Monday 14 May 2012

Review: The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

Title: The Jelly Bean Crisis
Author: Jolene Stockman
Expected Publication date: August 1st 2012
Age group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Cover rating: 5/5
Content rating: 5/5
Source: Review copy

Description:
A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B. 
When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now. 
Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.
My thoughts:
I am on such a contemporary kick this year. Every one of these books I pick up ends up blowing my mind. I'm actually surprised I practically ignored this genre for so long but happy that I've finally changed that! The Jelly Bean Crisis was a splendid novel and I'm happy to report that it's not just a pretty cover. This book really packs a punch and I devoured every page of it. I got so caught up in Poppy's story and I can tell you, ''one more page'' quickly turned into some lost sleep but it was totally worth it. It was really lovely, from start to finish.

Poppy is the protagonist in this book and a brilliant one at that. Her voice is really unique and strong. Her personality practically bursts through the pages. Obviously, being able to form a connection to the main character of a book is pretty important and thankfully I found that really easy. I felt like I knew Poppy from the get-go. As well as you can know a character who's going through a crisis like this, that is. It was so intriguing to watch Poppy just snap and to suddenly question everything she's ever known.

The Jelly Bean Crisis follows Poppy on her month long journey to find herself. All her life she's planned for one thing: college and a steady financial career. I felt really sorry for Poppy when she started freaking out and feeling like she had to make all her major life choices right now as a teenager. I enjoyed joining her as she dove headfirst into the search for what she really wanted! Poppy's Jelly Bean Theory is that you should eat the not-so-nice jelly beans first and then save the best for last. In this book we see her going against the theory she's held for many years and wondering if perhaps she should have been going for the red jelly beans- her favourite- the whole time. 

Poppy gets up to a lot during her ''gap month'' in order to see if she can figure out which career path is perfect for her. We meet a whole host of interesting characters at each place and there are several minor characters who intrigued me. Poppy's friends annoyed me at parts but definitely redeemed themselves. Her Nana is a pretty awesome and wise woman and her relationship with her is really sweet to read about. The only thing I can say is that there wasn't enough of a certain love interest. Not really a flaw in the book- more of a personal preference and simply means he was such a great character, I wanted to read more about him! 

Overall, I seriously enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. I'd recommend it to any contemporary fans, and anyone in that awkward stage in their life where they've got to figure out what they want from their future- which is probably everyone, right? Definitely one to look out for. It's a beautifully told story that you'll still be thinking about long after you finish reading it. 

Click HERE to add this book to your Goodreads shelves.

Side note: If you're a blogger and intrigued by this book, there's still time to sign up for the blog tour which will take place in August. You can find the sign up sheet HERE

21 comments:

  1. Lovely review, Nicola! I would love to read this so I signed up for the tour, thanks for posting about!

    And I LOVE your blog's new look!

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  2. Haha I love the title! Jelly Bean Crisis! :)

    Hey, I have a $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway on my blog if you're interested. No catch, I promise! :)

    <3
    Lei

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  3. Oooh, this books sounds perfect! LOOVEE the title and the cover, so cute! <3 I love it when a character is growing up, because that makes them totally awesome! Plus, I think I've already liked her because she's a smart girl! :)

    Beautiful review, Nicola! I'm glad you really enjoyed this book. <3

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  4. I have been dying to see what this book has been all about, ever since reading the title. (I too eat jelly beans this way - save the best colours until last!)
    I am tempted to participate in the blog tour, but being relatively new to this, and that I’ve never participated before, I don't really know how it works/what to do...

    Another great review as always.
    P.S. Loving the new look!

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  5. Oky ,,, this book sound interesting ... I guess I will need to read it soon ... thanks for haring and Great Review :D

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  6. I don't think I've heard of this book before but it sounds AMAZING! The cover and the summary really intrigued me!

    Awesome review, Nicola! <3 Glad you enjoyed it!

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  7. Great review, doll! This title cracks me up I never really checked what it was about until now. It sounds pretty good with a fantastic protagonist. I definitely agree if you can connect to the characters it's a super great sign. I'll keep an eye out for this one.

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  8. I love both the cover and the title so much! I'm not much for contemporary YA, but I just finished a good one and I'm in the mood for some more. I was wondering what to order, but now I know.
    Thank you for the lovely review, Nicola!

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  9. I'm so excited to read this book! I'm on a tour for it this summer. So glad you liked it!

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  10. I, too, don't read much contemporary YA but I have been reading more lately. This sounds promising and I like the whole jelly bean thing. I like to sqve best for last as well, maybe it is time to rethink it, right? Thanks for the recommend!

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  11. Great review :) I have took off reading contemporary lately too. This definitely sounds like one I would love. You always know it's a good one when one more page turns into an all nighter :)

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  12. This one sounds really amazing. I really need to read more contemps this year as I have been putting them on the backburner for far too often.

    Can't wait till this one releases so I can try it out. I believe everyone has those awkward moments in life where you don't know where you are headed.

    Great review!

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  13. Oh my goodness, I WANT this book. If not for the gorgeous cover, hilarious title, and awesome premise alone, then I want it because your review and five star rating are making me feel like I should add this to my buy list! :') I'm actually just starting to get into contemporary books more this year too, and since I'm fifteen and DEFINITELY in that awkward stage of my life where I need to figure out what to do, I'm definitely going to be reading this soon!

    Amazing review, Nicola! <3 :)

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  14. I haven't heard about this one but you do make it sound wonderful. I'll definitely keep it in mind! Contemporary books are rocking my world lately too.

    And your new blog header is gorgeous!

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  15. Awesome review, glad you enjoyed this so much. You are definitely on a contemporary buzz at the moment :D I eat that way too, always leave my favourite till last :)

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  16. I just love the title of this book, makes me want to read it even more!

    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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  17. Thanks for the heads up about this book Nicola, it sounds like a fascinating read! I can't wait to read it and the cover is absolutely gorgeous! :)

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  18. Oh my gosh, you already read this? You are fast, girl. I'm not peeking at your review right now. If it's as awesome as you say, I want to read it first. :)

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  19. Ahhhh, the cover is just perfect <3 So happy, spring/summerish :D

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  20. This book looks & sounds really adorable. Plus it has such a cute cover and title.

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  21. Wow, great review! And thanks for the recommendation. Just added it on my Goodreads wishlist. Now I know I cannot let this one pass!

    I like what you said the main character had a really strong personality. It's one of the things I enjoy the most while reading. And a road to self discovery? Ooooh, boy, I SO have to read it. Sad to hear there wasn't much of a love story, because I always enjoy reading one in my reads, but I'll read this one nonetheless.

    Again, thanks for bringing this one to my attention! <3

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So sorry about the word verification, it's the only way to stop the huge amounts of spam!

Thanks SO much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.

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