Andie has her whole summer planned out, going to a pre-med program to prepare her for college, but when her dad is involved in a political scandal her summer plans are suddenly cancelled. For the first time ever Andie doesn’t have a plan. Not only does she not have a plan, but she has to spend a whole living in the same house as her dad. She never planned for her summer to involve walking dogs or hanging out with nervous, nerdy and awkward Clark. But what’s the point in living life without experiencing the unexpected?
I read Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson a few years ago; I was so excited to read it and I absolutely loved it. Ever since I’ve been desperate to read another book by Morgan Matson so when I was offered a proof copy of The Unexpected Everything by the Guardian Children’s books site was I going to turn it down? No.
I really loved all of the characters, they were all absolutely amazing and relatable and I fell in love with all of them; they almost felt like they were my own friends. They all had a range of personalities which was really good and they wanted different things out of life; they were all doing different things with their lives but ultimately Andie and her friends were always there for each other and that’s something that always feels really special in books.
The thing I like about feel-good books, especially when they’re summery, is that they’re easy to read – they inspire you. They make you excited about your own future but they’re still kind of realistic, and they never involve too much drama or anything really miserable and sad. The thing I hate most is when you start reading or watching something and you think you know what you’re in for and then something happens that makes it stop being a feel good book or film and you’re really miserable and disappointed, but The Unexpected Everything wasn’t like that.
The one thing I don’t like about feel good books is they never seem to have any real plot and they never seem to be going anywhere in particular – and this book was a bit like that too. It was a great book and it made me really excited and inspired, but it wasn’t going anywhere in particular, it was just about a group of friends going through summer and experiencing different things.
I don’t remember if Since You’ve Been Gone did this, but The Unexpected Everything seemed to end scenes in slightly bizarre places and it felt like a lot of the scenes were left unfinished. There were a few minutes when it randomly slipped into the past right in the middle of the present and then went back to a present scene afterwards and I found that sometimes it could get just a little bit confusing.
Ultimately, I really, really loved this book. It makes you think a little bit more about what you want out of life and makes you more willing to experience the unexpected, more willing to take opportunities that you wouldn’t normally take. I think for that reason it became even better, it was about friendships and first loves and family and the future. It was really great and I really suggest that you read this book during the summer, even if it’s not the kind of book you’d normally read. Take a risk, experience the unexpected.
4.5/5 stars.
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
