Review: The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

February 16, 2012

Speak

Synopsis:
Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

My Review:
Full of laughs and cute moments galore, THE FINE ART OF TRUTH OR DARE is one 2012 book you are for sure going to want on your keeper shelf. After reading some pretty dark and dismal books, it was just what I needed for a little uplifting. Ella's perspective is a delight to read from and I relished in all her experiences at Willing. While some instances in the story were dramatic and less than believable, Ella's wit and Alex's charm more than made up for them.

Ella is a sweet, insecure girl whose adoration with a long deceased Edward Willing is quite interesting. Her "conversations" with him speak of her subconscious feelings about the world and her place in it and give us insight into who Ella really is. Ella's interactions with Alex have so many sparks! Every time they are together the chemistry is palpable and they work so well together!

Alex is a bit of a mystery at first. With the way that Ella sees things in her life, she isn't quite sure if he is a genuine nice guy or just another arrogant and snobby Phillite. This is a contemporary romance though, so there had to be something there. And boy is there ever something!! That boy is sure to make your heart pitter patter with the way he speaks to Ella. I am in love!

I hate books where the heroine is a loner without any friends at all. This definitely isn't that kind of book, fortunately!Frankie and Sadie are Ella's two awesome friends who I am so grateful for. They truly make an impact on Ella's life and she wouldn't be the same without them.

The one thing that just rubbed me wrong about the novel is Amanda. She is so hateful and vicious to Ella that is was quite hard to believe. They have hardly spoken to one another, yet Amanda's words she spits out at Ella are extreme and VERY mean. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think someone would be that mean to someone they hardly ever interact with. It isn't realistic.

Besides the whole Amanda thing, I think you will definitely have a great time reading this one! The laughs are aplenty and my heart is still recovering from all of the fluttering when Alex comes on the scene! Take a chance on THE FINE ART OF TRUTH OR DARE!


My Rating: