Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 312
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Purchased
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Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop. So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company. She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Caymen works hard helping her mom out with the doll shop that they live above. Yes super creepy, I have no idea how they sleep! Chucky anyone? Caymen's mom has a bad history with rich men such as Caymen's father that took off fast. When Xander enters the picture she thinks he is another spoiled rich boy. But he keeps showing up and is intrigued by her strange humor.

I would say the best part of the book is Caymen's dry humor as her mother calls it. I think you definitely need a sense of humor to get through working at a doll store. Take for example Caymen and Xander's first meeting

"Can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, I need a doll."
"Sorry, we're all out."
"Funny. So which one of these do you think an older woman might like?"
"All of them."

I just crack up at Caymen. Probably because she says a lot of things similar to what I would probably say in her situation. She was also a great daughter always worrying about her mom and the store. Xander starts showing up at the store and they begin to have career testing dates. As in they took turns planning some type of career experience for the other, to see what they might want to do in the future. Both of them feel trapped in their family business. Their outings are rather entertaining and I like that they spend a lot of time getting to know each other before it becomes romantic.

Caymen hides the relationship from her mother who is hiding quite a bit more than she let on. Xander is sweet and obviously not like the usual rich guys. The culture and money differences still affect them and Caymen does feel insecure. It is hard when someone plans something so amazing, like a private flight, and you can't give back the same type of things. Going to benefit functions and other things where you feel out of place. Differences are challenging in any relationship but I think they handled them well. More communication would have been good but it is hard as a teenager. Actually it's always hard but I loved their romance. Sweet, funny, and a great build up. Really enjoyed it!




"My older brother, Lucas, is twenty and away at college."
"Those are pretty normal names."
"Normal?"
"No Chets or Wellingtons or anything."
He raises one eyebrow. "Do you know any Wellingtons?"
"Of course not, but you probably do."
"No, actually I don't."

"Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way."

Mrs. Spence picks up a roll of toilet paper from the counter and scrunches her nose.
"Ask Caymen about that," Xander says.
Great, now I have to explain to his mother about my vandalism? "Your son called me with a toilet paper emergency. I rushed right over."
She looks confused so Xander says, "She’s kidding, Mom."

"I wonder why some people seem to be born knowing what they want to do with their lives and others - mostly me - have no idea."

Rating: 4/5