Review: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Okay, so first time's the charm? Will I be that lucky?

*THIS BOOK DOESN'T COME OUT UNTIL NOV. 13 2012. I read the galley of it via www.netgalley.com.

Summary: Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be

3.5/5 stars
*spoilers*

I had very high hopes for this book since it has been compared to Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins which I LOVED! The humor in that was very witty and cute.  However, the humor in this seemed like it was trying too hard.

As for the characters, Anna was actually likable.  I felt for her when the girls were spreading rumors.  I could not sympathize with Julia of this book at all. Jason calls her the "Book Licker" and I must agree.  I couldn't stand her for the first quarter of the book.  She had the biggest stick up her rear end.  She was the epitome of sticklers and wet blankets! And Etienne from Anna and the French Kiss|, well I fell in love with him and his winsome personality.  Jason of Meant to Be, however, was extremely annoying for the most part, constantly vying for attention.  For example, he showed great immaturity during the Hyde Park walk, doing cartwheels and dragging Julia into the pond.  Really?

For the actual plot, the phone mix up was quite stupid and unbelievable.  There, I felt that Julia was the stupidest smart person ever.  How could she not connect the dots?

The idea of this book and the MTB was a good idea, but the book fell short for me.


On a positive note, I thought the ending was really cute...maybe a little corny but cute! And the cover is just as nice.

Would I recommend to a friend? Maybe