REVIEW: Split By A Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Review by Alexandra (unedited)

I seriously made some kind of high pitched, highly unattractive (‘only bats can hear me right now’) noise when I heard I could review this book. The thing is, I’ve sort of had a peek at a chapter before, and knew the rest had to be just as exciting. That, and it’s written by Chicklish Editor, Luisa - so how fun is it to turn the tables? Mwah-ha-ha…

The title, Split by a Kiss, sounds like a cross between a complicated ice-cream and a smoochy Kylie Minogue song. And that pretty much sums up the content. There’s the soft luxurious moments where everything goes right for the characters, and the glamour, clothes, music, snogging and friends that fill their lives, then there’s the cold realities and harder moments of teen life.

When Josephine Reilly moves with her mum, from Britain to Boston, USA she’s surprised when she falls in with the ‘cool crowd’, for the first time in her life, at her new American high-school. At her first party with them she’s even popular with boys! However after kissing the hottest boy in the school, Jake Matthews, something happens and she splits into two personalities: Josie the cool, and Jo the nerd.

For the rest of the book, you follow the two Josephines, Sliding Doors style through their two different sets of eyes – as they settle into life in America, new school, friends, clothes, and even a changing mum who finally starts dating again three years after Jo’s dad went out of the picture.

When the split happened I was worried I was going to have to see Josie the cool as the stereotypical brash, high-school queen who hasn’t any time for anyone else, and Jo the nerd as the classic unpopular teen no one wants to be. But it’s not written like that, at all, and this is what made the book (for me) very clever and very special. As you follow the two Josephines, you follow their ups and downs on both sides, and you realize life isn’t easy for girls that fall in either group – something worth thinking about. And this sums up the message of the book: that simply being yourself is the right ‘group’ to be in.

For British teens curious about America, and vice versa, the book will also teach you some useful vocabulary differences between the two countries, as well as giving you a warm, enjoyable read that is hard to put down.

Split by a Kiss is out in March 2008, but you can pre-order from Waterstone's or Amazon. Luisa Plaja has a website here and a MySpace here.

Comments

[Lisa]

I am lucky enough to have me a preview copy of this book and I'm absolutely LOVIN' it!

Will be postin' a review over at www.pink-world.co.uk in Feb - just know that it's gonna get a lot of stars - so go order it now!!

[lisaonsea]

This sounds fabulous! I already have one on pre-order. Great review.

[Eve]

Oh this sounds fantastic. I am so looking forward to getting my hands on a copy. Even more excited now!!!

[DIANE]

Oh, you guys are so lucky to have read this! It sounds fabulous, Luisa, I can't wait and have added it to my Amazon wish list :)

[Luisa]

Ooh, thank you, all of you!

[Susan Hatler]

The first chapter was fabulous. Can't wait to read the rest!

[Melissa Walker]

Ooh, love the fact that the split characters surprised you and didn't fall into archetypes. Looking forward to this one!

[Jizza]

i had to read this book preview for my school i really enjoyed it i read it in 2 days it was good and i will be reading more books by this authour
peace out jizza.xo

[Emma]

My cuzzi gave me this book she said it was good and so i decided the read it! When i started it was ing the school holliday and i read it in 3 days i loved it!! I would give it a 10/10 review and i would recomend it alot! I also loved how it was like some american movies with the jock and the populars and the goths i loved it!!!!!!

[Phoebe]

AHH. i got this book on monday, its now wednesday and i've already finished it! I couldnt put it down! its soo good!
<3

[Sasha]

I absolutely LOVE this book!! Great review a definite gazillion out of five!