ARC Review: Goodbye, Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell

Title: Goodbye, Rebel Blue
Author: Shelley Coriell
Publication: October 1st 2013 by Amulet Books
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Provided by the kind publisher..

Rebecca Blue is a rebel with an attitude whose life is changed by a chance encounter with a soon-to-be dead girl. Rebel (as she’s known) decides to complete the dead girl’s bucket list to prove that choice, not chance, controls her fate. In doing so, she unexpectedly opens her mind and heart to a world she once dismissed—a world of friendships, family, and faith. With a shaken sense of self, she must reevaluate her loner philosophy—particularly when she falls for Nate, the golden boy do-gooder who never looks out for himself. Perfect for fans of Jay Asher’s blockbuster hit Thirteen Reasons Why, Coriell’s second novel features her sharp, engaging voice along with realistic drama and unforgettable characters.

-- My Rating --

4/5 Oscars: Really liked it

-- My Thoughts --

     I wanted to read this book for a while now. I am a huge fan of bucket lists and their significance. I knew I would like this book, and I was right.
     Rebecca "Rebel" Blue is a rebel. She isn't afraid to be different and she does everything her way. But when a girl she knew just for one day, dies, and leaves Rebel her bucket-list, she decides to do everything on the girl's list. With the help of Nate, her family, and people she never knew existed, she finds out that life doesn't always have to be lived alone. And that the best things are done with people, not without them.
     Rebecca has just been out of a tragedy, and she is never used to actually settling down in one place, it's hard for her coping with her new life. So, she does everything to piss off her aunt and uncle. Her teachers. She is happy with living that kind of life until that bucket list that stumbles into her life. Now, Rebel wants to prove that she can also do good.
     I will give Shelley Coriell a 5-star on the characters. They were three-dimensional, with flaws, with misgiving, and that made them real. Rebel is the kind of girl you've always wanted to be, but never had the courage. She is head-strong, loyal, and insecure, but she doesn't know it. Her journey throughout this book will shine some light on the teenage anxieties that are common nowadays. Coriell definitely know how to craft teenage emotions, and since I'm around the same age as most of the characters, I could connect fully with them. And I know, that anyone, at any age, can do the same.
     The romance is sweet, slow-moving, and a typical contemporary romance. But I didn't mind that. I liked that there was no love-triangle, they're kinda getting old. I loved the romance, and there is nothing that I would want to change about it. The character development is mainly focused on Rebel. Although, most of the characters DO develop throughout the book, the most development is owned by Rebel. She changes from this loner into such a friendly, lovable young lady. It was evident in every page.
     On the other hand, there was ONE little thing that bothered me. The whole fate thing. Everyone around Rebel believed that it was fate for her to get her hands on the dead girl's bucket list. And when Rebel wanted to get rid of the list, it wouldn't be get rid of. And that little part, was a bit unbelievable for me. Rebel could just decide to keep the bucket list, not be FORCED by some greater force to keep it. But that's not a huge issue, and you can overlook it. This book is recommended to everyone with a little liking for contemporary and inspirational stories! I am definitely going to read more from the author!