Two-Way Street

I remember reading Lauren Barnthold all the way back in middle school when I read her book, the secret identity of Devon Delaney. That book was filled with enough drama and lies to get me really into reading, so I thank her for that. While wondering the library shelves, I (thank fully) stumbled across this book. Two way street is about the very complEX (haha, get it? Ok...no? ) relationship of Courtney Mcsweeny and Jordan. Because they were both going to Boston Uni, while dating, they decided that they will drive together.... But then they break up, due to something Jordan saw when he went home early from a party, involving Courtney's dad and Jordan's mom... Talk about drama. Even though they are broken up, they still go, and the trip is filled with enough tension but not too much, and some revelations and heart felt talks to make it awesome and sweet. The flashbacks were a nice touch but left stuff un answered and there were some holes in the book...for example, when the hell was Courtney's ID stolen? But overall, it was pretty good.

This book had three of my favorite things:
1. A road trip.
2. An alternative POV.
3. A hot guy.

It was funny to see these two come together after a break up. Great story.

I had really high expectations for this book, but I think that's just because it sounded really good and I've read one of Lauren Barnholdt's other books. This book definitely didn't meet those expectations.

The thing that bothered me the most was probably just the way it was written. The book jumped around too much - it started off on the day of the trip, and then not too much later it was 100 days before the trip in Jordan's point of view, and then it was day one of the trip in Courtney's point of view, then 94 days before the trip, then 90 days before the trip, and so on. I get that Barnholdt wanted to show how Jordan and Courtney's relationship came to be, but honestly, it was too much skipping around for me.

Another thing I didn't like - the characters. Since the POV's switched off between Jordan and Courtney through the book, we get to see both their viewpoints of each other. Jordan's view of Courtney was so off most of the time that it simply made me angry. And his thoughts weren't that interesting, either. Both characters seemed so vapid and shallow at times that I didn't want to keep reading. And their friends? Don't even get me started on them.

The plot was probably the best part of this book, and even that didn't interest me very much. Jordan's big "secret" about why he broke up with Courtney wasn't even as mysterious as I was anticipating. And you find out the reason fairly quickly - no suspense.

Overall: While Barnholdt's writing may appeal to some, this book just wasn't for me. I can't think of a single good thing to say about it, other than the concept is an interesting idea: going on a roadtrip with the boy who just dumped you. I just wish Barnholdt had done a better job with it. I feel like I'm being unnaturally harsh, but I can't give it more than 2 stars. I kind of want to give it 1.

Reader reviewed by itsmollyleigh.

This book was great. And i have read alot of books. what i liked about this book is that they are both secreatly still in love with eachother but they act like they cant stand oneanother. it is a book that will hold onto your heart and will not let it go. it had chapters by both of the characters and has chapter with past tence so you get to know how there relationship was brought together and how it ended. Lauren Barnholdt is a terific author.

Reader reviewed by Erica

This was a great book!! Lauren Barnholdt is very creative with the way she wrote this book. Not only do you hear from both characters in the present, but you also hear both sides starting the night they started dating. It really hooks you in, and just keeps you wanting to read. The characters are great, with a lot of depth and thought. The characters reflect real life people, where in some novels the characters are incredibly fake. The book was definately original, something you generally wouldn't think of as a story. So get out there and get yourself a copy :)

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Jordan and Courtney were an unlikely high school couple, but it really didnt matter because they were in love. They even planned to drive together to college orientation since theyre going to the same college. But then Jordan dumps Courtney for a MySpace girl. Courtney is devastated, but she wont give Jordan the satisfaction of seeing her mope, even though thats extremely difficult for her. And now they still have that road trip to go on since its too late to change plans. What Courtney doesnt know, though, is that theres a reason Jordan wants to go on this road trip with Courtney and a couple secrets he hasnt told her which have to do with why they broke up in the first place. Two-Way Street is the story of first love and true love in the midst of hardship.

Two-Way Street was a much better novel than I thought it would be. Its told from both Jordans and Courtneys perspectives so you understand both their sides of the story. I enjoyed the flashbacks to before the trip, because it was really obvious how perfect Jordan and Courtney were for each other, even when Jordans secret became too much for him to bear. I was hoping through the entire story that Jordan and Courtney would work out their issues because it felt that they were totally meant to be together. This story and the characters had a lot more depth than I expected from what I thought was a simple romance story. The complications to Jordan and Courtneys relationship added some humor and well as meaning to the novel. Overall, Two-Way Street was very enjoyable to read and much more than just a romance novel.

I recommend this book to all teen girls, but other readers may also enjoy it. I truly did love Two-Way Street and may read a couple of Lauren Barnholdts other novels.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com