Thursday, July 12, 2012

Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker 
by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 245
Genre: YA Romance
Source: ARC
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High. After a scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.   ADD TO GOODREADS

Parker Shelton's mom left her family for another woman. Her church and friends all turned on her so Parker quit softball, lost 30 pounds, and started making out with all different guys to prove she is not like her mom. I felt so devastated that Parker was abandoned in this difficult time. She has one great friend Drew who stood by her. Drew wants to spend time with Parker and suggests she help out with his baseball team and do the stats. Parker meets the hot 23 year old Coach Brian Hoffman exactly 52 days before she turns 18.

I have to admit I did like Brian. I felt like they really did understand and need each other for awhile. They have some hot scenes together too. But as Parker snuck around with him more and more she realized she needed more. She always used guys but begins to feel used and learns that it doesn't feel good. I think Brian truly cared about her but all it could ever be is a hidden affair otherwise he risks losing his job and his teaching career that has just started. I think he was a good guy but was just going through his own thing. For a short time they made each other forget their problems. I also liked that Parker took responsibility for her actions. She was almost 18 and knew what she was doing.

Parker is valedictorian and has always had a rivalry with the runner up Corndog. Everyone calls him Corndog and he was the cutest thing. Parker's very evil ex friend Laura always tried to take everything from Paker. When they were young Laura told Parker she liked Corndog so Parker stayed away from him. Corndog begins hanging out with her again and Parker realizes she may be able to have something real and meaningful but she also can't help enjoying her time with the coach. What I like about this book and the companion novel is that while there are two love interests in the books I never feel like it is the typical love triangle. In both books it was more about the girl figuring herself out and what truly works. Both guys had their good and bad qualities and both were good for Parker at times but Parker just grew into herself and into one guy more. I loved the developments that happened with both guys, it felt natural and realistic.

My only complaint about this book is that it gets a bit more religious than I normally like but it never does feel too preachy. Parker is dealing with feeling like God and her church abandoned her and also dealing with morality. How far do you go to be happy? It is a hard line to decide. She often writes prayers on a napkin, sort of like diary entries. They let us into her feelings and past experiences. It was easy to relate to Parker's issues even without being religious. How sometimes bad things happen and others judge and abandon you when they should be supporting you. Her church was an unhealthy environment. She does attend Corndog's church and saw more support there but wanted to support her dad by continuing to attend her church. I thought she should have found a new church.

More than just romance the book also dealt with family issues. Parker's mom leaving left her father devastated and her brother turning to drugs. Moving on was difficult for everyone and I felt tears at times as Parker tried to deal with her feelings of abandonment. Conflicting emotions for loving her mother and hating her for leaving. Quite a few heart wrenching moments but plenty of humor in the book as well. I loved Drew and Corndog's scenes. Parker played off them well and even talks about how they would reenact Seinfeld. I included a scene between Parker and Corndog below. Great romance, friendship, humor, and overcoming obstacles to find yourself, I found the book heartwarming, inspiring, emotional and realistic. I might have liked Catching Jordan a tiny bit better but this was another favorite. I loved it!


"But you're still thinking of me as your archrival."
"I'm Princess Peach, and you're Bowser," I say with a laugh.
"You think I'm an ugly dinosaur-dragon dude who kidnaps women for fun?"
"It's better than being a plumber like Mario. At least Bowser has all those castles. He's rich!"
"So it's all about money for you?"
"Any man of mine's gotta give me lots of presents."
"Oh yeah? Like what?"
"Nail polish? iTunes gift certificates?"
"A guy doesn't have to be rich to manage that. I can definitely afford to buy nail polish."
"I can't wait to tell all the guys you're gonna buy me nail polish."
"Don't!"

"In these novels, all the problems could be solved if characters would talk to each other."

"Maybe all friendships don't fizzle. Maybe, like the kaleidoscope, the colors just change."

Rating: 5/5

24 comments:

  1. I just read Catching Jordan and LOVED it so I can't wait for this one :)

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    1. Catching Jordan was amazing! I was very impressed with it.

