Book Review: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Title: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe

Author: Shelley Coriell

Publisher: Amulet Books

Publication Date: May 2012

Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone


Synopsis can be found here.
NetGalley review.

Review:

Chloe doesn't know what happened. Suddenly, her best friends have stopped talking to her. And her new guidance counselor says her independent project doesn't meet the requirements. Alone, Chloe takes on the school radio station complete with its own bunch of misfits, in an attempt to save her project and keep herself from thinking of her ex best friends.

But she gets more than she bargained for when she starts falling for the quiet fixer Duncan and friending the fierce radio girl Clementine.

I really enjoyed Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe. The first part of the book is heartbreaking, bringing myself back to high school. Chloe is unceremoniously dumped by her best friends. Whether she deserved it or not remains to be seen, and she is not only friendless, but also the talk or the school. Rumors flying, feelings hurt, Chloe picks herself up and holds her head high. Sure, she has her faults, but Chloe is a girl you feel for, a girl you want to come out on top.

Clementine is harsh, cutting and hilarious. I loved her banter with Chloe, especially during the radio show. I would definitely have tuned in to listen to them!

And Duncan is a sweet, hurt and complicated, all at the same time. He's not a talker, the exact opposite of Chloe, and maybe that's why they seem like such a great pair. He evens her out, and she picks him up.

The story moved fast, the dialogue was funny and quick. I sat down to read for just a little bit and found myself telling hubby, no, wait, one more chapter. I liked the ending but it wrapped up a little too well for me. There's one scene in particular, the last one with Brie, the old best friend, and Chloe that seemed forced and I didn't really see how those characters had gotten to that point. It took me out of the story for a minute, a little too tidy. But that was my only complaint.

Overall, Chloe and friends is a fun read with a strong, faulty heroine, a sweet, complex guy and a lot of fun writing.

Check it out.

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy