Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things To Mend by @katiefinnwrites Review

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
(Broken Hearts & Revenge, #1)
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 339 pages
Rating:

Hot sun. Blue waves. New romances. Old secrets.

Gemma had her summer all planned out, but it takes a sharp turn when she gets dumped and finds herself back in the Hamptons after a five-year absence.

Being there puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friends (that is, before Gemma ruined her life). But people don't hold grudges forever. Do they?

Gemma intends on making amends, but a small case of mistaken identity causes the people she knew years ago—including Hallie and her dreamy brother, Josh—to believe she's someone else. As though the summer wasn't complicated enough already.

Filled with summer sun, boys, and friendships gone sour, Katie Finn's first novel in the Broken Hearts and Revenge series sizzles and delights.

The first half of this book was so good, seriously, SO GOOD but then things just went downhill in the second half. I knew, going in to this book, that it was a revenge book and while I can see how entertaining something like this could be, it's heartbreaking to read. Only because though this is fiction, you know there are girls (and even guys) out there doing things like this to each other. As a teenager, I can see how reading this would be different than reading it as an adult. I know in high school I saw a lot of girls stabbing each other in the back over and over and over again. Not that it's acceptable but it was so common but as an adult, we've matured (well, most of us). Things like this break our hearts because it could've easily been avoided. Especially since the signs of what was going on was so obvious. All of it, you could've guessed it from the time Gemma arrives in the Hamptons. 

That being said, this is fiction and I'm going to enjoy it for what it is. I loved the characters, especially Gemma. She may have done some awful things when she was 11 years old but honestly, she was a child and she was going through something that I imagine is very painful for any child. Her parents being separated is one thing but finding out they're getting a divorce from your best friend plus some more unsettling news . . . I can imagine how that would make a person want to do just about anything to help her parents stay together. I can't personally relate to this since my parents are together so anyone whose parents may have divorced, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. Five years later, Gemma has grown up and is trying to right any wrongs she may have done before. However, her way of going about it wasn't the smartest and I didn't see how she could ever see how it would work for her in the end. But regardless, she was trying to make things right and clearly, there was one person in the 'friendship' that has actually matured in the past five years. Clue: It's not Hallie, the girl Gemma hurt horribly all those years ago.

Hallie, while I liked her throughout the book, I completely lost respect for her by the end of the book. The lengths she went to just to get back at Gemma with a five year long grudge/hatred is pretty sad and pathetic. The fact that she used and hurt people close to her just to see frenemy hurt is just . . . well, I don't really have words for it.

The romance in this book was beautiful. There wasn't much kissing action going on but the build up of the relationship was just adorable and frankly, damn near perfect. It felt real, it made you giggle, it made you feel like a teenager again. To me, it did was it was meant to do and then some. I am eager to see what happens with Gemma and Josh in the next book. Like, really eager for it. I'm crossing my fingers for all the good things, y'all . . .

But that's not the only relationship I was a huge fan of. I was a big fan of the friendship between Gemma and Sophie. These two, I swear, they were made to be BFF's, they really were. When Gemma comes clean about all that's she done both in her past and during this summer, while most people would probably freak out, Sophie's reaction is what every person would want from their best friend. It made me love her even more because Gemma really needs someone like her watching her back.

So while I find all the revenge tactics sick and disrespectful because, let's face it, they are - this book felt all too true. This happens to girls everywhere at such a young age and you never know what kind of trauma that will put on someone for the rest of their life. It was an ugly read, sure, but it was also really good. It makes me worried about the next book though and the fact that this is a trilogy really worries me. How much back-stabbing can two people really put each other through? I guess we'll find out.

It's definitely worth the read because Katie Finn does a fantastic job creating her characters, sucking you in to their world and talking to the character outloud. It may happen (it did with me). You try to guide them down a different path but of course, they can't hear you. It was fun.

Thank you so much to Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Since Macmillan was so nice to send me a finished copy of this book, I want to share their generosity and give one lucky reader a finished copy, as well. This giveaway is open internationally. All entries much be submitted by August 21 at 11:59 PM EST in order to count. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway