Truth be told, because the thing about the truth is that is always shows its face, I had some high expectations for this novel. Not really because of the author, or because of the cover (it’s so awkward looking…). It was mainly ’cause I saw the synopsis and just got really excited, I was ready for this book to blow me away.

I’ll admit, I enjoyed the characters and the way the book was written. We are given four perspectives: Isaac before and after, and Kelsey before and after. Each chapter switched up between Kelsey and Isaac, as well as the time. It was an interesting way of getting through the story, as if the “before” parts were being told by the characters as they spoke in the “after” parts, as they had to tell the Superintendent about the ‘incident’, which was cool, and made you think a little more about the characters, really getting readers into their heads.

The characters were cool too. Isaac wants to defy his father. He wants to show that he can’t be controlled, not by his father, not by teachers, no one. On the other hand, we have Kelsey, who wants to be in control of everything: her marks, her future, her anger, and her past. However, both have been kicked out of their old prep schools and have been thrust into the world of public, government funded, education. As they aspire to create “Face it Down”, a club created mainly because Kelsey wanted to impress colleges and Isaac wanted to impress Kelsey, they fall for each other. However, one thing stands between them: the truth. And it reared its ugly head in the middle of their “Face it Down” event with Kelsey’s old school, and Kelsey’s old friends.

The one thing that really bothered me about this book was the end, honestly. There was a vague resolution, but there weren’t any punishments doled out, only a “we’ll think about it and we’ll let you know”. That kept me reading, only to find that there wasn’t anything else to read. This on the edge kind of ending didn’t feel finished. In fact, it made the end of the novel seem quite rushed, as if Barnholdt had run out of time before her deadline and never got the chance to really finish the book. Even Kelsey and her father’s relationship was left in the dark. Her father hated her for disappointing him, I guess, but it was so… harsh. I don’t know, I kind of wanted a resolution to that too, which I also didn’t get… hmph.

So yes, although the characters were well written and the truth was quite shocking and mildly funny as it referenced a song I quite like, the end disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked this novel, but the ending left me wanting more, and I just didn’t get it.

Plot: 3/5
(Because IT NEVER ENDED. Not to me at least.)
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 2/5
Overall: 3.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.65/5

-review by Between Printed Pages