sunsetxcocktail

This was a title I wished for on Netgalley on a bit of a whim. I was more intrigued by the mystery surrounding the character of Peyton more than anything. I rarely get Netgalley wishes granted but this one actually was. 

And unfortunately, I just did not like this book much at all. I tried a while ago but barely got more than 10% again, I picked it up again a few weekends ago and managed to finish, though I did find myself skimming from the half way point on. The novel tells the story of Hank, a middle of the road teen about to graduate with not much prospects after high school. The novel starts when Hank has this great idea to invite a pretty popular girl Amanda, to prom by spelling out 'prom' in sparklers on her lawn. Of course it goes hideously wrong and sets the lawn on fire. Hank thinks he manages to get away with it - but someone saw. 

He finds himself becoming a strange sort of friends with the girl who saw Peyton, a bit of a weirdo, a loner with no friends and a firebug reputation. The story develops around Hank's harsh home life - his mother and older brother died tragically and his dad as a result has become a heavy drinker and an asshole. The dad has a girlfriend, Monica, who is a lousy cook, not much of a housekeeper and works as a stripper.

By far Monica was the best character in the whole book. She had a very believable voice and tone and she was the one who Hank could talk to about anything. Even though he might not want to, Monica really came through when he needed a competent grown up to help when Peyton’s situation got tough. I loved Monica. I would definitely read a whole book about Monica.

I pretty much hated all the other characters. Hank was way too blasé and in trying to make him a sympathetic character, he came across as more irritating than anything. Peyton came from a broken home, her dad had left her mom was a moron with a string of boyfriends and pretty much never around and when she was she treated Peyton like shit. It’s implied a few times throughout the book that there may be something wrong going on in Peyton’s house and Hank hummed and aahed on whether or not to get involved and try to help.  The novel revolves around Hank getting to know Peyton and decide if they’re really friends or how they’re connecting with a few other things going on on the side.

Hank has some hidden talent as a comic book artist is one story line. There’s college level potential in his art and everyone but him seems to see this. Hank’s friend Nick makes a few appearances and is a bit of cliché – Italian American family, who works in “waste management” which may or may not have mob connections. Bit of an in joke which comes eye rolling and seems like stereotyping. (Nick’s a bit of a dick but his family especially his mom are really nice when they make appearances in the novel).

Peyton’s got a whole storyline of weird behaviour and there are dramatic REASONS which aren’t discussed until almost right at the end of the novel. It felt like there was this build up to a huge secret and given Hank’s investment in this girl and the friendship they built over the novel, I didn’t like his reaction to the truth of Peyton’s mystery much. He was too calm.

 There’s also a rather daft side plot of the girl who’s lawn Hank set on fire, Amanda who sets up a website with questions and through these questions she will decide who set her lawn on fire – and actually take them to prom.

Everything was just so flat and dull I had a hard time getting invested in anything going on in this story. I didn’t really like the characters at all and all wrapped up a little too nice and neat and kind of unbelievably for my tastes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for granting my wish request.