Raven & Beez: The Distance Between Us 

A novel by Kasie West

Publication date: July 2nd, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 158

Targeted Audience: Teens/Young Adult

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn't approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn't been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn't a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved Caymen, her witty sarcasm and dry humor and I loved Xander, his oozing richness and effortless charm and hotness. 

First thing first, look at the cover. Look at it. Look. Its so pretty and that did it for me. I just had to read it. How could i resist.?

This book is absolutely fabulous. Caymen has got sarcasm down to an art. She's perfect at it. She's so funny that my stomach was literally aching while I was reading this book. and her cynicism is so amusing and refreshing. I swear if anyone wanted to learn how to speak full on sarcasm, this book is your bible.

Now, I have always wanted to be filthy rich. I hope that in the future I do come in the definition of rich. And Xander is rich, more than rich. Caymen happens to be against the rich. She has grown up with the impression that they are snobs, waste their money on useless thing(exactly what her mom sells) and don't stick around. And she's not wrong, it is further proved when Xander "beckons" her(I was clutching my stomach because I was laughing so hard). I think once I beckoned a teacher(!) before I could stop myself and was so darn embarrassed. 

Now Caymen snarky comment amused and made Xander more interested. Even thought that's exactly the opposite of what Caymen wants she can't help succumbing to his charm and the morning hot chocolate. Both of them have no idea which direction they want their life to go. So Mr-i'm-so-rich-take-my-picture suggests career day and begins the string of fun filled days trying to figure out each others potential. 

So it begins, morning walks with hot chocolate and Xander, ridiculously fun afternoons including one in a private jet with Xander and one digging a grave, rich and funny banter with Xander. Caymen starts warming up to idea of Xander but then the old misunderstanding leads to some do-i-smell-something-burning jealousy and other feeling. We all know they resolve it and spend quite some time down each others throats. 

With the perfect twist in the ending and a shocking discovery and also some more time locking lips, this book is an absolute laugh! Even I(I have an absurd notion that since there are soo many books to read I shall not repeat the ones I already have read) am going to reread it. This book guarantees 101%  silly laughs and rolling eyes. Now, I may have skipped parts about the characters but Raven will gladly fill the spaces.

Read or not to read??
Read, Read, Read!! You have to read this book. Its an amazong book and you will not have a teardrop of regret in you. So just pick it up and read it.

Lots of love and sour punks
Beez.

I don't know what to put up here since Beez has explained every great thing about this book (and those few things that I did not like... Well go down a little and you will see our heated/silly argument)

Caymen and Alexander are two adorable characters. Hats off to the author for making us (Beez and I) fall in love with them. Caymen's sarcastic-ness and Xander's patience towards Caymen is sooo adorable that I am at a loss for words. This book is a great example of 'opposites attract'.

The story sounds cliché but I assure that it is anything but that. It's got a very homey feel to it. Nothing out of the ordinary happens in it. There's Caymen with her problems and Xander with his. They fall for each other and it's definitely not love at first sight..

There are also other characters that you might love. There's Caymen's bestfriend Skye, who is a great friend but you don't really get to connect with her. There is Skye's weird boyfriend Henry (who I keep remembering as Toad, who will know why when you read it) and he is hilarious. Also there is Henry's friend Mason (Also known as Tic) and there is the great Muffin guy who has no role whatsoever in the book but I love him too.

Xander is so prince like that I couldn't stop thinking about him all day after reading the book. I mean come on girls, a guy who has enough patience to let you open up to him on your own time? That's like having a black diamond among pearls (I said that cause black diamonds look pretty to me) and I prefer calling him Alex in my head because that's my favourite name!

And it's not just that characters, it's the whole plot that's awesome. The mystery about Caymen's family, her dad, Xander's family, career days, that feeling of insecurity and not-belonging that everyone has felt at least once in their life, all of this is what makes this book one of a kind and do as Beez suggests (or forces upon you)- Read it!

 It's a great book. It's not all drama, there are twists, heartaches and a huge bottle of laughing gas. The perfect book to read when you are travelling. I rate it a 4 since I just love rating stuff.

Lots of love and pasta,
Raven

Dream Cast!!

Jennifer Garner as Caymen's mom, Saorise Ronan as Skye, Young woody Harrelson as Henry, Samantha Munro as Caymen, Rafi Gavron as Mason, William Moseley as Alexander 

Excerpts (course we're not going to tell you the whole thing cause we'd be dead by embarrassment then) from the convo of RnB on this book. 

Raven: Let's discuss the review for TDBS

Beez: ok
Raven: You begin
Beez: Oh ok. I love TDBS
Raven: Haha you can do better than that.

Beez: My life next door 

Huntley Fitzpatrick

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

This is the type of book you can absolutely never not like. Its got its own share of cute(George) and crappy(mom) moments. It's how one summer a girl falls in love with the boy who lives next door but might as well be living in a different world. It's a very sweet story that makes you feel all romantic-y. And the best part is that Sam falls in love in a falling-in-love way. Its not just BAM in your face. It has all those bits of first love- the first kiss, the awkward an silly moments, the small misunderstands after which they make up(and make out), and the heartbreak moment(I got a little teary eyed). 

