What's it about?
"Seventeen-year-old Delilah Green wouldn't have chosen to do her last year of school this way, but she figures it's working fine. While her dad goes on a trip to fix his broken heart after her mom left him for another man, Del manages the family cafe. Easy, she thinks. But what about homework? Or the nasty posse of mean girls making her life hell? Or her best friend who won't stop guilt-tripping her? Or her other best friend who might go to jail for love if Del doesn't do something? But really, who cares about any of that when all Del can think about is beautiful Rosa who dances every night across the street. . . . Until one day Rosa comes in the cafe door. And if Rosa starts thinking about Del, too, then how in the name of caramel milkshakes will Del get the rest of it together?"-Goodreads Synopsis
My Thoughts:
I really wanted to love this book, solely because it was a diverse book and the world can never have too many of those. However, I really did not like this book. The plot was good, but the details and characters were awful.
Storyline:
First off, the writing was confusing... Explanation of where her father was in beginning was unclear. Was he home or was he abroad? And why would he willingly leave his 17 year old daughter alone for months at a time? That literally would never happen with any parent who actually cares for their child.
The background of her mother was just left alone. We got no information for why she really left, when she left, or why she is just so damn rude. They make it seem like her father is “all of the sudden” depressed, but it seems like Delilah’s mother has been gone for a WHILE.
Also. What lawyer gives legal documents to a 17 year old and trusts an entire business in their hands? This is so implausible! It drove me mad!
The entire “cast” of characters acted as if they were all adults completely capable of taking care of themselves, even though they were still in high school. I’m sorry, but i’m 23 and still trying to figure out how to take care of myself without my parents help. Come on.
Then there was this quote: "He could always break the lease if he really wanted to. Or start a cafe somewhere else. You're the kid! You need to think about what you want as well."
Wait, what? No. You’re the child. You can’t freaking rent away your father’s cafe without telling him anything! And don’t freaking encourage someone to break a legal document. Seriously? Delilah wasn’t even on the lease, and I doubt even in Australia that’s legal to have a 17 year old sell away her father’s property. Come on.
Characters:
I really, really disliked Delilah.
She's literally going on a destructive spree...Ruining everything she has in her life. And now it just seems like it's on purpose and it's driving me mad.
Delilah's thought process towards Rosa is so incredibly naive and selfish. Like I get that rejection sucks but she also should understand that some people are not comfortable yet with their sexuality. She's upset with Rosa because she isn't comfortable with her family knowing that she is gay and that's perfectly okay because this is not a subject to be handled gently. I wish that it was easy for people to be open about but the fact of the matter is is that it's not even with increasing acceptance across the globe.
Oh. And June's a bitch. That is all.
