Review: Tonight The Streets Are Ours

Review:

I received a copy from Netgalley.

I really don't know what to make of this one. On the one hand, I simply loved the main character. And the writing is done in such a brilliant way it so easy to identify with Arden and understand where she's coming from. However, the whole randomly deciding to track down some random guy who's blog you love. I just can't get my head around that at all.

Never, ever, under any circumstances is it okay to just randomly show up at someone's place of work or home because you found their blog! Even if you loved the blog, and like the person who writes it...it's still creepy! You like the blog? Email the blogger, tweet them. Start a dialogue. Don't just show up because you decide they need you!

Rant over, for the most part, this was a pretty damn good book.

Arden is a fairly average teenager with a nice boyfriend, she's a good student, has nice friends, though her best friend is something of a wild child and it's Arden who often picks up the messes. Starting off with a suspension for her BFF's drugs found stashed in Arden's locker. Arden takes the blame because she knows bad things will happen to her friend who's already been in a lot of trouble. Arden's level of loyalty is sweet, but ridiculous at the same time.

She's the girl who's always there, always reliable. The sensible one, the smart one who listens to everyone else's needs but when she needs people, they rarely seem to listen to her. Which leads her to the discovery of Peter and his blog, Tonight The Streets Are Ours. Peter seems like nice guy, works in a bookshop, in love with a beautiful unattainable girl. Jock for a best friend, family drama.

Arden is hooked. At its easy to see why she gets so fascinated by Peter's blog. Peter's words are fun, he's intelligent. She identifies with his trouble. Arden has her own boyfriend, drama club star, Chris. Though they've been together for a while, he's nice enough, but seems obsessed with his theater stuff. So it's not surprising when Arden is captivated by Peter.

When Chris blows off their anniversary, Arden is moping with BFF Lindsay, and at the same time reading Peter's blog, she decides Peter is just like her...the giver who never gets the love he deserves. So she and Lindsay go to find him. Just like that.

I don't get it. I really don't. For the most part, the writing i s captivating and the story is pretty gripping, even becoming attached to Peter's blog. But the going to find him was where I started...not loving the book less really. I just don't. Get. Why. Anyone. Would. Do. That!

Of course when Arden arrives in New York where Peter lives, nothing is what it seems. She has a crazy night of fun, but not without its drama. Ugly truths comes out and Arden finally explodes and lets out what she's been holding back. Drama with Lindsay, trouble at home...it all comes pouring out. Peter is not the sweet quirky guy she thought he was.

Though things are wrapped up, its not exactly in a romantic way. Its again, sweet, but oddly, believable and easy to understand why it happened that way. Truths come out and things are finally out in the open to be dealt with. Arden's character growth is pretty amazing.

So while I may not have got some of the plot, I did really love Arden. While I didn't like all the characters, I think they worked extremely well for the way the story was told.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for approving my request to view the title.

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