About Any Other Girl
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks
After a disastrous, reputation-destroying party at the end of junior year, Kat Henley has a new plan. When it comes to boys—especially other people’s boys:
Don’t touch.
Don’t smile.
Don’t charm.
In the past, drawing attention to herself helped distract people from what really makes Kat different—having two gay parents. But it also cost her friendships. Kat can’t afford to lose any more of those, especially not her cousin, Harper. They’re spending one last summer together at the lake, where they run into an intriguing newcomer named Emmett Reese. After years of trying to prove she’s just like everybody else, Kat has found someone who wants her because she’s not. A boy who could be everything she wants too—if Harper hadn’t liked him first . . .
Rebecca Phillips’s Faking Perfect was the first e-ARC I received from NetGalley, and I enjoyed it greatly (review here). When I saw Rebecca’s next book up, I knew I had to request it immediately.
Kat Henley loves to be the center of attention, which she does in order to distract others from her two gay fathers. She’s girly and loves to flirt, and the novel begins with her flirting with her best friend’s boyfriend and then losing that said best friend. It’s summer now and Kat’s off with her dads to their summer cottage on the lake where she reconnects with her cousin, Harper. This will be Harper’s last summer at the lake and Kat is determined to make it the best summer ever. It’s starts off rough at first with their favorite diner being remodeled and Kat almost running over their new neighbor, Emmett. Kat and Harper become fast friends with Emmett and both of the girls develop feelings for him, but because Harper claimed him first, Kat decides to back away from him. Kat already ruined one friendship back home because of a boy and she’s determined no to ruin her friendship with Harper. However, it’s hard for Kat to stay away when it becomes clear that there’s more to Emmett than what meets the eye.
The romance between Kat and Emmett was very sweet. Kat tries to stay away from Emmett for Harper’s sake. However, try as she might, Kat develops feelings for Emmett as he does the same for her. One of the reasons Kat connects with Emmett is because she witnesses Emmett’s parents fighting very harshly and Emmett opens up to Kat about it.
Throughout the book, Kat is learning to accept herself for who she is. Growing up, she loved to play soccer, but she quit once she overheard a few soccer moms gossiping about Kat and her dads. She turned into a girly girl to prove that her dads were great and that she didn’t need a mom. During her summer at the cottage, Kat learns that she can be both “girly” and “boyish.” She can play soccer and ride atvs, and she can also wear dresses and make-up. Kat’s self-discovery and change was definitely one of the most important aspects of the book.
The importance of family and friends also shines throughout this book. As someone who has a close relationship with my own parents, I loved seeing the closeness Kat shared with her dads. Her relationships with Harper and Emmett, and even Shay, her ex-best friend, show how important it is to have good friends who support and accept you.
Overall, Any Other Girl was a sweet summer romance. It’s perfect for those looking for an easy contemporary read.
My Rating:
*This ARC was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*