I did not care for this book- the writing style was one that I could not get into to at all.

The premise of this book sounds completely cheesy and I’m normally not a fan of love stories in my reading, but I loved this one! It’s raw, gritty, edgy, and uncomfortable…while also managing to be a study of class in America. And, it features the most gorgeous writing I’ve seen in months! The settings of 1980’s New Haven and New York City certainly account for some of the grittiness, but Libaire’s writing and storytelling takes care of the rest. And, Libaire’s spot-on and perfectly worded social commentary about the wealthy provides a nice change of pace from Jamey and Elise’s dark and intense relationship.

"Binkie, the one and only. He can hear her rings clacking on the plastic phone, and he chuckles, envisioning with amusement the bejeweled and suntanned manicured grip his grandmother thinks she has on his balls. And she does."

I don’t normally describe love stories as suspenseful, but this one kicks off with a Prologue that had me dying to know how Jamey and Elise would get from Point A to Point Z. My only complaint is that the actual Point Z didn’t work for me…it didn’t fit well with the rest of the story. Nevertheless, White Fur is one gorgeously written, highly literary, and totally unique (so unique that I can’t think of a single book to compare it to) love story…and is one of my favorite books so far this year!

What a great read! I really didn't know what to expect from this book, but I had a hard time putting it down. Thank you for the chance to read this ARC!

Did not think this would be my cup of tea, but glad I took a chance on it. The characters are written in a way that made them seem very real, though they're all very different to anyone I know. I was forced to change my opinion of some of the characters, especially Elise, so well done to the author for making that happen!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a classic story of opposites attract. It made me feel a rush of emotions: content, anxious, maddening, and happy.. but I guess that is love, right?

This was a very well written story, and I found it hard to put down.

Disappointing novel. I spent much of the time reading this book trying to find something redeeming about the main characters. I continued reading because I rarely start a book without finishing. I should have just quit...Jamey and Elise were self-centered children who had no interest in anyone beyond themselves. The story was not compelling and I slogged through until I finished and couldn't believe the end just...happened. Done. The only emotion I felt was relief that it was over.

It seems from reading a few other reviews that I'm in the minority with this one. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Reading the description I thought it would be something I'd like, maybe a little different but still interesting. As I started reading I seemed to have to push myself through it and even skimming over some parts because I just don't like to stop with a book. Because what if it gets better or there's something really good and I miss it. Well, not in this case. It reminded me a lot of Fates and Furies, which I did quit on. I think my main reason for continuing was because I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy from NetGalley so I felt I should follow through with it. If you like reading about a couple with different backgrounds who have this crazy relationship that's drawn out into way too much detail, then this book might be for you. It just wasn't for me, but even so I'm thankful to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity.

To say that White Fur, by Jardine Libaire, is a gritty love story would be a vast understatement. This saga of love, sex, boredom, and obsession, is mesmerizing, at times. But afterwards, I felt like I needed a shower.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Elise is a bit of a stereotype, at first. She never graduated from high school, doesn't seem to have any ambitions, and (of course) had an abusive childhood. But as the story progresses, I found I really loved her character. Elise is kind, loyal, and truly loves Jamie. She is not a gold-digger, as everyone thinks. She sees Jamie as a trapped soul who doesn't know how to live. And her mission in life is to set him free.


Jamie's mother, Tory, is also well-written. Although I can't say I liked her character, I had some empathy with how she was used up by Jamie's family, and then kicked to the curb. She, luckily, has a successful acting career. But she is a bitter woman, using people just as she was used by the Hyde's.

What I Was Mixed About:

Prose:

The author's seems to favor painting a series of disjointed moments to set a mood. I suppose that the book is written almost as a collection of memories, much of which are just flashes of moments. This can be beautiful, but needs to be done sparingly in order to get maximum effect.

What I Didn't Like:

Crudeness:

I will say right now that I do not like explicit sex scenes in books. I think it detracts from the story. This book goes way beyond explicit and becomes a series of strange, disturbing moments of experimentation. That would be bad enough, but the author has decided to go into minute details of body functions (and fluids), and it was way too much for me. I didn't find it at all sexy.

Characters:

Jamie was a very unlikable person. I know he is a lost boy and Elise loves him, but I thought Elise deserved better. Several times in the book, the Hyde family is awful to Elise, belittling her and actually laughing at her. Jamie does nothing to come to her defense. He is, for much of the book, ashamed of her. It's as if Elise is a base sort of need that he needs to feel guilty about.

