The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

 

Published: December 13, 2013

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Pages: 371

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Review:

I guess since I started reading this one with very few expectations, I can't say that it didn't live up to them, but unfortunately, it did fall sadly short for me.  I never did feel really engaged with the characters and Grayson mainly managed to irritate me.  I think that was because he reminded me of an old acquaintance to be honest but his sense of entitlement irritated me.  Wren seemed like a nice girl, with a strong sense of family responsibility, but again, I just didn't connect.

The setting itself is a little different, the story was kind of cute and the romance is sweet with several moments where I smiled at the humor but my final feeling is basically a solid 'not bad, but not great.' Sadly, it just did not amaze -however, I did see the appeal for younger teens and I'm sure I'll find several takers at work.