Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

Meant To Be

Author:  Lauren Morrill

Publisher:  Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  November 13th 2012

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

From Goodreads:

Meant to be or not meant to be...that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the-gasp-wrong guy.  Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared.  That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket.  And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be")

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London.  After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts...from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way.  And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all:  true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

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I read a couple of reviews that compared this to Anna and the French Kiss, my favorite contemporary YA book, so naturally I really wanted to read this.  Anna and the French Kiss still remains my favorite, but Meant To Be is a pretty awesome book nevertheless. 

I immediately liked Julia, she is a straitlaced follow the rules kind of girl.  I can appreciate a girl who isn't silly, and is actually interested in expanding her mind. She grew up in a loving home with two parents who were deeply in love with each other, and preached the whole fate thing, MTB (meant to be) is how she expects to find her great love.  Jason is the polar opposite of Julia, he doesn't believe in the MTB, and loves breaking the rules, all in good fun.  Because they are both opposites they really are able to gain new perspectives in how they view life.  Their interactions are really great, and fun.  

Meant To Be is not an insta-love read.  Julia can't stand that she is paired up with Jason, who doesn't take anything seriously.  She came to really learn about London, and see these great attractions especially the ones that have to do with Shakespeare.  She's a huge fan.  Slowly, though without really realizing it she begins to appreciate Jason, and his unorderly approach to life.  Jason remains a mystery to readers.  We get glimpses of this wacky fun guy, but I never felt like I got a really good read on him.  

Meant To Be is a really great YA contemporary.  If you enjoy opposites attract storylines this is a must read.