Jamie somewhat gets over that feeling as the story goes on. But something happens towards the end of the book that shows what a jerk he is. Instead of being there for Elise, he shuts her out, wallowing in his anger at his family. I became rather tired of the poor misunderstood rich boy routine.

Ending:

The ending seemed rushed and didn't ring true to me. As I don't like to give away spoilers, I will only say that this ending felt like a way for the characters to gain some happiness to make up for all the terrible things that happened to them over the course of the book. Considering how raw the previous sections were, this ending was almost like a dream of the characters.

I've seen this book all over the place lately, so needless to say I was delighted when NetGalley sent me a digital copy from the publisher. From 1986-87, we meet Elise and Jamey who couldn't be more different. Elise grew up in a rough neighborhood and was prone to drugs, police altercations, and poverty at a young age. Jamey, on the other hand, is a privileged Yale student and son of two very wealthy parents. They end up being neighbors in New Haven, and against all odds, become a couple. This isn't a typical romance - their feelings toward each other aren't always positive or mutual, and their parents are quick to negativity over the couple.

There really was a 'Romeo and Juliet' feel to this story between the star-crossed lovers and what happened in the very first chapter (I don't want to spoil anything, but it does keep you on your toes for the remainder of the book). At first, I myself was skeptical of Elise and Jamey's relationship, mostly because Jamey's indifference frustrated me. However, as the tale unfolded, I was much more on board and things became clearer.

I saw that this was a Book of the Month selection for June, and I definitely recommend giving it a shot (especially if you don't mind many blush-inducing love scenes 😉).

3.75 stars. How many ways can you reconfigure Romeo and Juliet? Probably infinitely. In some respects, White Fur is incredibly original. In other ways, it's awfully familiar. Set in the late 1980s, Elise and Jamey meet while Jamey is a student at Yale. Jamey comes from a ridiculously wealthy and elitist family. Elise comes from a mixed race family at the very low end of the socio economic ladder. At first, it's unclear where their relationship is going and what their individual intentions are. With time, this becomes the story of Jamey and Elise against the world. The plot is familiar because, well, it's another take on an iconic story. But what makes this one original is the rawness and grittiness of Elise and Jamey's relationship -- with kudos to Jardine who avoids falling into easy stereotypes in her depiction of these characters (although Jamey's family does seem a bit unidimensional at times). While I enjoyed reading most of White Fur, I didn't love the end which explains why it wasn't quite a four star read. The end was a bit weird and felt like a cop out. Still a good read for anyone who has a taste for some grittiness embedded in their literature. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

This book was different than what I expected. I was expecting a Pretty in Pink or Romeo and Juliet, but it was a lot deeper than that. It was compelling but quite depressing at times, mostly because it's true to life. Worth a read if you enjoy relationship novels that incorporate real life issues in society.

Not sure what to think of this book. It was fascinatingly weird. If that makes sense. I couldn't put it down. It's a love story, but it made me sad to think that's how some people can behave. And yet I was hopeful and entranced by these characters. You need to read this for yourself to fully appreciate it. It was an exceptional read! I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy

I chose this book because...

I like juxtapositions and how one brings out the other. New York City is a place people go to make their dreams come true, and a place where there are so many different dreams. It’s the dreams of all these people that make this city so magical. For that reason, I’m intrigued by stories that are set in cities like this. Also… a night taking "a shocking turn"? The drama! I wonder what happened...

Upon reading it...

Hm, this book wasn’t what I expected. It read like a fanfic, but like, a really sexual one--an erotic romance novel I guess. Elise and Jamey were automatically attracted to each other; there wasn’t any build up or tension or suspense. It was like an R-rated Disney love story where it’s like, oh c’mon, you literally met one day ago, you are not in love.

I’m not sure whether Elise was supposed to be a feminist character—a strong, sexual woman. I did not connect with her. She can be summed up as: sexually experienced, bad decisions, fixated on Jamey. Whereas Jamey is just a boy who grew up with money, is not that interesting, and treats Elise as an object. The book focuses on their relationship and how people in Jamey’s life are trying to pull them apart, but otherwise, there isn’t anything going on plot-wise, except for exactly what was mentioned in the blurb. But even when that conflict arose, I didn’t feel any suspense or compassion. For me, their relationship wasn’t enough to carry the story. They just like having sex with each other and then become dependent on each other.

