Review for The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: February 16th 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age, Summer
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Source: Bought

Goodreads Summary:
"Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?"

Review
The Disenchantments had everything you could want in a contemporary story. There’s a summer roadtrip, travel, music, art and best of all a loveable male protagonist who’s been in love with his long term BFF Bev practically forever. A roadtrip touring with Bev’s awful yet alluring girl band The Disenchantments before jetting off across Europe on the trip they’ve been planning since they were kids seems to Colby like the perfect time for him and Bev to finally become more than friends, but unfortunately for Colby, Bev has other ideas. Bev is wild and untameable and is becoming more and more distant. At this amazing point in their lives that they’ve been so excited for Bev seems to be pulling away from Colby, and then as the final kick in the crotch lands the bombshell that she’s not planning on going to Europe with him after all and oh did she forget to mention? She’s also starting college in the fall. As a result Colby’s left not only without a plan for the summer but for the rest of his life, is stuck as designated driver on a tour with the worst girl band in history Bev included (awkward much?) all the while trying to figure out what other secrets Bev’s been keeping, what lies she’s told and most importantly why she’s pulling away from their friendship. And so begins a coming of age story from a male point of view on finding your place in the world and the all-important heart wrenching goodbyes that come along with change. The sick to the stomach feeling of letting go of the railing and free falling into the unknown. Of letting go of what you are to become what you might be.

I absolutely loved this book. A contemporary summer coming of age story told from a guy’s perspective is a rare book indeed and I loved Colby’s voice. Despite being a guy I think that both sexes can relate to Colby. He’s just graduated from high school and is on the brink of the rest of his life, he thinks he has it all planned out and then BAM life happens and John Lennon’s quote “life happens when you are busy making plans” has never been truer. I could totally relate to Colby’s feelings of feeling like you’re the only person in the world without a plan, who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life and being scared senseless because of it. I think we can all relate to Colby’s friendship problems and unrequited love and every single person definitely knows how terrifying it is to be venturing out into the world on your own for the first time, to grow up, and that’s why I think this book will be a hit with absolutely anyone who reads it.

Despite having a male narrative this book is far from short of female characters in fact Colby’s travelling with three of them Bev, Meg and Alexa who make up the musically awful but hugely likeable The Disenchantments. In the beginning Bev really grated on my nerves I couldn’t understand why she was being this way with Colby but towards the end as we get to know the secrets Bev’s been hiding and learn how she’s feeling I could forgive her for that a little- but not entirely- what can I say? I really love Colby and felt very protective of him. Dumb Bev. ANYWAY Meg and Alexa the kooky sisters by far made up for Bev’s sucky behaviour. I loved them both so much! They're definitely the sort of girls I would be friends with in real life and their bright and eccentric personalities made them a joy to read about.

The way Nina LaCour writes is sharp and witty and some parts of the book where just SO fun and full of life where as other parts were gritty and raw, her way with words even made me tear up on occasion. Basically Nina’s writing hits you on a straight line from the page to your heart like the best kind of stories always do.

The Disenchantments is a book that made me feel ALL THE THINGS! This story has everything you could want in a contemporary novel and is essential reading for fans of the genre.