Book Review: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Book: You Against Me - Jenny Downham


Publication Date: July 7th 2011 


Read from February 25 to March 04, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemperary, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide. Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skillfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another.

My Views:

I have heard great things about Jenny Downham first book Before I Die, but for some reason I just can't get my hands on it. So, when I came across this book i just picked it up without giving it a second thought.

I went into this book without any knowledge about it and I was really surprised with the plot and it's treatment. The story and the treatment is very true to life. Rape is a very tricky subject and this book deals with it in a very mature manner. 

I liked the characters and it was not difficult for me to relate to them. I really liked Ellie and Mikey. I like the family dynamics and the conversations between the characters.

The book is great, it could have been a little better but I still ended up loving it loads. 

The Good:

• The story and the subject matter. It's different!
• The characters feels real and they talk like real people.
• The love story and the back story of Ellie and Mikey.
• The mystery part of the book. There is not much of it but whatever is there is done very well. 
• Thought provoking. It really made me think and i genuinely like that in a book. 

The Bad:

• I just wished the book to be a little more darker, grittier and intense. Other then that I don't really have any complains.

Overall: 4/5 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “If you want a girl to like you, you have to listen like a woman and love like a man.”

Favorite Character: Mikey