Aimee and the Heartthrob

This is the one book I had read previously in this series, but it had been so long that I reread it. ORIGINAL REVIEW: 3 stars — And the slump continues. Overall I just couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t always like Aimee or Miles (though I think I liked Miles more), and I wasn’t always cool with the things they were doing. I’m such a non-rule-breaker, so sneaking around just isn’t exciting for me, even vicariously. And I was largely displeased with Nick’s various roles. As someone older, and a professed best friend, I guess I expected to a) see him more b) have him behave less irrationally and c) actually see and understand who his best friend was. If that makes any sense. Which it probably doesn’t, but oh well. So while it had some great kissing scenes, and I enjoyed some of the hanging out that Miles and Aimee got to do (especially the writing session), in the end I guess I just wasn’t in the mood for realistic 16/17 year olds, I was looking for the more mature variety (which is on me). ON REREAD: 3 stars — Yeah, did not improve with time. I mean, at least it didn’t get worse. The thing is, the cute parts were SERIOUSLY adorable! I could see all this potential for an even better story, but there just wasn’t enough of those moments to outshine the grrr and meh. I think the sneaking around wasn’t quite as displeasing for me, but I still wasn’t happy with Nick…like AT ALL. I think my biggest problem is that some of the various conflict felt sort of contrived and not well executed — particularly everything surrounding Aimee’s blog. Joke was not the right word. And the reactions were just not as authentic as I would have liked. So yeah. Not a great start. Bummer.

Absolutely LOVED this book! The genre is a bit younger than I normally read but with a hot boy band, young love, and Ophelia London writing the story I just couldn't pass it up! With a reputation as a heartthrob, Miles Carlisle is definitely off limits. Too bad Aimee Bingham's heart just refuses to acknowledge that fact. Being forced to spend 3 weeks on the road with the band makes it hard to stay away from him but as they spend time together they both discover the true person the other is, young love develops hard and fast. This is a great sweet romance and I recommend it to everyone!

I liked the author's idea. However, the book did not live up to my expectations. Firstly, I wish she had reconsidered the overall timeline of the story. Aimee develops a crush on Miles at the age of eleven; or rather an intense and completely unrealistic obsession. A quote from the book to prove my point: "(...) and not be able to kiss him or touch him, run her fingers through his hair. She wanted to, like crazy, since she was eleven years old." Really? Eleven? Also, none of the characters seem to value their virginity - not a single one of them. Casual sex seems to be the norm for both male and female characters.