Just Friends
Tiffany Pitcock
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: August 1st 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
A new spin on the classic smart-girl-and-bad-boy setup, this witty contemporary romance shows how easily a friendship – even one built on an elaborate lie – can become so much more.
Jenny meets Chance for the very first time when she is assigned as his partner in their Junior Oral Communications class. But after they rescue a doomed assignment with one clever lie, the whole school is suddenly convinced that Little-Miss-Really-Likes-Having-A’s and the most scandalous heartbreaker in school have been best friends forever. It’s amazing how quickly a lie can grow―especially when you really, really want it to be the truth.
With Jenny, Chance can live the normal life he’s always kind of wanted. And with Chance, Jenny can have the exciting teen experiences that TV shows and movies have always promised. Through it all, they hold on to the fact that they are “just friends.” But that might be the biggest lie of all.
Debut author Tiffany Pitcock delivers a spot-on depiction of first love and the high school rumor mill in Just Friends, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan’s young adult imprint Swoon Reads.
You are going back in time to give your 17 year old self advice, what would it be?
If I had to go back in time and give advice to my seventeen-year-old self, the first thing I’d do is probably punch myself in the face. I know it sounds harsh, but she needs it, trust me. She’s working through lots of issues and handling everything wrong. Next, I’d tell her to calm down and that, though things might suck right now, they’re going to get better and literally every dream I had has come true. Though that might make her feel like she can slack off, so maybe not.
I’d tell her to forget the boy. The boy is stupid and holds way too much power. I’d also tell her to go to therapy a lot sooner than I did. Those people aren’t your friends, and they don’t matter. You won’t remember them anyway. You won’t miss this place, you’re just feeling nostalgic because you’re scared. Apply to college sooner! And look for colleges, don’t settle.
I’d tell her that some of the roughest years are ahead of her and, though there were times I thought I wouldn’t make it, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Everything happens when it happens for a reason, both good and bad. So throw yourself into things. Lighten up, past me! You don’t have to be so serious all of the time. It’s not lame to care, so enjoy a pep rally every now and then. Engage and put yourself out there more. Learn some executive function and take charge of your life. And write! Write as much as possible! Those ideas are going to pay off someday, if you’re patient.
Mostly I would tell past me to stop relying on other people. You can’t do that forever. At some point you have to take responsibility for your own life. You can’t keep going through the motions like this, you have to take action. Learn how to do things for yourself, and break away from the people who are keeping you locked away. Break the bottle you’re living in, past me. No one is coming to rescue you, only you can do that. Rescue yourself.
Author Bio:
23. Writer. Reader. Sarcastic.
I was born and raised in Arkansas, which isn’t terribly exciting. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I used to sit in class and write stories in my notebooks, thinking that everyone did. It turns out, everyone didn’t. I love writing because it means I’m putting my thoughts, feelings, and soul out there for someone else to read – for someone else to feel. The fact that someone can read my words, and empathize with my characters – characters that wouldn’t exist with out me, that I created from my mind – is such a wonderful concept to me. I could happily write for the rest of my life as long as there was one person out there who was affected by my words.
Thanks for being on the tour! Great post, ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute way to describe how a benign white lie can get out of hand! It sounds like a cute story.
ReplyDelete