The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Title: The Art of Lainey

Author: Paula Stokes

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 20, 2014

Source: ARC borrowed from fellow blogger

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, and Susane Colasanti, The Art of Lainey tells the story of how, with the help of The Art of War, Lainey plots the perfect plan to get her boyfriend back. But is getting him back really what she wants?

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her--no reasons, nor warnings, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that's when Lainey and Bianca stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, the girls are sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey's arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous.

After a few "dates," it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game. Can fighting for what she wants help Lainey figure out what she really needs?

You guys all know how much I love reading fun and adorable contemporaries. This time of year especially, I pretty much crave them. They just go so well with summer. Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey was just what I was craving and it quickly became a favourite. 

Lainey Mitchell had her summer all planned: she would work at her family’s café, play in a soccer summer rec league and spend all her spare time with her amazing boyfriend, Jason. But that plan quickly falls apart when, out of the blue, Jason breaks up with her for no reason and in front of everyone in the café. Lainey isn’t about to let a break up stop her though. With the help of her best friend, Bianca, she starts plotting how to get Jason back. Inspired by The Art of War, Lainey decides that was she needs is a fake boyfriend to make Jason jealous. Enter Micah, Lainey’s co-worker and Jason’s complete opposite. Who better to be a fake boyfriend? After just a few days, things seem to be working great. But the more time Lainey spends with Micah, the more she starts to think that maybe she’s been going after the wrong guy all along. 

I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved and enjoyed Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey. When I picked it up, I was just in the mood for a fun and adorable contemporary story, and on the surface that’s just what I got with The Art of Lainey. When I started reading, it didn’t take long for me to get completely sucked in. I loved the way The Art of War was woven into the story, realizing just how much it can be applied to everything beyond just war. And of course, in the context of this story, it led to some pretty amusing moments. Let’s just say that Lainey had a tendency to take things quite literally, making things that much more amusing. But what I loved about The Art of Lainey more than anything was the romance. This wasn’t your typical love at first sight story. The romance here, was definitely more of a slow burn between Lainey and Micah. If anything, they didn’t even really like each other when this whole fake dating thing started. But right away, I could tell that things would change and that Micah was who Lainey really belonged with, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s the thing about Lainey. For almost half of the book I didn’t really like Lainey, to the point where I started wondering whether this would affect my enjoyment of the book. She just bothered me. She was so focused on trying to get Jason back that she didn’t see what was right in front of her, and don’t even get me started on her behaviour. She was just being that girl who couldn’t seem to figure out who she was outside of her boyfriend, and it bugged me. But there was character growth. Once Lainey started spending more time with Micah, she started changing for the better. She was still the same person, but she became much more likeable and actually started to understand who she was. And then there was Micah. Micah was so not who I expected him to be. He was SO MUCH BETTER. I loved the way he pushed Lainey and challenged her, trying to get her out of her comfort zone. But he wasn’t a jerk. Those glimpses I saw of him with his younger sister completely melted my heart. There was just so much more to him than met the eye. And I can’t wait to to read his story in Infinite Repeat. 

In case you hadn’t guessed it by now, I absolutely loved Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey. It was a fun and totally adorable story that kept me turning the pages with a big smile on my face. If you’re looking for the perfect contemporary read for summer, The Art of Lainey is just that book.

Blog Tour: The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes - Character Interview + Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of taking part in the Canadian blog tour for Paula Stokes' upcoming The Art of Lainey. I've already had the chance to read this book and I absolutely loved it. If you're looking for a fantastic read for summer, this is it. And if you want a glimpse at what awaits you in the book, keep reading to learn more about Micah, my favourite person in this story.

What prompted you to start working at Denali? Did it have anything to do with your culinary aspirations?

Actually my culinary aspirations came from working at Denali. I got my job there when I was fifteen. It’s a long story, but basically I lied to my mom and told her I had gotten offered a job in order to avoid our yearly trip to the cemetery. (I hate that place.) So then I had to find a job ASAP so she didn’t bust me for lying. I went wandering around Hazelton, saw a Help Wanted sign in the window of Denali, and filled out an app. I’m pretty sure the manager only hired me because she liked the rock band T-shirt I was wearing, but hey, whatever works. It turned out that I’m naturally good at cooking an baking. I especially like baking because it’s a real challenge to get the ratios and flavors just right. 

What has it been like growing up without your dad? It seems to have made you and your sister really close.

Sorry, I don’t like talking about my dad. But yeah, Trinity is the shit. After Dad died, she basically kept our family running while Mom and I took turns self-destructing. My mom did my trinity tattoo in her honor. She had to keep stopping in the middle because she kept crying.

Be honest, what was your initial reaction when Lainey asked you to be her fake boyfriend?

I thought it was a ridiculous idea, but sometimes ideas work, you know? Plus my sadistic side liked the thought of dragging Girl Jock Lainey Mitchell to a bunch of places where she’d be uncomfortable so I could watch her flounder. I guess that’s kind of mean, huh? Whatever—she did the same thing to me.

Knowing what you know now, would you do things differently?

As far as all the “dates” and stuff, I wouldn’t change a thing because they were a fun way for Lainey and me to get to know each other. If I could do things over, I hope I would be less of a wuss, though. And less of a douchebag to both Lainey and my ex. I did them both wrong at one point, but that was mostly because I was a wuss. 

From what I know about you, you’re not really what you seem. Do people often misjudge you because of how you look? Have you ever taken advantage of that?

Yup—they do. Take advantage of it? You mean I can use this to my benefit? Please elaborate.

What do you think the future holds for you? Is Lainey going to be featured prominently in that future?

I’m kind of hoping the future holds my own book, but right now I’m settling for a lengthy novella ;-) As far as Lainey goes, who knows, right? I mean, this is high school and shit can get pretty volatile. I think the end of the book makes my feelings pretty clear, but it’s not just up to me.

Thank you Micah for answering my questions, I can't wait for more people to get to know you. 

About the book:

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is greasing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, nor warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help form her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can sue the book to lure Jason back in Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates,” it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with, if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?

About the author:

Paula Sokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She few up in St. Louis, Missouri where she graduated from Washington University and the Goldfarb School of Nursing. When she’s not writing, she’s kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. Paula loves interacting with readers! Find her online on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Giveaway!

Does The Art of Lainey sound like something you would be interested in reading? Then be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win one of two copies of the book. To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open internationally.

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