Review: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: October 9, 2012
Pages: 320
Source: For Review from Hachette Book Group Canada
Rating: 5 Stars

How can you talk about something you can’t remember?
Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.
Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.

In short: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton was an authentic and emotional read that really challenged my perception of the way I view the issues the novel dealt with.

What Happens Next was not my usual reading fare; those who know me know I only seldom stray into contemporary reads, choosing instead make-believe speculative fiction. And I RARELY make visits into the area of issue books, often scared away by the serious subject matter. But I can't say how utterly happy I am that I took the plunge and read What Happens Next, a story about a girl who gets date-raped while on a school ski-trip and the repercussions following the event. What a completely real and piercing read this was. As it turns out, I actually really love books that tackle serious subject matters - when they are done WELL, that is. I was definitely affected by the story and was given a lot to think about.

Sid is an instantly likeable and relatable protagonist, which makes her journey following the event all the more emotional. It's hard not to feel sympathy for a girl who loses everything in one night - her reputation, her friends, her self image, and her virginity - and yet somehow also feel proud of her that she wasn't completely beaten down. I loved how snarky and bold she was. And though I haven't personally ever gone through any experiences exactly the same to hers, I was still able to identify with the little things - her insecurities and doubts. Her authentic personality and appearance really made her stand out among a sea of cookie-cutter YA protagonists.

And I loved Sid's excellent support system in the form of her two best friends, her caring mother, her adorable brother, and her reliable pet Irish Wolfhound. And her love interest, Corey. Corey!! Corey is basically my idea of the perfect book boyfriend. Through it all, Corey is there to support Sid and it was such a relief to me that she always had him even when she felt she had no one else. He is thoughtful and caring, but also has his own insecurities and problems. The romance between Sid and Corey was pretty dang swoon-worthy, full of awkward and butterfly-inducing moments. And did I mention Corey bakes?! BAKES, people!!

Possibly the most notable part of What Happens Next is that it really challenged my perception of things and made me rethink how I view certain issues. And I am truly grateful to Colleen Clayton for that. I really appreciated her authentic approach to such serious issues. I was honestly shocked to learn that Colleen Clayton is a debut author because What Happens Next read like it was written by an experienced writer. I very much look forward to reading all her subsequent novels!

Other Reviews:
365 Days of Reading
Alluring Reads
Xpresso Reads

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