The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler
Release Date - April 7, 2015
Publisher Website - Raincoat Books/Sourcebooks Fire
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 304 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A powerful and gripping contemporary YA from the author of I'm Not Her that's "Just right for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jodi Picoult."-Booklist

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care. 
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

There's a saying about not judging a book by it's cover. The same can be applied to people. You shouldn't judge by what you see on the outside. Janet Gurtler's newest novel looks at prejudices, obstacles, privilege and how snap judgements are often wrong.

This was my first experience with a Janet Gurtler novel. I was expecting something light and fun. Instead I got a novel that was deeper than I had been expecting. She tackles some complex issues in this novel, and it was a more gritty read than I had expected.

We get to see both side of prejudice in this novel. We see how it's thought that the rich don't have any problems, and that life for them must be perfect. For Jess that is anything but the truth. Her world is falling apart and her family is anything but functional. Her parents are both a mess, and her sister is largely absent because she's running from the truth about their family. She may have privilege but she still has problems. The flip side is also examined. The novel looks at the typical prejudices about those who are less fortunate. The notion of them bringing it on themselves, that they are trouble, and that there must be something wrong with them. Thorough Jess's growth we see that many of them are people going through tough times, and that it comes down to unfortunate circumstances. It doesn't mean the person isn't worth knowing or not a good, decent person. No more than being rich automatically makes you a good person. The novel showcases how both stereotypes are detrimental, and that the first steps of overcoming them is education and patience. We cannot understand what we don't know, so understanding is vital to change.

Jess's character journey and her development is the element of the novel I appreciated the most. She grows and learns a lot about herself as a result of the events that transpire. Seeing her go from an entitled, self destructive girl to who she is at the end was such as satisfying reading experience. Her time at the soup kitchen and the friendships she builds there are the heart of the story. In particular, her friendship with Wilf, an elderly volunteer at the soup kitchen, is heart warming. Their bond is one that I felt was developed and did work it's way into my heart.

I think the biggest issue I had was actually with the romance. Part of it, for me at least, was that we skip over the 'get to know' you parts of the romance. We never see them fall for each other, so that connection didn't seem as developed to me.  As characters they were engaging and fleshed out but the connections between them didn't come across the same way. I never fully invested in them together, and therefore the outcome wasn't as critical for me. I wasn't riveted by that aspect and didn't feel compelled.

This novel surprised me with it's look at stereotypes, prejudice, and good that can come out of taking those first steps to overcoming them, and opening yourself up to change. While I, sadly, didn't connect with the characters I think this book has an important message about judging others before you know them.

Heartbreakers Tour - Day Two

Today continues the Heartbreakers tour for 2015! It's a week filled with Valentine's Day goodness from some amazing authors! Visit each stop as each of the bloggers will be highlighting different authors and asking different questions! Also be sure to enter the giveaway that will be located at the bottom of each tour stop.

Today I have Janet Gurtler and Shari Green visiting the blog and dishing on their new titles!

Janet is spotlighting her new novel The Truth About Us!

A novel that promises romance and heart! Check out the Goodreads synopsis

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care.
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to
make you feel like you belong.  

A contemporary that has definitely already caught my eye!

Janet also answered my Valentine's Day themed questions. Totally agree with her way to get over a heartbreak.

1. What do you think is the best way to get over a heartbreak?

Alcohol if you’re old enough to drink, ice cream if you’re not.

2. What literary couple is your favourite?

Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie in Sloppy Firsts by MeganMcCafferty

A Rita Award Finalist and Crystal Kite Award Finalist, Janet Gurtler's young adult books have been chosen for the JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION and as BEST BOOKS FOR TEENS from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. Janet lives in Okotoks Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.

Next up, as part of the tour, I have Shari Green dishing details about her novel!

Shari Green's novel, Following Chelsea,  sounds like it's going to be a real heartbreaker!

You can check out this Goodreads synopsis

Walking in the footsteps of a dead girl isn’t easy.

After her social life flatlines, seventeen-year-old Anna Richards wants nothing more than to lie low at her new school. But it seems Anna looks an awful lot like Chelsea, the sweet and popular girl who recently died, and Anna finds herself stepping into the void created by Chelsea’s absence.

Anna is determined to make the awkward situation work in her favor, because Chelsea didn’t just leave a spot open with the in-crowd; she also left a gorgeous—and now available—boyfriend. But it turns out that following Chelsea might be a lot more complicated than Anna expected.

Love the sounds of this one. A girl who resembles a dead girl, and settling into the void her passing left behind is sure to create lots of heartbreak and drama.

Shari also answers my questions and her idea of walking somewhere beautiful may just be one I incorporate into my next break up.

1. What do you think is the best way to get over a heartbreak?

Weep and eat chocolate for 24 hours straight, then go out to the woods or the beach and walk until the world begins to look a little brighter.

2. What literary couple is your favourite?

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe, because there’s something “incalculably precious” between them.

Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction and occasionally masquerades as a poet. When she’s not glued to her laptop, she can often be found wandering in a blissful daze on the beach near her home on Vancouver Island, BC. Visit her online at www.sharigreen.com.





Thank you to both of them for stopping by. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the next day of the tour!

Be sure to enter the giveaway below for an e-reader and gift card if you haven't already.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kiss 'N' Tell Tour

Today I have Janet Gurtler stopping by with a guest post about media and it's impact on us in society. The role of the media in Who I Kissed showcases how our society has turned into a news centered culture. We are used to have up to the minute updates on everything.

