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The Fragile Ordinary
I am Comet Caldwell.
And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.
People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.
But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.
When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.
And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.
People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.
But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.
When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2018
About the author
Samantha Young
103 books27.1k followersSamantha is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavapoos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews
June 29, 2018
4.5 stars!!!
Samantha Young has a knack for writing YA books. This is the second YA book I've read of hers, and it was equally as fantastic as the first. This book had so much heart. The poetry was stunning, it was character driven, heart warming, and an all around incredible read.
Comet Caldwell has spent most of her life feeling alone. She has two best friends, but sometimes she feels like a third wheel. And don't even get her started on her 'parents'. They never wanted a child and basically treat her like she doesn't exist. At almost 17, she's grown used to it. But she desires so much more. Her poetry, which she isn't brave enough to read out loud or share, is her solace. It's where she can freely express her self and just be Comet.
Tobias King is the new student of her class. He's from America and everyone is enamored with him. Even Comet. Tobias is handsome, elusive, and reminds Comet of one of her brooding book boys. Comet never expects for Tobias King to give her a second look. But he does. I loved the friendship/relationship that formed between Comet and King. They were so good for each other and brought out the best in one another.
Comet is a character I think a lot of us can relate to in some way or another. I loved watching her discover herself, stand up for herself, and grow as a person. This book definitely has some romance, but this coming of age story is so much more than a love story.
As much as this book made my heart happy, there were also moments that had me bawling my eyes out. I'm not sure why I was so emotional while reading, but it truly did evoke a lot of emotions from me. Young brings all the feels with this book! The Fragile Ordinary is the best YA book I've read this year, and one I would highly recommend!
Samantha Young has a knack for writing YA books. This is the second YA book I've read of hers, and it was equally as fantastic as the first. This book had so much heart. The poetry was stunning, it was character driven, heart warming, and an all around incredible read.
Comet Caldwell has spent most of her life feeling alone. She has two best friends, but sometimes she feels like a third wheel. And don't even get her started on her 'parents'. They never wanted a child and basically treat her like she doesn't exist. At almost 17, she's grown used to it. But she desires so much more. Her poetry, which she isn't brave enough to read out loud or share, is her solace. It's where she can freely express her self and just be Comet.
Tobias King is the new student of her class. He's from America and everyone is enamored with him. Even Comet. Tobias is handsome, elusive, and reminds Comet of one of her brooding book boys. Comet never expects for Tobias King to give her a second look. But he does. I loved the friendship/relationship that formed between Comet and King. They were so good for each other and brought out the best in one another.
My anchor, he pulled me back to myself, to him, and slowly, but surely, I began to breathe again.
Comet is a character I think a lot of us can relate to in some way or another. I loved watching her discover herself, stand up for herself, and grow as a person. This book definitely has some romance, but this coming of age story is so much more than a love story.
As much as this book made my heart happy, there were also moments that had me bawling my eyes out. I'm not sure why I was so emotional while reading, but it truly did evoke a lot of emotions from me. Young brings all the feels with this book! The Fragile Ordinary is the best YA book I've read this year, and one I would highly recommend!
What most people never learned was that sometimes what would make us happy the most also scares us the most. Sometimes being happy meant being brave. I aimed to be brave every second of every day.
June 26, 2018
Live amazon https://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Ordina...
❤️5 STARS❤️
Such a sweet,lovely,emotional and romantic story.I loved every minute of it.The Fragile Ordinary has an interesting plot,well developed characters and a cute romance.
I'm in love with Tobias and Comet, they have an amazing chemistry.They were perfect for each other.Love their friendship and how the romance developed with slow burn that make me aching.Comet is the most unique heroine I ever met, I loved being in her mind.Loved her personality, she just felt real!
I said this before and I'll say it again I need more YA books from Samantha Young, she is so talented in whatever genre she writes!If you are looking for a great story this is definitely what you need to read!
❤️5 STARS❤️
Such a sweet,lovely,emotional and romantic story.I loved every minute of it.The Fragile Ordinary has an interesting plot,well developed characters and a cute romance.
I'm in love with Tobias and Comet, they have an amazing chemistry.They were perfect for each other.Love their friendship and how the romance developed with slow burn that make me aching.Comet is the most unique heroine I ever met, I loved being in her mind.Loved her personality, she just felt real!
I said this before and I'll say it again I need more YA books from Samantha Young, she is so talented in whatever genre she writes!If you are looking for a great story this is definitely what you need to read!
February 9, 2022
Comet Caldwell is a girl who likes to write poetry and is isolated from her parents. She falls for Tobias, a bad-boy American who has a tragic past. There is lots of drama at school from people who don’t want them together. The setting by the Scottish coast is definitely delightful and cool to read. I liked the elderly neighbor!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
July 7, 2018
4.5 Beautiful Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Samantha Young can write charming relatable characters like nobody else.... I know any time I pick up one of her books I am in for a treat.... she also has done an amazing job with the transition to young adult books... both books I have read from her in this genre have been wonderful and true to the genre.... Samantha writes beautiful emotional books filled with remarkable characters living relatable lives...
This book is aboutComet an intelligent, delightful, introverted girl that would rather be home reading a book then at a party with college boys... now Comet and my teenage self weren’t terribly alike (I would have preferred to be at the party with the college boys) but whether or not you can see yourself in her doesn’t matter, you will find her engaging and somebody you will absolutely want the best for.... her struggle to figure out who she is will pull at your heartstrings and remind you of being a teenager...
This book was more of a coming-of-age story than a romance, but of course there is a boy... Tobias is the stereotypical hot new boy... A little bad boy, a little tragic, just begging to be saved.... even though Tobias was pretty cliché I found him perfect for Comet... he really had a soft sweet side that I found so endearing... also the relationship between these two was perfect... just the perfect blend of friendship and romance... and bonus it was slow burning always love that! Comet also had two delightful BFFs... what I really liked about this friendship was the girls were all there for each other and yet they all were typical selfish teenagers and so sometimes they weren’t the best possible friend they could be....
Comet also had some pretty dreadful parents... seriously, I try not to judge, but these two should not have been allowed to have children.... not sure if Samantha Young had some parent issues, but the parents in both this and her previous young adult book were pretty darn selfish.... some of the things said to her by her father in particular left me wanting to reach through the pages and give her a big hug... indifference not a good quality when it comes to parenting! But the good news is that Comet was a remarkable young lady in spite of it!
A beautiful emotionally charged character driven story that I recommend to people of all ages... now if you are a parent considering whether or not your child should read this book it does touch on some pretty heavy subject matter... including bullying, drug use, sex, teenage drinking, so perhaps it is a better fit for your more mature teenager 15+....
*** many thanks to Harlequin Teen for my copy of this delightful book ***
Samantha Young can write charming relatable characters like nobody else.... I know any time I pick up one of her books I am in for a treat.... she also has done an amazing job with the transition to young adult books... both books I have read from her in this genre have been wonderful and true to the genre.... Samantha writes beautiful emotional books filled with remarkable characters living relatable lives...
This book is aboutComet an intelligent, delightful, introverted girl that would rather be home reading a book then at a party with college boys... now Comet and my teenage self weren’t terribly alike (I would have preferred to be at the party with the college boys) but whether or not you can see yourself in her doesn’t matter, you will find her engaging and somebody you will absolutely want the best for.... her struggle to figure out who she is will pull at your heartstrings and remind you of being a teenager...
This book was more of a coming-of-age story than a romance, but of course there is a boy... Tobias is the stereotypical hot new boy... A little bad boy, a little tragic, just begging to be saved.... even though Tobias was pretty cliché I found him perfect for Comet... he really had a soft sweet side that I found so endearing... also the relationship between these two was perfect... just the perfect blend of friendship and romance... and bonus it was slow burning always love that! Comet also had two delightful BFFs... what I really liked about this friendship was the girls were all there for each other and yet they all were typical selfish teenagers and so sometimes they weren’t the best possible friend they could be....
Comet also had some pretty dreadful parents... seriously, I try not to judge, but these two should not have been allowed to have children.... not sure if Samantha Young had some parent issues, but the parents in both this and her previous young adult book were pretty darn selfish.... some of the things said to her by her father in particular left me wanting to reach through the pages and give her a big hug... indifference not a good quality when it comes to parenting! But the good news is that Comet was a remarkable young lady in spite of it!
A beautiful emotionally charged character driven story that I recommend to people of all ages... now if you are a parent considering whether or not your child should read this book it does touch on some pretty heavy subject matter... including bullying, drug use, sex, teenage drinking, so perhaps it is a better fit for your more mature teenager 15+....
*** many thanks to Harlequin Teen for my copy of this delightful book ***
June 27, 2018
Title: The Fragile Ordinary
Series: Standalone
Author: Samantha Young
Release date: June 26, 2018
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
It's not difficult to understand how I immediately connected to the heroine in The Fragile Ordinary and empathized with her internal conflict. She's a book lover who loves to write, loves to dream, and escapes into the fictional worlds that capture her heart and imagination. The narrative is that of a young woman on the fringes of discovering her own self-confidence, and finding a better understanding of her own identity. It's a coming of age story that explores the effect of emotionally absent parents, the thrill and angst of first love, bullying, loss and grief, and believing in yourself.
Very much an introvert, she prefers her own company and a good book to attending parties and chasing boys like many sixteen-year-olds. The fear of being judged and found wanting, and her innate shyness is something that's holding her back from experiencing life to its fullest.
Courage wasn’t something you found at the bottom of a hot chocolate or in a few words of encouragement from your favorite teacher. Courage was clearly something I needed to find, but how was I supposed to when there was a big part of me that didn’t mind the fact I hadn’t discovered it?
