Switch by Janelle Stalder

Switch by Janelle Stalder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! There are so many things I loved about Switch, I don't even know where to start. I finished reading it last night and sat staring at my Kindle wanting more – I guess I thought maybe if I stared long enough more will show up? It didn't work, so don't waste your time trying. That ending though…Oh. My. God. I have no idea how I am supposed to wait patiently for the next book to come out.

So, let's start with the characters…Charlotte/Dinah is pretty awesome. She was totally badass, but at the same time she was completely vulnerable. Confused? Me too. She was stuck in the world alone, betrayed by her family, and pissed off at everyone and everything. She was scared and in a helpless situation, but she made it all awesome by being a brassy bitch to everyone. She might not have control over her situation, but she was not going to take it lying down. She did what she had to in order to survive. She was driven by her anger and resentment, but she was determined to live. Did I mention she reads minds? You would think with this ability that she would be all-powerful, all-knowing, but this was not the case. I really think this is what I liked most about this book. She was still very human and had her own share of troubles. The mind reading definitely gave her an advantage, but there were people she could not read and situations were sometimes out of her control. She questioned herself and the people around her, never quite sure where she was supposed to fit in.

Roman really through me for a loop. I was never quite sure what to think of him. Dinah seemed to trust him, but all the while I was waiting for the knife in the back. I understand the next book is about him (which I have to wait a whole year for!), and I am so looking forward to it. I have this need to understand him, to know what makes him tick. Even at this point, after having finished Switch, I am not sure if I love him or hate him! Talk about messing with the mind…

Pete is just plain freaking awesome. He has so many layers I'm not even sure where to start with him. Just to list a few of his so many wonderful traits: He is gorgeous, sweet, and charming (can we say lady's man?). He is loyal, trustworthy, and protective of those he loves. He fights for what he believes in, even if that means going against the status quo. In short, he is the kind of guy you want by your side.

There are more, but I seriously cannot write about all of them – this review will be as long as the book! Let's just say that each of the characters in this story was amazingly written. Even the secondary characters who might not seem all that important individually brought their own personality to the story, and it all came together to create this fantastic world.

Some other things I loved (I'll try to make this quick)…First, the relationships in the story were perfect. From Dinah and Pete, Pete and his brothers, Pete and Bridgette, and even Dinah and Roman, each relationship was meshed out and complex. Next, the writing itself was fantastic. The author was able to bring mystery and uncertainty to every part of her story. Not once while I was reading did I know exactly what was going to happen next. It definitely kept me on the edge, questioning everything. And again with that ending…it's driving me crazy trying to imagine how it is going to play out. Well done Janelle Stalder, and thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read your story.

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