Book: Jack and Yani Love Harry Potter
Author: Mary E. Twomey
Kindle Edition
Pages: 172
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Chick Lit, Easy Reading
Jack and Yani Love Harry Potter - Mary E Twomey
Description from Goodreads:
“Best friends Jack and Yani do everything together. After Yani’s thirtieth birthday party, however, she decides to leave town on a spontaneous vacation to visit all the sites of the young adult fiction novels she loves, hoping that when she returns, she’ll have buried the secret flame she has for Jack. Forced by his friends to go on a road trip to track down Yani, Jack learns a lot about his best friend by reading the novels she’s been obsessed with. From vampire hunting in Forks to searching for wizards in Florida, Jack confronts his greatest fears -that he just might love Harry Potter…and perhaps, Yani.”
Admittedly I read the synopsis a while ago and had a very “Meh,” reaction; I didn’t spring into action to purchase the book, nor did I feel a desperate desire to read it. It wasn’t until the IGGPPC Iggle BookWorms February Challenge popped up that I gave it a second thought. Our challenege this month: Read a book with hearts on the cover. Frantically I searched my “to-read” shelf for something that met the requirements (new-to-me book, had to be different than the ‘official’ book club pick, read it within the month of Feb, etc.)
Once I purchased it on Amazon, it sat on my “bookshelf” for a few days. I was already reading another book (the previous review I posted) and wasn’t sure the two would mingle in my brain very well.
OK, OK, on to the book. The description doesn’t do much to hide the fact that Jack and Yani have feelings for each other. They know it, their friends know it, and now we know it. The only ones who don’t seem to know it are Jack and Yani. The numbskulls haven’t made it known to each other though – and that’s the basis of our story.
Stemming from the events that take place at the birthday party, Yani decides she needs to embark on a journey to try to get over Jack…she ventures off to all the places her favorite YA novels take place – Forks, San Diego (ComiCon), New Orleans (Anne Rice!), and finally Florida – all in an effort to surround herself with the things she loves…only to realize the one thing she really loves isn’t with her.
Meanwhile, on some hair-brained scheme to make Jack admit what everyone already knows, Nate plans a road trip, forcing Jack to retrace Yani’s footsteps in the hopes of crossing paths and letting her know once and for all what’s up.
Stopping right here – you can see it’s not a surprising turn of events, or something unexpected. But it’s the way the story is told that makes this such an enjoyable read. The characters are relatable – all of them – and they’re likeable. Their situations are believable as well – no one is shockingly gorgeous, wealthy, or well known. They’re all people you know; people you’re friends with in your own life.
It’s the details in the writing that really make this book fun – the way the author describes Yani’s reactions wandering around ComiCon makes sense to my geek girl brain. The way she is giddy about sitting at the same table they dined at in Twilight, or seeing Anne Rice’s home in New Orleans – I’ve had those same feelings when I have a fangirl moment of my own. I’ve kept some of my interests from friends out of fear they’ll think I’m a dork, or they’ll tease me for reading “low brow” literature…it’s all so relatable!
The icing on the cake for me was Jack’s nickname for Yani – this is a very personal connection as my husband’s nickname for me is Peaches; has been ever since we started dating (hence the name of the blog…among other things). It made my heart melt a little when I saw those words in this book. (Insert squishy, smooshy feels here.)
This is a book I would consider actually owning a physical copy; I would definitely read it again, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes romantic comedies, “chick lit” as some call it, and who appreciates the need to fangirl every now and then. Maybe I’m just feeling extra lovey today, or maybe I’ve got no sense of “good reading material” but I loved this book, and I’m giving it 5 out of 5 martinis. It’s a perfect read for Valentine’s Day Weekend!
5 Martini Rating!