Book Review: The Unexpected Everything

Hey everyone! I recently read the book The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. I am a fan of this author because I've read half of her books. Last year I read Since You've Been Gone, and what I particularly like about these books is how they are cute love stories that take place in the Summer. There is obviously conflict among the characters and such, but it's a very light read.

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Andie had it all planned out. When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future. Important internship? Check. Amazing friends? Check. Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected. And where’s the fun in that?

My Thoughts:

At first this book seems like it would be very long due to the extensive number of pages, and the hard cover, but the story goes so fast. Lately, I've read some books filled with heavy drama, and I needed a nice story that was more realistic to me. Also, it's the middle of the winter here, so I needed to be reminded what Summer was like.

The main character, Andy, at first seems very snobby. She talks about how she only dates guys for three weeks, and then breaks up with them. Since her father is a congressman, she is always super organized and it gets to a point where she is very anal about everything. The beginning of the book is her freaking out about her summer program, and how she has to have a plan for everything. I really didn't like her mentality. Once a twist of fate happens and she ends up staying in Connecticut for the Summer; her whole demeanor changes. The first time I started liking her was when she starts getting into a routine with her new job (you can see from the cover that it's dog walking). As the book goes on, Andy broadens her horizons with new experiences and that's definitely due to the boy she meets named Clark.

I am not a big fan of the other characters in the book, but Clark is definitely a personal favorite. I particularly don't like Andy's friend, Toby, because she spends most of the Summer pining after this guy who has no interest in her, but she's very possessive of him. The girls in the book all are interesting enough, but almost all of the conversations are about boys. Although relationships are a common topic among teenagers, Andy's friends made it almost a necessity to mention a boy in all conversations. Clark is a very well developed character because he breaks the mold of the typical people from the made-up town in Connecticut. I am not going to spoil anything, but he has a pretty cool job and he's very smart. His influence on the other characters make the book from very superficial to a cute love story/ summer story.

Morgan Matson is a talented writer, and I do want to continue reading her other books. I think a key characteristic in a good writer is that they can make you hate or love the characters, but be able to keep you involved with the book. The Unexpected Everything does have a message in the book, which is that life doesn't go according to plan. You might have your whole life written out in an organizer, but that might not be the way that it works out.  I recommend this book for people who wants a summer-y feel. This books is very young adult orientated, but it deals with enough topics that I feel that most people will enjoy it.

Some Favorite Quotes: 

“I could do this. If whole galaxies could change, so could I.”
 

You have to try. You have to take your chances. Go and attempt and see what happens. And even if you fail - especially if you fail - come back with your experience and your hard-won knowledge and a story you can tell. And then later you can say, without regret or hesitation... 'Once, I dared to dare greatly” 

“The idea that you could rethink the thing you'd always thought you wanted and change your plan - it was almost a revolutionary concept. That you could choose what would make you happy, not successful"

“Sometimes we get a little bit of a facade. We think we have people. Family, friends... but in the end, it's just you and the darkness. Everyone leaves eventually, my young friend. It's better, really, to learn early. This way, you can save yourself some disappointment.” 

Question: Have you read anything similar to this book?

I am sorry I haven't updated in almost a month! I have had so much college test prep to do. There's only eight days left in the month...so I'll try to catch up with some posts!

                                                                        xx
                                                          Christina Madeleine