Review: Defending Taylor

Defending Taylor
AUTHOR:  Miranda Kenneally
SERIES:  Hundred Oaks Series
PAGES: 305pg
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire
RELEASE DATE: July 5th,2106

*Thanks so much Sourcebooks Fire for giving me a copy to review*

SUMMARY:

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor's always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that's what is expect of a senator's daughter.But one impulsive decision -- one lie to cover for her boyfriend-- and Taylor's kicked out of private school. Everything she's every worked so hard for is gone, and now she's starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor's escape from the pressures of school and family, but it's hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she's going through is her older brother's best friend, Ezra. Taylor's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it's hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

  Damn Miranda Kenneally back at it again with the amazing, heart throbbing stories. 

Can't you tell this review was written back in April when this phrase was actually really relevant.

               Defending Taylor starts off revolving around our main character, Taylor. Taylor many things -- she is a soccer player, daughter of a senator, youngest of three siblings and almost the valedictorian to her classy, boarding school. Well all of these things are true except that last bit. I absolutely love every single story Miranda Kenneally has written and this one has been no different! When I was approved for this book via Netgalley, I downloaded it immediately and read it in one sitting until 4 am. I just could not put this book down. 

           Taylor was on her way to being valedictorian until she is expelled for possession of drugs that were actually her boyfriend Ben's. Losing everything she has ever known including her soccer team was not on her agenda for her perfect senior year and now she has to move back home with her parents who judge her for being expelled.  Now she is forced to deal with a counselor everyday for an hour, she is the outsider on the new soccer team, and has to keep things under wraps with the press of what actually happened that night with Ben. On the first day of school she needs her coffee fix to start her day and bumps into her older brother Ollies, best friend, Ezra. Ezra is handsome tall and not supposed to be here -- he is supposed to be at Cornell living out his set plan of following in his fathers footsteps. When the guidance counselor suddenly suggests that Taylor should talk to someone else, but her, she jumps at the chance to get out of even one session.  Now routine, Ezra and Taylor meet every morning . As they become closer, secrets are revealed about why both are back home. Will they stay friends or will her brother have to kill his best friend?

            Ahhh. I am internally dying on the inside. Like no joke. This book was so cute, light and just. amazing. Honestly, this book could be about dogs and I would still read it because Miranda Kenneally really knows how to write a good story. This might be the ocd reader in me, but all the covers are so pretty and cohesive, but stay true to that particular story. Which makes me a very happy reader and that more excited to buy each one of these from this series. Anyways, in all seriousness, my first impression of seeing this really reminded me of my favorite movies She's the Man, but as I read I realized this book is something totally different and unique.

            Taylor as a character is a great POV -- she is not annoying or whinny, she is just a determined person who refuses to back down. I really liked the connection Taylor had with her brother Ollie. Their relationship had brought a light hearted comedy to this book in the mist of all the harshness that Taylor was evincing from everyone, including her parents. Of course everyone wants to hear about the dark, tall, mysterious guy, Ezra. Ezra is so much a like to Taylor, they really connect with each other with the experiences they seemed to be facing at the same time in their life. I could go on for days about all the characters in this book because there are just so many. Especially  with there being 12 girls on the soccer team, some who are really nasty to Taylor. Overall the characters and plot in this novel is really complex, sweet and simple all at the same time.

          If you like a great contemporary novel with a strong, determined protagonist or soccer, this book is defiantly for you.

Defending Taylor will make it's way into your well defended heart, having you laughing, crying and just in awe at the sweet and simple things someone can do to make you feel like things are going to be alright.