Ex-mas

Title: Ex-mas

Author:  Kate Brian

Genre:  Young Adults

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publish Date:  October 6, 2009

Pages:  Kindle Edition: 224

ISBN:  978-1416991519

Obtained:  Bought from Amazon.

Synopsis: *Obtained from Amazon*

Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.

Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau -- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.

It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?

It’s beginning to look a lot like… not Christmas because it’s August. But there’s Christmas in this book so it seemed like a good opening. My silliness aside time for the review.

Our main character Lila is a seventeen year old girl deep into the high school social ladder scene. Right off the bat she’s not really a likeable character at this point. But expect character growth. Lila is hoping to hold the biggest holiday party while her parents are gone on a short trip.

Her plans however are ruined by her little brother, Cooper, who tattles on her. In retaliation Lila does a play out of the “Things not to do to your younger sibling” book. She plants the idea in Cooper’s head that Santa Claus is in trouble due to global warming.

When Cooper and his best friend who happens to be the little brother of Lila’s ex-boyfriend, run away to head to the North Pole Lila and her ex-boyfriend Beau must go after them.

To be honest while Lila is certainly not entirely in the right I did find Beau to be slightly judgmental.  While I’m nothing like the popular, girly type I didn’t find the need for Beau to be so judgmental of Lila’s friends. But this is only opinion. And despite the judging Beau is a good guy.

Over the journey Lila does grow and she and Beau reconcile their differences. What that leads to you’ll have to read the book for.

RATING: 6 out of 10