#FRC2014 Review: A Blind Spot for Boys by Justina Chen

Title: A Blind Spot for Boys
Author: Justina Chen
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: August 12, 2014
Source: BookSparks Fall Reading Challenge

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "Shana has always had a blind spot for boys. Can she trust the one who's right in front of her?

Sixteen-year-old Shana Wilde is officially on a Boy Moratorium. After a devastating breakup, she decides it's time to end the plague of Mr. Wrong, Wrong, and More Wrong.

Enter Quattro, the undeniably cute lacrosse player who slams into Shana one morning in Seattle. Sparks don't just fly; they ignite. And so does Shana's interest. Right as she's about to rethink her ban on boys, she receives crushing news: Her dad is going blind. Quattro is quickly forgotten, and Shana and her parents vow to make the most of the time her father has left to see. So they travel to Machu Picchu, and as they begin their trek, they run into none other than Quattro himself. But even as the trip unites them, Quattro pulls away mysteriously..."

My Two Cents:

Okay, by the cover for "A Blind Spot for Boys," you may be saying, oh, this is just another YA romance. It might be cute but there isn't going to really be anything special about it. And if you are thinking that, let me assure you that while this is a YA romance, but there is a lot special about this book and I ate it up! This book has a lot of heart, a great romance, and a fantastic setting. If you're looking for a YA romance that has a lot more than just a love story, this might just be for you!

I really liked the main character, Shana, in this book. She realizes that she needs to take time to focus on the important things in life and that she needs to get over her heartbreak. Shana is dealing with a lot in this book. Her last relationship with an older guy ended horribly and she is still not sure that she's over him. Her father, who is a brilliant photographer, is losing his eyesight, which means that he will be losing one of his great hobbies. Shana's parents decide it's the perfect time to seize the day and do some of the traveling that they have always talked about doing before it gets too late for Shana's father to see some of the sights that he has always wanted to see. Right before the trip, Shana meets Quattro, a guy who she soon learns is dealing with his own pain. The story covers both the relationship between Shana and Quattro as well as their relationships with their families, who are both dealing with some pretty tough stuff. I loved the way that the author built and grew their relationship throughout the book. It really felt realistic!

I also loved, loved, loved the setting of this book. I may have mentioned this before but it bears repeating, I love armchair traveling through books! This book definitely allows you to do that to somewhere that is well off the beaten path: Machu Picchu, somewhere I have always dreamed of going. The things that happen to the characters when they visit and the way that it changes them is really amazing. Not only do the main character shine here, but the secondary characters really shine as well!

This is a book that I know that I am going to want to revisit in the future, both for the love story and the exotic setting!