It's not just a matter of being shy, however. A cruel teacher in her younger years paired with her parents' inattention and indifference have caused her to retreat inside herself where no one can hurt her. She finds the ability to express herself through her love of poetry, but isn't confident enough to share that deeply personal side of herself with anyone. Many of her poems captured the uncertainty of young love, and the pain of loneliness so eloquently. That was one of the things that drew me to the story when reading the synopsis, and it was just as wonderful as I was hoping it would be. It's easy to identify with her feelings of loneliness and desperation to move on to bigger and brighter things. It's almost as if you're in limbo during these years. Waiting to become an adult, but not quite a child anymore.
Tobias King is the new boy in school, and he slides right into the role of bad boy with a chip on his shoulder with ease. At first, she has no interest in getting to know him, especially since he runs with a very bad crowd and shows a total lack of respect to the teachers in the school. Comet is that good girl you used to know. The one who likes to sit up front in class, raises her hand, and wouldn't dare think of talking back to an adult. She's an old soul who feels closer to her elderly neighbor than most of her classmates. When she's forced to work on a project with him, and sees him outside of school, she realizes that there's a lot more to him than the image he projects.
Struggling with his own private heartache, he lashes out by rebelling at school, and covering his pain with cold indifference. To be honest, I wasn't sure what she saw in him for some time, because even after they became friends, there were times that he treated her abominably and really hurt her. I understood that he was trying to shield her from the crowd that he was running with, and for good reason. I just think his protection could have been handled in a much more mature way, especially as it took him so long to be honest with her about his true feelings. His behavior at the end had me feeling extremely angry towards him. Yes, he was experiencing devastation and crippling guilt, but his treatment of her was selfish.
That was the thing about living in the now and accepting that most people weren’t heroic storybook characters. They could be extraordinary, but most days they were f lawed and ordinary. And ordinary people had wounds that sometimes never healed.
On the other hand, neither character was perfect when it comes down to it. She was closed off, irrational, and very secretive and unfair to her two friends. He made a lot of (almost irreparable) mistakes, and hurt her in the process. But I think the angst of it all was true to their ages. As frustrating as their actions could be, they made sense for who they were in that moment.
I enjoyed seeing Comet's growth, and her realization that she was far from the ordinary girl who was misrepresenting her extraordinary name. Many readers will be able to closely relate to the uncertainty and emotional self-reflection she goes through. Through the pages of the book, she goes through a metamorphosis, and when she spreads her wings and flies it's a beautiful sight to behold.
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June 27, 2018
4,5 stars.
It's been months since I skipped a whole blogging day just to read but that's what happened here!
You know the feeling when after some sentences you just know that a book was made for you? Well that's what happened to me with The Fragile Ordinary.
Is it because of an exceptional and intricate plot? No.
Is it because of an out of this world penmanship? No.
Is it because of badass and fearless characters? No.
It is because I felt a deep soul bond with Comet. She was me at a younger age. And she is Samantha Young as a teenager too based on the acknowledgment.
Comet is a writer and a dreamer.
She experiences the world through books. Rather staying home reading about a rakish duke ravishing a maiden than going to a party filled with drunk college boys with wandering hands! Does it ring a bell? Yes? Well congratulations you are a proud bookworm!
Comet is endearing. She is shy and filled with insecurities yet promised to always be true to herself. She displays her difference in her bold clothing choices. All retro but cute and colorful.
But this is where her courage ends.
She is gifted and lovely yet prefers remaining in the shadows. Behind her two BFF.
Comet also has a very disfunctional family. Her parents are master of abuse by neglect.
You will hate her parents.or at least resent them.
This story is filled to the brim with high school YA topics: bullying, drug problems, mental abuse, grief and growing up finding your true self. Daring show your inner world to others.
You will have the BFF: some days they stick other days you fight but in the long run they are Comet's constant.
Growing up and being a teenager is a hard business we all went through the best we could and that's what the book is about.
Comet had to dare. She had to trust herself to become the one she was meant to be.
Of course she'll be helped by a boy.
There is always a boy. Or a girl. A love interest.
The one who will look at you as if you hang the moon and it will give you wings.
Because if someone finds you loveable surely you must be worth it right?
Tobias is your typical YA hero aka
-new guy (Yank)
_hot very hot
-bad boyish but not too much. Just with the wild crowd;
-instantly popular;
-smart;
-kind.
Tobias will help Comet to come out of her shell and she'll help him grieve the proper way, go back on the right path.
This story should be dedicated to all the Comets of the world. They are not some dull passing ball of dust but shiny jewels in the being.
Mostly character driven story with maybe a somewhat expected plot it's been wonderfuly executed and gave me all the feels and emotions I so love and expect from YA stories.
Have you read Samantha Young's books?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Find me on:
Wordpress: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook group : Beware Book Boyfriends Alert
Instagram: @bewareofthereader
Twitter: @BewareOffReader
It's been months since I skipped a whole blogging day just to read but that's what happened here!
You know the feeling when after some sentences you just know that a book was made for you? Well that's what happened to me with The Fragile Ordinary.
Is it because of an exceptional and intricate plot? No.
Is it because of an out of this world penmanship? No.
Is it because of badass and fearless characters? No.
It is because I felt a deep soul bond with Comet. She was me at a younger age. And she is Samantha Young as a teenager too based on the acknowledgment.
Comet is a writer and a dreamer.
She experiences the world through books. Rather staying home reading about a rakish duke ravishing a maiden than going to a party filled with drunk college boys with wandering hands! Does it ring a bell? Yes? Well congratulations you are a proud bookworm!
Comet is endearing. She is shy and filled with insecurities yet promised to always be true to herself. She displays her difference in her bold clothing choices. All retro but cute and colorful.
But this is where her courage ends.
She is gifted and lovely yet prefers remaining in the shadows. Behind her two BFF.
Comet also has a very disfunctional family. Her parents are master of abuse by neglect.
You will hate her parents.or at least resent them.
This story is filled to the brim with high school YA topics: bullying, drug problems, mental abuse, grief and growing up finding your true self. Daring show your inner world to others.
You will have the BFF: some days they stick other days you fight but in the long run they are Comet's constant.
Growing up and being a teenager is a hard business we all went through the best we could and that's what the book is about.
Comet had to dare. She had to trust herself to become the one she was meant to be.
Of course she'll be helped by a boy.
There is always a boy. Or a girl. A love interest.
The one who will look at you as if you hang the moon and it will give you wings.
Because if someone finds you loveable surely you must be worth it right?
Tobias is your typical YA hero aka
-new guy (Yank)
_hot very hot
-bad boyish but not too much. Just with the wild crowd;
-instantly popular;
-smart;
-kind.
Tobias will help Comet to come out of her shell and she'll help him grieve the proper way, go back on the right path.
This story should be dedicated to all the Comets of the world. They are not some dull passing ball of dust but shiny jewels in the being.
Mostly character driven story with maybe a somewhat expected plot it's been wonderfuly executed and gave me all the feels and emotions I so love and expect from YA stories.
Have you read Samantha Young's books?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Find me on:
Wordpress: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook group : Beware Book Boyfriends Alert
Instagram: @bewareofthereader
Twitter: @BewareOffReader
June 29, 2018
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Full review posted at Confessions of a Pinay Bookaholic
The Fragile Ordinary is a YA contemporary romance novel about Comet Caldwell, a socially awkward girl who loves books and poetry. Often times she’s misunderstood by everyone, including her best friends for her aloofness and eccentric style. I’m a homebody and it’s the reason why I find her character super relatable. Reading leisurely and immerse myself in the story brings me joy.
Comet is a bright and talented young lady but she’s invisible. Her story was quite emotional, behind her quietness lies the lonely girl being neglected by her own parents during her formative years and it hurts. She vent all of her emotions by writing poems through her blog and as soon as she graduates from high school, she’ll leave her hometown to pursue her dreams.
Then a new boy in her school comes in the picture. Tobias King was originally from America but moved to Edinburgh. He was labeled as a bad boy and was in the wrong crowd. They became partners in class and Comet likes him..A LOT. He wasn’t really a bad boy, he just have issues in the past. The romance between Comet and Tobias was sweet and lovely. Their relationship have a wonderful foundation as they started as friends before they became lovers. It wasn’t a perfect relationship as they have arguments but strong friendships can conquer all. They communicated well and I love how honest they are to each other. It helped to bring out their best potential.
I love the character developments especially on Comet’s. I couldn’t be more happier for her as she breaks out of her shell. She has more self-confidence and worry less about what people think about her. She’s genuine and I wish her parents showed more affection to her. It’s their loss for not seeing how blessed they are to have a daughter like Comet.
In this book, Samantha Young tackles about family, friendship, love and relationship and teenage angst. Some parts made me emotional especially on the second half of the novel and majority of the issues were addressed. Reflecting on the book, it reminds me that each one of us is blessed, extraordinary and worthy of love. It was a simple story yet left such great impact.
Full review posted at Confessions of a Pinay Bookaholic
The Fragile Ordinary is a YA contemporary romance novel about Comet Caldwell, a socially awkward girl who loves books and poetry. Often times she’s misunderstood by everyone, including her best friends for her aloofness and eccentric style. I’m a homebody and it’s the reason why I find her character super relatable. Reading leisurely and immerse myself in the story brings me joy.
Comet is a bright and talented young lady but she’s invisible. Her story was quite emotional, behind her quietness lies the lonely girl being neglected by her own parents during her formative years and it hurts. She vent all of her emotions by writing poems through her blog and as soon as she graduates from high school, she’ll leave her hometown to pursue her dreams.
Then a new boy in her school comes in the picture. Tobias King was originally from America but moved to Edinburgh. He was labeled as a bad boy and was in the wrong crowd. They became partners in class and Comet likes him..A LOT. He wasn’t really a bad boy, he just have issues in the past. The romance between Comet and Tobias was sweet and lovely. Their relationship have a wonderful foundation as they started as friends before they became lovers. It wasn’t a perfect relationship as they have arguments but strong friendships can conquer all. They communicated well and I love how honest they are to each other. It helped to bring out their best potential.