An intereresting guest post topic, and I thank Janet for stopping by!

Media Crazy: In the book, Samantha is troubled with guilt and watching the news is not helping.  Janet Gurtler explores the effect media can have on teens in tough situations.

In the book, Who I Kissed, when a boy dies from kissing a girl who ate peanut butter, it’s a sensational death and all forms of media cover the tragedy. A peanut butter kiss and Alex is gone. It sounds almost comical, except it’s not.  It’s a story that the papers and the online community want to talk about.  Samantha is the girl who kissed a boy and made him die.  Not only does she have to deal with her own guilt and horror, she has to deal with the worlds. All she has to do is turn on the television to see highlights and updates about what happened. 


Sam is compelled to watch and almost treats the news as her just punishment, watching and seeing snippets about the boy and his life and knowing she’s the cause of the person he’ll never become.  When I wrote the book, I consulted some journalism friends to see if in a case like this whether or not the traditional forms of news coverage would name the girl who caused the death. The unanimous opinion was that, no, they wouldn’t because the death was accidental and a tragedy. 

The flip side of this world we live in today though is social media. There aren’t any hard and fast rules in place. In Sam’s world her name and the story is very much public knowledge. The teens even use social media to bully Sam. She’s taunted on Facebook and because of her overwhelming guilt, she doesn’t even try to report it or fight back.  Online bullying is a problem that is becoming larger and is often difficult to manage.  Sam is hurt but unable to answer to or unwilling to report or respond to it except internally.

Our society is so inundated with information coming from so many different forms of media. It seems like we expect to know the details when there’s a tragedy like a teen’s accidental death. As a public we want or the juicy behind the scenes. We’re a society growing up with reality television where we know intimate details about stranger’s lives.  Teens post pictures of themselves on-line or their parents post their pictures online for the whole world to see. 

I’m sure television reporters and shows feel tremendous pressure to get something different to show a different angle of a story.  The media seems much more intrusive and the public seems to support and expect it.  In many ways, it’s an unhealthy sense of entitlement and a willingness to peer inside people’s windows and see things we’re not always entitled inside to see. 

We want to know everything but what is the price for the people who have to deal not only with the tragedy but also with the consequences of being so exposed in the media?
Where are ethics, and social responsibilities going when our traditional media outlets are competing against media not governed or concerned with the same moralities?

Many teens today grow up with their lives completely connected to technology which usually includes being online.  Media really does take on a much broader scope and sometimes it’s hard not to have the lines blurred between social media and news.

Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler
Release Date – October 1, 2012
Publisher Website –  Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 312 pages
My Rating- 3/5
**Provided by publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

She Never Thought A Kiss Could Kill. . . 

Samantha is new at school and just recently joined the swim team. She’s been flirting with one of her teammates, Zee, who invites her to a party and just as quickly dumps her for another girl. Hurt, but pretending not to care, she turns to his best friend, Alex, and gives him a kiss. And he dies—right in her arms. Alex was allergic to peanuts, and Samantha had eaten a peanut butter sandwich right before the party. She didn’t know. Overnight, Samantha turns into the school pariah and a media sensation explodes. Consumed with guilt, abandoned by her friends, and in jeopardy of losing her swimming scholarship, she will have to find the inner-strength to forgive herself for the tragedy.

Samantha has always been a “good girl”. She gets good grades, is one of the top swimmers in her school, and doesn’t kiss random boys. One night changes everything for her when in a moment of anger she decides to kiss a boy she just started talking to. Samantha’s life quickly changes when the boy dies after kissing her from an allergic reaction/asthma attack. Her journey of self forgiveness is touching, but more light hearted than I was expecting.

The character of Samantha is well written. She is relatable and always felt like a real teenager. The crippling grief that consumes her after Alex’s death is understandable. Samantha’s self hatred, and need to be punished for what she sees as unforgivable leads to a downward spiral of destructive behaviour. I felt connected to her, and wanted to see her a reach a place of forgiveness for herself.

The entire cast of characters is pretty realistic. The anger, grief, and disbelief resonated deeply. Each of the characters deals with the loss in their own way, and each takes their own journey out of the darkness.  The notion of self forgiveness is handled beautifully, and the significance of that step is shown.

The comedic relief comes from Samantha’s Aunt Allie. A spiritual free spirit with a sweet Chiwawa. She’s spunky, and funny.

The relationship between Samantha and her father was wonderful. A relationship that showed each as an individual who makes mistakes, while showing that love that knits families together. It was refreshing in YA to see such a strong portrayal of a father/daughter dynamic.

This novel does come off much lighter than you might expect. The over all message is not one of sadness, but rather education and working through grief.  However, this lightness caused a bit of a disconnect with me. The events of the story are so crushing for the main character, that the lighter tone took me out of the feelings I was having. It’s a small thing and may not distract for others, but I found it noticeable.

The author’s main goal, through this novel, is to raise awareness. The danger of a potential second hand reaction is scary, and I would bet it doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds. Those not living with a serve allergy (either themselves or someone close to them) may not recognize this as a risk in public places. The novel is successful in making you think, and consider this type of situation.

A thought provoking novel that shines light on a danger that is given very little attention. The story was ultimately touching, but just didn’t resonate as strongly as I wished it would have.