Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Release Date: Nov. 13, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Format: E-galley
Source: Publisher
Pages: 256
Buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound
Description: Goodreads
Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I read a lot.  Like, a whole lot. (Where’s that sarcasm font when you need it?)  However, like other avid readers before me, my brain can fall into these kinds of ruts where it’s tough to start a new book, especially when it’s something that’s incredibly dense and heavy and needs to build a brand new world in my head.  That’s why I’m ecstatic that books exist like Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill.  It’s fun, witty, light, and sweet.  It’s like a sunny fall afternoon.  It’s a definite rut-breaker. 

Since I’m in the mood to make a list, here are some of the reasons Meant to Be was meant to be loved by me.

London: I've had the pleasure of visiting the enchanting city of London once in my life, and I loved it something fierce. Julia and her fellow students visit so many of my favorite touristy spots—Tower of London especially—and yet they don't drink any Magners while they’re out. (Maybe it’s because they’re, you know, underage and in high school?)  Morrill takes you on a visually beautiful journey of “the city of love for imaginative people,” and you can’t help but to fall in love with London right along with Julia. It’s the perfect setting.  Oh, how I wish I could Apparate there right now.

Sarcastic boys who are actually full of heart: IRL, I rarely ever went for the broken boy but man, do I love them in book form!  Jason Lippincott, you start our story as an annoying boy I would’ve bodily tossed from the airplane at 30,000 feet, but you certainly don’t stay there long.  He reminds me of my other favorite broken boys in media: a bit of Logan Echolls with less anger issues, a dash of the later years of Jess Mariano, with just a smidge of zany Etienne St. Clair-ness.  Please sing me “I Just Saw a Face.”

Protagonists with intense personalities: Our girl Julia is a piece of work. She is high-strung, full of opinions, and just the side of overwhelming. This might sound crazy, but these are the reasons I love her. She is completely flawed, and she wears those flaws like a brightly patterned scarf. She's insecure, she's *got* to be right, and she's someone I can understand, especially at that age.

“Stop Me If You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before”: I don't usually say this about anything, but I embrace the predictability of Meant to Be. I had the twists figured out within the first few chapters, but that didn't make my reading experience any less fun. The words flow so effortlessly, you are immersed in this world so much, that it didn't matter how it ended.  The journey was the best part.

Clearly, Meant to Be was meant for me.  This one is going to be a rereader, I’m sure.  It will leave you with a big ole grin on your face hours after you’re turned the last page.