I love the character developments especially on Comet’s. I couldn’t be more happier for her as she breaks out of her shell. She has more self-confidence and worry less about what people think about her. She’s genuine and I wish her parents showed more affection to her. It’s their loss for not seeing how blessed they are to have a daughter like Comet.
In this book, Samantha Young tackles about family, friendship, love and relationship and teenage angst. Some parts made me emotional especially on the second half of the novel and majority of the issues were addressed. Reflecting on the book, it reminds me that each one of us is blessed, extraordinary and worthy of love. It was a simple story yet left such great impact.
July 18, 2018
4 Stars
The Fragile Ordinary is a heartfelt contemporary romance that pulls you in right from the start. Comet Caldwell might just be one of the most relatable heroines that I have read this year. The girl was a breath of fresh air for me. I identified with her and that made this deep story all the more powerful. Samantha Young tells a complicated tale about the woes of growing up, of traversing high school, friendships, first love, and inevitable heartbreak. It's a heavy story with tons of angst that forces you to feel all the feels. Once I started reading, it consumed me and by the end I could not get over how intense The Fragile Ordinary was. It's an amazing read, one I would recommend to anyone who loves a YA romance.
Comet Caldwell is a quirky, eclectic, yet nerdy girl who loves school, strives to do well, and has goals for her future. A bookworm and super smart, she's also quite lonely. With a set of parents who aren't attentive to her in the least and two best friends that feel like they're slowly drifting away, she survives her days by living inside the pages of the many books she owns. But life takes a swift change when an American boy saunters into her school and unexpectedly makes his way into her heart. Comet learns that love is more complicated than any of her books taught, and her typically quiet world becomes so much more chaotic and alive than it ever was before.
Samantha Young brings a powerful dose of teenage angst and drama to The Fragile Ordinary by traversing some serious subject matter. From drugs and bullying, to messy parental relationships, and the inevitable ups and downs of friendships, she brings out all the rough, raw, and real moments. My heart was invested in these characters, so attuned to Comet and her feelings and her life that I felt like I lived this story, and I could not get enough. I truly think it's a fantastic read with a great message and perfect for anyone looking for a heartfelt read! I loved it.
Thank you to Inkslingers PR for the ARC
The Fragile Ordinary is a heartfelt contemporary romance that pulls you in right from the start. Comet Caldwell might just be one of the most relatable heroines that I have read this year. The girl was a breath of fresh air for me. I identified with her and that made this deep story all the more powerful. Samantha Young tells a complicated tale about the woes of growing up, of traversing high school, friendships, first love, and inevitable heartbreak. It's a heavy story with tons of angst that forces you to feel all the feels. Once I started reading, it consumed me and by the end I could not get over how intense The Fragile Ordinary was. It's an amazing read, one I would recommend to anyone who loves a YA romance.
Comet Caldwell is a quirky, eclectic, yet nerdy girl who loves school, strives to do well, and has goals for her future. A bookworm and super smart, she's also quite lonely. With a set of parents who aren't attentive to her in the least and two best friends that feel like they're slowly drifting away, she survives her days by living inside the pages of the many books she owns. But life takes a swift change when an American boy saunters into her school and unexpectedly makes his way into her heart. Comet learns that love is more complicated than any of her books taught, and her typically quiet world becomes so much more chaotic and alive than it ever was before.
Samantha Young brings a powerful dose of teenage angst and drama to The Fragile Ordinary by traversing some serious subject matter. From drugs and bullying, to messy parental relationships, and the inevitable ups and downs of friendships, she brings out all the rough, raw, and real moments. My heart was invested in these characters, so attuned to Comet and her feelings and her life that I felt like I lived this story, and I could not get enough. I truly think it's a fantastic read with a great message and perfect for anyone looking for a heartfelt read! I loved it.
Thank you to Inkslingers PR for the ARC
June 28, 2018
Well hell, The Fragile Ordinary didn't dazzle me like I'd hoped it would and given all the great reviews it's definitely a case of "it's me".
I loved the idea of the story, I really felt for Comet but was in no way enamoured of the rest of the characters, even Tobias. Maybe if I'd gotten a little something in his POV I could have warmed to him a little because he was downright cruel to Comet at times. I so didn't believe in their romance and was quite happy with the HFN because I couldn't see a HEA in their future.
I did find the long descriptive passages tedious at times, and for a details freak that's saying something!
I really love Samantha Young's writing, ODS is one of my favourite series ever but this book not so much.
One last thing that drove me nutzo - at the end of every chapter was
THE FRAGILE ORDINARYSAMANTHA YOUNG.
Every. single. chapter! It was annoying and distracting and given this is published by a publishing house I didn't expect this. Poor show Harlequin Teen, very poor indeed.
2.5ish stars
I loved the idea of the story, I really felt for Comet but was in no way enamoured of the rest of the characters, even Tobias. Maybe if I'd gotten a little something in his POV I could have warmed to him a little because he was downright cruel to Comet at times. I so didn't believe in their romance and was quite happy with the HFN because I couldn't see a HEA in their future.
I did find the long descriptive passages tedious at times, and for a details freak that's saying something!
I really love Samantha Young's writing, ODS is one of my favourite series ever but this book not so much.
One last thing that drove me nutzo - at the end of every chapter was
THE FRAGILE ORDINARYSAMANTHA YOUNG.
Every. single. chapter! It was annoying and distracting and given this is published by a publishing house I didn't expect this. Poor show Harlequin Teen, very poor indeed.
2.5ish stars
March 7, 2022
Nothing much to say. I LOVED IT!
LOVED IT!!!!
It was an amazingly sweet and adorable and beautiful
and heartbreaking young adult romance.
Perfect!
I want my own Tobias to walk along that beautiful scottish beach with!
I wouldn't mind getting a 2nd one about those two one day - college romance! ☺
♡
♡
♡
♡
July 11, 2018
2.5 stars
RTC
***************
Ok. Another shot at YA with Chan 💚 Please don’t disappoint 🤞
RTC
***************
Ok. Another shot at YA with Chan 💚 Please don’t disappoint 🤞
June 30, 2018
I have been an ardent fan of Samantha Young's books for a few years now. It always excites me whenever I get the chance to re-read or read a book by this author.
It's safe to say that The fragile Ordinary is a fantastic read! I can see why this book is one of the most highly anticipated YA books for the summer.
As an avid reader, I'd like to believe that Comet is a character we can all relate with: from our preference of fictional characters to real human kind, our tendencies to get immersed into the worlds created by authors that leave us entrapped...to...ahem... This I can vouch for: Comparing book friends to real ones. Comet is a character that I fell in love with from the get go. I loved that Comet was such a beautifully confidence character yet shy and endearing at the same time.
Tobias is honestly what any reader would expect in a YA book..hot, smart, slightly misunderstood, a little broody. Almost cliche, yet so good!
The Fragile Ordinary is no ordinary YA book. It is beautifully written...the poetry in this book will take you into the different dimension! Every word is a Gem, every sentence is more beautiful than the next.
The fragile Ordinary is a simplistic adventure... It's beautiful and sensitive. I am going to be honest here and say that yes, I did cry my eyes out reading this book.
It was an absolute joy to read this book!
It's one the best YA books I've read this year.
I highly highly recommend it!
For an excerpt, click below
For more ...
www.jemimajamir.com
August 30, 2018
3.5 stars
So, this book got me sweating because I had no idea how to rate it. On one hand it was definitely a bit like a telenovela containing every YA trope ever, but on the other hand I love Samantha Young's writing and she somehow made it work. I really think her young adult books are extremely underrated. I feel like the biggest problem was the plot itself because everything else was quite good. Both Comet and Tobias are very interesting characters and I loved seeing them develop throughout the book. I also loved how Samantha wrote the friendship of Comet, Vicki and Steph - neither of them are perfect and even though they face problems somehow they always find a way to each other.
So, this book got me sweating because I had no idea how to rate it. On one hand it was definitely a bit like a telenovela containing every YA trope ever, but on the other hand I love Samantha Young's writing and she somehow made it work. I really think her young adult books are extremely underrated. I feel like the biggest problem was the plot itself because everything else was quite good. Both Comet and Tobias are very interesting characters and I loved seeing them develop throughout the book. I also loved how Samantha wrote the friendship of Comet, Vicki and Steph - neither of them are perfect and even though they face problems somehow they always find a way to each other.
September 14, 2020
ya, so, i finished it
that's a thing that happened
okay, first things first, i was initially drawn to this book bc i had seen the cliche title and read the cliche as fuck description and my little gremlin hands were like "gimme gimme" bc i live for that shit. i love how entertaining these cliche fucking teen contemporary romance books can be and they can be cute sometimes
but like this book?
