Thursday 26 September 2013

Review: The Vow by Jessica Martinez

The Vow by Jessica Martinez
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: October 15th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars 


No one has ever believed that Mo and Annie are just friends. How can a guy and a girl really be best friends? Then the summer before senior year, Mo’s father loses his job, and by extension his work visa. Instantly, life for Annie and Mo crumbles. Although Mo has lived in America for most of his life, he’ll be forced to move to Jordan. The prospect of leaving his home is devastating, and returning to a world where he no longer belongs terrifies him. Desperate to save him, Annie proposes they tell a colossal lie—that they are in love. Mo agrees because marrying Annie is the only way he can stay. Annie just wants to keep her best friend, but what happens when it becomes a choice between saving Mo and her own chance at real love?

The Vow was another book which I had highly been anticipating, the pretty cover and story of two friends who would do anything for one another I found highly appealing. However in parts it delivered everything I was asking for, but in other parts it left me feeling sort of conflicted.

Mo and Annie had been friends for years, no one ever understood their friendship; how could these two only just be friends? But Annie and Mo found friendship in one another when they had nobody else. Mo and Annie saved one another when they needed to be saved the most and since then their friendship has just become even stronger. Their friendship is easy going that they’re there when they need each other the most. But then news comes through that Mo has to go back to Jordan with his dad’s visa no longer valid, the whole family has to leave as soon as possible. Annie feels bereft; she knows she will end up losing so much with Mo not being around, so they decide to do the only thing which will keep Mo in the US. Get married.

I from the very beginning really wanted Mo to stay too, it was clear even though they weren’t going the right way about it, there would be so many consequences for both of them, but their friendship was one that kept them both going through life. Annie had her parents constantly watching her, things had ended badly for Annie’s sister and so her parents had been over protective ever since. Only Mo was able to understand this. And then with everything Mo had to go through with moving to the US and everyone immediately assuming he was a terrorist, Annie understood how tough it could be for him. So yes more than anything I wanted Mo to stay in the US.

As expected Mo and Annie’s marriage wasn’t smooth sailing, there were several obstacles along the way which prevented them from keeping their marriage under wraps, as they wanted to. And of course unsupportive parents on both sides who couldn’t understand why they would want to ruin their lives or even offer an inch of support. So Mo and Annie truly found themselves on their own. But I appreciated watching Annie and Mo trying to make the most of what they had. I enjoyed getting both characters sides of the story, despite having so many differences. I liked how Martinez intertwined their stories together at the start of each of their pov. Instead of getting that jolty vibe of having to get used to a different perspective, the subtle linking of chapters really made the flow of the story a smooth one.

With both Annie and Mo having so many problems of their own to deal with, it was easy to get inside their head and connect with them both. With dual pov stories, I usually end up finding myself with a favourite pov and not really caring about the other one, but it was not the case here. I didn’t find myself wanting to skip ahead, but enjoyed taking my time and appreciating both stories.

My only real complaint (if you can even call it that) is that things didn’t really go the way I expected it to. (Highlight text to view spoiler).With Annie and Mo having to actually live together and put on a front for everyone else as husband and wife, I actually thought that their friendship would develop into something further; I think I was kind of hoping it would go this way, even though I adored Reed (Annie’s boyfriend). So I guess I kind of was disappointed that this didn’t happen. Also the ending where did that come from? It happened so quickly, but I suppose it was the realistic ending for both characters.


The Vow was a story which really took me by surprise, Martinez ability to write heartfelt stories is clearly evident. Although I didn’t really enjoy The Vow as much as Martinez debut novel Virtuosity, The Vow was still a great read which I’m glad I gave a try. 



20 comments:

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I have seen this book around but for some reason I was never really interested in it. The characters here sound really good and the whole idea of the story. I guess if the author made this emotional I could really enjoy it. Too bad about what happened at the end. Great review Jasprit :)

Carina Olsen said...

Aw, I'm not sure I'm happy with what you say about the romance, and the spoilers. Grrr. Yeah, not a book for me :) But it does seem interesting. I'm glad you managed to enjoy it, even though you didn't love it :) Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts. <3

Keertana said...

I loved Virtuosity but I feel as if Martinez's consequent novels haven't really grabbed my attention. I'm glad there's so much emotional attachment in this one, since I love an author's ability to make you FEEL, but I'm not sure this particular story line is for me. Wonderful review, Jasprit!

Melanie said...

