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    The Children's Book Review

    Sway, by Kat Spears | Book Review

    Charlie KennedyBy Charlie Kennedy3 Mins Read Books with Boy Characters Chapter Books Teens: Young Adults
    Sway By Kat Spears
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    The Children’s Book Review | February 9, 2015

    Sway By Kat SpearsSway

    By Kat Spears

    Age Range: 14 and up

    Hardcover: 320 pages

    Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

    ISBN: 978-1-250-05143-1

    What to expect: Romance, Teens, High School

    Some might call it swagger, some might call it confidence, but everyone who knows Jesse Alderman calls it—and him—sway, for the high school senior has something that no one else does, and he’s turned it into a profitable business.

    Jesse can always deliver, and what he offers is always in demand: prom dates, term papers, party favors, and fake IDs. It’s a failsafe business for Jesse: keeping people distant and in need—there’s no personal mess, just a verbal contract and enough cash flow to keep Jesse independent from his hopeless dad. But Jesse’s latest business deal–to help Ken Foster, the captain of the football team and all-round douche, win over the impossibly good and beautiful Bridget Smalley—turns out to be anything but a smooth transaction: the assignment’s complete, so why’s Jesse so compelled to keep working on a job he’s no longer needed for? Surely he can’t be feeling something—can he?

    Kat Spears debut novel is, quite simply, a delight. It has all the ingredients for an engaging and witty read, laced with honesty and insight that’s refreshingly real. There’s love and teenage angst in the mix of this page-turner, perhaps essential components of a high school set, young adult read, but the story is gritty and real, unafraid to cross over into the darker sides of teenage life, and unapologetic in its witty and honest portrayal. You shouldn’t, by all means, love Jesse, but you of course, can’t help but root for him. The reader is sure to be swept up by his sway, but allowed an intimate and emphatic entrance into his life—one that’s devoid of compassion or kindness on a hardened surface, but bubbling just below. Bridget’s presence may impact Jesse Alderman in a big way, but Jesse’s presence will bowl the reader—teenage and adult—over from page one through to the very end with his enigmatic and deeply layered character. If anything, Kat Spears may just be the one with some very valuable sway; get ready to be sold.

    Add this book to your collection: Sway, by Kat Spears

    About the Author

    Kat Spears has worked as a bartender, museum director, housekeeper, park ranger, business manager, and painter (not the artistic kind). She holds an M.A. in anthropology, which has helped to advance her bartending career. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three freeloading kids. Swayis her debut novel.

    Sway, by Kat Spears, was reviewed by Charlie Kennedy. Follow along with our book reviews and articles tagged with “Love” and our Young Adult Books category to discover more great novels.

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Radius of Us, by Marie Marquardt | Book Review
    2. An Exploration of Love at First Sight and Its Existence in Stories
    3. Schism: The Battle for Darracia: Book 1 | Dedicated Review
    4. How a YA Author Pays Homage to Famous American Authors

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Books For Teens Kat Spears Romance St. Martin’s Press Teenage Love Teens YA Books Young Adult Young Adult Fiction
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    Next Article Uni the Unicorn, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Book Review
    Charlie Kennedy

    A recent graduate from the MFA in Creative Writing program at the University of San Francisco, Charlie is working on her own first children's fantasy novel. Originally from England, Charlie grew up fascinated by the works of Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, and other European children's authors. Charlie pursued a career in journalism in both England and the UAE before returning to her true love of creative writing. When she's not writing or reading, Charlie can be found with her camera in tow, capturing the sights within her neighborhood and others, in her fair city of San Francisco.

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