Feature and Follow Friday

The Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read where we answer a book related question and follow links to visit other blogs and read their answers too. It's been a while since I participated but I really liked the questions this week.

This week's question from Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction:

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don’t like and LOVE it? 

Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

I enjoy poetry and have a few anthologies of my favourites, but I've never been particularly fond of novels in verse. I tend to lose interest after the first few chapters. 

I picked up Love and Leftovers based on the cover:

And I loved it. The story had the right combination of  heart break and dreamy boys. But ultimately it was the language and the authors way with words that hooked me.

Have you read it?

Book Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Published December 27th 2011 by Harpercollins

446 pages

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father. 

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it? 

My Thoughts:

   I  enjoy novels in verse but I have to say this was one of the best ones I've had the pleasure of reading and also one of the best contemporary YA  novels I've read in a while. The story flowed flawlessly, and Marcie was a well written, likeable main character. 

The language had a rich depth  and it's almost impossible to pick a quote that I loved more than others, because there are so many to choose from. 

This one stands out for me:

"I can't believe he doesn't think I understand. I do. Your arms ache to hold someone- you move in slow motion from one hug to the next so you won't jostle the warm feeling off your shoulders before the next hug comes your way."

The story is compelling , sprinkled with the perfect combination of funny, serious and steamy moments. It's well written and even those readers who may have shied away from reading novels in verse before will not regret picking Love & Leftovers up. Highly Recommended.