Burning by Elana K. Arnold - Review

Burning by Elana K. Arnold 

Book: Burning by Elana K. Arnold
Expected Publication Date: June 11th 2013 by Random House/Delacorte
My rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: YA
Source: Netgalley

*This ebook was provided to me by the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary:

"Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.  

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him."

My Thoughts:

This book was definitely not what I expected, but it was a great surprise! When I first finished the book I just kind of sat there for a few minuets taking it all in. The longer I look back on the book, the more I love it! I thought it was going to be some frilly summer romance (which I love) but this was so much more. 

Things I loved about this book:

-Thought provoking. This I really didn't expect. I went into reading Burning and thought it would be an easy, breezy summer read. All fluff and nothing else. I was so wrong! At first I was not sure what to think because I was not prepared for a book that would make me think, but it was such a perfect summer book! Although it was not just a light, fluffy read (which is my usual summer pick) I am so happy I picked it up! It has the perfect mix of summer love and growing up!

-Two stories in one. This book is told in alternating points of view. This does not work for some books, but I really enjoyed it in this one. I can't decide which story I enjoyed more, Lala's or Ben's. They were both so great. Lala's story was telling the reader about a life I've never even though of, the life of a Gypsy. The culture differences and family dynamics are so different than what I am used to, it was a whole new world (cue Aladdin music). Ben's story was interesting as well. We really got to know about his friendships and his relationship with his brother. Normally I do not enjoy reading from a guy's point of view, but I really liked Ben as a character and loved reading about his story! Both of these stories come together and tell Ben and Lala's love story. 

-The cover is BEAUTIFUL! Need I say more??

Things I didn't love about this book:

-Lala. You've got Ben, who is obviously the main guy in the book. And then you've got Lala, the girl. Lala. I tend to get stuck on names (if you have read my Spies & Prejudice review you know). So when I saw that the girl's name is Lala, I had a bit of a hard time. At first I though it was because she was a Gypsy. Maybe they all had different names? Nope, just her. The other Gypsies had some unusual ones, but they were mostly names I have seen before with cool spelling. I just couldn't get the name Lala. 

Overall: The only bad thing I really have to say about the book is that the girl's name is Lala. Other than that I really enjoyed reading Burning. It was a great book full of romance and lessons on growing up! I would recommend this to all readers looking for a good summer read :)