not cute, not entertaining, not good, not even like, unique. like, ya okay i read it for the cliches, but similar books with those cliches at least try to do something new? to all the boys ive loved before? fake dating cliche but the character writes love letters and thats how this whole thing starts. i believe in a thing called love? girl who's never had a boyfriend tries to get a boyfriend cliche but she employs kdrama tropes to win the boy. the kissing booth (the fucking wattpad book written by a teenager, and is still better than this goddamn published trainwreck with editors and shit)? uh, the kissing booth was unique i guess, still better than whatever the fuck this was. [disclaimer, i actually dont think to all the boys ive loved before is that cliche and ive also never read the kissing booth, but i have seen the netflix movie so idk if that counts. i feel like cliches can be done right if theyre added in for the charm or the familar feeling of cuteness and stuff, added to enhance the story and the romance while still having an actual story that's not based around those cliches so it feels like a real book and not another stab at the teen ya romance contemporary schtick] also, at least with previous cliche books, i read about characters i actually gave a fuck about
one big thing that pissed me off this entire book? the fact that this author has no idea how teenagers work
like,,,,,,there was some weird slang that was prolly used in like the 90s like "keep it on the down low" mixed with some weird shit like "but i wouldn't netflix and chill with them" like the author's trying to be like "hello teenagers yes, it is i, one of you. shall we do the dabbing?" (she never actually mentions dabbing tho, thank god). text convos were written by heathens as in, most words would be abbreviated to just letters when, surprise surprise, us teens actually do text with whole ass words sometimes
and hot take: maybe,,,,,,in high school (unless scottish teenagers are so fundamentally different from american teenagers [disclaimer: i not scottish, im a yank]) no one gives a fuck about whether or not Shy Girl secretly writes poetry or the fact that Hot New Guy is dating Shy Girl or the fact that there actually does not exist one (1) single Mean Girl and that there aren't such rigidly defined social cliques that its impressive if one guy has multiple friend groups (another hot take: maybe,,,,,,teenagers are complex enough to have *gasp* more than one interest)
okay another thing: comet caldwell was so goddamn annoying? she's the kind of protagonist that's like "im not like other girls, i prefer *reading* instead of going to *parties* and i like writing poetry and no one understands me because im a teenager who's never had a boyfriend and i like to dress unique because *im* not afraid to *be myself*" like okay calm the absolute fuck down. it makes me so mad that comet's "quirky" style is so emphasized throughout the book like it's a big deal? she gets so high and mighty about her chiffon fucking tulle turquoise peacoat and her leather whatever suede victorian style ankle boots and she gets so like, "pssh, everyone's wearing black here but theyre supposed to be creative???????? oh here's me with my fancy clothes and not being afraid to be myself hee hee" like,,,,,fucking what?
if it wasn't annoying enough that the book had to keep reminding us how hot comet was but how she wouldn't know bc shes Shy Girl who writes Poetry and doesnt like Parties (speaking of which.........is it so shocking that maybe,,,,,not everyone enjoys social gatherings? maybe there are *le gasp* ***multiple*** teenagers who dont like parties and shit?), comet was also just like, really shitty? as a person?
for one, she's super self-absorbed and everyone just bends to her will. like when stevie fucking died and tobias asked for some space and comet's all like "wahhhhh he fucking rejected meeee" when, in fact, his cousin had just fucking died so maybe he's just grieving and doesn't want his pushy fucking girlfriend who demanded him to tell her who he lost his virginity to to keep pestering him when, and i repeat, his cousin had just fucking died and maybe he actually would like some space to grieve properly and sort out his feelings
or yknow, some wild shit like that
and you know what comet fucking does? she's fucking like "you know what would make my boyfriend feel better, if i told him that i *was* in fact going to read my poetry in front of people. it's not like his *cousin fucking died and shit* yes, this is very appropriate for the situation."
here's the fucking quote:
"In my head it [her telling him that she was going to read her poetry in front of people] had seemed like a great icebreaker. It was something he knew I was nervous and afraid of, and I thought it would make him feel good to know that he had helped me get to the point where I wanted to overcome my fears."
let's analyze this shall we?
all she talks about is "I" and "me" and how Tobias helped "me" and stuff like that. like, "i know how to make my boyfriend better, tell him everything he had done for *me* yes genius plan, good job comet." she says I/me only about 4 times, but it's still an excessive amount, considering the fact that, yknow, his cousin had just like fucking died or something i dunno lol. this whole passage sort of reads like "i think telling my boyfriend this is a good idea because it shows how far *i* have come and how much he has helped *me* and even though he's grieving, hopefully showing *my* personal growth and *my* new bravery will make him feel better" like, gurl, are you fucking high?
and then this quote:
"Me?...*I'm* self-absorbed? All this time since Stevie died, all I've thought about is *you* and how *you're* feeling. But never, I bet, have you stopped to think about how *I'm* feeling."
ahem.
WHAT THE FUCK
WHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCK
HUH
???
???HUH???????
again, HIS COUSIN FUCKING DIED AND YOU'RE ALL LIKE "wahhhh wahhhh why aren't you thinking about meeeeeee"
this was a *real ass* fucking set of words smushed into a paragraph that i had to read with my own two fucking eyes and now you do too
god comet is so FUCKING FULL OF HERSELF and it just really grates my fucking cheese
yknow, now that i think about, had comet just not fucking existed in the book, i might have been more okay with it
ummm, other things so the review doesnt turn into a rant about how much i fucking hate comet "i'll never live up to my name" caldwell
tobias had as much personality as wet cardboard
i don't know what heather's purpose was in the book other than to be the Mean Girl and then be abandoned, like, 30% of the way through the book
stevie was actually kind of a cool character bc he seems like a typical troubled kid but is actually really nice and sweet and sort of a good friend to comet? like he was described as very nice and gentlemanly, like when heather spread that rumor about comet having a crush on stevie and stevie not being a dick and letting her down gently? that cute ass platonic hug? stevie and comet hanging out and being bros. his whole "sometimes i just want to disappear" thing was very sad. he falls onto hard times turning to drugs and instead of comet and tobias fucking helping him, they're like "oh well, the drugs have taken over there's nothing we can do now" and proceed to continue making out and angsty and being """"""""cute""""""""
steph? like it was v clear that comet and vicki kinda didn't like her. idk what the point of having her in the book was if her supposedly shitty ways were never fixed and comet just shit-talked her supposed best friend the entire book
uh, comet's neighbor bc she seemed like a badass cool lady and i thought she'd have a bigger role in the book but i guess she was forgotten (i also forgot her name, which is like, a testament to how forgettable she is i guess)
things i liked:
the poetry at the beginning of each chapter, bc it was actually some p good poetry
ya thats about it, i should have gone to bed an hour ago but instead i wrote this review
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
that's a thing that happened
okay, first things first, i was initially drawn to this book bc i had seen the cliche title and read the cliche as fuck description and my little gremlin hands were like "gimme gimme" bc i live for that shit. i love how entertaining these cliche fucking teen contemporary romance books can be and they can be cute sometimes
but like this book?
not cute, not entertaining, not good, not even like, unique. like, ya okay i read it for the cliches, but similar books with those cliches at least try to do something new? to all the boys ive loved before? fake dating cliche but the character writes love letters and thats how this whole thing starts. i believe in a thing called love? girl who's never had a boyfriend tries to get a boyfriend cliche but she employs kdrama tropes to win the boy. the kissing booth (the fucking wattpad book written by a teenager, and is still better than this goddamn published trainwreck with editors and shit)? uh, the kissing booth was unique i guess, still better than whatever the fuck this was. [disclaimer, i actually dont think to all the boys ive loved before is that cliche and ive also never read the kissing booth, but i have seen the netflix movie so idk if that counts. i feel like cliches can be done right if theyre added in for the charm or the familar feeling of cuteness and stuff, added to enhance the story and the romance while still having an actual story that's not based around those cliches so it feels like a real book and not another stab at the teen ya romance contemporary schtick] also, at least with previous cliche books, i read about characters i actually gave a fuck about
one big thing that pissed me off this entire book? the fact that this author has no idea how teenagers work
like,,,,,,there was some weird slang that was prolly used in like the 90s like "keep it on the down low" mixed with some weird shit like "but i wouldn't netflix and chill with them" like the author's trying to be like "hello teenagers yes, it is i, one of you. shall we do the dabbing?" (she never actually mentions dabbing tho, thank god). text convos were written by heathens as in, most words would be abbreviated to just letters when, surprise surprise, us teens actually do text with whole ass words sometimes
and hot take: maybe,,,,,,in high school (unless scottish teenagers are so fundamentally different from american teenagers [disclaimer: i not scottish, im a yank]) no one gives a fuck about whether or not Shy Girl secretly writes poetry or the fact that Hot New Guy is dating Shy Girl or the fact that there actually does not exist one (1) single Mean Girl and that there aren't such rigidly defined social cliques that its impressive if one guy has multiple friend groups (another hot take: maybe,,,,,,teenagers are complex enough to have *gasp* more than one interest)
okay another thing: comet caldwell was so goddamn annoying? she's the kind of protagonist that's like "im not like other girls, i prefer *reading* instead of going to *parties* and i like writing poetry and no one understands me because im a teenager who's never had a boyfriend and i like to dress unique because *im* not afraid to *be myself*" like okay calm the absolute fuck down. it makes me so mad that comet's "quirky" style is so emphasized throughout the book like it's a big deal? she gets so high and mighty about her chiffon fucking tulle turquoise peacoat and her leather whatever suede victorian style ankle boots and she gets so like, "pssh, everyone's wearing black here but theyre supposed to be creative???????? oh here's me with my fancy clothes and not being afraid to be myself hee hee" like,,,,,fucking what?
if it wasn't annoying enough that the book had to keep reminding us how hot comet was but how she wouldn't know bc shes Shy Girl who writes Poetry and doesnt like Parties (speaking of which.........is it so shocking that maybe,,,,,not everyone enjoys social gatherings? maybe there are *le gasp* ***multiple*** teenagers who dont like parties and shit?), comet was also just like, really shitty? as a person?
for one, she's super self-absorbed and everyone just bends to her will. like when stevie fucking died and tobias asked for some space and comet's all like "wahhhhh he fucking rejected meeee" when, in fact, his cousin had just fucking died so maybe he's just grieving and doesn't want his pushy fucking girlfriend who demanded him to tell her who he lost his virginity to to keep pestering him when, and i repeat, his cousin had just fucking died and maybe he actually would like some space to grieve properly and sort out his feelings
or yknow, some wild shit like that
and you know what comet fucking does? she's fucking like "you know what would make my boyfriend feel better, if i told him that i *was* in fact going to read my poetry in front of people. it's not like his *cousin fucking died and shit* yes, this is very appropriate for the situation."
here's the fucking quote:
"In my head it [her telling him that she was going to read her poetry in front of people] had seemed like a great icebreaker. It was something he knew I was nervous and afraid of, and I thought it would make him feel good to know that he had helped me get to the point where I wanted to overcome my fears."
let's analyze this shall we?
all she talks about is "I" and "me" and how Tobias helped "me" and stuff like that. like, "i know how to make my boyfriend better, tell him everything he had done for *me* yes genius plan, good job comet." she says I/me only about 4 times, but it's still an excessive amount, considering the fact that, yknow, his cousin had just like fucking died or something i dunno lol. this whole passage sort of reads like "i think telling my boyfriend this is a good idea because it shows how far *i* have come and how much he has helped *me* and even though he's grieving, hopefully showing *my* personal growth and *my* new bravery will make him feel better" like, gurl, are you fucking high?
and then this quote:
"Me?...*I'm* self-absorbed? All this time since Stevie died, all I've thought about is *you* and how *you're* feeling. But never, I bet, have you stopped to think about how *I'm* feeling."
ahem.
