Title: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
First published November 13, 2012
292 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780385741774 (ISBN10: 0385741774)
Rating: 3.7
Overview
Julia is a straight-A student who lives her life by the rules. She believes that fate has destined her to be with her childhood crush, Mark.
But when she is paired with her personal nemesis, the class clown Jason, on a school trip to Paris, her rules are about to be shattered. After a wild night out, Julia starts receiving romantic texts from an unknown number.
Jason offers to help her uncover the identity of her secret admirer, but only if she agrees to let loose and have some fun. What follows is a whirlwind adventure through the streets of Paris, bringing Julia closer to discovering the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.
About the Author
Meet Lauren Morrill, a talented author from Maryville, Tennessee. Growing up, Lauren dabbled in Girl Scout activities, played in the marching band, and even caused some trouble as an editor for the school paper.
She went on to study history (with a minor in rock & roll!) at Indiana University before settling down in Macon, GA with her husband and sons.
Lauren has written several fantastic young adult novels, including the beloved MEANT TO BE published by Random House. Her latest work, BETTER THAN THE BEST PLAN, will be released by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on June 25th, 2019.
Keep an eye out for this promising new read!
Editoral Review
In Lauren Morrills debut novel Meant to Be, readers are transported to London where high school junior Julia is embarking on a school-sponsored trip. Shes prepared for everything from class assignments to tourist excursions, but shes not ready for the unexpected attention of her trip-mate, JP.
Meant to Be is a charming contemporary romance novel that explores themes of self-discovery, fate, and finding your place in the world. Morrills writing style is both witty and engaging.
Her descriptions of London landmarks and its culture are vivid and make readers feel like they are right there with the characters. The story’s pacing is well thought out, pulling readers into Julias world and compelling them to read on.
Meant to Be’s well-crafted plot, coupled with the charming cast of characters, ensures that readers will be hooked from start to finish. The heart of the novel is in the characters.
Julia is a relatable and likable narrator whose wit and humor make the story entertaining. Her interactions with JP, the popular guy who doesnt take anything too seriously, are realistic and well-developed.
Other characters, such as Julian, the intellectual classmate who is competing with JP for Julias affection, and the rest of the high school group on the trip, add depth and texture to the story. One of Morrill’s strengths is her deft ability to delve into the themes of the novel without bogging down the story.
Meant to Be explores the idea of fate versus choice and the notion that the universe has a plan for us all. Morrill does a great job of presenting these ideas in a relatable and accessible way.
Furthermore, the conflict between Julia’s plans and the unexpected events that derail those plans adds a layer of depth to the story. The novel is not without its flaws.
Although Julia is a wonderfully crafted character, some of the other characters lack the same depth and growth. Additionally, some may find the resolution of the story to be plain and predictable.
However, the excellent pacing and engaging writing make it easy to overlook these minor faults. Overall, Meant to Be is an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance novels.
It is a light-hearted and entertaining story that will transport readers to London and keep them engaged until the very end. For fans of books like Anna and the French Kiss, Meant to Be is a must-read.
The Washington Post gives Meant to Be a rating of four out of five stars.