Review: Whitman University: Road Trip Edition
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 8, 2013
As a fan of Lyla Payne’s Whitman University series, I’ve been anticipating the pairing of Sam Bradford and Blair Paddington, who were introduced as minor characters in earlier books. Unlike the other books in the series, Staying on Top strays away from the Whitman University campus, following the road trip trope as Sam and Blair travel the world looking for answers. I've read many books where one character was keeping a secret from another and this story evokes a similar feeling of anxiety. It's inevitable that the secret will be revealed at some point and, until that time, there's a dark cloud hovering over every interaction, putting an expiration date on their newfound relationship.My favorite part of the book was getting to know Sam better, learning all his little quirks that made him special and endeared me to him. From his portrayal in previous books, I knew Sam was charming and a bit of a player, but I assumed his charm would be of the slick, womanizing, says-all-of-the-right-things variety. Maybe this is the case for the average tennis groupie, but around Blair, a less assured, more laid-back side emerged. Sam’s cheerful persona is contrasted against Blair’s cynical nature, providing a balance where the two meet in the middle.As much as I loved Sam, I was more cautious towards my judgment of Blair. Knowing what kind of secrets were in Blair's past and present made me wary of her intentions toward Sam and, although I may not have been her biggest fan at the start of the book, her character grew on me. She didn't open up easily, instead making Sam (and me, as a reader) work to get to know her. I liked the fact that despite Blair's ability to conceal her thoughts, Sam was the one person with the ability to unveil them.What I love about this series is that nothing is ever usually what it seems. Whitman University is a school for wealthy and privileged students, yet there always seems to be a hidden story with each character. Appearances are deceiving, and, it isn't until we delve deeper into their minds that their true characters are revealed. Lyla Payne breaks through the surface of each protagonist, making them more relatable by exposing their hidden desires and vulnerabilities. Each book in the series has disproved any preconceived notions I may have had about the characters and Staying on Top is no exception.