After finishing the book, I felt like I had watched an indie film I didn’t get.

White Fur, I even love the title. This is one heck of a good ride. a must read for summer. I loved it!

Great book, easy read… Held my attention and was sad to see it end. Thanks for the opportunity to read it!

As a child of the 80's I can only praise this highly. The characters are vivid and original, the plot is urgent giving the reader no time to pause to see how this all unravels. The relationship between Jamie and Elise is raw, a purity that readers will have a visceral reaction to.

Elise meets Jamey in New Haven when the two are neighbors. Jamey goes to Yale and his path in life is laid out by his wealthy, determined parents.There is a fake white fur jacket Elise traded some chips to a girl for and wears it all the time. Elise grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the projects. But Elise knows who she is and she knows she wants a better life for herself. Elise was unsophisticated, uneducated HS dropout. She was also biracial with no plan. Elise run away and leaves her mom behind who she loves but can’t force herself to say with her. She stays in a car to get some sleep and when the owner of the car finds her he takes her home and they become friends and roommates or things could have turned out a lot worse for Elise. Elise sees Jamey and Matt outside and heads out to meet them. Jamey is from money , his mother had been a Hollywood starlet and his father is an investment banker. Jamey is to follow in his dad's footsteps in a firm handed down by his grandfather. Jamey had never been happy before he met Elise. He knows there has been an emptiness and feels Elise will fill that. Jamey and Elise try to figure out how to fit in each others world as they start a relationship. Elise doesn’t Jamey is offered an internship in NYC. He asked Elise to go with him. Elise does not like the demanding need she has for Jamey. Jamey’s family are willing to do almost anything to break them up. But Jamey refuses to leave Elise as she is all he wants. and soon they are obsessed with each other. Elise’s family is more real and geared for survival therefore more accepting. Almost everyone is against them.
I really liked this story. I felt it was realistically portrayed but it still had the feel of Romeo and Juliet or more so Pretty Woman. But I also felt it was gritty and raw and full of emotions. I loved that the characters weren’t perfect just as in real life. However it was a bit repetitive at times. But I still felt it was well written. It also had a good plot. But it also dragged a little at times not enough to make me want to stop reading though.I t kept my attention all through the book. But all and all a good read, I liked the characters and the ins and outs and I recommend.

The description for WHITE FUR had me extremely intrigued.

June 1987. The book starts off with an extremely tense situation in a motel room. Two people have been locked in the same position for over two hours. A decision will need to be made.

The author then takes us back to the beginning. January 1986 in Connecticut. Where it all begins.

Twenty-year old, Elise Perez lives with her friend, Robbie. Robbie found her one day sleeping in the backseat of his current boyfriends car. In her fur coat (that she traded a can of Pringles for), she looked like an animal curled up in the backseat. He took her home and they bonded quickly….neither of them knowing what to do with their lives.

They live next door to a couple of rich Yale boys. Elise makes her way outside one night after she sees the boys on the front porch smoking. They invite her in for a beer and she accepts. The neighbors, Matt and Jamey are very different. Matt is cocky and has a coldness about him. Jamey is more relaxed and seems kind. When Matt suggests it’s time for Elise to leave, we find out the real reason she went over there. She has seen Matt trying to entertain his friends by making fun of Robbie. Mimicking his walk and mannerisms when Robbie doesn’t see.

“And if you ever get near my friend Robbie again, let alone make fun of him like I seen you do, I’ll burn your motherf#$%ing house down.”

It almost seems like Matt is going to attack Elise and barely controls himself. However, when Elise looks at Jamey she sees something different in his eyes…respect?

It’s not long after that the relationship between Elise and Jamey begins.

Elise, a high school drop-out, left home a year earlier. She left to save herself from being pulled under by her family. Though they loved her and she loved them she needed to get out. Dirt poor, she’s struggled and fought since the day she was born. Since leaving home she’s done things she may not be proud of, but needed to do to survive.

Jamey grew up with the proverbial silver spoon….There was nothing he wasn’t given. The Golden Boy. He was very young when he realized that everyone thought he knew something that they didn’t.

“They think he knows the secret to life. They get mad when he doesn’t offer it up.”

As the months go by Elise and Jamey grow closer, their crazy, wild, and obsessive relationship taking many unexpected turns. The feelings they have for each other surprising everyone, including them. But so much is working against them. They come from completely different worlds. But the connection pulling them together is so strong. With everything and everyone trying to tear them apart how can their relationship possibly survive? What sacrifices will they have to make in order to be together?

