Stray

 Stacey Goldblait, 1 hour over 1/12-1/14, pages 1-274(whole book)
   
     I applaud Stacey for not doing the cheesy storybook ending! Who knew that once Kirby (odd name), confessed his feelings for Natalie, they wouldn't end up together! As I read the confession part, I almost wanted to throw the book away because so many stories/movies do that: Have the main girl be in love with someone before getting together with her close guy friend who's obsessed with her. "I watched, feeling more scared than drunk. Because a life without Kirby would be like a life without stars." (Goldblait page 229) Doesn't that just make you cringe? Especially when your opinion of Kirby this is whole book has been: "Gosh, this guy is realllllyyyy annoying, someone please make him shut up!"
     "Stray" is about a girl who has been constricted by her mom's rules ever since her dad walked out. One summer, Natalie's (the main girl) mom's old friend's son comes to spend the summer with them, working for Natalie's mom. Natalie has had a bad first impression of this guy because he almost killed her dog when he was 9 years old. Naturally, he's perfect for her and they fall for each other. Unfortunately, the psycho mom catches them kissing after Natalie has gone behind her mom's back a couple of times to hang out with Carver (the guy). Fortunately, Natalie stands up to her mom at the end and gives her mom a piece of her mind. Natalie's mom finally listens but is still wary.

  It was a good book in my opinion, and I could really understand the characters. All the characters that is, except Kirby and Natalie's mom. Those 2 are just the odd ducks of the book in my opinion, each in their own special way. Both were fine and normal-seeming at the beginning of the book but with each and every page, they got more and more on my nerve. Why? Well Kirby was against Natalie's happiness, and Natalie's mom...well, I just can't imagine what would happen if my mom were like that (practically the monarch of the house) .
     This book wasn't really a 'romance', even though it had romance. The book was more about Natalie discovering herself, but the author made that happen in a non-sappy way. *more applause to Stacey Goldblait* Also the book had the dog/vet components too. Natalie often compared people to dogs based on their personality. If I were a dog, I would be a lab, but that's probably just because I own labs. I wonder what the stereotype lab personality is.