Such a Rush

I whip my hair back and forth…on a plane.

Such a Rush 
by Jennifer Echols
MTV Books
Review copy from publisher
Publication Date: July 10, 2012
[#48 in my 75 book challenge]

This is the perfect summer book. Not “fluffy,” but light and fun with some substance.

It’s the story of Leah Jones, who has grown up watching the airplanes flying over her various homes in trailer parks her whole life. Her mom is generally MIA, she rarely has enough to eat and doesn’t have a car, but she watches those airplanes and wants to fly. She walks to the local airport and gets a job working in the office…which leads to a flying lesson…which leads to more lessons…which leads to a job flying banners over the beach during spring break.

While working at the airport, Leah has come to see her boss, Mr. Hall, as a kind of father figure. Mr. Hall helps her out with discounts and gives her a chance to live her dream of becoming a pilot, but Leah believes her dream is over when Mr. Hall passes away. The airport is left to his twin sons, good-boy Alec and the wild-child Grayson. Leah is suddenly wrapped up in a situation fraught with some blackmail, fake romance, lots of partying, fights, tornadoes, stolen kisses, and a really confusing love triangle-esque relationship with with both boys. Toss in her rich friend, Molly, and a heaping teaspoon of conflict with ex-boyfriend, Mark, and you’ve got a lot of drama.

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did, and it’s not a book I would normally buy. Sometimes I find contemporary a bit boring, but I was really intrigued by the relationship between Leah and Grayson. I didn’t always know where it was going, but it was exciting! Grayson has some secrets, but so does everyone else. The hint of mystery on every page kept me reading. Not to mention the sexual tension…Oh. My. God. Jennifer Echols has a great way of using just the right amount of description and making a few words go a long way. Love it.

FINAL GRADE:  B   Though it may not make my top 10 at the end of the year (that’s my criteria for giving A’s), this one is a definite must read for contemporary readers or anyone looking for a good beach read. The book really is “Such Rush,” with the descriptions of flying, tensions between characters, and the firecracker main character that is Leah Jones. I really respected her character, which is part of what made the story work. The content is a bit too sophisticated for a middle school library, but I do think it could be enjoyed by readers at the high school level and up. It’s due to come out on July 10, and I highly recommend you check it out!

Do you normally like contemporary novels? Have you ever read any Jennifer Echols books? Do you have any of her books to recommend to me, because I’m impressed with her style!

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