I swear, my life was always totally normal.
Normal house, normal family, normal school. My looks are average, I don't have any superpowers, no one's showing up to tell me I'm a princess—you get the picture. But when my junior year started, something not normal happened. There were new kids at school . . . new kids with a wardrobe straight out of a 19th-century romance novel, and an inexplicable desire to stay at school until sundown.
And on top of that, James Hallowell showed up. James, who stole my sandwiches in fourth grade and teased me mercilessly through middle school. James, who now seems to have the power to make my heart race any time he comes near.
But something weird is going on. Because James rarely goes out during the day. And he seems stronger than your typical guy. And he knows the new kids, all of whom seem to be harboring some kind of deep secret. . . .
First page of Vampire Crush and I was already dying of laughter - I think this very much epitomises the book, as I have found myself giggling the entire time I was reading it! Cute and light-hearted, this book is one for paranormal and comedy fans alike!
Sophie is one very entertaining narrator - she's witty, driven, curious as hell and investigative. Sophie is also competitive to a fault, and we see all these characteristics of her in the book. Funny enough, some of these characteristics drive and shape the plot. For instance, her curiosity and investigative streak leads her into discovering far more about the newcomers in her school than her getting-to-know-you article required. She diverts from a typical heroine by actually having a reason to follow the newcomers, although eventually she steps far beyond the boundary. It was quite a refreshing break, away from other 'I-have-come-for-you' vampire stories. She is actually just a bystander dragged into the whole mess by her competitiveness and curiosity and her connection to James.
Speaking of James - I adore the relationship between him and Sophie. Their affection is shown in a very non-convetional way, and as childhood friends, their history is rich, vibrant and more than full of laughs. Their antics are both funny and romantic at the same time, truly reminiscient of a best-friend-turned-boyfriend romance. Between them is a sea of endless insults and pranks, but their affection and attraction to each other is shown through each of these - and is very clear from day one! Their history puts weight on their affection, and boy does it end up being terribly romantic!
I love the general feel of the whole book - Sophie comes from a stereotypical family of four with a gossip-loving stepmother, a father in the business sector and a stepsister who can be both annoying and supportive on the same page. Her high school is just as typical, with a barmy and hilarious set of students (with or without the vampires). Take for instance Neal, who goes to school with his hamster wriggling in his pockets. Yeah, 'nough said.
There is that little bit of hesitation on my part when it comes to the climax of the book as its light-hearted tone made it difficult for me to take the plot seriusly. Despite the situation seemingly moving into intense and serious, the book never quite lets up on the humour, and so as a reader I was always expecting a prank or a joke or another - which meant I almost missed the climax as it happened. I have to say however, that Vampire Crush is definitely a light-hearted book ... that needs a sequel!
Such a charming book - I'm sure readers will love Sophie's comedic narration and step into her shoes some time. Not to mention James, the vampires and the happy-ish ending!
Four Stars.
PS - I shall leave you with a quote that made me giggle:
"... Men are always difficult to fathom. One moment they want to run away and elope, and the next they leave you sitting alone on a park bench in the middle of the night, ruined and with no place to go." Imagine that being said in a modern High school. Had me in stitches!
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