Book Review: The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

Kate Quinn’s mom died last year, leaving Kate parentless and reeling. So when the unexpected shows up in her living room, Kate must confront another reality she never thought possible—or thought of at all. Kate does have a father. He’s a powerful politician. And he’s running for U.S. President. Suddenly, Kate’s moving in with a family she never knew she had, joining a campaign in support of a man she hardly knows, and falling for a rebellious boy who may not have the purest motives. This is Kate’s new life. But who is Kate? When what she truly believes flies in the face of the campaign’s talking points, she must decide. Does she turn to the family she barely knows, the boy she knows but doesn’t necessarily trust, or face a third, even scarier option?
Set against a backdrop of politics, family, and first love, this is a story of personal responsibility, complicated romance, and trying to discover who you are even as everyone tells you who you should be.

I've been looking all over for this. Seriously. It was worth the wait, though.

To be honest, I was apprehensive when I actually started reading it. I read how the narrator finds out her dad is a politician who's running for president. As a Republican. Isn't that enough to strike fear into your heart? (I kid, I have no hate for any politic affiliation.) My apprehension was coming from the story line of her basically "converting" to something different despite her initial resistance. Or that it would completely demonize that whole party. That's just dumb. No matter how much one may disagree with their standings. 

Thankfully, this was not either at all. 

It was just a story about a girl who finds herself emerged into a new world of politics and what that means. Party affiliation was just details. It also forced her to face what she truly believed in. It was also weird/interesting to read around this time because my background noise for a majority of this book was the candidates for the 2016 election. It's freakishly similar. Also unnecessary 400+ days away from the actual election but whatever. 'Merica.

There was also an element of drama and suspense throughout the novel. Either internally within the narrator or externally with her beliefs vs. those of her father's. It was a different take about politics because it was all behind the scenes. We got to see the moments that lead up to the rallies and interviews. How much was staged and how much was actually real. How true these situations are, I don't know. The narrator handled these situations like a badass. She was a great protagonist to be put in this setting. She kept things under control and only really let go when it was too much. I could really relate to her reactions despite never being in any situation close to what she was going through. 

Now, the romance was okay. It was basically used as a metaphor for the narrator "following her heart". I get that and can appreciate it, but I wish it had developed more. Also more swoons. Or at least moments of connection instead of a montage of phone calls. The end made up for it a little. It was really cute. 

If you don't mind politics and moments that make you want to possibly poison some fictional characters, then give this book a read! It's really good. 

Read: August 2015

My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars