ich weiß nicht, wie Jenn Bennett es macht, aber ihre Charaktere sind jedes Mal wieder etwas ganz besonderes. Ihre "Helden" Zorie und Lennon sind außergewöhnlich und weit ab vom Mainstream, aber trotzdem kommt es einem so vor, als wären sie alte Freunde, die man lange vermisst hat.Die Geschichte bietet ein außergewöhnliches Setting in der Wildnis und vermittelt zeitgleich auch ein paar interessante Informationen übers Campen abseits eines Zeltplatzes. Aber es geht nicht nur um einen Trip, sondern auch um typische Jugendprobleme, um Liebe, um Streitereien und um richtig ernst zu nehmende Familienprobleme.Man wird von der ersten Seite an in die Geschichte hinein gezogen und will die Charaktere gar nicht mehr verlassen. Als das Buch zu Ende war, war ich echt ein bisschen enttäuscht, denn ich hätte noch viel, viel mehr von Zorie und Lennon lesen wollen.Besonders gut gefallen hat mir, dass Jenn Bennett nicht nur keine 0815 Figuren erschafft, sondern auch, dass sie sich nicht mit Klischees zufrieden gibt. Sicher, es gibt etwas Kitsch, aber in erträglichen Dosen.Jedem der Jugendbücher mag, kann ich dieses Buch nur wärmstens empfehlen und hoffe, dass es auch bald in Deutschland erscheint.

Daughter loved the book