Blog Tour: Lessons I Never Learned At Meadowbrook Academy


Book title/ Author: Lessons I Never Learned At Meadowbrook Academy by Liz Maccie
Publisher/ Year: November 4th 2014 Diversion Books
Genre: YA Contemporary
Series: No
Pages: 193
Source/ Format: eARC Netgalley
(Thanks Netgalley/ Diversion Books and a special thanks to Brielle from Diversion Books!)
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Buy the book  • Goodreads

*This review may contain spoilers!*


Synopsis

The most important lessons aren't learned in the classroom.

It's the first day of sophomore year for Roberta Romano, but instead of the comfort of her local high school, she's been thrust into the elitist embrace of the affluent Meadowbrook Academy.

Surrounded by wealth, Roberta battles her own insecurities, as well as evil teachers and mean girls, to prove her worth and maybe land the boy of her dreams. With the help of two unlikely allies - and an inflatable toy raft - Roberta embarks upon a journey of dark secrets and self-discovery to learn the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.


My review

The book starts off strongly and to be honest Roberta really came off as a spoilt brat; not a good first impression on me. However even though that was the case, the beginning of the book tells you a lot about Roberta's situation and that kind of explains why she's quite rebellious. I think I would feel the same if I was in the same place as her - feeling like the odd one out and being scared, and not knowing how to deal with that.

Roberta's personality is to actually be naturally really caring and it really came across when she was with Mervin particularly, I feel. She knows exactly how to make him happy and all their parts together are really sweet. It seems as if Roberta was very lucky; finding the only sane people around at Meadowbrook Academy and managing to befriend them. Also, the little side story of Roberta finding out she was a maths prodigy was sweet and it really lifted Roberta's confidence up.

Mervin was actually so funny and I didn't really expect that. The conversations between Annie and him always made me laugh. The main event, the rafting adventure, really gave you a look into Annie and Mervin's heads and I loved reading about the stories each of them told. Roberta, Mervin and Annie formed a close friendship within one day and yet it seemed perfectly natural. It even went so far as to Roberta's parents comforting Annie in her time of need.

It was good to read about the topic of teenage depression because I feel like it's quite a taboo topic but I think we need to talk about it more, especially as it's so common nowadays, so I really appreciate the fact that more people feel comfortable bringing it up now.

I liked the flashbacks, but I feel like there were maybe too many for such a short book, which is why I gave this book only 4 stars.

I really liked the ending, and how it focused on Roberta and her parents, as it showcased how their relationship had changed for the better.

What other people are saying:

"Liz Maccie's debut novel is as tough, optimistic, and beautiful as her heroine, Roberta Romano. Roberta's voice is heartfelt and funny. Her story is exceptionally moving and honest. I love this book and the hope it has for young women everywhere." - Stephen Chbosky, New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"Roberta will charm and delight you with a voice that's candid, hilarious, and hopeful, as she narrates her first day at a new high school, reminding us of the epic nature of each hour in our adolescent lives. Lessons I Never Learned At Meadowbrook Academy will make you laugh, cringe, cry, and cheer for the power of friendships that can change us in a single day." - Ava Dellaira, author of Love Letters to the Dead

"You wish your first day of prep school was this epic! Every single page of Lessons I Never Learned sparkles with heart and humour. Like a teenage Bridget Jones, Roberta Romano will make you laugh, cry, and cringe as she tries to navigate her first day at Meadowbrook Academy. She finds friends and enemies, earns detentions and serious respect, and makes memories that will last her a lifetime." - Siobhan Vivian, author of The List


About the author:

Liz Maccie was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Bucknell University. After college, she moved out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television writing. She has had two movies produced, "The Thirst" and "Black and Blue." She went on to work at The Disney Channel until she found a home at the breakout ABC Family show, "Make it or Break it." She is currently adapting the wildly popular YA book, "The List" for MTV as a television show. "Lessons" is Liz's debut novel.

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