EBR Guest Review: Awakening Foster Kelly by Cara Olsen (Julia Goudreau)

EBR Guest Reviewer: Julia Goudreau

Synopsis:
If only a pile of wayward curls and the inability to stay on her feet were seventeen year-old Foster Kelly’s most pressing concerns. Unfortunately, stubborn hair and clumsiness is just the tip of it. It was only a mistake, but when at the age of five Foster is told “You don’t belong here” the result is one broken heart. These four carelessly spoken words have shaped and shadowed Foster, and now—a senior at Shorecliffs High School—she seeks the wallflower’s existence, denying herself the most casual of friendships, much too afraid that someone will see what Foster believes is certain: she does not belong anywhere – or with anyone. This reality would continue to suit her just fine, however . . .

Love has a long-standing history of undoing broken hearts.

Like a comet, an unexpected arrival knocks Foster out of the crowded, starry sky, sending her directly into the limelight. Exposed and afraid, she will attempt to regain anonymity; but it isn’t so easy now that someone is watching. He pursues this shy enigma, confronting Foster’s deepest fears head-on, and in the process falls wholly and completely in love with her. But there is something he is not saying; a secret capable of certain ruin. There are two probable outcomes: either he will break her heart once and for all, or he will heal it.

In the end, though, it is Foster who must decide if she is worth mending. (Taken from Goodreads)

Stars Given: ★★★★☆ (4 Stars)

Overall View:

***this book was given to me by the author through Ethereal Book Reviews (Guest Reviewer Program)***

Holy moly. Definitely did not see that one coming.

"Awakening Foster Kelly" is about a girl that hides her own shell. The thing about Foster is that there are things about her that we can all connect with. There is a time when everyone feels like they don't belong. Whether it was because of your interests or actions or beliefs, everyone has felt like the outsider, looking in. Foster also is afraid. Everyone is afraid of something. She doesn't want to take risks and she just wants to live her life comfortably. Everyone wonders about risks and worries about them. There comes a time when you just want to take the easy way. The way that is comfortable and where you can control the outlook. Another thing about Foster that people can connect with; she doesn't like being the centre of attention. She avoids social situations. She is introvert and that's okay. Being uncomfortable in a social setting is something that some can understand. That being said, Foster Kelly is a character that we, the readers, can connect with and that is really important because, suddenly, you don't feel so alone anymore.

When I saw the page number, I cringed. I always do when I see that many pages. There were some parts of this book that were slow (around 400 page mark; my ebook page count was 852 for reference). Now, don't get me wrong. I loved going along this journey with Foster and seeing her get out of her comfort zone. Seeing how Dominic really helped her. But, after a while, it started to feel a bit repetitive. However, the 200-150 pages picked up the pace considerably, thanks to the mega-plot twists that blind-sided me (nice move, Olsen!). 

I quite enjoyed reading "Awakening Foster Kelly". I loved the fact that Foster was a character that I could easily connect to. I loved the fact that we got to see her try to work through her worries, her fears and the blanket that she wrapped around herself to keep her life comfortable. It was awesome to see how Dominic helped her through her troubles, while working through his own.

Olsen did a great job with the writing. There were parts that were almost poetic. I felt like they were lyrics from Foster's songs. Olsen wrote them in such a way that they come off the page, almost like you could hear the song in your head.

"Awakening Foster Kelly" was a really good book. The only thing that I didn't really like was the page count. This novel is definitely one to check out. Almost like Sarah Dessen's novels and Gayle Forman novel (I'm not saying which one. You want to find out? Read this book! :]) had a baby!