This was a very different novel for me. I had so many different thoughts while reading it. My feelings were all over the place. I’m not a prude. It’s not that I don’t like gritty, grungy, sexy stories…. because I do. But there were some parts that were just too much for me. I couldn’t decide how I felt, but I kept reading. I’m angry at him, her, both of them, neither of them. But I didn't stop reading.

Certain parts of their relationship make me uncomfortable. Some of the descriptions and decisions made are supposed to be of two people in love. But I know that we are all different. That every relationship is different. But some of it just didn’t sit well with me. But really…. who am I to judge anyone?

I think I could be in the minority on this one. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. I’ve seen a lot of great, positive reviews and that’s awesome. But we all can’t love everything we read. Unfortunately, there were quite a few times where things just didn’t make sense to me, times where the writing confused me. Honestly, I had to look up the definition of more than a few words. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t see the beauty in some of the writing though. But after a while some of the detail seemed excessive.

Oh but there was a lot I DID enjoy about this book. A lot of the writing I highlighted and absolutely loved. And I still wanted to know what was going to happen with Elise and Jamey. So there was no way I was going to stop reading.

In the end, I’m still glad that I read this book. I was okay with how it all came together in the end…I think. I just found the trip a bit turbulent. And of course…this is just my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.

What a great book. The description of NY in the 80's jumps off of the pages. (Amazon reviewed)

White Fur by Jardine Libaire
Publisher: Hogarth
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Length: 320 pages

Single Sentence Summary: From different worlds, Jamey and Elise share a dark, unexpected love that even they can’t always comprehend.

Primary Characters: Jamey Hyde – A Yale junior, heir to his family’s private investment bank, son of a famous actress. Jamey would seem to have it all. Elise Perez – A high school dropout turned runaway. Elise grew up in housing projects with no father and a mother who was often on drugs.

Publisher’s Synopsis: When Elise Perez meets Jamey Hyde on a desolate winter afternoon, fate implodes, and neither of their lives will ever be the same. Although they are next-door neighbors in New Haven, they come from different worlds….Never-the-less, the attraction is instant, and what starts out as sexual obsession turns into something greater, stranger, and impossible to ignore. The unlikely couple moves to Manhattan in hopes of forging an adult life together, but Jamey’s family intervenes in desperation, and the consequences of staying together are suddenly severe.

Review: While it’s true White Fur by Jardine Libaire a love story, it’s a most remarkable love story. Remarkable for two distinct reasons: the story itself and Libaire’s gorgeous writing. It’s not every writer who can be as successful in both within the same winning volume.

I wouldn’t typically be drawn to a love story per se, but White Fur’s promise of grit with a 1980’s New York setting had me onboard. On the surface Jamey and Elise appear to be a stereotypical rich boy/poor girl couple. I assure you they’re not. As the story begins we see two distinct personalities emerge. One, confident and patient, willing to watch life unfold. The other, confused, frightened, unsure of what to expect from life. Yet these two personalities meld, initially on a purely sexual basis, but over time becoming so much more, becoming everything. They forge their love on the strengths and weaknesses of each, making unexpected, sometimes unwise choices.

White Fur is one of those rare books in which the writing is the star. I highlighted many, many gorgeous passages and could have highlighted many more. Libaire wrote a very long, extraordinary description of what happens when two bodies meet which I will NEVER forget. She beautifully wrapped the story of Elise and Jamey in a smart package of stunning prose that both illuminate and strengthen this love story.

“There is just the palest blue light seeping through the curtain, there is Elise’s long hand, there is just this kiss, this cathedral of a moment when she presses her mouth to his, her eyes brimming with crystals.”

Libaire chose to set her story 1980’s Manhattan, and her words vividly brought the city to life. She took you there. Similarly, Jamey and Elise were beautifully drawn, complex and whole.

“Jamey adores the shooting stars of her mind, the powdery galaxy of her thoughts. Her intelligence isn’t organized the same way his is. She never finishes more than a few pages of a book, but loves to talk about what she read. She thinks in wild gardens….”

If there is a weakness in White Fur, it came in the last quarter of the book. Some will find the unusual turn that led to its ending unlikely. I might tend to agree, but sometimes unlikely works, is even necessary. For me, this twist did not take away from the story of Jamey and Elise, but gave it the momentum needed to reach its final, satisfying end. Grade: A

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.