WHAT THE FUCK
WHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCK
HUH
???
???HUH???????
again, HIS COUSIN FUCKING DIED AND YOU'RE ALL LIKE "wahhhh wahhhh why aren't you thinking about meeeeeee"
this was a *real ass* fucking set of words smushed into a paragraph that i had to read with my own two fucking eyes and now you do too
god comet is so FUCKING FULL OF HERSELF and it just really grates my fucking cheese
yknow, now that i think about, had comet just not fucking existed in the book, i might have been more okay with it
ummm, other things so the review doesnt turn into a rant about how much i fucking hate comet "i'll never live up to my name" caldwell
tobias had as much personality as wet cardboard
i don't know what heather's purpose was in the book other than to be the Mean Girl and then be abandoned, like, 30% of the way through the book
stevie was actually kind of a cool character bc he seems like a typical troubled kid but is actually really nice and sweet and sort of a good friend to comet? like he was described as very nice and gentlemanly, like when heather spread that rumor about comet having a crush on stevie and stevie not being a dick and letting her down gently? that cute ass platonic hug? stevie and comet hanging out and being bros. his whole "sometimes i just want to disappear" thing was very sad. he falls onto hard times turning to drugs and instead of comet and tobias fucking helping him, they're like "oh well, the drugs have taken over there's nothing we can do now" and proceed to continue making out and angsty and being """"""""cute""""""""
steph? like it was v clear that comet and vicki kinda didn't like her. idk what the point of having her in the book was if her supposedly shitty ways were never fixed and comet just shit-talked her supposed best friend the entire book
uh, comet's neighbor bc she seemed like a badass cool lady and i thought she'd have a bigger role in the book but i guess she was forgotten (i also forgot her name, which is like, a testament to how forgettable she is i guess)
things i liked:
the poetry at the beginning of each chapter, bc it was actually some p good poetry
ya thats about it, i should have gone to bed an hour ago but instead i wrote this review
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2018
★4 STARS★
Comet Caldwell lives a fragile existence. Separated from total loneliness only by her two best friends and her books, she sits on the fringes of total obscruity in school, and at home is dimmed under the brilliance of her artist mother and writer father.
With a name like Comet one would envisage a trailblazer. A loud and outgoing individual whose mantra would be to seize the day. In actual fact Comet is a girl whose teenage insecurities are compounded by the knowledge the friendship she has grown to rely on becomes more tentative by the day, and the “relationship” with her parents has ceased to exist. She’s long come to acknowledge her parents are selfish and self absorbed, but even so, it doesn’t stop the hurt she experiences every time they remind her how little they see her.
If nothing Comet is a girl with a plan. She loses herself in writing her poetry and has big dreams of moving to America for University. School is important to her and the arrival of an new American student in her classes brings disruption in more ways than one.
Tobias King causes a stir of excitement and the handsome American soon has most of the student body vying for his attention. He’s instantly popular and runs with a unsavoury crowd. Begrudging Comet acknowledges he’s a thing of beauty but she's less than impressed by his disruptive antics in class and his blatant displays of self sabotage. It’s mortifying for her to be paired with him for a class project. She’s incredibly intimidated by him but as they spend more time together the lessons of the classroom pale in comparison to the lessons they learn about themselves.
THE FRAGILE ORDINARY is an explorative story of life, love and self realisation. Not only was it an incredibly emotional and inspiring read but also a stark reminder of the the care we need to take with one another. Comet is Heroine in the truest sense of the word, and we should be so lucky to have piece of her in all of us.
January 25, 2018
Excellent read. It gave me gut wrenching feels. It reminded me of reading two of my other favorite Samantha Young's other books - Into the Deep and Hero.
June 26, 2018
It has been so long since I read a YA novel and I’m so glad that this was the book I chose. Samantha always seems to draw me into her stories with her ability to write about such realistic characters.
Comet is a girl that I am sure everyone can relate to. Especially when you think back to those times in your teenage life when you weren’t quite considered an adult and experiencing some ‘firsts’ on your way across the bridge of adolescence. Those experiences make it easy to understand what she was feeling throughout this story.
Comet could be described as a shy person but a lot of her shyness comes from a lack of confidence. She is an only child and lives with her self absorbed parents who seem to be lacking the maternal gene when it comes to their daughter. Comet is a young woman anyone would be proud to call their child, she is witty, clever, intelligent, creative and has an eclectic fashion sense.
I think the thing I loved the most about her was her love of books and how she enjoyed getting lost in them. I’m sure all bookworms can relate to this! When Tobias King, the american boy, arrives at her school he causes quite a stir. He is very handsome, which makes the female population a bit giddy and for the first time in her life Comet feels the flutterings of a crush in her belly.
When Comet and Tobias are paired up for an assignment an unlikely friendship between them develops. Underneath all his bravado and gruffness in class is a very clever and insightful guy. There are many layers to Tobias and they find themselves sharing their most inner thoughts with each other. It has been a long time since someone made her feel like she was important and worthy of their attention. Comet feels this way when she is with Tobias.
When friendship between them crosses into something more, Tobias is determined to protect what they have, even if it means upsetting the people closest to him. This sets off a chain of events that reminded me just how nasty some school bullies really can be. However, the deeper consequences of this are absolutely tragic.
Comet’s connection with Tobias has changed something in her. She has found her voice and isn’t afraid to use it anymore to speak up. He has given her confidence to believe in herself and shine like the amazing comet she is. She learns that living in the fragile ordinary life she has is actually quite extraordinary.
‘But I’ve learned that time is not so forgiving. And the real beauty of life is in the fragile ordinary.’
Comet is a girl that I am sure everyone can relate to. Especially when you think back to those times in your teenage life when you weren’t quite considered an adult and experiencing some ‘firsts’ on your way across the bridge of adolescence. Those experiences make it easy to understand what she was feeling throughout this story.
Comet could be described as a shy person but a lot of her shyness comes from a lack of confidence. She is an only child and lives with her self absorbed parents who seem to be lacking the maternal gene when it comes to their daughter. Comet is a young woman anyone would be proud to call their child, she is witty, clever, intelligent, creative and has an eclectic fashion sense.
I think the thing I loved the most about her was her love of books and how she enjoyed getting lost in them. I’m sure all bookworms can relate to this! When Tobias King, the american boy, arrives at her school he causes quite a stir. He is very handsome, which makes the female population a bit giddy and for the first time in her life Comet feels the flutterings of a crush in her belly.
When Comet and Tobias are paired up for an assignment an unlikely friendship between them develops. Underneath all his bravado and gruffness in class is a very clever and insightful guy. There are many layers to Tobias and they find themselves sharing their most inner thoughts with each other. It has been a long time since someone made her feel like she was important and worthy of their attention. Comet feels this way when she is with Tobias.
When friendship between them crosses into something more, Tobias is determined to protect what they have, even if it means upsetting the people closest to him. This sets off a chain of events that reminded me just how nasty some school bullies really can be. However, the deeper consequences of this are absolutely tragic.
Comet’s connection with Tobias has changed something in her. She has found her voice and isn’t afraid to use it anymore to speak up. He has given her confidence to believe in herself and shine like the amazing comet she is. She learns that living in the fragile ordinary life she has is actually quite extraordinary.
‘But I’ve learned that time is not so forgiving. And the real beauty of life is in the fragile ordinary.’
June 26, 2018
4.5 STARS
There's so much I could say about how fantastic The Fragile Ordinary is but I think what I loved and appreciated the most was how relatable it is. This achingly sweet YA contemporary romance checks off all the boxes of an emotional love story, but it's also an incredibly poignant, relevant account of the woes of high school. These characters face issues every teenager can relate to: family drama, insecurity and self esteem issues, drug use, bullying, peer pressure, rocky friendships, academic pressure, and the agony of first love. Samantha Young crafts a seemingly ordinary story surrounding relatable, ordinary characters navigating ordinary adolescent situations. But the way Young layers it with such palpable emotion, with a fierce romantic attraction, with all-too-real circumstances that will literally steal your breath, you'll come away feeling like you've experienced a story that is anything but ordinary.
Comet broke my heart. I was so connected to her as she traversed harrowing ordeal after ordeal. Her family is a mess, her solitude is a tangible entity in this book. High school is as tortuous as I remember it, experiencing it again through her eyes. Teenagers are as petty and awful as they ever were when I walked the halls myself. And first love is as devastating and beautiful as I remember it. Samantha Young captures it all on these pages and IT IS PERFECTION. The situations Comet faces in this book are so honest, so genuine, so raw. I'm always so appreciative of a story that never feels forced for the sake of drama or contrived and over the top in a way that takes me out of the story. If anything, the drama in this book pulled me in more and more with each turn of the page because of how real it all is. Through Comet, I was brought straight back to my own teenage years, feeling the insecurity and intense emotions of high school, the unsettled anxiety over an unrequited crush, and the deep paralyzing fear of being a target of a bully. It's brutal and heartbreaking and unsettling and Samantha Young nails every emotion superbly.
