Review: I expected to like this one more
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 25, 2014
This book gave me a lot of mixed messages.  The cover, to me, screams adult book.  The blurb says YA.  The story had me confused between middle grade and adult.  Why?  I'll tell ya.The book is set in Australia and I will admit to cultural differences.  Not so much that I didn't get things, just enough to give me pause a few times.  It might explain my biggest issue with the book.  I'm not sure what high school students are like at a private school in Australia but I do know what high school students from a public school are like in the US.  And this isn't like it.  The relationships screamed middle grade to me.  Yet at the same time, Jaz is dealing with adult issues.  I was just really confused and uncomfortable with it.Jaz is a strong girl that kicks behinds and asks questions later.  She brings the hurt.  She's very drawn to weapons and fighting.  She's also in love with her best friend, though he's oblivious.  She's also involved with "running" the ring (a gym) while the owner is out of town.  I found this strange.  She's been working there since she was 10.  It felt too convenient as a plot element. When Ryan shows up at the ring, he gains her attention with his muscles and good looks.  He's in his mid twenties, which didn't go with her age of 17.  Their connection made the book feel like NA.  It was very confusing.I really liked Taylor and Anna despite their flatness.  There was a lot of potential with them that I don't think every was realized.I guess that's how I felt about the whole thing.  There was potential there.  I liked the premise, though I think it should have been NA through and through.  But the whole thing just didn't satisfy me.  I found myself longing for it to be over and not in a good way.  I just wanted more.I'm not sure who would enjoy this book.  Perhaps a YA would enjoy it.