Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally was a book I was excited to read since I have always enjoyed her work. Her latest novel takes place on class trips over the course of four years, but this element was one of the only aspects I enjoyed about the book. Much of the story is melodramatic, and the use of flashbacks becomes confusing since the state of the characters’ relationship is constantly changing from chapter to chapter. Furthermore, their relationship is toxic, and because of this, I had trouble rooting for them.
Title: Four Days of You and MeAuthor: Miranda Kenneally
Also by this author: Jesse's Girl (Hundred Oaks)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Rating:
A new swoon-worthy romance following a couple's love story on the same date over four years.
Every May 7, the students at Coffee County High School take a class trip. And every year, Lulu’s relationship with Alex Rouvelis gets a little more complicated. Freshman year, they went from sworn enemies to more than friends after a close encounter in an escape room. It’s been hard for Lulu to quit Alex ever since.
Through breakups, make ups, and dating other people, each year’s class trip brings the pair back together and forces them to confront their undeniable connection. From the science museum to an amusement park, from New York City to London, Lulu learns one thing is for sure: love is the biggest trip of all.
❃ 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. ❃
Review: Four Days of You and Me
This book is set over the course of four years and follows Lulu and Alex’s complicated relationship. Every year, they go on a class trip with their school, and their relationship changes during each outing. These trips evoke a sense of nostalgia, and I loved going along with the characters to the amusement park and other destinations. That being said, there is a lot of unnecessary drama, and the book is more graphic than I was expecting. It is especially jarring during the earlier stages of Lulu and Alex’s romance when they are in grade nine. I love reading about school trips and travel, but I was just not invested in the story.
❀ Non-Linear Plot
Another element that prevented me from getting into this book is the non-linear plot. Flashbacks can be excellent if they are well-executed, but in this case, the story becomes confusing. The characters go from enemies to lovers and back to enemies, and the flashbacks come across as a lazy way to show how their relationship develops. I believe there are so many better ways this could have been done, and without the confusion.
❀ Selfish Main Characters
I also did not really enjoy either of the main characters. Lulu is working on a graphic novel, and I enjoyed reading about her passion, but she, along with Alex, is selfish. Alex tells Lulu that he is only able to go to college if he gets a scholarship through baseball, and she feels hurt and tells him that he cares too much and is not spending enough time with her. There are many other similar instances of this in the book, and I did not enjoy the messages this sends. Neither of the characters communicates or really supports the other, and their relationship is unhealthy.
❀ Could Have Been an Adorable Romance
Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally had the potential to be an adorable romance as it takes place almost entirely on school trips. I enjoyed the nostalgia of being taken back to the museum and the amusement park, but this was really all I enjoyed about the book. The non-linear writing style is confusing, and both the main characters are selfish. Ultimately, this one was a disappointment.
About Miranda Kenneally
Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
Too bad you didn’t like it more. The premise sounded good but I guess the execution fell felt. Usually I love a non-linear plot but if it becomes confusing than it’s not so enjoyable so totally get what you’re saying there. Also don’t tend to like selfish characters so probably not something I’d pick up right away.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…ARC Review: The Woman In the Painting by Kerry Postle
Yes! I feel the same way. The execution definitely affected my enjoyment of this one. 🙂
Ha damn! I feel like your rating is even too generous!
Ha! Maybe! It is hard to decide on a rating sometimes. 😉
The flashbacks did kind of make things confusing. This was a book I liked, but feel like I could have loved with a couple changes. Great review!
I think it has quite a lot of potential, for sure. 😉
Thanks for your honest review!
Thanks, Heidi! 🙂
Sorrow this wasn’t as good as you had hoped it would be. Sure has a fun cover though.
Laura Thomas recently posted…The Sheridan Hendley Mysteries by Christa Nardi ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
It sure does have a fantastic cover! 🙂
Ugh this sounds like one of those toxic relationships that people come to idolize but that’s exactly why I’ll read this now – so I could also go all ranty on it lol
HA!!! I do hope that you enjoy it more than I did! 😉
My niece would really like like book I believe.
Sure has a captivating tile and fun cover though!
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