Review: Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

“If you are after a fun summer read, which nonetheless has some genuine emotional depth, then this is the book for you.”
~ Under the Covers

My first foray into Jenn Bennett’s books was with Serious Moonlight, and admittedly although I went in with limited expectations – young adult isn’t really my genre – I was blown away by how much I liked it. Which, prompted me to pick up Alex, Approximately. This time the stakes had been raised and I was expecting so much more. Did it deliver? Yes it did, if anything I enjoyed this book more than Serious Moonlight.

Our young heroine, Bailey, has moved across the country to California to live with her father. Who just happens to live in the same town as Alex. The boy she has been exchanging messages with online and bonded over their mutual love of movies, especially the classics. However, although she desperately wants to meet him, she doesn’t tell him that she’s moved…after all he is online, who knows who he is really? In the meantime she takes a job in a museum and find herself equally irritated, annoyed, attracted and intrigued by Porter Roth, one her fellow workers. Faced with a choice, will she pick the Alex, the online fantasy or the reality of the irritating and irritatingly gorgeous Porter.

I don’t really need to spell out how this books end, it’s immediately obvious from the start exactly what’s happening and what is going to be revealed by the last page. However, as the old saying goes; it isn’t the destination, it’s the journey. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Bennett does a fantastic job with Bailey. She begins the book running from all confrontation and human connection, but is forced to find new strength and confidence when she is faced by a series of challenges. A job that pushes her out of her comfort zone, new friends and lastly, Porter the guy that manages to annoy her and thrill her simultaneously.

This was such a cute read, it was funny with a lot of heart and a fantastic array of secondary characters. I finished this book with a big cheesy grin on my face and the knowledge that I will definitely continue to read more of Jenn Bennett’s books. If you are after a fun summer read, which nonetheless has some genuine emotional depth, then this is the book for you.

What did you think of our review?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[about-author author=”Jenn Bennett”]