Best All-Around | Book Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

“Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she’s beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.”

An Homage to Kasie West

The Distance Between Us was – for me – the last book that I hadn’t read by Kasie West. I fell in love with her Pivot Point series. And, I swooned hardcore over On the Fence.

After reading this 2013 release, I now know something very important. Kasie West is a writing genius.

I can’t decide what it is that makes all her wok so incredible. Is it the unique voice of each of her novels, where every character is so fully formed? Or the little details, like in this book where Caymen lives in an apartment above her mom’s doll shop that majorly creeps her out?

Or maybe it’s that West can write a layered, complex romance like no one else?

Regardless, The Distance Between Us made me realize, I will read ANYTHING by this author. Her grocery lists, her book margin scribblings. Just take my money, Kasie. TAKE IT.

My Actual Review

Now for the actual review portion of this post lol.

The Distance Between Us is beautiful. Caymen lives with her mom above the aforementioned doll store called Dolls and More. She hates working there – the dolls staring endlessly *shivers* – but the meager income the store generates is all that’s keeping Caymen and her mom off the streets.

Caymen is a super sarcastic girl, and I thought that would put me off immediately, but I laughed out loud so many times during this book. She’s funny and sassy, and I loved her spunk and charisma.

Then there’s Xander. Rich, privileged Xander. On an errand for this grandmother, he stops in Dolls and More for a gift. Caymen’s raised to sort of despise the wealthy, and worlds certainly collide in that moment.

I’m not really one for “the wrong side of the tracks” type of story as it’s been done to death, but that’s not really what you get in this book.

I mean, there’s definitely an element of having more vs. having less, but that’s the whole focus of the story. I appreciated that so much.

Kasie West builds stories with dimension and scope. The Distance Between Us is relatable in its look at the struggle of parental expectations and communicating what you really want. It’s about prejudice and assumptions and making big decisions for yourself instead of letting others make them for you.

It’s just amazing. There’s killer chemistry and adorable outings. AGH!!

And you will feel SO MUCH reading this book. Oh yeah…phew.

I LOVED IT ALL. Every single bit.

OVERALL:

You choose where to start, but I must insist you read one of Kasie West’s books right now. Her YA contemporaries are insanely good and her fantasy series is supremely awesome. You simply can’t go wrong.

This story goes beyond what a contemporary novel represents to many readers. It’s deep and meaningful yet relatable and fun. The Distance Between Us is another hit from Kasie West, an auto-buy author if there every was one.