This book is about love and it's about family and it's about friendships and loss and heartache. It's about relevant issues and it's about finding your voice and it's about the power of words. It's so many beautiful, painful things illustrated by the most exquisite writing and I can't recommend this book enough. The Fragile Ordinary is a powerful coming of age story, a story of bravery and love and teenage angst. It's a MUST read, a book that's extraordinary and ordinary all at once. And after all of that glowing praise, I haven't even mentioned Tobias. Tobias is EVERYTHING. You'll root for Comet on these pages. Your heart will break for her and with her, and it'll soar and explode and ache as she navigates her unsettling feelings for the new American boy. I'll say nothing else other than READ THIS BOOK. It's one of my new favorites from Samantha Young.
There's so much I could say about how fantastic The Fragile Ordinary is but I think what I loved and appreciated the most was how relatable it is. This achingly sweet YA contemporary romance checks off all the boxes of an emotional love story, but it's also an incredibly poignant, relevant account of the woes of high school. These characters face issues every teenager can relate to: family drama, insecurity and self esteem issues, drug use, bullying, peer pressure, rocky friendships, academic pressure, and the agony of first love. Samantha Young crafts a seemingly ordinary story surrounding relatable, ordinary characters navigating ordinary adolescent situations. But the way Young layers it with such palpable emotion, with a fierce romantic attraction, with all-too-real circumstances that will literally steal your breath, you'll come away feeling like you've experienced a story that is anything but ordinary.
Comet broke my heart. I was so connected to her as she traversed harrowing ordeal after ordeal. Her family is a mess, her solitude is a tangible entity in this book. High school is as tortuous as I remember it, experiencing it again through her eyes. Teenagers are as petty and awful as they ever were when I walked the halls myself. And first love is as devastating and beautiful as I remember it. Samantha Young captures it all on these pages and IT IS PERFECTION. The situations Comet faces in this book are so honest, so genuine, so raw. I'm always so appreciative of a story that never feels forced for the sake of drama or contrived and over the top in a way that takes me out of the story. If anything, the drama in this book pulled me in more and more with each turn of the page because of how real it all is. Through Comet, I was brought straight back to my own teenage years, feeling the insecurity and intense emotions of high school, the unsettled anxiety over an unrequited crush, and the deep paralyzing fear of being a target of a bully. It's brutal and heartbreaking and unsettling and Samantha Young nails every emotion superbly.
This book is about love and it's about family and it's about friendships and loss and heartache. It's about relevant issues and it's about finding your voice and it's about the power of words. It's so many beautiful, painful things illustrated by the most exquisite writing and I can't recommend this book enough. The Fragile Ordinary is a powerful coming of age story, a story of bravery and love and teenage angst. It's a MUST read, a book that's extraordinary and ordinary all at once. And after all of that glowing praise, I haven't even mentioned Tobias. Tobias is EVERYTHING. You'll root for Comet on these pages. Your heart will break for her and with her, and it'll soar and explode and ache as she navigates her unsettling feelings for the new American boy. I'll say nothing else other than READ THIS BOOK. It's one of my new favorites from Samantha Young.
September 6, 2018
Maybe 3.5 stars for this YA romance set in Scotland.
The Fragile Ordinary is the story of Comet Caldwell. We see her navigating her school life, an environment where she doesn't feel she fits in, managing her emotions surrounding her disengaged parents, and trying to find the confidence to publicly pursue her passion - poetry. Then Tobias King arrives at school with his own issues to solve and disrupts Comet's life.
There is way to much description at the start of this book. It really slowed the story down. For the first five chapters I found myself reaching for a pencil, wanting to edit it! And I did raise my eyebrow at the early brand mentions, wondering if this was going to be one of those novels that are really advertorials masquerading as novels.
I decided to keep going and finally felt engaged around 100 pages in. I did enjoy the story from there, but I wasn't a huge fan. The setting is fresh for YA, but I could have done without the endless descriptions, especially the touristic highlights of Edinburgh.
The Fragile Ordinary is the story of Comet Caldwell. We see her navigating her school life, an environment where she doesn't feel she fits in, managing her emotions surrounding her disengaged parents, and trying to find the confidence to publicly pursue her passion - poetry. Then Tobias King arrives at school with his own issues to solve and disrupts Comet's life.
There is way to much description at the start of this book. It really slowed the story down. For the first five chapters I found myself reaching for a pencil, wanting to edit it! And I did raise my eyebrow at the early brand mentions, wondering if this was going to be one of those novels that are really advertorials masquerading as novels.
I decided to keep going and finally felt engaged around 100 pages in. I did enjoy the story from there, but I wasn't a huge fan. The setting is fresh for YA, but I could have done without the endless descriptions, especially the touristic highlights of Edinburgh.
February 24, 2018
Is the world falling apart? It’s a simple question without simple answers. Between the pages of The Fragile Ordinary, it may be more the matter of, what does one do when affiliations with a tribe or another person undermine relationships that have the potential to be life-fulfilling?
In The Fragile Ordinary, Samantha Young writes a poignant coming-of-age story from the perspective of a young woman who, through her poetry, accurately depicts her world and experiences with tempestuous words. In a time when high schools have become hostile, drugs have infiltrated society in insidious ways, and where ignorance often leads to lethal menace, Young explores these significant issues with finesse and a deep-seated understanding of human nature, and still, she provides a fierce love story.
The most enduring aspect of this story, for me, is Young’s gift for poetry—her lyricism and eloquence leaves me breathless. There has been more than one moment throughout reading it where I’ve experienced an ache in my chest at her words. The Fragile Ordinary is a five-star book for me. Do yourself a favor and add this young adult contemporary novel to your library.
*I received an ARC of The Fragile Ordinary from the publisher.
In The Fragile Ordinary, Samantha Young writes a poignant coming-of-age story from the perspective of a young woman who, through her poetry, accurately depicts her world and experiences with tempestuous words. In a time when high schools have become hostile, drugs have infiltrated society in insidious ways, and where ignorance often leads to lethal menace, Young explores these significant issues with finesse and a deep-seated understanding of human nature, and still, she provides a fierce love story.
The most enduring aspect of this story, for me, is Young’s gift for poetry—her lyricism and eloquence leaves me breathless. There has been more than one moment throughout reading it where I’ve experienced an ache in my chest at her words. The Fragile Ordinary is a five-star book for me. Do yourself a favor and add this young adult contemporary novel to your library.
*I received an ARC of The Fragile Ordinary from the publisher.
March 3, 2020
This review absolutely contains spoilers. Sorry.
A YA romance. A Book Club pick. I was definitely not the right reader for this book. I want to say that I can see why other people enjoyed it, and perhaps I can...but in a really indifferent sort of way. This was just not for me.
Now honestly, normally I'd just shrug a book like this off, with its collected cliches and tropes getting eyerolled into indifference and then forgotten. But since this is up for a book club discussion, I'm thinking about it in a more in-depth fashion and trying to pick out some positives. This has the unfortunate effect of making me actively angry about the things that'd normally make me just slightly snarky.
The story of Comet Caldwell (big nope on the name, right off the bat): daughter of two creative types who - between their art, self absorption and each other – have very little energy and attention left for their teenage daughter.
Comet is a quasi-outcast, a gazelle amongst the bleating sheep (of course she is.) Although she has two good and well adjusted friends, she is somehow a pariah (of course she is.) Her “uniqueness” manifests in such outlandish ways as: reading, intelligence, writing totally groundbreaking teenage poetry, a fondness for 90's music and outlandish fashion choices (despite an incredible desire to not be noticed.) The world is clearly not equipped to handle so much individuality in one person.
Comet draws the attention of the hot new “bad” boy Tobias. (Fucking shenanigans. You can't be called Tobias and have any expectation of bad boy street cred.) Toby is an angsty sullen guy cuz angsty and sullen reasons, who falls in with the bad crowd cuz angsty and sullen other reasons.
What follows is a great deal of drama and strife that is theoretically about other things but all revolves around their romance.
It resolves, after far too many angsty and sullen words, into a “happy for now” ending. Comet brings about the separation of her parents by finally getting her far too selfish mother out of the picture so her father can give Comet all of his attention instead.
Toby's far too needy cousin commits suicide, so Toby can finally focus on the choices Comet wants him to make without feeling conflicted.
Comet herself finally gets sexed up, which magically gives her value and also readies the world to handle her eccentricities and the power of her poetry.
So yeah. Not the best audience for this book, me. My apologies to those of you who liked it. (And to any Tobias-es out there. It's a good name. I'm just being trite. Sorry. Sorry.)
I did appreciate the supportive teacher trope! I'm always happy to see educators represented positively. So huzzah!
August 23, 2018
3.75 out of 5. Full RTC for this surprisingly charming story.
March 10, 2021
If there ever was a heroine that I’ve read, Comet Caldwell needed the most extraordinary happy ending. I was in awe that she was as sweet, kind and thoughtful as she was with the parents she had. I truly found her parents to be horrible. Comet is treated like a mistake they must endure and I cried for her.
I did like Tobias and I loved how he encouraged Comet, but I was just enthralled with that girl.
I adored this YA so much and I encourage anyone who loves YA to read this wonderful book.
I did like Tobias and I loved how he encouraged Comet, but I was just enthralled with that girl.
I adored this YA so much and I encourage anyone who loves YA to read this wonderful book.
June 27, 2018
THE FRAGILE ORDINARY is a coming of age read as much as it is YA. It centres around Comet, an emotionally neglected 16-17 year old young woman who is finding herself, her confidence and her direction in life. There is a boy, an American boy, Tobias King. He was boy-man swoony and this had all the ingredients for a sweet read.
Comet’s character was a little quirky, her fashion sense stood out but she was pretty shy and sometimes reclusive from socialising. She had two friends, one of which I really struggled to agree label of ‘friend’. I felt exactly the same about the label ‘parents’ for Kyle and Carrie. They were emotionally dead towards her and I intensely disliked them, not enjoying this aspect of the story.
