Review of It Had to be Mason (Beachbreak High, #1)
When I first stumbled upon It Had to be Mason by [Author’s Name], it was the cheeky title and the promise of quintessential high school romance that drew me in. I mean, who doesn’t love a good love story set against the backdrop of teenage angst, right? So, armed with a bubble of excitement, I dived into the pages, only to come up gasping for something—anything—worth savoring.
At its core, It Had to be Mason is a tale wrapped in the all-too-familiar tropes of teenage love, featuring characters who, while relatable to some degree, left me scratching my head more often than not. The story orbits around Zoe and Mason, entwined in their high-stakes high school drama, but I couldn’t help but feel the plot, especially Zoe’s infatuation with the utterly unremarkable Kevin, was weighed down by a lack of depth.
Zoe, bless her heart, is portrayed as intelligent yet seemingly oblivious to the glaringly obvious fact that Kevin is a total jerk. Her fixation on him was frustrating; it felt like she was more enamored with the idea of him than who he actually was. When her story culminated in a weakly executed “kiss scene,” my eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets. It was like watching two elementary school kids sharing their first peck—awkward and uninspired. “Our lips met. His lips were soft…” Really? That’s all you’ve got? I was left wishing for fireworks instead of what felt like a temporary bout of lip-locking followed by sandwiches.
Mason’s point of view did bring some spark. He’s charming and his observations about Zoe, like how beautiful she is and the typical antics of teenage life, injected some much-needed humor into the narrative. Yet, even his voice was marred by clichés. “Football is awesome, it gets all the ladies”—it felt like I was reading lines straight out of a teen movie script, without the comic relief.
The writing style had its enjoyable moments, and at times the pacing was decent, but overall, I found myself wishing for a more engaging narrative arc. One notable moment that stuck with me was when Mason questions why any guy wouldn’t be interested in Zoe—a sentiment I shared, so it’s a shame that both characters didn’t quite meet their potential.
To anyone who enjoys light, simplistic reads or is looking for a welcome distraction, this book may have its place on your shelf. But for those hunting for relatable characters with depth or a twisty plot that keeps you on your toes, prepare yourself to feel a little let down.
Ultimately, while It Had to be Mason might resonate with younger readers or those who reminisce about their own high school crushes, it didn’t quite deliver the satisfaction I hoped for. So, will I return to this book? Probably not. But I’m glad I gave it a shot, and I look forward to discovering those special stories that truly ignite my passion for reading. Happy reading!
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