Review: Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

She Never Thought A Kiss Could Kill. . .

Samantha is new at school and just recently joined the swim team. She’s been flirting with one of her teammates, Zee, who invites her to a party and just as quickly dumps her for another girl. Hurt, but pretending not to care, she turns to his best friend, Alex, and gives him a kiss. And he dies—right in her arms. Alex was allergic to peanuts, and Samantha had eaten a peanut butter sandwich right before the party. She didn’t know. Overnight, Samantha turns into the school pariah and a media sensation explodes. Consumed with guilt, abandoned by her friends, and in jeopardy of losing her swimming scholarship, she will have to find the inner-strength to forgive herself for the tragedy.

I loved If I Tell by Janet Gurtler and though the idea of Who I Kissed seemed a little... urgh... random, I loved the way it was executed though it was a little over the top but I understood why it was done the way it was and actually really enjoyed it.

The story went way deeper than I thought that it would and I was immersed in Sam's emotions - her guilt, her anger, her fears. There was a lot going on but I was so gripped that I read the whole book in no time. I really enjoyed meeting all of the characters especially Aunt Allie who was so funny and inspirational for Sam, or Zee who added to the honesty and believable of the story as his emotions were so multi-dimensional as he has every right to hate Sam but he struggles with his feelings for her.

I loved Gurtler's writing, despite the fact that she deals with some serious issues she does it so delicately and not over the top. I think that I will continue to read her books after how much I enjoyed this and If I Tell.

Overall Rating: B+

Book released 1st October 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire
ARC received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review (eBook)

Other books from this author:

If I Tell