For some reason, THE FRAGILE ORDINARY did not grab me fully. I have read most of Samantha Young’s books and this is unusual for me. The characters I liked but didn’t love, the story line just didn’t excite me or keep me absorbed, so I struggled at times to keep up momentum of reading. I am a big YA fan, so I’m not sure why I didn’t connect and why it felt slow. I’m hoping the next book by Samantha Young will take me back to the crush-like feeling I normally have over her books.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Comet’s character was a little quirky, her fashion sense stood out but she was pretty shy and sometimes reclusive from socialising. She had two friends, one of which I really struggled to agree label of ‘friend’. I felt exactly the same about the label ‘parents’ for Kyle and Carrie. They were emotionally dead towards her and I intensely disliked them, not enjoying this aspect of the story.
For some reason, THE FRAGILE ORDINARY did not grab me fully. I have read most of Samantha Young’s books and this is unusual for me. The characters I liked but didn’t love, the story line just didn’t excite me or keep me absorbed, so I struggled at times to keep up momentum of reading. I am a big YA fan, so I’m not sure why I didn’t connect and why it felt slow. I’m hoping the next book by Samantha Young will take me back to the crush-like feeling I normally have over her books.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
June 29, 2018
There is something special in a young adult romance. That angst from the uncertainty of being not quite a child but not quite an adult either. That bit of childhood innocence resonating through the story. That trip down memory lane it takes to those teenage years, sparking good and trying times. The glue that usually cements YA stories—with tough topics, frustrating feelings, smoldering and sweet scenes, and lots of depth—together is hope. Who doesn’t need a little hope in their life?
”How do you conquer each moment, when you have no one on your side?”
Hope meets heart in The Fragile Ordinary in one STAGGERING EMOTIONAL JOURNEY. The fierce and fiery angst of this teen romance made my pulse pound and my heart beat out of my chest. This beautifully broken book brought tears to my eyes as I broke for a broken girl in a broken family. I felt the angst. I felt the heartbreak. I felt the hope. I felt the heart-fluttering love. I FELT EVERYTHING in this stunning story that speaks to the soul.
To thine own self be true. Be true to yourself.
A compelling coming of age love story laced with Hamlet, The Fragile Ordinary’s underlying themes of being true to oneself and daring to be different strike straight to the teenage soul. Told through a struggling but strong teen girl who is beautiful inside out, The Fragile Ordinary shows the value of life and love, and what it means to truly be loved and really live. The characters are full of fire with a story so heady, so harrowing, so hopeful, and so heartfelt. Broken sees broken, and Comet and Tobias are two kindred spirits with beautiful hearts who are perfect together. A slow burn of two broken souls becoming whole, The Fragile Ordinary is an in-depth dive into the teen heart and soul felt everywhere.
”And . . . What if what I really want is you?”
“Then you have me.”
The Fragile Ordinary. Fragile because the human heart is delicate with the teen’s heart the most delicate of all. But ordinary?!? Not at all. Heartbreakingly beautiful and passionately poignant, The Fragile Ordinary flawlessly captures the delicate teen heart and the depth of resulting emotions in a devastatingly stunning story that is nothing but EXTRAORDINARY. Samantha Young has written another heartfelt and harrowing love story that belongs on every young adult shelf.
”The real beauty of life is in the fragile ordinary.”
💋💋💋💋💋 beautifully broken kisses
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June 4, 2018
The Fragile Ordinary was a book that offered me solace in a world where at times, I feel very much alone. Just like Comet. Books are a way for me to escape and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have some sort of story or book in my hand. It’s a way of life. Comet uses books for the same reasons—but mainly because she feels safest in fictional worlds.
It’s not hard to see why she tries to remain so invisible; because in a way she is. And I can’t tell you how much that broke my heart in two. The main theme of the book was the feel of belonging. Whether it be with a group of friends or family, this was a story about it all. I wanted to touch base with a plot line that made me cry. It was the relationship Comet had with her parents. Or lack of relationship more like. There was a certain part in the book where Comet finally confronted her father and it just made me cry so hard. No child should ever have to feel as Comet did.
Another relationship I was iffy about for most of the story was between Comet and her best friends. For awhile there it didn’t seem like they were all that great of friends. Then again, Comet wasn’t perfect or completely blameless. In fact, she was far from perfect as they come—I think that’s what truly made her so relatable. Then there’s Tobias. I have a love/hate relationship with him. I know I may in the minority here, but the romance between him and Comet wasn’t sold on me. I didn’t see the connection or the chemistry. I liked him, but I don’t see why Comet was so obsessed with him from the beginning.
While I truly did enjoy the story and the message is conveyed, it’s not one I see myself reading again. As much as I enjoyed the character of Comet, her actions and the way she handled things sometimes annoyed me. Especially in the beginning; I didn’t think I could ever like her. She did grow as a character though, so I can’t fault her for being unlikeable in the beginning. Overall, this is a story about finding oneself, beautiful poetry, and finding the beauty of life in the fragile ordinary.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s not hard to see why she tries to remain so invisible; because in a way she is. And I can’t tell you how much that broke my heart in two. The main theme of the book was the feel of belonging. Whether it be with a group of friends or family, this was a story about it all. I wanted to touch base with a plot line that made me cry. It was the relationship Comet had with her parents. Or lack of relationship more like. There was a certain part in the book where Comet finally confronted her father and it just made me cry so hard. No child should ever have to feel as Comet did.
Another relationship I was iffy about for most of the story was between Comet and her best friends. For awhile there it didn’t seem like they were all that great of friends. Then again, Comet wasn’t perfect or completely blameless. In fact, she was far from perfect as they come—I think that’s what truly made her so relatable. Then there’s Tobias. I have a love/hate relationship with him. I know I may in the minority here, but the romance between him and Comet wasn’t sold on me. I didn’t see the connection or the chemistry. I liked him, but I don’t see why Comet was so obsessed with him from the beginning.
While I truly did enjoy the story and the message is conveyed, it’s not one I see myself reading again. As much as I enjoyed the character of Comet, her actions and the way she handled things sometimes annoyed me. Especially in the beginning; I didn’t think I could ever like her. She did grow as a character though, so I can’t fault her for being unlikeable in the beginning. Overall, this is a story about finding oneself, beautiful poetry, and finding the beauty of life in the fragile ordinary.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 29, 2018
Every so often a book hits me in ways I never expect and The Fragile Ordinary is one them.
While I was expecting a very well written and interesting YA read (and I did get that), I was blown away by Samantha's poetry throughout this book. Reading her words had me stopping and reflecting on things in life that I never expected. For me, that made this book stand out even more.
The Fragile Ordinary is a story of growth for these young characters. Growing up in world where drugs are more easily accessible, high school tormentors are harsher and trying to be confident in ones' self in a more judgemental world is hard for anyone, let alone a blossoming teen.
Comet and Tobias may come from different backgrounds, but their struggles are the same - to be accepted as they are. The main plot is a story of friendship between two polar opposites and shifting into more as they overcome their own obstacles. Life is the same no matter where you are - whether it be in Scotland where this story is set or in America. But Samantha also throws in the obstacles friends face and how to handle the outcomes of their decisions. There are so many interconnected small plots within this story that make this book as a whole, really great.
I do want to point out that I love the dialogue in this book. I am so used to reading books that are set in America, that the change in the dialogue and the settings, made this book all the more entertaining. I could hear the diverse and unique language in my head as I read the words and I loved it - helped make the story more real and alive.
Samantha has written another sensational book that stands out amongst the rest!
While I was expecting a very well written and interesting YA read (and I did get that), I was blown away by Samantha's poetry throughout this book. Reading her words had me stopping and reflecting on things in life that I never expected. For me, that made this book stand out even more.
The Fragile Ordinary is a story of growth for these young characters. Growing up in world where drugs are more easily accessible, high school tormentors are harsher and trying to be confident in ones' self in a more judgemental world is hard for anyone, let alone a blossoming teen.
Comet and Tobias may come from different backgrounds, but their struggles are the same - to be accepted as they are. The main plot is a story of friendship between two polar opposites and shifting into more as they overcome their own obstacles. Life is the same no matter where you are - whether it be in Scotland where this story is set or in America. But Samantha also throws in the obstacles friends face and how to handle the outcomes of their decisions. There are so many interconnected small plots within this story that make this book as a whole, really great.
I do want to point out that I love the dialogue in this book. I am so used to reading books that are set in America, that the change in the dialogue and the settings, made this book all the more entertaining. I could hear the diverse and unique language in my head as I read the words and I loved it - helped make the story more real and alive.
Samantha has written another sensational book that stands out amongst the rest!
July 1, 2018
The Fragile Ordinary is a standalone Young Adult contemporary romance.
The narrator is 16-17 year old Comet Caldwell (1st person POV). The story takes place in Portobello Beach, which is a coastal suburb of Edinburgh Scotland.
Comet is shy and socially awkward. She loves reading and she loves writing poetry. Her parents Carrie and Kyle have money. But their parenting style is very lacking. I found Comet's dynamic with her parents to be unusual, but extremely fascinating.
I loved the setting of this story. And I really enjoyed the poetry aspect of the book. It definitely added a lot to the story.
Comet's best friends are Vicki and Steph. And her next door neighbor is Mrs. Cruickshank. I really enjoyed all of these characters.
The other main character is new student Tobias King. At first he seemed like one thing. But I liked learning about him and his family. It was really heart-breaking to read his story. But it was powerful.
The story was good. The author looks at many important issues. And we see Comet's views of what is happening around her through her poetry. The last part of the book was definitely emotional and had the most impact on me.
Thank you to edelweiss and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to read this book.
The narrator is 16-17 year old Comet Caldwell (1st person POV). The story takes place in Portobello Beach, which is a coastal suburb of Edinburgh Scotland.
Comet is shy and socially awkward. She loves reading and she loves writing poetry. Her parents Carrie and Kyle have money. But their parenting style is very lacking. I found Comet's dynamic with her parents to be unusual, but extremely fascinating.
