‘THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US’: Enjoy A ‘Gilmore Girls’-Like Novel

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STORY | For as long as she can remember it’s just been Caymen and her mother with a doll shop thrown in the mix. All she knows about her father is that he’s wealthy, and her mother had a bad experience with him and his lot. This is why Caymen has been raised with an aversion to the wealthy. Then, into her mother’s shop walks Xander Spence. Confident, handsome and so not who Caymen should be flirting with let along talking to, Xander’s unexpected presence in Caymen’s life may just be the chance encounter of a lifetime. But with secrets hanging on Caymen’s life, is Xander the typical rich boy she shouldn’t befriend or is he the boy she needs?

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The Distance Between Us by Kasie West | Book Review


the distance between us

REVIEW | This is the second Kasie West novel I read, and oh my stars, it’s my favorite of the two. Of course, as I have a handful left to read (a prospect which leaves me looking something like the heart-eye emoji!) plus a July preorder to anticipate, this is a ranking that could change. For now, as between ‘Distance’ and On the Fence, this underrated contemporary is a piece of happy fluff that keeps its place on my shelf.

The story is a wonderfully familiar one, but is somehow unique with its sarcastic (not overly, but enough) heroine who’s got sass. Something sure to make readers who admire feisty, headstrong heroines cheer her on. Caymen’s strength can, unfortunately, also be her weakness. The thing that’s most been engrained in her is also the thing that keeps her closed off to the possibility of a happy ending that may not be so far from her reach. Then there’s Xander.

BOOK REVIEW | On the Fence by Kasie West – Tomboy Finds Love With Best Friend and Boy Next Door

I’ll confess, I’m quite fond of him not because of his Logan-Echolls-wealthy-boy-vibes (not that this hurts), but rather because he goes against the “bad boy” stereo type trope. Or that’s my impression of him. His friendship with Caymen is among my favorite in this genre, and feels organic despite its proclivity (as all books often do) to (perhaps) rush its timeline towards an ending that while “complete” is sure to leave you wishing for so much more.

For those of us who adore Gilmore Girls, you may also relish knowing The Distance Between Us sneaks in familiar vibes to the popular show. A theme that, naturally, I don’t object to in the least. From the mother-daughter bond to the aversion to all things related to the glitz of the wealthy, I picked up several delightful similarities! There’s also a plot twist that in some sense pays nod to the show, but talking about it would be a SPOILER ALERT! So I’ll refrain from saying more.

In case my thoughts don’t convey this, in conclusion, I loved this story. It’s fresh, cute and swoony, which is all I ever want form my contemporary fiction. Inside these pages is one of my “happy place” reads. A story that’s as charming on the inside as I wanted it to be and then some. This may be only the second novel I’ve read from Kasie, but it will not be the last. It’s a gem from first page (and snarky Caymen!) to its final word.♥

ABOUT the BOOK

Author: Kasie West 
Publication Date: 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Fiction; YA Contemporary Romance, Secular
Source: Bought
Add the Book: Goodreads
FIND the REVIEW ELSEWHERE: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★ ½

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

5 comments

  1. Yay! You finally read it! :D This one and On the Fence I think are my favorite contemporaries from her, although I loved P.S. I Like You too. I'm looking forward to her next one quite a bit.

    1. I DID, Tressa! And I'm so glad. Thus far, this is my favorite (between this and On the Fence), but I am excited about 'P.S.' as well as her other books. Cannot wait to read them all! :)

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