Book Review: Take Me There by Carolee Dean

Rating: 3.5/5; It was okay. Not completely my kind of read.

Release Date: July 20, 2010

Synopsis:
Sometimes sexy, sometimes sad, and always intense, Take Me There is a dark and surprising novel about a boy on the run who's 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.

Thoughts:
By looking at the cover of the book YA folks will probably think this book is a love story. Well let me tell you right now, it's sure isn't. Just like the blurb on the back of the book states, it's the story of a guy who is struggling with his problematic life, his past, his soon-to-be-executed father, and his future.
I liked how throughout the whole book the reader is basically inside Dylan's mind. The reader gets to know the kind of good hearted person he is. He has gotten in trouble many times throughout his life, but usually it's because he's trying to live honestly.
Part mystery, part coming-of-age, and somewhat romantic, this book ends up being very interesting, but unfortunately not my kind of read. I just found it to be very slow and Dylan did not fully convince me as being a teenage guy. Maybe that's just me *shrug* Jessica just did not seem to be that developed. I wish I knew more about them and their lives. Most of this book is about Dylan and his relationship with his father. It's somewhat interesting, but like I said, not my kind of read.
By the way: no, I do not think this story is "sometimes sexy."

Related: 
Carolee Dean
Carolee Dean interview + deleted scene from Take Me There

---Winner of the Take Me There tour is ...SCOOT---                                                                       
I've already emailed her :) 

Book Trailer:


~~Lisette~~