I loved the setting of this story. And I really enjoyed the poetry aspect of the book. It definitely added a lot to the story.
Comet's best friends are Vicki and Steph. And her next door neighbor is Mrs. Cruickshank. I really enjoyed all of these characters.
The other main character is new student Tobias King. At first he seemed like one thing. But I liked learning about him and his family. It was really heart-breaking to read his story. But it was powerful.
The story was good. The author looks at many important issues. And we see Comet's views of what is happening around her through her poetry. The last part of the book was definitely emotional and had the most impact on me.
Thank you to edelweiss and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to read this book.
July 1, 2018
4 coming of age stars
This is a beautiful and heartfelt coming of age story set in a seaside town in Scotland and tells the story of an extraordinary young girl figuring out her life, herself, and discovering the wonder of first love. It’s a gorgeous YA story by one of my all-time favourite authors, and I loved it!
Comet Caldwell is a 16 year old girl who is unique as her name. With a love of poetry, books, and a quirky sense of fashion, she is an individual who is comfortable with who she is, though she is shy and quiet and keeps to herself, preferring to escape into her world of books than pretty much anything. She has a comfortable homelife, though her parents are too wrapped up in each other to give any love or attention to her, but she has good friends and is about to embark upon her final year of high school before pursuing her dream of attending college in America so that she can get a fresh start and explore her love of writing.
And then along comes Tobias King. New to Scotland, the gorgeous American brings a dose of bad boy into Comet’s world. Tobias hangs with the bad crew, but he’s the new golden boy of the school, and though she can’t quite figure him out, Comet experiences her first real crush. And when the unlikely duo are paired of up for an English assignment, it gives them a chance to get to know each other. They see into each other’s worlds, and come to understand the difficulties that the other is dealing with, and as they grow close, their friendship slowly and naturally blossoms into young love.
Oh, I love these two together!!! There is something so easy and so beautiful about the two of them, and I reveled in both their friendship and their romance. It all felt so right!
But their lives are far from easy. They are dealing with family drama, friend drama, bullying, and the usual teenager drama of trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life. Comet and Tobias have their ups and downs – individually and together as a couple. And their individual journeys are just as important as their journey together as they deal with all that life throws at them. It’s all beautifully pulled together into a very special story that had me reminiscing about my own teen years, and made me laugh, cry, swoon and sigh at the beauty of it all.
This book took me by surprise with its emotion. I wasn’t expecting the feels, but I was easily swept up into Comet’s world, and I loved watching her story play out. She is brave and relatable, and she's a wonderful narrator for her story. It ends well, though not everything is completely tied up . But it sort of fits the book, so I was ok with it.
This was a truly gorgeous read! 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful and heartfelt coming of age story set in a seaside town in Scotland and tells the story of an extraordinary young girl figuring out her life, herself, and discovering the wonder of first love. It’s a gorgeous YA story by one of my all-time favourite authors, and I loved it!
Comet Caldwell is a 16 year old girl who is unique as her name. With a love of poetry, books, and a quirky sense of fashion, she is an individual who is comfortable with who she is, though she is shy and quiet and keeps to herself, preferring to escape into her world of books than pretty much anything. She has a comfortable homelife, though her parents are too wrapped up in each other to give any love or attention to her, but she has good friends and is about to embark upon her final year of high school before pursuing her dream of attending college in America so that she can get a fresh start and explore her love of writing.
And then along comes Tobias King. New to Scotland, the gorgeous American brings a dose of bad boy into Comet’s world. Tobias hangs with the bad crew, but he’s the new golden boy of the school, and though she can’t quite figure him out, Comet experiences her first real crush. And when the unlikely duo are paired of up for an English assignment, it gives them a chance to get to know each other. They see into each other’s worlds, and come to understand the difficulties that the other is dealing with, and as they grow close, their friendship slowly and naturally blossoms into young love.
“What if what I really want…is you?”
… My answer was instant and absolute. “Then you have me.”
Oh, I love these two together!!! There is something so easy and so beautiful about the two of them, and I reveled in both their friendship and their romance. It all felt so right!
We loved each other. This was real love, I decided as he hugged me close to his side. It had to be. Because nothing had ever felt more real in my entire life.
But their lives are far from easy. They are dealing with family drama, friend drama, bullying, and the usual teenager drama of trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life. Comet and Tobias have their ups and downs – individually and together as a couple. And their individual journeys are just as important as their journey together as they deal with all that life throws at them. It’s all beautifully pulled together into a very special story that had me reminiscing about my own teen years, and made me laugh, cry, swoon and sigh at the beauty of it all.
Before you, I believed real, true, glorious living was in adventure, was in the extraordinary. But I’ve learned that time is not so forgiving, and the real beautify of life is in the fragile ordinary.
This book took me by surprise with its emotion. I wasn’t expecting the feels, but I was easily swept up into Comet’s world, and I loved watching her story play out. She is brave and relatable, and she's a wonderful narrator for her story. It ends well, though not everything is completely tied up . But it sort of fits the book, so I was ok with it.
This was a truly gorgeous read! 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2018
4.5 Stars
My anchor, he pulled me back to myself, to him, and slowly, but surely, I began to breathe again.
Once again Sam Young blows me away. If I didn't love her adult romance novels so much, I would plead for her to only write YA, but she is one of the rare authors that can pull off both exquisitely.
I didn't read the blurb, I never do with Sam's books, because I know that she'll take care of me. That she'll deliver a beautifully heartbreaking story that will tear me apart and put me back together. And this was yet another success.
Comet is an unusual name for no ordinary girl. Shielding herself from reality, Comet isolates herself in her world of imagination by escaping to her room and the fantasies created by her books. Because real life is disappointing and hurtful. Especially when it comes to her relationship, or lack there of, with her parents.
See, Comet was never wanted. She was a mistake. And now she's just biding her time until she can finally leave her current life behind. She has her sights set on college in the States. She wants to get as far away from her parents as possible. Maybe that way she can actually be invisible to them instead of a constant reminder of their begrudged commitment.
Sam has this incredible ability to make you feel the hardship, hurt and hollowness that Comet experiences with the lack of care of her parents. It brings tears to your eyes and makes your heart ache with longing. It's what pulls me in every. single. time.
But there is some light in Comet's life. Vicki and Steph understand what Comet's life is like at home, but they would love nothing more than for her to put herself out there more. The more they try to push Comet out of her comfort zone, they more that she fears that they will tire of her hermit ways and forget about her just like her parents.
If I kept refusing to hang out with them if it involved hanging with other people, would Vicki and Steph one day give up on me?
Comet is constantly concerned with what people think of her, and that is no different when there's a new boy in school, Tobias King. And Tobias changes everything for Comet. For the first time her life Comet feels what it's like to be wanted, loved and a part of a family. But she also learns what she has to lose with living life to it's fullest.
We loved each other. This was real love, I decided as he hugged me close to his side. It had to be. Because nothing had ever felt more real in my entire life.
If you are a fan of a great coming of age YA, then you will fall in love with The Fragile Ordinary. Sam's poetry was astonishing and had me seeking it out with each chapter. The Fragile Ordinary is brilliant, beautiful and it will make your heart hurt and pitter patter all at the same time.
Never in a million years had I ever imagined finding my place in high school. I'd always accepted the fact that I'd have to wait for university and hope that I found my niche there. However, it turned out that maybe I didn't need to wait to be found. Finally, surprisingly, I was no longer lost here.
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review
My anchor, he pulled me back to myself, to him, and slowly, but surely, I began to breathe again.
Once again Sam Young blows me away. If I didn't love her adult romance novels so much, I would plead for her to only write YA, but she is one of the rare authors that can pull off both exquisitely.
I didn't read the blurb, I never do with Sam's books, because I know that she'll take care of me. That she'll deliver a beautifully heartbreaking story that will tear me apart and put me back together. And this was yet another success.
Comet is an unusual name for no ordinary girl. Shielding herself from reality, Comet isolates herself in her world of imagination by escaping to her room and the fantasies created by her books. Because real life is disappointing and hurtful. Especially when it comes to her relationship, or lack there of, with her parents.
See, Comet was never wanted. She was a mistake. And now she's just biding her time until she can finally leave her current life behind. She has her sights set on college in the States. She wants to get as far away from her parents as possible. Maybe that way she can actually be invisible to them instead of a constant reminder of their begrudged commitment.
Sam has this incredible ability to make you feel the hardship, hurt and hollowness that Comet experiences with the lack of care of her parents. It brings tears to your eyes and makes your heart ache with longing. It's what pulls me in every. single. time.
But there is some light in Comet's life. Vicki and Steph understand what Comet's life is like at home, but they would love nothing more than for her to put herself out there more. The more they try to push Comet out of her comfort zone, they more that she fears that they will tire of her hermit ways and forget about her just like her parents.
If I kept refusing to hang out with them if it involved hanging with other people, would Vicki and Steph one day give up on me?
Comet is constantly concerned with what people think of her, and that is no different when there's a new boy in school, Tobias King. And Tobias changes everything for Comet. For the first time her life Comet feels what it's like to be wanted, loved and a part of a family. But she also learns what she has to lose with living life to it's fullest.
We loved each other. This was real love, I decided as he hugged me close to his side. It had to be. Because nothing had ever felt more real in my entire life.
If you are a fan of a great coming of age YA, then you will fall in love with The Fragile Ordinary. Sam's poetry was astonishing and had me seeking it out with each chapter. The Fragile Ordinary is brilliant, beautiful and it will make your heart hurt and pitter patter all at the same time.
Never in a million years had I ever imagined finding my place in high school. I'd always accepted the fact that I'd have to wait for university and hope that I found my niche there. However, it turned out that maybe I didn't need to wait to be found. Finally, surprisingly, I was no longer lost here.
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review
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