Bore for Bore? Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

clsimpson430
Aug 10, 2023
2 min read

My Rating: 3 Stars

As a self-proclaimed Jenny Han stan, I had to give this book a chance despite its cover, the premise, and the fact that it was co-written. But sadly, it was about what I expected…which is not the classic Jenny Han feels.

I know it may not be fair to judge this book solely on a Jenny-Han-scale since there is another author involved, but it’s shocking that none of her typical tropes shined through in this plot. The characters lack all of our favorite Jenny Han qualities and the plot doesn’t have the typical coziness we’ve come to love from her books.

Honestly, Burn for Burn was just boring for the most part. The characters aren’t a lot of fun and their friendship doesn’t grow much from the beginning of the book. They are majorly underdeveloped compared to our lovable Lara Jean Covey and Belly Conklin. The summer setting—also another reason I chose this book to read in August—hardly plays a part in the plot either.

I will say that once the girls begin plotting against their frienemies, it does get slightly more interesting. But I hardly felt that most of the revenge schemes were even valid. Only one of the kids they plot against really deserves it and the rest are just making typical teenage mistakes.

Since this is the first book in a trilogy, we don't get to see many of the outcomes of the revenge plots either. And the one scheme we do get to see the outcome of, doesn't even elicit much of a response from the victim. There's no heart felt scene where the character has an introspective moment and realizes their mistake. It’s pretty anti-climactic.

There is a shocking twist to the ending of this book, though. While it starts off very John Tucker Must Die with superficial and shallow schemes, it turns pretty dark towards the end—like Carrie dark. It's a cool addition that piques my interest…but interesting enough to read two more books for? Probably not.

Overall: Not a bad book, but not a memorable one either. If you’re a Jenny Han romance fan, I would skip out on this. I think this revenge plot would be most fun for the middle school to early high school age rage. But for most of us 20+ year olds still reading YA, this probably reads a little too young for enjoyment.

Synopsis:

Postcard-perfect Jar Island is home to charming tourist shops, pristine beaches, amazing oceanfront homes—and three girls secretly plotting revenge.

KAT is sick and tired of being bullied by her former best friend.

LILLIA has always looked out for her little sister, so when she discovers that one of her guy friends has been secretly hooking up with her, she’s going to put a stop to it.

MARY is perpetually haunted by a traumatic event from years past, and the boy who’s responsible has yet to get what’s coming to him.

None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.

With an alliance in place, there will be no more “I wish I’d said…” or “If I could go back and do things differently...” These girls will show Jar Island that revenge is a dish best enjoyed together.