I Debated On My Rating...

So I debated a bit on my rating here because I did like this book so I considered a four stars, but that ending really didn't do it for me. I mean yes the scene has sigh moments to it but I don't know it's like the story ends like a truncated file. It's just over when it seems like there should be so much more. I mean considering the very different backgrounds these kids have, the very different future paths they're potentially on, it seems like it's going to be a little hard to be awesome and really unrealistic to not truly address those obstacles. I guess it's more than that for me with this story as well. There's the bakc and forth between first and third POV I didn't really care for, I think this could have been done much better either in a solid third or a rotating first. But most of all it tries too hard. The author clearly decided this story would remain mostly lighthearted despite providing broken characters with real issues in a setting conductive to drama. We know they have issues but the surface of those is barely skimmed in order to keep that lighthearted not too deep feel of the story. It's kind of like the ending where it ends before they really have to face the hard stuff. I'm all for a lighthearted story when the characters fit the bill, I wouldn't bother with teen romance if I didn't enjoy the occasional lighthearted story. But as a reader I don't like to be teased with something deeper then cheated out of the experience in order to achieve that feel and ultimately that is my biggest issue with the story. However it was a good story. I liked Mariley and Cabot, I wanted to know them better. I'm curious about Willa and Finn, two of the secondary characters in this story. The peek into the world of NextGen High has me intrigued and I'd like to know more. Don't get me wrong it's a good book, it's just one of those good books that you know could have been better.