Huh, I've never heard or seen this book before but what kinda name is Mo?! O.o

Great review anyways, Jasprit! <33

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

This one is actually on my reading radar for next week, so I'm really glad to see a review for it - even if it IS a 3.5. I like that you mention that both POVs are really solid though because that's so hit or miss with me. If I like one more than the other, I'm left feeling kind of off, you know? Great review, Jasprit! :)

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

First, I really do like the cover. It's cute without being cheesy and seems like it gives an indication as to what's inside. It sounds like I might need to get to know Mo and Annie, despite the ____ (yes, I read the spoiler. I'm bad.).

Anonymous said...

Great review, Jasprit. I've wanted to read this book ever since I read the blurb and it sounded amazing.
It's a shame that nothing really happens when it comes to their relationship. I would want them to be more than friends as well.
Thanks for sharing, Jasprit! :)

Jenny said...

So I read the spoiler (because I, for the life of me, can't NOT read something that says spoiler, I have to know!), and that was not what I expected at all! I definitely thought things would go in the same direction you thought, so I'm a little surprised by this book. And curious. I'm going to keep this one on my maybe list and run out to buy Virtuosity instead! Lovely review Jasprit!

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I'm glad to hear the different chapters fit together smoothly. That disjointed feel is one of the reasons why multiple perspectives don't always work for me. It sounds like both points of view are strong and likeable here. I haven't picked up anything by this author before, but I'm glad you enjoyed this overall. Lovely review, Jasprit!

Siiri said...

Oh yes, one of the things with dual POVs is that I keep turning the page to reach for my favorite one. LOL. Glad you were able to enjoy both :) I'm sorry it kind of disappointed you in areas, but 3.5 is still a good, very decent rating and I wouldn't mind watching this as a movie. I don't think I'll pick it up, unless I see some stellar reviews, but for it to become a movie script and then an actual movie? I'd LOVE that! Thanks for sharing, Jasprit!!!

brandileigh2003 said...

The emotions and connecting with characters sounds like it would draw me in

Jenni said...

Love that you liked both POV's in this one. I am like you in that I usually have a favourite one that I just keep wanting to skip ahead to get back to. I have this one coming up soon so I didn't read the spoiler but this review has me super curious! I could see me really liking this! Great review, Jasprit!

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

After the huge success that was Virtuosity for me, I was SO very disappointed in The Distance Between Us, so now I approach her books slowly and carefully, not expecting much.
Even though this had some lovely moments, and both Mo and Annie sound like amazing characters, I honestly don't think it would work for me, so I'll pass. It's my odd relationship with contemporary YA at work. GReat review, Jasprit!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

This does sound like an interesting little read. I would like to know more about how they worked it all out and if something more came out of their marriage, like did they fall in love after all that or did they remain affectionate friends?

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I think this one has a very interesting premise and probably deals with a lot of great questions/issues. I'm sorry there were some conclusions you didn't like though!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I now wonder if there is a pleasant outcome for the relationship between Mo and Annie. Thanks for sharing that you enjoyed the flow of the story. Adding this to my read list :)

Unknown said...

The Vow seems like an interesting story. Very powerful.
Thank you for the lovely review Jasprit!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

I was initially super excited for this one too. I'm tempted to check out that spoiler but I won't. lol But kinda bummed it all didn't completely go the way you hoped. But happy to hear you still enjoyed it for the most part.

Giselle said...

I've also heard a lot about this book and it sounds really different from anything I've read and friends who develop into a couple often end up my fav kind of romance! Great review, muffin! Glad you enjoyed i t even if it didn't go exactly where you thought it would. I'm even more curious about it, now!

Christina Reads YA said...

Ooh, I hadn't heard of the vow until now, but I agree that two friends who are determined and have really good friendship makes for a great premise. It's a shame that the book didn't quite live up to your expectations.

Sounds like Mo and Annie's friendship would be wonderful to read about... well, until the part about getting married. I can already sense the consequences. Unless they chose to continue about their lives in every way except being married, but I guess that's not where it headed.

I wonder why getting married means ruining their lives. o.O The parents don't seem very nice given how much Mo and Annie seem to support each other. Sounds like that made for some great character conflict though. Haven't seen many stories with intertwining POVs that I've thought worked well, but yay for this one being different!

True about having a favorite POV in dual POV stories. It's the best when you're invested in both and don't feel that urge to skim. Interesting spoiler -- I too would have expected something to develop, but I kind of like that it didn't (lol even though I haven't read). You don't get a lot of books where the platonic relationships stay just that.

PS - So looking forward to seeing your opinion on Raven Boys :D :D

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