Jase Garrett is the charming and handsome gentleman that Samantha falls in love with. His family(8 kids + 1 more on the way) reminds me of the family in 'Cheaper by the dozen'. There's always something happening. Its filled with hustle bustle and crashes and screaming and wailing(interesting choice of words Patsy). Its the most fun kind of family who's always lively and bursting with energy. Its also the kind of family that everybody looks with the how-do-you-do-it-? look. But Jase is not ashamed at his family at all. Its a part of him. 

Unlike Sam's family who consist of an all girl team with Mom and 2 daughters(Sam's the youngest). Samantha's mom is a control freak, hence the load amounts of vacuuming. She also does not like the Garrett's if only because their large children population and their messiness due to the former reason. She pisses me off. 

Samantha is quite the character  She has always looked out of her window and seen the Garrett's life. She doesn't admit it but she likes it. Its so different from her own. But that's what she lets it be, the world outside her window. She's a good girl, unlike her older rebel sister, has got a few jobs for the summer and takes SAT classes to accompany her friend. She has sort of a dull life, nothing new or great. Until she meets Jase. Or Jase meets her. From there its all dreamy, their first kiss, falling in love, the process of deflowering(for both). From the girl who watched from the sidelines she was now a part of them. But when something happens(not telling) it rocks her world and she is in the state of dire confusion and despair. When it happens he loses all her hope and became a fictional version of me- lazing everyday and every moment on bed, doing nothing, just moping around. But i shall promise you i has a perfectly happy ending.

This paragraph is devoted to my favorite character George as in cute, 4 year old George brother of Jase.
He is soo adorable and cute and made me laugh like a crazy person. He has so many questions in that mind of his and immediately likes Sam. He calls  her Sailor Supergirl(sorry if i'm ruining this for you). 

V cute parts:

“Um. So ... Are we going to study?"
Jase slides his thumbs behind my ears, rubbing the hollow at their base. He's only inches from my face, still looking into my eyes. "You bet. I'm studying you.” 

“Is Jase already gonna marry you?”
I start coughing again. “Uh, No. No, George. I’m only seventeen.” As if that’s the only reason we’re not engaged.
“I’m this many.” George holds up four, slightly grubby fingers. “But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live in here with him. And have a big family.”
Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. “George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on.”
George backs out of the room but not before saying, “His bed’s really comfortable. And he never pees in it.” 

Now tell me, do i need to convince you to read it??

Lots of love and jelly beans
Beez.

Dream Cast!!

Dakota Fanning as Sam, Max irons as Jase, Penn Badgley as Tim, jonathan lipnicki as George

Beez: The program 

Suzanne Young

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Hands down, this book is absolutely fabulous. I loved this book. I could go on and on about it for hours. Its written beautifully. The author has made a very ridiculous idea (suicide epidemic) seem so real. It made me laugh, cry and smile through the tears. It is full of suspense and I could not put down this book(or my mobile since I am reading it on kindle). I was hooked. I repeat, I could not put this book (my mobile) down. I loved every moment. I loved Sloane, James(oh Jaames), Miller, Lacey, Brady, Realm and others. 

At first, it's a struggle, to hide true feeling,  keeping love intact, staying together, putting walls up, protecting yourself, not giving up or breaking. There were so many ups and downs. Sloane is fighting, struggling, holding back. Or at least trying to appear well. Everyone around is giving up so it's hard not to just let go. Sloane holding on to thin threads, promises made out of love and desperation.  But it's the final straw, when the most near person to you gives up, you can't do it anymore. And when he comes back, and you're nobody to him; you're lost too. Its breathtaking and painful- losing a love. I was full on sobbing.

It still does not get better. Not when you're the next victim. Then, comes in Realm- he gives that ray of hope, brings her chicken nuggets(equally important), loves her unconditionally. 

After that Sloane's discovers herself again, gets hurt again and falls for him (not telling whom) all over again. The ending is amazing. Freedom. In love "madly".

Overall The Program was a satisfying and captivating read. It was heart wrenching, frustrating to the point where I wanted to shred the book to pieces, and had beautifully written romance. I would highly suggest this to patient and strong minded people. If you have anger problems, make sure you don't read this! Also, this book was so depressing it got me depressed. Oops... I guess "The Program" will be coming for me...

This book is amazing. I have texted Raven like a million times telling her that(I'm not sorry for annoying her). Its enrapturing,  capturing, enthralling, fascinating, ravishing and bewitching and spellbinding. 
I rate this book 6 out of 5!! This has taken place of my favorite book. To everyone and anyone who's reading this review, go read this book. 

Lots of love and more love
Beez (Sabah)

Dream Cast!!

Michelle Trachenburg as sloane, Sean Beardy as Miller, Perez Hilton as Realm, Alex Pettyfer as James, renee olstead as Lacey

 OR

Michelle Trachenburg as sloane, Sean Beardy as Miller, Penn Badgley as Realm, Alex Pettyfer as James, renee olstead as Lacey