I featured Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams in my Bizarre Love Triangle booklist that I created for Valentines Day. The book is marketed as a quirky, comedy of errors/romance for teens. The book is set in Melbourne, Austraila, which allows readers, like me, an inside glimpse of what it is like to be an Aussie teen.
Description: Are we destined to fall in love with someone or is it just pure coincidence? This is the question that superstitious John Lennon aka Beatle, to his friends, struggles with when he meets Destiny McCartney (on Friday the 13th no less) while dating the best friend of his twin sister. Beatle and Destiny seem to hit it off right from the start with their shared quirkiness. Are they meant to be together?
Review: The premise of Beatle Meets Destiny is nothing new in the realm of teen romances. We have two main characters who are drawn together despite one of them being attached to another person, however, the book takes a closer look at the horrible choices we make and its consequences which in the case of this book turn out to be really funny.
John Lennon (yes, that's his real name) is known as Beatle to his friends and family. He is one half of a set of twins- his sister, Winsome,was born months 45 days after him due to an accident that resulted in Beatle's premature birth. With a mother who is obsessed with astrology and horoscopes, Beatle can't help but be superstitious. He never wants to become like his good-for-nothing dad who had numerous affairs behind his mother's back and ultimately abandoned his family, however, he feels like he is fated to do the same thing when he meets and suddenly falls for a girl named Destiny McCarthy (yes, that's her real name too) by chance on one Friday the 13th, a day Beatle risked to stay out late. There's nothing wrong with meeting Destiny, except that Beatle has a long term girlfriend named Cilla, Winsome's best friend. Thus begins Beatle's hilarious struggle to keep his current flame/possible soul mate separate and unknown to his girlfriend of several years.
Beatle meets Destiny is a quirky, teen romantic comedy that has a dash of drama thrown in for good measure. The characters, both main and secondary, are original and unique. Unlike most teen romances, I didn't care for the protagonists. Beatle was selfish and self absorbed, but I couldn't help but laugh at all the trouble he caused himself because he didn't have the courage to tell his girlfriend that he'd like to break-up with her. I thought Destiny was okay, but she also self absorbed. In other words, they were perfectly made for each other. The one character I did like though was Cilla, Beatle's girlfriend who was just too good for him. It frustrated me to no end that she didn't see the obvious signs that he was cheating and no longer interested in her.
The novel reads very quickly and the chapters are short. There are other subplots thrown into the narrative such as a documentary on twins and an online advertisement. I didn't mind the subplots, however, I thought the transition from the main storyline to the subplots was a bit abrupt and could have been smoother. At first I was a bit confused and had to go back and read the first chapter to see how it ties to the bigger picture.
I will warn you though that while reading the book, you have to suspend your disbelief on the numerous sheer coincidences that pop up in the story in order to enjoy the book's humor and bizarre "twists". I couldn't help but laugh out loud and shake my head on the poor choices Beatle and Destiny make throughout the story, which I found to be quite refreshing, but there were many times when I rolled my eyes and thought "Really?". I think readers will enjoy the book's Australian setting and ask themselves whether or not fate is actually bringing our protagonists closer or do they just happen to stumble upon one another at the right times. Beatle Meets Destiny is a cute, fluffy, romance, beach read. As long as you don't expect too much from the story, you will enjoy it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong language in the book and some sexual suggestions. Also as the author note suggests, 18 year olds in Austraila are legally allowed to drink and considered adults. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn or When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Description: Are we destined to fall in love with someone or is it just pure coincidence? This is the question that superstitious John Lennon aka Beatle, to his friends, struggles with when he meets Destiny McCartney (on Friday the 13th no less) while dating the best friend of his twin sister. Beatle and Destiny seem to hit it off right from the start with their shared quirkiness. Are they meant to be together?Review: The premise of Beatle Meets Destiny is nothing new in the realm of teen romances. We have two main characters who are drawn together despite one of them being attached to another person, however, the book takes a closer look at the horrible choices we make and its consequences which in the case of this book turn out to be really funny.
John Lennon (yes, that's his real name) is known as Beatle to his friends and family. He is one half of a set of twins- his sister, Winsome,was born months 45 days after him due to an accident that resulted in Beatle's premature birth. With a mother who is obsessed with astrology and horoscopes, Beatle can't help but be superstitious. He never wants to become like his good-for-nothing dad who had numerous affairs behind his mother's back and ultimately abandoned his family, however, he feels like he is fated to do the same thing when he meets and suddenly falls for a girl named Destiny McCarthy (yes, that's her real name too) by chance on one Friday the 13th, a day Beatle risked to stay out late. There's nothing wrong with meeting Destiny, except that Beatle has a long term girlfriend named Cilla, Winsome's best friend. Thus begins Beatle's hilarious struggle to keep his current flame/possible soul mate separate and unknown to his girlfriend of several years.
Beatle meets Destiny is a quirky, teen romantic comedy that has a dash of drama thrown in for good measure. The characters, both main and secondary, are original and unique. Unlike most teen romances, I didn't care for the protagonists. Beatle was selfish and self absorbed, but I couldn't help but laugh at all the trouble he caused himself because he didn't have the courage to tell his girlfriend that he'd like to break-up with her. I thought Destiny was okay, but she also self absorbed. In other words, they were perfectly made for each other. The one character I did like though was Cilla, Beatle's girlfriend who was just too good for him. It frustrated me to no end that she didn't see the obvious signs that he was cheating and no longer interested in her.
The novel reads very quickly and the chapters are short. There are other subplots thrown into the narrative such as a documentary on twins and an online advertisement. I didn't mind the subplots, however, I thought the transition from the main storyline to the subplots was a bit abrupt and could have been smoother. At first I was a bit confused and had to go back and read the first chapter to see how it ties to the bigger picture.
I will warn you though that while reading the book, you have to suspend your disbelief on the numerous sheer coincidences that pop up in the story in order to enjoy the book's humor and bizarre "twists". I couldn't help but laugh out loud and shake my head on the poor choices Beatle and Destiny make throughout the story, which I found to be quite refreshing, but there were many times when I rolled my eyes and thought "Really?". I think readers will enjoy the book's Australian setting and ask themselves whether or not fate is actually bringing our protagonists closer or do they just happen to stumble upon one another at the right times. Beatle Meets Destiny is a cute, fluffy, romance, beach read. As long as you don't expect too much from the story, you will enjoy it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong language in the book and some sexual suggestions. Also as the author note suggests, 18 year olds in Austraila are legally allowed to drink and considered adults. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn or When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
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