From What I Remember... by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

From What I Remember... by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas
Published: May 15, 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Received: egalley for review from publisher - thank you!

KYLIE: Tijuana WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger.

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in TIjuana. WIth less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring thier passports across the border--but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight. {goodreads.com}

You guys, one word came to mind while I was reading this book: FUN! and so much of it.  The prologue alone captured my attention and I was pumped to experience this adventure with Kylie, Max, Will, and the whole gang.  What I enjoyed most about this novel is how different it came across to me.  First off all, it's a collaboration between two authors - which can either make or break a novel.  I was pleasantly surprised by how seamless their two voices came across the page.  I never felt like it was two different ideas jammed together to make one story.  They meshed and it worked.

Another aspect of the story which was different, yet totally worked is the background of these two novelist.  They write screenplays for TV shows and movies & it's very obvious in this book.  I could totally see this story played out on the screen.  With the use of multiple characters, alternating between chapters, the reader gets to experience the story through so many eyes.  Again, a concept that could ruin a novel - yet they pulled it off so flawlessly!  Each character has his or her own strong voice, and I was able to connect with them individually - learning their own unique story and how they all end up colliding together at the end of this crazy adventure.

Imagine waking up the day of high school graduation in Mexico, completely hung over, not remembering the night before, and rolling over to see the one guy who you loathe most laying in bed next to you.  Then you look down and see that you both have on matching wedding bands. That is how this crazy adventure begins - but it's the story of how Kylie and Max got there, and all the elements that lead up to this moment which make the story so much fun to read about.  I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting, laugh-out-loud, crazy good time summer read!