Title: Creating Chaos
Author: Lacey Dailey
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: July 2, 2018
Release Date: July 2, 2018
Blurb
Gideon Stryker hates high school and everything that comes with it. As a dancer at a school filled with students whose favorite past time is to make his life as miserable as possible, his plan for senior year is simple: lay low, graduate, and get the hell out.
Elliott Oakley wasn't looking for friends, a relationship, or anything in between after his normal life went from tolerable to unbearable and he made the necessary choice to move from Iowa to North Carolina.
But this is life. And plans change.
They were best friends first but Gideon and Elliott soon form a connection that is too powerful to deny. They fall hard for each other, creating chaos and ignoring judgment wherever they go.
Suddenly, high school seems manageable, life seems bearable, and the plans they were so set on following get tossed out the window. They make a new plan. One that ends with them together. But their plan gets a giant wedge tossed into it the moment Elliott's past makes the journey from Iowa all the way to North Carolina, creating more chaos than they ever thought possible.
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3.75 Stars
The best part of this book was Gideon and his parents. I’ve read a lot of MM and quite a few featuring children, but most have young kids, I LOVED watching two gay men interact with a teenaged kid. I adored these three together, and truly, I didn’t need a romance. The three of them together were satisfying enough to have kept me entertained throughout the entire story.
Now, let’s get to Elliott. I loved him at first. I loved that he saw through the rumors and saw the real Gideon. He didn’t let his fellow classmates actions deter him from getting to know and befriend, Gideon.
As I said I LOVED the interactions between Gideon and his parents, and really, he was just an all around amazing young man and I LOVED him. He was funny and sweet and he let his classmates opinions and tormenting behavior roll right off his back for the most part.
What I didn’t like was, and this is something that is so prevalent in romances today, is taking your parents' romantic mistakes and transferring that fear of those mistakes onto their loved interest. It’s annoying and often feels like inserting drama into the story, just for the sake of having drama.
Overall, the story is well-written and often had me chuckling and even laughing out loud, but it’s a YA and the attitudes and actions of Gideon and Elliott, especially Elliott, reflect that. For the most part, I enjoyed the story. It started off with so much promise, but then we have, in my opinion, unnecessary drama. Elliott and Gideon faced enough past and present hurt that I just felt Elliott’s actions in certain instances were not needed, and frankly, I kinda wanted to punch him in the throat, but alas he’s a minor, so I’ll reframe. So, while not my most enjoyable read, it is still recommendable!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
3.75 Stars
I loved Gideon, he was such a strong and mature 17-year-old, who at his age had already endured more than he should have. I absolutely hated the way he was bullied at school and it's sad to think that so many teens have to go through something similar, as well.
I really liked Elliott, too. Actually, I loved him at first. It was refreshing the way he stood with Gideon against Gideon's bullies and made up his own mind about Gideon. And then, Elliott let his past experiences color his perception of Gideon (twice) blowing things out of proportion, although I will admit that the second time looked kind of bad, and not giving Gideon a chance to explain and then on top of it all, Gideon was the one seeking Elliott out to make things right, so that made my estimation of him lower quite a bit. Sorry, but that's one of my pet peeves, so I can't help myself.
Still, I will admit that Gideon and Elliott made a lovely couple and I had high hopes of them making it in the long run.
I absolutely adored Gideon's parents, who stole the show in every scene they were in. They had such a fantastic relationship not only between them, but with Gideon. It was amazing to see. And I loved Elli's grandpa, too. He was very nice. I hated Elliott's father with the fire of a thousand suns and I was very happy he got what he deserved. The part with Norah, Elliott's new stepmother, was too much of a coincidence for my taste, but I guess it worked well in the end.
Overall, while not exactly what I expected, Creating Chaos was a good read. I think Lacey Daley has a good grasp of what teenage kids go through and managed to create a story that touches several difficult topics in a sensitive manner. Recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Author Bio
The best place to find Lacey is with her nose in a book. She’s a sucker for a good love story and a happy ending that has her swooning. When she’s not obsessing over giving her own characters a happy ending, you can find her in the dance studio embowering young dancers and giving out tons of stickers. Thanks to her mother’s pizzeria, Lacey can make a delicious pizza.
When she’s not putting on her dance shoes or inhaling a slice of pizza, she’s in front of her computer binge watching romantic comedies and penning stories with love so powerful, it’ll last a lifetime. As a recent graduate of Central Michigan University, Lacey intends to keep inspiring people through dance and lots and lots of words. She currently lives in Central Michigan surrounded by her family and unpredictable weather.
When she’s not putting on her dance shoes or inhaling a slice of pizza, she’s in front of her computer binge watching romantic comedies and penning stories with love so powerful, it’ll last a lifetime. As a recent graduate of Central Michigan University, Lacey intends to keep inspiring people through dance and lots and lots of words. She currently lives in Central Michigan surrounded by her family and unpredictable weather.
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