Title: Top TenAuthor: Katie Cotugno
Also by this author: 99 Days (99 Days #1)
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Rating:
Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of friends. Introverted, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ryan is a star hockey player who can get any girl he wants—and does, frequently. But against all odds, they became not only friends, but each other’s favorite person. Now, as they face high school graduation, they can’t help but take a moment to reminisce and, in their signature tradition, make a top ten list—counting down the top ten moments of their friendship:
10. Where to begin? Maybe the night we met.
9. Then there was our awkward phase.
8. When you were in love with me but never told me…
7. Those five months we stopped talking were the hardest of my life.
6. Through terrible fights…
5. And emotional makeups.
4. You were there for me when I got my heart broken.
3. …but at times, you were also the one breaking it.
2. Above all, you helped me make sense of the world.
1. Now, as we head off to college—how am I possibly going to live without you?
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
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Review: Top Ten by Katie Cotugno
Top Ten by Katie Cotugno is exactly what is sounds like—a nostalgic recap of a four year friendship told in a top ten list format. This story is realistic and contains two opposite main characters. The non-sequential writing style is inventive, but does get a bit hard to follow. I still enjoyed the story, and it truly is an emotional rollercoaster.
❀ Cute and Realistic
This book recaps the friendship of two teens about to head off to college. It focuses on their top ten moments, some good and some bad, but all of which define their relationship. It is so entertaining watching Gabby and Ryan’s relationship develop and experiencing their best moments along with them. Top Ten has everything—a bisexual main character with anxiety, her friend who plays hockey, and an amazing family. For those looking for a cute and realistic story with representation, I would definitely recommend this one.
❀ Ideal Characters
Gabby and Ryan are both ideal characters for this story. Gabby is more introverted and suffers with anxiety while Ryan is on the wilder side. They are both so different, but their friendship works out. I really enjoyed how the book actually focuses on their friendship, and there isn’t much romance between them. I personally preferred Gabby’s character, since Ryan’s recklessness got a bit frustrating sometimes, but Ryan also had his moments. The story is told in multiple points of view, so the reader is able to experience both characters equally.
❀ Unique Format
The way Top Ten is written is super unique, but I can see how it can turn some people away. Since the story is told as a top ten list, the plot isn’t chronological. As a reader, I had to be super aware of the year before starting each chapter. For me, it was a bit confusing at first, but I got used to it. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about this format, since it is creative, but hard to follow at times. I would have preferred chronological order, but I guess the story wouldn’t be the same.
❀ An original story
Top Ten is an original story featuring the top ten moments of a friendship. I enjoyed the main characters’ opposite personalities and how realistic they are. The format of this book is unconventional, which is interesting, but also a bit confusing at times. I still found the book to be enjoyable, and classic Katie Cotugno.
Book Quotes: Top Ten by Katie Cotugno
Book Beginning:
Sitting with his ankles crossed in Gabby’s leafy green backyard two hours after their high school graduation, Ryan tilted his head back and squinted up at the proud June sun.
Friday 56:
It wasn’t a thing a lot of people knew how to accomplish, and she doubted he’d done it on purpose or even with any awareness that that’s what he was doing, but there it was.
About Katie Cotugno
Katie Cotugno is the New York Times bestselling author of messy, complicated, feminist love stories. She studied Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College and received her MFA in Fiction at Lesley University.
Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Mississippi Review, and Argestes, among others.
The great loves of her life include child's pose, her little sister, and mozzarella and honey sandwiches. She lives in Boston with her husband, Tom, and her dog, Avon.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! I did too, and I can’t wait to read more from Katie Cotugno! Great review!😊
Oh I’m glad to hear you overall liked this book – it sounds like a fun story, I really like the way it seems to be told, it’s quite original. I’m sorry it was a bit confusing, at times :/ I think I might add it to my TBR, though, I feel like it’s the kind of book I could love 🙂 Great review! 🙂
I hope that you enjoy it! It is definitely a little bit different in style. 🙂
This book was almost perfect for me. The non-sequential style worked for me. You would read one of the memories, but you would feel like you missed something, and it kept me wondering, until that hole was filled by a event presented later. I just was not super happy with something at the very end, but it was a beautiful story of a complicated friendship.
It is definitely an interesting format and I think that it is either going to appeal to the reader or it isn’t. I’m glad that you found it to be mostly enjoyable! 🙂
I’m not 100% sure but I think I would really enjoy this book. Definitely wanna give it a shot after your review.
I hope that you enjoy it if you do give it a try. 🙂
This one has been on my TBR since I first saw it. I love the Top Ten list style of the book. I love the multiple POV’s. Definitely need to read this one!
Good for you that you got used to it! I just got confused with the chronological order, and it really lowered my enjoyment of this one. Great review!
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor
I definitely want to look into this one! Thank you.
Great Review! I didn’t loved Katie Cotugno’s last book but this one sounds fun. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This sounds interesting! Thanks for letting us know that it is a bit different. I am intrigued to read it and check out this format.