Things I Know About Love by Kate le Vann
Reviewed on 1st May 2008
Publisher: Piccadilly Press Ltd; 2006
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 176
Rating:
Buy Online: Here
I came across this book whilst in the library. I didn't expect much out of it because A, it was a library book and I have an intense dislike for libraries, and B, it had that not-so-good cliche teen book name. I decided to rent it out anyway because of the pretty cover - stupid, right? Me being the fast and eager reader I am, I started it the day I got it.
At its core the book is a pretty basic YA love story. 18-year-old Livia Stowe goes to visit her brother, Jeff, in America for the summer. There she meets Adam - a guy who she previously met back in England - and she instantly falls for too. Other guys get in the way, but eventually they do end up together. But of course, complications do ensue and their relationship gets cut short...
What makes this different from other books of the same storyline? It has a twist in it; Livia has been suffering from Leukaemia since she was 13, but she's now ready to move on, or so she thinks. It is told through Livia's point of view, in what's meant to be a private online blog. There are also excerpts from Adam's private blog - 'Inside Adam' - where we get to see his point of view, which comes in critical for the last chapter. The chapters alternate through Livia's back story, her previous love experiences and the current happenings.
Things I Know About Love is a fun, quick, and at times touching, read. Although it's no award winner, it's written pretty well with a decent plot to accompany. It's pretty much clean - nothing goes beyond making out and swearing is minor - making it suitable for most audiences. Kate le Vann, also the author of Tessa In Love, has done a good job on writing a sweet and fun summer love story that isn't shallow and isn't full of promiscuous young girls - something that's pretty rare to find these days.
Read this if you like: Fun, realistic romances; fast-paced stories; a quick read; something sweet; holiday relationships; not-so-happy endings.