I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pivot Point by Kasie WestSeries: Pivot Point #1
Also in this series: Split Second
Also by this author: Split Second, The Distance Between Us, On the Fence, The Fill-In Boyfriend, , Lucky in Love, Borrow My Heart
Published by HarperCollins on 2013-02-12
Genres: Girls & Women, Love & Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .
Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.
I am really not regretting my life choice of reading through Kasie West’s current books this weekend. Friends, I plowed through Pivot Point which is Kasie West’s debut in pretty much a manner of hours. Sure, there were some detours along the way, like reviews that I needed to write and chores and a visit to the post office among other things. Overall though, I was totally glued to this book and entranced by main character Addison’s journey between two paths her life could potentially take. For real, this book has elements that make me want to hand it to you and go STOP YOUR LIFE LIKE I DID, READ THIS NOW. Since you know, that’s what you should do, stop and abandon your TBR for good books.
Apparently Pivot Point is compared to Sliding Doors the movie in the blurb which I guess means I need to watch Sliding Doors because I am head over heels in love with Kasie West’s debut. The book is about this girl named Addison whose parents get divorced. She has to decide which parent to live with. This typically is a big deal, but it is made even bigger due to the whole fact that Addison is gifted with paranormal abilities, as is everyone she knows, as she lives in this place called the Compound where everyone uses their full brains and has mental abilities. Addison’s mom wants to stay in the Compound and her dad is leaving the Compound to go live in Dallas among the “Norms.” Addison uses her skill as a Searcher to see what will happen in the next six weeks if she takes the path where she lives with her dad or if she takes the one where she lives with her mom.
In the path with her mom, she stays in the Compound and goes through a rebellious phase with the help of her spicy best friend, Laila. She catches the attention of football quarterback Duke who ends up becoming her boyfriend. In the path with her dad, Addison leaves the Compound, makes “Norm” friends and meets a boy, Trevor. Which path does she choose? Both seem kind of great, but you know, there’s complications and certain bad things pop up and you guys it totally is not an easy choice for Addie.
At first, I thought Addison would be kind of neurotic and lame because she is so careful and kind of a goody two shoes. Then, I got to know her and her thought process and reasoning. She’s a great girl. I could see myself being friends with her as she loves reading classics and graphic novels. She also is quite verbal about saying no, but still lets her friends wear her down. Furthermore, Addie is pretty direct and states her feelings and I love that. She’s also the type who doesn’t want to be the center of attention and actually means it when she says that. She’s a character that I am totally loyal to.
If you came for the swoons and the kissing times, you certainly came to the right book. Pivot Point is totally swoonworthy. There are two romances but it’s not a love triangle and there’s totally a clear winner for us to root for. Hello, injured football player artist? Yes please. I love that West takes her time to develop Addison and Trevor’s relationship. There’s certainly mutual attraction at first, but like, Trevor is trying to get Addison to date his friend, Rowan but Addie’s just not that into him. Then, Addison is like, well he can be my new best friend, but she’s jealous of this girl, Stephanie. And goodness you guys, this book. Read it and find out how the kissing and the swoons play out. Oh yeah and then there’s Duke, but he’s a non-starter, at least to me.
I really liked Kasie West’s world building. The concept of people with mental powers, including history’s famous figures is fascinating. And like, at the Compound they have all new technology compared to the normal world, so it’s really hard for Addison to adjust her expectations. I loved that the chapters alternated between the two paths, with Addison at her mom’s and Addison at her dad’s. Yet, there were moments when the paths would kind of converge and you would see that similar events would happen no matter what Addison chooses. I liked that there’s rules to the powers, like no one is totally invincible. I also loved that I did not see certain twists coming. Also? This is a 343 page book that I kind of inhaled in a matter of hours.
Friends, I LOVED Pivot Point and am glad to be getting back to my reading roots and into my old habits of devouring books by new to me authors in a marathon sort of go. If you’re looking for a book with an interesting world, a great main character, tight plotting and some romance get your hands on Pivot Point by Kasie West.
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YAY!! I’m so happy to see this enthusiastic review. This kind of makes me want to re-read it actually.
I love the idea of devouring an author in a weekend.
And how awesome is it when you feel like you could be friends with the mc?! SO glad you loved this one! It’s sitting on my TBR, but is quickly moving up the ranks.
I tried reading this book not too long ago, but stopped reading it. The concept isn’t my thing, for one. Also, I so liked the path in the norm world and was kind of annoyed every time I had to read about Addison’s life in the Compound.
But I am thinking I should give it another shot. I didn’t hate it or anything, and I LOVED West’s The Distance Between Us.
Wow! It seems like this is a book that most people love…I’m definitely a bit more curious about it now.
Fabulous review 🙂
Great review April, it makes me want to read this book right now.
I’ve been seeing a lot of raves for PIVOT POINT lately! But reading your review makes me want to really do as you suggest, shove my TBR aside and just read the gosh darn book already. It certainly sounds like a fascinating story came out of the concept of being able to “search” both options presented to you. AND it makes me extra glad there’s romance too!
I was just wondering but what is the really name of poison.??