Review: Take Me There by Carolee Dean

Filed in 2 Stars , The Winged Lover Posted on March 6, 2012 @ 11:00 am 2 comments

Format Read: Paperback
Length: 325 Pages
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release Date: 20 July 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Formats Available: eBook, paperback,
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository

Blurb:

ON THE RUN AND HEADED NOWHERE FAST

Dylan has a bad-boy past and a criminal record. He knows that rich, beautiful Jess is way too good for him – but she has always been the one person who sees through his tough exterior and straight to his heart, and he has been hopelessly in love with her from the first time they met. He would change his life for a chance with her.

But trouble follows Dylan wherever he goes, and a deadly mistake soon forces him to hit the road and leave his dreams behind. He’s on the run and in search of answers – answers to questions he wishes he’d never asked

My Thoughts:
I was really excited to read Take Me There, but all I was left with was disappointment.

Dylan isn’t an upstanding citizen of the community. He’s already done time in juvie, and is on the run from the law again…for killing someone. He tells us in flashbacks how he got to where he is now, whilst simultaneously continuing the present story. Dylan isn’t really a character I liked, I tried to like him, but I can’t stand people who blame their problems on others, no matter how bad the situation, no matter how much influence others had over you, you always have a choice. Nothing is set in stone.

Wade is Dylan’s best friend, and throughout the entire novel, I wanted to strangle him. He is a boy who has given up on ever becoming anything more than a low-life. Dylan wouldn’t be in most of the trouble he’s in if he had just cut Wade loose.

Take Me There was not inspiring, it was not touching, and it wasn’t even enjoyable in the end. It only proved the stupid point Dylan was hiding behind to begin with: because his father was a criminal, he was destined to be too because it was in his blood. It gave Dylan an excuse for everything he did wrong and it was horrible.

This book didn’t deal with “hard issues” it gave excuses to criminals. It didn’t tell a story about love surviving all, it told about a girl who was dumb enough to love a criminal because it would go against her parents’ wishes.

The only, I guess, beautiful part of this story was Dylan’s parents and their true love for each other, although it was extremely downplayed compared to Dylan’s issues it’s what kept me going. His parents made true sacrifices for each other. Sacrifices that Dylan would probably never understand.

Take Me There was a huge disappointment for me, what promised to be an inspirational romance was nothing but an excuse for horrible behaviour.

I give Take Me There 2 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Amanda


Amanda-Lee is a proudly addicted reader and writer from Sydney. She lives with her wonderful husband and their more like a baby than a kitten Hamish. Amanda-Lee has been blogging for 4 years now and is a lover of all genres, though she does have a tendancy to stray towards the weird and wonderful concotions in the paranormal and fantasy genres. In addition to being the Winged Lover on BLI she also runs the book blog StoryWings.

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2 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • _yay_ March 6, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Oh I know how that feels. Happened to me, too.You get all excited about a book and then…..huge let down (or just not as great as you wanted it to be).
    Better luck next time! Good thing there are many many many awesome books for us to find. 🙂
    _yay_ @ BookthatThing!

  • aurian March 8, 2012 at 7:29 am

    Thanks for this review, I will make sure never to read it. I am sorry you are so much disappointed in it.

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