I wasn't quite sure how to rate this book. I really wanted to love it but it just fell flat. And I really wanted to hate it but it drew me in.

The first few chapters of the novel are hard to get into. The writing is all over the place, the story is all over the place. I'm assuming the author wanted to create mystery and intrigue by revealing the story slowly but it just made it hard to read. I liked this intent so I kept reading and the story definitely gets better. The writing improves and there's more a of continuous flow. That being said, the story is still relatively fragmented most of the way through.

The remainder of the book is 50/50. The love triangle is overdone and the love triangle in this story seems to just be there for the sake of being there. The drama relating to this seems to be put in for the sake of drama rather than because it's logical or adds to the story. Isaac is a stupid character. If the author had of changed Isaac's and Julie's relationship to one of friendship I probably could've loved this book. That being said I read the whole book in one sitting. Although the story was interesting enough to keep me reading, the writing had me riveted. There was something, not magical per say, but intense about the writing that had me feeling the words rather than just seeing them.

But although the writing was good the story left a lot to be desired. Dave was a great character but his demotion to minor love interest for the majority of the story was disappointing. His latter promotion to soul mate or whatever, was just ridiculous. It was clear he was the better choice but there was no real build up or development to getting to that point.

As a character Julie annoyed me a lot. For someone who is portrayed as focused and mature, her decisions don't always reflect this and I felt it made her character confusing. Furthermore, her convictions lacked continuity. She was all over the shop for what she wanted and thought and did.

I'm not quite sure if I recommend it but it was definitely an interesting read and it made me think which is always a plus. But it's a deep read so if you're looking for something relaxed and chill this is not it. ( )

The atmosphere for Want is set instantly and you can't help but be pulled into the storyline. Some sections were so emotional that I forgot where I was and that I wasn't actually a part of this story. It's been reclassified as NA, which I think is a good fit - it's complex situations might be too much for younger readers. Bottom Line: Stephanie Lawton is a talent to watch for. You'll be hooked. ( )

I just finished reading an ARC copy of Want by Stephanie Lawton. I stayed up until 2 this morning unable to put it down. I thought about it all day and rushed home after work to finish reading it. It’s been some time since I’ve been so compelled by a book that I was unable to put it down, so I’m thrilled to share this review with you.

The main character in Want is Julianne, a complex, interesting and immensely talented seventeen-year-old. She faces a horrific home life, the psychological impact of which made her a very real and believable character. Her relationships were highly complex, and with her absent-yet-in-the-house father, her mentally ill mother, and her beloved brother away at college, Juli is truly alone. Whisked into making adult decisions, she must learn to fight for herself to go after her dreams.

It was the love triangle in this book that had me turned inside out. I was enticed, frustrated, caught up, and even a bit wary, at times, of the direction things were heading. I oscillated between being on Team Isaac and Team Dave, both of whom were gorgeous in their own way. Right up to the end of the book, I wasn’t sure which side I was on, because I had empathy for both men and understood her attraction to them, despite the taboo of the age differences. I even held my breath a few times as she made some tough choices in what felt like a very intense and yet profoundly realistic story.

This story opened my eyes to how exciting contemporary YA romance can be. ( )

Quite possibly one of my favorite books of 2012. Stephanie Lawton's writing is a thing of beauty. The depth of her characters and the story she weaves is simply amazing. Many YA novels tend to be a little too polished, and subdued, but not this one. This would appeal to teens and adults

Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2012/08/please-welcome-guest-stephanie-lawton.html