That Time I Joined The Circus.

That Time I Joined The Circus.

J.J Howard.

Publisher:Point.
Publication Date:April 1,2013.
Genre: YA Contemporary|Drama|Romance.
Format|Pages: E ARC|272.
Source: Sent from publisher, through NetGalley.
Challenge:Debut Author|Stand Alone|Contemporary.

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Ever since reading Water For Elephants few years earlier, I enjoyed any book that has to do with circus. In general, I love any books that have some sort of animals. When I saw That Time I Joined Circus , I had a feeling that it’s type of novel that I am going to love. I was right, it was amazing book. It was original and that was one of things that were interesting about it, the novel was unlike any other books I read before. It made me smile, cry. J.J has way with words, how to capture reader’s attention. I’m eager for stories that J.J will create next.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

 

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

 

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

 

 

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

 

But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.

 

With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.

  I’m in love of cover, the cover right there takes a lot of imagination. How can you not love the cover? It’s filled with so much color, light. It has such vivid images, ones that it would be hard for anyone to miss. It has a bit of suspenseful look to it. The girl looks mysterious and looks if she’s on a mission to something. After reading the book, I know what that mission was. Cover was one of first things that caught my attention about the book. It looked so busy, so colorful that I knew I had to check it out. I felt like I needed to know the story behind the cover.


Lexi: I loved her right from the start; she was one of my favorite characters in the book. I saw how much she changed through the book, and how much working in circus actually helped her. I was also glad that she could find some friends and somebody who cared for her, while she was there. Especially after losing her dad and Eli, in a same day. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how that must felt like, but the emotions, the descriptions made me feel like I could. I felt connected with a character; it got me think of her as an actual person, instead of a fictional character. I enjoyed reading about something that I could actually see happening, something realistic. All through book I found myself wondering if Lexi would find her mother or if she would end up staying with circus. I wanted a happy ending for her, considering everything that she went through.


Nick & Jamie: That was one of things I had small issue with, the relationship. First she seemed to be interested, flirting and kissing Jamie and next she was into Nick. Then there was Eli who she seemed to forgiven too fast. I felt like relationship aspect was bit rushed. I honestly thought that she would end up with Jamie; they seemed to have bit of chemistry, at least in the beginning. Now, with Nick, it went pretty fast from Nick disliking her, to kissing her. As book progressed, I found myself rooting for Nick, I could tell that he cared for Lexi and I was glad that Lexi was able to find someone, to care for her how Nick did. Most of the book, I was hoping that she would end up with him. I wanted to talk some sense into Nick when he ended it. Part of me hoped that he would change his mind. But I was glad that at least something good came out of working at circus, that there was someone there for her, that she wasn’t completely alone.

To me, entire book felt pretty realistic, though I know that not everything would go, way that it did in book. But issues that all of characters dealt with, the challenges, friendships, and relationships felt so real to me. I think it was one of main reasons that I was so into book. Besides the emotions that were expressed through the novel, that felt pretty realistic to me, and vivid. I could picture everything that she seemed feeling. I even smiled, laughed, cried and even got angry along with her. I feel in love with the book, the characters. Almost everything about the novel, got it impossible to put down.

It was one of best contemporary novels I read. It’s a book that I would highly recommend for everyone to check out.