ARC Review: The Possibility of Somewhere

Title: The Possibility of Somewhere

Author: Julia Day

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: September 6, 2016

Source: eARC from St. Martin's Griffin for Review

Together is somewhere they long to be.

Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted-- he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way?

All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college -- and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks. . . When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream -- one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds?

My Review

I'll admit that The Possibility of Somewhere by Julia Day didn't really make it to my list of must reads in 2016. It seemed like it could be a fun and rewarding read, so I went ahead and accepted the widget when it was sent to me. I'm glad that I read this book because it's cute, but I just wish that there was more to it because I left the last page feeling rather empty and drained from boredom.

Eden Moore and Ash Gupta have only one thing in common - to excel academically so they can both go off to college and flee their coastal North Carolina hometown. They have always clashed, and they've come to accept it, but all of that changes during their senior year when Eden shows that she has a softer side. A modern mix up of Romeo and Juliet  and Pride and Prejudice, The Possibility of Somewhere is sure to reach out to all the romantics out there.

There were some awesome moments in Julia Day's debut novel, The Possibility of Somewhere, and honestly, I loved that the plot of this book followed two academically gifted teenagers from very different backgrounds. Ash Gupta comes from a very wealthy family of immigrants. Both of his parents are doctors, and they expect great things from him. He knows that he'll be able to go to any school and that his parents could pay for it, but it would honor them if he was awarded scholarships. Eden's family isn't so lucky, and she's been dealt a bad hand since birth. Her mother ran off when she was a toddler, and since then, her father and stepmother have struggled to keep the family financially afloat. She knows that a scholarship is the only way to avoid community college. I loved seeing these two go from competitors to lovers, and being able to see their struggles definitely added to the plot. My only complaint about the relationship between Ash and Eden is that it didn't feel entirely real to me. I just felt like once they both realized that they had mutual feelings of affection, they just jumped into a relationship that excelled quickly.

I really enjoyed the other characters in the book, especially Eden's stepmother, Marnie. She added a much needed sweetness to the book. Eden's newest (and only) friend was also a much needed character. She came into Eden's life at just the right moment and was able to convince Eden that she was so much more than her past.

However, I felt like a lot of the book just didn't meet my expectations for a fun read. There were a lot of times when I felt bored. Yes, a lot is happening, but I just wish that Julia Day would have found a more captivating way to tell this modern day story of forbidden love. There were even a few added story arcs that I think could have been left out to make this book seem a little less disjointed.

All in all, The Possibility of Somewhere by Julia Day is an okay young adult debut novel. There was enough in the book to keep me interested and invested, which is always a good thing, but there were just a few huge issues that kept this book one that I could enjoy immensely.

Julia Day lives in North Carolina (mid-way between the beaches and
the mountains) along with two college-age daughters, one husband, and too many computers.

When she’s not writing software or stories, Julia loves to travel to faraway places, watch dance reality shows on TV, and dream about which restaurant gets her business next.

The Possibility of Somewhere is Julia’s first YA contemporary romance. She also writes YA paranormal as Elizabeth Langston.