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  2. Wow, Stealing Parker sounds different than what I originally expected. Sounds like Parker has a lot to go through in this book. Glad you enjoyed it. Nice review!

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    1. Yeah based on the covers they seem like light romances but they deal with some super deep and real issues. Parker goes through so much but she was a strong and likable character.

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  3. I still need to read Catching Jordan. The God stuff doesn't thrill me but aside from that everything else you stated makes me realize I need to check this author out ASAP. thanks for your thoughts!

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    1. Catching Jordan is a great read. I was worried about the sports stuff but it was well handled and inspirational. I loved Jordan and was rooting for her. They books have great romance but also deal with so many real issues and it makes them good well rounded reads. Hope you enjoy them!

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  4. I'm really jealous that you got to read this early! I'm really looking forward to it. The story has taken a turn from what I remember it being originally from the author's blog. Can't wait to read it! Nice review. :)

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    1. I don't remember what she first said the story would be about but I thought it followed the first book kind of closely except for the added religion. Similar romance and finding yourself issues. Great reads! Hope you enjoy it!

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  5. You know, I hadn't planned on reading Catching Jordan when I first heard about it, but I've been wanting to lately. Now after reading your review for this, I want to read both really bad.

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    1. Catching Jordan was WAY MORE THAN I expected and well worth the read. I hop you get a chance to read it!

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  6. Ah, I really want to read this one! I still have to read Catching Jordan though. Awesome review.

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read Catching Jordan soon! Can't wait to hear what you think of it.

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  7. Another 5 stars?? It sounds like Miranda is doing something REALLY right if she's managing to write these amazing contemporaries! I haven't read Catching Jordan yet, but because of all you guys gushing about these books, I just ordered it! Hopefully it will be in next week or so so I can gush about these with you. You described he romance and the growth and everything else so perfectly, Jen -- I'm sold! :')

    Amazing review, Jen! <3 And bickering about Mario?? I LOVE THEM ALREADY! x)

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    1. Very impressed with what she is doing so far. YA! SO happy you ordered it and I really hope/think you will like it. Sam Henry is adorable and Jordan is an awesome lead character. HAHA I LOVE Corndog and Parker's little flirty arguments. They play off each other so well. And I loved Parker's thoughts on like Bowser because he has so many castles lol

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  8. Yay I loved this one too! I felt the same about the religion I ha da hard time connecting with that likestyle but I Loooved Parker and the romance was amazing! I also loved seeing cameos of Jordan and Henry <3 Great review, chickie!

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    1. Yeah I'm not religious so I prefer my books to not have much religion. But I also LOVED Parker! I loved her honesty and the way she confronted things. Even though she was hurt and made mistakes I thought she did a great job to overcome them and make things right. I also loved seeing Jordan and Henry. They are so cute together!

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  9. I loved catching jordon! i can't wait to read this book now!
    new follower!

    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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    1. So glad you enjoyed Catching Jordan! I think you will enjoy this one too then.

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  10. I really, really want to read Miranda's books, and i'm not even much of a realistic fiction girl! But this one sounds intriguing and impossible to say no to. These books are so moving up on my TBR stack. Loe the review, darling!

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    1. I'm not much of a realistic fiction girl either but she has definitely turned me onto the genre. I haven't read too many I enjoy but I loved these! I hope you enjoy them!

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  11. I had Catching Jordan as a guest review on my blog a while back, but I never read it. Now, I'm kicking myself for not doing so. This next book sounds great! Thank you for the wonderful review...and for the convincing :D

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    1. Happy to convince! Never to late to pick up Catching Jordan! Hope you enjoy it!

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  12. I loved Catching Jordan and this book sounds absolutely amazing! The name Corndog? I absolutely love it! (:

    Thanks for the review.

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    1. I just love adorable nicknames. The story behind it is sweet. Corndog was a great guy and I hope you get a chance to meet him soon!

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