A sharp-tongued girl who works in her mother's doll shop is sure the rich are not to be trusted, until a wealthy boy keeps coming back
Money and first impressions
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers helps her mother run a small doll shop in a tourist town, and money is always tight. Her mother has taught her one rule above all others: rich people are not to be trusted. So when Xander Spence, polite, handsome and obviously wealthy, walks into the shop looking for a gift, Caymen is ready with her driest sarcasm. To her surprise, he finds it funny, and he keeps coming back.
Who will enjoy it
Readers aged about thirteen and up who enjoy clean, funny romances with sharp dialogue and a little family drama.
What you will get
A witty, warm romantic comedy about a sarcastic shop girl, a wealthy boy who keeps coming back, and the secrets money can hide.
The Distance Between Us Facts: Pages, Genre and Setting
Genre
Young Adult · Rich and poor · Romantic comedy · Small town
Length
312 pages · ≈ 9 h
More about this book
Kasie West's debut is a reminder that a simple premise, done well, can be a great pleasure. The heart of the book is the banter between Caymen and Xander, which is quick, dry and genuinely funny. They strike up a deal to spend days trying out possible careers together, and the outings give them an excuse to spend time together that neither will quite admit is about romance.
Caymen's distrust of wealth turns out to have roots in her own family's past, and as she learns more about it, she has to question her mother's version of events and her own assumptions. A charming musician named Mason offers a different kind of attention, and Caymen's best friend provides some comic support. The romance is sweet and clean, and the class differences are handled with a light but thoughtful touch.
It is light, quick and very satisfying for fans of contemporary romance, and a good introduction to West's books. Readers who like their love stories with more laughter than angst will find it especially satisfying, and the ending is warm without being sugary. About 312 pages in the HarperTeen paperback.
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