[Review] SST Review - Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath

Hey guys! I'll be reviewing this book as part of Nori's SST. So, I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which doesn't impact my review in any way. 

Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath

Version: ARC Paperback

Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Keep calm and make it to prom night—without a legit panic attack.For seventeen-year-old Bree Hughes, it’s easier said than done when gossip, grief, and the opportunity to fail at love are practically high-fiving her in the hallways of Belmont High.When Bree’s crush, Sean Mills, gives her his phone number, she can’t even leave a voicemail without sounding like a freak. Then she’s asked to be on Prom Court because Maisey Morgan, the school outcast nominated as a joke, declined. She apologizes to Maisey, but it’s too late. After years of torment and an ugly secret shared with their class’s cruel Pageant Queen, Maisey commits suicide. Bree is left with a lot of regret…and a revealing letter with a final request.With Sean by her side, Bree navigates through her guilt, her parents’ divorce, and all the Prom Court drama. But when a cheating-love-triangle secret hits the fan after a night of sex, drinks, and video games, she’s left with new information about Sean and the class Pageant Queen. Bree must now speak up or stay silent. If she lets fear be her guide, she’ll lose her first love, and head to prom to avenge the death of the school outcast—as a party of one.

Thank you Nori for hosting the Sunday Street Team and giving us an opportunity to review Liars and Losers Like Us!

LaLLU is a very open and honest contemporary novel. It tells the story of Bree Hughes as she deals with the ups and downs of high school - the romance, the friendships, and the drama.

The thing about Bree, and this makes her such a likable character, is her ability to listen. This probably why everyone on Prom Court ends up telling her their secrets. A lot of the secrets hit you hard, and the message is clear - you can't really judge a book by its cover. Many people in high school tend to put up a facade of "everything is alright" and "life is perfect", but Allen-Vath's novel debunks this so well. Pretty sure all the people you and I thought were popular spoiled and snooty in high school had their share of problems.

The characters and their interactions and developments through the course of the story were awesome. Every character had a reason for their actions, and every character was imperfect. Sean's romance with Bree certainly had its flaws, and it isn't exactly the perfect story of true love.

There were so many true-to-life problems that were featured in this book, from divorcing parents to cheating in relationships to panic attacks to sexual assault, and every issue was handled without glorification and was told from the heart.

One thing that I wished went differently was the ending. I felt like the big reveal of Maisey's secret could have been more than just an ending chapter of the book. I wanted to know how it affected everyone after, but regardless, the letter ending on an uplifting note that made sense.

I wasn't expecting to like LaLLU as much as I did, and I don't read contemporaries as much anymore. If you're looking for some down-to-earth honest reading, with romance and lighthearted moments as well, I definitely recommend it.

And, if you're looking for some LaLLU swag, here's a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:Ami Allen-Vath is a YA author living and writing along the shores of New Jersey. She loves great and terrible TV, ice cream, books, and vacations. Ami loathes cilantro, live birds, and when guys do cartoon impressions. Lars and Losers Like Us is her first novel.