The Distance Between Us

overall 4 stars

Caymen works in her mother's doll shop when a rich, totally gorgeous guy comes in looking for a birthday present for his grandmother. They have an instant connection and slowly start to hang out. He is Caymen's perfect guy but her mother would not approve because she was burned in the past, after Caymen's father left her mother when she got pregnant. Due to her mother's past Caymen is afraid to show her feeling towards Xander.

What I liked the most about this book is the main character, Caymen. If I had to describe her in just one word I would use, sarcastic. She's like the long lost Rose Hathaway twin, without the ass-kicking. She's not only afraid of Xander but also of the future. Since her mother's broke she can't afford to go to college and she doesn't want think about it at all.

I have a soft spot for guys named Alex and Devyani does too. *sigh* There's just something about that name I find so appealing. Alex, or Xander, in this book, was a wonderful male specimen. Like a guy who can make your skin on fire with a single touch and can also hold you when you're having a bad day. I kind of pictured him as Nolan Gerard Funk's character Collin from Awkward. Even though his family owns a bunch of hotels he isn't a snob and isn't afraid to get dirty and dig up a grave, literally.

I didn't like how the author resolved the money problem in this novel. I highly doubt anything like that happens outside books and movies. I don't want to reveal what really happens but those who get the chance to read it will understand what I'm talking about.

All in all, The Distance Between Us was a light summer read and I will check out Kasie's future contemporary novels.

You guys, this book gave me ALL the feels. I felt so depressed about so many things, happy about so many things, and the love scenes gave me all the mushy feelings. Not gonna lie, I was a little worried about all the hype and the plot, but it exceeded my expectations.
What I loved most about this book was the realism of it.The situation Caymen and Xander are in is a very real life situation. Especially in today's society. It breaks my heart that there are really people that have simple concerns about this kind of thing in their love life. As my mother drilled into me for as long as I can remember, "you can't help who you love. It shouldn't matter about gender, race, society class, or any of that stuff. All that matters is that you're happy." You may not have many things in common, but if that person makes you happy and you feel that they can continue that, why short yourself because of something that small. *gets off soapbox*
Anyways, on to Xander. Gah, be still my heart! He is someone that thinks like me. Love whoever you want. And he did it all with no worries or regrets. He just let it happen. And he was so swoony the entire time. I fund myself rooting for him since the very beginning. I have found a new book boyfriend for sure.
I actually didn't like Caymen though. She had so many assumptions and what felt like regrets about everything. I honestly got a little tired of her dry humor too. Sometimes it wasn't exactly funny, just eye-roll worthy.
But when you put the two of them together, I fell in love with Caymen and Xander. They made the cutest couple and their love felt so real. It didn't feel rushed or anything, it just went at the perfect pace. Especially with so many of the things they had telling them not to be together.
Although there were some things that bothered me about this story, I know they were necessary. Without those things, the story would really be nonexistent. So with that being said, the flaws in this one helped it to become such a great read.

The Distance Between Us is the antidote to all the YA paranormal I've been gorging on lately. I love paranormal but I'm mostly a contemporary girl. Besides, paranormal was making it so hard for me to find a good contemporary to read. It's addictive! *shrugs* The solution? Read books written by authors of my favorite books but from the contemporary genre. So I had to read The Distance Between Us and fast.

Not even a line into the book and the guy is introduced. I was like whoa, this is exciting and definitely refreshing from the I-am-this-I-do-that-and-then-I-met-him routine. Not that that's bad but this was way different. I hadn't even finished reading the first page and I got the feeling that this book was going to be awesome. Now isn't that just the greatest?

Caymen. Where do I start with Caymen? I always love me a sarcastic main character and Caymen has perfected that to a tee. But that's not it, Kasie West isn't the one to make up a character and not make them grow up throughout the book. While Caymen's thoughts are very (extremely?) sarcastic, blunt and hilarious; her behavior and dry humor around other people makes her pretty nonchalant. She's always on the verge of saying something awkward/inappropriate in public so has to amuse herself by just thinking it. I totally get that! It happens with me all the time. Also, she got some serious competition going on with Bianca from The DUFF. I can't even decide who I love more.

Y'know the guys who're always so serious but when they talk, you want them to talk more as they're so interesting (and charming!) and then when they smile, their whole face changes. And you want them to take a sip from your drink before handing it over to you? That's how Xander is. Never once did I get angry at him (okay, I did once but that's been sorted out). He exudes such gentlemanliness despite being so young, solemn and filthy rich. He has his flaws though (he likes to beckon) but they're not damaging in the serious sense. Rather in the need-to-learn--to-do-this-and-not-that sense.

There are highs and lows in Caymen's life like everybody else's but it's about how she deals with them. She never once made me sorry for her, didn't whine and kept her complaints to herself. If anything, working in at Dolls and More only made her that much more interesting even if she had to cut back on her social life so much. And while Xander makes her life more open, Caymen knows not to get too close to him but only the dolls (see, dry humor). Gah, I was smiling so much while reading this book! The dialogue between Caymen and Xander is out of this world and ridiculously funny.

Also, can I just say that I love all the characters in this book? Because I totally do! (There is just one that is annoying, though). Mrs Dalton's so adorable and Sean ha, he is awesome! And I should totally mention Skye, she's an awesome BFF and her personality shines throughout the book. The inclusion of Henry and Tic also made The Distance Between Us a very interesting read. This book has everything and is a perfect summer book.

Everyone, go read this book now!